By Valerie Watts

October 9, 2017 (Alpine) - Lions, Tigers and Bears announces its annual Spooky Campover from 3 p.m. Friday October 27 until 12 p.m. October 28.  Bring your own pumpkin to carve, food, camping gear and best costume to 24402 Martin Way, Alpine, CA 91901.  This event promises "a wild and ghoulish night under the stars with the rescued animals."  There will be pumpkin carving, s'mores, campfire songs, a costume contest and animal feedings.  To reserve your spot for this unique camping adventure, call (619) 659-8078 option 2, or book online www.lionstigersandbears.org

Update October 10, 2017: This fire is now 7,500 acres and 5% contained.  Evacuations have expanded.  For details visit: http://www.anaheim.net/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=CANYON-FIRE-2-3

Update 2 p.m.:  The Canyon 2 Fire has exploded to over 2,000 acres and has burned homes in the Anaheim Hills, ABC 7 reports.  Ashes are falling at Disneyland.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Service

Photo, left: California Adventures at Disneyland backdropped by orange smoke from the fire (ChristSmith@LilyAChitty on Twitter, via Cal Fire)

October 9, 2017 (Anaheim) – A fast-moving brush fire, #Canyon2Fire  that started  off East Santa Ana Canyon Road and Gypsum Canyon Rd. near the junction of highways 91 and 241 in the Anaheim Hills area of Orange County has jumped across highway 241, also forcing closure of highway 91, Anaheim Fire and Rescue Department reports.

East County News Service

October 9, 2017 (El Cajon) – The Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR), a 2,500-member trade group for San Diego-area realtors, will provide free paper shredding and electronic recycling services from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 18, at PSAR’s East County Service Center, 1150 Broadway, El Cajon. The event is open to the public.

East County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts

October 8, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for all of inland San Diego County as medium to strong Santa Winds bring very dry and windy weather to our region starting tonight through early Tuesday.  Critical fire weather conditions are likely in parts of coastal foothills, valleys and mountain passes.

Northeast winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour with gusts up to 55 miles per hour are forecast. This could bring power outages, broken tree limbs and debris on roadways as well as hazardous cross-winds for high-profile vehicles, so use caution if traveling.

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

October 8, 2017 (Corvallis, Ore.) - The San Diego State men’s soccer team suffered a 2-0 setback against Oregon State at Lorenz Field on Sunday. The Aztecs fall to 4-8-0 (0-4-0 Pac-12) on the season, while the Beavers notch their first conference win of the season and improve to 4-7-0 (1-2-0 Pac-12).

By Tom Iarossi

October 8, 2017 (San Diego) -- As an Army veteran and constituent of Rep. Duncan Hunter (CA-50), I was shocked by Hunter’s recent calls for preemptive war with North Korea. I spent twenty-seven years in uniformed service to my country, and I expect a combat veteran like him to be far more cautious about committing us to actions that we all know would result in the death of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of innocent civilians. It would also put tens of thousands of Americans in uniform in mortal danger.

By Miriam Raftery

October 8, 2017 (El Cajon) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will present this year’s “A Toast to East County” on Sunday, October 22 from 1 to 4 p.m.  at the El Cajon Elks Lodge 1812 (1400 E. Washington Ave., El Cajon).

Source:  Firearms Policy Coalition

October 7, 2017 (San Diego) — Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) has issued the following statement concerning calls for new bans and regulations on firearms and firearm accessories: 

In depraved acts of self-centered posturing, politicians who do not respect our Constitution are leveraging the recent tragedy in Las Vegas to push for more unconstitutional bans and restrictions on common, semi-automatic firearms, ammunition, and accessories.

By Miriam Raftery

October 7, 2017 (El Cajon) – Crowds flocked to Oktoberfests in El Cajon and La Mesa for bratwurst, beer, and festivities. The two community events differed sharply, with the German-American club’s event at its headquarters in El Cajon focused on authentic offerings such as a German band and Bavarian pastries, while La Mesa added some international elements and carnival attractions.

By Paul Kruze

October 7, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Residents from San Diego's East County testified during the open comment period at last Thursday’s California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) meeting in Chula Vista.

Earlier in the day, the CPUC held a hearing on whether or not to approve a recommendation made by two CPUC administrative law judges to reject SDG&E’s application seeking to charge ratepayers for its uninsured losses in three of the 2007 wildfires. That hearing consisted largely of technical arguments. Afterward, a second meeting in Chula Vista was held for all parties involved, and public testimony was also taken. 

By Miriam Raftery

October 7, 2017 (San Diego) – Campus police at San Diego State University are asking for public help to identify a suspect accused of attacking a female student Sunday around 10:30 p.m. 

The victim told police she was walking in the 4900 block of Campanile Drive when a man threw water in her face, then wrestled her to the ground. She managed to fight off the assailant, who fled in a faded, dark blue car. The suspect was described as a Hispanic man, about 6 feet tall and weighing about 180 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He wore a dark, long-sleeve shirt and dark pants.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Ariele Brooke and Miriam Raftery

October 7, 2017 (Alpine)—One of Alpine’s most iconic restaurants, the Alpine Inn Steakhouse, has reopened after being closed for five years.  The reopening is welcome news to the community, which has reacted with praise and delight.

At a ribbon cutting held by the Alpine-Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce,  the Chamber’s Chairman Joseph Perricone stated, “Alpine Inn is an icon in our town and we’re all proud as punch that you’re back.”

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

October 6, 2017 (Lakeside) - ECM Friday Night Lights is back after a two-week hiatus with our first-ever trip to Lakeside as the Foothillers of Grossmont (3-2 overall) made the trip out to visit the Vaqueros of El Capitan (2-3 overall) in both teams’ first matchup of Grossmont League play.

"The Gallery at Warner Springs” will showcase local art, serve as visitor center in historic Loretta Young House

Photos: Judith Doxey artwork depicting Warner Hot Springs pools and walkway

East County News Service

October 6, 2017 (Warner Springs) – Warner Springs Ranch Resort (WSRR) will now be home to “The Gallery at Warner Springs,” which will celebrate its grand opening on Sunday, Oct. 15 from 1-4 p.m. at the property’s Loretta Young House, located at 31652 Highway 79. In addition to food and drinks, the event will feature a raffle and silent auction benefitting the Warner Springs Cultural Association.

Source:  San Diego County Sheriff's Department

October 6, 2017 (San Diego) - Four hours per day, seven days a week, Sheriff's Dispatchers answer emergency calls from all across San Diego County. They save lives by getting help out to those calling 9-1-1.