December 2, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – Spring Valley resident Anthony Mostardo, founder and maestro of the San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra, sat down with the East County Magazine Show to talk about this talented group’s upcoming Joyful Music Celebration concert on December 7^th at the College Avenue Baptist Church.

Hear our interview here, which originally aired on KNSJ 89.1 FM radio), and also enjoy an  excerpt from Vivaldi’s Gloria: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

See concert details here: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/joyful-holiday-music-celebration-san-diego-festival-chorus-orchestra-dec-7

Scroll down for more about Maestro Mostardo and the San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra.

November 6, 2014 (Spring Valley) A New PATH (Parents for Addiction Treatment & Healing) in Spring Valley joins dozens of organizations across the U.S. to highlight changes to federal drug sentencing guidelines. On Saturday, November 1st, courts may begin considering petitions from incarcerated individuals for sentencing reductions.

November 4, 2014 (Spring Valley) - Young Actors Theater in Spring Valley will present the Disney musical, Mulan. The performances will be held Thursdays through Sundays from November 6 through November 16.

East County News Service

November 1, 2014 (Spring Valley) – Sheriff’s homicide detectives are investigating the death of Victoria Lynn Lyman, 22, who died after suffering traumatic injuries.

Updated October 22, 2014 - CAL FIRE Chief Tony Meacham, head of the County Fire Authority, has written to dispute statements made by two candidates in this race, which he says are "factually false."  You can read details of the Chief's statements here. 

By Nadin Abbott

October 18, 2014 (San Diego)--In 2012, the San Miguel Fire Board voted for CAL FIRE to take over firefighting operations. The board voted unanimously for the five-year contract because the agency was deep in a hole economically and had already closed a fire station. Those in favor argued that this decision would allow the board to continue operations, recover financially, reopen the closed station and keep service at comparable levels. But critics including at least one challenger running for the board have sharply criticized the deal with Cal-Fire,  citing loss of local control and potential delays in response times, also faulting other board actions.

East County Magazine e-mailed questions to all candidates, including inquiries about the CAL FIRE arrangement and a letter the district received from the State Comptroller raising questions over the board’s finances.

The six candidates include two incumbents (Chris Winter and Rick Augustine) seeking reelection and four challengers. Three of the challengers are running together as a slate (Theresa McKenna, Jim Ek, and Mike Vacio). The other challenger is Cindy Croucher. Bios for incumbents Winter and Augustine are available on the San Miguel Fire district website. 

Three candidates, challengers Theresa McKenna and Jim Ek, along with incumbent Chris Winter, have responded.  Below are the questions, and their answers, posted in full in the order received.

September 30, 2014 (Spring Valley)—Spring Valley residents can recycle your auto tires, tree trimmings, hot water heaters, electronic wastes, documents for shredding , trash and more  at the Spring Valley Clean-up Day on Saturday, October 11 from 7 a.m. until noon (or when dumpsters are full).   The event will be held at Monte Vista High School, 3230 Sweetwater Springs Boulevard in Spring Valley.

August 22, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego National Wildlife Refuge invites the public to meetings in Spring Valley, Bonita and El Cajon to discuss a draft comprehensive conservation plan and the impact on trail users.  The meetings are set for August 25, August 26, and September 10, all from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the locations listed below.  Comments are accepted through September 17.  For more information see: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/San_Diego/what_we_do/planning.html

August 21, 2014 (Spring Valley) -- The Sheriff's Homicide Detail wants your help in solving the murder of Larry Hargis. This case has remained unsolved for more than 40 years.

Source: County News Service

Photo: Funds paid for new playground equipment at Campo Community Center Park.

August 11, 2014(San Diego’s East County)--Want to help improve your neighborhood over the next five years?  Meetings set for Sept. 23 and 25 in Ramona, Spring Valley, Fallbrook and National City are set for the public to learn about programs and grants available for community projects in San Diego County’s unincorporated areas.

July 21, 2014 (Spring Valley) – The Young Actors Theatre (YAT) production of Music Man continues this weekend,  July 24-27, at the YAT Theatre in Spring Valley.

By Miriam Raftery

June 22, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--Here are highlights of important issues on the agenda this week impacting San Diego's unincorporated areas as well as residents in the cities of El Cajon, La Mesa and Santee.

The San Diego Board of Supervisors meets on Tuesday and Wednesday this week with many important items slated to be heard. On Tuesday, Supervisors will deliberate the county budget and a joint powers agreement with Caltrans for the Next Generation regional communications system and more.

On Wednesday, supervisors will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to the Forest Conservation Initiative Lands General Plan amendment.  This is a controversial  issue that will determine what sort of development will be allowed on properties in the vicinity of Cleveland National Forest in East County.

By Janis Russell

April 30, 2014 (Spring Valley)- Royal Family Kids Camp provides a  network of camps and mentor clubs for children of abuse, abandonment, and neglect. The vision is that “every foster child, ages 6-12, experiences a life-changing camp, club and mentor.” The mission is to “create life- changing moments for children of abuse.” The purpose is to “mobilize the faith community to confront child abuse.”

April 26, 2015 (Spring Valley)--In honor of International Rotarians at Work Day, members of the La Mesa Sunrise Rotary broke ground Saturday, April 26^th, on a new fruit orchard for the residents of Noah Homes, a nonprofit in Spring Valley celebrating 30 years of residential care, community advocacy and collaborative services for adults with developmental disabilities.

Chaparral Institute objects to ordinance due to potential environmental impacts and possible abuse of citizens' rights

By Miriam Raftery

April 5, 2014 (San Miguel) San Miguel Fire Board meets on April 9 at 5:30 in the fire station at 2850 Via Orange Way in Spring Valley. This week the board will consider an ordinance allowing the board to declare waste and certain vegetation a public nuisance – including  potentially the majority of native vegetation in the district.

February 26, 2014 (Spring Valley ) – A 15 year old boy running in a crosswalk at Jamacha Boulevard and La Presa Avenue in Spring Valley was struck and killed yesterday at 4:32 p.m.  According to the California Highway Patrol, the 20-year-old driver of a Toyota Prius had a green light and was unable to take evasive action.