“$40 billion has been stolen. Let’s get it back.” – Mike Aguirre
Plaintiffs ask public to urge Senators to press Dept. of Justice to join suit; say federal government should recover bailout funds to reduce deficit instead of slashing Medicare and Social Security
Story and photos by Miriam Raftery
July 7, 2011 (San Diego) – Derek Casady, former editor of the Daily Californian newspaper in East County and his wife, Nancy, have filed a lawsuit against several of the world’s biggest financial institutions alleging that AIG and others engaged in fraudulent practices and misled the federal government to get bail-outs. The suit documents fraudulent practices alleged in detail. It also seeks return of bailout monies paid for with taxpayers’ money—plus triple damages and a jury trial.
July 10, 2011 (La Mesa) -- A volunteer citizens group overseeing the Grossmont Healthcare District’s spending of $247 million in voter-approved bonds for construction infrastructure projects at Sharp Grossmont Hospital has two new members. La Mesa resident Glen Sparrow, a retired San Diego University professor, and Lakeside resident Kenneth Lavigne, training director with the Sheet Metal Workers International Association, Local 206, have agreed to serve on GHD’s Independent Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (ICBOC). Both were recently appointed to the ICBOC by GHD board of directors.
July 8, 2011 (Alpine) -- Come enjoy the performers at the Viejas Outlet Centers Live Music in the Park on Saturday and Sunday nights in July. The acts range from jazz to country, to flamenco and more. The list of performances is below; for more on acts performing, check our calendar.
July 10, 2011 (San Diego) -- It’s the conversation people don’t have until they have to, but by then, it’s too late. The fact is that in 2010, more than 7,000 people turned 65 years old or older every single day, a figure that is predicted to rise in 2011. Further, an AARP survey revealed that only 4 in 10 of those people feel they will be financially secure for their golden years.
July 10, 2011 (San Diego) -- Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) will hold an event on balancing the federal budget, and the debate raging in Washington on where and how to cut spending. Davis is encouraging constituents to attend this meeting which is free to the public.
During the meetingConstituents are invited to share their views with Davis about priorities and challenges in the federal budget. Davis will be joined by an expert from the Concord Coalition, a national non-partisan organization dedicated to educating the public about federal budget deficits and ways to spur economic growth.
Will Not Release Second Draft Maps in Order to Gather More Public Input Throughout Line Drawing Process and Produce Best Final Maps Possible
July 10, 2011 (Sacramento) -- The California Citizens Redistricting Commission decided at a recent meeting, that in order to produce the best district maps possible, it would amend its schedule and not release a second round of draft maps. The Commission will be posting visualizations of proposed districts, and make equivalency files available for organizations and news outlets to provide greater detail to the public on the visualization proposals. The visualizations are proposed options for districts and are considered and discussed by the Commission at their meetings instructing the line drawers.
At a previous meeting, the Commission set July 28th as the deadline for submission of public comment on the Commission's second round of draft maps to be released July 14th. The Commission encourages the public to submit their written comment as soon after July 14th as possible so the testimony can be fully considered.
July 10, 2011 (San Diego) -- San Diego Police Gang Unit detectives have arrested 18 year old Anthony Penn and a 16 year old juvenile for a shooting that occurred yesterday in the Emerald Hills neighborhood. Two victims, 21 year old Martin Barnett, who was confronted by the suspects, and 7 year old Laura Castello, an innocent bystander who was playing in her yard nearby, were wounded. Both victims are expected to survive their injuries.
July 10, 2011 (San Diego) – Jose Antonio Carrillo, 49, a resident of Encanto, has pleaded not guilty to charges that he had a sexual affair with a 16-year-old female student. Carillo served as a volunteer field hockey coach at Bonita Vista High School in Otay and also was an instructor at Jackie Robinson YMCA in San Diego.
July 10, 2011 (San Diego)--“Hunger is at record levels here in San Diego,” John Lucero Criswell with the San Diego Hunger Coalition told members of the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce during a breakfast Friday at Mission Trails Regional Park.
July 9, 2011 The endangered Mexican wolf received a much needed boost to its population this April as four pups (two males and two females) were born at the California Wolf Center.
