East County News Service

February 15, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Magazine, in conjunction with California Health Network, a local nonprofit, is expanding our health and fitness section to promote health awareness to East County residents. This is a great opportunity for you to promote your business to our 150,000 readers and help educate the public on important and potentially life-saving health issues.       

East County News Service

February 15, 2016 (Santee) – Four young people suffered serious injuries after the vehicle they were in crashed into concrete barriers, coming to rest in a hole at a construction site in Santee.

East County News Service

February 14, 2016 (La Mesa) -- The Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, a consumer health library at 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, is now hosting its Winter Art Exhibit featuring 24 watercolor paintings by award-winning art instructor Drew Bandish and five of his students. The students include Susan Hewitt of Lakeside, Royce Hinson of El Cajon, Lorri Lynch of Lakeside, Mirjam Schippers of El Cajon and Joan Vandenberg of El Cajon. The show runs through March 12.

East County News Service

April 15, 2016 (Alpine) – The Alpine Woman's Club will host its inaugural “Flowers in the Mountains” garden tour on May 7^th.  Tickets for the garden tour are $15 each or $20 on day of the event, and may be purchased at Postal Annex, 2170 Alpine Blvd., or by sending your check to Rita David 2023 Running Mare Lane, Alpine CA 91901. For mail in orders and to purchase tickets you can pick them up on Sat May 7^th at 9:30am at the Town Hall 2156 Alpine Blvd.

East County News Service

February 4, 2016 (Descanso) -- City folks are invited to come surround yourselves with adorable animals at a Valentine’s weekend Open Ranch at Alpacas of San Diego, located in Descanso (9718 River Drive).  This free event will be held Saturday, February 13^th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Mention you heard about this event on East County Magazine, and receive a 10% discount on any item purchased!

You can meet the animals, learn about alpacas and even shop for a gift for your sweetheart, including jewelry and crafts made by local artists, natural soaps and of course, alpaca wool products.  There will also be a crafts table for kids. 

By Miriam Raftery

February 11, 2016 (Ramona) -- Savoring an afternoon of superb wine tasting at Vineyard Grant James in Ramona, it’s not hard to realize  why this family-owned winery has been drawing rave reviews on Yelp.  The place has ranked five stars—the top rating, with 64 reviews. 

The wines are complex and satisfying.  Owners/hosts Jacques and Susanne Sapier are warm and welcoming.  A stone patio with views of the sun setting over nearby mountains provides an idyllic setting.  Live music by a Dave Billock and his local band, plus delicious locally-made cheeses, round out a palette-pleasing experience.

East County News Service

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

February 11, 2016 (Santee) — Patrick Wehrung, 25, an employee at Champion Gymastics and Cheer in Santee, has been arrested for allegedly having sex repeatedly with a 15-year-old female student. The gym has since fired Wehrung, who is free on bail and slated to appear in court next week, 10 News reports.

By Joe Green

East County News Service

February 10, 2016 (Rancho San Diego) – The 2016 Cuyamaca College Spring Concert Series gets under way Feb. 21 with a San Diego Early Music Society performance kicking off a season of productions covering styles ranging from Baroque and mariachi to jazz and rock ‘n’ roll.

By Miriam Raftery

February 9, 2016 (La Mesa) — The Mesa Village Merchants Association failed to pay back nearly $48,000 it owes to the city of La Mesa for the 2015 Oktoberfest, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Now the city has referred the debt to its collection agency. Arlene Moore, president of the nonprofit merchants’ group, told the Union-Tribune that the organization plans to repay the debt and hopes to continue hosting the Oktoberfest in future years.

The situation has sparked controversy in the community, with some criticizing the merchants for financial mismanagement, while others find fault with the city for requiring full cost recovery for Oktoberfest and other public events.

By Miriam Raftery

February 8, 2016 (Santee) – Carol Wahl died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease on March 1^st, 2010. To honor her memory and raise money to help other ALS patients have better lives, her son, Mark Solz, will embark from Petco Park in San Diego on March 1^st for a 3,200 mile walk across America. 

East County News Service

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

February 8, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Good Samaritans pulled the injured driver of a pickup truck out to safety moments before the vehicle caught on fire early this morning following a four-vehicle collision on State Route 52 just west of Santee.

East County News Service

February 8, 2016 (Lakeside) — Two passengers suffered life-threatening injuries yesterday morning in a rollover accident on State Route 67 north of Foster Truck Trail yesterday at 5:35 a.m. The Nissan Titan that overturned was driven by 21-year-old Lakeside resident Keith Edward Ruis Jr.