LA MESA BECOMES FIRST LOCAL CITY CERTIFIED AS AGE-FRIENDLY EMPLOYER, HELPING JOB SEEKERS AGE 50 AND UP

YOU'RE INVITED! JULY 17 FEAST AT HIMALAYAN CUISINE IN LA MESA WITH EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE'S DINING CLUB

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT WEST NILE VIRUS SPREAD: COUNTY TO HOLD PROGRAM SATURDAY IN LA MESA

RAMONA MAN KILLED IN TWO-VEHICLE CRASH

SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOR WELLS PARK MURDER IN EL CAJON

COUNTY EXTENDING MOSQUITO SPRAYING IN LA MESA EARLY MON. AND TUES.

SPRINGS FIRE SPARKS EVACUATIONS IN JAMUL

TODDLER DIES FROM FALL OUT LA MESA WINDOW

LEMON GROVE COUNCILMAN AND HELIX FOOTBALL COACH STEVE FAIAI DIES

COTTONWOOD SAND MINE BACKERS FAIL TO DREDGE UP ENOUGH VOTES, AS PLANNERS DEADLOCK

MOST EVACUATIONS LIFTED IN STEELE FIRE; DRONE HAMPERED FIREFIGHTERS

OVER 4,700 UNDER EVACUATION ORDERS FROM STEELE FIRE

ON THE SILVER SCREEN: TINY BUDGET, LIMITED RESOURCES NO PROBLEM FOR INDIE "TINY FURNITURE"

By Brian Lafferty

 

December 11, 2010 (San Diego)--While watching Tiny Furniture, which opened yesterday at the Ken Cinema, I was somewhat captivated and never bored. It accomplishes its goals and captures without fail the feeling it wants to convey.

 

YES, WE STILL HAVE ROOM AT TONIGHT'S HOLIDAY PARTY! PLEASE JOIN US -- & BRING YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY

Feasting, frolicking, and merrymaking--ho, ho!
Plus thousands of dollars in prizes!

 Join East County Magazine at our holiday party Sunday, December 19 from 5-9 p.m. at Cafe' 67 (Highway 67 at Mapleview in Lakeside).  Enjoy feasting, frolicking, mingling and merrymaking! 

BOOK REVIEW: VICTORY IN IRAQ: HOW AMERICA WON

 

Victory in Iraq: How America Won
By Duncan L. Hunter. Columbus, MS. Genesis Press. 2010. 433 pages. Illustrations, end notes, and index. $19.95

Reviewed by Walter Hall

 

“The community of America’s military folks, active and retired, are at once a national resource and a national treasure.”  --Former Congressman and Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Duncan L. Hunter

 

December 14, 2010 (San Diego's East County)--The title of this book will delight many and annoy many others – who will likely pass it by. That’s too bad. Because at heart this is a tribute book. And a timely one. The setting is Iraq, but the subject is American grit, talent, innovation, and occasionally plain, raw courage. The ham-handed title is a distraction.

CALAWARE SUES, CLAIMS OVERCHARGES ON PUBLIC RECORDS COPIES


Watchdog group says state law does not allow charges above 10 cents a page

December 13, 2010 (Martinez, California)– In a case that could have wide repercussions for members of the public and media outlets seeking public records from public agencies in California,, today Californians Aware (CalAware) filed a lawsuit in superior court, seeking an order to bar Contra Costa Community College District from continuing to violate the California Public Records Act (CPRA).

 

The district has been charging fees for copies of district records that are substantially above the "direct cost of duplication"--the maximum allowed by law, said CalAware general counsel Terry Francke.

MURDER-SUICIDE VICTIM REMEMBERED IN COLLEGE AREA

December 13, 2010 (San Diego) – Hundreds gathered in front of Michel David’s College-area apartment Saturday night at a candlelight to remember the slain student after David was identified as the victim in a murder-suicide that occurred on Friday. David, 22, was a senior at SDSU. Her former boyfriend, Daniel Shoemake, is believed to have murdered David with an assault rifle before killing himself with a handgun.

