September 17, 2010 (La Mesa) - Former Helix High School football standout Reggie Bush has decided to forfeit the Heisman Trophy that he won in 2005 while playing for the University of Southern California. Bush's decision comes before the Heisman Trophy Trust, the award's governing body, was expected to vote to strip Bush of his award. It marks the first time in the trophy's 75 year history that it has been forfeited.
September 17, 2010 (San Diego)--The Town opens with Ben Affleck and his crew robbing a bank. The action here is standard but one shot stands out. Rebecca Hall, playing a Bank Manager, is forced to open the safe. She shakes as she tries several times to get the correct combination. She’s under pressure because the cops are on their way and because she has a gun to her head. She finally manages to get it open. This looked promising; Affleck, who also directed and co-wrote, shows a knack for directing suspense despite the otherwise ordinary robbery.
September 17, 2010 (San Diego)--A lot happens in Soul Kitchen. Too much, actually. Just as a film can rarely survive on the flimsiest of plots, a movie can have just as much a hard time sustaining itself trying to balance a smorgasbord of story lines. This newest film by German director Fatih Akin suffers from a major case of plot overload. In my notes I made a list and counted six distinct story threads. For this movie that was too many.
“We have a chicken suit and we may have someone wear it to stand in for Duncan Hunter in debates.” – Ray Lutz, Democratic candidate, 52nd Congressional District
You Tube violates 1st Amendment, removes debate videos of Hunter in 2008
September 17, 2010 (Ramona) – The Ramona Forum will host a 52nd Congressional District candidates debate on Wednesday, September 22 at 6 p.m. in the Sizzler banquet room, 344 Main Street in Ramona. Democrat Ray Lutz and Libertarian Michael Benoit will appear, but incumbent Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter has declined, according to event organizers. Now his opponents are turning up the heat.
In Part Four of this series on election races in La Mesa, East County Magazine spotlights City Council candidate Patrick Dean. For this series we asked all candidates the same set of questions on local issues, with an open invitation to bring up anything else they would like to discuss at the end of the session.
September 15, 2010 (La Mesa) – Quality of life issues lead La Mesa City Council candidate Patrick Dean’s priorities, from his personal approach to life to his visions for the City.
September 17, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Construction crews from the California Department of Transportation will be removing bridge falsework on the State Route 52 (SR-52) Sunny Side Gateway Project. Crews will close Prospect Avenue between Graves and Magnolia avenues Sunday through Wednesday evenings from 9 until 5 the next morning.
September 16, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) 1:00 p.m.– A white van implicated in the assault on a teen jogger in Blossom Valley on September 5th may have been involved in multiple stalkings of women in East County neighborhoods during the past couple of weeks. Other women have reported that they were stalked by a white van in the Cottonwood, Monarch Ridge and Rancho San Diego areas, East County Magazine has learned.
September 15, 2010 (Pine Valley) – An under-age teen driver took his grandmother’s Chevy Tahoe without permission, then picked up several friends at Mountain Empire in Pine Valley, ECM news partner 10 News reports. The joy ride ended tragically. Traveling at a high rate of speed, the driver missed a curve and the vehicle rolled over three times, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Funds allocated for facilities, equipment and technology—but no money to hire more firefighters
"You are sitting on $700 million in reserves at a time when San Diego County has had more people burn to death in wildfires in the past decade than anywhere else in the nation,” - Steve Whitburn, candidate for Supervisor
September 15, 2010 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted yesterday to consolidate rural fire agencies and create a regional fire protection plan recommended by a Fire Deployment Study. The Board also named Cal-Fire's Howard Windsor to head up the County Fire Authority.
“There’s more to do, but we’re moving forward,” Supervisor Dianne Jacob said. The plan allocates $15.5 million a year to the County fire agency, but Supervisors approved only $5 million this year for start-up efforts.
September 15, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Officers from El Cajon Police Department responded to a 911 call from a man asking for help last night at 10 p.m. The man, 18, had suffered a non-life threatening gunshot wound to his upper thigh. The victim told officers that and his cousin had been sitting in front of 273 Wisconsin when they were confronted by a young, bald Hispanic man. The victim told police the assailant pursued him and shot him in the leg as he fled.
“It’s the moral and ethical thing to do to protect the health and well-being of our residents,” Mayor Art Madrid
By Miriam Raftery
September 15, 2010 (La Mesa) – La Mesa's City Council voted yesterday to oppose Proposition 23. Sempra Energy, parent company of San Diego Gas & Electric Company, also announced its opposition to Prop 23.
The ballot initiative would repeal California’s landmark AB 32, the law which protects clean air, requires greenhouse gas emissions reductions, and provides incentives for renewable, clean energy jobs in California.
