Photos by Dennis Richardson June 10, 2011 (San Diego)—Just four days after its sky crane dropped a Sunrise Powerlink tower 200 feet, a second transmission line tower has toppled in the Imperial Valley.
Following last Monday’s accident, SDG&E promised in a press release that the company was “taking immediate steps…to investigate what occurred today in order to ensure that this does not happen again.”
But it did happen again. Today at 8 a.m., the Sun Bird Erickson Air Crane helicopter was placing the fifth of five towers near Plaster City when three of the helicopter’s four hooks released. Dangling by just one hook, the 15,000 pound tower was lowered to the ground and released, where it tipped over. Fourtunately, no one was injured in either incident. But residents of East County, where construction of Powerlink is also underway, are voicing concerns over safety of workers and the public.
June 10, 2011 (Mission Valley East) –Two men armed with a handgun robbed a woman in her home at 8301 Rio San Diego Drive. Her husband returned to the apartment and was confronted by the armed suspects. Running outside, he saw his wife and five-year-old son on the balcony.
The woman dropped the boy into her husband’s waiting arms, then leaped off the balcony to escape the home invasion robbers, according to SDPD officer David Stafford.
June 10, 2011 (San Diego) – The Tree of Life isn’t merely a movie. To call it an experience would be putting it mildly. It’s films like this that make me say, “This is why I go to the movies.” Only one other movie elicited such a response from me since I’ve been a film critic and it happened to be the best film of 2010: Gaspar Noe’s Enter the Void.
une 11, 2011 (Julian) -- Disaster Service Volunteers from across San Diego County will converge on the town of Julian Saturday morning to sharpen their skills during a “very realistic” 12-hour emergency response exercise.
Facility Closed from State Route 56 to State Route 163
June 10, 2011 (San Diego) --Beginning Saturday, June 18, the Interstate 15 (I-15) Express Lanes will be closed for nine consecutive days from State Route 56 (SR 56) to State Route 163 (SR 163).
June 10, 2011 (La Mesa) --The City of La Mesa will host its second annual Transportation and Mobility Expo for older adults and persons with disabilities on Wednesday, June 15, 2011. Supported by funding from SANDAG, the Expo will be held at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa 91942 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
June 10, 2011 (Santee) -- The Santee Summer Concert Series, now in its 28th year begins June 16 and features a live band from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. every Thursday through August 18 (Except July 7). The series features the return of four bands that last year were crowd favorites, plus six other bands that range from doo-wop to authentic blues.
Bands will perform on a raised stage overlooking a lawn at the east side of Town Center Community Park just north of the former concert at Trolley Square.
June 10, 2011 (San Diego) – A coalition of organizations serving people in need hosted a forum on June 2 at the City Heights Center to voice sharp criticism of San Diego County Supervisors. The criticism stemmed from two new reports by the Center on Policy Initiatives titled San Diego County Revenues and Reserves and County Employees: Overworked and Undermined.
The first report compared California’s 12 largest counties and found that San Diego takes in less revenue and has amassed reserves of $2.2 billion while restricting safety net services amid a recession. The County has left millions of dollars in state and federal aid funds unclaimed even though there are many eligible local residents for programs such as food stamps, CalWorks and Medi-Cal.
June 10, 2011 (Lakeside)--As we watch the fires burning our neighbors in Arizona, we are again reminded why relying on imported power transmitted over hundreds of miles of vulnerable transmission lines, is a dangerous gamble for San Diego.
June 10, 2011 (La Mesa) --The Chipotle “Sundays At Six” Summer Concerts Series at Harry Griffen Park in La Mesa continues for its tenth season beginning on Sunday, June 12, 2011, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The concerts are held at the outdoor amphitheatre at Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden Street, La Mesa.
