September 11, 2011 (San Diego) – San Diego State University (SDSU) now offers text and e-mail emergency alerts for students, employees and their families, as well as community members in the College area. The alerts cover critical situations on campus.
September 11, 2011 (Washington DC) -- The House of Representatives has approved an amendment to the National Intelligence AUthorization Acts to combat roadside bombs in Afghanistan.
September 11, 2011 (Lemon Grove)—Chula Vista Police have issued a bulletin asking the public to be on the lookout for Francisco Ramirez, 34. The Lemon Grove resident is suspected of abducting his son, 11, and two daughters, one 9 years old, the other 1 year 9 months. He may have taken them to Mexico in a silver GMC Yukon sport utility vehicle.
September 9, 2011 (San Diego) – Mozart’s Sister is the year’s leading candidate for the year’s dullest film. During the two hour running time I counted only three instances of mental stimulation and they were as brief as they could get. This is one of those movies in which there is absolutely nothing to think about.
September 10, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued additional Boil Water Orders and Public Notifications effective immediately for the following locations in Potrero, Santa Ysabel, Tecate, Julian, Lakeside and Campo:
September 10, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – We have received several inquiries from readers seeking more details on procedures to follow to stay safe during boil-water advisories issued for several communities.The following advice is offered by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
This link has details for consumers as well as links for medical professionals and more:http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/crypto/health_professionals/bwa/index.html . Below is the information for consumers including how long to boil water,special instructions for children and those with immune-compromised health, and directions on how to flush pipes and appliances after the boil water order is lifted.
Boil waters are in effect locally through Sunday at the following locations due to pump failures during the blackout:
September 10, 2011 (Valley Center)—English high teas have become among the most popular events served up at Keys Creek Lavender Farm in Valley Center.Savor refreshing teas and delicacies such as tea sandwiches, chicken herbs de Provence, Devonshire cream, fresh fruit, lavender scones and more at two upcoming high teas scheduled for September 16th at 2:00 p.m. and September 17th at 2:00 p.m. Reserve your spot by clicking on the dates above.
September 9, 2011 (Spring Valley) 5:25 p.m. – A half-acre fire is burning in Spring Valley. According to Heartland dispatch, the fire began in the 8700 block of Central Way. Forward spread has been stopped.
Another fire torched a quarter-acre along I-15 at Adams Avenue but was swiftly put out by San Diego Fire and Rescue a short time ago.
September 9, 2011 (Escondido) -- It's time to enjoy the fruits of the harvest--along with plenty of family fun at Escondido's annual Grape Day Parade and Festival this Saturday, September 10.
The public is invited to join in festivities that include a grape stomp, free grapes, a parade, entertainment, arts and crafts, kids' activities, and food.
September 9, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- Due to the power outage last night, this is an abbreviated version of ECM Roundup with headlines only, no excerpts. Click links to view full stories on top issues in our region and California, published in other media.
Vendors, Entertainers, Children’s Attractionsto Line Highway 67
September 1, 2011 (Ramona) -- Discount ride tickets for the inaugural Fall Festival at Ramona United Methodist Church (http://ramonaumc.org)are now on saleoutside Albertsons and Stater Bros., RUMC announced. Tickets will be available at both stores from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday, Aug. 29 through Saturday, Sept. 3.
September 8, 2011 (San Diego) – 11:30 p.m. – Isolated reports of broken glass and possible looting attempts have been reported at a taco store in Lemon Grove, where metal barriers prevented entry, and at a home in Vista. San Diego County has declared a local emergency, meaning looting is now a felony, San Diego Sheriff advises.
Update 11:10 p.m. SDG&E advises residents to turn off air conditioners to avoid overwhelming the system when power comes back on.
BOIL WATER ORDERS are issued for several locations; scroll down for details.