The Mexican wolf is one of the rarest land mammals in the world, with fewer than 50 in the wild and about 350 in the global population.
July 9, 2011 (San Diego County) – A San Diego business is the first car wash in the country to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in an innovative program that helps businesses ensure that all their employees are authorized to work in the United States.
July 9, 2011 (Marlborough, MA) – SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) recognized Helix Charter High School SADD of La Mesa with the 2011 SADD National Chapter of the Year Award.
This award is given to the chapter with the most creative and comprehensive approach to realizing the SADD mission of promoting safe and healthy decision-making among youth.
July 9, 2011 (La Mesa) -- A wine-tasting passport is being offered by five San Diego wineries this Summer. The cost of the passport is $25.00.With the passport you can visit five San Diego County area wineries including some in East County. The wineries are Belle Marie, Bernardo, Cordiano, Hacienda de las Rosas, and San Pasqual.
The passports are good until September 5, 2011. Those interested may call San Pasqual winery to place a phone order,or visit the winery's tasting room in La Mesa to purchase a Summer Passport in person.
July 9, 2011 (San Diego County) -- On July 6, 2011, at about 1;00 PM, 71 year old Joe Elizondo walked away from his residence located in the 3500 blk of Badillo Rd., San Marcos. Elizondo left without his required medications, and he may also suffer from some mental disorder.
Elizondo had previously walked away but was located in National City two days later. Notification of Elizondo's disappearance had been sent out to all law enforcement agencies in both San Diego and Riverside Counties. However,
as of July 8, 2011, Elizondo had not been located.
July 9, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Citing public safety concerns, Cleveland National Forest Supervisor William Metz has ordered closure of Cedar Creek Falls, the San Diego River Gorge Trail and adjacent areas through November 8. (The Forest Service may opt to reopen the area sooner if deemed appropriate, per a press release that accompanied the closure order.)
Closure follows a teen’s death Wednesday and a string of serious injuries at the falls which are revealed in the closure order.
July 8, 2011 (Anza-Borrego) –Dozens of volunteers braved 120-degree-heat at the annual four-day count of endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park last weekend.
Participants reported good news—sighting 329 sheep. That’s the second highest count on record (after 356 in 2009) and substantially more than last year’s count of 255.
July 9, 2011 (San Diego) – A stray bullet from a shooting believed to be gang-related struck a 7-year-old girl in the leg at 2:51 today. The other shooting victim was a 21-year-old man walking on a sidewalk near 5591 Roswell Street in east San Diego's Emerald Hills neighborhood when two men stopped on the opposite sidewalk. One of the men pulled out a gun and fired numerous shots, striking the 21-year-old in the shoulder and arm.
July 9, 2011 (La Mesa) – Fire investigators remain on the scene this morning of a fire that started in an apartment building late yesterday and spread to a nearby home t 4759 70th Street.
“The home and rear apartments are considered a total loss,” said Monica Zech, public information officer for Heartland Fire & Rescue. In addition, Zech informed East County Magazine, “The exact cause of the fire is still not determined—but the fire appears to be suspicious in nature.”
July 9, 2011 (San Diego) – The Trip is a Reader’s Digest condensed version of the hit British TV sitcom of the same name. Normally sitcoms and cinema go as well together as peanut butter and mayonnaise. Director Michael Winterbottom reverses this trend with a film that makes a smooth transition from the small screen to the big screen.
Teen who died at falls identified as Joseph Meram, 16, of El Cajon
Sheriff says falls will stay closed until ways are found to protect public safety
By Miriam Raftery
July 8, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – A family outing turned to tragedy when Joseph Meram, 16, hiked ahead of his relatives and wandered onto the wrong trail with his cousin over the weekend. The teen plummeted over an 80-foot cliff into a swimming hole at the base of Cedar Creek Falls.
His death has prompted closure of the falls indefinitely--and debate over the role of government in balancing accessibility vs. safety on public lands. Now Sheriff Bill Gore speaks out on the tragedy, which occurred soon after the U.S. Forest Service improved a trail to make the site more accessible—a move Sheriff Bill Gore says was well-intentioned, but resulted in serious consequences.