Donated Dwellings Expand Camping Options at Scenic Ramona Getaway
June 9, 2011 (Ramona) --County Supervisor Dianne Jacob joined County staff and a local nonprofit donor Thursday to unveil two new cabins the public can now reserve at Dos Picos Regional Park in Ramona.The 200-square-foot cabins are designed to accommodate disabled users and the general public. They were donated by Cabins by the Lake, Inc., a local nonprofit dedicated to establishing accessible cabins around the region.
June 10, 2011 (Julian)--Residents throughout San Diego County are invited to attend the Julian Woman’s Club Apple Blossom Tea today. The annual event, attended by people of all ages, offers a formal English tea serving with sandwiches and sweet pastries. The event also includes opportunities to win themed gift baskets.
June 9, 2011 (San Diego) --San Diego Police Department Homicide Unit detectives have arrested a suspect in Monday’s murder of Jonathan Gonzalez on a Skyline street. On June 6, 2011, at approximately 2:00 p.m., Gonzalez was standing in the 600 block of Chester Street when a four-door, burgundy-colored Cadillac with chrome rims stopped near him. Gonzalez and the vehicle’s occupants briefly spoke to each other. The passenger pulled out a gun and shot Gonzalez before the suspects fled.
Detectives identified the primary suspect as Ronnie Bonaparte, 27.
June 9, 2011 (San Diego) --San Diego Police Department Robbery Unit detectives are investigating an armed robbery that occurred at the AM/PM gas station located at 6301 El Cajon Blvd. On Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at about 5:30 a.m., the suspect entered the store, pointed a handgun at the clerk and demanded money.
The suspect fled with an undisclosed amount amount of cash. He was last seen running southbound on 63rd Street.
June 9, 2011 (Lakeside) – A driver is unconscious but breathing following a 100-mph crash into a tree on I-8 eastbound just east of Los Coches Road. The vehicle reportedly had a blow-out and lost control , according to the CHP webpage.
June 9, 2011 (San Diego's East County) – One of the nation’s only DC-10 very large Airtankers has been deployed from California to assist in fighting the raging wildland fire in Arizona. The request was made yesterday by the U.S. Forest Service. The aircraft, Tanker 911, took off this morning from its base in Victorville.
June 9, 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.
June 9, 2011 (Alpine) - Alpine Community Network reports that an Alpine resident has informed ACN of a mountain lion siting in broad daylight. According to ACN director Angela Brookshire, ""I received an email this morning from an Alpine Resident who told me that on their way to work at Sycuan Casino at approximately 6:50 a.m. they spotted a Mountain Lion at the corner of Tavern Rd. and Dehesa Rd. in Alpine."
Top casino designers tapped to make over East County casino
June 9, 2011 (El Cajon)- Renovations are under way at Sycuan Casino http://www.sycuan.com/ . With a full design overhaul in process, the casino is scheduled to have every inch of the interior revamped by fall. The casino remains open to the public as Sycuan's design and architecture teams work in phases to renovate the casino gaming areas, create an all new non-smoking buffet, open a new sports bar & grill restaurant and install a one-of-a-kind specialty lighting fixture in the main lobby.
June 8, 2011 (La Mesa) – Helix Water District’s Board of Directors voted 4-1 to approve a preliminary water rate study that would impose new rate hikes starting November 1st. The Board will weigh approval of a final rate study on June 15th that would impose new rate increase starting November 1st.
June 8, 2011 (El Cajon)--A driver traveling eastbound on Rea Avenue shortly before 3 p.m. today hit the gas instead of the brake. Her vehicle plowed through a round center median, launched through a temporary ramp and fence, then over a deep trench before landing in a construction site near El Cajon’s City Hall.
June 8, 2011 (San Diego) – A full rescue response is underway on southbound I-15 at Friars Road, where a multi-vehicle collision has occurred including one vehicle overturned on the center divider with a person trapped inside.
