By Miriam Raftery

Photo: courtesy 10 News

January 2, 2015 (Julian)--This week’s snowstorm transformed much of East County into a winter wonderland.

Nine inches of snow fell in Julian and a full foot blanketed the top of Mount Laguna, with several inches all the way down to Descanso, KNSJ’s home town.

The road to Julian has been ploughed and cleared for travel – but over this holiday weekend, that’s led to traffic jams as snow-loving San Diegans headed to the mountains.

East County News Service

November 27, 2014 (Julian)—A body has been found about a half mile from Pinezanita Campground, where Sally Estabrook vanished on October 4^th.  Estabrook, who suffered from Alzheimer, triggered a massive search involving search and rescue teams from across Southern California. The Medical Examiner has confirmed that the deceased is Estabrook.

Yesterday afternoon, deputies responded to a radio call of a deceased person found in heavy shrubbery just off the roadway in the 200 block of Coulter Ridge Road in Julian.

By Nadin Abbott

October 18, 2014 (Julian)--Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) are locally-based volunteer teams, there to assist in times of disaster. They are locally managed and they almost always are sponsored by an agency.

Brian Kramer, current administrator of Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Department-sponsored CERT team, told ECM that the County did not recognize a second CERT team in Julian sponsored by Johnny and Dianne Hake, since that team is not affiliated with any government agency.

The Hakes said they operate independently and that they broke off their relationship with the Fire Department over philosophical differences.

By Barbara Nigro

October 3, 2014 (Julian)--PROPOSITION “P” will be on the November 4th ballot. Resident-voters will have an opportunity to staff the Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District with paid Firefighter-Paramedics. This would ensure that a Paramedic is always in the District and able to respond within minutes.

Services scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 6th

East County News Service

August 30, 2014 (Descanso) – Julia Elizabeth Hills, 53, was killed in a motorcycle crash on State Route 79 in Julian on August 24th.  Her husband, Norman "Scott" Allen, broke his hip and suffered a compound break in his right leg in the crash. Hills is survived by her son, Chuck, as well as her mother, two sisters and a brother serving in the mlitary in Iraq.

Ericka Dehoyos, a friend of the famliy, has set up the Norman "Scott" Allen fund.  "They need financial help in burying the love of his life as well as his medical bills and help so he doesn't lose his home and what he has worked for," Dehoyos states.  To donate, visit http://www.gofundme.com/djq08k.

East County News Service

August 30, 2014 (Julian) – For the 45th year, Julian celebrates the end of summer with music.  The Julian Music Festival will be held at the Menghini Winery on September 20th from 1 to 8 p.m.  This year’s event features bluegrass to celebrate the festival’s roots, Western ballads to remember the past, as well as music by current songwriters and singers.

Performers slated to appear include singer/songwriter Melanie Devaney, guitarist/singer Steve Ybarra, Cool Band Luke performing high energy favorites, and Trails and Rails performing train songs, cowboy tunes, pop, swing, vocal harmonies and whistling. 

East County News Service

August 21, 2014 (Julian)--The Julian StarFest runs from August 21-August 24 among the grape vines and apple orchards at Menghini Winery in Julian.Anyone can enjoy the Julian StarFest by participating in the free public star party on Saturday, August 23rd.

Arrive in Julian between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. and you can enter the StarFest grounds (1150 Julian Orchards Ln, Julian, CA 92036) for free. Take a star tour of the heavens using the many telescopes set up in the viewing area. Experts will be on hand to answer questions about what your looking at and about the telescopes.

Dear  Readers:

A year ago when KNSJ radio launched, the station promised to air our live wildfire and emergency alerts. Saturday is their anniversary party - please send a message TODAY asking them to honor this promise!

In the July 2013 Chariot Fire the station did go live and I reported on the fire on Mt. Laguna.  For a few weeks, KNSJ aired our alerts with a delay of an hour or so, promising to improve technology to get real live alerts. Later KNSJ stopped airing wildfire alerts at all. I’ve pleaded with KNSJ to air Viejas Wildfire Alerts as promised, which we offer them free, to save lives and keep you safe. In the backcountry when power lines burn and some have no cell service,  battery-powered radio is often the only way to get news during fires.

