September 10, 2011 (San Diego) – This week’s blackout reminded many San Diegans of the importance of being prepared before disaster strikes. On October 7, the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties will provide training on your rights to help during a major disaster such as a wildfire or earthquake.
September 16, 2011 (La Mesa) -- Grossmont Healthcare District and the City of La Mesa will host the 10th annual Kids Care Fest on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This free family event features free health care screenings at Briercrest Park, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa.
September 11, 2011 (Jacumba) -- Residents of Jacumba are planning a protest march at the entrance of Bornt & Sons Organic Farm on Saturday, September 17th at 10 a.m.
September 12, 2011 (Del Cerro) – Scott Martin, 51, has been arrested and pled not guilty to five counts of possessing a destructive device in a public place and one count of endangering his four year old son.
September 13, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--Parents, students, staff and community members from throughout Eastern San Diego County are welcome to attend the 2nd Annual iParent event, sponsored by the Grossmont Union High School District.
The event, which will feature keynote speakers Marsha Dodson and Dr. Darlene Willis and their presentationEmpowering Parents: A Guide to Taking Control of Your Child's Educational Journey, will take place on Saturday, September 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Vallhalla High School.
September 13, 2011 (Jacumba)--Like the residents of Jacumba, I’m frustrated by the lack of progress on the eye gnat infestation and disappointed that the plan to remedy the situation hasn’t been executed properly. As I see it, the problem has three layers:
September 9, 2011 (San Diego) – Local residents are swapping stories of how they coped during the biggest blackout ever to hit our region. Their tales vary widely – and show that amid a crisis, attitude is everything! Neighbors helped neighbors—and some hosted impromptu blackout parties.
September 13, 2011 (Escondido) -- What are the needs of working families in the Escondido area? Are those needs being met by schools, the city, and other governmental units?
Tax reforms including “plenty of loopholes to close” should be on the table, Hunter aide suggests
September 12, 2011 (Washington D.C.)—Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-El Cajon) has issued a press release urging the “Super Committee” tackling debt reduction to reach a timely agreement in order to avoid a trigger clause that would spark massive cuts to U.S. national security.
September 12, 2011 (San Diego County) – September is a beautiful time to head outdoors and enjoy over 350 miles of hiking and biking trails at more than 90 parks in San Diego County spanning 44,000 acres—mostly in East County and our region’s inland areas. Many have organized activities, as do local community and recreation centers. Below are listings for some of the fun activities planned this month. The listings contain the information needed to go to the activities and recreation centers: maps, phone numbers, dates, and special interests.
September 13, 2011 (El Cajon)--Call me cheap and easy. You won’t be the first. But I am OK with that. I LOVE to wear jeans with the knees blown out. It has become ‘my look’ but it is much more than that. It is ME. How bad is that?
September 14, 2011 (San Diego) – To me, the most important part of the film is the first few minutes. At least 90 times out of 100 it’s during that time when I can tell if a movie will be good or bad.
September 11, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--As the state legislative session came to a close with the usual last minute hustle to get bills passed before midnight Friday, rural residents narrowly escaped a rewritten state fire fee that would have increased many property owners’ bills by hundreds – or even thousands – of dollars per year.
The bill, dubbed SB1X7 in the senate and ABX 1 24 in the assembly is far from dead, however, and could be reintroduced in the new session, which starts Jan. 4, 2012. Meanwhile the Dept. of Finance plans to begin sending bills to property tax owners this fall under the plan originally approved.
ECM exclusive interview
By Miriam Raftery
Video by Jack Winemiller
September 11, 2011 (San Diego) – Congressman and Mayoral candidate Bob Filner spoke with ECM at last weekend's "Big Blue BBQ" for East County Democrats.
September 13, 2011 (Tierrasanta) –After treating patio furniture with teak oil on Sunday, a homeowner at 4608 Seda in Tierrasanta discarded the teak oil can in a trashcan. “A fire started in the trash can a few hours later and the homeowner was unable to put it out,” said Officer J. Jacobsen with San Diego Police.
September 12, 2011 (San Diego) – Thunderstorms and rains are likely to strike San Diego County tomorrow, with the highest likelihood of storms in East County’s mountain and desert areas. These storms have the potential to produce hail, frequent lightning, locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds, the National Weather Service predicts.
September 13, 2011 (Poway) – A 36-year-old Poway woman suffered a head injury and additional injuries when she was struck by a white pickup while walking on Valle Verde Road at Dorset Way in Poway. The accident occurred at 10:56 this morning.
