By Teresa Leader-Anderson

June 11, 2021 (Lakeside) - The El Capitan High School Parent, Teacher, Student Association (PTSA) awarded $1,000 in scholarships to graduating senior members. The scholarship winners are (left to right) Connor Crist, Samantha Wilson, Abby Burghart, Megan Zink and Hafeez Merali.

“People often ask where their PTSA membership money goes – what is it used for,” said Teresa Leader-Anderson, president, El Capitan High School PTSA. “At El Capitan, part of our membership money is used for senior scholarships so we can help hard-working students pursue their educational goals after high school.”

This year’s winners are:

East County News Service

June 10, 2021 (Pine Valley) – The 50th annual Pine Valley Days will take place on Friday, July 30 and Saturday July 31.

The festivities begin with a deep pit barbecue on Friday night, July 30, with seasoned pork cooked 24 hours and brought to the Pine Valley Park for guests to savor along with side dishes; chicken is also available.

East County News Service

June 10, 2021 (La Mesa) – Ready for some summer shopping? A summer craft fair presented by The Applecrate and Traveling Treasures will be held at Helix High School in La Mesa (7323 University Ave) this weekend.  Items for sale will include home décor, birdhouses, succulents, gardening items, Americana, vintage goods, jewelry, baby items, glassware, summer specialties, food and more.

By Miriam Raftery

June 9, 2021 (Campo) – A Campo man, 35, suffered major injuries and is under arrest following a crash early this morning in Campo that killed a female passenger, 26, also from Campo.

The motorist was driving a 2004 Toyota Scion XA northbound on Buckman Springs Road, north of Lake Morena Drive when the vehicle drifted onto the shoulder and struck a mailbox.

“As the driver attempted to regain control, the vehicle veered across the roadway, struck a tree on the west shoulder and overturned,” says Officer Travis Garrow with the California Highway Patrol. “It is believed neither the driver nor passenger were wearing a seatbelt and both occupants were ejected out of the vehicle.”

By Miriam Raftery

June 6, 2021 (Lemon Grove) – Lemon Grove Historical Society President Laura Hook was surprised when she was invited to a customer service event at Union Bank’s new location at 3285 Lemon Grove Avenue – and left with a $2,500 check.

By Angela Kurysh

June 6, 2021 (Lemon Grove) – Lengthy Lemon Grove City Council meetings conducted remotely have come to an end. As of Tuesday, May 18 Council meetings have returned to being held in-person and virtual options to attend the meetings have been eliminated. 

Source:  Caltrans

June 5, 2021 (Dulzura/Spring Valley) - Caltrans crews continue pavement rehabilitation this week on a nine-mile section of State Route 94 (SR-94) from just west of Arnold Road to State Route 188 in eastern San Diego County.

By Miriam Raftery

June 5, 2021 (La Mesa) – Looking for laughs after a year of quarantining? At the Spacebar Café and Wine Bistro in La Mesa announces Friday night comedy as well as live on June 25th featuring top local talent.

By Miriam Raftery 

Photos by ECM photojournalists Henri Migala, Jake Rose, Miriam Raftery, Paul Kruze and Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

June 5, 2021 (La Mesa) – A racial justice protest on May 30, 2020 erupted into a tense standoff at the La Mesa Police station followed by a night of looting, vandalism, and the burning down of three buildings in La Mesa’s historic downtown district. The events shocked and terrifed the community. 

What began as a peaceful protest focused on the killing of George Floyd by a white police officer in Minneapolis, but also on a controversial stop by a La Mesa Police officer of Amaurie Johnson, a young Black man. two days before the protest and riot. A bystander's video of the Johnson incident went viral and was widely viewed as racial profiling, sparking anger. The ensuing chaos resulted in multiple injuries to protesters and widespread property damage.

One year later, however, the city has made strides toward accountability, healing racial rifts, police reforms, helping businesses that were harmed, and moving forward with rebuilding plans.

Be on the lookout for a man who escaped custody from East County

Source: San Diego Sheriff

June 4, 2021 (Lemon Grove) -- Take a good look at this photo. The San Diego Regional Fugitive Task Force and San Diego County Crime Stoppers want your help in finding Jovany Gallardo (a.k.a. Giovanni Gallardo). 

By Mike Allen

June 2, 2021 (Santee) -- On the same day that a San Jose rail yard employee fatally shot nine of his co-workers before killing himself, the Santee City Council unanimously voted to send a letter to Congressman Darrell Issa opposing a bill in Congress that would place more controls on gun ownership, including more stringent background checks.

UPDATE: @Lambo_Gambo reported the "forward rate of spread has been stopped and fire is contained at 3 acres," around 5:30 p.m. 

By Jonathan Goetz

June 1, 2021 (Ranchita) - Wildfire watch cameras detected a possible wildfire roughly an hour ago, around 4:30 p.m., reported @huntefire and Cal-Fire was immediately dispatched. It turned out to be a small vegetation fire and was named the "Montezuma Fire."

@CALFIRESANDIEGO reported being on the scene at Montezuma Valley Road in Warner Springs, while @SDCountyFires reported it started in the 27900 block of Old Mine Road in Ranchita.

No structures are threatened, reported @SDCountyFires, adding, "SDSO reporting no winds in the area and that the fire is spreading south."

By Helen Ofield, Lemon Grove Historical Society

May 31, 2021 (Lemon Grove) - “Art is a voyage of discovery and there is no telling what one might bring home from such a journey.” With those words, Kathleen Strzelecki brings her art to the Lemon Grove Library.