September 8, 2011 (San Diego) – A widespread power outage has left 5 million people in the dark across Southern California, Arizona and northern Mexico including all 1.4 million SDG&E customers in San Diego County. The outage occurred because a major power line between Arizona and California was tripped out of service. “Think of the system as linked by springs, when one part goes out the rest are affected," a Twitter message from SDG&E read. The San Onofre Power plant was also impacted and shut down as a precaution.
Tonight, power is beginning to be restored across portions of San Diego County including the South Bay, Rancho San Diego, Jamul and Mt. Helix areas. SDG&E blames the outage on “operator error.” FBI special agent Darrell Foxworth assures that there is no indication of terrorism.
September 9, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)—Due to the power outage, this week’s World Watch has headlines only, no excerpts. Click links to view full stories.
September 8, 2011 (In-ko-pah) – I-8 westbound has been ordered to shut down due to a five-acre brush fire burning in light, flashy fuels half a mile from In-ko-pah along I-8. In-ko-pah is located east of Jacumba near the San Diego County-Imperial County line.
September 8, 2011 (Spring Valley) – 2:50 p.m. – A residential structure fire that started in a split level home at Grand and Eucalyptus has spread into adjacent brush, Heartland Fire Dispatch has just confirmed. Wildland fire air support is en route. Mutual aide firefighting units from Santee and La Mesa have also been called to the scene.
September 8, 2011 (Rancho Bernardo) – A brush fire that started at West Bernardo Drive on the west side of I-15 scorched approximately three acres this afternoon, briefly slowing traffic. The fire is now out; cause is under investigation.
September 8, 2011 (San Diego) – The San Diego Medical Examiner’s office has identified the man who died at Mission Trails yesterday morning as Jeffrey Andrew Martin, 33. Martin, who was single, resided in San Diego. Cause of death has not yet been determined, pending autopsy.
September 7, 2011 (La Mesa) –Today the Helix Water District Board of Directors voted 5-0 to suspend the El Monte Valley Mining, Reclamation, and Groundwater Recharge Project in Lakeside.
September 8, 2011 (Spring Valley)--Fleet & Family Support Centerin partnership withHousing Opportunities Collaborative,and the San Diego County Librarywill holda FREE Home Clinic for active duty military, reservists and retirees. The home clinic will be held on Saturday, September 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the recreation center behind the Spring Valley Library, 836 Kempton Street in Spring Valley.
Members of the military and their families face unique financial challenges but also have a variety of financial options available to them. HUD Approved housing counselors will be on hand to provide members of the militaryand the general public all possible options in their home ownership situation.
City to host “play day” Sept. 24 during KidsCare Fest at Briercrest Park
September 8, 2011 (La Mesa)--For the fourth year in a row La Mesa has earned recognition from the national non-profit KaBOOM! as a 2011 Playful City USA community for its efforts to increase play opportunities for children.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, play is important to healthy brain development and allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Only one in five, or 20%, of US children live within walking distance of a park or playground.
September 8, 2011 (San Diego)--Texas Governor Rick Perry denies there is such a thing as Global Warming, but this week the Governor had to quit the campaign trail to address a huge wildfire that burned 1,000 homes to the ground. Texas has been in a tremendous drought for several years, decimating the cattle industry and leaving most of Texas smoldering.
Now its the upscale hill country where the rich folks live that is burning. Perry had no choice but to come home and try tofight the fires.
September 11, 2011 (Washington DC) -- The House of Representatives has approved an amendment to the National Intelligence AUthorization Acts to combat roadside bombs in Afghanistan. 
By Brian Lafferty
By Brian Lafferty
September 9, 2011 (Spring Valley) 5:25 p.m. – A half-acre fire is burning in Spring Valley. According to Heartland dispatch, the fire began in the 8700 block of Central Way. Forward spread has been stopped. 
By Miriam Raftery
September 8, 2011 (La Mesa)--For the fourth year in a row La Mesa has earned recognition from the national non-profit KaBOOM! as a 2011 Playful City USA community for its efforts to increase play opportunities for children. 
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