September 16, 2015 (San Diego) - CBS Sports reported Tuesday morning that the SDSU men’s basketball team is under investigation for alleged improper benefits allegedly given to prospective student athletes.
Update: La Jolla High and Pt. Loma High schools have been added to the list.
East County Magazine
September 17, 2015 (San Diego) – Threats of shootings or bombings have led to lock-downs at nine local high school campuses. Eight are in the San Diego Unified School District including Patrick Henry High School in the San Carlos neighborhood in East County. The ninth is in the Sweetwater Union High School District.
The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that no shooters or explosives have been found and no injuries have been reported; schools are locked down as a precaution while the threats are under investigation.
On October 14th, or possibly the 28th, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors will decide if they should rip up the dreams of a rural community so a developer can get a lot of money. As County Planning commissioners Peder Norby and Michael Beck recently pointed out, if the Lilac Hills project goes forward it will destroy 13 years of work, and close to $20 million, that went into San Diego County’s General Plan.
The project spreads across 608 acres in the Valley Center area. There are currently 16 “dwelling units” and a total of just 110 are allowed under current zoning. Accretive Investments wants to build 1,786 units over the course of a decade. This would support a larger population that the city of Del Mar. Why plunk a city in the middle of nowhere?
September 17, 2015 (Sacramento)--State officials gathered Tuesday at the El Soldado ("The Soldier") Memorial in the State Capitol Park to honor the sacrifices and contributions of Latino American Veterans.
To kick off National Hispanic Heritage Month, CalVet held a ceremony to honor the 296,000 Latino American Veterans who honorably defended our country in war and those who serve during times of peace. Latinos represent the highest number of Medal of Honor recipients per capita of any ethnic group. During World War II, about half a million Latinos served with distinction.
September 16, 2015 (San Diego)--The San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved new rules Wednesday that will promote beekeeping and local agriculture while protecting the public.
Supervisors approved a new “tiered” beekeeping ordinance that will allow beekeeping hobbyists and businesses to keep bees and hives closer to roads, property lines and homes in unincorporated areas — but still far enough away to keep people safe.
September 17, 2015 (San Diego's East County)-- East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect 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 world and U.S. headlines include:
September 16, 2015 (Orange County, California) -- An 8.3 magnitude earthquake has occurred off the coast of Chile has led to issuance of a Tsunami Advisory for the California coast from Orange County north to San Luis Obispo. San Diego County is not included in the advisory.
A Tsunami Advisory is issued for Tsunamis (or tidal waves) expected to be 1 to 3 feet higher than normal--capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or near the water. Greatest threats will be the strong underwater currents early Thursday which will be hazardous to boaters and swimmers; coastal structures may also be damaged. The tsunami arrival time ranges from 4:46 a.m. to 5:10 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday) morning along the southern California coast.
The tsunami in Orange County is expected to be a foot high, with 4 to 8 inches expected in San Diego County.
Listen to Destination East County, also airing on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.
September 16, 2015 (San Diego's East County)--This week’s Destination East County features the Chaldean American Festival in El Cajon, a Music Festival with Apple Pie in Julian, a live musical theatre production and Supervisor Jacobs with an event for seniors.
Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Julian Apple Days, Oktoberfest El Cajon hosted by the German American Society followed by a new event, Fallfest in La Mesa and a water issues forum in La Mesa.
So scroll down tuned for all of these events and much, much more.
September 16, 2015 (Washington D.C.) – Wildfires, unlike earthquakes or hurricanes, are not funded as natural disasters---and the money to fight devastating fires is running out. Now as wildfires ravage our state, Senator Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, has issued a statement urging Congress to pass the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act. Here is her statement in full:
September 16, 2015 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:
"This is fiscal irresponsibility...The bond oversight is a joke." -- Nick Marinovich, bond oversight committee member who recently resigned in protest (photo, left).
