East County News Service

October 4, 2018 (La Mesa)—La Mesa Wine Works is pulling out all the stops for its second anniversary party – and not just stoppers in wine bottles.

For the celebration on Saturday, October 13 from 12 to 10 p.m., the wine tasting room will also have live music, food trucks including main lobsters, games, and during the afternoon hours, specials on all glasses of wine, wine slushies, and frozen sangrias ($5).

ECM photographer who aided victim gives eyewitness account of accident he calls "heartbreaking," calls for more funds for police to enforce traffic laws

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Suspect vehicle, from surveillance footage

Update October 5, 2018 -- An arrest has been made in this case.  Read details here. 

October 4, 2018 (El Cajon) – A 9-year-old boy on a bicycle was hit and seriously injured this morning while crossing an intersection at Main Street and Sunshine Avenue. Police are seeking a woman described by witnesses as possibly blond and driving a blue hatchback or SUV, possibly a Honda Fit, who fled the scene of the accident.

ECM photographer Robert Gehr was walking home from the post office between 7:30 and 8 a.m. when he saw the boy ride past him, press a button and wait for the green light, then ride across the intersection. He witnessed the vehicle strike the child.

East County News Service

October 3, 2018 (San Diego) -- Throughout the month of October, kids ages 11 and younger receive free admission (with an adult) at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in San Pasqual as well as at the San Diego Zoo.

Special activities for kids are planned each weekend.so you’re encouraged to “go wild” and come over and over again.

Kids Free admission in October 2018 includes the Africa Tram at the Safari Park – no separate ticket needed. Kids can ride the Conservation Carousel for $6. Purchase Carousel tickets at the Safari Park.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

Photo: Yusef Miller, CAIR-California 

October 3, 2018 (El Cajon) – Members of CAIR , the Council on American-Islamic Relations, called on Cajon Valley Union School District members  at the September 25th board meeting to  fire former Greenfield Middle School’s principal, Gregory Calvert over his handling of the alleged bullying of a Syrian student.  Calvert has since taken a position as assistant principal at Chase Avenue Elementary in the same school district. 

East County News Service

October 2, 2018 (Alpine) – Viejas Outlets Center in Alpine will transform its roller rink into the largest outdoor ice-skating rink in Southern California once again. The winter wonderland with glow of holiday lights will open for the season on November 2^nd.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: Paul Jacob at YMCA Branding held at his ranch

September 30, 2018 (Jamul) – Paul Ernest Jacob, 80, a Jamul community leader, retired Naval aviator and husband of Supervisor Dianne Jacob, died September 23^rd of Parkinson’s disease. Dedicated to improving fire safety for his community, he provided his ranch for use as an emergency shelter and fire operations hub during wildfires.

He was also a founding member of the Jamul Dulzura Community Planning Group and was devoted to the East County YMCA. He helped organize “The Branding,” a fundraising gala held at the Jacob ranch for 14 years, raising over $1.5 million for local Y programs.

Deerhorn Valley Antler editor  Kim Hamilton says Paul Jacob was “beloved” by their neighbors, adding, “He and his wife, Dianne, were the backbone of the community we know and call home today.”

East County News Service

October 2, 2018 (Ramona) -- Ramona Author Joyce T. Strand will introduce her 10th novel, Dangerous Delays, at The 6th annual Ramona Art and Wine Festival, Saturday, November 3rd, 2018 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Begent Ranch, 18528 Highland Valley Road, Ramona, CA 92065. 

Strand will also be signing books at The London Bakery, Saturday November 10th from 12:00 p.m. to 2 p.m. Mentioned in the book, The London Bakery is located at 632 Main St, Ramona, CA 92065

East County News Service

October 2, 2018 (Alpine) – If you’re looking for a safer trick-or-treating option for children, Viejas Outlets in Alpine invites you to visit from 5-8 p.m. on Halloween night, Wednesday October 31^st, for a treat.  The movie “Hocus Pocus” will also be playing on the big screen at the ice rink at 6 p.m. (The ice rink will be opening for the season on Nov. 2.)

Viejas Outlets is located at 5005 Willows Road ∙ Alpine, CA 91901 ∙ (800) 847-6537 https://viejas.com/san-diegos-premier-outlets-mall/

By Miriam Raftery

October 1, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – The Cinnamon Fire, which burned 13 acres in Ramona on July 20th  and destroyed a home that was a former stage coach stop dating back to 1870, was caused by use of equipment, says Cal Fire public information officer Isaac Sanchez.

East County Seeks to Inspire the Next Generation of Manufacturers

Source:  East County Economic Development Council

September 30, 2018 (El Cajon) -- San Diego’s East County is kicking off Manufacturing Week by hosting the largest Manufacturing Expo in the County on Tuesday, October 2 at Allen Airways Flying Museum (2020 N. Marshall Ave.) in El Cajon from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The Expo brings together over 30 manufacturers ranging from the industrial and aerospace realm to candy and wine makers from throughout San Diego! The event is part of Manufacturing Day, a nation-wide effort to celebrate and showcase modern manufacturing and meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers and skilled-workforce.

East County News Service

October 2, 2018 (El Cajon) – You’re invited to come swing with Santa at Sycuan Golf on Friday, November 2^nd on the Pine Glen par 3 executive course. The event will raise funds to St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center’s developmentally disabled students’ holiday celebration.

East County News Service

September 30, 2018 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police officers responding to reports of a shooting near the 600 block of Emerald Avenue at 5:45 p.m. Saturday evening found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to his chest. Paramedics responded and attempted life-saving measures, but the man was pronounced dead.

San Diego’s big cat and exotic animal sanctuary celebrates global animal welfare event with educational visits and blessing of animals

East County News Service 

October 3, 2018 (Alpine) -- San Diego’s world renowned, non-profit big cat and exotic animal sanctuary, Lions Tigers & Bears is celebrating World Animal Day with a unique Blessing of the Animals and special promotion for visitors as part of an international effort to raise awareness and education about animal welfare. 

Father Jason Samuels of Christ the King Episcopal Church in Alpine will deliver a blessing to all the rescued animals at the sanctuary including lions, tigers, bears, bobcats, leopards, a mountain lion and more on Thursday, October 4 at 10:30 a.m.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos provided by Jeff Phair

September 28, 2018 (La Mesa) – Last week,  San Diego Union-Tribune writer Karen Pearlman posted a photo of a Tyrannosaurus Rex metal sculpture that mysteriously appeared in La Mesa at the future site of the La Mesa Summit Estates, raising the question of why the giant dinosaur statue had suddenly shown up in the Jewel of the Hills, as La Mesa is known.

Source: County News Service

September 28, 2018 (Ramona) -- The County has opened a stretch of trail in another section of Ramona Grasslands County Preserve. The Old Survey Road 97 Trail has been closed to the public due to many sensitive species including golden eagles that live and forage in the preserve. Now, the trail is available on a trial basis - to a limited number of people who pass a seasonal permit test - from 8 a.m. until sunset on Saturdays and Sundays now through Nov. 15. To visit, you must watch a quick video and take a short survey, confirming you understand the “dos” and “don’ts” of this unique wildlife habitat.