April 13, 2011 – It’s official—the rainbow ends in Jamul!
A spectacular rainbow arched over a field behind Donna Hendrix’s Jamul home after last week’s rainstorm week—putting in a special appearance at a party celebrating Steve Rowe’s promotion from executive director of the East County YMCA to a leadership role in the San Diego YMCA.
April 13, 2011 (La Mesa)-- La Mesa residents who are Vietnam War Veterans are invited to attend the La Mesa City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26th at the City Council Chambers, 8130 Allison Avenue.
The City Council will honor these military personnel for their service during the meeting as part of its ongoing effort to recognize local veterans. Last month, the Council recognized Korean War Veterans, in February the WWII Veterans, and in January the Council honored the Pearl Harbor Survivors for their valor.
Obama administration withholds protection after declaring more help is needed
April 13, 2011 (San Diego).— Responding to a petition and lawsuit from the Center for Biological Diversity,(CBD) the Obama administration today denied Endangered Species Act protection to one of Southern California’s rarest butterflies, the Hermes copper butterfly. The butterfly was instead placed on the growing list of “candidate” species -- even though the CBD warns that the yellow-orange, spotted butterfly is threatened with extinction extinction.
April 12, 2011--Santee Mayor Randy Voepel, Miss Santee Maria Maes, local legislators’ representatives and community leaders were on hand last week for the grand opening of Santee’s newest attraction: ten waterfront cabins, including three afloat on Lake Seven.
Invited guests savored a cake baked to resemble the lake itself, complete with cabins and waterfowl. The occasion also commemorates the 50th anniversary of Santee Lakes.
April 12, 2011 (San Diego)--While the Spring semester comes closer to an end and daunting final exams creep up on students at SDSU, an exciting project is underway to build a new, sustainable Aztec Center.
Compromise budget includes large cuts to health and nutrition programs for low-income Americans, public broadcasting, Planned Parenthood services, high-speed rail, and air pollution controls
By Jeremy Los
April 13, 2011- A government shut down was averted in the 11th hour as House Republicans were able to reach agreement Friday with President Barack Obama and Senate Democrats about a budget for the next six months.
The compromise will look to cut federal spending by some $38 billion dollars this year. The budget itself has yet to be completely passed, however, as Friday’s last minute deal simply provided a stopgap, allowing for a continued flow of federal funding through this Thursday. Update April 15, 2011 - Congress approved the stopgap budget yesterday for funding through year's end.
April 13, 2011 (San Diego) - Ten people were indicted by a federal grand jury on Friday, April 8, for their part in a point-shaving and marijuana distributing operation. Three of the ten indicted included two former players and a former assistant coach from the University of San Diego basketball program.
April 13, 2011 (Sacramento) – Legislation authored by Assemblymember Marty Block (D-AD78) to provide law enforcement with better tools to fight the growing epidemic of gang-related criminal sexual exploitation and human trafficking, cleared its first Assembly committee today. AB 918 was approved by the Assembly Public Safety Committee by a vote of 6-0.
April 13, 2011 (San Diego)—Assemblymembers Marty Block (D-AD78) and Nathan Fletcher (R-AD 75) were honored with Legislator of the Year awards from Crime Victims United of California during an annual march on the State Capitol last week. The event draws victims from all over the state to join together and remind legislators that they will not be forgotten.
April 12, 2011 (Lakeside) – 10:10 p.m. -- San Diego Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call at 9:19 p.m. reporting a fight between two men at 12636 Julian Avenue, Lakeside. A short time later, another caller reported a fight involved about eight men at the same address, a condominium.
April 12, 2011 (Alpine) – Volunteers are requested for April 15-25 to help canvass Alpine residents, businesses, and shoppers regarding the SDG&E request to work from 7am to 7pm on the underground construction through Alpine.
April 12, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) introduced legislation to restore cuts made to education aid for veterans going to college. The Post 9/11 GI Bill Payment Restoration Act (H.R. 1451) would reinstate living expense stipends during school breaks.
“Our service members earned and deserve their educational benefits,” said Davis, a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee. “We have a responsibility to keep these benefits worthy of their dedication and sacrifices to the nation.”
