SMOKED CHICKENS: POULTRY TRUCK BURNS IN EL CAJON
East County News Service Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News January 28, 2016 (El Cajon) – A truck hauling 40,000 pounds of frozen chickens caught fire shortly after 1 a.m. on I-8 West in El Cajon. The driver pulled over and was not injured, but the fire melted the sides of the trailer and scorched much of the load, 10 News reports. Heartland Fire & Rescue doused the flames and CHP shut the freeway down for the cleanup. A mechanical problem is suspected of causing the fire.
WINTER STORM THIS WEEKEND: HOW LOW COULD SNOW GO?
East County News Service January 28, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – A significant winter storm is forecast to roll into our region Saturday night and Sunday. Very strong winds up to 80 miles per hour are possible Sunday afternoon and evening, along with moderate rainfall across much of the county and heavy snow in our mountain areas. By Sunday night, traces of snow could dip as low as 3500 feet, which could impact I-8 in East County east of Alpine. Elevations of 4,000 to 5,000 feet, such as Julian, could get 1-3 inches of snow while up to a foot could fall on Mt. Laguna above 5,000 feet. Wind speeds are forecast to reach 60-80 mph in the mountains, 50-60 mph in deserts, and 30-40 mph in valleys and coastal areas. Winds will be strongest in the afternoons and evenings both days. The National Weather Service is warning of dangerous travel conditions and damaging winds. The storm could cause blowing sand and dust in desert areas as well as slick roads across the region. If you must travel in snowy mountain areas, carry chains for your vehicle.
DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS JAN. 28-FEB. 14
Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audo link. We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County. East County News Service January 27, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) — This week’s Destination East County includes hawk watching in Ramona,‘California Dreamin’ in Anza Borrego and “Visions” at Mission Trail Regional Park. Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions, including a Valentine’s food and wine pairing at Vineyard Grant James in Ramona, breakfast with Supervisor Dianne Jacob, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy performing live at Sycuan. So scroll down for all of these events and more. THIS WEEK’S MAJOR EVENTS PHOTOGRAPHIC ART SHOW AT THE WIEGHORST MUSEUM JANUARY 28 Mark your calendar for a photographic art show on Thursday, January 28, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum. This special event features the art of Garry Anderson and Joe Payson, along with a catered reception. The museum is located at 131 Rea Avenue in El Cajon. For more information, please call (619) 590-3431. “CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’: THE IMMIGRATION AND MIGRATION HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA” JANUARY 29 AND 30. The non-profit Anza-Borrego Desert History Association (ABDNHA) in Borrego Springs announces a special two day program entitled “California Dreamin’: The Immigration and Migration History of California” to be held in Borrego Springs on January 29 and 30. This two day event will bring together a best-selling author, an anthropologist, a historian, and a genetic anthropologist to tell the full story of movement over time into what is now known as the Golden State. The program begins at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, January 29 at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center, 590 Palm Canyon Drive. All seats are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. There is no charge for ABDNHA members. Programs on Saturday January 30 will be held in the ABDNHA library, 652 Palm Canyon Drive and space is limited. Preregistration is required for these programs and space is limited. Register online www.abdnha.org/californiadreamin. HAWK WATCH: A RAPTOR CELEBRATION IN RAMONA SATURDAYS IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY Hawk Watch, a free celebration of raptors will take place at the Wildlife Research Institute in Ramona Grasslands at 10 a.m. each Saturday in January and February—rain or shine. You can observe both wintering and resident raptors such as the Golden Eagle, Bald Eagle, Ferruginous Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Prairie Falcon, Red-shouldered Hawk, and Burrowing Owl. Nineteen species of raptors have been recorded at this “raptor hotspot,” where you will learn the life histories of