July 1, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - Spring Valley resident Gabriella Martinez, 7, who goes by Ella, recently received a special haircut and found a way to give back to children needing hair replacement.

By Miriam Raftery

June 24, 2015 (Spring Valley ) – San Miguel Fire Protection Agency has sent a letter notifying the Spring Valley Planning Group that the County intends to close its case on contamination from underground leaking storage tanks at 905 Gillespie Drive in Spring Valley.  The proposal would leave petroleum hydrocarbon elements in the soil to degrade by natural processes under the state’s “Low-Threat Closure Policy.”

Public comments will be accepted from June 27 through  August 31^st.

The fire district removed underground fuel storage tanks at its fire station on the site, Kevin Healy with the County's Enviornmental Health department advised East County Magazine. Under the state's policy, the contaminants can be left in place to degrade naturally if they are found to not pose a human health risk or adversely impact beneficial uses of surface water or groundwater.

East County News Service

June 5, 2015 (Spring Valley) – The Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Station will hold a coffee with the community at Cali Comfort Restaurant, 8910 Troy Street in Spring Valley.  The event will be on Thursday, July 16 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

May 2, 2015 (Spring Valley)--PaintCare, a nonprofit that runs the California Paint Stewardship Program on behalf of paint manufacturers, is holding a special event to collect old and leftover paint to make it easier for households and businesses to recycle their unwanted paint. The event will be Saturday, May 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Steele Canyon High School, 12440 Campo Rd., Spring Valley.

East County News Service

April 15, 2015 (Spring Valley) – Three young people trapped in a burning car that flipped over after a crash in front of Monte Vista High School on Monday owe their lives to courageous bystanders.

East County News Service

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

April 3, 2015 (Spring Valley) – A fire in Spring Valley destroyed two homes early Friday morning, displacing 10 residents.

Update March 21: Linda Adene Snow-Biggers has been found safe and unhramed, the Sheriff reports.

East County News Service

March 20, 2015 (Spring Valley) – The Sheriff seeks public help to locate a missing Spring Valley woman.  On Wednesday, March 18^th,  Linda Adene Snow-Biggers walked away from her home at 2601 Sweetwater Road, where she lives with her husband.  She was last seen walking barefoot by a neighbor, wearing a white sun dress.  She is 53 years old, six feet tall, weighs 160 pounds, and has brown hair and green eyes.

East County News Service

March 7, 2015 (Spring Valley ) – Out of money to complete construction and maintenance of a partially-built training facility in Casa De Oro, San Miguel Fire District on March 11^th will consider a proposal from the County Fire Authority to take over the lease, move forward on construction and assume maintenance responsibilities.

By Paul Kruze

March 1, 2015 (Spring Valley)--After a couple of months getting familiar with their responsibilities and getting used to a trio of newly-elected colleagues, the San Miguel Fire District Board began to get down to business at its regularly scheduled monthly meeting on February 11 at the district headquarters in Spring Valley.

By Paul Kruze

December 16, 2014 (Spring Valley) -- Promising a heightened attention to transparency and public involvement in its decisions and special attention to the area around the community of Crest, three newly-elected members of the San Miguel Fire District, Mike Vacio, Jim Ek, and Theresa McKenna, were sworn into office by El Cajon Superior Court Presiding Judge, Laura Halgren at last Wednesday’s regularly scheduled monthly board meeting.  The three replaced previously elected members, Richard Augustine, Chris Winter, and Jeffrey Lyle Nelson, who lost their bids to serve a second four-year term in the November General Election. The board positions held by William Kiel, Dave Rickards, Karrie Johnston, and Dan McMillan are slated for re-election in 2016.

By Miriam Raftery 

December 3, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – A Grinch suspected of stealing holiday packages across East County is now in custody,  the Sheriff’s office reports.

The thief nabbed over a thousand dollars worth of packages in Lemon Grove, Spring Valley and unincorporated areas of El Cajon from November 21^st until the thief was finally caught on December 3^rd.

November 8, 2014 (Spring Valley) – Cali Comfort Restaurant will host the East County BBQ and Beer Tasting on November 14 from 6 to 9 p.m.  Cali is located at 8910 Troy Street in Spring Valley.  Guests will meet and greet brewers/owners of Jamul Brewing, Valley Farm Market and Cali Comfort BBQ.

November 4, 2014 (Spring Valley)--Veterans were remembered with honor on the morning of Monday, November 3, as the JROTC Program at Mount Miguel High School held its 25th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony. Principal Steve Coover and retired JROTC Instructor Major John Bachmann were joined by parents and staff who witnessed the ceremony as more than 200 JROTC Cadets honored military personnel who have served our country throughout history.

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 25, 2014 (Spring Valley) – Two news item coming up will impact Spring Valley residents.

Lamar Street will be closed to through traffic for a month due to a slope repair project, the County of San Diego has announced.  Residences will remain accessible during construction and questions may be sent to Brian Rochelle, resident engineer, at brian.rochelle@tylin.com.