September 14, 2010 (San Diego's East County)--Motorists can expect lane and ramp closures along east and westbound Interstate 8 from the Viejas Creek Bridge in Alpine to the Horsethief Creek undercrossing Sundays through Thursdays between 7 p.m.and 5 a.m., beginning tonight and continuing through mid November. The on- and off-ramps at Willow Road and State Route-79 (Japatul Road) will also be subject to closure, but will not be closed at the same time.
September 25, 2010 (La Mesa) – World War I had recently ended and the Roaring ‘20s were just getting started when Grossmont High School first broke ground 90 years ago. Now the oldest high school in East County is joining with communities of El Cajon and La Mesa, former staff and alumni in a 90th anniversary celebration and reunion on Saturday, September 25th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Alumni from all classes are invited to attend and share their Grossmont Foothiller memories.
"I think our kids kept fighting, the offense--when the defense surrendered points, came back...our kids handled adversity well."
-- Steele Canyon Head Coach Ron Boehmke
by Christopher Mohr
September 14, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) - When a team wins by a score of 28-14, it's not indicative of a blowout or total domination, but usually the winning team had some degree of control over the game. Although Steele Canyon won by that score Friday night at home against Bonita Vista (from Chula Vista), the game was much closer than the final score would suggest. The Cougars overcame dropped passes, turnovers, penalties and injuries in a hard-fought win over the Barons and improved to 2-0 on the season.
By Miriam Raftery “I hope this will spread across America.” - Congressman Bob Filner at a pre-dawn rally, where he announced that Union Bank called off plans to have the Sheriff issue a foreclosure notice today to evict a woman and her child with cancer
September 14, 2010 (Campo) 12:35 p.m. Updated September 16th – A San Diego Sheriff’s deputy was attacked by a pit bull at 30031 Quail Road in Campo, sustaining moderate injuries. The deputy shot the dog in self defense, according to the Sheriff's Department.The deputy was attempting to serve a warrant on a juvenile when the dog attacked and bit his arm. The officer was knocked to the ground and fired one shot, striking the dog in the mouth.
Update 6 p.m.: This dispute ended peacefully with no injuries following a four-hour standoff. The man, Stephen Gainder, 45, surrendered to deputies and was taken to Pomerado Hospital for evaluation. Pomerado News reports that a neighbor called the Sheriff following a loud dispute between Gainder and his elderly mother. After deputies attempted to subdue him with a taser and beanbags, he armed himself with a crossbow. September 14, 2010 (Poway) 12:56 p.m. -- Negotiators from the San Diego Sheriff’s office are attempting to talk a man armed with a crossbow into surrendering. According to ECM news partner 10 News, deputies performing a welfare check in the 14000 block of Tobiasson Road were told by the man that he is armed with a crossbow and refusing to come out.
September 14, 2010 (El Cajon) -- The public is invited to attend Grossmont College’s grand opening celebration of its new Health and Sciences Complex at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 17, on the El Cajon campus. The celebration will include a ribbon cutting, plaque unveiling and refreshments.
September 14, 2010 (Alpine)--Michael Bolton displayed the dazzling breadth of his talent in a concert at Viejas Dreamcatcher Lounge in Alpine Sunday night. His performances ranged from vintage classics by Sinatra and Gershwin to jazz and rock ‘n’ roll. Mounting a platform in the center of the audience, he sang his Grammy Award-winning version of “When a Man Loves a Woman” – much to the delight of women in the crowd.
September 14, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- President Obama recently proposed that Congress enact legislation that would provide an estimated $200 billion in tax breaks for businesses that invest in new plants and equipment, a $100 billion extension of the business tax credit for research and development, and $50 billion over the next decade to improve roads, rails and other infrastructure, to create jobs in America. However, CNN Money wisely reports, "the tax breaks might actually cost some jobs if a business buys technology from overseas that improves productivity rather than hiring more U.S. workers."
September 14, 2010 (Campo) -- The Rural Economic Action League will host a candidate forum to allow the public to query contenders for the Campo Lake Morena Planning Group on their views and positions. The forum is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 21 at the Mountain Empire Community Center, 976 Sheridan Road, in Campo.
September 14, 2010 (Kensington) – A motorcyclist rear-ended a truck on Fairmont Avenue in Kensington yesterday afternoon, then slid 100 yards. The 40-year-old driver of the motorcycled suffered serious injuries including a brain bleed. According to San Diego Police, the man was intoxicated and is expected to face drunk driving charges.
September 13, 2010 (City Heights) –Robert Michael Clampitt, 48, of City Heights was found submerged and unresponsive after failing to return from a diving excursion. Clampitt was among 14 patrons aboard a Waterhouse Charter when he made a solo dive at the site of the Yukon wreckage, the San Diego Medical Examiner’s office reports.
