April 7, 2011 (San Diego) – California Highway Patrol officers are on heightened alert after two shootings around 7:10 a.m. this morning on Highway 163 in Kearny Mesa. One shot wounded a USD student and another bullet lodged in a vehicle owned by a Rancho Bernardo man.
Police shut down the freeway and found about 10 shell casings from a small-caliber gun along the side of the freeway between the Clairment Mesa and Balboa exits. There is no evidence to indicate that either victim was targeted.
Event showcases ornamental horticulture nursery and water conservation garden
April 6, 2011 (Rancho San Diego)--A garden party of sorts is on tap Saturday, April 9, at Cuyamaca College, but don’t expect cucumber sandwiches, tea, and the soothing strains of Pachelbel’s Canon in D at this event. Instead, an international food court, a “bug zone,” and petting zoo for kids, a plant sale, horticulture demonstrations, arts and crafts vendors and exhibitors, and much more is in store at the 18th Spring Garden Festival, set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
April 6, 2011 (San Diego)--The San Diego Better Business Bureau (BBB) has announced it has a Speakers Bureau with volunteers who are available to speak for free to breakfast and luncheon meetings of community groups, service organizations, churches and senior groups. The speech that BBB volunteers will deliver is titled “The Top 10 Consumer Scams.”
April 6, 2011 (Lemon Grove) – Frieda Molina, 97, died March27 of congestive heart failure. A pillar of the Lemon Grove Historical Society and owner of one of Lemon Grove's most historic homes, she will be memorialized on April 8 at 11 a.m. at Lemon Grove Lutheran Church, 2055 Skyline Drive, Lemon Grove.
Proceeds from April 6 event benefit the Burn Institute
April 6, 2011 (San Diego) -- Local firefighters take to the streets today for the 12th Annual Firefighter Boot Drive -- a countywide effort to support the Burn Institute.
The Boot Drive began as a grassroots effort backed by the fire service and has been going strong for more than a decade. It is now a hallmark fundraiser for the Burn Institute. In 2010, more than $210,000 was raised for the organization. Scroll down for a list of locations where firefighters will be asking the public to "fil the boot."
pril 6, 2011 (San Diego) – Col. Ann Wright, one of the nation’s most prominent peace activists, will speak this evening from 7-9 p.m. at San Diego State University in Hepner Hall 100.
Wright spent 13 years in the U.S. Army and 16 additional years in the Army Reserves, retiring as a Colonel. On March 19, 2003, the eve of the U.S invasion of Iraq, she cabled a letter of resignation to Secretary of State Colin Powell, stating that without the authorization of the UN Security Council, the invasion and occupation would be a violation of international law. Since then, she has been writing and speaking out for peace.
April 6, 2011 (San Diego)-- The 45th-ranked San Diego State women's tennis squad had its eight-match winning streak halted on Wednesday as it fell to cross-town foe and No. 24 San Diego, 6-1, at Hogan Tennis Center on the campus of USD. With the defeat, the Aztecs fall to 12-7 on the season, while the Toreros improve to 15-4.
The afternoon started off rocky as SDSU lost the doubles point after finding itself on the wrong end of all three matches.
April 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.
April 5, 2011 (Ramona) -- Nestled in the mountains of Ramona, Mt. Woodson golf course offers up picturesque views, as well as a challenging layout. Seen as one of the county’s more visually appealing golf courses, Mt. Woodson golf course carries plenty of bite to coincide with the beautiful scenery.
April 5, 2011 (Lakeside) –A memorial service was held at the Lakeside Community Center on March 22 to commemorate Shelly McClendon Hilliker, a long-time community leader. Born in Chula Vista on October 20, 1959, Hilliker passed away on March 10, 2011.
“Shelly was a beautiful, lighthearted person, who was loved by everyone she met as much as she loved them,” states an obituary submitted by the Lakeside River Park Conservancy, where Hilliker served as a Board member. “She has joined her late husband, Harold Hilliker, who passed on July 31, 2009. Their extensive volunteer work will be missed by the entire Lakeside community."
April 5, 2011 (San Diego's East County) – SoccerNation.com, which provides Southern California’s most in-depth coverage of recreational, competitive and professional soccer, will soon add indoor soccer reporting through a partnership with Sportsplex, which has indoor soccer facilities in Santee and Poway.
April 5, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The ninth annual Grip it and Rip it Golf Tournament is set for Thursday, May 19. The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will host the annual event at Sycuan Resort.
April 5, 2011 (La Mesa) At 8:30 a.m. today, a 14-year-old boy was punched in the face three times and his necklace and hat were taken by two suspects aboard a trolley in La Mesa. The robbery occurred while the victim and suspects were riding eastbound on the MTS Trolley between the Spring Street and La Mesa Boulevard stations.
