February 19, 2011 (Lakeside) -- The American Cancer Society is holding a meeting to begin organizing the second annual Relay for Life in Lakeside on February 28, 2011.
The public is invited to learn about opportunities for participation, pick up Relay for Life materials, and learn about the American Cancer Society’s programs and services.
February 19, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Heavy snowfall is making travel hazardous on East County roadways in mountain areas, resulting in numerous accidents and traffic delays tonight.
“The Cuyamaca area has received between 6 to 8 inches of snow and Mt. Laguna more than that,” Cal Fire’s Mike Mohler informed ECM in an e-mail. He advised people to avoid visiting these areas unless prepared.
February 19, 2011 (Pine Valley) – Two separate serious accidents have just occurred on both sides of I-8 near the Pine Valley exit.
At 4:16 p.m., CHP reports that a small sedan spun out and rolled onto the center divider. A pedestrian was hit on the westbound side. Two additional vehicles then spun out.
The second accident occurred nearly simultaneously on eastbound I-8 just east of the Pine Valley bridge around 4:15 p.m. At least two vehicles have rolled over and injuries are reported, with one vehicle on its roof as of 4:21 p.m.
February 19, 2011 (Spring Valley) –Lemon Grove Detectives and U.S. Marine Corps Criminal Investigators searched a home at 2851 Highlands Blvd. in Spring Valley Thursday morning that is also used as a licensed child day care center. Authorities had previously arrested Michael Manglicmot, 23, for desertion from the Marine Corps.
Sheriff’s detective Joel Stranger, working with USMC-CID investigators, learned that Manglicmot was the primary suspect in several recent burglaries at Camp Pendleton and Spring Valley. During the search, stolen property items including USMC body armor and night vision equipment were found. Detectives arrested Manglicmot’s brother, Mario Solis, 27, on charges of drug possession and sale, as well as possessing a loaded firearm.
February 19, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – San Diego’s Congressional delegation is speaking out on spending and budget-cutting priorities –with widely divergent views. While Republicans have slammed President Barack Obama’s proposed budget, Democrats are blasting the rival Republican House appropriations bill.
As with any omnibus proposal, the devil is in the details. Issues at stake include funds for local border projects, birth control access, water supplies for Southern California, job training, and more. Here’s what our five local House representatives and both California U.S. Senators have to say about the spending proposals that Congress is weighing.
Bipartisan legislation would create flexible spending accounts to help families save on health care and child care expenses
February 19, 2011 (Washington, D.C). – At a press conference February 17, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47) announced their new legislation that would provide flexible spending accounts for service members. Flexible spending accounts would result in savings for military families by allowing service members to set aside part of their income before taxes to cover out-of-pocket child care and health care expenses such as co-pays, dental care and eye glasses.
This benefit is currently available to civilian employees at the Department of Defense, but not to uniformed service members.
February 18, 2011 (Alpine) – A solo vehicle spun out of control, rolling overall several times shortly before 10 p.m. tonight on eastbound I-8 just west of Willows Road in Alpine. According to the California Highway Patrol website, one patient is bleeding from the head.
In addition CHP has received a report of a mudslide or rockslide on Sunrise Highway near mile marker 17. A separate caller reported a boulder on the southbound side of Sunrise Highway near old Highway 80.
Update 10:25 p.m.: CHP reports only minor injury in this accident, which is now cleared. February 18, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – A Ford vehicle has plunged 200 feet over the side and rolled down into a canyon after losing control on rain-slicked I-8 just east of Highway 79. According to California Highway Patrol’s website, at least one person is trapped inside.
A rescue effort is in progress, involving 200 feet of cable down the steep side of the canyon.
February 18, 2011 (Sacramento) -- Do opponents of gay marriage have legal standing to challenge a decision overturning Proposition 8 in federal court after the state’s two top officers opted not to defend the measure? California’s Supreme Court has announced it will take up that legal question.
February 18, 2011 (Imperial County) – Five Cal-Fire engines from San Diego County have been dispatched to Imperial County to help fight 15 tons of hay set ablaze by arsonists.
Three people are in custody in connection to a pair of haystack fires in the Imperial Valley. The Imperial County Sheriff's Office said 29-year-old Darryl Elmore Junior, 28-year-old Martin Arthur Archuleta, and 25-year-old Luis Alberto Vasquez face arson fire charges.
The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission has issued recalls on bassinets, heaters, food dehydrators, children’s chairs, and Disney watches due to hazards posed to consumers. For details, click the links below:
February 12, 2011 (San Diego) --For years the Fed has been keeping interest rates near zero, trying to prop up spending and keep the economy from failing completely. It really has not worked. Jobs are disappearing, the gap between rich and poor is growing, and inflation show signs of growing rapidly.
February 18, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Heavy rains, thunderstorms, and flash flooding are forecast for tonight and tomorrow with snow falling down to 3,000 feet. That’s low enough to dust the tops of El Cajon Mountain (El Capitan and Tecate Peak, as well as communities such as Pine Valley and Warner Springs. A slight chance of severe weather including hail, waterspouts and tornadoes also exists through tomorrow night.
