Communities

MAN TRIES TO LURE BOY INTO VAN IN SANTEE

Source:  San Diego County Sheriff

April 20, 2022 (Santee) - The Santee Sheriff’s Station wants parents to be aware after a stranger followed and approached a child.  

It happened on Tuesday, April 19 around 3:30 p.m. as the 16-year-old boy was riding his bicycle home from Mast Park in the 9100 block of Carlton Hills Boulevard. The incident was reported to the Sheriff's Department an hour later.


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PROMINENT AUTHORS TO APPEAR AT 26TH ANNUAL LITERARY ARTS FESTIVAL AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE APRIL 25

Source:  Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

April 20, 2022 (El Cajon) - The 26th annual Grossmont College Literary Arts Festival returns April 25 for a week of virtual events featuring acclaimed authors and poets from around the nation who will read their work, teach their craft, and discuss sources of their inspiration.


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SURVIVORS OF THE SANTEE PLANE CRASH SPEAK OUT

 

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

April 20, 2022 (Santee) “All of a sudden I hear this loud rumbling,” said Jill Perry, house manager for Home for Guiding Hands in Santee. “We were just sitting down to lunch.” That rumbling was the sound, and aftereffects, when a Cessna small plane, which killed the pilot, Dr. Sugata Das, and a UPS driver, Steve Krueger, crashed in a Santee neighborhood on October 11, 2021, according to a video published by the San Diego Union Tribune.


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UPCOMING CLOSURE OF BALLANTYNE STREET FOR CREEK RESTORATION AND BRIDGE WORK

The City of El Cajon has begun a $2.8 million restoration project of Broadway Creek. As part of the project, a portion of Ballantyne Street in El Cajon will be closed while crews widen the bridge over the creek and make needed street improvements.

Source:  City of El Cajon

April 19, 2022 (El Cajon) - The City has begun a $2.8 million restoration project of Broadway Creek. Funded by grants, the project repairs the creek’s existing erosion and prevents future flood and erosion conditions.


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THREE ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO STABBING IN SPRING VALLEY

Source:  San Diego County Sheriff

April 19, 2022 (Spring Valley) - Three people are under arrest in connection with a stabbing in Spring Valley.It happened on Monday, April 18 just before 10:00 p.m. near a fast food restaurant in the 8700 block of Jamacha Boulevard.


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VEHICLE VS. PEDESTRIAN ON INTERSTATE 8 RESULTS IN FATALITY

Source:  CHP

April 19, 2022 (El Cajon) - On April 18, 2022 at approximately 10:30 p.m., a yet to be identified male pedestrian began walking in the traffic lanes of westbound Interstate 8, west of State Route 67. As a result, the pedestrian was struck by a Kia Optima driven by a 36-year-old female from El Cajon, a Dodge Charger driven by a 28-year-old male from Chula Vista and an unidentified vehicle.  Unfortunately, the pedestrian died at the crash scene.  Two of the three drivers who struck the pedestrian remained on scene and are cooperating with the investigation.  The driver of the third vehicle, fled the scene and was last seen on Interstate 8 westbound.  


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TEEN SUSPECT IN STABBING OF GIRL, 16, IN LAKESIDE REPORTEDLY YELLED RACIAL SLURS

Sheriff plans community forum on public safety in Lakeside

Update 5:30 p.m:  The 16-year-old suspect has been arrested. The Lakeside Sheriff’s substation thanks the community and the Fugitive Task Force for its assistance on this case.

East County News Service

April 18, 2022 (Lakeside) -- Sheriff's deputies are searching for a 16-year-old boy suspected of stabbing a teenage girl in Lakeside Saturday night, April 16 shortly after 11 p.m. at an apartment in the 12000 block of Mapleview Street.


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EL CAJON STRUGGLES TO ADDRESS HOMELESS CAMP ON NEARBY COUNTY PROPERTY

By Miriam Raftery

April 16, 2022 (El Cajon) – For weeks, the city of El Cajon has been trying to get help from the County to address a growing homeless encampment on North Magnolia Avenue, just beyond the city limits on unincorporated County property. After fielding numerous calls from residents frustrated by the camp beyond the city’s control, the city posted a sign that reads “Now leaving El Cajon.”


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WIND ENERGY COMPANY FINED FOR DEATHS OF 150 EAGLES, PLEADS GUILTY TO CRIMINAL CHARGES

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Bald Eagle in East County by Scott Lagace

April 16, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – Opponents of wind farms in San Diego’s East County have long voiced concerns over potentially deadly impacts on eagles. Now a major wind energy company, NextEra Energy, a subsidiary of ESI Energy, has pleaded guilty to violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and killing 150 eagles at multiple wind energy facilities.


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WARM AND WINDY WEATHER FORECAST, BUT COOL TEMPERATURES TO RETURN BY FRIDAY

East County News Service

April 16, 2022 (San Diego) – Gusty winds are forecast tonight through Friday, with temperatures heating up early this week.  Temperatures Monday could reach 95 to 100 degrees in the deserts. Tuesday through Friday, gusts as strong as 60 miles an hour are forecast in the mountains and deserts.