April 5, 2011 (Otay) -- The suspect killed in yesterday's early morning robbery and shootout at the Apple store in the Otay Ranch Mall has been identified at Alex Somphonh Choulamontry, age 23. According to Chula Vista Police, Choulamontry was a documented gang member and on active California State parole. Choulamontry had convictions for theft, possession of controlled substances, driving under the influence and false identification to a peace officer.
April 4, 2011 (Ramona) -- A stolen bronze moose statue from Ramona was recovered in a vacant field on March 30, about a mile from the 2800 block of Willow Oak Drive where it was stolen sometime between February 15 and 23. The area is located at the intersection of Dye Road and Southern Oak Road and is frequently used by people who ride and train horses.
A watchful citizen made the discovery and contacted the Sheriff’s Department after reading media articles about the theft of several statues in our region.
April 4, 2011 (Lemon Grove) – Faced with a budget gap, Lemon Grove City Council will consider four proposals at Tuesday's meeting for slashing costs in recreational services:
1) outsource youth programs to the Boys and Girls Club of East County;
2) Outsource both youth and adult services to the East County Family YMCA;
3) Combine contracting with one of those organizations to run some programs, while having a new Recreation Services Department handle others;
4) Completely eliminate the City’s Recreation Services Department—a move that could also end City-sponsored community events such as Concerts in the Park, Movie Night, and the annual holiday Bonfire.
District Partners with Borrego Solar and CCSE to deploy 290 Kw solar system at Nat L. Eggert Operations Center
April 4, 2011 (El Cajon)--Helix Water District has activated a 290 kilowatt (KW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system at the Nat L. Eggert Operations Center (OC) in El Cajon. The zero-emission system was deployed through a partnership with Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. and the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE).
To celebrate, the District hosted a ribbon-cutting event for the new system on March 30th.
April 4, 2011 (Borrego) – San Diego Sheriff’s communication center received a call on Thursday from a woman in Mammoth Lakes whose husband and a friend were hiking off Rockhouse Trail in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The two hikers called the woman from a satellite phone because the husband’s friend had become severely dehydrated, incoherent, and in immediate need of medical attention.
March 31, 2011 (La Mesa)--"Today's benefit structure for public employees is unrecognizable from the design, funding structure and goals of the original 1932 version. Instead of retirement security, the public pension became a wealth generator. Initially, state workers retiring at age 65 could expect retirement income at roughly half of their final compensation, based on an average salary earned during their last five years of employment. The retirement formulas and benefits began ratcheting up in the 1940's and never stopped. California's pension plans are dangerously under funded, the result of overly generous pension promises, wishful thinking and an unwillingness to plan prudently. Unless aggressive reforms are implemented now, the problems will get far worse, forcing counties and cities to severely reduce services and layoff employees to meet pension obligations."
The words above are taken from the 50 or so pages of the Little Hoover Commission Report released last month. The report is about the State at large - but its words apply so accurately to La Mesa that it seems to be talking about us.
April 16, 2011 (Ramona) – Ramona authors o inspirational books will be signing copies of their works on Saturday, Aprl 16 at the new Ramona library, 1275 Main Street in San Diego. Authors include Barbara McBride, Byron Mettler, Mike Mulligan, and Peter Zindler. The signing will be held from 9-11 a.m.
Swift action by Police and Border Patrol canine patrol led to capture of two suspects; Robbery may be part of a series of storefront “smash and grabs”
Update 7:15 p.m.: The two suspects arrested have been identified as Johnny Chenda, 25, and Melissa Ortiz, 21. Both are charged with commercial burglary and conspiracy. The third suspect, who died, has not yet been identified. The security guard has been identified as Jose Jimenez, 58, with Security Industry Specialists in Culver City.
April 4, 2011 (Otay Mesa) – Chula Police Chief David Bejarano has provided an interview with East County Magazine moments after returning from the scene of a fatal shooting at Otay Ranch Town Center shopping mall. He disclosed chilling details of a brazen robbery attempt that ended with one suspect dead following a hail of bullets and a massive response by law enforcement to seal off and search the neighborhood.
April 4, 2011 (Otay Mesa)—Schools near the Otay Ranch Town Center were placed in lockdown briefly following a shooting at the mall. According to multiple sources, three people smashed a window at the Apple Store shortly before 6:45 a.m.
Chula Vista Police report that 40 rounds were fired in a shootout between a security guard and the suspects.
Updated April 22 to add photos from the April 9th celebration of life.
A Celebration of Life, Service and Dedication to Community
April 3, 2011 (Lakeside) The El Capitan Stadium Association has offered the use of the rodeo grounds for a community gathering honoring Rick Smith, who passed away on February 18th, 2011 following a long battle with cancer. A celebration of his life and service will be held April 9 from 1-4 p.m. at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds.
April 3, 2011- President Obama’s decision to intervene in the Libya crisis has divided both Democratic and Republican political parties, with support and opposition on both sides of the political aisle.
