SANDAG MEETING FRIDAY ON DRAFT 2025 PLAN

DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: MIDSUMMER FUN

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

COUNTY WINS NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS

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

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

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

DEAF MONGOLIAN IMMIGRANT HELD BY ICE IN OTAY MESA FOR MONTHS WITHOUT ACCESS TO INTERPRETER

OFFICIAL RELEASE OF "DAY HIKES & OVERNIGHTS ON THE PACIFIC CREST TRAIL" BY SAN DIEGO AUTHOR MARLISE KAST-MYERS

 

March 26, 2014 (San Diego)--The Pacific Crest Trail is one of America’s greatest long-distance hiking routes. Stretching from Mexico to Canada, its 2,650 miles are traversed annually by several hundred thru-hikers as well as thousands of day hikers. They come to the PCT to experience something rugged and memorable, to challenge themselves, and sometimes to find themselves. Cheryl Strayed’s bestseller Wild introduced many readers to the PCT. Now Day Hikes & Overnights on the Pacific Crest Trail gives hikers the tools they need to get out and explore sections of this fabled route.

ALPINE UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT TO HOLD SPECIAL MEETING MARCH 31

March 30, 2014 (Alpine) – On March 31, the Alpine Union School District will hold a special meeting.  A closed session at 5:15 to conference with labor negotiators will be followed by an open session at 5:30.

The open session ncludes discussion of changes to upcoming board meeting scheduling, as well as a board workshop at which lead petitioners of the unification process and high school committee members will present their understanding of the unification process. The board will also ask questions.

EYE IN THE SKY: CAN DRONES BECOME CENTRAL TO REPORTING?

 

 

By Nadin Abbott

Photos by Tom Abbott

March 26, 2013 (San Diego) A talk held yesterday at San Diego State, hosted by SDSU’s Center for Science and Media (a collaboration of the School of Journalism and Media Studies, College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts and the College of Sciences) raised important questions on how to use drones in media gathering--also demonstrating how effective drone coverage could be, as a drone whirred overhead transmitting images.

Professor Matt Waite from the College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, founder of the Drone Journalism Lab, brought a small drone to show it to the public. (For the record, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has shut his Lab down for the moment, as well as drone usage by the Washington Nationals and a beer company in Minnesota. The proposed use of Drones by Amazon.com to deliver goods is also not permitted under present rules.)

IBERDROLA VIOLATING FIRE CODES, LIED TO OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, SAYS NH FIRE MARSHALL

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

March 26, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) –Last week, we reported  on the latest in a string of fires at Iberdrola wind facilities, last time at a Pennsylvania site. Some involved turbines made by Gamesa, in which Iberdrola owns a controlling interest.  Fires have occurred with other Gamesa turbines at additional sites.

Meanwhile in  New Hampshire, ECM has learned that State Fire Marshal Rob Anstey has accused Iberdrola of violating fire safety codes and lying to an oversight committee about the Fire Marshal’s requirements at its Groton Wind facility. The Fire Marshall has announced that he may issue a stop work order to shut down the facility.

That should spark concern here in San Diego, where Supervisors and the federal government recently approved Tule Wind, an Iberdrola wind project slated to go into a region prone to cstastrophic wildfires including the 2007 Harris Fire, which was fueled by 100 mph hurricane-force winds. Campgrounds are located in McCain Valley, where Iberdrola aims to line the only road in and out with wind turbines, each filled with hundreds of gallons of flammable lubricating oil.  Former Cal Fire Batallion Chief Mark Ostrander has warned that firefighters can't fight fires under a flaming turbine whirling off debris, and aerial drops won't work at heights above 300 feet. The turbines are 500 feet, so firefighters would have to wait for the fire to burn outside of the wind facility, which could result in a firestorm that could burn into urban San Diego areas, he has warned.

SAN DIEGO VETERANS ADMININISTRATION NURSES FILE FOR ELECTION TO JOIN LARGEST RN UNION

 





March 25, 2014 (San Diego)--Registered nurses who work in the large Veterans Administration hospital in San Diego have announced their request for an election to join the nation's largest organization of nurses, National Nurses United. California's largest RN union, the California Nurses Association, is affiliated with NNU.

ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

 

March 25, 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

 

March 25, 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 scoll down.