 

By Friday, however, rain is forecast across the region, along with cooler weather.


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LA MESA TO HOST MEETING ON COMMUNITY CHOICE ENERGY APRIL 27

Photo: La Mesa Townhalls in 2018

By Jonathan Goetz

April 16, 2022 (La Mesa) - Building on a unanimous September 10, 2019 decision by this City's Council in California to join a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) with Chula Vista, Encinitas, Imperial Beach and San Diego, cityoflamesa.us will livecast a forum on April 27 at 6 p.m. 

Representatives from La Mesa, San Diego Gas & Electric and San Diego Community Power will discuss their design to expand cheaper cleaner electricity.

There are two options to participate:

1. Zoom (https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87079769622)

2. La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center (8450 La Mesa Blvd.)


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TROUBLE FOR MAJORS: GOFUNDME SITE SEEKS TO SAVE PINE VALLEY DINER

By Matthew Manosh

April 15, 2022 (Pine Valley) -- Major's Diner (also known as Major’s Coffee Shop) has been a staple in the Pine Valley community for over 60 years since its doors first opened in 1961.


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SHERIFF’S DEPT. HOSTS COFFEE WITH THE COMMUNITY APRIL 27 IN SPRING VALLEY

East County News Service

April 15, 2022 (Spring Valley) – The San Diego Sheriff’s Rancho San Diego station invites you to Coffee with the Community. The event will be held on Wednesday, April 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the San Diego Youth Services East Campus auditorium 3845 at Spring Drive in Spring Valley.

For more information, contact crime prevention specialize Nancy Ortiz at (619) 660-7009 or nancy.ortiz@sdsheriff.org.


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COLD CASE ARREST FOR 2003 DOUBLE MURDER IN UNINCORPORATED EL CAJON

East County News Service

April 15, 2022 (El Cajon) -- An arrest has been made in a 2003 shooting that killed two people in the unincorporated area of El Cajon. Michael Romero, 45, has been arrested and charged with the murders of Brandon Vigil and Patrick John Greene.


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SPRING VALLEY RISES: COMMUNITY FORUM APRIL 19

East County News Service 

April 15, 2022 (Spring Valley) -- The Spring Valley Community Alliance is working to make Spring Valley greener, cleaner, healthier and safer. The Alliance is hosting a community forum on Tuesday, April 19 at 5:30 p.m. featuring two experts on community empowerment and revitalization who will share specific examples and resources that residents can use in Spring Valley and other communities. Folks are invited to attend and learn how to become agents of change in Spring Valley and surrounding communities.


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HOMELESSNESS PANEL DISCUSSION APRIL 21 IN LEMON GROVE

East County News Service

April 15, 2022 (Lemon Grove) - The East County Homeless Task Force and Thrive Lemon Grove are hosting an in-person panel discussion on homelessness on Thursday, April 21, 2022, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the Lemon Grove Library, 3001 School Lane in Lemon Grove.  


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CITY OF LA MESA HIRES NEW DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS

Veteran Public Works czar Michael Throne brings vast experience to the position

Source:  City of La Mesa

April 14, 2022 (La Mesa) - With a commitment to tackling aging infrastructure, the City of La Mesa has tapped Michael Throne to be the new Director of Public Works. Throne, who started on April 11, has more than three decades of experience in reimagining engineering in the public sector.


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'APRIL POOLS DAY' AT FLETCHER HILLS POOL APRIL 22

Source:  City of El Cajon

Photo:  cc via Bing

April 14, 2022 (El Cajon) - The City of El Cajon is hosting a FREE April Pools Day event to help kick off May as National Drowning Prevention Month on Friday, April 22, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Fletcher Hills Pool, located at 2345 Center Place in El Cajon.


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KIDNAPPED GIRL SAFE, MOTHER ARRESTED FOR ABDUCTION AT SCHOOL IN SPRING VALLEY

East County News Service

April 14, 2022 (Spring Valley) – Six-year-old Jolyn Gutierez has been found unharmed.  Her mother, Wendy Gutierez, who does not have custody, has been arrested for kidnapping Jolyn on February 22 from Kempton Elementary School in Spring Valley


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SUSPECT IN CUSTODY AFTER CARJACKING EL CAJON POLICE TRUCK WITH SWAT GEAR INSIDE

By Miriam Raftery

April 14, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – A suspect accused of carjacking an El Cajon Police vehicle containing SWAT gear and weapons last night led officers on a high-speed chase across East County before being apprehended in Chula Vista.

An off-duty ECPD officer was leaving a 7-Eleven store in Santee when "a man opened the passenger door of the unmarked pickup truck, got into the vehicle and began yelling incoherently at the driver. At some point, both parties got out of the truck and the carjacker was able to get behind the wheel and drive away," says Sergeant Michael Gonzalez with the Sheriff's department.

The vehicle had SWAT gear, an assault rifle and a pistol locked in a storage locker, according to 10 News.


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VACCINE CASH AND MORE: LA MESA APPROVES PHASE TWO ALLOCATION OF ARPA FUNDS

By Elijah McKee

April 13, 2022 (La Mesa) — City of La Mesa employees are now eligible for $500 bonus checks — and if they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, they can receive an additional $500. 


