February 2, 2014 (Rancho San Diego) – Yesterday at 11:08 a.m., Sheriff’s deputies from the Lemon Grove Station responded to a report of "shots fired" and a victim lying in the driveway in the 11600 block of Calle Simpson in Rancho San Diego.  Two male suspects were last seen leaving south on Calle Simpson towards Weighorst Way in a black four-door sedan and have not yet been located. Deputies found a  25 year-old victim, whose face and head were covered in blood. The victim's father,  52, also suffered injuries and was bleeding from his right eye.

Deputies learned the victim had been standing in the driveway of his home waiting for his girlfriend when he was approached by a Hispanic male, about 5'11", 160 lbs, wearing a black beanie, blue hoodie sweatshirt and gray pants. “The victim got into physical altercation with this suspect and a second suspect stepped out of a parked black four-door sedan and walked toward them. This suspect pulled out a gun and pointed it at the victim,” said Lieutenant Dave Schaller.

December 4, 2013 (Rancho San Diego)--Cuyamaca College’s Annual “Winter Wonder Jam” takes stage this Friday, December 6  at 7 p.m. This event is to promote students' efforts in showcasing new local talent; the public is invited to come out and enjoy the music. These home-grown singer-songwriters will present a variety of acoustic, rock, jazz and hip hop genres

This concert takes place at the Performing Arts Theatre at Cuyamaca College, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in Rancho San Diego.  The festival features four local artists performing their all-original music compositions. This event is FREE with a donation to the San Diego Food Bank and there is  plenty of free parking.

State orders habitat restoration; college urges bikers to organize and seek new site

November 18, 2013 (Rancho San Diego) -- Cuyamaca College has begun to enforce restrictions on use of a nature preserve at the Rancho San Diego campus that has been a popular – but illegal – spot for young bike riders.

The area off Fury Road in Rancho San Diego has long been used by bikers who created dirt mounds that enabled them to perform their daredevil tricks. The college is closing the area, part of a sensitive wildlife habitat, while it removes the bumps and replants vegetation to restore the area to its natural state.

September 26, 2013 (San Diego ) – JVD Golf and Promotions in Rancho San Diego is teaming up with the Strong Will Foundation to host the annual STRONG Will Foundation Golf Tournament, complete with helicopter ball drop contest and a chance to win $2,500—even for non-golfers.

The event will be held Friday, November 1 at The Crossings Carlsbad Golf Course, and benefits patients with traumatic brain injuries.  The tournament is named after Will Barton, who was shot three times at close range while walking home from work at Barrio Star.  With a bullet lodged in his brain, his chance of survival was less than one percent.

By Derek Carlyon

September 1, 2013 (Rancho San Diego)--The Friday night lights were back on as East County’s Steele Canyon Cougars faced off against the South Bay’s Chula Vista Spartans in the season opener.  The Cougars were favored to win, but the Spartans would be no walk in the park coming off a 6-5 record just a season ago.  The game focused on Steele Canyon’s high powered offense and the Spartans’ efforts to slow it down and stay in the game. 

After exceptional junior Jordan Johnson (who plays both safety and quarterback) led the Cougars deep into Spartan territory, Steele had to settle for a 30-yard field goal by senior kicker Kenneth Bagdasar.  Bagdasar was strong all game, going five of five on point-after-attempts and also booting another 25-yard field goal.  He could easily be one of the best legs in East County this season.

July 1, 2013 (El Cajon) – Rancho San Diego resident Ann Durham, Director of the Health Workforce Initiative based at Grossmont College, has been named Deputy Sector Navigator (DSN) for Health for the San Diego/Imperial Region.

The appointment, announced this week by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office Division of Workforce & Economic Development, means that Durham will have expanded responsibilities and budget under the "Doing What Matters" program.

Celebrating our cultural & agricultural roots

JUNE 19 4:30-7:30 PM AT HERITAGE OF THE AMERICAS MUSEUM, EL CAJON

    Enjoy:

• International foods from Dolci Cafe Italiano, J's Greek Cuisine, Tiramisu Trattoria, Rubio's  & more
• Wine tasting with Campo Creek Vineyards, Maness Vineyards, and other wineries
• Meet authors of books on local history and culture from Sunbelt Publications
• Native American dancing with Eric RunningPath; Native American flute music by Jim Hannibal
• Live music by Krista Timm and Vicky Archibold from San Diego Performance Academy
• Learn from farmers, wine makers, a beekeeper, a chicken expert, A.R.C.H.E.S. and  San Diego Farm Bureau
• Get tips on solar power from Sullivan Solar
• Take a free museum tour
• Play the East County Trivia Quiz game and be on the radio!
• Win great prizes including  a resort vacation getaway, golf, restaurant gift certificates, garden basket, hand-made soaps, martial arts lessons, music lessons, pet owners' basket, Wild West Fest tickets, wine lovers' gifts, and more.

