By Randy Zuniga

December 13, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - I had been training off and on throughout the summer for a night trail half-marathon up by Julian in October. I was doing different trail runs throughout the Cuyamaca and Laguna Mountains to get ready for it.

November 13, 2014 (Deerhorn Valley) – A vehicle with flashing blue and white lights and religious stickers has reportedly been impersonating an emergency vehicle on East County roadways.

By Miriam Raftery

November 3, 2014 (Jamul) – Pirates, wenches and other costumed guests jumped into action at the Fair Oaks Vineyard Grape Stomp last month.  Stephanie Young brought her crew from the Manor Vineyard to savor the festivities, as this video from the grape stomping competition shows.

October 4, 2014 (Jamul)--For the second time in several months, SoCal Parrot in East County is caring for a wild parrot that has been victim of a pellet gun.

Update: A Sempra spokesperson has confirmed that these helicopters were contracted by SDG&E and that height limits were followed, but surveillance in the Jamul area is now over.

By Miriam Raftery

August 12, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – Last week, we ran a story on residents’ complaints about an SDG&E helicopter that witnesses claimed was flying below legal height limits in the Descanso area. The flights, part of a surveying effort of power lines in Cleveland National Forest, allegedly caused injury to a horse that was startled by the helicopter.

August 27, 2014 (Jamul) - The Jamul Chaparros 4-H Club kicks off its new year on Tuesday, September 2nd at 6:30 p.m.  If you are 5 years to 19 years old and want to learn more about camping, arts and crafts, pygmy goats, rabbits, or poultry, you’re invited to stop by. Or perhaps you are into cavys, computers, or dog training?  The Chaparros have projects for all interests and age levels.

A quarter of all rural stations were closed –at the same time—during April

An East County Magazine special investigative report

By Miriam Raftery

July 31, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – The County Fire Authority has touted its successes in preventing the May wildfires in North County from destroying thousands of homes despite a county-wide disaster declaration.  Granted, a lot has improved since the devastating 2003 and 2007 firestorms in our region--the worst in California's history. But if fires were to start in East County today, the outcome could be tragic. An East County Magazine investigation raises serious doubts over  inadequate volunteer firefighter staffing and the ability to respond even to routine house fires and medical calls in some rural communities.

Last October,  our investigative report,"Closed for Fire Season" revealed that Boulevard’s fire station was closed for two months during fire season and Jacumba’s station also had some dark days- -including one when a resident died of a medical emergency after a delay in emergency services arriving. The County responded by funding emergency staffing and according to Supervisor Jacob’s staff, these two stations remained open every day  for at least several months thereafter, an ECM records check in late April revealed.   

But on July 9, Craig Williams, an information technology provider for the Campo Fire Department, advised ECM that “without any notification to the community leaders."  two days ago Cal Fire “moved the overtime, off-budget, paid Cal Fire firefighters out of Boulevard to Jacumba Hot Springs. Now  Boulevard is stuck with Fire Authority `volunteers’ only, just like Campo.’”

Worse,  a new investigation by ECM reveals that this is the tip of an iceberg--with many stations understaffed and some closed for months. 

Update March 31: The victim has been identified as Jordan Janway, 27.  Janway is the brother-in-law of NASCAR racing champion Jimmie Johnson and sister to Johnson's wife, Chandra.

By Miriam Raftery

March 30, 2014 (Otay Mesa) –A skydiving instructor in his 20s is dead after colliding with another skydiver this afternoon.  He may have been knocked unconscious and his parachute never opened.  

He was reported missing, prompting a search of the Otay area by Sheriff's deputies, Border Patrol agents, Cal-Fire firefighters and approximately 20 skydiving volunteers. The Sheriff's A.S.T.R.E.A. helicopter also responded and located the missing skydiver's body.

Ironically, a device that could have saved his life had reportedly been sent out for maintenance. A master parachutist and rigger with more than 1,000 jumps on record, he usually carried a device to automatically open his parachute in the case of emergency.

