Update 8:35 p.m. -- The Cowboy Fire is now 719 acres and is 10% contained. Progress is "excellent" according to Cal-Fire Battalion Chief Nick Schuler.
September 2, 2010 (Campo) 7 p.m. --The Cowboy Fire has reached 300 acres, however Cal-Fire public information officer Roxanne Provaznik reports, "Firefighters are beginning to make some progress." The fire is currently back-burning onto itself and there is minimal threat to structures.
September 2, 2010 (Campo) – A strike team of firefighters is staging at Star Ranch for structure protection, aiming to halt the 200-acre Cowboy fire at the outskirts of the Ranch before it can reach the Campo Hills housing development. The fire is burning in a northeast direction.
“A large water bomber just flew overhead,” Christy Scott, editor of the Alpine Sun, informed East County Magazine. Lake Morena provides an accessible source of water for water-dropping aircraft, she added.
September 3, 2010 (San Diego) – This week, the California Public Utilities Comission approved a San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) solar power initiative that will provide for 100 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaic (PV) solar energy. Under the initiative, 26 MW of utility-owned generation would be slated for construction on existing SDG&E property, with the remaining 74 MW to be purchased from independent power producers.
The initiative could more than double the approximately 80 MW of solar power currently generated in the utility's service territory.
September 2, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) 3:30 p.m. update: – The Cowboy Fire is now 75 acres to 100, Cal-Fire reports. Campo Elementary School is being evacuated, with students taken to Mountain Empire High School.
Update 5:20 p.m. The fire is now out and was contained to less than an acre. Firefighters are mopping up hot spots, according to Santee Fire's Brett Eldridge. Cause is believed to be accidental, possibly from a bulldozer scraping rocks, he added.
September 2, 2010 (Santee) 4:40 p.m. – A brush fire has broken out at the Sycamore Landfill in Santee at 8514 Mast Boulevard. “So far I’ve seen Santee, El Cajon, and La Mesa Fire roll down my street,” said Mark Schoonover, who shot the photo above.
Update 2:35 p.m. Campo Elementary School is being evacuated; students will be taken to Mountain Empire High School
September 2, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The Cowboy Fire reported at 1:13 p.m. is now 20 acres, burning between Campo and Potrero near the Pacific Crest Trail. Incident Page Network indicates the fire is near the junction of Highway 94 and Star Ranch. Other reports indicate the location is within Hauser National Wilderness and Cleveland National Forest areas.
“Currently the fire is inaccessible by ground units,” Cal-Fire battalion chief Nick Schuler said. “They are attempting to make contact with the fire now,” he said, adding that air tankers and helicopters are also on the scene.
East County News Service September 2, 2010 (La Mesa) – Helix Water Board general manager Mark Weston asked Board members to table a proposed resolution that would have restricted non-emergency communications among board members to business hours. Several board members also leveled criticism at media outlets that reported on the issue.
“I have said that I’m on call 24 hours a day. I’ve been in public works for 30 years,” said Weston, who stated that “portrayal of my character” in some news reports was “quite inaccurate.”
Candidate, speaking in La Mesa, also called for stronger fire protection by County East County News Service
September 2, 2010 (San Diego) – The Center on Policy Initiatives (CPI) has released a today which concludes that over 30% of households in San Diego County can not make ends meet.
“It is unacceptable that more than 30% of San Diegans can’t afford to live in San Diego County,” said Stephen Whitburn, a journalist running against incumbent Supervisor Ron Roberts in District 4.
September 1, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- Effective Friday September 3, at 6:00 a.m., the Cleveland National Forest will raise the fire danger level to VERY HIGH. Forest use restrictions under the very high level will be implemented at that time.
September 1, 2010 (La Mesa) - Helix Water district has received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government FInancial Officers Association of the U.S. and Canada. "This is the fourth year that we have received this award," said board member Chuck Muse.
September 1, 2010 (La Mesa)--Michael Penwell is being sought by the La Mesa Police Department after fleeing from a traffic stop where numerous items of stolen property, narcotics and drug paraphernalia were found. Penwell is described as a white male, 25, with blond hair and hazel eyes. He is 5 feet, 7 inches tall with a thin build and multiple tattoos. He also has a felony parole warrant for his arrest.