KNSJ’s CEO says having the federal emergency broadcast system  in place is enough, but it’s not. It wasn’t activated during recent fires in East County.  KNSJ's CEO and Board  refuse to even guarantee a start date for alerts or an exact dollar figure that would guarantee these would air. They ask for more money, without delivering on promises made to donors who already gave to support getting alerts on the air.  KNSJ also has zero live broadcasting, even for breaking news during fires.

TAKE OUR POLL AND SEND A MESSAGE TO KNSJ:  Should the FCC ask KNSJ to keep its promise and air live Viejas Wildfire & Emergency Alerts & have live news broadcasts during wildfires?

PLEASE VOTE HERE:  http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/poll/should-fcc-ask-knsj-keep-its-promise-air-live-viejas-wildfire-emergency-alerts-and-have-live-ne

Photo, left:  Cal Fire Chief Joe Rinaldi discusses need to cancel parade for safety's sake.

By Nadin Abbott

Photos Tom and Nadin Abbott

July 4, 2014 (Julian) The Fourth of July parade was an unintended victim  of the so called “Banner Fire” east of Julian, which destroyed two homes and injured a firefighter. The fire started at around noon and by this morning it has charred 217 acres, with 40 percent containment according to Captain Ken Bortisser of CAL FIRE.

The following road closures remain in effect: State Route 78 at Manzanita Drive, and  Manzanita Drive at Lakeview Drive.

The decision to cancel the parade, announced late yesterday by the California Highway Patrol and CAL FIRE, sparked consternation among some residents.

June 29, 2014 (Julian) – In the historic gold rush town of Julian, the 4^th of July starts with a parade and American Legion barbecue.  Guests are invited to finish up a day in the mountains at Jeremy’s on the Hill, where a Backcountry wine pairing dinner will be held featuring organic, local produce from Sage Mountain Farms and wines from Shadow Mountain Vineyards and Sierra Roble Winery and Vineyard, both in Warner Springs. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and tickets are $44 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

Hear the Destination East County segment on the East County Magazine Show on KNSJ 89.1 FM each Wed. and Fri. at 5:00 p.m. or listen online at www.EastCountyMagazine.org!

By Ariele Johannson

June 10, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--East County has plenty of activities to enjoy this weekend, including some designated for Father’s Day. However, many of the events this weekend might be interesting for Dad and the family to enjoy. Plus, we have a major festival in El Cajon that is number one on our list.

Tour to unveil the first brand new building on Hubbell Hill in 10 years

May 26, 2014 (Julian)--Iconic San Diego artist, global humanitarian and cultural leader, James Hubbell, will once again invite the public to tour his family’s magical and historically-designated compound in Julian, Calif. for the annual Father’s Day Open House on Sunday, June 15, 2014. The tour will also unveil the brand new ninth building on the compound – the Ilan-Lael Foundation building, which has been under construction since early 2013. The archive and gallery spaces of the new building will be open for the first time ever, which will showcase some of Hubbell’s most recent work.

May 10, 2014 (Julian) – The third annual Julian Wild & Scenic Film Festival is slated for May 16 and 17 in Julian, a historic mountain town in San Diego’s East County.   

“We have some awesome films and guest speakers lined up along with some great parties and special events,” promises Nancy Kramer, an organizer of the event.  “We'll introduce you to sports such as Canyoneering (exploring a canyon by engaging in such activities as rappelling, rafting, and waterfall jumping)  surfing on a remote Arctic Island, kayaking over waterfalls, and closer to home...roller-blading along the Mission Bay/Pacific Beach Boardwalk.”  Also watch two women in the field, one who studies whales and dolphins and another who save sloths as their rain forests habitats are clearcut.  Plus she added, “You'll fall in love with a young man who dedicates his time to introducing at-risk kids to the beauty of nature.” 

The third annual festival – which will be held May 16-17 at Julian High School multipurpose room  – is part of a 115-city nationwide tour that showcases award-winning films about nature, community activism, adventure, conservation, water, energy and climate change, wildlife, environmental justice, agriculture, and indigenous cultures.

By Miriam Raftery

April 25, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)—Timothy Evan Nodal, 19, of Julian has died after suffering medical problems while hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail near Lake Morena.

By Miriam Raftery

March 27, 2014 (Julian) – Last night shortly after 8 p.m., a lost hiker called the Sheriff’s communication center to report that he and a companion were lost in the rugged Three Sisters Falls area near Julian.  Their cell phone was dying and they could not find their way back to their vehicle, said Sergeant Carlos Medina at the Julian Sheriff’s Substation.