TRUMP SENDS SUPPLIES TO EUROPEAN ALLIES, WHILE PUTIN INTENDS TO KEEP FIGHTING UKRAINE

MULTI-VEHICLE CRASH KILLS FIVE, LED TO BRUSH FIRE THAT CLOSED STATE ROUTE 67 BOTH DIRECTIONS

SANDAG MEETING FRIDAY ON DRAFT 2025 PLAN

DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: MIDSUMMER FUN

MEMORY WEAVERS: AWARD-WINNING NOVEL OF TWO WOMEN BONDED BY TRAUMAS

ANIMAL ADVOCATES CELEBRATE HOUSING COMMISSION DROPPING PROPOSED NEW LIMIT ON PET OWNERSHIP

COUNTY WINS NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS

LA MESA CITY COUNCIL APPROVES RENOVATIONS FOR GROSSMONT CENTER

ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

SAN DIEGO NAMED CANDIDATE HOST CITY FOR INVICTUS GAMES 2029

STATE PARKS PHOTO CONTEST RUNNING THROUGH SEPT. 30

GROCERY WORKERS AT RALPHS, ALBERTSONS, VONS, AND PAVILIONS VOTE TO RATIFY NEW CONTRACTS

AUTHOR TO SHARE TALES OF ALPINE'S PAST SEPT. 11

 

East County News Service

August 30, 2014 (Alpine) – Author Carlette Anderson will share stories and artifacts from the Alpine Woman’s Club’s 100-year history during the group’s meeting on Thursday, September 11th at 6 p.m. in the Alpine Library, 2140 Arnold Way in Alpine.

READER'S EDITORIAL: MUNICIPALITIES HAVE NO BUSINESS ENGAGING IN BUSINESS WITH RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS

 

By Tom Comeau

August 30, 2014 (El Cajon)--There's always been a steady assault by religious groups of all stripes, on the separation of church and state, but what El Cajon doesn't need is for the City Council to initiate such activity as in its proposed contract with the "Rock Church" (do they worship rocks?) for the utilization of the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) for religious purposes. The Council cannot dodge the issue of the church/state violation when it agrees to allow a church to utilize 'public property' for what is clearly religious purposes. Included in this agreement is the proposed erection of an additional building on 'public property' to serve the needs of this religious group, with the generous proviso that the building would revert to the city at the end of its use by the religious group.

READER'S EDITORIAL: HELICOPTERS FLYING TOO LOW

 

Photo: View of Oak Creek/Boulder Creek area taken by Cynthia Burnham from her home, where she reports seeing an SDG&E helicopter hovering "very low" for at least 10 minutes.

An open letter sent to the California Public Utilities Commission,  U.S. Forest Service/Cleveland National Forest, Congressman Duncan Hunter and Supervisor Dianne Jacob:

By Cindy Buxton

Dear CPUC, Foresters, Congressmen, and Supervisors:  

August 31, 2014 (Boulder Creek)--Several residences and visitors to the Cleveland National Forest lately between Descanso and Julian in the Boulder Creek area have complained about low flying helicopters.  These were seen hovering over people's back yards by only a few hundred feet. Subsequently we are to learn in the East County Magazine that several other residences identified the helicopters belonging to SDG&E, also experienced this to the point that horses were so frightened that they were injured.  One of the helicopters seen by several residences along Boulder Creek Road had a visible camera on the front  and apparently was not necessarily  in line with the ROW (right of way) for the TL626 line.

TRUCK HITS, KILLS LAKESIDE MAN

 

August 30, 2014 (Lakeside)—An 18-year-old Lakeside man, Christian Nee, died August 17th shortly after his motorbike struck the rear of a truck on Sunview Drive in EL Cajon. He was taken by ambulance to Sharp Memorial Hospital, where despite aggressive medical intervention, he died shortly after arrival, of injuries to his head and torso, the Medical Examiner’s office reports.

ANCIENT KUMEYAAY ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIND AT ECO-SUBSTATION SITE

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

August 30, 2014 (Jacumba Hot Springs)—Two agave roasting pits  found recently in Jacumba Hot Springs have been carbon-dated, indicating Kumeyaay Native American occupation in the Jacumba region dates back at least 9,000 years.  Termed “an astounding recent archaeological find” by the Imperial Valley Desert Museum in Ocotillo, the agave roasting pits were unearthed during construction of SDG&E’s ECO substation project in San Diego’s East County.

