October 13, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments yesterday in Pasadena in a lawsuit that has sweeping implications for the state budget and thousands of low-income, disabled Californians and their families.
October 13, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The California Highway Patrol website indicates a brush fire that began at 7:50 a.m. on Old Highway 80 (I-8 business route) at Aurora in Lakeside was arson.A subject is in custody.
A SIG ALERT issued earlier for lane closures has been canceled.
October 13, 2011 (Spring Valley) –A 16-month-old child apparently drowned in a backyard pool in the 1200 block of El Kelton Boulevard in Spring Valley.
ECM news partner 10 News reports that the child, who was found unresponsive in the water about 6 p.m. last night, was taken to Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa but was pronounced dead a short time later.
October 13, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflecting all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views.
Top world and U.S. headlines include:
U.S.
·Senate GOP votes to kill jobs bill (Washington Post)
·Obama’s $447 billion jobs plan blocked with 50-49 Senate vote (The Hill)
·Iranians charged in U.S. over assassination plot (Reuters)
·Editor admits to infiltrating DC protest to undermine Occupy movement (RawStory)
·Cain’s 9-9-9 tax plan under fire from both left and right (The Hill)
·Census: Housing bust worst since great depression (San Diego Union-Tribune)
WORLD
·Coptic Christians in Egyt battle state’s version of deadly protest (Christian Science Monitor)
·Japan quake: Fukushima children undergo thyroid tests (BBC)
·Palestinians win a vote on bid to join Unesco (New York Times)
October 13, 2011 (San Diego's East County)--East County Roundup highlights articles on top regional and state issues of interest to East County and inland San Diego County, published in other media.This week’s top Roundup headlines include:
STATE
·Showdown on medical marijuana as feds crack down (Christian Science Monitor)
·Brown signs California Dream Act (Los Angeles Times)
LOCAL
·Grossmont Hospital panel seeks new members (San Diego Union-Tribune)
·Rincon to spend more gaming revenues locally (KPBS)
·San Diego considers an openly gay GOP mayor (CNBC)
·Carlton Oaks Golf Club Future in Doubt (San Diego Union-Tribune)
·600 club members praised for showing on state tests: 33 Lemon Grove students notch perfect math scores(San Diego Union-Tribune)
"In this realignment, which I strongly opposed, inmates convicted of certain crimes that would have sent them to state prison will instead be housed in county correctional facilities. What the Governor and those who voted for his plan failed to realize is the fact that many of the county facilities are already dangerously over-crowded, thus many of these “low-level” offenders will be receiving a “get out of jail free” card. "
October 13, 2011 (Sacramento) -- There are many reasons people enter into public service. For some, it is to gain power and influence. For others it is to make a profound difference for their community. As a lifelong resident of Santee, I put myself firmly into the second category. And since my early days on the Santee City Council, public safety has been a top priority.
The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued a Boil Water Order and Public Notification for Wynola Farms Water District located at 4470 Highway 78, Julian, CA 92036 effective immediately.
October 12, 2011 (Santee)—Without a squawk of opposition from the audience, the Santee City Council voted 3-2 to let city residents keep chickens. Roosters, however, are still banned, since only hens for egg production are allowed.
October 12, 2011 (Otay) – A three-acre fire off Highway 94 near the Otay Lakes area Border Patrol checkpoint was caused by target shooting, Cakl Fire reports. The fire was held to three acres, with no injuries or property damage.
October 12, 2011 (La Mesa) –“We’re astounded,” Nancy Ryan, a La Mesa resident who asked the Council to adopt a resolution that would have declared the community a free-trade city, upon hearing that Council voted down the resolution 3-2 last night.
Mayor Art Madrid and Council member David Allan voted for the measure, while Council members Ruth Sterling, Mark Arapostathis and Ernest Ewin voted against it.
San Diego GOP Linked to Attempt to Impersonate Democrats
October 12, 2011 (San Diego)--Days after a formal complaint from the San Diego County Democratic Party, Twitter has suspended several accounts impersonating San Diego Democrats--along with the official page of the County Republican Party (@sdrepublicans) and that of its chair, Tony Krvaric (@TonyKrvaric).
On October 6, the general counsel for the County Democratic Party contacted Twitter to protest four accounts that purported to represent candidates for the San Diego City Council -- @SherriLightner, @ToddPhilips, @MatKostrinsky, and @MartiEmerald -- in addition to one impersonating the County Democratic Party, @sddemocrats, and its chair, @JessDurfee.
October 12, 2011 (San Pasqual) – A fire that began near the San Diego Zoo Safari Park has been doused, Cal-Fire reports. The grass fire charred approximately two to three acres this afternoon off Highway 78 near Clevenger Canyon.
No structures were threatened; cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
October 12, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal-Fire) has issued a no-burn proclamation due to the extreme risk of fire caused by critical fire weather and acute dryness of vegetation. The order suspends burning permits and other uses of open fire in all state responsibility area lands within San Diego and Imperial Counties.
October 12, 2011 (San Diego) – The 1950s spawned a then-novel horror subgenre. Many of these movies involved everyday animals and insects attacking entire cities after being transformed into giants (usually thanks to atomic testing or laboratory experiments).
October 12, 2011 (El Cajon) -- You can be a part of the party – and history. Excitement is growing as plans continue for the City of El Cajon's Centennial Celebration in 2012, organizers report. The exact date of the City's 100th Birthday is Monday, November 12, 2012, but events are in the planning stages for the months leading up to that date.
