December 3, 2010 (Lakeside) –Santa Claus is coming to town, arriving in Lakeside for the 12th annual Spirit of Christmas on Maine Avenue this Saturday, December 4th, Festivities will be held from 1 to 6 p.m., with a community tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m.
The Lakeside Chamber of Commerce invites you and your family to visit with Santa and enjoy holiday music, a petting zoo, hay rides, jump area for kids, games, a Blackhawk helicopter, Christmas shopping, food, and entertainment.
December 3, 2010 (San Diego) – Two 16-year-olds have been arrested for assault with a deadly weapon following the stabbing of a 22-year-old woman in the Colina Del Sol neighborhood last night around 10:38 p.m. Additional suspects have been identified and are currently being sought by police.
December 2, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Santa Claus will soon be getting some exercise. Instead of riding in a sleigh drawn by reindeer, Santa will utilize pedal power as he leads over150 bicyclists in the San Diego Bicycle Club’s 23rd annual “Light up a Life” holiday toy drive on December 11th.
December 2, 2010 (Spring Valley) -- San Miguel Firefighters responded in force to a multi-casualty accident which injured a driver and three Mount Miguel High School students who were walking home from school just after 3 p.m. today. A section of Sweetwater Road was shut down, allowing Mercy Air to transport the most seriously injured student, according to Leonard Villareal, spokesman for San Miguel Fire.
December 2, 2010 (Santee) – Santee resident Bryson Lukacik, 22, walked out of a vacation cabin at Big Bear shortly after midnight early on Saturday morning, November 27th. He told family members that he had fallen from a chairlift while snowboarding on Friday. The temperature was below freezing and a foot of snow was on the ground when he stepped out into the night.
He hasn’t been seen since. Lukacik, a graduate of El Capitan High School, is bipolar and does not have his medication with him.
UPDATE DEC. 2: The council has voted 5-3 to override a veto by the mayor to enact this law. The same members who initially supported the ban voted for the override.
Requires impact study before a Supercenter could be built; mayor may veto measure
November 29, 2010 (San Diego) – Negative TV advertising by Wal-Mart didn’t dissuade members of the San Diego City Council from voting against Wal-Mart. By a 5-3 vote last week, Councilmembers voted to require a neighborhood impact study be conducted before a building permit may be issued for big-box vendors such as Wal-Mart that want to open stores over 90,000 square feet that sell groceries.
December 2, 2010 (Lemon Grove) -- The City of Lemon Grove hosts its annual community holiday bonfire on December 3 from 6-8 p.m. at Civic Center Park, corner of Olive and Church Streets. Rain or shine, this free family-orientated event features live music, horse-drawn wagon rides, free refreshments, game booths, crafts, face painting, and more.
December 2, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) –The San Diego Regional Fugitive Task Force announced today that Michael Edward LaChappa, 33, has been arrested in Winterhaven, California, after Crimestoppers received tips that he was hiding on a Quechan Indian reservation there.
LaChappa was wanted on a $250,000 bail felony warrant for robbery, sexual battery and false imprisonment. According to authorities, he has an extensive criminal record that includes attempted murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling and domestic violence.
December 2, 2010 (Alpine) – Alpine Boulevard transforms into a winter wonderland on December 3, when the town hosts its annual Alpine Village Christmas celebration.
Santa arrives at 6:30 p.m., riding in the 15th annual Parade of Lights. Afterwards, Santa and his helpers will light a holiday tree at the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Blvd., and join in a holiday sing-along. Kids and the young in heart are also invited to stay and play in a free mountain of snow, complete with sledding.
Governor issues emergency declaration; County provides health advice
December 2, 2010 (Escondido)--Sheriff’s officials, Sheriff’s Bomb/Arson Unit, Escondido Police and Fire, CHP and CALTRANS met today to discuss evacuation and traffic control plans prior to burning a home containing the largest stash of home-made explosives ever found in the U.S.
The Governor has declared San Diego County an emergency zone, meaning that environmental restrictions are waived. Some residents will be evacuated for the burn, while others are advised to shelter in place. However people with asthma or other respiratory conditions are advised to leave shelter-in-place areas during the burn. If ashes fall on your property, do not handle the ashes. Wash fruits and vegetables from your garden and do not allow children to play in ashes. Follow the health tips and cleanup instructions recommended by the county.