Victim found with no pulse, not breathing, and without identification -- hospital traced identity through running shoes and IPOD
June 8, 2011 (Spring Valley ) – “There was no warning. I was just running—and then I woke up in the hospital,” says Grant Fleener, 60, who collapsed from a heart attack suddenly while on his morning run on Sweetwater Springs Blvd. on April 29. Yesterday, he returned to San Miguel Fire Station to thank a passerby, firefighters and paramedics who all helped saved his life.
June 8, 2011 (Blossom Valley) -- When a dog comes to Dream Dogs, sometimes it is sad and submissive, or unable to be controlled, and some were said to be unadoptable by the shelters. At Shelter Dogs to Dream Dogs, those behaviors are all turned around. Let Dream Dogs know what you want, and soon your dream dog will be there for you.
For example:
SMOOTH COATED, DRY MOUTH 3 YEAR OLD PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED PUREBRED ST. BERNARD. This great boy knows his commands, is great with other dogs and loves people. He is patient and loyal who bonds very closely to his family. He lives on 3 acres and chooses to spend time next to our kitchen glass door when sleeping outside, and he always comes when called. He is looking for a home who can give a wonderful lifestyle to such a gentle giant.
June 8, 2011 (La Mesa)--East County’s largest annual free health fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, at the Grossmont Center mall in La Mesa, near the movie theaters.
June 8, 2011 (San Diego) - Max Homick pitched a complete game shutout while teammate Becker Sankey had three hits and three RBI to lead the Rancho Bernardo High School Broncos to a 6-0 win over Grossmont High School at SDSU's Tony Gwynn Stadium on Saturday (June 4). The win gave the Broncos their second consecutive CIF-San Diego Section Division I baseball championship title.
4 local legislators take massive donations from insurance industry--and vote against bill
June 3, 2011 (Sacramento) – Today the California State Senate voted 25-14 to pass SB 703, which would establish a low-cost health insurance plan to cover an estimated 720,000 people for premiums as low as $30 a month. If passed by the Assembly and signed by the Governor, the measure would provide coverage for more than 723,000 uninsured people who earn between 133% and 200% of the federal poverty level.
Measure drew bipartisan support in Congress, though local representatives split votes down party lines
June 7, 2011 (Washington D.C.)—By a 268-145 vote, the House of Representatives rebuked President Barack Obama for not seeking Congressional authorization for military conflict in Libya. House Resolution 292, authored by Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) asked the President to provide Congress with justification for U.S. involvement in NATO-led military strikes.
June 10, 2011 (San Diego)—Just four days after its sky crane dropped a Sunrise Powerlink tower 200 feet, a second transmission line tower has toppled in the Imperial Valley. 
June 10, 2011 (Mission Valley East) –Two men armed with a handgun robbed a woman in her home at 8301 Rio San Diego Drive. Her husband returned to the apartment and was confronted by the armed suspects. Running outside, he saw his wife and five-year-old son on the balcony.
By Brian Lafferty
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By Miriam Raftery
June 10, 2011 (La Mesa) --The Chipotle “Sundays At Six” Summer Concerts Series at Harry Griffen Park in La Mesa continues for its tenth season beginning on Sunday, June 12, 2011, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The concerts are held at the outdoor amphitheatre at Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden Street, La Mesa.
Tea, Cakes and Frivolity Planned 
June 9, 2011 (Alpine) - Alpine Community Network reports that an Alpine resident has informed ACN of a mountain lion siting in broad daylight. According to ACN director Angela Brookshire, ""I received an email this morning from an Alpine Resident who told me that on their way to work at Sycuan Casino at approximately 6:50 a.m. they spotted a Mountain Lion at the corner of Tavern Rd. and Dehesa Rd. in Alpine."
Photos by Monica Zech
by Christopher Mohr
June 3, 2011 (Sacramento) – Today the California State Senate voted 25-14 to pass SB 703, which would establish a low-cost health insurance plan to cover an estimated 720,000 people for premiums as low as $30 a month. If passed by the Assembly and signed by the Governor, the measure would provide coverage for more than 723,000 uninsured people who earn between 133% and 200% of the federal poverty level.
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