"I don't think the public is aware of the damage being done by a handful of special interests." -- Jim Kelly, board member, referring to Alpine parents and taxpayers who sued the district over its failure to build the Alpine high school
By Janis Russell; Miriam Raftery also contributed to this report
September 15, 2015 (El Cajon)- At the September 10th Grossmont Union High School District board meeting, president Robert Shield gave his report regarding a lawsuit the board is facing filed by citizens of Alpine. An update on Propositions H and U was presented to the board. The majority approved an agreement with CliffordMoss and John Hoy to study the likelihood that voters would re-authorize Prop U bonds or issuance of new bonds.
That could be a tough sell to voters, since the district is being sued by Alpine taxpayers for failing to spend Prop H and U bonds on building an Alpine high school as spelled out in the bonds. The district has claimed enrollment triggers weren't met, though multiple knowledgeable insiders have repeatedly reported that triggers were met.
September 15, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – It’s been a rough day for motorists across San Diego County, with rain-slicked highways contributing to multiple crashes and long delays for commuters.
California Highway Patrol reports 385 collisions midnight to 9 p.m.—nearly triple the 140 accidents that occur on an average “good weather” day. Those stats includes freeways and streets in unincorporated areas only and do not include accidents on any city streets.
By late morning, multiple crashes had clogged traffic on I-8 west in La Mesa and El Cajon. Later in the day, all lanes on I-15 were blocked due to a major traffic collision. A crash involving a big-rig and another vehicle on I-8 in Pine Valley sent both vehicles over the side, necessitating a rescue.
September 15, 2015 (San Diego) – Today, the majority of County Supervisors voted to pay $310,000 to settle claims filed by three ex-staff members against Supervisor Dave Roberts.
In a prepared statement, Supervisors indicated they determined the settlement to be “in the best interest of taxpayers” and said Roberts “at a minimum, showed poor judgment.” The statement added that “although not conclusive, the investigative material surrounding the inappropriate use of County funds, promoting a hostile work environment, an alleged bribe, campaigning on County time, improper use of a County vehicle and retaliation against District 3 staff members is significant and a matter of concern for the Board of Supervisors.”
Asked his response, Roberts, who has consistently denied the staffers' allegations, provided East County Magazine with the following statement:
September 14, 2015 (La Mesa) - Visionary Community Theatre and Visionary Youth Theatre join together for an outreach program of epic proportions to present "Hairspray." What do you get when you mash up several high schools and a professional choreographer? Great dancing, singing, and acting.
As arrests and incarcerations decline, county will put greater emphasis on prevention, intervention
East County News Service
September 15, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--A major decrease in juvenile arrests and detentions has caused significant savings for the county, and now government officials are looking to transfer money into services that help keep young people out of serious trouble. In 2009, 5,000 juveniles were under supervision, but now there are approximately 2,100. Detention rates have had a similar decline, down from 842 to 438, said Ron Lane, deputy chief administrative officer.
On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to transfer this savings to training for law enforcement officers dealing with young offenders, increased mental health services, and a program that helps stop juvenile family violence.
September 15, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--Who’s talking about issues people care about on the presidential campaign trail--and who's trashing whom? Who’s showing some backbone, and who’s breaking from the herd? Which candidate is trouncing Trump in a saucy new ad—and which climate-denying candidate got a science lesson from our own California governor?
Find these juicy details and more in this week’s column, as well as an update on who’s in, who’s out, and who will be onstage at the upcoming debates.
September 14, 2015 (Pine Valley)--U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a woman Saturday evening at the Interstate 8 checkpoint who had 38 bundles of meth in her car.The 38 bundles of methamphetamine weighed 45.46 pounds and have an estimated street value of $454,600.
September 12, 2015 (El Cajon) -- The city of El Cajon is home to more than 40,000 Chaldeans, one of the largest Chaldean enclaves in the United States. Chaldeans are an integral part of the local business community as well as the community at large, and would like to invite neighbors to sample the culture at the upcoming 5th Annual Chaldean American Festival on September 19 and 20. The City of El Cajon has proclaimed September Chaldean American Month, and invites the whole community to attend the Chaldean American Festival. The family event will feature authentic homemade Chaldean faire, traditional music and dancing, games for children, as well as local vendors for all to enjoy.