April 12, 2011 (Alpine)--Anticipation is building at Viejas Casino, where one lucky poker player is guaranteed to win a record $100,000 in this weekend’s Viejas Poker Classic III tournament. For the third year in a row, the tournament will feature the largest poker payout to a single player in San Diego Casino history.
April 12, 2011 (San Diego) – Marcos Manual Rodriguez Perez, 26, was captured and taken into custody today in Tijuana. The director of Tijuana Municipal Police, in a prepared statement, identified Perez as the killer of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas Jr, who was killed in an ambush near Campo in July 2009.
April 26, 2011 (Escondido)--Frank and Georgi Greiner from Hacienda de los Gitanos ranch in Ramona showed off a prized gypsy horse inside a gypsy camp at Felicita Park in Escondido—all part of a week-long Renaissance Faire that ended Sunday.
The event, produced by Gold Coast Festivals, attracted a large crowd of merrymakers who mixed and mingled with re-enactors from the days of knights and chivalry, as Queen Elizabeth reigned over the festivities.
April 12, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Brew Ha Ha Comedy presents two “rainbow headliner” shows this weekend. On Friday, April 15, funny lady Sarah Burford stars in an “All Women Comedy Show” from 7-8:30 p.m. at 6784 El Cajon Blvd.
Suspects also accused of using stolen credit cards at local businesses
By Miriam Raftery
April 12, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego Sheriff detectives, following an extensive theft and fraud investigation, have made several arrests related to vehicle burglaries at local hiking trails including the El Capitan Preserve in Lakeside, Blue Sky Open Space Trail in Santee, and trailheads at Mission Trails Regional Park in San Diego.
April 12, 2011 (Ramona) – A 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted between 11 p.m. and midnight Friday night while walking in an alley in Ramona, behind businesses located between Main and B Streets, the San Diego Sheriff’s office reports today. The male assailant wore a dark, hooded sweatshirt; no other description is available at this time.
According to Lt. James Bolwerk, the teen is a Ramona resident. “The Sheriff’s Department reminds the public to always travel in pairs, stay in well lit areas, and be aware of their surroundings,” a release from the Sheriff’s office states.
April 12, 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 “Feeling Fit Club,” featuring a presentation from Vickie Velasco, founder of the Feeling Fit Club, from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 27. The public is invited to attend. RSVP is not required.
April 11, 2011 (Ramona)--A dusting of snow in many places over Ramona Friday night gave way to a bright sunny Saturday, fine weather for the fourth annual, Rotary-Kiwanas Music Fest in beautiful Dos Picos Park.
It was a perfect setting to enjoy a sampling of San Diego County’s finest musical talent featuring Cactus Twang &Whyte, Aja Alycean, The Gilbert Castellanos New Latin Quintet, Baja Blues Boys, Brandon Burrill, Emily Grace Rajcic, Jason Winters, the Filthy Violets, Sage, Grand Canyon Sundown, Ramona Town Hall Brass Band, Sherm the Band, RHS Royal Blues Jazz Band, as well as Henry and the Seacreatures.
April 10, 2011 (Alpine) – Alpine Kiwanis hosts its 57th annual Easter Breakfast on April 24 from 7 a.m. to 12 noon at the Alpine Elementary School, 1850 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine. You're invited to hop on over to enjoy pancakes, sausage, eggs and more—all while benefitting local charities and events sponsored by Kiwanis.
April 10, 2011 (San Diego)—A 17-year-old girl walking in the 6000 block of University (about 10 blocks west of La Mesa in the El Cerrito area) was attacked tonight by a Hispanic male who wore a dress and brandished a knife. According to San Diego Police, the suspect grabbed the victim’s breasts and tried to pull her into some bushes.
April 9, 2011 (San Diego) – Thanks to ECM reader Tiffany Husted for alerting us to a website called www.Geebo.com. “It is a safer website like Craigslist but so much better!” Husted wrote. “They do not allow child solicitation, human trafficking, drugs, spam or scams. They double check their postings manually and automatically, unlike Craigslist.”
Craigslist has repeatedly been implicated for allowing prostitution and even human trafficking of children to be advertised. ECM research found that Geebo is a nationwide online classified ads site established in 2000. It offers a safer haven to place and browse ads by reviewing all ads before publishing them to be sure content is appropriate. Geebo was first in its industry to remove personal ads and has never supported adult content, drug or gun sales. Geebo has also been recognized by human rights groups for its commitment to improve safety on the Internet.