Howard Cook, chair of Jacumba Hot Springs Sponsor Group (the town's advisory planning board) believes the find should have impacts on future develoment projects pending in the area. 

“This is highly relevant to the proposed Jacumba Solar project located next door and sharing roads with the under construction Eco project,” he told East County Magazine. “Certainly this calls for a cultural monitor and perhaps some preliminary excavating of the proposed site by [an] historical society and Native American historical/cultural experts."

FROM THE FIRE CHIEF'S CORNER: CALIF. GRAPE CRUSH AND CRASH COMES EARLY-- WINE AWARENESS MONTH IS SEPTEMBER

 

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

August 29, 2014 (San Diego)--It appears the California Grape Crush came crashing in a bit early and un-expectantly for the Napa wine region. On the eve of the 2014 harvest, Napa and Napa Valley wineries were rocked by a 6.1 magnitude earthquake in the early hours of Sunday morning. The quake injured over 100 people, but fortunately claimed no lives says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. Napa’s Resiliency is to be commended, however, a good reminder for all of us to be prepared… Coincidentally, September is National Wine Awareness Month and wine has become so vital to California, that it deserves a whole month.

SDG&E ON TRACK TO MEET 33% RENEWABLES GOAL BY YEAR'S END

 

Photo: Wind turbines in Ocotillo dwarf resident and mountains surrounding the desert town

By Miriam Raftery

August 29, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--Jim Avery, a senior vice president at San Diego Gas & Electric Company, says the utility will meet California’s 33% renewable energy goal by the end of 2014 – six years ahead of schedule, IT San Diego reports.

THREE PEOPLE CONTRACT WEST NILE VIRUS IN EAST COUNTY

 

East County News Service

August 30, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – Three East County residents have contracted West Nile Virus – the first victims of the disease in San Diego County in the past two years.

LEGISLATURE VOTES TO BAN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS

 

By Miriam Raftery

August 30, 2014 (Sacramento) – Plastic accounts for 90% of all floating debris in the ocean. This has negatively impacted over 250 species and puts petroleum-based chemicals into our food chain. Many bags wind up in the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” in the north Pacific Ocean that has been estimated to measure hundreds of thousands, even millions of square miles.  Whales, dolphins and sea turtles choke by swallowing plastic bags, which resemble jellyfish prey. Bags can also become entangled around an animal’s neck.

MEASURE TO PROTECT TEMPORARY WORKERS PASSES SENATE, MOVES TO GOVERNOR'S DESK

 

By Miriam Raftery

August 30, 2014 (Sacramento) – Just in time for Labor Day, a bill to protect temporary workers, AB 1897, has passed the Legislature and is now on the Governor’s Desk.

Increasingly companies are relying on long-term use of temporary workers even for strenuous and dangerous jobs, and some have reportedly been cheated out of wages.A report by ProPublica found that in California, temporary workers face a 50 percent higher risk of being injured on the job than permanent employees. Subcontracted workers have no guarantee of future work and risk punishment for speaking out or reporting hazardous conditions--problems this measure aims to correct.

The bill has support of labor groups and opposition from large employers.

HAVE A BLAST: VIEJAS AIMS TO SET WORLD RECORD FOR FIREWORKS SEPT. 12

 

August 30, 2014 (Alpine) – Viejas Casino & Resort will attempt to launch the world’s longest chain of fireworks—more than 10,000 – to celebrates its 23rd anniversary on Friday, September 12th at 8 p.m. You’re invited to the festivities near the Viejas Hotel pool to witness the sky come alive with fireworks during this Guinness Book of World Records setting attempt.

JULIAN HOSTS END OF SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL SEPT. 20

East County News Service

August 30, 2014 (Julian) – For the 45th year, Julian celebrates the end of summer with music.  The Julian Music Festival will be held at the Menghini Winery on September 20th from 1 to 8 p.m.  This year’s event features bluegrass to celebrate the festival’s roots, Western ballads to remember the past, as well as music by current songwriters and singers.

Performers slated to appear include singer/songwriter Melanie Devaney, guitarist/singer Steve Ybarra, Cool Band Luke performing high energy favorites, and Trails and Rails performing train songs, cowboy tunes, pop, swing, vocal harmonies and whistling. 

