May 21, 2011 (La Mesa)--The La Mesa Police Department, in a continuing effort to work in partnership with the community, is hosting a neighborhood forum on Monday, May 23, 2011, from 6:00-8:00 PM at La Mesa Dale Elementary School, 4370 Parks Avenue, La Mesa. This forum is part of a series of community forums to encourage public discussion and questions about issues specific to the individual neighborhoods within the City of La Mesa.
May 21, 2011 (San Diego) --As families across California plan for upcoming spring travel, there’s not much you can do to control the cost of filling up the gas tank, but you can avoid a costly ticket by making sure that everyone in the car wears their seat belt. Law enforcement throughout the state, including the San Diego Police Departmentwill be looking for unbelted drivers and passengers as part of the 2011 Click It or Ticket mobilization, May 23 – June 5.
The fines and fees for first time adult seat belt violations are a minimum of $142.For children under 16, the fine is $445 for a first time offense. In cases where an adult passenger is not buckled up, both the passenger and the driver will be ticketed.
May 21, 2011 (Spring Valley) – Two felony warrant suspects were taken into custody Thursday afternoon by deputies and investigators from the San Diego Sheriff’s Lemon Grove station. Josue Rodriguez, 32, was a documented gang member on state parole and was reportedly armed. Michele Salas, 33, who has been wanted since 2009, was also arrested.
After receiving information from California Department of Corrections parole agents about the suspects’ location at 829 Felicita Ave. in Spring Valley, a team of deputies, a Sheriff’s K-9 unit, and parole agents contained the area. The Sheriff’s Astera 1 helicopter assisted in aerial surveillance and announced that the suspects should surrender.
May 21, 2011 (San Diego) – Rubber is a portmanteau of the films of Luis Buñuel, David Cronenberg’s Scanners, and the road movie. It requires not only the largest suspension of disbelief but it necessitates putting any attempt at logic back into the furthest reaches of your mind. It is an utterly ridiculous movie but I enjoyed it for exactly that reason.
May 20, 2011(Washington D.C.) Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine), a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, announced that he will introduce legislation in the coming days directing the Secretary of the Navy to name the next available ship after Marine Corps Sergeant Rafael Peralta.
“Marine Corps Sgt. Rafael Peralta, a Hispanic-American who grew up in Southeast San Diego, was nominated for the Medal of Honor for smothering a grenade with his body, saving the lives of the other Marines in the room with him,” Hunter said. The incident occurred after Peralta led a team of Marines into a house during combat in Fallujah, Iraq.
Lack of reading proficiency in local students raises concerns
May 20, 2011 (San Diego) – If we improve schools, we improve communities. If we improve communities, we improve schools.
These are key findings in United Way of San Diego County’s education report released May 14. Titled “Voices for the Common Good: San Diego Speaks Out on Education,” the report is a comprehensive compilation of everyday San Diegans’ opinions and aspirations for their communities, for education and the challenges they see in helping our children reach their full potential.
May 19, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall of one million Maclaren Strollers sold before November 2009 due to fintertip lacerations and amputations.
May 21, 2011 (Alpine) – The San Diego chapter of the Hells Angels, headquartered in EL Cajon, is celebrating its 45th anniversary this weekend. The group will hold a “South Run” event centered in Alpine May 20-22. Thousands of motorcyclists are expected to participate.
Local horse shows cancelled, state quarantines imposed to stop spread
May 19, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Horses from across the West were exposed to a deadly new form of Equine Herpes Virus at a Utah horse show. There is no vaccine for Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM), which is caused by Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1). The disease, which results in neuorological symptoms, is highly contagious and often fatal.
So far, the virus has not been reported in San Diego. But local horse experts are concerned—and horse owners are advised to take precautions.
May 20, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Two cyclists have been hospitalized with serious injuries from separate accidents in San Carlos and Scripps Ranch this morning.
May 20, 2011 (Mt. Helix) – The East County Youth Symphony will present a free concert at the Mt. Helix Park ampitheater on Sunday, May 22 at 4 p.m. An 85 piece orchestra will play a trumpet concerto followed by pops music.
May 19, 2011 (San Diego) – San Diego County’s Health & Human Services Agency is looking for several community members to fill vacancies on its Community Action Board.
“We are looking for new members and the posts needed to be filled up are East County for the economically disadvantaged sector and three for the public sector for the 2rd, 3rd, and 5th (Supervisorial) District,” said board member Awichu Akwanya.
May 20, 2011 (San Diego) -- Adults and kids alike can enjoy a wealth of free and fun activities this Saturday, May 21 during Explore Mission Trails Day at Mission Trails Regional Park. Activiteis include guided nature walks, outdoor recreation demonstrations, rock climbing wall, crafts, face painting, a star-gazing party, free pony rides, as well as visits with live birds of prey, reptiles and other animals, and much more.
May 20, 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.
Top global and national news stories include:
US.
