Valley Center

ROBOTS ON THE BLOCK?

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 3, 2015 (Valley Center) – Imagine a community where a driverless electronic “pod” picks you up at a transit station and ferries you to your home, or errands along the way.  Envision other robots that can fetch and carry groceries, or follow your children to school or their bus stop to make sure they arrive safely. 

That’s the vision of 5D Robotics CEO David Bruemmer, who teamed up with Randy Goodson, developer of Lilac Hills Ranch, a proposed multi-use community of largely agricultural land in Valley Center that would include 1,746 homes, parks, and businesses.


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SUPERVISORS TO VOTE OCT. 14 ON LILAC HILLS RANCH: OPPONENTS ASK HORN TO RECUSE SELF DUE TO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

East County News Service

September 26, 2015 (Valley Center) – Supervisors are poised to vote October 14 on whether to approve an amendment to the County’s General Plan to allow construction of Lilac Hills, a project that includes 1,746 homes plus commercial development on 608 acres in rural Valley Center. Current zoning allows only 110 homes on the site.

If approved, the project could set a precedent to waive General Plan requirements countywide.

Now the Cleveland National Forest Foundation has called on Supervisor Bill Horn to recuse himself due to apparent conflicts of interest involving potential increased property value of land he owns nearby.  Horn has asked the state's Fair Political Practices Commission for a legal opinion on whether he must recuse himself, after another activist sent a letter of complaint to the FPPC.


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LILAC HILLS: WHY PLUNK A CITY IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE?

 

Originally Published on the ECOreport

By Roy L Hales

On October 14th, or possibly the 28th, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors will decide if they should rip up the dreams of a rural community so a developer can get a lot of money. As County Planning commissioners Peder Norby and Michael Beck recently pointed out, if the Lilac Hills project goes forward it will destroy 13 years of work, and close to $20 million, that went into San Diego County’s General Plan.

The project spreads across 608 acres in the Valley Center area. There are currently 16 “dwelling units” and a total of  just 110 are allowed under current zoning. Accretive Investments wants to build 1,786 units over the course of a decade. This would support a larger population that the city of Del Mar. Why plunk a city in the middle of nowhere?


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READER'S EDITORIAL: WHERE'S THE LEAPFROG LEAPING NEXT?

 

Hearing set August 7 at Planning Commission on Controversial Precedent-Setting Project

By Patsy Fritz

August 2, 2015 (Valley Center)--The current controversy over “Lilac Hills Ranch,” a proposed development planned on rugged farmland in Valley Center, focuses on its request to the County to increase the number of homes it could build on its 608 acres. The County General Plan allows 110 and the developer is asking for “entitlements” to build 1,746.


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PRODUCE PICKS: GOLDEN NUGGET TANGERINE (LOCAL GROWN)

 

Recipe: Tangerine and feta salad

By Greg Dunne

March 20, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--Get your Tangerine on! Here’s a beauty of a Tangerine: the Golden Nugget Tangerine. If you are not familiar with these tangerines you must give them a try, you will have found a “Golden Nugget” in the produce department. This variety is not found everywhere, but plenty of locally grown Golden Nugget Tangerines from Valley Center are on sale at Barons Market in Alpine.


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RINCON CHAIRMAN WINS AWARD

 

February 20, 2015 (Valley Center)-- Bo Mazzetti, chairman of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, was presented with the Fifth Annual Anna Sandoval Leadership Award at the Western Indian Gaming Conference’s Tribal Leaders’ luncheon, February 11, 2015, at Harrah’s Resort Southern California, in Valley Center, Ca.


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MAN ARRESTED FOR BOMB THREAT TARGETING SDG&E TRUCKS

 

December 7, 2014 (Valley Center) – A bomb threat e-mailed to an NBC news station threatened to place explosives targeting San Diego Gas & Electric Company work trucks over a land use dispute in Valley Center.  Sheriff’s Bomb and Arson investigators shut down the Spearhead Trail area for two hours on December 4th to assure that it was safe.


