Winter storm warning in effect for mountains through Thursday, Feb. 8 at  12 p.m.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Laguna Mountain Lodge webcam

February 7, 2024 (San Diego’s East County)—Several inches or more of snow blanketed San Diego County’s mountains overnight.  Snow fell in Julian, Pine Valley, and many other mountain communities, with more precipitation forecast today.

Due to weather and road conditions, several school districts are closed and have a snow day today, according to the San Diego County Office of Education:  Julian Union Elementary , Julian Union High, Mountain Empire,  Spencer Valley,  Warner Unified.

Male body found at same campground remains unidentified, may be related

East County News Service

May 23, 2023 (Warner Springs) — A body found near campsites on the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation in Warner Springs on Feb. 16, 1986 has been identified through genetic genealogy as Claudette Jean Zebolsky Powers.

East County News Service

October 25, 2022 (Warner Springs) – You’re invited to head to the beautiful North Mountain Wine Trail of San Diego County for the 2022 "Taste of the Summit."  Four wineries (Emerald Creek Winery, Hawk Watch Winery, Shadow Mountain Winery and Sierra Roble Winery), all located in Warner Springs are teaming up for what promises to be a fantastic fall wine and food experience.  

Illegal drugs likely destined for unlicensed marijuana dispensaries in region, investigators believe

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: hallucinogenic mushrooms by Arp; Image Number 6514 at Mushroom Observer, a source for mycological images. CC-by SA 3.0 via Wikimedia.

September 11, 2021 (Warner Springs) – A San Diego County Sheriff’s warrant search related to a Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) extraction lab early Friday morning at 28519 Highway 79 in Warner Springs also found a psilocybin (psychedelic mushroom) lab. 

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

August 2, 2019 (Warner Springs) - A deer mouse trapped during routine monitoring in Warner Springs has tested positive for the potentially deadly hantavirus, leading County officials to remind people they should never sweep up or vacuum up after rodents if they find them in homes, garages, sheds and cabins.

Company provides tips on how to prepare for planned outages

East County News Service

July 17, 2019 (Warner Springs) -- To strengthen the regional electric system against the threat posed by wildfires, SDG&E contractors will be working in Warner Springs to upgrade wooden power poles with fire-resistant steel poles. For the safety of the construction crews, electricity in that community will need to be turned off on two days – Saturday, July 20, and again onn Monday, July 22, – to accommodate the work.

On both days the planned outages will begin at 7:30 a.m. and will last up to 8.5 hours, according to SDG&E. Swapping out wood poles with steel poles requires the use of a helicopter, which can only be flown during daylight hours. 

In addition to upgrading the poles, crews will also replace older overhead distribution lines and other equipment, to increase the system’s capacity to withstand extreme weather conditions, such as high winds.

By Miriam Raftery

February 15, 2018 (Warner Springs) --  The Ranchita/Warner Springs Sheriff's Substation asks public help to locate a man in a pickup truck who tried to kidnap a woman yesterday shortly before 7:30 a.m. at her mailbox in the 29000 block of State Route 79 in Warner Springs.

The victim, 29, told deputies she was getting off her car to get her mail when a man attacked her and tried to get her into his truck. She was able to fight off the attacker and drive away from the area. She says the man followed her from the scene for some distance and then he continued driving westbound on State Route 76 toward Valley Center.

The woman suffered minor injuries and was treated at a hospital and released, says Sergeant Brian Jenkins with the San Diego Sheriff’s department.

October 15, 2017 (Warner Springs) -- The #Wilson Fire in Warner Springs is now 10 to 15 acres with a moderate rate of spread, Cal Fire reports.

The blaze began around 1:30 p.m. at Wilson Road, east of San Felipe, according to Cal Fire.

East County News Service

July 13, 2017 (Santa Ysabel) – Hawk Watch winery in Warner Springs hosts the second of its summer concerts this Saturday, July 15 from 5 to 8 p.m.  Bill Magee teamed up back in the ‘60s with Jimmy James, better known as Jimi Hendrix to form the band “Jimmy James and the Flames.”  Eventually, Hendrix toured England and Magee toured throughout Europe.

Mad Mike will be on hand serving up delicious sausage plates, and the winery will have discounts on select bottles and glasses of wine all evening for everyone. 

Latest phase in resort renovation follows renovated golf course

East County News Service

March 21, 2017 (Warner Springs)  – Warner Springs Ranch Resort (WSRR), the iconic San Diego County destination, has brought back horseback riding to its amenities available to the public.  The resort has partnered with Warner Valley Stables to provide guided rides at the Warner Springs Ranch Resort Equestrian Center through the miles of scenic trails surrounding Warner Springs.

Update Sept. 21,2016:  Sheriff's Homicide Detectives have arrested Sandra Leigh Stoneburner, who lived at the Camino San Ignacio address.  She is charged with murder of  the victim,  her sister Carrie Deatherage, 51.

East County News Service

September 17, 2016 (Warner Springs) — A shooting at the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation in Warner Springs has left a woman, 51, in grave condition.  A 57-year-old woman has been detained as a “person of interest” at the scene, says Lieutenant Kenneth Nelson.

East County News Service

May 3, 2016 (Warner Springs) – Extensive vandalism forced closure today of the entire Warner Unified School District complex, which includes elementary through high school classrooms as well as district offices.  The district's website states it hopes to reopen soon and will notify parents when children can return to school.

A maintenance worker arriving at work Wednesday morning discovered the damage, which included graffiti, broken windows, classrooms ransacked, furniture overturned and fire extinguishers discharged.  The worker called  Sheriff’s deputies at 5:15 a.m.

Warner Springs Ranch Resort, LLC Reopens Upgraded Clubhouse, Restaurant

November 10, 2015 (Warner Springs) – The Warner Springs Ranch Golf Club is ready for play after a two-year renovation undertaken after the property was bought in 2013 by Pacific Hospitality Group Inc.

May 12, 2015 (Warner Springs) – Sheriff’s Homicide detectives have identified the victims in a murder-suicide that occurred on May 1^st at a home on Chihuahua Valley Road.  The double-murder victims are Sadie Louise Stockalper, 27, and Elena Howard-Vinnard, 54.  Both were found dead of gunshots in the upper bodies.