• 2012 GOP Presidential candidates: Who’s in, who’s out (CNN)
• Gas prices could plummet for summer driving (USA Today)
• Obama announces ‘new chapter’ in U.S.-Mideast diplomacy (CNN)
WORLD
• Osama bin Ladin: Al Qaeda releases posthumous message (BBC)
• Japan readies new tactics for Fukushima after setback (Reuters)
• War crimes prosecutor targets Gaddafi and allies (Reuters)
• North Korea, Japan trade missile technology (Reuters)
• Israeli-Palestinian violence erupts on 3 borders (Reuters)
• Argentinian Jewish group gets Google to nix hate ads (Jerusalem Post)
• Jordan police use force to stop demonstrators from reaching Israeli border (Al Jazeera)
• U.S. to impose sanctions on Syrian president (Al Jazeera)
• Army shelling kills 7 in Syrian protest town (Reuters)
• Saudi woman defies driving ban (AFP)
• Wind farm ordered dismantled (La VanGuardia)
May 19, 2011 (Spring Valley) -- The Sheriff seeks public help to locate Oscar Leyva Gonzales, 85. The elderly man, who has diabetes, went missing from Presidio Healthcare, a board and care facility at 3825 Lamar Street in Spring Valley five days ago on May 14. The Sheriff did not notify media until today.
He does not have his medications with him. He was wearing a black button-up shirt, black pants and sneakers.
May 19, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top news of interest to our region, published in other media.
Recent Roudup headlines include:
• State Superintendent reacts to funding gap (KPBS)
• Palomar, San Pasqual Parks axed by state (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Rally sends message to Sacramento: Stop cutting our schools’ budgets (Mt. Helix Patch)
• New City budget calls for restoring recreation, library budgets (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• 1,200 at Super Smith Saturday to aid cancer-stricken Grossmont teacher (La Mesa Patch)
• Ramona residents oppose fire evacuation plan (10 News)
• Schwarzenegger reveals he had child with staffer (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Flying marijuana over the border low and slow (KPBS)
• Historic Borrego home to become research center (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• San Diego home ownership drops in past decade (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Study says public transportation connects, but not always to jobs (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Study links autism to mother’s health issues (San Diego Union-Tribune)
May 19, 2011 (Alpine) -- The Boulder Oaks Elementary School PTA will be hosting its annual Western Days Carnival on Friday May 20, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. The carnival will feature food, game booths, a silent auction, a cake walk, opportunity drawings, an air jumper, a rock wall, music and much more.
Moneyraised from the carnival allows the BOES PTA to pay for such things as field trips, assemblies, and new technology items for students. Boulder Oaks Elementary is located at 2320 Tavern Road. For more information please contact BOES at 619-445-8676.
On May 19, 2011, at about 1:15 PM, a man knocked a woman down and took her deposit bag near the Target Store in Grossmont Center. The suspect was described as a black male, 20 years old, muscular build wearing a white “do” rag, a white tee shirt and jeans. He was driven from the scene in a white Nissan X-Terra by a heavyset black female with long hair.
The victim was a 49 year old female who sustained several abrasions as a result of the robbery. She was taken to Grossmont Hospital for evaluation. The loss was the deposit bag and its contents.
Centers Offer Free Gardening Classes as Part of the Healthy Works Initiative
May 19, 2011 (San Diego County) -- Want to learn how to plant and maintain a garden? County officials and community partners announced five Regional Garden Education Center locations today at Olivewood Gardens in National City. Olivewood is one of five sites where residents can take free classes to help them to start or maintain school gardens as well as teach residents how to convert lawns, yards and small spaces into fruit and vegetable gardens.
In addition to Olivewood Gardens, centers are located at: Solana Center in Encinitas, San Diego Youth Services at Spring Valley East Community Center, the International Rescue Committee locations in City Heights and Wild Willow Farm, and Education Center in south San Diego.
Investigation finds NRC cancelled safety regulations designed to prevent hydrogen explosions at U.S. nuclear reactors such as those that occurred in Fukushima, Japan
May 19, 2011—A scathing report critical of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission following the Fukushima Daiichi meltdown in Japan has been issued by Congressman Edward Markey’s office following an investigation into NRC procedures.
The report concludes that “flawed assumptions and under-estimation of safety risks are currently an inherent part of the NRC regulatory program, due to a long history of decisions made by prior Commissions or by the NRC staff that have all too often acquiesced to industry requests for a weakening of safety standards.”
May 19, 2011 (Spring Valley) – Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Station deputies responded to an armed robbery reported yesterday morning around 9:25 a.m. at the Troy Street Recycling Center, 8743 Troy Street in Spring Valley.
The victim reported that he was robbed at gunpoint by three suspects as he was entering the business to open up. The suspects are described as two Hispanic males, one wearing a mask, and a female. A handgun was used to commit the robbery. The suspects fled in a black four-door vehicle that was recovered a short time later in Spring Valley at a nearby location.
May 18, 2011 (Alpine) -- The FAA, US Marine Corp and local aviators have all approved flyovers to mark the dedication of the Veterans Wall of Honor, planned for May 30, 2011, at 1 p.m. on the grounds of the Alpine Community Center.
