East County News Service

July 11, 2017 (Flinn Springs) – “I watched this whole fire play out, since we live so close,” Renee Owens wrote in an email to ECM. “It’s not the first fire I have ever witnessed, but this one got so hot and moved so quickly at first it was downright scary. You could hear the trees pop and explode, the fire reached 60 foot flames on some of the steep slopes, and stopped right at the I-8 just a couple hundred feet from a huge propane storage tank. It traveled frighteningly fast at first, but once the air tankers and helicopters showed up - combined with hitting some steep and sparsely vegetated cliff faces - they managed to tamp it down pretty quickly despite the heat and wind. It came within a couple hundred feet of houses near Dunbar lane. Watching it go from enormously hot and fast to under control was seriously impressive, and we owe some major thanks to the pilots on this one.”

As of 10 p.m. tonight, the fire is 10% contained and has burned over 400 acres.  All roads have been reopened.

By Rebecca Williamson

Photo:  El Cajon resident Ace Saunders, and his pit bull, Saturn.

June 11, 2017 (Santee) -- El Cajon resident, Ace Saunders, and his pit bull, Saturn, won best trick contest at Santee's 2nd Annual Fido Fest for performing a variety of commands.  The event, held June 10^th in Santee, drew an estimated 2,000-- with smallest dog, largest dog, and a cake walk all part of the festivities. 

East County News Service

April 17, 2017 (El Cajon) - Robert Gehr sent in photos of these beautiful blooms, taken at the white gazebo at Judson Park in El Cajon at the corner of North Magnolia Avenue and West Park Avenue.  Take time to stop and smell the roses!

East County News Service

March 4, 2017 (Borrego Springs) – You never know what you’re going to find in the Anza Borrego Desert!  Our editor, Miriam Raftery, headed out in search of wildflowers this weekend.  It’s still 1-2 weeks too early to see fields of flowers in bloom, but she did get some close-ups of early blossoms, scenic shots and an up-close look at some of the many whimsical sculptures dotting the desert terrain.

East County News Service

January 23, 2017 (Pala) – “I almost hit this boulder coming home last night from work,” says Tracy Lee Nelson, who reported the obstruction on Highway76 on the La Jolla Indian reservation. “I called 911 and Caltrans showed up and said they can’t move it and ordered the dynamite crew.”

East County News Service

December 24, 2016 (Ocotillo) – Parke Ewing sent this stunning shot, perfectly composed, of a rainbow arcing above wind turbines in the desert at Ocotillo on Christmas Eve after the storm.

Residents have long complained about the turbines marring desert views.  So when Ewing posted this image on Facebook, it received some equally creative comments.

East County News Service

November 22, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Drum Macomber sent in this photo of Senior Patrol Leader Kyle Jackson and Patrol Leader Alex Horn, Boy Scouts from Troop 362, with the El Cajon Main Street Flag Committee.

"This photo was not staged; it just happened when we decided that we should have the Pledge of Allegiance at the Work Party," Macomber says. "This is a Norman Rockwell Moment if ever."

East County News Service

November 1, 2016 (Cuyamaca) — Craig Maxwell snapped these dramatic images of spectacular skies and fall foliage in Cuyamaca, a gem in our backcountry region.

(L-R) Lady Molly (Christine Robbins), Councilman (Gary Kendrick), Boo (Crystal Clark), Assassins Creed (Gary Wachtler)

By Jonathan Goetz

October 22, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Hauntfest was a big success again this year with carnival rides, costume contests, games, live music and dancing along Main Street in El Cajon on Friday. Police concerned about marauding bands of Vikings were out in force.

East County News Service

September 18, 2016 (Palomar Mountain) — Jim Hamerly and Peggy McCauley Hamerly had some unexpected visitors at the home on Palomar Mountain.  They were eating breakfast at 7 a.m. when “these two young mountain lions sauntered by our home and stopped and just looked at us,” Jim posted on Facebook.

East County News Service

August 17, 2016 (Spring Valley) - Thanks to Kreg Kearly for sending in these dramatic images of the Pointe Fire in Spring Valley taken by his son, Kerouac Geoffroy-Kearley. The brush fire threatened homes and forced evacuations in Spring Valley on Wednesday. 

East County News Service

May 20, 2016 (El Cajon) – Photographer Randy Jordan snapped these action shots of cyclists in the AMGEN Tour of California.

April 12, 2016 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Erick Kallen of Jabumba Birding sent in this beauty shot of a stunning adult male Western Tanager at his jelly feeder.

March 4, 2016 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Thanks to Eric Kallen for sending more photos of birds showing up in March in the high desert town of Jacumba Hot Springs—including both migratory and year-round residents. Below are his notes on this desert denizens: