UPDATE FROM THE MILAGRO FAMILY:  Please note that the Milagro Tasting Room will not re-open as previously announced on Saturday, September 3rd, 2016. We are shooting for a tasting room re-opening date towards the end of September and will confirm that date once all necessary procedures are updated. The exact timing of this completion is out of our control. Please bear with us just a bit longer. The wait will be worth it, we promise!

East County News Service

August 1, 2016 (Ramona) - Milagro Farms Vineyard and Winery in Ramona announces it will reopen its tasting room on Saturday, September 3.  The tasting room has been closed for several months for a major remodel.

An e-mail to wine club members reads, “We have used the down time wisely and made some fantastic improvements here at Milagro.  We assure you that the new experience will not disappoint.  The outdoor area directly adjacent to the tasting room has been re-crafted for optimal relaxation and entertainment purposes, complete with bocce courts, a children's play structure, picnic tables, wooden swings and new patio furniture.  Inside we have added an essential board game library and lots more seating options.”

The new Milagro will include:

August 20, 2016—Two Sig Alerts have been issued due to separate crashes in East County, both forcing long-term shutdowns of  major roadways.

A fatality accident has shut down State Route 67 in both directions for 8 to10 hours. Southbound 67 is closed at Archie Moore Road.  Northbound SR 67 is closed at Poway Road.   A head-on crash between a silver pickup and black Nissan reportedly occurred  on the highway just north of Cloudy Moon Road after the truck veered across the centerline.

East County News Service

August 12, 2016 (Rancho Cuyamaca State Park) - A new search will be mounted this Saturday the 13^th for a horse missing since Aug. 7 in Rancho Cuyamaca State Park. The horse became scared bolted when its saddle flipped upside down. It is feared that Royal’s tack may have become entangled in brush, trapping the animal.

East County News Service

August 12, 2016 (Ramona) -- Ramona Ranch Winey and Round Up Grill/John Little Catering are partnering to host “Live at the Lake," an interactive outdoor music, food and wine fundraising event on Sunday, August 28, 2016 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm to benefit Shelter to Soldier, a non-profit organization that adopts and trains shelter dogs to serve as psychiatric service dogs for post-9/11 combat veterans. The event will take place at the Lake Henshaw parking lot located at 26439 Highway 78 in Santa Ysabel, CA, 92070.

East County News Service

August 4, 2016 (Ramona) - The Ramona Chamber of Commerce will present the 46th annual Ramona Country Fair, Thursday, Aug. 25 to Sunday, Aug. 28, at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center, 421 Aqua Lane, Ramona. Admission is free. Parking is $5 per carload.

By Michelle Mowad, County of San Diego Communications Office

Source:  County News Service

July 31, 2016 (San Diego) - County Parks and Recreation will close four parks in August, a precaution taken each year due to the month’s expected extreme heat.

El Capitan Preserve near Lakeside, Mt. Gower Preserve near Ramona, Hellhole Canyon Preserve in Valley Center and Wilderness Gardens in Pala are closed Aug. 1 through Aug. 31. In addition, Agua Caliente Regional Park near Julian is closed all summer; it will reopen Labor Day weekend.

Source:  San Diego County Sheriff's Department

July 27, 2016 (San Diego's East County) - Join the San Diego County Sheriff's Department for FREE Night Out Against Crime© events on Tuesday, August 2nd. Sheriff's Stations and Substations all over the county will be hosting block parties to take a stand against crime.

Activities vary by location and may include free food, drinks, giveaways and activities for kids. Night Out Against Crime© is a celebration of community relationships. Meet your neighbors, as well as deputies who patrol your area. All locations will have a Sheriff's Crime Prevention Specialist on site so you can get tips on how to stay safe. See below for a community near you or visit www.sdsheriff.net:

By Miriam Raftery

July 24, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The filing period to run for local offices is now open, closing August 12.   Concerned citizens can often make positive differences in their communities by become elected officials serving as members of school boards, community planning groups, fire boards, water boards, hospital districts, city councils, or as mayors.

East County News Service

July 13, 2016 (Ramona) - Watermelon Days at the Oasis Camel Dairy is back and better than ever with more shows, a new children's area (featuring a new sheep-feeding farm), games and more!

East County News Service

July 11, 2016 (Ramona) – Alexander Stone provided the Sheriff's Department with a cellphone video capturing an assault with a deadly weapon which occurred yesterday on Rangeland Road in Ramona.  In the video the suspect, who was later identified as Mark Wayne Gordon of Ramona, can be seen intentionally driving his vehicle twice at Stone, who was able to jump out of the way to avoid being struck.  Gordon eventually exited his vehicle and physically assaulted Stone and an acquaintance.  During the assault, Gordon knocked Stone's cellphone from his hand, causing damage to the phone.  No injuries were sustained by anyone involved and all parties left the scene.  

East County News Service

July 7, 2016  (Descanso)--The annual Descanso Days takes place on July 9^th, featuring a festival at the historic Descanso Town Hall (24536 Viejas Grade Road) and a parade rolling out at 10 a.m. This year’s theme is “A Blaze of Glory."

Be sure to arrive early, since Viejas Grade Road shuts down before the parade, and stay late to enjoy games, food, vendor booths and entertainment.

East County News Service

July 2, 2016 (Julian) - Anyone can enjoy the Julian StarFest by participating in the free public star party on Saturday, August 6, 2016.  Arrive between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. and you can enter the StarFest grounds (1150 Julian Orchards Ln, Julian).  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.  Parking is available nearby and we suggest you bring a red light flashlight to guide yourself to the observing area, or red film will be provided to cover a white light flashlight.  Please, no white lights in the observing area.

June 28, 2016 – 4:30 p.m. – A truck carrying a crane has reportedly struck the overpass bridge on State Route 67 southbound at Prospect Avenue in El Cajon and is stuck, according to the CHP incident page.  Lanes are blocked and a fuel spill has reportedly occurred.

A bridge supervisor is en route.  We recommend avoiding this area.  

East County News Service

Updated June 24 with information from the CHP

June 22, 2016 (Alpine) — A 64-year-old woman walking her dog was struck and killed by a car this morning at South Grade and Calle de Compadres near Wright’s Field in Alpine.  The accident caused temporary closure of South Grade Road.

According to the California Highway Patrol spokesman Kevin Pearlstein, the driver, a 57 year old man from alpine was driving 2004 Honda Civic southbound at 35 to 40 miles per hour when he struck the pedestrian, who apepared to be crossing the road toward her parked vehicle

"Due to the change in elevation of the roadway,the drive of theHonda was unable to avoid the pedestrian who had appeared directly in his path of travel," Pearlstein said,adding that the driver did apply his brakes but could not avoid the collision. The driver was not injured and was not cited.

East County News Service

June 21, 2016 (Alpine) - The Alpine Mountain Empire Heroes, Leadership & Public Service recognition dinner will be celebrated on August 27, 2016 at Viejas Casino Resort. This premiere event hosted by the Chamber recognizes Alpine heroes, organizations and individuals that have demonstrated community heroism, leadership and public service for the benefit of Mountain Empire communities.