The ceremony is called "Mission Honored: Dream Achieved." It marks the dedication of the Wall of Honor, and unveil a tile with the name of Lt. John Flinn, our own Medal of Honor recipient whose name is the first to be placed on the Wall of Honor. Hundreds of other tiles will be mounted in honor of veterans who sacrificed to serve our country.
A Community Celebration for the Dedication of the Veterans Wall of Honor
May 18, 2011 (Alpine) -- Fernando Gonzalez volunteered to be the general contractor for the Veterans Wall of Honor, and couldn't be happier with the results. "This is a beautiful symbol of respect and honor for those who have sacrificed for our country in the armed services. The vision is perfect ,the commitment of the community is fantastic, and I am so proud to contribute a small part. It's my best project ever!"
The wall of honor will be dedicated on May 30, 2011 at the Alpine Community Center.
May 17, 2011 (San Diego) – A couple of months ago someone e-mailed me an article. A team of scientists used gene mutation to create Autism in mice. The study, which was published in the science journal, Nature, could potentially lead to a cure for Autism or reverse it. But you know what?
May 18, 2011 (San Diego) – Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) invites constituents to a town-hall style public meeting on Wednesday, May 18 from 6-7 p.m. in the Normal Heights Community Center at 4649 Hawley Blvd., San Diego 92116.
“Please come share your ideas, ask a question, and get an update about what’s happening in Congress at my Mid-City/Uptown Neighborhood Day this Wednesday evening,” the Congresswoman said.
May 17, 2011 (Lakeside) – Billy Charles Hileman, 41, a divorced San Diego resident, has been identified as the man found dead behind a dumpster April 1st in the driveway of a home at 12102 Wildcat Canyon Road in Lakeside.
May 18, 2011 (La Mesa) – Ashley Charlton, a junior and AP student at West Hills High School, has been named the grand prize winner for her entry in the 3rd Annual Golden Artistry Jewelry Design Competition.
Other top entrants for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place were Cassandra Kingsbury from El Capitan, Scott Holcomb and Noraa Reeder from Santana.
May 21, 2011 (San Diego) -- As families across California plan for upcoming spring travel, there’s not much you can do to control the cost of filling up the gas tank, but you can avoid a costly ticket by making sure that everyone in the car wears their seat belt. Law enforcement throughout the state, including the San Diego Police Department will be looking for unbelted drivers and passengers as part of the 2011 Click It or Ticket mobilization, May 23 – June 5.
May 21, 2011 (Spring Valley) – Two felony warrant suspects were taken into custody Thursday afternoon by deputies and investigators from the San Diego Sheriff’s Lemon Grove station. Josue Rodriguez, 32, was a documented gang member on state parole and was reportedly armed. Michele Salas, 33, who has been wanted since 2009, was also arrested.
By Brian Lafferty
May 20, 2011(Washington D.C.) Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine), a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, announced that he will introduce legislation in the coming days directing the Secretary of the Navy to name the next available ship after Marine Corps Sergeant Rafael Peralta.
May 21, 2011 (Alpine) – The San Diego chapter of the Hells Angels, headquartered in EL Cajon, is celebrating its 45th anniversary this weekend. The group will hold a “South Run” event centered in Alpine May 20-22. Thousands of motorcyclists are expected to participate.
May 19, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Horses from across the West were exposed to a deadly new form of Equine Herpes Virus at a Utah horse show. There is no vaccine for Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM), which is caused by Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1). The disease, which results in neuorological symptoms, is highly contagious and often fatal. 
May 19, 2011 (San Diego) – San Diego County’s Health & Human Services Agency is looking for several community members to fill vacancies on its Community Action Board.
May 20, 2011 (San Diego) -- Adults and kids alike can enjoy a wealth of free and fun activities this Saturday, May 21 during Explore Mission Trails Day at Mission Trails Regional Park. Activiteis include guided nature walks, outdoor recreation demonstrations, rock climbing wall, crafts, face painting, a star-gazing party, free pony rides, as well as visits with live birds of prey, reptiles and other animals, and much more.
May 19, 2011 (San Diego County) -- Want to learn how to plant and maintain a garden? County officials and community partners announced five Regional Garden Education Center locations today at Olivewood Gardens in National City. Olivewood is one of five sites where residents can take free classes to help them to start or maintain school gardens as well as teach residents how to convert lawns, yards and small spaces into fruit and vegetable gardens.
May 19, 2011—A scathing report critical of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission following the Fukushima Daiichi meltdown in Japan has been issued by Congressman Edward Markey’s office following an investigation into NRC procedures.
May 19, 2011 (Spring Valley) – Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Station deputies responded to an armed robbery reported yesterday morning around 9:25 a.m. at the Troy Street Recycling Center, 8743 Troy Street in Spring Valley.
By Brian Lafferty
May 18, 2011 (San Diego) – Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) invites constituents to a town-hall style public meeting on Wednesday, May 18 from 6-7 p.m. in the Normal Heights Community Center at 4649 Hawley Blvd., San Diego 92116.
By Miriam Raftery
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