By Miriam Raftery

September 2, 2023 (La Mesa) — From  Sept. 29 through Oct. 1, La Mesa Oktoberfest will be celebrating 50 years of Bavarian festivities in an effort to top its traditions for the past half-century.

By Miriam Raftery

September 1, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Undercover officers with the San Diego Regional Auto Theft Task Force infiltrated organized auto theft rings locally, says CHP Captain Charles Leonard. Through a sting operation at a storefront in East County, suspects were caught on video selling stolen vehicles, guns, ammunition and narcotic drugs to undercover detectives.

On August 31, the task force announced that Operation Sunrise has resulted in recovery of stolen vehicles worth an estimated $3.3 million.  Fifty suspects have been indicted on crimes including auto theft, identity theft, illegal firearms possession and selling drugs.  Officers also seized  narcotics and 14 firearms, including several untraceable and illegal ghost guns.

La Mesa Police Chief Ray Sweeney, who serves as the task force's Executive Chair, said cracking down on auto thefts is important because stolen cars are often used to commit other crimes, 10 News reports.

By Mike Allen

September 1, 2023 (Santee) -- The owner of the Santee Drive-In Theater said the outdoor movie complex that opened in 1958 will shut down in January. In a press statement, Susan Boyd, a member of the Forte Family, said the business “is no longer economically viable.”

“We are facing loss of customers, higher costs, equipment obsolescence, competition from streaming services, and the inability to show some of the newly released films.  Like movie theaters across the country, we can’t afford to stay open,” she said.

Instead of letting the property sit vacant, the family selected North Palisade Partners of Los Angeles as buyers in a sale that’s expected to occur in 2024, according to the recent press statement.

This news confirms what East County Magazine reported in early May, based on several reliable sources.

Source:  City of La Mesa

August 31, 2023 (La Mesa) - On August 26, 2023, the La Mesa Police Department held a DUI Checkpoint in the 4900 block of Spring Street. During the checkpoint, which lasted from 7:00 p.m. until 12:30 a.m., 752 vehicles were contacted. Two drivers were arrested for driving under the influence (suspected alcohol and/or drugs) and nine drivers were evaluated for impairment in the secondary screening.

August 29, 2023  (San Diego) -- The National Weather Service has extended the Excessive Heat Warning for the San Diego County deserts, mountains and valleys through Wednesday, August 30, at 8 p.m.. Temperatures will reach 110 to 117 degrees in the deserts, 95 to 107 in the valleys, and 90 to 100 in the mountains.

The San Diego County Department of Emergency Services advises:

• Stay inside or shaded areas. Drink lots of water.
• If you feel sick from the heat, call 9-1-1.
• Never leave young children or pets alone in vehicles.
  

EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE

August 29, 2023 (Poway) -- The Poway Chamber of Commerce will host it’s annual Pre-Rodeo Mixer on Thursday, September 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Pedder CDJ&R (13811  Poway Rd.), Poway. 

If you find yourself craving a ceramic bird whistle, a new painting, zucchini plants or luffa sponges, you’re likely to find them at the Bathhouse Bazaar.

By Rebecca Person

August 28, 2023 (Jacumba Hot Springs) - High desert heat, the cold, the wind - the threat of a category 2 hurricane - the elements have not diminished interest in Jacumba’s lively backcountry street market, The Bathhouse Bazaar, now in its 3rd year. 

By Shiloh Ireland

August 4, 2023 (Lakeside) — A body found in a makeshift encampment near El Capitan in Lakeside has been identified as Marsha Woods, 48, the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s office told  East County Magazine.

Her body was found in a riverbed area near Mapleview Street and state Route 67 in Lakeside about 8:30 a.m. on August 3, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

This reporter visited the encampment on August 19,  where a camp resident named Christian (who did not provide his last name) said he was in a relationship with Woods.  He said he found Woods unresponsive, became scared and called the Sheriff’s department.  She was deceased when first responders arrived.

East County News Service

August 22, 2023 (Spring Valley) -- If your household or business has leftover paint you’d like to recycle, you can drop it off at Steele Canyon High School (12440 Campo Rd., Spring Valley) on Saturday, August 26th from 8 a.m.to noon. The event is organized by the nonprofit Paintcare.

East County News Service

August 22, 2023 (Lakeside) – The Lakeside Chamber of Commerce and the El Capitan Stadium Association invite you to the second annual Lakeside Arena Rhythm ‘N’  Brews concert at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds. The concert on Saturday, Sept. 16 will feature an evening of rhythm, live music and craft brews.

Farm fresh veggies are harvested daily

East County News Service

August 21, 2023 (Alpine) - San Diego Animal Sanctuary & Farm (SDASF), a 20-acre animal sanctuary in Alpine, announces the first harvest of its new, organic garden, which is available for sale. Funds earned from garden sales will go directly to the animals and sanctuary. Produce includes lettuce, carrots, radishes, kale, squash, zucchini, chard and more, harvested daily. In the growing stage, the farm also has a variety of tomatoes, spinach, fruits, bell peppers, corn and more. 

August 20, 2023 3:55 p.m. -- A tornado warning has been issued by the National Weather SeErvice until 4 pm includes Locations impacted includes Alpine, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, Descanso, Captain Gran

de Indian Reservation, Viejas Indian Reservation, Japatul Valley, and Boulder Creek. This is due to an extreme thunderstorm capable of producing tornados.

From the National Weather Service:

Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without  shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is  likely.

By Miriam Raftery

By Miriam Raftery

File photo of past spillover at Loveland Dam, via Sweetwater Water Authority

August 20, 2023 (Alpine) – Warning letters have been sent by Sweetwater Water Authority to residents downstream from Loveland Reservoir, in anticipation of “unplanned water release, or spills”  due to anticipated heavy rains from tropical storm Hilary. “These potential unplanned water release, together with expected abundant storm runoff, could cause flooding in areas downstream,” the district’s website cautions.

Residents downstream are urged to relocate livestock, equipment and materials out of the floodway, to inspect their properties, and clear critical culverts as soon as possible to reduce potential property damage.

Flooding could continue even after Monday, when rains are forecast to end, due to storm runoff into the river.