October 13, 2014 (Sacramento)--Why did Covered California award $184 million in no-bid contracts – including millions to consulting companies with ties to executives on the Covered California board? For instance, $4.2 million went to the Tori Group, whose founder once worked with Covered California’s executive director, Peter Lee, and other contracts went to a subsidiary of a firm that Lee once led.
October 14, 2014 (San Diego)--The City of San Diego has thus far had to pay over $8 million to settle cases with 14 victims who said they were sexually assaulted or subjected to inappropriate sexual advances by former San Diego Police Officer Anthony Arevalos. Almost two dozen women have lodged complaints ranging from groping to harassment by Officer Arevalos over a number of years.
October 14, 2014 (San Diego)--A blood filtration treatment made by a San Diego company has now joined the fight against Ebola. Aethlon Medical announced Tuesday the first use its Hemopurifier therapy on a patient infected with Ebola virus, Times of San Diego reports.
October 14, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County has some awesome autumn activities, from a spooky hayride in Julian to classic car cruisin’ at Santee Lakes, plus an international jousting competition—all in San Diego’s inland regions.
“This is criminal… This vote could possibly be blocked if enough Edison and SDG&E ratepayers raise enough hell.” – San Diego Reader reporter Don Bauder
By Miriam Raftery
October 12, 2014 (Sacramento) – California Attorney General Kamala Harris has opened an investigation into the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The Sacramento Bee reports that the probe centers around rate-setting procedures and oversight of Pacific Gas & Electric Company regarding the deadly San Bruno pipeline explosion, and assignment of administrative law judges to CPUC matters. In addition, the U.S. Attorney’s office has notified PG&E of a separate investigation into private communications suggesting that the state regulatory issue was trying to help PG&E avoid tough penalties for the fatal explosion.
CPUC Chairman Michael Peevey, a former PG&E executive, announced after exposure of internal emails revealed inappropriate communications that he will resign at year’s end. PG&E has fired some executives in the wake of the scandal. But ratepayer advocates say that's not enough.
National survey finds 80% of nurses say their hospital has not communicated any policy on Ebola: 2,200 RNs across U.S. say hospitals still lagging
Source: National Nurses Union
October 14, 2014 (Silver Springs, Maryland)--Following news Sunday that the first U.S. nurse has now tested positive for the deadly Ebola virus, National Nurses United called for all hospitals to have in place the highest standard of optimal protections, including Hazmat suits, and hands-on training to protect all RNs, other hospital personnel to confront Ebola.
By Chris Jennewein , originally published in Times of San Diego
Photo by Chris Jennewein
October 12, 2014 (San Diego)--San Diego transit and planning agencies on Thursday celebrated completion of the $44 million Mid-City Rapid project, which starting Sunday will provide fast bus service between San Diego State University and downtown San Diego.
October 11, 2014 (San Diego)--The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Humane as “being marked by compassion, sympathy, or consideration for humans or animals”. This is a good description of Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA, The Escondido Humane Society, and co-host of The Animal House. Giving back to society and helping animals in need has been Dr. Gary Weitzman stated mission in life.
This program, which started with the federal war on drugs, has evolved to the point that the law agencies share the assets that they seize, with 80% of the value staying with the local agency.
October 11, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) -- Forty people are under arrest following Operation Summer's End in Santee, Lakeside and unincorporated El Cajon, the Sheriff announced today. The probation checks were held from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 11th. Operation Summer's End also included traffic stops and trolley patrols.
October 12, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – Small wineries have been flourishing since our County passed its boutique winery ordinance. Unlike most small businesses, wineries that grow their own grapes can’t generate profits for several years, since it takes that long after planting vines before a quality wine can be produced. Many local wineries have relied on friends and other volunteers to pick grapes, help with events and other tasks.
October 5, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)- Four candidates are running for the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District Board. They are incumbents Bob Duff, Jerry Lecko and Rick Winet, and newcomer David Chong in the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District. (See the district map: http://www.lmsvsd.k12.ca.us/cms/lib2/CA01001633/Centricity/Domain/184/MAP-Schools.pdf).
ECM spoke with Superintendent Brian Marshall about the issues the district is facing. Marshall cited the budget, implementation of academic and innovative programs, wages, and bringing technology into classrooms.
October 11, 2014 (La Mesa)—A masked man armed with a handgun robbed the Motel 6 at 7621 Alvarado Road in La Mesa at gunpoint last night at 9:10, La Mesa Police report. The suspect remains at large.
October 12, 2014 (San Diego)--The County’s Health and Human Services Agency is asking for the public’s help to identify people who may have been exposed to rabies during the Del Mar Mud Run at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on Saturday, Oct. 4.
October 12, 2014 (San Diego)--For experienced daredevils, that adrenaline rush is hard to come by when you are scared of virtually nothing. So, where do all of these gutsy guys and gals live and what do they do for thrills and excitement?
October 12, 2014 (La Mesa) - San Diego resident John Sterne, will be opening the first Honest-1 Auto Care to serve the La Mesa community at the end of October. The shop will be located at 7375 Jackson Drive.
Roeling Adams released from San Quentin State Prison after wrongful conviction, with help from California Western School of Law in San Diego
October 12, 2014 (San Francisco)-- Roeling Adams walked out of San Quentin State Prison a free man on October 10th after he spent 28 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.
