By Miriam Raftery

July 24, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The filing period to run for local offices is now open, closing August 12.   Concerned citizens can often make positive differences in their communities by become elected officials serving as members of school boards, community planning groups, fire boards, water boards, hospital districts, city councils, or as mayors.

East County News Service

July 24, 2016 (El Cajon) - See “Around the World in 80 Days,” a timeless tale of amazing adventures as Phineas Fogg attempts to circumnavigate the globe in less than 80 days in order to win a sizeable wager.  The play is based on the novel Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne.

East County News Service

July 24, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Heartland Fire & Rescue units were dispatched to a reported fire at Kaelin’s market in the 1400 block of East Main Street on Friday afternoon.  Fire crews arrived within four minutes to find a single story commercial building under construction with smoke inside the building. A second alarm was quickly called due to the extreme heat conditions firefighters were facing and the potential of fire spread.

East County News Service

July 24, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The County’s animal shelter in Bonita is still seeking good homes for five of the dogs owned by Jim and Kyrie Keefe, the Potrero couple who perished in the Border Fire.  You can view the dogs in this video. Ideally, Animal Control hopes the dogs can be adopted by someone with a large yard and other dogs.

Source: Sheriff's press release

July 24, 2016 (El Cajon) - On July 21, 2016 around 2:20 a.m., California Highway Patrol transferred a 911 call reporting a road rage incident that occurred near the intersection of Jamacha Road and Hilton Head Place involving multiple gunshots fired.  Sheriff's Deputies responded to the area and located the victim. Varying witness accounts described the suspect vehicle as either a white SUV and/or a black sedan.    A white SUV matching the description of a vehicle involved was located at an apartment complex nearby.  Four individuals associated with the vehicle were questioned but released pending further investigation.  Several bullet casings were found in the apartment complex parking lot about two blocks away from where the white SUV was located.  There were no injuries reported in this incident and the investigation is continuing.        

Culinary zest meets craft beer in East County brewery

By Gwennie Gardiner

July 24, 2016 (Santee) - A chef-inspired craft brewery and tasting room will emerge into the San Diego craft beer scene in August 2016. Nestled in Santee’s thriving business district, Finest Made Ales is owned by Chef and Brewmaster Rey Knight.

Source: Caltrans news release

July 21, 2016 (San Diego) - Construction crews will close northbound State Route 67 (SR-67) from Winter Gardens Boulevard to Lakeside Avenue and southbound SR-67 from Lakeside Avenue to Mapleview Street Friday, July 22, and Saturday, July 23 from nine at night until 11 the following morning. Mapleview Street at SR-67 will also be closed intermittently during these hours. Motorists are advised to expect delays and to avoid the area if possible.

East County News Service

July 20, 2016 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, will host “More than a Meal,” a free presentation about Meals on Wheels San Diego County, from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 27. The program is part of the library’s Wellness Wednesday series, normally held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served. Advance RSVP is not necessary. Speaking will be Brian Midkiff, community outreach coordinator with Meals on Wheels San Diego County, a community nonprofit organization. 

East County News Service

July 20, 2016 (El Cajon) - The Museum Roadshow returns to the Heritage of the Americas Museum at Cuyamaca College on July 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the museum's conference room.

East County News Service

July 18, 2016 (El Cajon) - At approximately 12:00 p.m. Sunday, Heartland Fire & Rescue units from El Cajon were dispatched to reports of a single story, single family residential structure fire in the 1000 block of Leslie Road in El Cajon.  Fire crews arrived within 5 minutes to discover smoke and fire coming from a room attached to the rear of the structure. Firefighters were able to confine the fire to the area of origin with some attic involvement.The fire was controlled within 10 minutes.

Source:  County News Service

July 17, 2016 (Borrego Springs)  - Calling all science explorers!  You can build programmable robots using Lego Mindstorms kits on July 21 at 3:30 p.m. at the Borrego Springs Library.

Source: San Diego Sheriff's Press Release

July 15, 2016 (Santee) - Detectives from the Sheriff's Child Abuse Unit arrested Santana High School Campus Supervisor/track coach Keith Silvia, 49, for engaging in sexual conduct with a female student.

By Miriam Raftery

July 13,2016 (Spring Valley) – A reader of ours posed two questions regarding the San Miguel Consolidated Fire Protection District board’s decision to drop its contract with Cal Fire and begin the process of returning to being a stand-alone district.

Our reader asked whether the change would affect ISO ratings, which determine property owners’ insurance rates. He also inquired whether the district had considered a partnership with Heartland Fire, as the cities of La Mesa, El Cajon and Lemon Grove have done.

East County News Service