EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS

June 20, 2013 (San Diego's East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

STATE

• California lawmakers pass state budget bill (Sacramento Bee)
• Highlights of California’s 2013-14 budget  (Bakersfield Now)
• California Democrats pass state budget, flex supermajority(Fresno Bee)
• Judge orders California to immediately release prisoners (Sacramento Bee)
• Changes To Domestic Violence Response Protocol Included In Trailer Bill (KPBS)
• Governor's sister joins Sempra board  (UT San Diego)
• Poop power: A new generation of companies bet on a different renewable energy (Infographic) (Marketplace)

LOCAL//REGIONAL

• NRC considers voiding key ruling on San Onofre (KPBS)
• Settlement Reached on Kumeyaay Wind Project Warranty Coverage: (Recharge News)
• Death’s in the details - Lapses in reporting inmate mortalities raise questions of oversight in San Diego County facilities (CityBeat)
• $2.75 billion San Diego city budget passed (Sacramento Bee)
• El Cajon economic picture mostly upbeat (U-T San Diego)
• Volunteer Fire Department on Palomar Mountain in tight spot (U-T San Diego)
• Quake studies cut short by nuke shutdown (U-T San Diego)
• Bond projects OK'd despite flap (U-T San Diego)
• 1 dead after firetruck collides with another vehicle in Poway (10 News)
• School fires teacher, a domestic abuse victim (UT San Diego)
• PBID supporters promise new, leaner proposal (La Mesa Today)
• Mayor Blows Up Planning, Development Org Chart (Voice of San Diego)
• Woman gives birth while on Interstate-8 in Flinn Springs (10 News)
• Several injured in brawl at Viejas Indian reservation (CBS)
• Cohn taking over Malarkey restaurant (U-T San Diego)

Scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories.

STATE

California lawmakers pass state budget bill (Sacramento Bee)

The $96.3 billion budget includes a modified version of the Democratic governor's proposal to shift more education money to poor and English-learning students, as well as commitments to spend money in the future on mental health services, college student aid and other programs. The Senate approved the budget 28-10 along party lines. Democratic lawmakers hailed the plan for its reinvestment - however limited - in social programs cut during the recession.

Highlights of California’s 2013-14 budget  (Bakersfield Now)

Highlights of California's budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

California Democrats pass state budget, flex supermajority(Fresno Bee)

As the state Senate finished voting Saturday on a bill to extend a tax on managed care plans, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg told reporters at the back of the room, "That is what's called a supermajority."

Judge orders California to immediately release prisoners (Sacramento Bee)

In a sharp rebuke to California Gov. Jerry Brown, a panel of three federal judges said Thursday they are fed up with continued delays in reducing the state's prison population and ordered Brown to take immediate steps to begin releasing inmates.

Changes To Domestic Violence Response Protocol Included In Trailer Bill (KPBS)

Several provisions in a bill awaiting Gov. Jerry Brown's signature would wipe out many protections for domestic violence abuse victims, said Sacramento District Attorney Jan Scully in a written statement.

Governor's sister joins Sempra board  (UT San Diego)

Sempra Energy taps into California political dynasty with board appointment.

Poop power: A new generation of companies bet on a different renewable energy (Infographic) (Marketplace)

If digesters were put in use in all of the California’s dairy farms, the state’s 1.8 million dairy cows could generate up to 1,971 gigawatt hours of electricity each year—enough to cover about .7% of California’s electricity. By comparison 11.6% of California’s electricity was generated by all renewable energy which includes solar, geothermal, small hydroelectric and biomass

LOCAL//REGIONAL

NRC considers voiding key ruling on San Onofre (KPBS)

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission may reject a ruling that contributed to the decision to shut down the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.

Settlement Reached on Kumeyaay Wind Project Warranty Coverage: (Recharge News)

Australia’s Infigen Energy says it has ended a lengthy legal battle with Gamesa over turbine warranties at US wind farms, and has now signed long-term maintenance agreements with the Spanish manufacturer. An Infigen statement said five of its US wind project companies have settled all outstanding legal disputes with Gamesa.

Death’s in the details - Lapses in reporting inmate mortalities raise questions of oversight in San Diego County facilities (CityBeat)

Our investigation has revealed systemic problems with record keeping and oversight, including the Sheriff’s Department’s failure to report one in 10 deaths to the California Department of Justice as required by state law. 

$2.75 billion San Diego city budget passed (Sacramento Bee)

The City Council has passed a $2.75 billion budget for the city of San Diego for the 2013-14 fiscal year and rejected a cut proposed for the City Attorney's Office.

El Cajon economic picture mostly upbeat (U-T San Diego)

A City Council budget workshop drew a rosy picture but concern about CalPERS looms.

Volunteer Fire Department on Palomar Mountain in tight spot (U-T San Diego)

…The department, along with similar small firefighting agencies in San Diego’s backcountry, must decide by June 31 whether to sign a new contract with the San Diego County Fire Authority that would shift control from volunteer departments to Cal Fire, the state agency that works in tandem with the Fire Authority... [Chief Lucia says]“They’re telling me I can’t hire local community volunteers. I say to them that without my local community volunteers that live here, sleep here and have a stakeholder’s interest in this community, I can’t guarantee that I can cover a call.”

Quake studies cut short by nuke shutdown (U-T San Diego)

Earthquake studies, like the plant they were designed to protect, may be shut down.

Bond projects OK'd despite flap (U-T San Diego)

Bond will expand libraries, build a firehouse and pave roads throughout San Diego

1 dead after firetruck collides with another vehicle in Poway (10 News)

Investigators are trying to determine Thursday what led to a deadly crash between a city of Poway fire engine and a Honda Accord in Poway.

School fires teacher, a domestic abuse victim (UT San Diego)

Carolyn “Carie” Charlesworth, a teacher for 14 years at schools within the Diocese of San Diego, was terminated from her position at Holy Trinity School in El Cajon. / The incident that triggered her firing came Jan. 28 when her then-husband, Martin Charlesworth, showed up on school grounds despite a 2011 restraining order, which forced the school into lockdown mode.

PBID supporters promise new, leaner proposal (La Mesa Today)

The long and winding history of attempts to establish a Property Based Improvement District for the La Mesa Village has had many distinct eras. There were the Awkward Formative Months. Then the Contentious Adolescent Wrangling. A Political Interlude During the La Mesa Elections followed. And then a Silent Interregnum -- as petitions were sought and backroom maneuvers were pursued. On Tuesday night, proponents of the effort launched what might be called the Back To The Future Era.

Mayor Blows Up Planning, Development Org Chart (Voice of San Diego)

Since he started running for mayor, Filner’s been talking about a total reorganization of the way the city handles planning and development. Hiring a planning director is only one component.

Woman gives birth while on Interstate-8 in Flinn Springs (10 News)

A woman gave birth to a baby boy on the side of Interstate 8 in the Flinn Springs area early Wednesday, authorities said.

Several injured in brawl at Viejas Indian reservation (CBS)

At least one person was in custody after a brawl broke out on the Viejas Indian Reservation Wednesday morning that left several people injured. The fracas on the Alpine-area tribal grounds erupted for unknown reasons about 9:30 a.m., according to sheriff's officials.

Cohn taking over Malarkey restaurant (U-T San Diego)

Restaurateur David Cohn confirmed this week that his company will be taking over the now-closed restaurant, which he plans to reinvent as a neighborhood, Mediterranean-style bistro, not unlike two of his other venues, 100 Wines in Hillcrest and Bo Beau in Ocean Beach.