March 20, 2011 (Santee) – An estimated 20,000 people turned out to run, walk, bike and party atop the last link of Highway 52 at yesterday’s “Sea to Santee” celebration. Now open to traffic, the new freeway segment is the last link connecting Highway 67 in East County to Interstate 5 and La Jolla.
Transportation improvements have historically heralded changes in East County, starting with cattle drives and the coming of stagecoach and railway lines in the 19th century. Invention of the "horseless carriage" brought construction of Highways 94 and 80, connecting East County to San Diego and Arizona. The aviation era led to the airfield at Gillespie Field. More recently, construction of Interstate 8, Highway 67 and now Highway 52 further improved access to East County for visitors from around the county and across the nation.
The new highway will also make it faster for East County residents to reach San Diego destinations including employment and yes, beaches. Surf's up, Santee!
March 20, 2011 (San Diego)--The San Diego County Department of Environmental Health (DEH) is warning local businesses of a fraud targeting restaurants and other small businesses in California, including San Diego County.
How the scam works: An individual claiming to be a “health inspector” has been calling restaurants in California claiming there is a new procedure to arrange a health inspection. Scamsters use info obtained from the business to set up online accounts, which can then be used in other fraud schemes.
March 20, 2011 (Valley Center) – An electrical fire that started in the basement has severely damaged Saint Stephens Roman Catholic Church in Valley Center, causing an estimated $150,000 in damage. County building inspectors have found the structure to be unsafe, requiring immediate stabilization before salvage and repair can begin.
Possible public exposurein Carmel Mountain, Rancho Bernardo and Poway areas
March 20, 2011 (San Diego)--A 27-year-old Poway male has been diagnosed with measles, according to County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) officials. The man became ill after traveling to the Philippines and Thailand.
March 20, 2011 (San Diego)--The San Diego Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers about a new identity theft scam involving phony e-mails supposedly from the federal government’s Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The phishing e-mails are requesting personal information from a W-2 form that are prepared by employers.
March 19, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) –What could be more inspiring than an afternoon of music and nature? On March 20th at 3 p.m., the Silver Strings Quarter will perform classical, light classical and popular music at a free concert at MissionTrails Regional Park. The free concert will be held inside the theater at the Visitor & Interpretative Center.
March 18, 2011 (San Diego) – I want to make one thing plain: I Saw the Devil is not entertainment. It is sickening, repellent, unrelentingly violent, depraved, and twisted. That last sentence makes it sound like it was a thoroughly unpleasant experience. Instead, it is a great film for exactly those reasons. It is definitely not for everyone but if you’re looking for a revenge film done right, and you don’t mind subtitles, then here’s a film for you.
“In a time of economic fallout it is nice that there are still jobs for good hard working Americans. That is what these guys are that are out building the power line.”
March 19, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- It is amazing to hear all the buzz about this new power line going in. It is astonishing how many people are trying to sabotage this project and oppose it. I would like to see all those people who are making such a stink about this project turn their power off. The only reason why these guys are out here building the power line is to provide power to those that are complaining.
“The most inexpensive way to meet your SQ (seismic qualification) is to lie. The industry does it all the time.”
--Greg Palast, former lead investigator in government nuclear plant fraud and racketeering investigations
By Miriam Raftery
March 17, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) –Catastrophic failures at a half dozen nuclear facilities in Fukushima, Japan has led to questions regarding the safety of nuclear reactors in America-- both existing facilities and new ones proposed—including some designed or operated by the same companies responsible for the nuclear meltdowns in Japan.
March 18, 2011 (San Diego) – The National Weather Service has issued a severe weather alert for San Diego County due to a strong storm system forecast to reach our region Sunday night and Monday. Light showers may occur earlier and extend through Tuesday. Significant rain, gusty winds and mountain snow is predicted starting Sunday night.
March 18, 2011 (Jamul) -- Jamul resident Miguel Medina Sanchez, age 32, was arraigned yesterday afternoon in the murder of Maria Irma Palos De Rubio, who is also believed by officials to be a resident of Jamul. Deputy District Attorney Claudia Grosso, the prosecutor assigned to the case, said charges include a special circumstances charge of using a knife, which would add a year to Sanchez’ sentence if he is convicted.
Sanchez pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail pending appointment of a public defender, Sanchez said. The charges carry a possible sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
March 18, 2011 (San Diego) -- His phone rings in the middle of the night. He works around the clock tracking down killers. Now after 29 years on the job, Lt. Dennis Brugos is trading in his badge for the laid-back lifestyle of a retiree. His last day is on March 30th.
Lt. Brugos came face-to-face with many horrendous crimes during his time on the force. His work is difficult, but he says nothing is more gratifying than bringing a killer to justice and closure to families who have lost loved ones.