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MAN ARRESTED FOR BOMB THREAT TARGETING SDG&E TRUCKS

 

East County News Service

December 5, 2014 (Valley Center) – A bomb threat e-mailed to an NBC news station threatened to place explosives targeting San Diego Gas & Electric Company work trucks over a land use dispute in Valley Center. 

Sheriff’s Bomb and Arson investigators shut down the Spearhead Trail area for two hours yesterday afternoon to assure that it was safe.

Subsequently, deputies arrested Frits Versteegh, a nearby resident who sent the threatening email, said Sergeant Jeff Lauhon.


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DOZENS OF HORSES GO UP FOR ADOPTION SATURDAY OCT. 11

 

San Diego County News Service

October 7, 2014 (San Diego) -- More than two dozen neglected horses rescued by County Animal Services are now healthy enough to be put up for adoption on Saturday.


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SUPER FULL MOON JAZZ CONCERT AT KEYS CREEK LAVENDER FARM

 

June 29, 2014 (Valley Center) – With the scent of lavender in the air, a golden sunset and colorful fields of lavender as a backdrop, Gregory Page  will perform at the Keys Creek Lavender Farm in Valley Center. The concert will be held on Saturday, July 12 from 7-9:30 p.m. 

Page performs melodies and lyrics reminiscent of the 1920s sweet jazz era as a “super full moon” rises to illuminate the night sky,  promising to be a magical night.


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HOT TEA IN THE LAVENDER FIELDS: APRIL 25-26

 

April 4, 2014 (Valley Center)—What could be more delightful than a springtime English-style high tea amidst blooming fields of lavender?  Keys Creek Lavender Farm in Valley Center is serving up a delectable menu including lemon lavender scones with jam and Devonshire cream, appetizers, sandwhiches, smoked turkey, truffled egg salad, chicken tarragon, fresh fruit,  raspberry crème roulade, Viennese chocolate vanilla crescents, lavender lady kisses and an assortment of hot teas.


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PALOMAR ‘S VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT FIGHTS BACK AS COUNTY PUSHES FOR TAKEOVER

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 16, 2013 (Palomar) –Palomar Mountain Volunteer Fire Department has hired an attorney in an effort to stave off strong-arm efforts by the County, which seeks to force the tiny department to join the County Fire Authority or lose funds.  Joining would mean handing over control to Cal-Fire, which runs rural stations under the CFA.

“Our closest mutual aid is 45 minutes down the hill,” Chief George Lucia said at a packed public meeting in late May, the U-T San Diego reported. “They’re telling me  I can’t hire local community volunteers. I say to them that without my local community volunteers that live here, sleep here and have a stakeholder’s interest in the community, I can’t guarantee that I can cover a call.”


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ABDUCTED BABY FOUND SAFE

 

June 19, 2013 (Valley Center)--A five-month-old baby abducted in Valley Center by a domestic violence suspect was found safe hours after the abduction, the San Diego Sheriff reports. A countywide amber alert issued for suspect Kenneth Nusun Welch has been cancelled. The suspect in this case was taken into custody in Vista just before 10:00 a.m.

The incident started just before 2:00 a.m, when deputies in Valley Center responded to a domestic violence call on Poomacha Road. Deputies found an injured woman. She was taken to a hospital with life threatening injuries. Deputies also learned the woman's boyfriend, Kenneth Wayne Welch, snatched their five-month-old son and threatened to harm the baby.


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SDG&E ANNOUNCES NEW POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENTS, INCLUDING SOLAR PROJECTS IN POTRERO AND VALLEY CENTER

 

By Miriam Raftery

April 18, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) yesterday announced it has signed five new renewable power purchase agreements including two in San Diego County.  But oddly, a local planner and a news editor in these rural communities have told ECM they were unaware of these projects.