September 12, 2011 (Alpine) – Viejas Casino, a premier Southern California gaming, dining and entertainment destination, is celebrating its 20th Anniversary by offering the public a free meal at the award-winning Harvest Buffet. That’s a free meal – no strings attached – from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, September 13.
September 12, 2011 (Escondido) --“Fall is Here”atWestfield North County shopping center. For the month of September, the Westfield Family program will feature fall-themed Westfield Family Fun Days, kid and family-friendly activities celebrating the new season,starting September 19.
September 12, 2011 (Ramona) –A semi-truck hauling a fully loaded grain trailer has overturned on Highway 78 and Rancho Sante Fe Court. A SIG alert has been issued. As of 3:31 p.m., the CHP website reports Highway 78 will be shut down for at least two hours between Julian Road and 3 Road to cleanup the roadway.
September 12, 2011 (Alpine)--I would like to thank our Alpine Union School District for its pursuit of 21st century education reforms it seeks in serving our East County's local youngest students. On the AUSD website (www.alpineschooldistrict.net) they describe this in detail.
What the AUSD calls its "revisioning", is a process for managing its innovation. Experts state that fewer than 2% of all organizations actually have systems in place to successfully manage innovation processes. This buzzword is found in many strategic plans, however the 2% factor highlights the large percentage of these organizations that will fail at innovation leadership, because they lack a proper management plan.The Grossmont Union HS Districts’ recent decision to delay building the Alpine and Blossom Valley area new high school (HS12) is a prime example.
September 12, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Consumers who want a no-cost option to opt out of having wireless smart meters on their homes are urged to attend a September 14 hearing in San Francisco.
County Reminds Businesses of Important Measures for Food and Customer Safety
September 11, 2011 (San Diego)--Last week’s boil water advisory has been lifted, but the Department of Environmental Health is reminding restaurants and markets that were impacted by the advisory to follow food and water safety procedures before reusing tap water. These include guidelines for flushing and sanitizing, as well as assuring that food served is safe.
Suspected Price Gouging Can be Reported to DA’s Office
September 9, 2011 (San Diego) -- San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis reminds residents and businesses of important consumer advice and assistance in the wake of San Diego’s unprecedented blackout. The warning comes amid scattered news reports of potential price gouging in the 24 hours following the power shut-down.
Tom Cantor, owner of Scantibodies and founder of Life and Light Foundation that runs museum, is accused by employee of providing “bad science” to public
Sept. 13, 2011 (San Diego)–Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC), America’s #1 SBA lender in dollars, today announced that it has extended more than $1 billion in SBA 7(a) loans to small businesses in the current federal fiscal year (beginning Oct. 1, 2010), becoming the first lender to reach this milestone in a year. The company hit the $1 billion mark in August, 11 months into the current federal fiscal year. Wells Fargo has loaned 27 percent more SBA 7(a) loan dollars to small businesses during the 12 months ending August 2011 compared to the same period a year ago.Locally, the company is the largest SBA lender in both dollars and units.
September 11, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- A resolution introduced by District 40 State Senator Juan Vargas (D-San Diego) and passed in both houses Friday seeks to put the brakes on a high voltage trans-border power line slated to bring electricity in from the proposed 1250 MW La Rumorosa wind turbine project near Jacumba.
September 11, 2011 (El Cajon)-- Assemblyman Brian Jones will be the featured speaker at this month's Cajon Valley Republican Women Federated meeting. The event will be held on Tuesday, September 20th at 7:00 a.m. at Coco's Restaurant, 1025 Fletcher Parkway in El Cajon.
September 10, 2011 (San Diego) – This week’s blackout reminded many San Diegans of the importance of being prepared before disaster strikes. On October 7, the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties will provide training on your rights to help during a major disaster such as a wildfire or earthquake.
September 13, 2011 (Escondido) -- What are the needs of working families in the Escondido area? Are those needs being met by schools, the city, and other governmental units?
Tax reforms including “plenty of loopholes to close” should be on the table, Hunter aide suggests
September 13, 2011 (El Cajon)--Call me cheap and easy. You won’t be the first. But I am OK with that. I LOVE to wear jeans with the knees blown out. It has become ‘my look’ but it is much more than that. It is ME. How bad is that?
By Brian Lafferty
By Billie Jo Jannen
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September 12, 2011 (Alpine)--I would like to thank our Alpine Union School District for its pursuit of 21st century education reforms it seeks in serving our East County's local youngest students. On the AUSD website (
September 12, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Consumers who want a no-cost option to opt out of having wireless smart meters on their homes are urged to attend a September 14 hearing in San Francisco.
By Billie Jo Jannen
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