October 12, 2014 (San Diego)—The drone industry is emerging as a major employer in San Diego County. The technology offers applications for both domestic and military use – and while some hold promises of amazing opportunites, others have sparked controversy. Hear from speakers in the drone industry, an attorney specializing in drone law, and a peace activist raising ethical and privacy concerns at a luncheon sponsored by the League of Women Voters on Thursday, October 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse restaurant, 2150 Harbor Island Drive in San Diego.
October 12, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - On a lovely Sunday afternoon in Sept., the Mt. Helix Wine Growers Association held their 3rd annual "Meet and Greet", otherwise known as a potluck and wine sharing. About 30 growers came together to share news and ideas. A few really good locally made wines were brought, one in particular was from Kristi (Anderson) and Suzie, a newly bottled Syrah. Based on what your reporter tasted, the future continues to look very tasty for locally grown wines.
The Remembered Self: A Journey Into The Heart Of The Beast, by M.J. Payne (Dog Ear Publishing, Indianapolis, Indiana, 2014, 180 pages).
Book Review by Dennis Moore
October 11, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - M.J. Payne, a graduate of the University of Kentucky Honors Program and a member of Phi Beta Kappa, has written a sordid story of human sexuality and trauma based on a true story; The Remembered Self: A Journey Into The Heart Of The Beast. If not for my numerous communications with her I would think it a work of fiction, for some of it is too graphic and traumatic beyond belief, but it did actually happen according to the author. Payne does not attempt to sugar-coat this story, and what happened to her starting as a child, and perhaps that is therapeutic for her.
Dear EarthTalk: What’s the latest on efforts to ban plastic bags? How many U.S. locales have instituted some kind of ban, and have these initiatives made a dent in the amount of plastic litter?
-- Melinda Clarke, New York, NY
October 11, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - California made big news recently when it announced the first statewide ban on plastic shopping bags set to kick in during the middle of 2015. Beginning in July, large grocery stores, pharmacies and other food retailers in the Golden State will no longer be able to send shoppers home with plastic bags, while convenience markets, liquor stores and other small food retailers will join the ranks a year later.
Fundraiser for East County nonprofit takes place Oct. 17 at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
October 9, 2014 (San Diego) - John Carney, one of the top scoring players in NFL history, will be the Keynote Speaker at the Eric Paredes Save a Heart, Save a Life Gala on Friday, October 17. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa on Mission Bay. Carney, who ranks fourth on the all-time pro football scoring list, played half of his 22-year career with the San Diego Chargers.
October 9, 2014 (El Cajon)—Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. Tuesday, a fire caused by unattended cooking displaced a family of five and caused $100,000 in damage to an apartment in El Cajon. It is considered a total loss.
October 11, 2014 (San Diego) Channel 10 hosted a debate this week for candidates in the 52nd Congressional District, sponsored by KOGO and the San Diego Chamber of Commerce. Republican Carl DeMaio and Democrat Scott Peters came ready to answer questions from both LaDonna Harvey of KOGO and former Mayor/current San Diego Chamber of Commerce President Jerry Sanders.
October 11, 2014 (San Diego) – In a city still reeling from the sexual harassment scandal that led to the resignation of Mayor Bob Filner, sexual harassment allegations have now surfaced in a high-profile Congressional campaign.
Todd Bosnich, a former staffer of Republican Congressional candidate Carl DeMaio, claims that DeMaio called him into his office and masturbated in front of him. Bosnich claims he was also harassed by DeMaio, who is gay, on other occasions, including a crotch-grabbing incident, Voice of San Diego reports. DeMaio is running in the 52nd Congressional district against incumbent Democratic Congressman Scott Peters.
"Reprinted with permission, originally published September 30, 2014 at Reporting San Diego."
By Nadine Abbott
October 10, 2014 (San Diego) Mexican media is reporting that the Department of Homeland Security has reopened an investigation against Sempra Energy based in San Diego. The reporting from La Jornada states:
“A DHS source informed this diary that the investigation includes several federal officials including the Federal District Attorney, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents, and DHS Personnel implicated in a series of crimes in complicity with Sempra.”
They also write that these activities implicate the Office of the Federal Attorney, Laura Duffey in San Diego.
October 9, 2014 (Poway) – An international jousting competition founded by Ramona resident and armor maker Jeffrey Hedgecock, will be held during the October 17-19 Tournament of the Phoenix and Festival of History. This fascinating event also features period camps from Rome to the Renaissance, all at the Poway Rodeo Grounds.
October 10, 2014 (San Diego County) - The Registrar’s office is required by federal law to provide bilingual speakers and voting materials to voters who speak Spanish, Filipino, Vietnamese and Chinese. A survey by the University of California, Berkeley showed a need for speakers of Khmer, Japanese, Korean and Hindi at about 20 precincts so the Registrar’s office is also recruiting poll workers bilingual in those languages for the November 4 election.
October 10, 2014 (Spring Valley)---The San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Farmers Insurance donated a total of $14,000 to purchase Ice Machines for 5 of the Fire Stations within the San Miguel Fire District. The generation of a large supply of ice is a simple but effective tool in keeping Firefighters hydrated and cooler.
October 10, 2014 (San Diego) – When I wasn't covering my eyes, holding my breath, and jumping in my seat, I laughed inside and thought sarcastically, "I know Uncle John would just love Annabelle." My Uncle John lives with my 99 year-old grandmother, who has collected many things over the years, including a doll that gives him and most of my family the creeps. It's an old-school baby doll that looks, feels, and weighs the same as a real baby. When you walk past it, you get the feeling it's watching you. And my grandmother insists on having it in her living room.
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