December 2, 2010 (Spring Valley) - The Mount Miguel Matadors' 2010 football season came to an end Friday night (11/26) with a 34-10 loss to the Point Loma Pointers. Mount Miguel surrendered a total of seven turnovers in a game where disaster seemed to strike just as momentum appeared to shift in the their favor.
December 2, 2010 (Santee)—Fire crews have extinguished a blaze that started with an explosion in a garage in the 9400 block of Domer Road in Santee around 11 p.m. last night. Fire spread to the home and deputies reportedly heard smaller explosion inside the residence.
December 2, 2010 (Spring Valley)—Firefighters and Sheriff Deputies received a special gift on November 16. Elizabeth Swoyer, a Brownie with Troop 6107, and her brother Nathan, a Webelo Scout, stopped by San Miguel Fire Station 15 in Spring Valley to present firefighters and Sheriff’s officials with the fruits--or rather, nuts--of their their labor.
December 2, 2010 (El Cajon) -- A crowd of nearly 150 children, parents, community members and government leaders gathered Wednesday November 17 to celebrate completion of the new “Little Rascals Rooms” youth facility constructed at the Boys & Girls Clubs of East County (BGCEC) Clubhouse in El Cajon.
December 1, 2010 (Alpine)--It is widely acknowledged by most experts that our classrooms of today are outdated. We are not offering a state-of-the-art education to our current young generation, nor meeting the technological needs of students. They say that we are sending our kids into the world under-educated and not well prepared. Experts argue that our system of education at the primary and secondary level is in dire need of reform.
“If he did make it out of there, someone must have seen him or knows what happened to him, and we need them to call and tell us.” - Sgt. Don Parker, San Diego Sheriff Department
By Caleb Trainer
December 1, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) --The blue Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 16-year-old Mickey James Guidry was found abandoned in the Anza Borrego desert two days after Thanksgiving. That was Thanksgiving a year ago. No one has reported seeing him since.
Store targeted by measure reveals today that it is going out of business
December 1, 2010 (La Mesa) – On December 14 at 4 p.m., La Mesa’s City Council will consider an ordinance proposed by San Diego Stop Puppy Mills. The proposed law would prohibit pet stores from buying dogs from puppy mills and other breeders.
Since February 2009, the group has been protesting against Pet Works in Grossmont Center, alleging that the store sells dogs raised in puppy mills with inhumane conditions. Today, East County Magazine contacted Pet Works and learned that the store plans to shut down.
December 1, 2010 (El Cajon)--You're invited to join downtown El Cajon businesses in a special neighborhood clean up day scheduled for Saturday, December 11th from 9:00 to11:00 am at Prescott Promenade in downtown El Cajon.
December 1, 2010 (San Diego)--As the holidays approach, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reminds the public to use caution when making online purchases. Cyber criminals continue to create ways to steal your money and personal information. If a deal looks too good to be true, it likely is.
December 1, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – We’ve identified the three components of a successful trade show marketing plan:
• Have a system in place for attracting potential customers to the exhibit.
• Qualify those people who visited the booth.
• Follow up with those visitors who left contact information.
The fact is that exhibiting successfully at a trade show means developing good pre-show plan to ensure that the people with whom you would most like to make contact know you will be there and have a reason to come visit your booth.
November 30, 2010 (Washington D.C.) By a 73-25 vote, the Senate has approved S.510, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. California Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein voted for the bill, which aims to protect consumers following widespread outbreaks of e-coli and salmonella involving foods such as spinach, eggs, peanut butter. Those outbreaks results in deaths and thousands of illnesses. The bill will next be heard by the House, which is expected to pass the bill and send it to President Barack Obama to be signed into law.
December 1, 2010 (Dulzura) – A semi-truck carrying 39,000 pounds of concrete rolled over last night on Highway 94 west of Dulzura. On person received minor injuries, Cal-Fire Battalion Chief Nick Schuler reports.
County declared disaster area; top disaster official seeks state disaster declaration--a move that would waive environmental laws
By Miriam Raftery
November 30, 2010 (Escondido) – An Escondido home described by a prosecutor as a “bomb factory” will be burned down to destroy the largest cache of homemade explosives ever found on U.S. soil. Protective barriers will first be erected around the property at 1954 Via Scott.