MICHAEL BROWN REMEMBRANCE AND SPEAK THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO DIED IN SAN DIEGO

 

August 29, 2014 (San Diego) - Activist San Diego (ASD), a coalition of community organizations, in an effort to keep the issue of lives lost at the hands of law enforcement, will have a rally at the City Heights Performance Annex in San Diego. As will many other such rallies throughout the country, the rally will be in remembrance of Mike Brown and the town of Ferguson, Missouri.

KNOX HOUSE MUSEUM OFFERS GLIMPSE INTO EL CAJON'S PAST

 

Story and photos by Robert Gehr

August 29, 2014 (El Cajon)--Built in 1876 by Amaziah Lord Knox, this structure was a hotel and residence combined. It was located near what is now Main St. & Magnolia Avenue in downtown El Cajon. The place provided a comfortable place for weary travelers to spend the night when traversing back and forth from the Julian gold mines to San Diego.

TRANSPORTATION JUSTICE FOR EAST COUNTY: MEETING & COMMUNITY DINNER SEPT. 9 IN EL CAJON

 

By Miriam Raftery

August 29, 2014 (El Cajon)—You and your neighbors are invited to discuss access to safe, efficient and affordable transportation options.  What are your transportation needs and priorities? How can you influence transportation planning decisions?

A community meeting on these issues is planned for Tuesday, September 9th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Prescott Promenade Park, 201 East Main Street in El Cajon. Dinner will be provided and Spanish translation is available. (View flyer) This event is organized by a coalition that includes the Environmental Health Coalition, Cleveland National Forest Foundation, MAAC,  and City Heights Community Development Corporation. The groups observe that transportation justice increases transportation access, improves public health and safety, and ensures equity for all.

In addition, a petition has been launched calling on local elected officials and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) to support transportation justice and adopt a regional transportation plant that:

SDG&E LOW-FLYING HELICOPTER CAUSED HORSE INJURY IN DESCANSO, OWNER CLAIMS

 

By Miriam Raftery

August 29, 2014 (Descanso) –A helicopter chartered by San Diego Gas & Electric Company to survey lines in Descanso was flying below the legal height limit on Wednesday, startling a horse that was injured as a result, says owner Rita Gallant.

Tim Garland, a ferrier who works for Garland, was shoeing horses on her property and called Gallant to report that horses were being spooked by the low-flying chopper.

“He said, `You’ve got this helicopter hovering above your property. It’s right at the top of your gate and your horses are going crazy,” Gallant told East County Magazine.  She added that Garland told her the helicopter was just 150 to 200 feet above the gate—close enough to get a good look at the pilot.  Anything under 1,000 feet would be illegal, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

TROLLEY OFFICERS FIRED OVER PASSENGER BEATING IN LA MESA

 

By Miriam Raftery

August 29, 2014 (La Mesa)--Two security officers caught on video beating a passenger on a trolley in La Mesa on August 18th have lost their jobs, Transit Systems Security has informed Metropolitan Transit System. MTS contracts with TSS to provide security services on trolleys and busses countywide.

“This incident never should have happened and we will take all appropriate steps internally and with TSS to help prevent future occurrences,” said MTS Chief Executive Officer Paul Jablonski in reference to the altercation between a passenger and two TSS security officers. “We do not tolerate that kind of behavior.”

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: POWER POLE REPLACEMENT

 

August 29,2014 (El Cajon) – Maintaining many miles of power lines is a time-consuming task.  Robert Gehr documented what’s involved on August 23, when San Diego Gas & Electric technicians replaced an electrical pole and transformer on west Park Avenue in El Cajon with photos and notes below.

OUR LADY OF LIGHT CHURCH DEEP-PIT BARBECUE AUG. 31

 

 

August  29, 2014 (Descanso)--Our Lady of Light Catholic Church in Descanso will hold its 77th Annual Deep Pit Barbecue on Sunday August 31st of the Labor Day weekend. The Festivities will start at 11 a.m. and continue until 6 p.m.

The barbecue has been a major event of the mountain empire area since before World War II. It will be held on the Church grounds on Riverside drive in Descanso.

