Source: Caltrans

November 15, 2016 (Ramona) - Caltrans crews will set up lane closures on northbound State Route 67 at the intersection with Dye Road/Highland Valley Road near Ramona on Monday and Tuesday from  7 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. for paving operations.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

November 13, 2016 (El Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon held a Veterans Day ceremony at Centennial Plaza on November 11^th and presented its first Veteran of the Year Award to retired Chief Ray Moody.

In addition to the WWII veterans and others in attendance, a 30-year-old veteran, Kenny Patterson, US Navy, was also present.  He went in the service at 19. The phrase “I am a veteran –my oath of enlistment has no expiration date” aptly applies to Patterson.  He gives back to the community by participating in the American Legion Riders Chapter #303 which raises money to help other veterans.  A vet helping other vets. A vet who was also honoring other vets by his attendance at the ceremony.

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo: (L-R) Hon. Gary Kendrick, Moody RL, BMC, Hon. Bob McClellan, Hon. Susan Davis, Hon. Star Bales, Hon. Tony Ambrose

November 13, 2016 (El Cajon) — Congresswoman Susan Davis joined members of the El Cajon City Council at a ceremony honoring our veterans on Friday in downtown El Cajon. Rep. Davis, who also hosted a town hall meeting for veterans last week, posted on her Facebook page,  “Let us never forget the veterans who dedicated themselves to defending and protecting our freedoms.”

Update December 1, 2016:  Lyon has pulled back ahead of Russo by 25 votes as the count contiunes.  The election will be certified  December 8th.

Update November 16, 2016:  Lou Russo has pulled ahead of Travis Lyon.

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 12, 2016 (Alpine) — With 100% of precincts counted but provisional and some mail-in ballots remaining to be counted, Joseph Perricone has won reelection to the Alpine Union School District board. But a second seat is still too close to call, with Travis Lyon leading Louis Russo by just 19 votes.

For more sports coverage, visit ECM's sports section

Story and photo by Liz Alper

November 10, 2016 (El Cajon) - In the first round of CIF playoffs, it was the battle of the Eagles as the San Pasqual High Golden Eagles traveled to Granite Hills to take on the Eagles.

Medical pot measure also passes

By Miriam Raftery

November 9, 2016 (La Mesa)—Attorney and affordable housing advocate Colin Parent, a Democrat, has won election to the La Mesa  City Council,  narrowly defeating incumbent Ruth Sterling, a Republican.  Councilwoman Kristine Alessio,  an attorney, won reelection.  Parent will be the lone Democrat on the five-member Council.

Sterling has long been one of La Mesa’s most popular politicians, winning past reelections by wide margins. But she missed a key La Mesa debate this election cycle due to falling and breaking her arm.  Sterling had initially announced she would not seek reelection,  but later changed her mind after constituents urged her to run.

With 100% of precincts counted but late mail-in ballots and provisionals remaining to be tallied,  Alessio has 35.55% of the vote (6675 votes), Parent has 35.35% (6450 votes) and Sterling 30.11% (5654 votes).

School bond measure also passes

By Miriam Raftery

November 9, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) –The Grossmont Union High School District has been rife with controversies including efforts to parents to split the district apart after the board ignored admonishments by the County Grand Jury  and refused to build an Alpine High School promised in two past bond measures—voting to instead fund a lawsuit defending the district’s stance.   

Yesterday,  voters cast out incumbent  Jim Stieringer, the newest Board member in a wave of anti-incumbency that swept the nation on a day that saw Donald Trump capture the presidency.  His replacement in trustee district 2, the La Mesa-Mt. Helix area, is a teacher.  Voters also elected a teacher in district 1 in Lemon Grove-Spring Valley-La Prensa, carved out through redistricting as a majority-minority district. Here's what the public can learn from these races.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo,left:  Stephen Houlahan

November 9, 2016 (Santee) – With 36% of precincts counted,  Councilman John Minto,a retired police officer, is maintaining a 10 point lead over felow Councilman and realtor Rob McNellis in the race to become Santee’s next Mayor.  Current Mayor Randy Voepel tonight won election handily  to the State Assembly over Leo Hamel.

Though Santee’s Council has long been heavily influenced by developers and real estate interests, Stephen Houlahan,  running on an environmental platform,  appears likely to defeat  two pro-development opponents.

East County News Service

Photos, left to right: Stephen Houlahan, Mason Herron, and Dustin Trotter

November 7, 2016 (Santee) — Santee City Council candidate Mason Herron has raked in $58, 246 in campaign contributions from 131 individuals, of whom only 6 live in Santee, including himself.  That’s 95% of donations coming from outside Santee.

Source: Caltrans

November 7, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Lane and ramp closures are taking place along Interstate 8 (I-8) in El Cajon between Johnson Avenue and Lake Jennings Park Road Sundays through Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. until mid-December. According to Caltrans, the pavement rehabilitation project will also include lane closures on some adjacent surface streets.

East County News Service

November 6, 2016 (Jamul) – In honor of “Shop Small Business Saturday”,  a Holiday Pop-Up Market will be held on November 26 from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m. at 13910 Lyons Valley Road in Jamul.

Guests can shop for unique gifts including hand-made hats, scarves and gloves, gift baskets, jams, jellies and tamales, jewelry, fine art, poinsettias,  holiday floral arrangements and vintage collections. A fashion show will take place at 1:30p.m.  The Upper Hand Salon will offer gift certificates for manicures, pedicures, massages, cuts  and colors.

By Miriam Raftery

November 5, 2016 (Ramona) – If you’re looking for an unusual way to spend Thanksgiving weekend,  stop by Pomegranate Days at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona.  The 6^th annual event on November 25, 26 and 27 will include camel rides,  feeding pomegranates to camels, family shows,  and a race featuring “pardoned” turkeys.

Update: The victim has been identified as Richard Kent Chartier. The cause of death was a penetrating gunshot wound to the abdomen. The manner of death was ruled a homicide. Chartier was a resident at the 1321 Oro Street property in unincorporated El Cajon.

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 5, 2016 (El Cajon) – Vincent Frank Peterson,42, has been arrested and will be charged with the murder of a man found with mortal wounds Friday night in unincorporated El Cajon.

Deputies were called to a home on Oro Street near Greenfield Drive after a caller to 911 reported an assault with a deadly weapon around 10 p.m. Friday.  The victim, 42, was found with injuries to his torso and died on the way to a hospital.

By Miriam Raftery

November 4, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The future of the San Miguel Fire District hangs in the balance.  Should San Miguel keep its contract with Cal-Fire or return to being a stand-alone district, as the current board recently voted by a slim margin?  We interviewed a representative from  each of the two slates running for our East County Magazine Radio Show on KNSJ. Listen now by clicking the orange audio link.

 In this heated session,  incumbent Bill  Kiel, a retired engineer, makes the case for staying with Cal-Fire, while retired fire chief Kim Raddatz argues for giving Cal-Fire the boot and returning to an independent district.  Each side claims their position will be best for taxpayers and public safety.  One side is backed by Cal-Fire firefighters, the other by leaders of the former San Miguel firefighters.

By Mike Allen

November 3, 2016 (El Cajon) -- The Sycuan band of the Kumeyaay nation has plans to build a high-rise hotel and expand its casino.

The plans call for an 11-story, 300-room, hotel plus an additional 21,000 square feet of gaming space with 500 new devices, bringing the total to 2,500. The project would also include a 2,030-car parking garage, an upscale restaurant, a spa, fitness center, and larger outdoor area with two swimming pools.