February 18. 2011 (San Diego) – Alfred Hitchcock, the Master of Suspense, once said, “To make a great film you need three things – the script, the script and the script.” Too bad Korean director Sang-soo Im didn’t heed this advice when he wrote The Housemaid.
Multiple locations on district campuses were available, but GUHSD chose to use church instead, ECM research reveals
By Miriam Raftery
Jeremy Los contributed research for this report
February 18, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, a national nonprofit organization, says that it’s “problematic” and likely unconstitutional for the Grossmont Union High School District to host a school event at Sonrise Church, a fundamentalist place of worship in Santee.
February 18, 2011 (La Mesa) –Two La Mesans announced this week that they are forming a watchdog group to monitor spending by public agencies in East County. David Smyle, president of Benchmark Commercial Mortgage Bankers, and retired teacher Russell Buckley cite scandal at the City of Bell as an example of why city, county, water and other agencies need scrutiny of how tax dollars are used.
ECM conducted exclusive interviews with people who fled war-torn Somalia and were granted asylum in the U.S. Fearing retribution against family members still in Somalia, the asylees agreed to speak out under condition that their identities be protected. The stories below are real, though the names are pseudonyms. Their tales describe dramatic round-the-world journeys to reach America, hardships endured on the road and inside U.S. detention facilities, as well as hopes for the future as they start new lives through Project Refuge in San Diego.
By Miriam Raftery
February 17, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Aisha comes from a rural area near Mogadishu in Somalia. “I couldn’t take it anymore,” she said of the fighting and war-torn conditions that led her to flee her homeland.
“We want you to have a good start in America, and for the rest of your lives.” – Dory Beatrice, president of La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club, speaking to Somali women at Project Refuge
February 17, 2011 (San Diego) – Dory Beatrice felt shocked to learn that people who fled persecution and have been granted asylum in America are being released on the streets of San Diego with no funds, no information on resources, and no place to go.
So she worked with local Rotary chapters to raise funds and open Project Refuge, a transitional housing program in partnership with Somali Family Services that now assists asylees who have no family or friends here to help them.
February 18, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--East County Roundup covers top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s eastern regions, published in other media.
Top Roundup stories include:
• Cartels crumble in Tijuana
• City of San Diego needs 10 new fire stations, study says
• Lemon Grove trying to protect funds
• $2 billion in aid open to struggling homeowners
• San Diego County’s homeless numbers rise
• California parks must refocus to survive, study says
• La Mesa thrift store gives its profits back to community
• Group in honor of Amber Dubois gets new 4-footed member
“Your guide to financial planning & socially responsible investing”
By Judith L. Seid, CFP ®
President, Blue Summit Wealth Management
February 17, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- We had been updating you throughout 2010 on Congress’ inaction in addressing the estate tax debacle. It seems as though this inaction and deaths of four billionaires alone last year cost the federal government roughly $6.5 billion in taxes. Yikes!
So the debate is over, for now, with the 11th hour passing of “The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010″ on December 16th. This fix is temporary for only two years, therefore the debate now begins on what to do after 2012.
February 17, 2011 (El Cajon) – Closing a chapter for local book lovers, the Borders Group has announced plans to close 200 Borders bookstores nationwide, including stores at Parkway Plaza in El Cajon and in the Gaslamp district downtown.
The company filed for bankruptcy reorganization after running up over a billion dollars in debt. Three San Diego County stores will remain at Mission Valley, Carmel Mountain Ranch and National City.
Commutation Transparency Legislationl Sponsored by San Diego County District Attorney
February 17, 2011 (San Diego)--Assemblymember Marty Block (AD-78) today joined with San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and Assemblymember Nathan Fletcher (AD-75) to announce legislation that would provide notification to victims and their families when the Governor considers an application for commutation of a sentence.
In December, outgoing Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger provoked outrage locally when he commuted the sentence of Esteban Nunez, son of a former Assembly Speaker. Nunez pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the near-fatal stabbing of Louis Don Santos, 22, near San Diego State University.
February 16, 2011 (San Diego) – A Hispanic man in his 50s, driving a white four-door car attempted to abduct a 10-year-old girl walking to Euclid Elementary School at 8 a.m., San Diego Police report.
According to Sgt. Ray Battrick, the girl was walking northbound in the west alley of 4000 46th Street approaching Polk Avenue when the man asked if she wanted a ride. She refused and kept walking. The man got out, grabbed her from behind, and pulled her by the arm towards his car.
February 16, 2011 (La Mesa)--The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, will host a free seniors' discussion group on “The Aging Process: What is Normal, What is Not,” on Wednesday, February 23 at 11 a.m.
February 16, 2011 (San Diego) -- Is San Diego a land of opportunity for black women, or are opportunities for black female leadership dwindling? Find out at a panel discussion sponsored by San Diego Democratic Women’s Club on Saturday, February 26 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Weingart City Heights Library community room, 3795 Fairmount Avenue in San Diego.
February 16, 2011 (San Diego) -- In an effort led by the Small Business Administration and Department of Energy, CleanTECH San Diego has been selected as an accelerating organization of the Entrepreneurial Mentor Corps (EMC), a collaborative among the Clean Energy Trust of Chicago, Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization of Incline Village, Nevada, and the Clean Tech Open of San Francisco.