September 14, 2015 (La Mesa)--The Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, a consumer health library at 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, is now hosting its Summer Art Exhibit featuring 14 oil and watercolor paintings of landscape scenes by Mike Hefner of San Carlos. The show runs through the end of September.
The exhibit includes Hefner’s plein air watercolor paintings that highlight the beauty and history of San Diego, from its coasts and mountains to the deserts of Baja. Plein air means “open air” and refers to paintings created outside and on location.
September 14, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – East County Magazine readers who attended our Mardi Gras party last year will recall the rollicking, zesty music of the Bayou Brother band playing Cajun and Zydeco blues, including several East County residents. Now the Bayou Brothers “High Roller Zydeco” is nominated for Best Blues CD in the San Diego Music Awards—the first Zydeco band to win this nomination.
September 14, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) --I don’t claim to be an expert on birds descending from the dinosaurs, but if Geese did descend from millions of years ago, it’s not surprising that they are fearless creatures. I’ve been “honked” at, faced down on the path, and even charged by Geese at our local lakes in the East County. The Geese in particular at tiny Lindo Lake in Lakeside seem to rule the area with bravado and pride and can be extremely aggressive. In addition, one of the most diverse amounts of species of Geese I’ve witnessed is at Lindo Lake.
September 14, 2015 (San Diego) – For the fifth consecutive year, Fortune magazine has named Debra L. Reed, chairman and CEO of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), to the magazine’s “Most Powerful Women in Business” list. Reed is ranked No. 23 in 2015, up from No. 30 last year.
September 14, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Over 11,000 firefighters are battling 12 large fires across California. The fires have destroyed hundreds of homes and threaten thousands more. Several firefighters have been injured (but are recovering) and at least one life has been lost in the Valley Fire. Robert Louis Stevenson state park is closed due to the fires, which also continue to threaten giant sequoias at Kings Canyon National Park.
County Fire Chief Tony Mecham and the CAL FIRE unit in San Diego assure that stations in San Diego County are open and fully staffed; all days off for CAL-FIRE firefighters have been cancelled. He also urged local residents to be prepared in case fires occur here, warning of dangerous conditions.
September 14, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)—Haggen, a major West Coast regional grocer, has announced plans to reorganize around its core profitable stores by filing voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company has received commitments for up to $215 million in debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing from its existing lenders to maintain operations and the flow of merchandise to its stores during the sale process.
Senator Joel Anderson urges Governor to veto spending for preschool and protecting Monarch butterflies, calls for money to be used on services for disabled,Medi-Cal providers and in-home support services
By Miriam Raftery
September 14, 2015 (Sacramento)—The state Legislature adjourned without approving a change required by the federal government to avoid losing $1.1 billion in Medi-Cal funding. Democrats and Republicans are pointing fingers, with each blaming the other.
September 14, 2015 (La Mesa) -- Medicines can treat health problems and help you live a healthier life but must be used correctly.
The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library will host a free program on “The Wise Use of Medication” from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Tips and suggestions will help attendees understand how to be safe and use medicines wisely, including information about over-the-counter and prescription medications, as well as key questions to ask your doctor or the pharmacist.
September 14, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - National Child Passenger Safety Week is this week. Make sure the ones you love are safe and secure in the car on every trip reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.
September 13, 2015 (Lake County, California)—Overnight, fueled by gasoline explosions, the Valley Fire grew from 400 acres to 40,000 acres, Cal Fire report. The blaze has destroyed scores of buildings including the historic heart of Middletown, a historic silver mining town dating back to the 1880s. The communities of Cobb and Hidden Valley have also suffered extensive damage, ABC news reports.
September 13, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - The County seeks volunteers for the San Miguel Local Park District Citizen Advisory Board (County Service Area 128).
September 17, 2015 (San Diego's East County)-- East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect 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 world and U.S. headlines include:
“The Wise Use of Medication” on Sept. 23
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