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JUDGE FINDS LA MESA WAS JUSTIFIED IN FIRING OFFICER MATT DAGES

By Miriam Raftery

April 13, 2022 (La Mesa) – The city of La Mesa’s decision to fire La Mesa Police Officer Matt Dages in 2020 was “supported by the weight of the evidence”, according to a tentative ruling issued by Superior Court Judge Katherine Bacal.  According to the Judge, the evidence showed that Dages provided “false and misleading” information in his report on his arrest of Amaurie Johnson.


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MISSING WOMAN: NICOLE PARE’S PURSE FOUND IN LA MESA, WHITE AUDI SEEN IN LA MESA AND LEMON GROVE

East County News Service

Update April 14:  Nicole Pare has been found safe, according to SDPD, which did not release details.

April 13, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego Police seek help to locate Nicole Marie Paré, 32, a Pacific Beach woman who vanished without picking up a family member at the airport on Monday, April 11. Her white Audi A5 (CA license plate 7VAZ668) was seen Monday in La Mesa and Lemon Grove, and her purse was found in La Mesa.

She is considered at risk due to the circumstances; her family told police she has never gone missing before.

She has blond hair, brown eyes, is 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs about 130 pounds.


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THE HIDDEN MURALS OF LEMON GROVE

Source: The City of Lemon Grove’s Zest newsletter

April 13, 2022 (Lemon Grove) -- If you are in the mood for an eccentric display of outdoor art, then look no further that what Grover’s and tourists have coined as “The Hidden Murals.”


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INSPIRED VETERANS HELP CLEAN UP LEMON GROVE

East County News Service
 
April 12, 2022 (Lemon Grove) - Joshua David Klein, a U.S. Naval veteran, and his wife Stephanie became inspired this past year to help their small city, Lemon Grove.  According to Klein, the couple has now picked up 1,200 50-gallon bags of trash along Broadway Avenue, as well as freeway entrances and exits.  “We have also covered more than 500 pieces of graffiti in our public spaces,” he says.

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CHEERS! HESS BREWING NOW OPEN IN ALPINE, ITS SIXTH LOCAL LOCATION

By Henri Migala

April 12, 2022 (Alpine) -- One of the greatest benefits of living in East County is to be able to enjoy our wide open and natural spaces. The best thing to come out of the pandemic is the move of restaurants to open outdoor eating and drinking areas.


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DRAMATIC MAKEOVER OF CAMPO ROAD CORRIDOR IN CASA DE ORO SET FOR COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING APRIL 22

By Miriam Raftery

April 12, 2022 (Casa de Oro) – A dramatic transformation of the Campo Road Corridor through Casa de Oro in Spring Valley is planned to create a Main Street ambience in the heart of the community.  On April 22, the County Planning Commission will hold a hearing on the proposed Campo Road Revitalization specific plan.

A central plaza for outdoor community activites, roundabouts, bike and pedestrian friendly changes, trees, outdoor seating, a center median, new street parking, and housing up to four-stories high are all in the revitalization plan. It covers 60 acres centered on Campo Road from Rodgers Rd. to Granada Ave. to be completed in three phases aimed at attracting private investors and enhancing the community. The plan would also seek grants and governmental funding, as well as potentially a planned business improvement district (PBID).

View the Campo Road Corridor Revitalization Specific Plan here, which includes many photos and illustrations of possible prototypes in other cities.The hearing will be both in person and online. The agenda and details will be posted under the “upcoming meetings” listing within 3 days of the April 22 hearing. Here are details on how to stream County Planning Commission meetings to watch from home or participate. Scroll down for details.


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JUDGE TELLS SANTEE TO RESCIND FANITA RANCH VOTES DUE TO FIRE DANGER

By Mike Allen

April 12, 2022 (Santee) -- Fanita Ranch, the 3,000 unit housing project that was approved by the city of Santee two years ago, received another setback last week when a San Diego judge ruled the City must rescind all the legal permits for the construction.

The judgement by Superior Court Judge Katherine Bacal made last month and filed April 6, calls on the city to vacate a series of resolutions that gave Fanita Ranch the green light in September 2020. Bacal faulted the city and its contracted experts for creating an inadequate environmental report about all the impacts from the project, particularly the lack of safe evacuation routes in the wake of an emergency such as a major wildfire.


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LAMPLIGHTERS PRESENTS NEIL SIMON'S "RUMORS"

By Kathy Carpenter
 
April 12, 2022 (La Mesa) - Lamplighters'  "Rumors" is a classic farce.  A farce is defined as a comedy that seeks to entertain an audience through situations that are highly exaggerated, extravagant, ridiculous, absurd and improbable. With lots of doors, comings and goings and people impersonating other people. An evening of fun and laughter. 

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: LEMON GROVE STUDENTS HONORED

East County News Service

April 11, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – Elijah McKee took this image of the proud winners of Lemon Grove’s annual third grade essay writing contest and Councilmembers, during an awards presentation April 5 by the Lemon Grove City Council.


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