SYCUAN AND BARONA CASINOS HELP PURCHASE NEW FIRE RESPONSE VEHICLE

 

March 24, 2014 (Spring Valley) - A new, primary Incident Command Vehicle is now in service within the San Miguel Fire District, thanks to an award from Barona and Sycuan Casinos. The $45,000 grant covered 68 % of the total vehicle cost. That cost included Required Code 3 Equipment, VHF & 800mgz Radios and Installation. The total cost of the Command Vehicle was $65,000. The remainder of the cost came from the District’s Vehicle Replacement fund.

SCIENCE AND HEALTH HIGHLIGHTS

 

March 25, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)-- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

SCIENCE

 

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

RAGNAR RACE FOR MONARCH SCHOOL FOR HOMELESS: A TRUE BENEFIT

                   

 

By David Dickens

March 24, 2014 (San Diego)-Some of us run for fun, some of us run for better health, and some of us run on behalf of others. We have all heard of, or even had friends or family members who have walked for breast cancer, brain cancer, and many other ailments. Wonderful people volunteer their time to help raise awareness of these diseases or even raise funds for the less fortunate. Society as a whole has become selfish in these times of need, however there are still a select  few that love their fellow man or child in this case.

SAN DIEGO MOVES CLOSER TO A RAISE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE

By Nadin Abbott

March 25, 2014 (San Diego) On Monday, San Diego City Council President Todd Gloria brought a proposal to place a rise in the city’s minimum wage on the November ballot before the Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee.  The proposal also includes paid sick days for workers in San Diego.

The committee approved the motion 2-1 on a partisan vote, with Councilmembers Marti Emerald and Sherri Lightner  voting for it and Councilman Mark Kersey against it.  Next, the City Attorney will draft language and return to the Committee. If approved, next the full City Council would need to pass the measure before it can come before voters.

EAST COUNTY EATER: FANTASTICO! NEW OWNERS ADD TO CULINARY APPEAL AT MEDITERRANEO ITALIANO BISTRO & BAR IN ALPINE

 

By the East County Eater

Mediterraneo Italiano Bistro & Bar, 1347 Tavern Road, Alpine 91901 (619)445-9902 http://mediterraneobistro.com/

March 24, 2014 (Alpine) –It’s been five years since the East County Eater first reviewed the Mediterraneo in Alpine, in a story titled “A Delightful Find in Alpine.”  Now there are new owners and a new head chef  with a menu focused on authentic Italian cuisine, raising the bar from “delightful” to “magnifico.”

LA MESA WOMAN STABS BOYFRIEND AFTER BEING CHOKED, POLICE SAY

 

March 24, 2014 (La Mesa)--On March 24 at 5:19 am, La Mesa Police were notified by Grossmont Hospital staff that a stab victim had just been brought into the hospital. Minutes before the hospital report, La Mesa Police received reports of a disturbance at a residence in the 3800 block of Murray Hill Drive, La Mesa.  When officers arrived on Murray Hill, they determined the two incidents were related and the stabbing was believed to be in self defense.

HOST OF EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE’S BOOKSHELF RADIO SHOW DISCUSSES, DRAMATIZES AND SIGNS NOVEL, SILENT BIRD, AT CASA DE ORO LIBRARY MARCH 29

Event is free and open to the public

March 24, 2014 (Casa de Oro)--Reina Lisa Menasche, radio host for East County Magazine’s “Bookshelf” radio program on KNSJ, 89.1 FM, will discuss, dramatize, and sign her new novel, Silent Bird, at the Casa de Oro Library on Saturday, March 29 at 10 a.m.

Reina Menasche calls her first love “writing fiction,” though she fulfills many other artistic and professional roles.  In addition to hosting “Bookshelf” (highlighting “local literary luminaries—and some great books to read!”), she is also a social worker, university instructor, and actress.  Her first novel, Twice Begun, was a finalist in the 2013 San Diego Book Awards, and her new novel, Silent Bird, won the Outstanding Fiction Award from the Southern California Writers Conference in 2009.

HOW SAFE OUR OUR SCHOOLS? SAN DIEGO COUNTY GRAND JURY CALLS FOR STRONGER SCHOOL SECURITY

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

March 24, 2014 (San Diego)—Mass school shootings have occurred around the nation—including tragedies locally at Santana and Granite Hills High Schools in East County, as well as at Carlsbad Elementary School and at Cleveland Elementary in San Diego. 