February 16, 2011 (La Mesa) -- As part of the City of La Mesa’s ongoing effort to honor our Veterans, La Mesa residents who are World War II Veterans are invited to attend the La Mesa City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 22 at the City Council Chambers, 8130 Allison Avenue. The City Council will take a moment to honor WWII military personnel for their service during their regularly scheduled meeting. Last month the Council recognized the Pearl Harbor Survivors for their valor.
Once a month between January and June, the City Council will pause to honor a different Veterans Group from each of the major military actions. The celebrations will culminate on June 3rd when La Mesa’s Fletcher Parkway will be designated as “Veterans Memorial Parkway” during a festive ceremony to be held at Parkway Middle School.
February 16, 2011 (San Diego) – San Diego Police seek the public’s help to locate Sarita Esquilin, 71. According to police, “Esquilin has recently begun to experience memory loss and has trouble finding her way home.” She was last seen at 110000 Westonhill Drive in San Diego at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, February 14th . She was driving a 2003 silver Honda CRV with California license ## 5AUD254.
SAN DIEGO – Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) introduced legislation today that protects tenant rights by allowing them to display political signs in the windows of their rented apartments or homes.
February 19, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Heavy snowfall is making travel hazardous on East County roadways in mountain areas, resulting in numerous accidents and traffic delays tonight. 
February 19, 2011 (Pine Valley) – Two separate serious accidents have just occurred on both sides of I-8 near the Pine Valley exit.
February 19, 2011 (Spring Valley) –Lemon Grove Detectives and U.S. Marine Corps Criminal Investigators searched a home at 2851 Highlands Blvd. in Spring Valley Thursday morning that is also used as a licensed child day care center. Authorities had previously arrested Michael Manglicmot, 23, for desertion from the Marine Corps. 
February 19, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – San Diego’s Congressional delegation is speaking out on spending and budget-cutting priorities –with widely divergent views. While Republicans have slammed President Barack Obama’s proposed budget, Democrats are blasting the rival Republican House appropriations bill. 
February 19, 2011 (Washington, D.C). – At a press conference February 17, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47) announced their new legislation that would provide flexible spending accounts for service members. Flexible spending accounts would result in savings for military families by allowing service members to set aside part of their income before taxes to cover out-of-pocket child care and health care expenses such as co-pays, dental care and eye glasses. 
February 18, 2011 (Sacramento) -- Do opponents of gay marriage have legal standing to challenge a decision overturning Proposition 8 in federal court after the state’s two top officers opted not to defend the measure? California’s Supreme Court has announced it will take up that legal question.
February 18, 2011 (Imperial County) – Five Cal-Fire engines from San Diego County have been dispatched to Imperial County to help fight 15 tons of hay set ablaze by arsonists.
Nothing but the Truth!
By Brian Lafferty
February 18, 2011 (La Mesa) –Two La Mesans announced this week that they are forming a watchdog group to monitor spending by public agencies in East County. David Smyle, president of Benchmark Commercial Mortgage Bankers, and retired teacher Russell Buckley cite scandal at the City of Bell as an example of why city, county, water and other agencies need scrutiny of how tax dollars are used.
An East County Magazine Special Report
“We want you to have a good start in America, and for the rest of your lives.” – Dory Beatrice, president of La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club, speaking to Somali women at Project Refuge
February 17, 2011 (El Cajon) – Closing a chapter for local book lovers, the Borders Group has announced plans to close 200 Borders bookstores nationwide, including stores at Parkway Plaza in El Cajon and in the Gaslamp district downtown.
6, 2011 (San Diego) -- Is San Diego a land of opportunity for black women, or are opportunities for black female leadership dwindling? Find out at a panel discussion sponsored by San Diego Democratic Women’s Club on Saturday, February 26 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Weingart City Heights Library community room, 3795 Fairmount Avenue in San Diego.
February 16, 2011 (San Diego) -- In an effort led by the Small Business Administration and Department of Energy, CleanTECH San Diego has been selected as an accelerating organization of the Entrepreneurial Mentor Corps (EMC), a collaborative among the Clean Energy Trust of Chicago, Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization of Incline Village, Nevada, and the Clean Tech Open of San Francisco.
February 16, 2011 (La Mesa) -- As part of the City of La Mesa’s ongoing effort to honor our Veterans, La Mesa residents who are World War II Veterans are invited to attend the La Mesa City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 22 at the City Council Chambers, 8130 Allison Avenue. The City Council will take a moment to honor WWII military personnel for their service during their regularly scheduled meeting. Last month the Council recognized the Pearl Harbor Survivors for their valor.
February 16, 2011 (San Diego) – San Diego Police seek the public’s help to locate Sarita Esquilin, 71. According to police, “Esquilin has recently begun to experience memory loss and has trouble finding her way home.” She was last seen at 110000 Westonhill Drive in San Diego at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, February 14th . She was driving a 2003 silver Honda CRV with California license ## 5AUD254.
SAN DIEGO – Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) introduced legislation today that protects tenant rights by allowing them to display political signs in the windows of their rented apartments or homes.
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