This week in The Alpine Sun

Lead Stories

Residents await word on fates of homes and loved ones  
“It’s like Armageddon,” Potrero resident Jill Michaels said of the devastating Harris and Witch fires that have engulfed over 300,000 acres, forced evacuation of more than 300,000 people and burned at least 1,000 homes as of press deadline on Tuesday. Termed by fire officials as the worst wildfire in California history, surpassing even the deadly Cedar Fire of 2003, the blazes burned a deadly swath fueled by gale-force Santa Ana winds.  

GUHSD holding meeting to gather public input  
On Oct. 8, Interim Superintendent Donald G. Haught, from the Grossmont Union High School District sent out notifications via e-mail regarding the upcoming NOP, or Notice of Preparation Public Scoping Meeting that is to be held on Tuesday, Oct. 30, beginning with an open house at 6:30 p.m. with the official meeting to start promptly at 7 p.m. at the Alpine Community Center. 

Smuggler to stand trial for two murders
A suspected illegal alien smuggler will stand trial Nov. 19 on two counts of murder that resulted in the deaths of two people he was allegedly smuggling in rural East County following a high speed chase.   

Scammers hit Alpine
The Scammers are in our communities already. Like a firestorm with unprotected barriers — an army of fly-by-night contractors, door-to-door and telephone scam artists began doing what they do best, taking advantage of victims of disaster. They know loss from a disaster can be traumatic — victims of disaster become easy targets.  

Circling the wagons at Autumn Fest
Yippie Ti Yi Yo! Calling all cowboys and cowgirls! Come “Circle the Wagons” on Oct. 27 at the old ranch house, (usually called the Alpine Community Center.) The party kicks off at 5:30 p.m., a time for cowboys to relax with a glass or two of something cool and refreshing and a handfull of h’ors d’oeuvres after a hard day on the range.
 
Local ranch celebrates National Alpaca Farm Day  
Farm Day was held this year on Oct. 7, bringing visitors to our local Alpaca Farms to learn more about this seemingly cuddly animal. Here in Alpine, Karen and Rich Gribi own Alpaca Country Ranch, where they house and breed Alpacas, and welcomed all to learn about Alpacas.

Four years after Cedar Fire — new life
On Friday, Oct. 26, Alpine will be remembering the fourth year anniversary of the Cedar Fire of 2003, which burned more than 280,000 acres. Fifteen people died in the blaze, thousands of East County residents were forced into El Centro and Yuma, some stranded for a week, and then, if their homes were intact once they returned, without power for weeks or months.

Fires could leave residents choking
The Grossmont Healthcare District, a public agency that serves San Diego’s East County region with health-related community programs and services, has issued a precautionary air quality health advisory for East County residents affected by this week’s wildfires.

Gillespie Field opens as animal shelter site
The county's Gillespie Field airport in El Cajon has opened a 41-acre area as a staging site for animals whose homes have been evacuated and who need to be relocated.
 

Columns/Opinion

My Turn with Diana Anderson: Points to consider when evaluating Alpine school sites

Spiritual Sunrise with Merry Murray: The mystery of the new birth


Sports

CIF playoffs could take on new twist