September 13, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – Jeff Isaac, better known as “The Lawyer in Blue Jeans” will speak Friday, September 24 at the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Friday Sun-Up Breakfast at Cottonwood Golf Club. The TV and radio personality/attorney will provide tips on how to protect your business and personal assets.
September 13, 2010 (El Cajon) -- The Grossmont College Adult Reentry Program will host “Who Foots The Bill,” a free informational meeting for adults interested in returning to school to reenter the workforce, learn a new career, earn a college diploma or upgrade skills for a job promotion. The event is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 21. Speakers include financial experts offering advice on estimating and planning for college expenses, along with information on admission procedures, transfer programs and financial aid.
September 13, 2010 (La Mesa) -- Grossmont Healthcare District and the City of La Mesa are jointly presenting the ninth annual Kids Care Fest, a free event featuring free health care screenings as well as children's activities, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25, at Briercrest Park, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa. The public is invited to attend.
I Was … I Am, How to Move Beyond Your Past to Create an Extraordinary Life, by Allison ‘Tammy’ Moore, (Wilmington, Delaware, 2010, 338 pages.)
Book Review by Dennis Moore
September 12, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- Allison ‘Tammy’ Moore has written what at times seems like a tragicomedy: I Was … I Am. In reality, it is her story of incarceration, and how she used the experience to become a better and stronger person.
by Christopher Mohr
By Brian Lafferty
“We have a chicken suit and we may have someone wear it to stand in for Duncan Hunter in debates.” – Ray Lutz, Democratic candidate, 52nd Congressional District
By Kristin Kjaero
September 17, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Construction crews from the California Department of Transportation will be removing bridge falsework on the State Route 52 (SR-52) Sunny Side Gateway Project. Crews will close Prospect Avenue between Graves and Magnolia avenues Sunday through Wednesday evenings from 9 until 5 the next morning.
September 15, 2010 (Pine Valley) – An under-age teen driver took his grandmother’s Chevy Tahoe without permission, then picked up several friends at Mountain Empire in Pine Valley, ECM news partner 10 News reports. The joy ride ended tragically. Traveling at a high rate of speed, the driver missed a curve and the vehicle rolled over three times, according to the California Highway Patrol.
September 15, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Officers from El Cajon Police Department responded to a 911 call from a man asking for help last night at 10 p.m. The man, 18, had suffered a non-life threatening gunshot wound to his upper thigh. The victim told officers that and his cousin had been sitting in front of 273 Wisconsin when they were confronted by a young, bald Hispanic man. The victim told police the assailant pursued him and shot him in the leg as he fled.
September 14, 2010 (San Diego's East County)--Motorists can expect lane and ramp closures along east and westbound Interstate 8 from the Viejas Creek Bridge in Alpine to the Horsethief Creek undercrossing Sundays through Thursdays between 7 p.m.and 5 a.m., beginning tonight and continuing through mid November. The on- and off-ramps at Willow Road and State Route-79 (Japatul Road) will also be subject to closure, but will not be closed at the same time. 
September 25, 2010 (La Mesa) – World War I had recently ended and the Roaring ‘20s were just getting started when Grossmont High School first broke ground 90 years ago. Now the oldest high school in East County is joining with communities of El Cajon and La Mesa, former staff and alumni in a 90th anniversary celebration and reunion on Saturday, September 25th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Alumni from all classes are invited to attend and share their Grossmont Foothiller memories.
by Christopher Mohr
“I hope this will spread across America.” - Congressman Bob Filner at a pre-dawn rally, where he announced that Union Bank called off plans to have the Sheriff issue a foreclosure notice today to evict a woman and her child with cancer
September 14, 2010 (Campo) 12:35 p.m. Updated September 16th – A San Diego Sheriff’s deputy was attacked by a pit bull at 30031 Quail Road in Campo, sustaining moderate injuries. The deputy shot the dog in self defense, according to the Sheriff's Department.The deputy was attempting to serve a warrant on a juvenile when the dog attacked and bit his arm. The officer was knocked to the ground and fired one shot, striking the dog in the mouth.
September 14, 2010 (Poway) 12:56 p.m. -- Negotiators from the San Diego Sheriff’s office are attempting to talk a man armed with a crossbow into surrendering. According to ECM news partner 10 News, deputies performing a welfare check in the 14000 block of Tobiasson Road were told by the man that he is armed with a crossbow and refusing to come out.
By Tracy Emblem
East County News Service
By Richard Halsey
September 13, 2010 (El Cajon) -- The Grossmont College Adult Reentry Program will host “Who Foots The Bill,” a free informational meeting for adults interested in returning to school to reenter the workforce, learn a new career, earn a college diploma or upgrade skills for a job promotion. The event is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 21. Speakers include financial experts offering advice on estimating and planning for college expenses, along with information on admission procedures, transfer programs and financial aid. 
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