SDG&E’s release did not state where in San Diego County the projects would be located. Jennifer Ramp with SDG&E has informed ECM that the two local projects are Silverado Power, LLC’s Zodiac Solar (20 Megawatts) in Potrero and Northlight Power’s C908 Solar project (7 MW) in Valley Center.  Both projects are newly executed and have not yet been approved by the California Public Utilities Commission, Ramp said.


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READER'S EDITORIAL: FATAL VALLEY CENTER ACCIDENT CRASH SHOWS NEED FOR SAFER ROADS

By Dorothea Boughdadly, Director, Hoofs and Woofs Animal Rescue, Valley Center

April 18, 2013  (Valley Center) – It’s so sad that people die  and it's so preventable.  Valley Center Road looks like it goes straight ahead, but it does not.

Vesper Road goes straight and Valley Center Road curves to the right.  Very confusing to those new to the area.  And sadly, very deadly.


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A HOLIDAY CELEBRATION AT KEYS CREEK LAVENDER FARM ON DEC. 8

November 25, 2012 (Valley Center) – Keys Creek Lavender Farm is holding its first ever holiday celebration on December 8 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 12460 Keys Creek Rd., Valley Center.  The event will feature live music, vendors, booths, holiday lights, food, drinks, gift wrapping and lavender goodies.


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CHEERIO! ENGLISH HIGH TEA AT KEYS LAVENDER FARM OCT. 6

October 5, 2012 (Valley Center) – Feast your eyes on the delicacies to be served up Saturday, October 6 at 2 p.m. during an English High Tea at Keys Lavendar Farm in Valley Center.  Savor vanilla scones with Devonshire cream and strawberry preserves,  Chicken Herbs de Provence and more while sipping on a variety of fruit blend and black teas—and of course, lavender tea.  See full menu.

Keys Creek Lavender Farm is located at 12460 Keys Creek Road in Valley Center, CA 92082.  For reservations call 760-742-0523 or email events@kclfarm.com 

If you can't attend, you can order products here.


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VALLEY CENTER STUDENT FOUND DEAD FOLLOWING RUN

September 24, 2012 (Valley Center) – Collin Barnes, a 21-year-old college student and church preschool teacher who lived with his parents in Valley Center, told his parents he was going for a run up Flat Top Mountain near their home to photograph the sunset on September 13.  When he failed to return, his family called the Sheriff’s Department.


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DRIVER TO BE CHARGED IN FATAL VALLEY CENTER CRASH

 

July 29, 2012 (Valley Center) – Salvador Leon, 30, of Valley Center lost control while driving his 2004 Toyota Scion eastbound on Valley Center Road east of Queensbridge last night at 10:47 p.m., hitting a telephone pole. The collision killed his front seat passenger, a 23-year-old man from Valley Center. 


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VALLEY CENTER FIRE 100% CONTAINED

June 17,2012 (Valley Center) – A fire that began in the 15000 block of Woods Valley Road is now 100% contained, the San Diego Sheriff reports. The fire, which began around 4 pm near North Lake Wohlford Road and Woods Valley Road, prompted evacuations late this afternoon.

The blaze burned approximately 25 acres, according to Cal-Fire.

 


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JUNE BLOOM SEASON AT KEYS CREEK LAVENDER FARM

June 15, 2012 (Valley Center) – The lavender is still blooming at Keys Creek Lavender Farm, 12460 Keys Creek Road, Valley Center.  The farm is offering free walking tours every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through the end of June.  The tours start at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.


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DEPUTY INVOLVED SHOOTING IN VALLEY CENTER ENDS IN ARREST OF SUSPECT

March 18, 2012 (Valley Center) – Valley Center Area Investigators were called to Harrah’s Rincon Casino on the afternoon of March 15 for a report of a stolen vehicle in the parking lot.  As investigators were watching the vehicle, a subject, later identified as Joe Hernandez (07/10/86), approached and entered the vehicle.  Investigators attempted to detain Hernandez, who failed to comply with orders and attempted to flee in the vehicle.