“She was just an angel. She always had a positive outlook on life,” April Hernandez, aho traveled to Costa Rica with David in a study-abroad program, told ECM News partner 10 News.

SHERIFF INVESTIGATING RUMORED THREAT OF SHOOTING AT EL CAPITAN HIGH SCHOOL TODAY

 

Update 6:30 p.m.   Approximately one-third of students stayed home today as a result of a rumored school shooting.  According to posts by parents and students at Facebook and 10 News, some authorities were aware of the potential threats on Friday.  Some parents have questioned why the District did not notify parents on Friday, why a parent meeting has not been called, and whether adequate steps have been taken to protect student safety.

 

December 13, 2010 (Lakeside) – A parent of two teens at El Capitan High School notified East County Magazine late last night that there is a “major rumor running that there is going to be a shooting tomorrow at the school.” The source said the shooting was rumored to be planned in retaliation for the death of former El Capitan student Christopher Carioscia, whose body was found at Barona last week following discovery of his burned car. The parent said Carioscia also went by the name Chris Younghusband. Law enforcement officials have previously stated that Carioscia had a history of drug problems.

Detective Jason Rouse at the Santee Sheriff’s substation confirmed, “We have received reports from several parents. At this point we have not been able to identify a source other than there’s lots of kids on Facebook saying they’ve heard about this.”

HELIX WATER BOARD NAMES VERBEKE PRESIDENT, LINDEN VICE PRESIDENT

 

By Miriam Raftery


December 10, 2010 (La Mesa) – At Tuesday’s meeting, Helix Water District’s board swore in reelected members DeAna Verbeke and Kathleen Coates Hedberg.

 

The majority also voted to name Verbeke president, replacing Richard Smith. In addition, John Linden was named vice president.

ELIZABETH EDWARDS REMEMBERED BY LOCAL ACTIVIST

December 11, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Services were held today for Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former presidential candidate John Edwards, who lost her battle with breast cancer.

Leon Thompson, past executive board officer in the California Democratic Party, sent an e-mail to ECM recalling his meeting with Elizabeth Edwards at the state Democratic convention in Sacramento. “She was an inspiration to me, Suzy and so many others,” said Thompson, whose wife, Suzy, later died of breast cancer. Thompson, a former Santee resident now living in Arizona, is battling cancer himself.

CLERK WITH SCREW DRIVER FOILS ROBBERY BY MAN WITH PHONY GUN

 

December 11, 2010 (La Mesa) – This morning at 3 a.m., a man wearing a black bandana tried to rob the Shell Station at 5302 Lake Murray Blvd. The clerk noticed that the “weapon” held by the suspect was a glove folded in the shape of a gun. So when the would-be thief demanded money, the clerk armed himself with a screw driver and told the suspect to leave.

 

LA MESA POLICE SEEK TEDDY BEARS FOR HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN

 

December 10, 2010 (La Mesa)-- La Mesa Police Department seeks donations of teddy bears and other stuffed animals for the 20th Annual Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Drive, which benefits children at Rady Children’s Hospital. The public is encouraged to donate new and unused teddy bears (with tags still affixed) or other stuffed animals, which can be dropped off in the La Mesa Police Department lobby in the designated barrels.

MURDER-SUICIDE ON COLLEGE AREA STREET

 

December 10, 2010 (San Diego) – San Diego Police homicide detectives are investigating the murder of a 22-year-old woman and the suicide of a man, 21, whom she had dated. Officers responded to a report of gunshots and found the woman lying in the street in the 4500 block of 55th Street this morning at 9:52 a.m. She had several gunshot wounds and an assault rifle was found near her body.

SANTA & MRS. CLAUS TO DEBUT AT OLDE TIME CHRISTMAS VILLAGE DEC. 11

 

Rancho San Diego festivities also include snowman contest, bonfire, and more

December 11, 2010 (Rancho San Diego)--The Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Olde Time Christmas Village December 11th from 3-9 pm in the Rancho San Diego Professional Center, 3855 Avocado Bl., La Mesa.

 

This free public event celebrates children and community. Activities include a snowman building contest, a bonfire, free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, holiday treats, sweets and more.