July 8, 2011 (San Diego) - Native American Flute Players will perform this Sunday, July 10 from 1-3 p.m. at Mission Trails Regional Park. The group of 4-9 volunteers practice on a variety of flutes in the amphitheater on the Visitor Center's back terrace from 1 to 3:00 pm on the second Sunday of each month.
July 7, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--We go to the mall to watch a movie, to shop for new attire, or maybe just to walk around and spend some quality time window shopping. However, there are plenty of other things to do besides shop, if you go on the right day.
Update: Shyla Goldborg has been found safely by a volunteer, wandering in an apartment complex near the complex where her relatives live.
July 7, 2011 (San Diego) – Authorities seek the public’s help to locate Shyla Goldborg, 15, who was visiting San Diego from Montana. She was staying with relatives at 10343 San Diego Mission Road; they reported her missing this morning at 9:11 a.m; she was last seen at 11 p.m. last night. Sheriff’s Search and Rescue volunteers are searching Mission Valley east of the stadium and in the river bed. San Diego Police officers are also helping in the search.
Shyla Goldborg was last seen wearing a gray Aeropostale hoodie, blue jeans, black and hot pink flip flops. She is Native American, 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighs 110 pounds, has long black hair and brown eyes. She has a rose tattoo on her ankle and was wearing bright orange nail polish.
If you have any information concerning Shyla Goldborg or if you see her, please call the San Diego Police Department at (619) 531-2000.
July 7, 2011 (San Diego) -- Community Actors' Theater is seeking dancers, singers, and actors of all ethnicities for an original musical review, Vanilla, chocolate, and Caramel too #2. Auditions dates and times are as follows:
July 7, 2011 (Rolando) – A man posing as a customer at the Jolar Cinema adult bookstore at 6321 University in the Rolando area put a gun to a clerk’s back at 4:27 a.m. yesterday, demanding cash and the clerk’s cell phone.
Cedar Falls may remain closed until end of season; Forest Service bans alcohol, jumping, diving and rock climbing at all area falls
July 6, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)—The victim who died of injuries from an accident at Cedar Creek Falls today was a 16-year-old boy from El Cajon, the San Diego Medical Examiner’s office reports.
The teen was hiking with his family when he slipped and fell down an 80-foot cliff, landing in the water. The victim fell against a 17-year-old, injuring him.
July 6, 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.
Obama to meet Congress leaders Thursday on debt
Syrians stage mass protest in Hama
Mexican gangs threaten to behead DEA agents
Southern Sudan to become newest nation
Greece officially bans flotilla ships from departing
Cuba plans limited housing and auto market
Poland takes over EU presidency at time of crisis
After 90 years, graft threatens China's communists
July 10, 2011 (La Mesa) -- A volunteer citizens group overseeing the Grossmont Healthcare District’s spending of $247 million in voter-approved bonds for construction infrastructure projects at Sharp Grossmont Hospital has two new members. La Mesa resident Glen Sparrow, a retired San Diego University professor, and Lakeside resident Kenneth Lavigne, training director with the Sheet Metal Workers International Association, Local 206, have agreed to serve on GHD’s Independent Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (ICBOC). Both were recently appointed to the ICBOC by GHD board of directors.
July 9, 2011 (San Diego County) – A San Diego business is the first car wash in the country to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in an innovative program that helps businesses ensure that all their employees are authorized to work in the United States. 
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
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ECM Readers can avoid Craigslist dangers by shopping at our safer online classified ads partner, Geebo
By Miriam Raftery
July 7, 2011 (San Diego) – Authorities seek the public’s help to locate Shyla Goldborg, 15, who was visiting San Diego from Montana. She was staying with relatives at 10343 San Diego Mission Road; they reported her missing this morning at 9:11 a.m; she was last seen at 11 p.m. last night. Sheriff’s Search and Rescue volunteers are searching Mission Valley east of the stadium and in the river bed. San Diego Police officers are also helping in the search.
July 7, 2011 (Rolando) – A man posing as a customer at the Jolar Cinema adult bookstore at 6321 University in the Rolando area put a gun to a clerk’s back at 4:27 a.m. yesterday, demanding cash and the clerk’s cell phone.
Cedar Falls may remain closed until end of season; Forest Service bans alcohol, jumping, diving and rock climbing at all area falls
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