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VALLEY CENTER MAN ARRESTED FOR ARSON AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

February 25, 2012 (Valley Center)—Marc Thompson of Valley Center has been arrested for igniting a trailer with his fiancé inside following a domestic violence dispute last night.  The woman, Christina English, was able to escape without injury.


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A DOG-GONE GOOD TIME: JACK RUSSELL DOG SHOW AT BATES NUT FARM DEC. 3-4

 November 21, 2011 (Valley Center)   The South Coast Jack Russell Terrier Club will host the 2011 Winter Sol Terrier Trial I & II 2011 at the Bates Nut Farm, Saturday and Sunday, December 3 – 4, from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

 
Several events will be held throughout the weekend, including Racing, Agility, Go to Ground, Super Earth, Brush Hunt and Conformation. There will be a silent auction on Saturday and a raffle both days. Lunch will be provided by the Russell Rescue for a nominal charge.
 

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FALL IS IN THE AIR: SAVOR FALL ENGLISH HIGH TEA OCT. 28-29 AT KEYS CREEK LAVENDAR FARM

 

October 23, 2011 (Valley Center) -- Celebrate the joy of the season on Friday, October 28  or Saturday,October 29 from 2-4 p.m. at Keys Creek Lavender Farm.  English high teas have become among the most popular events served at  the farm, which serves up a tempting array of teas and delicacies.

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IN SEARCH OF THE GREAT PUMPKIN? CHECK OUT THESE PATCHES

 
By Miriam Raftery
 
October 8, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Halloween is coming soon and with it, the annual tradition of finding the perfect pumpkin for carving a jack-o-lantern—not to mention sweeter varieties for baking pumpkin pies!  Fortunately, there are several great places in East County to find giant pumpkins, as well as fun family activities from corn mazes to petting zoos. 
 
Here are a few of our favorites:

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CHEERIO! ENGLISH HIGH TEA SEPT. 16 & 17 AT KEYS CREEK LAVENDER FARM

 

September 10, 2011 (Valley Center)—English high teas have become among the most popular events served up at Keys Creek Lavender Farm in Valley Center.   Savor refreshing teas and delicacies such as tea sandwiches, chicken herbs de Provence, Devonshire cream,  fresh fruit, lavender scones and more at two upcoming high teas scheduled for  September 16th at 2:00 p.m. and September 17th at 2:00 p.m. Reserve your spot by clicking on the dates above.

 


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GOURDSTOCK FESTIVAL AT BATES NUT FARM AUGUST 27-28

 

August 7, 2011 (Valley Center) – San Diego County Gourd Patch invites you to the second annual Gourdstock Festival at Bates Nut Farm in August 27-28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

 


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SHERIFF DEPUTY FINDS SHOOTER IN VALLEY CENTER SCHOOL BUS INCIDENT

 

Update June 21, 2011:  The shooting has been found to be the result of a 17-year-old who was target shooting at his family's property when a bullet ricocheted off an object in the target area and struck the bus.  Deputy Ken Simon, special purpose officer assigned to the Rincon Reservation, contacted the homeowners who were "very cooperative" in the investigation."  While the act is believed to be unintentional, the investigation will be sent to the District Attorney's office for review.

 

June 20, 2011 (Valley Center)--A Project Headstart school bus with two adults and six children on board was struck by a single .22 bullet around 8:45 this morning in Valley Center. None of the children or adults were injured, Sergeant Bob Bishop with the San Diego Sheriff’s office confirms.


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RIVERSIDE GANG MEMBERS BUSTED FOR SCHOOL BURGLARIES IN VALLEY CENTER

 

May 2, 2011 (Valley Center) – Two of four suspects in a pair of school burglaries in Valley Center have been arrested. Two other suspects remain at large, including one who has been identified.

 

The suspects are all documented “Dorner Block Crip” street gang members from Moreno Valley in Riverside, according to Sgt. Bob Bishop with the San Diego Sheriff’s Department.


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