August 18, 2010 (Ramona) – San Diego Sheriff’s ASTREA helicopter rescued five hikers last night, including a 20-year-old who was experiencing heat exhaustion symptoms. One of the hikers used her cell phone to call for help and advised they were not sure if they were on the correct trail. She also reported that one of her friends was unable to walk any further.

 
July 28, 2010 (Ramona) – If you thought the only place to find carnival rides, livestock exhibitions, Midway games, live music, local crafts and fair food was Del Mar, think again! Ramona’s 40th annual country fair has all of this and more –and admission is free! (There is a fee for ride tickets.) This event also includes such country favorites as a watermelon eating contest, egg toss, chicken bingo, and the Ramona Idol talent contest.

July 18, 2010 (Ramona) – Cal-Fire rescued four dehydrated hikers and a dog, but were unable to save a second dog that collapsed and died on the trail to Cedar Falls near Ramona on Saturday. The group had hiked more than two miles in temperatures over 100 degrees.

The tragedy illustrates the need for hikers to know safety tips for themselves--and their dogs.

East County News Service

June 28, 2010 (Ramona) – Cal-Fire and the Ramona Fire Department came to the assistance of five hikers who became dehydrated while hiking in the Cedar Creek area of Ramona. In addition, firefighters rescued two of the hikers’ dogs, that were bitten by rattlesnakes.

Update 3:30 p.m. - These fires are now contained. The Quail fire in Flinn Springs was caused by a mulch pile that ignited. Causes of the other fires remain under investigation.

Update 2:10 p.m. -- A third fire is reported in Flinn Springs at Quail Canyon and Ranch Trail; no structures are threatened.  A fourth fire is burning in Lakeside on Rancho Trail and air support has been requested.  The Japatul fire is now contained.

June 5, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Cal-Fire is on the scene of two brush fires. Both fires started shortly before 1 p.m. and each is currently about two to three acres in size.  Details below. 

May 30, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – A hawk flew into power lines today in Mira Mesa, igniting a fire that briefly threatened homes. The fire is now extinguished. This evening, Cal-Fire is at the scene of a small fire started by a riding lawn mower on Haverford Road in Ramona. The fire is surrounded and is expected to be out soon.

May 17, 2010 (Ramona) – James Leo Flaherty III has been arrested for following and harassing a 17-year-old girl walking in the 300 block of 16th Street in Ramona. The victim reports that Flaherty drove past her, staring, on Tuesday May 11 and reportedly said, “I am not going to leave you alone.”

The victim told authorities that Flaherty had previously followed her and her sister within the past year, placing a pornographic magazine in front of them in the same area.

March 28, 2010 (Ramona) – Sheriff’s Search and Rescue personnel have been activated for a large-scale search of the Lake Sutherland area in Ramona after discovery yesterday of a vehicle belonging to Wiilliam Kelly Buntain, 48. The Ramona man, an insulin-dependent diabetic, left home March 22 without his medications and has not been seen or heard from since then.

 
 
March 19, 2010 (Ramona) – From country music to rock and roll, from barbershop to Americana, you’ll find music to suit your fancy at the Ramona Music Fest this Saturday, March 20 from 2 to 6 p.m. Cactus Twang and White headline this year’s event, featuring Cactus Jim Soldi, former guitarist for Johnny Cash.

Other performers include Ted Lennon, a member of John Lennon’s family, the Aja Alycean Band starring 13-year-old Aja, the Rumblers, the Amalgamateds, and the Ramona Townhall Brass Band.

 

March 8, 2010 (Ramona) -- The Ramona Music Fest benefit concert is March 20, from 2 to 6 p.m., at Dos Picos Park, 17953 Dos Picos Park Rd. in Ramona. The third annual event hosted by Ramona Kiwanis and Ramona Rotary clubs will feature two stages and wandering musicians.
 
A variety of music is promised, from mellow rock to jazz, from ’50s rock to country, headlined by Cactus Twang & Whyte, whose music is reminiscent of Crosby, Stills & Nash.

February 26, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Two violent crimes, both involving drive-by shooting, have been reported locally today. Two vehicles involved, a white Lincoln or Cadillac and a Toyota pickup truck, are sought by authorities.

February 7, 2010 (Ramona) -- It's a good thing residents of this Ramona home weren't hosting a SuperBowl party this afternoon, when a massive tree scored an unforeseen touchdown. 

At 1:30 p.m. Cal Fire responded to a report of a tree fallen into the residence, located in the 13000 block of Fernbrook. When firefighters arrived, they found a giant oak tree had crashed down, completely destroying the entire structure.

February 5, 2010 (Ramona)--Cal Fire and the Ramona Fire Department received a report of a structure fire in the 15000 block of Rosemont Lane in Ramona shortly after 7:30 this evening. When firefighters arrived, the 1500 square foot home was fully engulfed in flames.

January 27, 2010 (Ramona) – Bridgette T. Hale, 36, was killed in a head-on collision on State Route 67 near Johnson Lake Road in Lakeside on Tuesday. Hale was driving southbound in her Chevy Astro Van when she was struck head-on by an Oldsmobile that had crossed a double-yellow line, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Mennonite Disaster Services trailer has Pennsylvania plates

January 12, 2009 (San Diego)--San Diego County Crime Stoppers is joining forces with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Ramona detectives to help identify and apprehend the suspect(s) responsible for a theft of a gray tow trailer and about $10,000 worth of tools belonging to a volunteer group that was helping those affected by the 2007 wildfires.

December 15, 2009 (San Diego's East County)-- In  East County's mountains, Santa got some help to airlift in toys just in time for Christmas.
 
The U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program has been collecting toys for needy children in the community. Members of The Ninety-Nines, a women's flying organization (1st President Amelia Earhart), packed their airplanes full of toys at Montgomery Field & Gillespie Field on December 5th, then flew into the Ramona airport to deliver the Toys for Tots.

July 30, 2009 (Ramona) -- From watermelon-eating contests to waterfights, Ramona's down-home country fair offers family fun and crowd-pleasing favorites including carnival rides, live music, food, livestock auctions, junior livestock exhibitions, many vendors and more.  
 

By Miriam Raftery
July 19, 2009 (Ramona)—“We started looking at the economy and saying hey, people are going to need to start doing community gardening,” Dave Patterson, founder of the Ramona Forum, told East County Magazine. Most members of the forum, which was founded as a political discussion group, had little experience in farming. But they did some research, pooled their efforts and pitched in to create a garden that now provides ample produce for around 15 participating families.

Move Comes After ACLU Letter Alleged District Violated Student’s Constitutional Rights

June 13, 2009 (Ramona) – A Ramona school district has apologized to sixth grader Natalie Jones for censoring her classroom presentation about Harvey Milk last month, and school officials promised they won't engage in allegedly unconstitutional restriction of similar free speech in the future.

February 1, 2009 (Ramona)--Each Saturday in February from 9 a.m to noon, the public is invited to visit the Ramona Grasslands with the Wildlife Research Institute, Inc. for a free educational program. You will see raptors such as the Golden Eagle, the wintering Ferruginous Hawk, the Red-tailed Hawk, Prairie Falcon and the Red-shouldered Hawk. Nineteen (19) species of raptors alone have been recorded at this Raptor Hotspot.