The Centennial Celebration Committee, led by Councilmember Jillian Hanson-Cox, is now accepting volunteers.
October 14, 2011 (La Mesa) -- Editor Miriam Raftery snapped this pic of a pampered pooch and owner enjoying some lakeside dining at Anthony's Fish Grotto in La Mesa. Dogs are welcome daily on an outdoor patio overlooking a duck pond.
“The City, on its own website, already supports many initiatives that show preference to some businesses over others—and rightly so, to promote the public good… Where were the so-called pro-life members of the council last night? Why, casting their votes on behalf of companies represented by an out-of-town Chamber of Commerce instead of showing compassion for unborn babies, children and families.”
By Meg Jensen
October 13, 2011 (La Mesa) – La Mesa’s City Council fell one vote short last night of joining major cities and small towns across America in becoming a “Fair Trade Towns USA” city. The resolution would not have cost the city a penny. It would, however, have enabled consumers to have information on retailers in La Mesa who have voluntarily agreed to carry at least two fair trade products certified to have been made without the use of child labor, slavery, or use of dangerous chemicals that harm workers and their unborn children.
Update October 23: ECM News partner 10 News reports that the victim was Kyle Wyborn Pearson, 42, according to a spokesman with the Imperial County District Attorney's Office. Pearson had missed a pretrial hearing on charges that he killed a Caltrans employee in a hit-and-run car accident.
Jim Pearson told ECM that his brother was "a great man." Kyle Pearson "served our nation in the Navy and was kind in all things," he added. The victim was "very bright" and was also a musician who loved living in San Diego, according to his brother. "He is now gone, and we miss him greatly."
Ruling today on smart meter opt-out for SDG&E customers sparks added interest among local ratepayers
By Miriam Raftery
October 11, 2011 (El Cajon) – SDG&E wants to hike utility rates by over 17% in the next four years.Tomorrow, East County residents will have a chance to voice their views on the proposal at two hearings held by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The public meetings will be held at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m. at the El Cajon City Council Chambers, 200 East Main Street in El Cajon.
The rate hike is opposed by the CPUC’s own Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA), which conducted an audit that found SDG&E inflated its costs. The DRA recommended that SDG&E lower—not raise—its rates.
October 13, 2011 (San Diego) – When I was little I would have an occasional paralyzing fear that my mom and dad were going to die too soon. I don’t know why I had this fear. All I know is it would keep me up at night and it made me cry.
October 11, 2011 (Borrego Springs) – Judy Winter Meier, long-time editor of the Borrego Sun, has been identified as the victim of an apparent murder-suicide. Her body was found last night at her home, along with her estranged husband, Jim Meier.
Update October 12: A second cougar sighting occurred today within a mile of the school.
October 11, 2011 (Poway) – Chaparral Elementary School in Poway has sent a warning letter to parents advising that the Sheriff’s Department reported that a mountain lion, also known as a cougar, had been seen in the neighborhood this morning.
October 11, 2011 (La Mesa) -- La Mesa City Manager Dave Witt has announced the selection of 25-year La Mesa Police Department veteran Edward (Ed) Aceves as the City’s new Chief of Police.
October 11, 2011 (Borrego Springs) – San Diego Sheriff’s homicide unit is investigating the deaths of a man and woman in the 2000 block of Saint Thomas Drive in Borrego Springs.
October 10, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--Slightly more than half of California-based businesses (55%) plan on growing their companies in 2011, but 27% describe their business as a “sinking ship” according to the just-released American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor, a semi-annual survey, now in its tenth year.
October 7, 2011 (Campo) – Pacific Southwest Railway Museum invites you to bring the whole family for the 8th annual old-time train ride to its pumpkin patch. Travel on a haunted train, then pick out and decorate a pumpkin to take home.
This year, the popular “Pumpkin Express” rides will be offered three full weekends from October 15 through October 30.
"There are an estimated 1.4 billion people living in poverty and existing on less than $1.25 a day...Good news is that you can do something about this!" --La Mesa Fair Trade
October 10, 2011 (La Mesa)—On Tuesday, La Mesa’s City Council will consider a resolution to declare the community a “Fair Trade"city.
About two dozen cities nationwide have already been designated "Fair Trade Towns USA" including Chicago, Boston, San Francisco and other major cities as well as smaller communities such as Taos, New Mexico and Burlington, Vermont. Supporters have established a website at http://lamesafairtrade.blogspot.com.
October 8, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Halloween is coming soon and with it, the annual tradition of finding the perfect pumpkin for carving a jack-o-lantern—not to mention sweeter varieties for baking pumpkin pies! Fortunately, there are several great places in East County to find giant pumpkins, as well as fun family activities from corn mazes to petting zoos.
October 9, 2011 (Ocotillo) – ECM has received photos and an e-mail from Jim Pelley, a motorcyclist who reports finding metal cables strung two feet off the ground across roadways in Ocotillo frequented by off-road vehicle enthusiasts.
The cables were attached to an SDG&E helicopter “pulling cables from tower to tower,” Pelley reports.”This is a serious situation and I am worried that someone will not see this cable and a serious accident will result with either the off road vehicle or the helicopter.”
By Miriam Raftery
October 13, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflecting all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. 
View Map of Affected Area
By Miriam Raftery
By Brian Lafferty
By Miriam Raftery
Update October 12: A second cougar sighting occurred today within a mile of the school. 
October 10, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--Slightly more than half of California-based businesses (55%) plan on growing their companies in 2011, but 27% describe their business as a “sinking ship” according to the just-released American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor, a semi-annual survey, now in its tenth year. 
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
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