By Rebecca Person

Photos by R. Person and Noah Miller

October 10, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) -- What began as a trickle of migrant activity at the Mexican border outside small towns in the farthest corner of east San Diego County has surged to a humanitarian crisis - a river, a deluge of hundreds of border crossings here daily. The scene has mirrored and surpassed the crisis last May, when the towns of Jacumba Hot Springs and Boulevard felt a sudden wave of migrants when Title 42 was lifted and Title 8 returned.

Those changes allowed migrants to apply for asylum.  But for those not able to qualify for asylum, crossing the border can lead to formal deportation back to one’s country of origin and possible criminal prosecution if the person makes a second entry within five years. 

Humanitarian groups such as Border Kindness have joined local resident volunteers and some church groups to bring a steady supply of donations - bottled water, blankets, jackets and tarps to migrants camped along the border fence. Also sandwiches, especially the peanut butter kind.

East County News Service

October 9, 2023 (Ramona) -- A woman has been arrested on suspicion of deliberately starting a house fire in Ramona early this morning.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department received a call around 6 a.m. from one of two residents at a home in the 200 block of Haley Street,  stating that their house was on fire.   

View South Africa video

View Zulu Nyala video

September 7, 2023  (La Mesa) –Tickets are now on sale for our “Taste of Africa” event!  The festivities will be Sunday, October 8 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center in the Arbor Room (4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa, CA 91941).

Join us for a fun-filled evening including tastes of African cuisine from local African restaurants and caterers, African dancers and drummers, DJ and dancing, speakers including wildlife conservation leader Coe Lewis of NSEFU and Assembly member Akilah Weber, Africa videos Community Champion awards, raffle, live and silent auction.

The grand prizes are six-night photo safari packages for two at Zulu Nyala - a fabulous private wildlife preserve in South Africa! Other live auction prizes include a larimar bracelet, wine basket, hand-crafted ukelele with African theme, camping gear, and more.

Our raffle and silent auction is huge with many gift certificates and gift baskets from local restaurants, stores, wineries and other vendors, as well as hand-crafted African items and more.

Suggested attire:  African themed (animal print fabric, traditional African, safari wear, or tropical)

Get tickets now! We are nearly sold out.  Questions? Call 619-698-7617

By Cecilie Shamanow

The city of El Cajon is holding a forum for local business owners and managers on Tuesday October 17^th at 7:30 a.m. at the El Cajon Police Station 100 Civic Center Way, El Cajon, CA 92020.

The aim is to discuss the impact the unhoused population is having on local businesses.

The forum is a collaborative effort between the City of El Cajon and the El Cajon Police Department; the meetings will be led by Police Chief Mouton and City Manager Graham Mitchell.

October 2, 2023 (Jamul) -- Fabrice Borel of Jamul snapped a photo of this beautiful bobcat, which was so close he says he thought it might jump into his vehicle.

California, where hunting bobcats has been illegal since Jan. 1, 2020, now has an estimated 70,000 to 100,000 bobcats, according to the California Fish and Wildlife Dept. 

East County News Service

October 1, 2023 (Potrero) -- Two people have been arrested after more than 50 firearms were seized in a search of a  Potrero residence.

East County News Service

September 30, 2023 (El Cajon) – The East County Economic Development Council is excited to announce the return of its annual East County Manufacturing Expo in collaboration with the national Creators Wanted campaign. This year's theme, "Explore, Create, and Innovate - What Does A Future In Manufacturing Look Like?" promises to bring together industry leaders, educators, and aspiring creators on October 3rd, 2023.  

By Michelle Rains

September 29, 2023 (Ramona)-- As the owner of a bar and restaurant in Ramona, I can personally attest to how difficult California’s business environment can be. Starting a business involves balancing budgets, building customer relationships, hiring and training quality employees, creating a welcoming environment; these are the challenges I signed up for. However, in California, there is an added level of difficulty complying with the many different laws and regulations that can dictate a business’s everyday operations.

East County News Service

 

September 28, 2023 (Spring Valley) -- A man is in custody in connection with a shooting in Spring Valley. The shooting happened on September 4 around 1:00 a.m. near the 10000 block of Chavacan Lane. 

Deputies from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff's Station arrived at the location and found over a dozen gun casings, along with multiple bullet holes to a nearby home. No one was hurt

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Gene Carpenter

September 28,2023 (La Mesa) – Last night, the La  Mesa City Council voted 4-1 to ask staff to prepare a revised RFP (request for proposals) for digital billboards, with Councilman Jack Shu opposed.

The action reverse a July 25 vote, when Council rejected a similar proposal by a 3-2 vote. The major difference? The new plan would provide that any revenues the city receives off digital billboards for the first five years would be spent equally on police, fire protection, and the arts, said Councilman Colin Parent, who introduced the revised measure.

Several people showed up before the meeting with protest signs, such as “Keep digital billboards out of  La Mesa,” though some others spoke in support.

By Cassie N. Saunders, County of San Diego Communications Office

September 28, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- The Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) program that supports people confronting mental health struggles is getting a multi-million-dollar boost. 

By Ken Stone,Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  On Sept. 12, Christian High School forfeited a girls volleyball game. Rumors included the presence of a lesbian player for Helix.

September 26, 2023 (La Mesa) - After Christian High School of El Cajon abruptly forfeited a girls varsity volleyball match with Helix Charter High School, the La Mesa school’s athletic director sought in vain to learn why.

East County News Service

September 24, 2023 (Ramona) – After Zita Swanson, 66, went  missing from her home on G Street in Ramona on Sept.21, the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue activated 32 volunteers who helped search for her. She was found by a driver heading to work, who noticed her in bushes along Mussey Grade Road around 5:30 the next morning.

She was considered at risk due to a medical condition. Fortunately, after being evaluated by paramedics, she has been reunited with her family.

East County News Service

September 23, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- The Lemon Grove Historical Society’s 45th annual free "History Alive" lecture series will present the story of the Buffalo Soldiers, led by Trooper Rachel Hilliard (photo,left), founder and president of the San Diego Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers, and several troop members. This special presentation will take place on Thursday, October 5 at 5 p.m. at the H. Lee House Cultural Center,3205 Olive Street in Lemon Grove.

“This extraordinary organization played a major role in America's westward expansion as they helped and saved many wagon trains of migrants, seeking farmland, pasturage and places to establish towns,”says Helen Ofield, historian to the board of the LGHS. “On every level, the Buffalo Soldiers are at the heart of American history. Don't miss this uniformed presentation.”

By Jacob Pamus

Everybody Dies by the End is a feature film written by Ian Tripp and directed by Ian and Ryan Schafer. The film was partially shot in Jamul and downtown. The film stars East County locals such as Brendan Cahalan and Vinny Curran, who owns a bar called Thrusters Lounge in Pacific Beach. Other local actors include Brendan Cahalan from El Cajon and Ian Tripp of San Carlos.

The synopsis of the film is: “A documentary crew follows cult classic horror director Alfred Costella as he makes his final film - An all-practical masterpiece...with a dark twist.” 

When asked about his experience during the production of the film, Ian Tripp told ECM, “You have to be agile to problems coming at you every minute, but the crew itself was why we surpassed any problems we had.” He went into further detail, explaining how well the crew worked together in an environment that could be very stressful.