April 9, 2011 (San Diego)—Inside the Safari Market bazaar, a Somali woman sells bright-colored beaded head scarves, jewelry and rugs. Two dozen vendors offer other wares and services. Nearby, African Spice restaurant serves up savory sambussas (pastry shells filled with meats, vegetables and African spices), succulent fish, lamb, goat, and an aromatic tea seasoned with cloves. Safari Market also sells groceries, such as large bags of cinnamon and rice, some labeled in Arabic.
No, this isn’t a street scene out of Africa. It’s a new business incubator in the East San Diego neighborhood known as “Little Mogadishu” – a hub where refugees from war-torn East African nations such as Somalia, the Sudan, Eritria and Ethiopia are starting new lives in America, aided by the nonprofit organizations Horn of Africa Community and Somali Family Services. The Safari center has created 125 jobs for East African refugees, mostly women. Now it's become a model that is being replicated in other U.S. cities.
April 9, 2011 (Borrego) – A female hiker, 61, was airlifted out of Palm Canyon in the Anza Borrego Desert this afternoon after suffering a possible fractured hip, Deputy Scott Bligh with the San Diego Sheriff Search and Rescue reports.
Copter 12, crewed by San Diego Sheriff’s and Cal-Fire personnel, were dispatched to assist Borrego Fire personnel.
April 9, 2011 (Julian)--The Julian Fourth of July Parade Committee raised over $800 at a fundraiser held at Wynola Pizza on March 28, putting the committee halfway to its goal of raising $6500 from its new corporate sponsorship program. More than 75 people from all walks of life enjoyed themselves at the event while supporting the parade, which Julian has presented for nearly 20 Independence days.
April 8, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Jack Messina, a parolee described by Sheriff’s officials as a “person of interest” in a 1995 cold-case killing in Texas was airlifted out of an East County canyon Friday.
Messina failed to report to his parole agent, according to a press release issued by the Sheriff. He was found in an intersection at Sweetwater Springs Blvd. and Jamacha Blvd. with a GPS tracking device running low on battery. Deputies found him “very drunk” with his foot in a soft cast on a trail muddy from the recent rain.
April 13, 2011 (La Mesa)-- La Mesa residents who are Vietnam War Veterans are invited to attend the La Mesa City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26th at the City Council Chambers, 8130 Allison Avenue. 
iego).— Responding to a petition and lawsuit from the Center for Biological Diversity,(CBD) the Obama administration today denied Endangered Species Act protection to one of Southern California’s rarest butterflies, the 
By Breanna Feathers
by Christopher Mohr
April 13, 2011 (Sacramento) – Legislation authored by Assemblymember Marty Block (D-AD78) to provide law enforcement with better tools to fight the growing epidemic of gang-related criminal sexual exploitation and human trafficking, cleared its first Assembly committee today. AB 918 was approved by the Assembly Public Safety Committee by a vote of 6-0. 
April 12, 2011 (Lakeside) – 10:10 p.m. -- San Diego Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call at 9:19 p.m. reporting a fight between two men at 12636 Julian Avenue, Lakeside. A short time later, another caller reported a fight involved about eight men at the same address, a condominium. 
April 12, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) introduced legislation to restore cuts made to education aid for veterans going to college. The Post 9/11 GI Bill Payment Restoration Act (H.R. 1451) would reinstate living expense stipends during school breaks.
April 12, 2011 (Alpine)--Anticipation is building at Viejas Casino, where one lucky poker player is guaranteed to win a record $100,000 in this weekend’s Viejas Poker Classic III tournament. For the third year in a row, the tournament will feature the largest poker payout to a single player in San Diego Casino history. 
Suspects also accused of using stolen credit cards at local businesses
April 12, 2011 (Ramona) – A 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted between 11 p.m. and midnight Friday night while walking in an alley in Ramona, behind businesses located between Main and B Streets, the San Diego Sheriff’s office reports today. The male assailant wore a dark, hooded sweatshirt; no other description is available at this time.
By John Rene Gardner
April 10, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Two separate accidents in Ramona and Valley Center resulted in damage to aircraft and injury to one pilot.
By Miriam Raftery
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