San Diego delegation splits on vote

March 4, 2015 (Washington DC)--The Department of Homeland Security won’t be shutting down.  Both houses of Congress have now passed legislation to fund the agency through September.

Driven: When Obstacles Take Center Stage , by Magetta Chantiloupe (Austin Macauley Ltd., London, England, 2014, 379 pages).

“Keep guard over your eyes and ears as the inlets of your heart, and over your lips as the outlet, lest they betray you in a moment of unawareness.”

Anne Bronte, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

Book Review by Dennis Moore

March 4, 2015 (San Diego) - Looking from the outside at Magetta Chantiloupe and all that she has accomplished in life, one would think that this San Diego resident and author of Driven: When Obstacles Take Center Stage, has always had it together. But looks would be deceiving, as this Certified Financial Planner with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards – retired General Stock Broker and native of Jamaica West Indies, and mother of four adult children has fought and struggled to attain all that she has accomplished. Also the author of Iraq: The War That Shouldn’t Be – You Decide, Chantiloupe has been a world traveler – she has cruised the world, 41 of which were on the CUNARD Line. Her actual achievements and overall story could fill several books.

East County News Service

March 4, 2015 (El Cajon) – A 10 News report cites multiple unnamed sources who claim that an El Cajon sergeant sent sexually explicit text message images of himself to several women working in the department. Sources claimed the sergeant was demoted but not prosecuted.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Michael Picker, CPUC Chairman

March 4, 2015 (Sacramento)--The California Public Utilities Commission needs criminal defense lawyers amid state and federal investigations of corruption allegations, the Commissions new chairman, Michael Picker told a legislative panel this week.

February 28, 2015 (San Diego) – Nearly 100 artists and craftsmen, and international cuisine chefs, will participate in the Latin American Art Festival on March 21 and 22 at the NTC Arts & Culture District in  Liberty Station.

East County News Service

Photo: Courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

March 3, 2015 (Lakeside) – Sheriff’s deputies trying to serve an eviction notice at an apartment in the Riverview Villa Apartments on Woodside Avenue in Lakeside this morning made a gruesome discovery.

New clues found near Tule Spring

By Miriam Raftery

March 3, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)—The San Diego Sheriff’s office has called off a search for Chris Sylvia, a hiker who has been missing for over two weeks.

By Miriam Raftery

March 3, 2015 (Boulevard) – After winning approval of Supervisors for two controversial industrial-scale projects in Boulevard, Soitec Solar in a surprise announcement has withdrawn one of them.

East County News Service

Photo: Laguna Mountain Lodge

March 3, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--A storm that swept into our region over the weekend dropped over 8 inches of snow on Mt. Laguna and more than a foot on Palomar Mountain.

East County News Service

March 2, 2015 (San Diego)--Storm run-off contaminated with sewage in the Tijuana River Estuary has led to closure of beaches in the southern portion of San Diego County.

March 3, 2015 (San Diego's East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes an artists’ reception, a calypso star in concert, and live music at a winery. Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including St. Patrick’s Day weekend and Easter egg hunts, Vallecito Day historical reenactments and Tomatomania! Stay tuned for all of these events and much more, from East County Magazine.

By Miriam Raftery

March 2, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – California’s Supreme Court has invalidated a portion of Jessica’s Law, tossing out as unconstitutional restrictions that prevented sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of schools, parks or other places with children.

Photo: Hillary Rodham Clinton at 2007 California Democratic Convention

By Miriam Raftery

March 2, 2015 (Washington D.C.) – A controversy has arisen involving Hillary Rodham Clinton over revelations that while serving as Secretary of State, she did not have an official government e-mail address and used only a personal e-mail address for all of her official government business.

March 3, 2015 (El Cajon) – A missing 11-year-girl has been found safely, an El Cajon Police dispatcher has informed East County Magazine this morning.

March 1, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--Friends of East County Arts, Inc. presents its 20^th Annual Garden Tour on Saturday, April 25, 2015 from 9 am to 3 pm.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

March 2, 2015 (San Diego)--It’s nice to finally write about rain! We have a few more storms in the forecast and we certainly need it. We all like singing in the rain but driving in it? It’s rather stressful even when it’s not raining says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.  Most people just don’t pay attention or exercise common sense much anymore. We have far too many distractions at our disposal. There are around 707,000 automobile crashes each year due to rain, resulting in approximately 3,300 deaths and 330,200 injuries.

