August 10, 2011 (Otay)-- Kid Ventures, a family-owned business in EastLake, is gearing up to celebrate its first year of success on August 12 from 5 to 8p.m. The celebration theme is Jungle Safari, in the spirit of unveiling a new outdoor jungle-themed play area.

August 9, 2011 (San Diego's East County)--To ensure that your telephone call gets through to family, friends and loved-ones during an emergency or disaster, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) offers these helpful tips. 

August 9, 2011 (Jamul) – What could be cuter than a bouncing baby bobcat? How about an entire bobcat family?

By Scott Kidwell, La Mesa

August 8, 2011 (Ramona)—A fire that began at a hay storage area behind Kahoots Feed Store in the 900 block of Main Street in Ramona spread to two neighboring homes in the pre-dawn hours this morning.

As of late this morning, firefighters continued hosing down hay bales from the barn, which was destroyed.  Some closures of streets occurred although Highway 78 remained open, Ramona Patch.com reported.

Story and photos by Miriam Raftery

August 8, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – “What are You Waiting For? Birds are chirping, hiking trails beckon, a whiff of white sage drifts on the breeze. Night skies are so black the stars look 3D,” reads a new website launched by the Boulevard-Jacumba Revitalization Alliance at www.gosandiegobackcountry.org.

Update August 8: In a meeting between SDG&E and Rural Fire Protection District representatives on Thursday, SDG&e indicated it wants a single set of rules such as for vegetation clearance and sought to be exempted from overhead water sprinklers over electrical equipment. The RFPD suggested an inert gas fire fighting agent. “In the end, what we believe will happen is that SDG&E will comply, although there will be modifications,” said member Lou Russo.

August 6, 2011 (Rancho San Diego) – Last time appraiser Craig Helm came to town, one lucky East County resident discovered her yard sale find was actually a Ming Dynasty vase. Others learned that art or collectibles in their households were worth thousands of dollars.

Plus improv political satire by National Comedy Theatre

 

Heartland Fire & Rescue, serving the cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove Fire Departments, now has a new website: www.heartlandfire.org. The website incorporates information on emergency preparedness, fire prevention, photos, and current fire department news.

August 5, 2011 (Boulevard)—San Diego Police ask the public’s help to locate Jerry Perez, 53, who was last seen July 15 at 6:30 a.m. on Pacific Highway in San Diego. His car, a 1996 white Honda Accord (CA license 3TDT884) was found July 15 at 8 a.m. abandoned on Interstate 8 in Boulevard, a half mile east of the La Posta Creek Bridge.

August 5, 2011 (Alpine) – East County Magazine Editor Miriam Raftery will be the guest on Billie Jo Jannen’s “TGIF Report” tonight. Hot topics include:

• A sexual harassment suit against a former Mountain Empire Union School District Superintendent
• Rural Fire Protection District’s revocation of approval for SDG&E’s ECO-Substation
• The County’s first legal marijuana dispensary
• AT&T’s proposed merger with T-Mobile and how it may impact rural phone service
• Updates on the state fire parcel fee
• County’s approval of a new General Plan

Listen via streaming audio at www.my1079.com, or tune your dial to 107.9 FM, from 6 to 7 p.m. You can send your news and event information to TGIF Report at newstips@my1079.com or to East County Magazine at editor@eastcountymagazine.org.

August 5, 2011(Escondido)-- The San Diego County Board of Supervisors this week unanimously approved the acquisition of four properties needed to complete the widening of Bear Valley Parkway in unincorporated Escondido, between Boyle Avenue and Highway 78.

To date, the County has negotiated real property contracts to acquire or use 31 of the 50 properties that will be needed to complete the project. This week's vote follows approvals given earlier this year to proceed with property acquisitions and relocation of homeowners displaced by the widening project.