Ex-inmate and author of I Was...I Am is now an advocate for the formerly incarcerated
By Dennis Moore
November 30, 2010 (San Diego) -- Author Allison "Tammy" Moore will bring her message of hope and redemption to San Diego during the Christmas season, speaking at an Urban League reception as well as to women prisoners at Las Colinas and a church prison ministry group.
November 30, 2010 (San Diego) – The Drug Enforcement Agency(DEA)'s Narcotics Task Force in San Diego, in partnership with local law enforcement, seized over 378,243 marijuana plants county-wide in 2010. More than half (294,175) were removed from public lands—including U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management properties utilized by hikers, campers, and other members of the public.
December 3, 2010 (Lakeside) –Santa Claus is coming to town, arriving in Lakeside for the 12th annual Spirit of Christmas on Maine Avenue this Saturday, December 4th, Festivities will be held from 1 to 6 p.m., with a community tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m.
December 3, 2010 (San Diego) – Two 16-year-olds have been arrested for assault with a deadly weapon following the stabbing of a 22-year-old woman in the Colina Del Sol neighborhood last night around 10:38 p.m. Additional suspects have been identified and are currently being sought by police.
December 2, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Santa Claus will soon be getting some exercise. Instead of riding in a sleigh drawn by reindeer, Santa will utilize pedal power as he leads over150 bicyclists in the San Diego Bicycle Club’s 23rd annual “Light up a Life” holiday toy drive on December 11th.
December 2, 2010 (Santee) – Santee resident Bryson Lukacik, 22, walked out of a vacation cabin at Big Bear shortly after midnight early on Saturday morning, November 27th. He told family members that he had fallen from a chairlift while snowboarding on Friday. The temperature was below freezing and a foot of snow was on the ground when he stepped out into the night.![](/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/resize/emerald%2C%20mart_0-150x161.jpg "Councilmember Marti Emerald called ads by Wal-Mart "false and misleading."")
UPDATE DEC. 2: The council has voted 5-3 to override a veto by the mayor to enact this law. The same members who initially supported the ban voted for the override.
December 2, 2010 (Lemon Grove) -- The City of Lemon Grove hosts its annual community holiday bonfire on December 3 from 6-8 p.m. at Civic Center Park, corner of Olive and Church Streets. Rain or shine, this free family-orientated event features live music, horse-drawn wagon rides, free refreshments, game booths, crafts, face painting, and more.
December 2, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) –The San Diego Regional Fugitive Task Force announced today that Michael Edward LaChappa, 33, has been arrested in Winterhaven, California, after Crimestoppers received tips that he was hiding on a Quechan Indian reservation there.
December 2, 2010 (Alpine) – Alpine Boulevard transforms into a winter wonderland on December 3, when the town hosts its annual Alpine Village Christmas celebration. 
December 2, 2010 (Escondido)--Sheriff’s officials, Sheriff’s Bomb/Arson Unit, Escondido Police and Fire, CHP and CALTRANS met today to discuss evacuation and traffic control plans prior to burning a home containing the largest stash of home-made explosives ever found in the U.S. 
NEW! You asked for national and world news. Now we've got it. 
by Christopher Mohr
December 2, 2010 (Spring Valley)—Firefighters and Sheriff Deputies received a special gift on November 16. Elizabeth Swoyer, a Brownie with Troop 6107, and her brother Nathan, a Webelo Scout, stopped by San Miguel Fire Station 15 in Spring Valley to present firefighters and Sheriff’s officials with the fruits--or rather, nuts--of their their labor.
December 2, 2010 (El Cajon) -- A crowd of nearly 150 children, parents, community members and government leaders gathered Wednesday November 17 to celebrate completion of the new “Little Rascals Rooms” youth facility constructed at the Boys & Girls Clubs of East County (BGCEC) Clubhouse in El Cajon.
By Caleb Trainer
Store targeted by measure reveals today that it is going out of business
December 1, 2010 (San Diego)--On any given day, 50 to 75 foster children are waiting for permanent adoptive homes in San Diego County.
November 30, 2010 (Washington D.C.) By a 73-25 vote, the Senate has approved S.510, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. California Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein voted for the bill, which aims to protect consumers following widespread outbreaks of e-coli and salmonella involving foods such as spinach, eggs, peanut butter. Those outbreaks results in deaths and thousands of illnesses. The bill will next be heard by the House, which is expected to pass the bill and send it to President Barack Obama to be signed into law.
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