By Nadin Abbott

February 5, 2014 (Jamul)—It was standing room only as Director Baldwin called the Rural Fire Protection District meeting to order in Jamul. In question was whether the Rural Fire District should dissolve and join the County Fire Authority. In phase three of the takeover, the County aims to absorb both the Pine Valley Fire District and the Rural Fire Protection District.

If the Rural District dissolves, the money that the County now puts into the District, to the tune of $3.6 million will continue. If the district does not dissolve, those funds will go away, and the district will only have the $1.6 million that it collects from residents. In effect, if the Fire District does not dissolve, it will have to reduce service and will only be able to staff the Jamul and Otay Stations, Director Dale Amato warned. The rest of the stations will have to go dark, or rely on volunteers—and there will be a significant degradation of fire protection service.

February 5, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) -- Several East County artists, including painters and a carver, are among the exhibitors at the 41st annual California Open Wildlife Art Festival, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15 and 16, at Liberty Station in San Diego’s Point Loma area. Local artists include El Cajon resident and wildlife painter Gloria Chadwick, Jamul resident and wildlife and western watercolorist Ron Dotson, Alpine painter Nancy Bradshaw Palm and Bob Berry of El Cajon, a winner of four world titles in fish carving.

Photo: site of planned casino

By Nadin Abbott

January 11, 2014 (Jamul)-- Penn National Gaming announced yesterday that construction of a Hollywood-themed $360 million Casino at the Jamul Indian Village is ready to commence.

“We are very excited that our long-time dream will finally become a reality,” said Raymond Hunter, Chairman of the Jamul Indian Village. “We have worked tirelessly for well over a decade listening to the voices of the community, addressing concerns, and ultimately developing a project that blends seamlessly into the region, while creating approximately 2,500 much needed construction and permanent jobs in our region.”

December 19, 2013 (Jamul) – Father Victor Mariestela, pastor at St. Pius X Church in Jamul, was struck head-on Tuesday night by a Ford Ranger while driving his SUV on Highway 94 west of Honey Springs Road.  He was flown by medical helicopter to Sharp Memorial hospital, suffering serious injuries including two broken legs, a broken hip and broken wrist.

By Leon Thompson

November is the 2013 American Indian heritage month and Union Bank and KPBS have honored two very special Native American women with Local Heroes awards: Jane Dumas, an elder with the Jamul band of Kumeyaay Indians, and San Diego State University's Rose Margaret Orrantia.

Photos by Vernon Fry:  Highway 94 and Lyons Valley Road

October 31, 2013 (Jamul) – On October 28, ECM published a story citing numerous complaints from residents of near-miss crashes on Highway 94 that drivers believed were caused by lack of roadway striping during a months-long CalTrans roadway repaving project.  The story also noted a fatality accident on Highway 94, though CHP has said alcohol may have been a factor in that crash. http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/fatality-crash-raises-concerns-over-ro...

On October 20, Marcia Spurgeon with the Jamul Action Committee wrote to ECM and our news partner, 10 News, with an update:

I cannot thank you both enough for writing (East County Magazine) and airing (Channel 10 News) the serious and dangerous situation on Highway 94 in Jamul. Today at approximately noon, a large truck parked in our office driveway. Within a 1/2 hour we had not one or two but three large white arrows in the west bound turn lane. The east bound turn lane has two. The intersection at Proctor Valley and 94 also has painted arrows in the turn lanes….Bravo to both of you. I honestly believe you have saved lives by bringing this to the public's attention and obviously Granite Construction and Caltrans.

By Miriam Raftery

October 19, 2013 (Jamul) – SoCal Parrot, the only local nonprofit which rescues wild parrots in our region, invites the public to  “Picnic with the Parrots” on October 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The event will be held at the SoCal Parrot Sanctuary and Garden, 3621 Hidden Ridge Road in Jamul.

Activities include tours, wild parrot aviary viewing,  meet the SoCal parrot ambassadors, a petting zoo, koi pond feeding,  harvest festival and pumpkin carving.  A silent auction and raffles will also be held.  The event also features guest speakers.  Box lunches can be purchased or bring your own picnic. The event costs $15 per adult, $10 per child, or $40 per family.