GREEN GOLD MINE OR LAND GRAB? GOVERNOR, DIGNITARIES AT POWERLINK GROUNDBREAKING IN EAST COUNTY

150 protesters stage rally outside, vow to file new lawsuits

View our video highlights by Billy Ortiz

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

Photos by Dennis Richardson and Miriam Raftery

 

 

 

 

“Some people look out in the deserts and just see empty space. I see a gold mine there for clean energy.” – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“This is a big land grab—the taking away of our wilderness areas.” – Marion Bowles, protester

December 10, 2010 (McCain Valley) – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Robert Kennedy’s son, Joe Kennedy, were among the leaders on hand for a symbolic groundbreaking of Sunrise Powerlink yesterday at McCain Valley in San Diego’s East County. Inside the Rough Acre Ranch (former training ground for the San Diego Chargers), the Governor praised the project as “an example to the rest of the nation.”

 

He then helped affix a commemorative plaque to a massive power tower top, or bridge, wider than the audience seating area. The project will have 436 towers. Afterwards, about 200 invited guests celebrated at a lavish luncheon provided by SDG&E and its parent, Sempra Energy.

LA MESA CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE DEC. 10-11

December 10, 2010 (La Mesa) – La Mesa’s downtown village transforms into a Victorian-style wonderland December 10th and 11th from 5-10 p.m. The annual Christmas in the Village celebration features horse-drawn carriages, bonfires on La Mesa Boulevard, strolling minstrels, carolers, street entertainers, puppets, carnival rides and Santa Claus.

 

MAN ARRESTED FOR IMPERSONATING POLICE OFFICER IN BAR

 

December 9, 2010 (San Diego) – San Diego Police arrested Jorge Pando, 22, for impersonating a police officer. According to Sgt. Ray Battrick, Pando had been drinking at Vallartas Bar at 4125 El Cajon Blvd. around 1 a.m. when he told a woman that he was a police officer and insisted that she had to give him personal information. She refused, telling him her boyfriend was present, and Pando then flashed a badge twice.

I-15 REOPENED AFTER “BOMB HOUSE” BURNING IN ESCONDIDO

December 9, 2010 (Escondido) – A controlled burn has destroyed the Escondido home filled with explosives and chemicals used in bomb making. A bomb-arson team ignited the residence on via Scott via remote control shortly before 11 a.m. today.

 

The burn proceeded as planned, albeit with a later start time than previously announced.  A massive blaze swiftly consumed the home, punctuated by popping sounds likely caused by hand grenades and ammunition stored in the premises, Sheriff’s represented Jan Caldwell said.

GOVERNOR TO SPEAK AT SUNRISE POWERLINK GROUNDBREAKING TODAY; PROTEST PLANNED IN MCCAIN VALLEY

 

December 9. 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is confirmed to appear with other dignitaries at a groundbreaking hosted by San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) for Sunrise Powerlink slated for 11 a.m. today (originally set for 9 a.m.)

 

In response, the Protect Our Communiities Foundation is organizing a protest, calling the groundbreaking “premature” since three active lawsuits against Sunrise Powerlink are currently in the courts—any one of which could potentially halt the project.

SHERIFF HONORS SENIOR VOLUNTEER DALE KEPHART, 93

 

December 8, 2010 (Lemon Grove) -- They make a difference everyday and they do it for free. Volunteers play a vital role in building a community. On December 7th, Sheriff Bill Gore and the County of San Diego honored Lemon Grove Senior Volunteer Patrol member Dale Kephart, 93, with a “Volunteer of the Month” award.

PAROLEE ARRESTED FOR KIDNAP, RAPE OF GIRL ABDUCTED FROM WAL-MART IN EL CAJON

 

December 8, 2010 (El Cajon)—A 15-year-old girl was abducted from the Wal-Mart at 13487 Camino Canada in El Cajon on Monday December 6th, San Diego Sheriff’s Department reports. Parolee David Lascelles has been arrested for allegedly using a gun to kidnap the victim, then drive her to Fiesta Island, where he reportedly raped her.

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