President Obama found a surprising supporter in East County’s Republican Representative Duncan D. Hunter. Hunter was one of the few Republican leaders to come out and support the President’s decision to unleash air attacks on Libyan forces. Hunter, a former Marine captain who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, sits on the House Armed Services Committee.
April 3, 2011 (San Diego) -- On April 9 and 10, hundreds of San Diegans are expected to convene at University Ave. and Fairmount in City Heights to attend workshops, share knowledge, and discuss the sustainability, accessibility, and health of our food system in San Diego and around the world.
April 3, 2011 (La Mesa) -- At 8:05 a.m. La Mesa Police Department responded to multiple 911 calls of shots being fired in the 3900 block of Charles Street, La Mesa, near La Mesa Dale Elementary School. (View map) When officers arrived they discovered approximately seven shots had been fired into a house. The targeted house was occupied, but no one was injured.
The suspect reportedly fled the scene driving a motorcycle.The unknown suspect was wearing a dark jacket and a blue helmet.
April 7, 2011 (San Diego) – California Highway Patrol officers are on heightened alert after two shootings around 7:10 a.m. this morning on Highway 163 in Kearny Mesa. One shot wounded a USD student and another bullet lodged in a vehicle owned by a Rancho Bernardo man.
By Miriam Raftery
Event showcases ornamental horticulture nursery and water conservation garden
April 6, 2011 (San Diego)--The San Diego Better Business Bureau (BBB) has announced it has a Speakers Bureau with volunteers who are available to speak for free to breakfast and luncheon meetings of community groups, service organizations, churches and senior groups. The speech that BBB volunteers will deliver is titled “The Top 10 Consumer Scams.”
April 6, 2011 (San Diego) -- Local firefighters take to the streets today for the 12th Annual Firefighter Boot Drive -- a countywide effort to support the Burn Institute.
pril 6, 2011 (San Diego) – Col. Ann Wright, one of the nation’s most prominent peace activists, will speak this evening from 7-9 p.m. at San Diego State University in Hepner Hall 100.
Story and photos by Jeremy Los
April 5, 2011 (Lakeside) –A memorial service was held at the Lakeside Community Center on March 22 to commemorate Shelly McClendon Hilliker, a long-time community leader. Born in Chula Vista on October 20, 1959, Hilliker passed away on March 10, 2011.
April 5, 2011 (San Diego's East County) – SoccerNation.com, which provides Southern California’s most in-depth coverage of recreational, competitive and professional soccer, will soon add indoor soccer reporting through a partnership with Sportsplex, which has indoor soccer facilities in Santee and Poway. 
April 5, 2011 (La Mesa) At 8:30 a.m. today, a 14-year-old boy was punched in the face three times and his necklace and hat were taken by two suspects aboard a trolley in La Mesa. The robbery occurred while the victim and suspects were riding eastbound on the MTS Trolley between the Spring Street and La Mesa Boulevard stations. 
April 5, 2011 (Otay) -- The suspect killed in yesterday's early morning robbery and shootout at the Apple store in the Otay Ranch Mall has been identified at Alex Somphonh Choulamontry, age 23. According to Chula Vista Police, Choulamontry was a documented gang member and on active California State parole. Choulamontry had convictions for theft, possession of controlled substances, driving under the influence and false identification to a peace officer.
About 5,000 students will be unable to get the classes they need
April 4, 2011 (Ramona) -- A stolen bronze moose statue from Ramona was recovered in a vacant field on March 30, about a mile from the 2800 block of Willow Oak Drive where it was stolen sometime between February 15 and 23. The area is located at the intersection of Dye Road and Southern Oak Road and is frequently used by people who ride and train horses.
April 4, 2011 (Borrego) – San Diego Sheriff’s communication center received a call on Thursday from a woman in Mammoth Lakes whose husband and a friend were hiking off Rockhouse Trail in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The two hikers called the woman from a satellite phone because the husband’s friend had become severely dehydrated, incoherent, and in immediate need of medical attention.
April 4, 2011 (Otay Mesa) – Chula Police Chief David Bejarano has provided an interview with East County Magazine moments after returning from the scene of a fatal shooting at Otay Ranch Town Center shopping mall. He disclosed chilling details of a brazen robbery attempt that ended with one suspect dead following a hail of bullets and a massive response by law enforcement to seal off and search the neighborhood.
April 4, 2011 (Otay Mesa)—Schools near the Otay Ranch Town Center were placed in lockdown briefly following a shooting at the mall. According to multiple sources, three people smashed a window at the Apple Store shortly before 6:45 a.m.
By Jeremy Los
April 3, 2011 (San Diego) -- On April 9 and 10, hundreds of San Diegans are expected to convene at University Ave. and Fairmount in City Heights to attend workshops, share knowledge, and discuss the sustainability, accessibility, and health of our food system in San Diego and around the world.
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