August 31, 2010 (La Mesa) -- "He makes $199,000 a year and gets a car and benefits, but this public official doesn’t want to receive routine emails outside business hours. I-Team reporter Lauren Reynolds shows us the unusual steps he’s taking to be left alone.”
August 31, 2010 (La Mesa) – A male bicyclist sustained serious injuries after slamming into a trolley at the intersection of Severin and Amaya drives in La Mesa. La Mesa Police dispatch received multiple 911 calls starting at 5:22 p.m. of the cyclist down on the tracks.
Calls provision allowing school lunch equipment purchases "wasteful spending"
August 31, 2010 (Washington D.C.) – Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-El Cajon) , a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, voted against sending H.R. 5504, the Improving Nutrition for America’s Children Act, to the full House for consideration.
The bill aims to make school lunches more nutritious and get junk food out of schools. The goal is to improve children's health and cut down on childhood obesity, a national epidemic. From 1980 to 2009, childhood obesity in America has tripled--and poor nutritional habits are largely to blame. In California, 30.5% of all children are obese, putting them at higher risk of diabetes and heart problems later on.
August 31, 2010 (El Cajon ) - The FBI and El Cajon Police Department seek the public’s help to identify two men who robbed a U.S. Bank branch inside Albertsons grocery store at 1608 Broadway, El Cajon, on Saturday, August 28 at 2:48 p.m. The two men simultaneously approached two tellers and threatened to shoot them if they did not comply with demands for money.
August 31, 2010 (La Mesa) -- At 1:39 a.m., Heartland Fire dispatched a response for a residential structure fire at 20 Lake Helix Dr in La Mesa, with an initial report of smoke coming from the structure.
ECM news partner Channel 10 reports that fire crews were initially delayed access due to a locked gate and unmanned guard post at the gated community.
August 31, 2010 (La Mesa) -- The City of La Mesa is holding a free open house and tours of the new Police Station on Saturday, September 4 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Exhibits will be displayed in the Police Station Community Room. At the same time, there will be a BBQ fundraiser sponsored by both the Police Officers Association and the Peer Support Team.
August 31, 2010 (San Diego County) -- Business and property owners interested in participating in a grant-funded program to install commercial charging units in the San Diego Region may attend one of several informational meetings.
Come to one of these short meetings to learn how your business can get involved in the largest electric vehicle project in U.S. history!
August 30, 2010 (La Mesa)--Norm MacDonald, star of movies and Saturday Night Live (SNL), will take the stage at Challenge Center’s 13th Annual Comedy Night on September 11 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. The event benefits the scholarship fund established by Challenge Center, a nonprofit gym in La Mesa that has achieved dramatic results helping patients with strokes, brain and spinal cord injuries, as well as other debilitating conditions. Tickets for the event are $175.
Editor’s note: This memoir, submitted this week, provides eyewitness insights into turbulent times in our nation's history as well as the strength of a remarkable woman and her son.
July 1, 2010 (Birmingham, Alabama)--In 1915 when Mrs. Davis was a little girl, she could not go into the front door of most restaurants and public places like bus terminals. When traveling her family was not allowed to use the public restrooms in gas stations along the way because of the pigment in their skin. Finding a hotel was a challenge and crooked police could stop, search, rape, and kill as they pleased.
August 29, 2010 (San Diego) – Sheriff Bill Gore announced last week that the Search and Rescue Unit and added a new component: an Urban Search and Rescue division. Urban search-and-rescue is considered a multi-hazard discipline, as it may be needed for a variety of hazards including earthquakes, storms, tornadoes floods dam failures, technological accidents, terrorist activities, and hazardous materials releases.
Head of nation’s largest college system faults two-thirds rule for impeding passage of state budget; remarks made during visit at Cuyamaca College
August 27, 2010(El Cajon)--Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Chancellor Cindy Miles welcomed California Community Colleges Chancellor Jack Scott to Cuyamaca College on Thursday for a candid discussion with the region’s community college and business leaders. Topics ranged from the state budget crisis to a bill just passed that will smooth transition for students from two-year campuses to state universities.
