BRUSH FIRE CLOSES STATE ROUTE 67 BOTH DIRECTIONS

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SANDAG MEETING FRIDAY ON DRAFT 2025 PLAN

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DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: MIDSUMMER FUN

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

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

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COUNTY WINS NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS

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LA MESA CITY COUNCIL APPROVES RENOVATIONS FOR GROSSMONT CENTER

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ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

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SAN DIEGO NAMED CANDIDATE HOST CITY FOR INVICTUS GAMES 2029

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STATE PARKS PHOTO CONTEST RUNNING THROUGH SEPT. 30

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

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SUNCREST TRUCK TRAIL NOT A VIABLE OPTION FOR FIRE EVACUATION ROUTE IN CREST, ACCORDING TO FIRE OFFICIALS

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TRICK ROPER TO PERFORM AT LAKESIDE RODEO’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT APRIL 25-27

 

 

April 24, 2014 (Lakeside) Tomas Gracilazo, trick roping expert, will perform his dazzling showmanship routine at each performance of the Lakeside Rodeo, which celebrates its 50th anniversary with performances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday  April 25-27 this weekend.

You can also see a full range of other rodeo events including bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, steer wrestling, tie down roping, bareback bronc riding, and saddle bronc riding. There’s also a special stick horse riding competition for children.

SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT: EL CAJON COUNCIL VOTES TO FUND SAN DIEGO YOUTH CHOIR

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

April 24, 2014 (El Cajon) – By a unanimous vote, El Cajon’s City Council on Tuesday voted to grant $10,000 to fund the San Diego Youth Choir, a multi-racial, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural community youth choir based in El Cajon. The group’s mission statement is to empower young leaders through musical excellence.  It’s mantra is “Empowering San Diego County youth, one note at a time.”

“What it really is, is an investment in children’s future,” Councilman Gary Kendrick told East County Magazine. “$10,000 today could save us $100,000 tomorrow in police costs and property crimes.”  He added that performing together also builds self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment, as well as forging bonds that can last a lifetime.  “My son still has close friendships in Hollywood that started when he was in Christian Youth Theater in San Diego,” Kendrick recalled.

 The San Diego Youth Choir (www.youthchoirsd.org) aims to be housed in a central location in El Cajon with state of the art rehearsal space, practice rooms, dance rooms, and a recording studio.

MAYOR VOEPEL OPPOSES QUAIL BRUSH EXTENSION

 

By Miriam Raftery

April 23, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – Last week, we reported that applicants for the controversial gas-fired Quail Brush Power plant proposal asked the California Energy Commission to extend a suspension for another year and keep alive the potential to revive the project proposed next to Mission Trails Regional Park in San Diegio and schools in Santee.

CHRISTIAN VOTERS POLITICAL PAMPHLET SENT BY DEMOCRATIC BACKER IN EL CAJON VIOLATED CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAW, FPPC ENFORCEMENT OFFICER ADVISES

 

By Miriam Raftery

April 23, 2014 (El Cajon)—The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) is weighing a proposed stipulation order that if signed, would impose a $2,000 fine against Bonnie Burns Price for a mailer from “ Christian Voters for a More Transparent Government in East County."  Price is the former chair of the East County Democratic Club and a supporter of Ben Kalasho, a candidate who ran for El Cajon Council and lost by a narrow margin in 2012.

HOT PROWL BURGLARY IN COLLEGE AREA

 

April 23, 2014 (San Diego) – Campus police at San Diego State University have sent an alert warning students about a hot prowl burglary that occurred around 3:50 a.m. this morning.  A female victim awakened to find an unknown man burglarizing her apartment.

SPRING VALLEY COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP VACANCY NOTICE

 

April 23, 2014 (Spring Valley) - This is to announce a vacancy has occurred on the Spring Valley Community Planning Group, due to the resignation of Richard Preuss, Seat 7. The BOARD OF SUPERVISORS makes this appointment. Please refer to the Roster of Boards, Commissions and Committees on our web site at http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/cob/.

LAWSUIT AGAINST SAN DIEGO SUPERVISORS OVER WIND ORDINANCE SET FOR COURT HEARING APRIL 25

 

By Miriam Raftery

April 23, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – A lawsuit filed against San Diego Supervisors asks the court to set aside the County’s new wind energy ordinance and an amendment to Boulevard’s community plan.  The case will be heard on Friday, April 25 at 1:30 p.m. in Superior Court, Department C-72, with Judge Timothy Taylor presiding. The courthouse is located at 220 West Broadway, San Diego.

