November 5, 2010 (Santee) – The Sheriff’s Santee Station and Santee Fire Department invite you to the 12th annual Santee Pancake Breakfast this Saturday at Fire Station #4, 8950 Cottonwood (corner of Mission Gorge and Cottonwood) this Friday and Saturday, November 5th and 6th.

Money raised from the breakfast will be split. The Sheriff’s Santee Station will use its half to help families in need through the nonprofit “Spirit of Giving” organization. The Fire Department will buy automated external defibrillators for Santee schools, community centers and churches.

October 30, 2010 (La Mesa) -- The East San Diego County League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women are co-sponsoring a meeting with Augie Ghio, Fire Chief of San Miguel Fire Protection District.

The meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 13, 2010, at the Helix Water District Boardroom, 7811 University Avenue, La Mesa.

East County News Service

October 22, 2010 (San Diego) -- A proposal to implement a high-tech Graffiti Tracker Program was recently approved by The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee. The Grafitti Tracker Program is a comprehensive, web-based system designed to identify, track, prosecute, and seek restitution from graffiti vandals.

October 12, 2010 (Bonita) – Assemblyman Marty Block (D-Lemon Grove) is co-sponsoring a ree workshop for homeowners on Saturday, October 16th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Bonita Library, along with the Legal Aid Society of San Diego’s Pro-Bono Program and the Housing Opportunities Collaboration.

October 6, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) -- Join Ranger Lisa, and BLM’s Biologist Joyce, a bat expert, in watching a short bat movie, and take a bat hike with bat-sensing equipment on October 22 from 6-7 p.m.. Families are encouraged to attend, and also get to know their local National Wildlife Refuge in Rancho San Diego--the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

October 3, 2010 (Boulevard) – Sacred Rocks campground and RV park in Boulevard is kicking off a new activity for its two- and four-legged friends: horse camping October 15-17. If you bring a horse, you camp for free! Or if you prefer, enjoy trail riding through beautiful backcountry scenery – all free for a day.

September 20, 2010 (San Diego) – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) today announced that it will be providing additional customer safety communications for its natural gas customers who are located near natural gas transmission facilities.

September 18, 2010 (Alpine) -- The Alpine Women’s Club hosts its sixth annual Christmas Home Tour on Sunday, December 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The  Club seeks three distinguished homes with owners who love to decorate for the holidays and who would enjoy sharing their decorating talents with the residents of Alpine.

September 17, 2010 (Alpine)-- Times have changed through the years in this mountain town--and more changes are coming. "The Alpine Historical Society is looking for someone who would like to take pictures of Alpine as we change," a press release states. "If the Sunrise Power Link comes through our town, there will be many changes along the Boulevard."

If you enjoy taking pictures, consider being an official photographer for the Society, which also seeks long-time residents for an oral history program.

Sheriff and East County Family Justice Center host event, invite all who want to help victims escape violence

Watch Perseid Meteor Showers at Stargazer Plateau, Sacred Rocks Reserve: Aug. 12-14

August 4, 2010 (Boulevard) Sacred Rocks Reserve, a 163-acre wilderness park with RV and tent camping sites, will offer “Streakin’ Star Party” packages for guests who want to view the Perseid Meteor Showers streak through the night sky from Thursday, August 12 through Saturday, August 14.

July 9, 2010 (Alpine) – For years, the only “Bear” at Lions, Tigers and Bears, a facility in Alpine for rescued and abused big cats, was a miniature horse bearing that name. But now a black bear cub named “Liberty” has been brought to the facility by California Fish & Game Aget Kevin Brennan, who captured the yearling at a campground near Mt. Baldy in Angeles National Forest.

By Miriam Raftery

July 6, 2010 – It’s not on the scale of Stonehenge. But stacked rocks popping up along an East County freeway are drawing the attention of passersby and sparking a mystery as to their origins. Just who has been balancing stones along Highway 52, and why?

San Diego – Those wanting to see the fireworks light up the sky on July 4 won’t have to worry about the hassle of traffic and parking. Metropolitan Transit Service (MTS) has extended service for the holiday. All three trolley lines will operate expanded service after the fireworks end--whether you're heading to the beach areas or relishing 4th of July fireworks displays in East County.   There are also special rates and hours throughout this holiday week.