By Robert Gehr

March 2, 2015 (El Cajon)--In this writers’ opinion - No!

The city where I live, El Cajon, adopted a ‘No Smoking policy’ effective since March of 2008.

Lori Abbott, California News Service

March 2, 2015 (Oakland, California)-- One in four California children is living in poverty, but according to a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, those numbers would be much higher without federal safety net programs and tax subsidies.

March 1, 2015 (El Cajon )--After a career spanning three decades in the California community college system, Cuyamaca College President Mark J. Zacovic has announced his retirement, effective June 30. Zacovic has served as president of Cuyamaca College, with about 9,000 students in Rancho San Diego, since July 2011. He led the college through some of the toughest budgetary challenges in the institution’s 37-year history, ensuring that students continued to receive a quality education while dealing with dramatic spending cuts from Sacramento.

March 2, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) -- The Boys & Girls Clubs of East County invites you to the 49^th Annual Children's Ball, Saturday, March 21 at 6:00pm at the Omni San Diego Hotel.  Guests will enjoy the ambiance of our cocktail lounge complete with a combo, designer drinks, silent auction, grand drawing prizes and the ever famous seafood buffet.  In addition admission includes; dinner, a live auction, dancing and an opportunity to meet some very special Club Members.  This year, guests are invited to have a ball for the kids…with a fun and lively spring sports theme.

March 2, 2015 (El Cajon) – A dark Toyota Tercel occupied by two Hispanic men in their 20s that left Sycuan Casino shortly after 3:30 a.m. The Toyota reportedly followed a couple in a pickup truck, then opened fire just before the vehicle entered eastbound I-8 from the West Main Street onramp.  The driver of the pickup was struck by a bullet in his shoulder.

East County News Service

March 1, 2015 (Santee)—Eddie Martin, a 41-year-old man wanted for a domestic violence incident, is under arrest after fleeing, then crashing head-first into a responding deputy’s patrol car in Santee last night.

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 Greg Dunne

Photos by Greg Dunne and Norman Banks                                         

February 28, 2015 (Lake Murray)--The Turkey Vulture is one of the largest birds in San Diego’s East County. With their bald red head and a wingspan of up to six feet, these birds stand out in many ways. You can usually see them soaring at low levels looking for food, using the thermals for gliding effortlessly.  You can also see their slivery-colored wings contrasting with the dark colors of the bird’s feathers.

Construction underway from Feb. 22 through March 27

February 26, 2015 (San Diego)--U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials are notifying travelers of closures due to construction that may affect border crossers planning to use the Otay Mesa border crossing into Mexico during the month of March. 

CBP began construction last week to install a new truss system above the southbound vehicles lanes at the Otay Mesa border crossing that will support signage and technology at the border crossing.  The truss system will be located along State Route 905 south, past the last exit in the U.S. and before the international border with Mexico. Beginning this week, construction will be taking place only during the overnight hours, from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m., beginning each week at 9 p.m. on Sunday evening, and finishing 6 a.m. Friday morning. 

By Janis Russell

March 1, 2015 (San Diego)- On Wednesday February 25, Somali Family Services held its third annual Oceanleaf awards celebration at the Four Points by Sheraton. Aaron Bruce,  a professor at San Diego State University, was the Master of Ceremonies. The theme this year was Honoring Communities Woven Together by Hope and Resilience.

AB 1266 Would Force Utilities to Receive Public Approval for Bonuses After Ratepayers Hit With Billions in New Costs

March 1, 2015 (Sacramento)--California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) introduced Assembly Bill 1266 on Friday to require public utilities to justify executive bonus compensation at a public hearing of the California Public Utilities Commission following any federal safety violation that results in a cost of $5 million or more to ratepayers.

February 28, 2015 (Borrego) - Wildflower season has begun and annual flowers, including purple phacelia and yellow desert dandelion, are blooming at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center.

Trials by ISIS underway as some captives reportedly freed; local Chaldean leaders speak out on crisis

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Open Doors

March 1,2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Fears mount for hundreds of Assyrian Christians taken captive by ISIS last week, amid reports that the self-proclaimed Islamic State militants are putting hostages on trial, though some reports indicate that a handful have been freed. 

The hostages include at least 262 men, women and children taken from villages in northeastern Syria, CNN reports.  Open Doors USA, an organization serving persecuted Christians worldwide, reports the captives include 72 families.