Updated May 2, 2018 with identity of the victim.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by ECM news partner 10 News

May 1, 2018 (Spring Valley) – Maria Cristina Duran, a 35-year-old mother from Spring Valley, was driving a blue Kia SUV westbound on State Route 94 this morning near the Kenwood Drive exit when she swerved to avoid hitting a Honda Civic that had pulled in front of her. She crashed onto the center divide and the vehicle overturned, CHP reports. 

Duran, who was wearing a seatbelt, died at the scene, says California Highway Patrol Officer Ben Demarest.

Her son, 17, and daughter, 12, both passengers in the Kia, were transported to a hospital with minor injuries.

By Jonathan Goetz

February 22, 2018 (Spring Valley) – Approximately 30 community members turned out at a meeting of the Spring Valley Revitalization Steering Committee Thursday, where Supervisor Dianne Jacob received an update from community and law enforcement.

The agenda covered a wide range of topics, from new parks and a community garden to  helping homeless youths and updates on community festivities.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

January 1, 2018 (Spring Valley) – After 15 years of efforts by Spring Valley residents to protect Dictionary Hill from development and blasting the top off the 1,059 feet tall peak, County Supervisors in November voted to acquire and preserve 175 acres of coastal sage scrub and habitat including Dictionary Hill (also known as Lookout Mountain) as well as adjacent canyons and ridgelines. 

Local residents and activists celebrated with a New Year's Day hike up the peak, savoring panormaic views from the mountains to the sea.

By Miriam Raftery

December 29, 2017 (Spring Valley) – A gunshot victim found in a vehicle at the intersection of Concepcion Avenue and San Francisco Street in Spring Valley Wednesday night has died of his injuries, says Lieuteuant Rich Williams with the Sheriff’s homicide unit. 

A 17-year-old juvenile suspect has been arrested and charged with murder.  His name has not been released because he is a minor.

East County News Service

December 21, 2017 (Spring Valley) – The Sheriff's SWAT/Special Enforcement Detail (SED) assisted the Rancho San Diego Crime Suppression Team (CST) and Area Detectives with serving a search warrant at the Club 64 marijuana dispensary located at 8650½ Bancroft Drive in Spring Valley, this morning at 8:30 a.m.

“The search warrant was the direct result of numerous complaints from concerned citizens regarding the illegal marijuana dispensary,” says Sergeant Matt Cook. “As a result of the search warrant, deputies located a large amount of marijuana, marijuana edibles, cash, marijuana paraphernalia as well as items used in the sales of marijuana.”

By Miriam Raftery

December 4, 2017 (Spring Valley) – San Diego Supervisors’ agenda for this Wednesday, December 6^th includes a public hearing on Sweetwater Place,  a 122-unit condominium project and public park proposed by MasterCraft Homes on 18 acres in Spring Valley.

The project site is on the land formerly occupied by Evergreen Nursery, north of Jamacha Blvd. at Sweetwater Springs Blvd in the Spring Valley Community Plan area. It aims to help fill the need for housing in the Spring Valley-Rancho San Diego area.

Lora Lowes, Chair of the Spring Valley Community Planning Group, (SVCPG) has sent a letter to Supervisors voicing concerns about the proposal, and urges the public to attend and speak at the meeting. Read her letter (in 2 parts) here and here.

By Miriam Raftery

November 11, 2017 (Spring Valley) -- Exotic Warehouse, an illegal marijuana clinic in Spring Valley was raided Thursday following multiple complaints by concerned citizens, says Sergeant Matt Cook with the Sheriff’s Department.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

September 20, 2017 (Spring Valley) - It was a showdown between two Spring Valley schools in the pool as 7-2 Steele Canyon boys water polo traveled to the other side of Spring Valley to take on the Monarchs, who are 1-2 to start the young season, but 0-1 in conference play, losing to West Hills in August.

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Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories!

Does your son or daughter play a sport at a level other than varsity?  Comment on this story or tweet @ECMagSports to request coverage!

Story and photos by Liz Alper

September 15, 2017 (Spring Valley) - ECM Friday Night Lights stuck around Spring Valley this week to see the Matadors of Mount Miguel square off against a school we don’t get to report on often:  the Wolf Pack of West Hills High.  The kids from Santee left their blue turf this week with a 2-1 record on the young season.  The Matadors are improving, but still in the loss column at 1-2.

By Miriam Raftery

July 1, 2017 (Spring Valley ) – Two vehicles were struck in a drive-by shooting this evening near the intersection of Jamacha Road and Gillespie Drive in the La Presa area of Spring Valley, sending the driver of a white Ford Focis to the hospital, NBC 7 reports.

  Witnesses reported hearing 10 to 11 shots around 5:17 p.m.  A witness told Fox 5 that he saw the white car hit a corner and rushed to help.  “I unlocked the door and he was riddled with bullets on his right side. The right side of his passenger door was riddled with bullets,”  the witness told Fox 5, adding that he used the driver’s phone to speak with a 911 dispatcher and applied pressure to the driver’s wounds until emergency personnel arrived.

UPDATE:  Date changed to June 3

Source:  Saps at Sea

March 9, 2017 (Spring Valley) - The Saps at Sea, the local Laurel & Hardy fan club, continues its 39th Anniversary Year on May 27 with a gathering of marvelous movie delights and hijinks!

East County News Service

May 11, 2017 (Spring Valley) – A fire that broke out Tuesday night at 8 p.m. has displaced six people.  Cal Fire responded to the blaze on Grand Avenue near Birch Street in Spring Valley, dousing the fire in approximately 15 minutes.

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Like our sports coverage?  Donate to help support ECM’s sports section!

Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories!

Story and photos by Liz Alper

April 27, 2017 (Spring Valley) - Mount Miguel softball is a little worse for wear; they’re 5-7 overall and 1-3 in league play so far heading into today’s game against El Capitan.  The Vaqueros are a different story; they sport a decent 12-10 overall record, but are undefeated in league play with a 4-0 record coming into today.  Sophomore Nya Maga started on the hill for the Matadors against junior Elena Laddon for the Vaqueros.

By Miriam Raftery

March 26, 2017 (Spring Valley) -- A pregnant woman walking with her husband and 2-year-old child was  accosted last night at 8:10 p.m. by three men in the 1000 block of Elkerton Boulevard.  When her husband moved to defend her, one of the assailants grabbed a drainage cover and hit the husband over the head, causing a traumatic injury, said Sergeant Jeremy Sheppard with the Sheriff’s Department.

East County News Service

February 15, 2017 (Spring Valley) — Young Adult Theatre (YAT) bring The Jungle Book for Kids to life March 2^nd through 12^th at the Encore! Theatre (9620 Campo Rd.) in Spring Valley.  The jungle is jumpin' with a jazzy beat in this special adaptation from the classic Disney animated film, featuring a host of colorful characters and your favorite songs from the movie.