February 17, 2013 (Alpine) – Sullivan Solar is hosting an open house on Saturday, February 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2855 Via Viejas Oeste in Alpine.

Learn about incentives for going solar.

If your average electric bill is $197, installing a 5 kW solar system is now possible with zero out of pocket costs and new monthly solar payments of $165—less than your current utility bill.

January 28, 2013 (Alpine) – In response to the alarming teen fatality trend the Alpine Sheriff’s Station is hosting “Start Smart” for parents and teens (ages 15- 20) on February 21 at 7 p.m. at the Viejas Training Center, 5000 Willows Road, Alpine. The goal of the program is to reduce the number teen driving related injuries due to drunk and distracted driving.

January 19, 2013 (Alpine) – Jeremiah Smith, 38, of Alpine has been arrested for suspected drunk driving after striking and killing a man beside I-8 in Lakeside. He is the owner of Gym Trix  and Rocket Cheerleading in Alpine, ECM has learned.

The victim, a Mexicali resident, was driving a Chevy Astro minivan towing a Toyota west of Lake Jennings Park Road with his wife following in a Toyota at 4:10 a.m.  One of the vehicles had mechanical trouble. Both pulled over and the man exited his vehicle.  He was standing by his wife’s car when the GMC 2500 driven by Smith struck the Toyota, pushing it into the victim.

January 10, 2013 (Alpine) -- Would you know how to respond if your child stopped breathing or if someone you love had a heart attack? Save-A-Heart will be conducting a CPR class at the Alpine Fitness Club, 1620 Alpine Blvd Suite 101 on Saturday Jan. 19^th from 9am to 11am.

January 10, 2013 (Alpine) – The public is invited to the U.S. Border Patrol’s East County Community Forum on January 16 at 6 p.m.  The forum will be held  in the Alpine Elementary School auditorium, 1850 Alpine Boulevard in Alpine.

The forum will include discussion of community concerns, East County security threats, and the 2012-2016 Strategic Plan.  RSVPs are requested to Michael Scappechio, Border Community Liaison Coordinator, at (619)216 4259 or michael.j.scappechio@cbp.dhs.gov.

View video of countdown and ball drop:  click here or scroll down.

December 30, 2012 (Alpine)--Thousands of people looking to get a jump on their New Year's Eve celebrations gathered at Viejas Casino Friday night.

Friday marked the start of a four-day New Year's Celebration at Viejas Casino. Each night, including New Year's Eve, New York City's Times Square is re-created at Viejas Casino, including a massive, 700-pound New Year's Ball that drops at midnight, with a countdown and fireworks to ring in the new year.

Each night, the party is free and features New York-style food, drink specials, free music and dancing to the local band Rising Star and DJs all night. And each night from now until December 31, at 9pm, a Porsche Boxster will be given away on the Viejas Casino floor.

December 3, 2012 (Alpine) – Christ the King Episcopal Church is hosting a gingerbread house decorating event on Dec. 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1460 Midway Drive, Alpine. Tickets are sold per gingerbread house and are $20 each. More than one person can work on one house or each person can purchase their own. The gingerbread houses are pre-assembled and ready for decoration with extra icing and candy supplied.

November 25, 2012 (Alpine) – Santa will be riding his sled down Alpine Blvd. on Dec 7 at 6:30 p.m. for the 17^th annual Alpine Village Christmas Parade of Lights.  Following the parade Santa and his helpers will light the Alpine Community Christmas Tree at the Alpine Creek Town Center, 1347 Tavern Road accompanied by a holiday sing-a-long.

November 9, 2012 (Alpine) – Lions, Tigers & Bears is holding its 2012 Christmas Party on December 8 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at 24402 Martin Way, Alpine.  This celebration is a great way to show your support for the Big Cats by spending some time with them and finding unique holiday gifts from among the many vendors participating.  Delicious food and beverages will be available.

Update Nov. 8: With 100% of precincts counted and a portion of the late absentee ballots, Schreiber and Stieringer have retained solid leads. 

By Miriam Raftery

November 7, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – In one of the most bitterly contested races in East County, incumbent Priscillla Schreiber won reelection handily with 95% of votes counted with 28.17% of the vote in the Grossmont Union High School District. A Republican, Schreiber has been an outspoken champion for building a new high school in Alpine--and a vocal critic of the board majority on a range of issues. 

That majority may shift, with challenger Jim Stieringer in second place at 19.04%--ahead of incumbent Gary Woods, who has 18.66%. Woods has taken heat for his opposition to the Alpine High School at a time when a Grand Jury investigation is probing possible misallocation of bond monies approved by voters for projects including the high school in Alpine.

November 1, 2012  --  (San Diego’s East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL/REGIONAL

• The end is near (Turko Files helps bring end to Alpine Blvd. repaving nightmare)
• The Mayoral candidate scorecard, general election edition (Voice of San Diego)
• For Filner, it’s always sunny in San Diego  (Voice of San Diego)
• Filner’s travel becomes campaign issue(UT San Diego)
• The 2012 elections:  vital issues that affect Latinos (San Diego Free Press)
• Supervisors could end $1,000 limit on contributions (KPBS)
• Helix Highlander band takes first place (La Mesa Today)
• Tesla stores challenge auto dealerships (U-T San Diego)
• ACLU sues over photo restrictions at border (Sacramento Bee)
• Spring Valley grocery worker is poster child for New York Times story (La Mesa Patch)
• From Sex Dolls to Staged Garbage: The Election's Worst Campaign Dirt

STATE

• Debunked: 6 lies that Biotech and Big Food are telling voters about Prop 37 (San Diego Free Press)
• CA Charter schools grow to over 1,000 for 2012-13 (U-T San Diego)
• Court says Arizona group must provide information in CA election (Sacramento Bee)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

October 30, 2012 (Alpine)  --Alpine Union School Superintendent Tom Pellerino has sent a letter to parents today describing a man questioned by law enforcement for twice approaching a middle school student and offering a ride. A detailed description of the man and his vehicle is provided in his letter below. 

October 22, 2012 (Alpine) – A U.S. Navy veteran planning to retire soon hit a jackpot worth $501,430.49 on a Wheel of Fortune slot machine at Viejas Casino.

The winner, who is from San Diego, chose to remain anonymous. He hit the early-retirement jackpot while playing a $1 Wheel of Fortune progressive slot machine on Saturday morning, October 13, at Viejas Casino.

October 8, 2012 (Alpine) – A three-mile stretch of Interstate 8 will be closed tonight for a continuing investigation into a fatal crash on June 11 that killed two people.  All eastbound lanes will be closed between Dunbar Lane/Harbison Canyon Road and Tavern Road from 11 p.m. tonight until 4 a.m. tomorrow, according to the California Highway Patrol.

October 3, 2012 (Alpine)—The Alpine Planning Group will hold a special meeting on Monday, October 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Boulevard.  County of San Diego representative Michael Long will be making a presentation on why the County seeks to repave Alpine Boulevard between Tavern and South Grade Roads now rather than later.  Drainage issues will also be discussed.

“Alpine Boulevard will be torn up again, by the County, to an even greater degree than Sunrise Powerlink,” says planner Lou Russo, who urges the public to attend.  “There are options as to when and input is needed.”