GIL AND NANCY RIEGLER: ANIMAL WHISPERERS IN RAMONA

 

By Mimi Pollack

August 28, 2014 (Ramona) -- Being an animal whisperer is not magic. It is a combination of common sense and tapping into an energy or even spiritual connection that a lucky few have with animals. Gil and Nancy Riegler, owners of the Oasis Dairy Camel Farm in Ramona, have had a special bond with animals since they were young, and it has grown over their many years of working and learning about them.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CHAPTER IN EAST COUNTY WORKS TO HELP HUMANITARIAN CAUSES WORLDWIDE

 

 

Update: Our interview is now online. Listen here:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

Tune in Monday at 5 p.m. to hear our interview with East County’s Amnesty International organizer Renee Altson on KNSJ 89.1 FM or streamed live at www.KNSJ.org .

By Miriam Raftery

August 29, 2014 (Santee) – At the Summit Unitarian Universalist Church in Santee, a dedicated group of Amnesty International members meet each week.  They write letters to leaders around the world on causes such as seeking freedom for jailed journalists, stopping barbaric practices such as torture and stoning women to death, and ending conflict in regions such as Gaza. The group has celebrated several recent successes, which organizer Renee Altson discusses in a radio interview with East County Magazine airing Monday, September 1st.

Sometimes, those causes hit closer to home, such as a “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot!” protest planned September 2nd at 5:30 p.m. at the Metzli student union center on San Diego State University’s campus.  The protest focuses on police brutality in the wake of the Ferguson, Missouri shooting of an unarmed black teenager.

Audio: 

BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS TO CELEBRATE TRADITIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE AT 44TH ANNUAL POWWOW AUG. 29-31

 

August 27, 2014 (Lakeside) – The Barona Band of Mission Indians invites San Diego to experience Native American dancing, music and cuisine at the 44th annual Barona Powwow at the Barona Indian Reservation’s recently renovated Sports Park. The celebration starts on Friday, August 29 with gourd dancing at 6 p.m. and grand entry at 7 p.m. and continues throughout the weekend on Saturday and Sunday, August 30-31, from 1 to 11 p.m.

BLUES RUSE AT ANDIAMO RISTORANTE AUG. 30

 

August 28, 2014 (Tierrasanta) – Andiamo Ristorante Italiano and Bar is serving up a brand new menu—along with live music by Blues Rise starting at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 30th.  The musicians will perform vintage blues including Mississippi Delta Blues from the first half of the 1900s as well as more recent blues tunes.

REWARD ANNOUNCED IN COLD CASE OF MICKEY GUIDRY; TEEN WHO VANISHED IN DESERT 5 YEARS AGO

 

East County News Service

August 28, 2014 (Borrego Springs)—The family of Mickey James Guidry is offering a $3,500 reward for information that leads to finding Mickey, who disappeared on November 27, 2009 when he was 16 years old.  Above are photos of what Mickey looked like back then, and a computer-aged photo of what he may look like today.

Mickey had camped with friends at the Mobiland RV Park at 5491 Split Mountain Road in Borrego Springs. The Jeep Grand Cherokee he was driving was found broken down and abandoned near Pinion Mountain.

LABOR DAY WEEKEND ART SHOW IN JULIAN

 

August 28, 2014 (Julian) -- Talented artists from Julian and nearby communities will present their works at the Julian Labor Day Weekend Art Show August 30 through September 1. The show wlil be held in the Julian Town  Hall, 2129 Main Street in historic Julian, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Works dissplayed will includepaintings, photography, mosaics, ceramics, printmaking, jewelry and other works of fine art. Admission to the show is free, and many of the artists will be available to discuss their work.  For more details, visit http://www.julianartsguild.org.

FUNDRAISER TONIGHT IN EL CAJON TO HELP IRAQI CHRISTIANS

 

 

 

East County Chaldean Bishop Jammo to personally deliver donations from Iraqi Christian Relief Fund fundraiser to persecuted Christians in Iraq

East County News Service

August 27, 2014 (El Cajon) Tonight at 7 p.m.,  over 700 San Diegans, including the Chaldean community, will gather in solidarity to raise funds for persecuted Iraqi Christians, at the Iraqi Christian Relief Fund (ICRF) fundraiser at St Peters Chaldean Cathedral in Rancho San Diego.

This is the first major fundraiser in San Diego for persecuted Iraqi Christians.

Speakers at the fundraiser showing unity with Iraqi Christians, will include Dr. Jim Garlow, Senior Pastor of Skyline Church in Rancho San Diego.

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