The suit was filed by two community groups-- the Protect Our Communities Foundation, Backcountry Against Dumps-- and  by Donna Tisdale, chair of the Boulevard Planning Group. Plaintiffs seek to half industrial wind development in their backcountry community. They contend that such projects pose serious impacts to wildlife, water resources, human health and safety that the Board ignored.

LA MESA POLICE ARREST SDPD OFFICER FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST HIS WIFE

 

 

April 23, 2014 (La Mesa) – San Diego Police Officer Gilbert Anthony Lorenzo has been arrested by La Mesa Police yesterday for felony domestic violence against his wife. La Mesa Police Chief Matt Nicholas said that the victim did not require medical attention.

Officer Lorenzo, who has worked for SDPD for seven years, was released on $50,000 bail and has been suspended from duty, SDPD Chief Shelley Zimmerman said.

KURDISH-AMERICANS CELEBRATE FREEDOM IN EAST COUNTY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Leon Thompson

April 23, 2014 (Lakeside) --At El Monte Park in Lakeside on March 29, the Kurdish people celebrated Kurdistan’s independence and the Kurdish New Year.  

According to Chinar Hussein who helped start the Kurdish Community Center in El Cajon it is fitting that the two events be celebrated together since it is like a “new beginning” for the Kurdish people.  She said one reason the occasion was so joyous is because this particular celebration is forbidden in their homeland, Kurdistan, a mountainous region that encompasses portions of  northern Iraq, Turkey, Iran and Syria.

DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP EVENTS APRIL 25-27

 

 

By Ariele Johannson

April 23, 2014 (San Diego's East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes several annual outdoor festivals, a parade, garden and home tours, plant sales, wine tasting, dancing events, a rodeo, Western Days, and more!

JUDICIAL CANDIDATE FACES ETHICS CONTROVERSIES

 

Court stipulation requires changes in ballot statement claims; fundraiser for Issa and large donations raise further ethical questions

By Miriam Raftery

April 22, 2014 (San Diego) –Three candidates are vying for Superior Court Judge, seat 25, on the June ballot. The top two will face off in November.  The official ballot designations list them as Deputy Attorney General Brad Weinreb, attorney/fraud examiner Michele Hagan, and attorney/court volunteer Ken Gosselin.

Controversy has arisen surrounding Gosselin,  after Weinreb filed a legal challenge alleging exaggerated experience and education claims on Gosselin’s ballot statement. 

In addiiton, an ECM investigation has found that a fundraiser that Gosselin held at his home for a non-judicial candidate, Congressman Darrell Issa, may have violated California's Judicial Canon of Ethics, which prohibit judicial candidates from fundraising for or endorsing non-judicial candidates. A second Congressional candidate has also stated that Gosselin endorsed him.  Other violations may have occurred due to hefty campaign contributions made by Gosselin to the San Diego County Republican Party, which later endorsed him, and to the Lincoln Club.

ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

April 23, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--ECM 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:

U..S.

WORLD

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS

April 24, 2014 (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:

LOCAL

STATE

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

SAN DIEGO POLICE SEEK MASKED MAN IN BLACK VEHICLE WHO KIDNAPPED & SEXUALLY ASSAULTED GIRL, 12

 

Update: Police have concluded that this incident was a hoax; the girl has admitted she was not abducted by a stranger.

By Miriam Raftery

April 23, 2014 (San Diego) – San Diego Police are seeking a man in  a black mask, driving an older black SUV or van who reportedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl. The girl was walking near the 4700 block of F Street about 7 p.m.Monday evening when she was abducted at gunpoint.

According to police, the suspect is described as a black man, 40-50 years old, with tattoos on his hands and arm. He wore a black mask, shirt and pants and was driving an older black SUV or van.  He was armed with a handgun.

SCIENCE AND HEALTH HIGHLIGHTS

April 23, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)-- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future

SCIENCE

HEALTH

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

KIDS' FISHING DERBY APRIL 26 AT SANTEE LAKES

 

Registration deadline April 24

April 23, 2014 (Santee) – You’re invited to the 13th annual Wil Wilson Memorial Spring Valley Lions Club Kids Fishing Derby this Saturday, April 26.  T he derby will take place on Lake 4. Check in at 6:30 am ends at 11:00 am. Awards will be given for the biggest fish, smallest fish, and most fish.  A barbecue lunch follows the Awards Ceremony.