Don't miss this fun and festive event! Click "read more" and scroll down for details.

May 30, 2013 (El Cajon ) – Round up the art lovers and music lovers in your family for the third annual Western Music Jubilee on Saturday, June 1 starting at 7 p.m. at the Cuyamaca Performing Arts Center.   The show stars Sourdough Slim, Dave Bourne, Mary Kaye, and the Red Hot Rhythm Rustlers.

It’s all to benefit educational programs at the Olaf Wieghorst  Museum in downtown El Cajon.Wieghorst was one of America’s premier western artists.  A cowboy and cavalryman who once pursued Pancho Villa,  his paintings hung in the White House and were owned by three presidents: Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, and Dwight D. Eisenhower. 

By Miriam Raftery

April 28, 2013 (Rancho San Diego)—Cuyamaca College hosts its 5^th annual Coyote Music Festival from 12-5 p.m. on May 4, featuring nine bands/solo artists on two stages showcasing their original music compositions.

Performers will take stage on the grand lawn on campus at 900 Rancho San Diegio Parkway in El Cajon. Genres at this event, which has free admission, include acoustic, rock, and folk by these talented home-grown songwriters.

The music festival is produced by students in the Music Industry Seminar class.  You’ll find plenty of shade and free parking.  For details and directions, see:  www.coyotemusicfest.com .  Scroll down to see the complete line-up.

March 26, 2013 (Rancho San Diego)--An impressive array of artists will display works and be honored at a reception on Friday, April 26 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Heritage of the Americas Museum at Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego.  A percentage of all art pieces sold at the art sale, as well as 100% of proceeds from a live fine arts auction, will benefit the museum which celebrates its 20^th anniversary this year. 

The Chris Klich Jazz trio and flautist Jim Hannibal will perform.  Wine, beer, hors d’heuvres and desserts will also be served as the event.   A $10 suggested donation is requested for the reception. RSVP to (619)670-5194 or hofam@sbcglobal.net  to reserve space. 

To read about the exceptional array of talented artists featured, scroll down.

February 16, 2013 (Rancho San Diego) – At 1:33 a.m.,  deputies from the Lemon Grove Sheriff's Station responded to an armed robbery at the 7-11 store  at 1498 Jamacha Road in unincorporated El Cajon.

“The suspect in the robbery was a male, wearing a black jacket and jeans. The race of the suspect is unknown because he was wearing a mask,” said Sergeant V.J. Rivera.

January 24, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Take a good look at these surveillance photos. This man is wanted in connection with three ATM robberies in Santee.

The first incident happened January 16th just before 11:00 p.m. Armed with a gun, he approached a man at a Mission Federal Credit Union ATM on Town Center Parkway and demanded money. The second incident happened on January 21st at the same location. He approached a woman and placed a hand into his waistband simulating he had a weapon. The woman ran to her car and the suspect drove away. The third incident happened on the same day at a Wells Fargo ATM on Jamacha Road in unincorporated El Cajon. He had a gun and approached a man demanding money. He then grabbed the money and drove away.

By Paul Kruze

View a video of the fire

October 26, 2012 (Rancho San Diego)--A brush fire brought out the full firefighting strength of several fire districts on Friday afternoon. The blaze broke out at 3:15 p.m. on a mountain near Avenida Anacapa and Avenida Antiqua in Rancho San Diego. 

According to Leonard Villareal, public information officer for the San Miguel Fire District, the fire was confined to a 2.5 mile area and by 4:30 p.m., the firefighting operation was reduced to mop up situation. Although the location of the fire was near Rancho San Diego Elementary School and Hillsdale Middle School, students were let out of class on a normal schedule. 

Oct 11, 2012 (Rancho San Diego) – Halloween just got more frightening in the East County and it's happening at Cottonwood Golf Club with a "Scary Maze.” "Scary Maze" will frighten and entertain people of all ages beginning Friday, October 19 and continuing on Fridays and weekends through October 28.

The 10,000 square foot maze will be built on Cottonwood Golf Club's driving range. Stacked bales of hay and the design will provide a frightening challenge to find the exit. "We are taking the term "dead end" literally," said Henry Gamboa, Cottonwood Golf Club's Principal Owner.  He added, "There's a reason we are using the word "scary" to describe the maze and visitors will discover why as they try to make their way out."

August 30, 2012 (Rancho San Diego)—The Water Conservation Garden invites the public to enjoy its 2012 Fall/Winter calendar of classes and events. Gardening classes help residents save water and money by focusing on water-smart landscaping techniques and plants. Classes are taught by professionals, with offerings for both adults and children.