August 28, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) -County Supervisor Dianne Jacob and state and local tourism industry leaders will celebrate the historical designation of Highway 94 iwith a ribbon cutting ceremony at Simpson’s Nursery in Jamul at 9 a.m. on Saturday, August 28. Over a dozen businesses from Jamul to Boulevard will offer discounts and giveaways to customers who attend. The event will also feature classic car displays and a reenactment of the famed Gaskill Brothers shootout.
September 2, 2010 (Campo) 7 p.m. --The Cowboy Fire has reached 300 acres, however Cal-Fire public information officer Roxanne Provaznik reports, "Firefighters are beginning to make some progress." The fire is currently back-burning onto itself and there is minimal threat to structures.
September 2, 2010 (Campo) – A strike team of firefighters is staging at Star Ranch for structure protection, aiming to halt the 200-acre Cowboy fire at the outskirts of the Ranch before it can reach the Campo Hills housing development. The fire is burning in a northeast direction.
September 2, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) 3:30 p.m. update: – The Cowboy Fire is now 75 acres to 100, Cal-Fire reports. Campo Elementary School is being evacuated, with students taken to Mountain Empire High School. 
September 2, 2010 (Santee) 4:40 p.m. – A brush fire has broken out at the Sycamore Landfill in Santee at 8514 Mast Boulevard. “So far I’ve seen Santee, El Cajon, and La Mesa Fire roll down my street,” said Mark Schoonover, who shot the photo above.
September 2, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The Cowboy Fire reported at 1:13 p.m. is now 20 acres, burning between Campo and Potrero near the Pacific Crest Trail. Incident Page Network indicates the fire is near the junction of Highway 94 and Star Ranch. Other reports indicate the location is within Hauser National Wilderness and Cleveland National Forest areas.
September 2, 2010 (La Mesa) – Helix Water Board general manager Mark Weston asked Board members to table a proposed resolution that would have restricted non-emergency communications among board members to business hours. Several board members also leveled criticism at media outlets that reported on the issue.
September 2, 2010 (San Diego) – The Center on Policy Initiatives (CPI) has released a today which concludes that over 30% of households in San Diego County can not make ends meet. 
Gulf oil rig explodes off Louisiana Coast (another one!) 
September 1, 2010 (La Mesa)--Michael Penwell is being sought by the La Mesa Police Department after fleeing from a traffic stop where numerous items of stolen property, narcotics and drug paraphernalia were found. Penwell is described as a white male, 25, with blond hair and hazel eyes. He is 5 feet, 7 inches tall with a thin build and multiple tattoos. He also has a felony parole warrant for his arrest. 
By Miriam Raftery
August 31, 2010 (Washington D.C.) – Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-El Cajon) , a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, voted against sending H.R. 5504, the Improving Nutrition for America’s Children Act, to the full House for consideration. 
August 31, 2010 (El Cajon ) - The FBI and El Cajon Police Department seek the public’s help to identify two men who robbed a U.S. Bank branch inside Albertsons grocery store at 1608 Broadway, El Cajon, on Saturday, August 28 at 2:48 p.m. The two men simultaneously approached two tellers and threatened to shoot them if they did not comply with demands for money.
By Kristin Kjaero
August 30, 2010 (La Mesa)--Norm MacDonald, star of movies and Saturday Night Live (SNL), will take the stage at Challenge Center’s 13th Annual Comedy Night on September 11 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. The event benefits the scholarship fund established by Challenge Center, a nonprofit gym in La Mesa that has achieved dramatic results helping patients with strokes, brain and spinal cord injuries, as well as other debilitating conditions. Tickets for the event are $175.
By Walter Davis
Story and photos by Miriam Raftery
August 28, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) -County Supervisor Dianne Jacob and state and local tourism industry leaders will celebrate the historical designation of Highway 94 iwith a ribbon cutting ceremony at Simpson’s Nursery in Jamul at 9 a.m. on Saturday, August 28. Over a dozen businesses from Jamul to Boulevard will offer discounts and giveaways to customers who attend. The event will also feature classic car displays and a reenactment of the famed Gaskill Brothers shootout.
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