these beautiful birds as well as the importance of the Ramona Grassland ecosystem. In addition to wild raptors, you will also see trained raptors and owls up close. Bring binoculars if you have them, though scopes will be available. Refreshments, coffee, and pastries will also be provided. For more information visit http://Wildlife-Research.org BIRDING BASICS AT MISSION TRAILS JANUARY 30 Mission Trails Regional Park Guide and experienced birder Winona Sollock will lead a free educational bird identification class in the park on Saturday, January 30th at 1 p.m. The hour-and-a-half class will help increase your enjoyment of nature by teaching you five simple techniques to identify birds at a glance. You will also learn how to use a field guide, so bring one along if you have it. Classes meet at the Visitor Center in Classroom “A” on January 30th and the last Saturday of every month from January through October at 1:00 p.m. The class is free and open to the public, with no reservations required. Details at MTRP.org. GARNET MINE HIKE IN JACUMBA JANUARY 30 The Jacumba Hikers and Walkers will be hitting the trail to a garnet mine on January 30th. Along the 4-mile, figure-8 loop trail hikers will encounter a waterfall, exhilarating views and other hidden treasures of the high desert area. This hike is rated moderate to hard, and dogs are not allowed. Meet at 8 a.m. at the Jacumba Spa & Resort (44450, Old Hwy. 80, Jacumba Hot Springs) Breakfast is available at the spa, starting at 7 a.m. and lunch is available after the hike. Bring a swim suit & towel for soaking in mineral hot springs after the hike, courtesy of the Spa. CITIZEN OF THE YEAR LUNCHEON FEBRUARY 1 The East County Chamber’s Annual Citizen of the Year Luncheon will take place on Monday, February 1, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the El Cajon Elks Lodge, located at 1400 E. Washington Avenue. Join the Chamber as they honor the El Cajon Citizen of the Year Humbert Cabrera! For reservations, please call (619) 440-6161 or visit www.eastcountychamber.org. HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH IN SANTEE January is Health Awareness Month in Santee. To help increase health awareness in the city of Santee, California Health Network has partnered with dozens of organizations and companies to offer free and discounted health and fitness classes and services. Whether you’re looking for free kickboxing and yoga lessons, tennis, personal trainer, or free checkups of your vision, hearing, spinal alignment or blood pressure, or discounts on other services ranging from dental care to massages, you can find it at all this month at www.CaliforniaHealthNetwork.org/healthawarenessmonth. VISIONS ART SHOW NOW THROUGH JAN. 29 AT MISSION TRAILS The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation (MTRP) presents Visions, an exhibition featuring six award winning artists. Their colorful works celebrating nature will be on display in the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center Art Gallery now through January 29th. For directions, visit www.MTRP.org. LAUREL AND HARDY MOVIES SATURDAY JANUARY 30 “Saps at Sea” is the name of a group of movie lovers who have met for 38 years to enjoy old-time fun movies with Laurel and Hardy, Buster Keaton and Looney Tunes. This week’s showing includes “Wrong Way,” from1929 with Blue Boy the horse. Then “Alley Oop” with comedian Buster Keaton. “Saps at Sea” have even reintroduced the ‘intermission’ for treats and conversation. After Porky Pig in “May Ham” a Laurel and Hardy double feature will be presented with “Laughing Gravy” and the 1932 classic “The Chimp.” The event will be on Saturday, January 30 in Williams Hall at the Trinity Church 3902 Kenwood Drive, Spring Valley. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
CALTRANS CLEARS WAY FOR HIGHWAY 94-125 CONNECTOR
East County News Service January 27, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) — The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has determined that a proposed direct interchange to connect State Routes 94 and 125 would have no significant environmental impact. The finding clears the way for the project to move forward, helping to ease congestion on surface streets in the vicinity and make commuting quicker for motorists. “The finding of no significant impact is good news,” says Robert Spanbauer, policy advisor to Supervisor Dianne Jacob. View the Caltrans declaration here: http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist11/Env_docs/94_125Interchange/sr94_sr125_interchange_project_final_dec2015.pdf