ARRESTS MADE IN MURDER OF LAKESIDE WOMAN FOUND BURNED IN ALPINE

 

By Miriam Raftery

April 22, 2014 (Alpine)—Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of Lakeside resident Kimberly Renee Hayes. According to Lt. Glenn Giannantonio with the Sheriff’s homicide unit, Hayes was murdered in an apartment in El Cajon on March 8; the next morning her body was dumped and set on fire on a dirty road off Sequan Truck Trail in Alpine.

USDA ANNOUNCES FUNDING TO TRAIN AND EDUCATE NEXT GENERATION OF FARMERS AND RANCHERS

 

 

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
 

April 21, 2014 (Washington D.C.)– Last week, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the availability of more than $19 million in grants to help train, educate and enhance the sustainability of the next generation of agricultural producers through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP).

MAYOR MADRID LAUNCHES REELECTION CAMPAIGN, RUNS ON RECORD OF SUCCESS

 

By Miriam Raftery

April 22, 2014 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid held a press conference yesterday, flanked by his supporters,  to formally launch his reelection campaign.  “I pledge that the city will continue to be properly managed and that I will vigorously protect its character and heritage,” said Mayor Madrid.  He cited successes under his leadership during his 24-year tenure as Mayor and his 10 years previously on the City Council, as well as a decade serving on civic boards and commissions.

“In 1990 when I was elected Mayor, my commitment then was to help make La Mesa the best community in the region in which to live and raise a family,” said the Mayor, adding that his leadership, collaborative governance and management skills have helped fulfill that dream.  “I’ve led the transformation of la Mesa into a vibrant, proactive and inclusive community that continues to attract new families and businesses to our city.”

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING IN SAN DIEGO APRIL 25 ON STUDENT HARASSMENT AND HATE CRIMES

 

April 21, 2014 (San Diego)-- Assemblymember Shirley N. Weber convenes the second of four hearings of the Assembly Select Committee on Campus Climate at the Educational Cultural Complex in San Diego, California on Friday, April 25 from 12-3 p.m.

BIRD TALK: THE COMMON HOUSE FINCH & NOT SO COMMON RELATIVES

 

April 21, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) --There is a staggering estimated population of up to 1.4 billion House Finches across North America. If the birding scientific estimates are accurate, that would be about the same as the number of people in China today!  When you consider that the House Finch was originally only in the western United States and Mexico until 1940, its success in population growth is even more impressive.

BUDGET BATTLES IN CONGRESS

 

By Miriam Raftery

April 22, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - Three competing budgets have been proposed in Congress-one by House Republicans, another by President Obama, and a third by the House Congressional Progressive Caucus.

All aim to balance the budget over time. The Republican plan focuses on cuts to social services and tax breaks to businesses and wealthier Americans in line with the trickle-down economic theory. The President and progressive budgets focus on raising revenues to closing tax loopholes for corporations and the rich, providing more help to middle class and low-income taxpayers under a rising tide floats all boats strategy.

But how do these three budgets stack up compared to what polls show most Americans want Congress to do?

EAST COUNTY CRIME SPREE SUBJECT NOW IN CUSTODY

 

April 19, 2014 (Spring Valley)--A man wanted in connection with a crime spree in East County is now in custody. Kevin Knight (1/12/71) was arrested around 8:30 a.m. today (4/09/2014) near a Wendy's at the intersection of Campo Road and Spring Street in Spring Valley.

A TRUE CHAMPION: SAN DIEGO ATHLETE, FORMER REFUGEE WINS BOSTON MARATHON

 

By Miriam Raftery

April 21, 2014 (San Diego) – Meb Keflezighi is a champion in every sense of the word—an impoverished refugee who has become a symbol of the American success story—a story crowned by winning this year’s Boston Marathon.

As a child, he came to America as a refugee with his family, fleeing war-torn Eritria in Africa. The son of a janitor and one of 10 children, Keflezighi  found that running became his ticket out of poverty. He began running while at Roosevelt Middle School and won the CIF state championships representing San Diego High School. He went on to win four NCAA championships and All-American awards at UCLA before winning a silver medal at the 2004 summer Olympics.

DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR TAX DOLLARS ARE GOING?

 

April 21, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) --The deadline for paying your federal income taxes on April 15th is now passed.

But do you know where your tax dollars are going?  You may be surprised to find out just what the federal government is prioritizing – and what it’s not.

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