March 18, 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:
• U.N. Security Council authoritizes action against Moammar Kadafi: U.S. and allied forces begin preparing for military operations against Libya despite doubts the outgunned rebels can be saved (Los Angeles Times)
• Libya announces ceasefire; violence reported in Misrata (CNN)
• ‘Chernobyl solution’ could be last resort for Japanese reactors (MSNBC)
• House votes to end money for NPR, and Senate passes spending bill (New York Times)
• Saudi king offers more handouts, security boost (Reuters)
• Japan to move part of high-tech production to Mexico in wake of disaster (Rian)
• Japan races to restore power at reactors (Reuters)
• U.S. reactor pools store more spent fuel than Japan’s (Anchorage Daily News)
• Japan nuclear fears lift solar stocks (CNN Money)
• With U.S. nuclear plants under scrutiny, too, a report raises safety concerns (New York Times)
• AT&T & Verizon offer free calls to Japan (MSNBC)
• World considers nuclear-free future (Russian Times)
• Radiation sickness: who’s most at risk? (CBS)
• Quake sell-off wipes $287 billion off Tokyo stock market (Reuters)
• Volcano in Southern Japan erupts (Los Angeles Times)
• Escalating Yemen violence kills 3, injures hundreds (Reuters)
March 18, 2011 (Santee)—Thousands of East County residents are expected to party hearty at Saturday's “52 from Sea to Santee” grand opening festival being held right on top of the new freeway connector, State Route 52, on March 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The long-awaited stretch of freeway will connect to State Route 67, creating a straight route to Santee from I-5 and the sea.
This one-of-a-kind community festival will include a three-mile run/walk/ride, music, ribbon cutting ceremony, sponsor/vendor booths, and fun for all ages. East County Magazine will have a booth there, along with many local businesses. See below for location and parking details.
Core damage confirmed at 3 reactors; spent fuel rods a rising concern at 4th;
U.S. urges evacuation within 80 kilometers (50 Miles) around stricken plants
March 16, 2011 (San Diego) – The United Nations has released a forecast indicating a radioactive plume from damaged Japanese nuclear reactors at Fujushima Daiichi cold reach the Aleutian Islands off Alaska on Thursday and Southern California late on Friday, then east to Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and likely points beyond.
The U.N. has not issued a statement on how much radiation the plume could contain, however numerous other experts have indicated that amounts are expected to be small and below levels likely to harm human health. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is setting up additional radiation monitors on the West Coast as a precaution. An existing monitor in San Diego is currently non-operational, according to the EPA’s RadNet real-time radiation monitoring database online.
Murray Jennex, a nuclear expert at San Diego State University, told by ECM of the non-operational monitor locally, called back a short time later to reveal, “We’re going to set up monitoring here and try to get real numbers."
March 17, 2011 (Lakeside)--Helix Water District is beginning the environmental review process for the El Monte Valley Mining, Reclamation, and Groundwater Recharge Project (El Monte Valley Project). A second public scoping meeting for the Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment seeks input on what will be studied.
The second scoping meeting will be held in Lakeside, Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 7 p.m. in the Lakeside Christian Church, 13739 El Monte Road, Lakeside, CA 92040.
March 17, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – A solar project installed at the Operations Center for Helix Water District has been fully certified by SDG&E and begins producing energy starting today, with an official ribbon cutting ceremony planned for March 30th.
"This solar project is a great benefit for Helix using clean, renewable natural resources,” said Kathleen Coates-Hedberg, director on the Helix Water District Board.
March 17, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)—As Japan’s nuclear crisis worsens, the European Union and some Asian nations are taking steps to protect their food supplies from Japanese imported foods and fish that may be contaminated by radiation.
“FDA will be examining both food products labeled as having originated in Japan or having passed through Japan in transit,” the U.S. Food & Drug Administration said in the Bloomberg Businessweek article. “The same is true for raw ingredients.”
In a conference call today, Howard Backer, M.D., Associate Secretary of Emergency Preparedness for California Health and Human Services Agency, told ECM that the FDA is "screening all shipments that come from Japan for food products. This is not new; for anti-terrorism reasons our ports already do screening of radioactivity for all containers."
March 18, 2011 (San Diego)--Opening today at the Ken Cinema is director Kim Jee-Woon’s thriller, I Saw the Devil. I had an opportunity for a brief interview with the director about the picture, in which he shares secrets of creating cinematic suspense.
March 17, 2011 (Flinn Springs) – Alpine Kiwanis invites the public to savor “good food and fine wines” at Vintage Alpine, the “wine experience in the country” set for May 1st from 1-4 p.m. at Summers Past Farms. Tickets are $50 before March 31, $60 after March 31, and $70 at the door. The event includes live music in a garden setting, a silent auction, and opportunities to emet wine and food specialists.
