East County News Service

May 13, 2016 (Lemon Grove) – A call to 911 at 4:45 this morning reported a man’s body in the northbound lanes of State Route 125 near State Route 94 in Lemon Grove.

East County News Service

May 13, 2016 (Santee) – The nine Chick-fil-A restaurants in San Diego County, including the Chick-fil-A restaurant at 9418 Mission Gorge Road, Santee, are preparing to give away more than 10,000 chicken sandwiches on Wednesday, May 25, as part of its annual “Military Appreciation Night” promotion.

By Miriam Raftery

May 13, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – After more than four years of efforts by local environmentalists and community leaders to convince the state to take action on a 25-year-old resolution, Caltrans and the City of San Diego have designated State Route 52 a Scenic Highway. 

May 13, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Brent Adler, 33, is dead of a gunshot wound after arriving at his San Carlos home and interrupting a home invasion robbery.  San Diego Police are seeking four or five men spotting fleeing the scene in the 8500 block of Tommy Drive in a green Ford Expedition Wednesday, May 11 around 2:50 p.m..

The victim suffered at least one gunshot wound to his upper body and was found dead in front of the residence.

East County News Service

May 13, 2016 (La Mesa) -- Applications are now being accepted for volunteer positions on the City’s boards and commissions. The deadline for submission of applications is 5:30 p.m., Thursday, June 2, 2016, in the City Clerk’s office at La Mesa City Hall, 8130 Allison Avenue. Applications may be obtained at City Hall or from the City of La Mesa website, www.cityoflamesa.us.

East County News Service

May 11, 2016 (La Mesa) - The Grossmont Healthcare District, a public agency that supports health-related community programs and services in San Diego’s East County region and Alzheimer’s San Diego, a local, independent nonprofit organization providing care and support for San Diego families, will jointly present “Living in the Moment: A Workshop for Caregivers,” from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, May 17 at Foothills United Methodist Church, 4031 Avocado Blvd., La Mesa. Admission is free.

Updated May 11, 2016 with comments from Michael McConnell, advocate for the homeless

By Jonathan Goetz

May 10, 2016 (El Cajon) - The El Cajon City Council praised the new owners of the Villa Serena Motel today for being “most cooperative” and “going above and beyond what we asked” as police evicted the residents at this 23-unit long-term hotel. Building inspectors found extensive building violations that have since been addressed.

East County News Service

May 10, 2016 (Alpine) – You’re invited to the grand opening of the new Alpine library, a branch of the County library system.  The opening ceremony for the $10.7 million library will be held on Saturday, May 21^st at 10 a.m. at 1725 Alpine Blvd. in downtown Alpine. 

Updated May 11: Plaintiffs issue statement saying they will appeal the ruling.

By Miriam Raftery

May 6, 2016 (Alpine) – A preliminary ruling by Superior Court Judge Joel Pressman would set aside a preliminary injunction against the Grossmont District. If the ruling stands, it will allow Grossmont to keep $42 million that had been set aside for an Alpine High School that the district never built. The money is a portion of bond measure funds approved by voters in part for the long-promised school.

The suit was filed by the Alpine Union School District and Alpine Taxpayers for Bond Accountability. The groups have 15 days to file an appeal.

East County News Service

May 8, 2016 (Santee) - Movies & More by the Lake Presents ”Lights, Camera, Beagle! The Peanuts Movie" on Friday, June 24^th from 6 p.m. to approximately 9:30 p.m. at Santee Lakes.

Butterfly Pavilion Will Be Open through July 31

East County News Service

May 7, 2016 (El Cajon) -- The Water Conservation Garden invites the public to its third-annual Butterfly Festival on Saturday, May 14 for an exciting day of activities that will engage all ages with butterflies. The event highlights the important role these insects play in the ecosystem as well as how visitors can attract and support butterflies in their home gardens using drought-tolerant plants. A large selection of native milkweed plants will be on sale.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Left and right: bull atop El Capitan High School and former Pinnacle Peak restaurant

May 6, 2016 (Lakeside) – A popular icon in downtown Lakeside—the bull statue atop the former Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse on Maine Avenue—vanished recently, leaving locals to ponder, where’s the beef?

Fortunately the missing steer statue was found this morning not far away, standing on the roof of El Capitan High School—and that’s no bull.

No one has come forward to fess up to steering the statue to the high school, though a senior prank is rumored.

East County News Service

May 5, 2016 (Alpine) - The Alpine-Mountain Empire Chamber’s “Hot Topics” breakfast will be at Mike Place, 1602 Alpine Blvd. on May 10^th at 7:15 a.m.  This month’s breakfast features two speakers: Christine Connell with the Alpine Library Friends Association and Jefferson Baker, the Acting Branch Manager of the Alpine Library. 

East County News Service

May 5, 2016 (La Mesa) – A suspect remains at large after ramming two vehicles including a police car in La Mesa early this morning, then fleeing the scene.