Fundraiser to provide Japan relief set for March 25
By Jeremy Los
March 16, 2011 (San Diego) -- Following the destruction of the 9.0 magnitude quake and tsunami that hit Japan last Thursday, many on the San Diego State campus feared for those studying abroad and for the families of the over 100 Japanese students at SDSU. Shortly after the tsunami, SDSU confirmed on its website that at least 12 of the 16 students studying in Japan were safe and unharmed. The other 4 students were also believed safe because they were studying hundreds of miles away from the areas hardest hit.
“As it stands now all sixteen students traveling abroad in Japan are safe and we’ve communicated to each directly,” SDSU Media Relations Manager Gina Jacobs advised ECM in a subsequent update.
March 16, 2011 (San Diego) – CNN reports that the U.S. military has temporarily blocked access to 13 major sites including YouTube, eBay, Amazon. Sites are blocked across the Department of Defense’s .mil computer system at the request of the Pacific Fleet, which is off the Japan coast aiding in rescue and relief efforts.
The U.S.S. Ronald Reagan, based in San Diego, has been posting photos and updates on Facebook about crews' efforts to assist following the 9.0 earthquake, tsunami, and now, nuclear crisis.
Update 11 a.m. - The SWAT situation has been resolved and one suspect has been taken into custody, Lt. Walker has confirmed. No further information on the possible explosive device is yet available.
Update 3:15 p.m. The suspect has been identified as Sean Arevalo, 31.
March 16, 2011 (Santee) A SWAT team is at the scene of a home on Chantilly Court a few blocks east of Woodside, where a caller said a man threatened violence. He has since barricaded himself in a back bedroom with his girlfriend, the Union-Tribune reports.
March 16, 2011 (San Diego) - The San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball team continues its storied season as the second seeded team in the Western Regional of the 2011 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship tournament. Winning the Mountain West Conference (MWC) tournament and having a record of 32-2 gave the Aztecs a favorable seed from the NCAA selection committee, which announced on Sunday (3/13) the 68 teams that qualified for the championship tournament.
East County for visitors from around the county and across the nation. 
![](/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/resize/WallSt-MertonGaudette-300x199.jpg "About 50 protested in downtown San Diego to "Hold Wall Street Accountable"; all rights reserved 2011 (c) Morton Gaudette")
Possible public exposure in Carmel Mountain, Rancho Bernardo and Poway areas
March 19, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) –What could be more inspiring than an afternoon of music and nature? On March 20th at 3 p.m., the Silver Strings Quarter will perform classical, light classical and popular music at a free concert at MissionTrails Regional Park. The free concert will be held inside the theater at the Visitor & Interpretative Center.
By Brian Lafferty
By Michelle Mann, Boulevard
“The most inexpensive way to meet your SQ (seismic qualification) is to lie. The industry does it all the time.”
By Billie Jo Jannen
March 18, 2011 (San Diego) -- His phone rings in the middle of the night. He works around the clock tracking down killers. Now after 29 years on the job, Lt. Dennis Brugos is trading in his badge for the laid-back lifestyle of a retiree. His last day is on March 30th.
March 18, 2011 (Santee)—Thousands of East County residents are expected to party hearty at Saturday's “52 from Sea to Santee” grand opening festival being held right on top of the new freeway connector, State Route 52, on March 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The long-awaited stretch of freeway will connect to State Route 67, creating a straight route to Santee from I-5 and the sea.
March 16, 2011 (San Diego) – The United Nations has released a forecast indicating a radioactive plume from damaged Japanese nuclear reactors at Fujushima Daiichi cold reach the Aleutian Islands off Alaska on Thursday and Southern California late on Friday, then east to Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and likely points beyond.
March 17, 2011 (Lakeside)--Helix Water District is beginning the environmental review process for the El Monte Valley Mining, Reclamation, and Groundwater Recharge Project (El Monte Valley Project). A second public scoping meeting for the Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment seeks input on what will be studied. 
![](/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/Roberta%20H%20947.jpg ""Lady Paradise" by Roberta Henson")
![](/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/resize/Sue%20Blass%20IMG_0362_16_1%2022-150x201.jpg ""Grapes" by Sue Blass")
RSVP by March 21; proceeds benefit St. Madeleine Sophie's Center
March 17, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – A solar project installed at the Operations Center for Helix Water District has been fully certified by SDG&E and begins producing energy starting today, with an official ribbon cutting ceremony planned for March 30th. 
By Jeremy Los & Miriam Raftery
March 16, 2011 (Santee) A SWAT team is at the scene of a home on Chantilly Court a few blocks east of Woodside, where a caller said a man threatened violence. He has since barricaded himself in a back bedroom with his girlfriend, the Union-Tribune reports.
By Christopher Mohr
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