Now the San Diego Grand Jury has issued a report finding that not enough has been done to prevent future school shootings locally. The Grand Jury is calling for improving school security and says that low cost options need to be considered.

CHEFS FIRE UP THE IRON HORSE IN CAMPO APRIL 5

 

 

March 24, 2014 (Campo) – The Chefs de Cuisine and The Campo RR Museum are celebrating over fifty years of service to the San Diego California Vintners Alliance on April 5, from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Campo Museum, Hwy 94 & Forrest Gate Road, Campo.  Dine amidst the Museum’s historic railroad trains and artifacts.

16TH ANNUAL MORNING GLORY BRUNCH AND FROG RACE

 

March 24, 2014 (El Cajon) – St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center is holding its 16th annual Morning Glory Brunch on April 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2119 E. Madison Ave., El Cajon.  The brunch will feature complimentary food and beverage tastings from over 20 local restaurants, art work from SMSC students and local artists, silent and Chinese auctions and the famous great frog race.

COUNTY FIRE DRILL APRIL 3, 4 AND 7 AT VIEJAS

 

March 24, 2014 (Alpine) - The San Diego County Fire Chiefs and the Viejas band of the Kumeyaay nation will be conducting their annual Fire Preparedness Exercise on April  3rd , 4th and 7th on the Viejas Indian reservation.

FROM THE CHIEF'S CORNER: THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY, HOW ARE YOU LOOKING LATELY?

 

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

March 2, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - The way you Drive directly reflects the way you look says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.  The way you conduct yourself behind the wheel is how others view you.  Let’s take a look…

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUSPECT SURRENDERS TO SWAT TEAM IN BONITA

 

March 24, 2014 (Bonita)--On Sunday, March 23, 2014, Sheriff's Deputies in the Bonita area responded to a report of a domestic assault, at 2900 Briarwood Road, in Bonita. James Kang , 29, allegedly assaulted his wife who escaped their apartment with injuries and called a friend for help.

MARCH 31 IS DEADLINE TO SIGN UP FOR HEALTHCARE THROUGH COVERED CALIFORNIA: PENALTIES KICK IN FOR UNINSURED

 

Update: The Obama adminsitration has announced it will extend the deadline for anyone who started applying online before March 31, but was not able to complete an application due to technical difficulties.

By Miriam Raftery

March 23, 2014 (Sacramento) – If you don’t have health insurance, the Affordable Act requires that you purchase it by March 31, or pay stiff fines.  If you’re low income, there are subsidies available to help you afford healthcare for you and your family.

March 31 is also the last day for anyone to sign up for healthcare in 2014 through Covered California (www.coveredca.com) , the new healthcare exchange programs in our state. So far, over 1 million Californians have signed up.

The law requires that you have insurance by March 31, either through Covered California,  private insurance, or another program such as Medicare or  TriCare for veterans.  If you have no health insurance, the penalty will be the greater of the following: 1% of your family income above the tax filing threshold,  or  $285 per family ($95 per adult and $47.50 per child) in 2014. Rates rise steeply over the next two years.

CHALDEAN CHAMBER WINS JUDGMENT OVER EVENT CANCELLED AT COTTONWOOD

 

Suit stemed from dispute with rival Chaldean chamber

By Miriam Raftery

March 23, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego East County Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce founded by Ben Kalasho has been awarded an $8,500 Small Claims judgment in San Diego Superior Court against Daryl Idler, owner of Cottonwood Golf Resort in Rancho San Diego. 

The award stems from Cottonwood’s cancellation of a launch event for the new Chamber slated for November 22.  Cottonwood subsequently held an event December 3 for a rival chamber, the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce of California, founded by Johnny Oram. Kalasho’s Chamber sued for breach of contract.

TROLLEY STRUCK BY MOTORCYCLIST IN SANTEE

 

March 23, 2014 (Santee)--  A motorcyclist was arrested last night after a pursuit crash in Santee that injured the motorcyclist. Deputies from the Santee Station tried to pull over the motorcyclist on westbound Mission Gorge Road for a traffic violation. The motorcyclist sped away, and then crashed into a SDMTS Trolley on the green line at the intersection of Mission Gorge Road and Cuyamaca Street just after 5 p.m.

A MAGICAL MARDI GRAS: THANKS TO OUR READERS AND SPONSORS!

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

March 21, 2014 (Santee) -- Our Mardi Gras celebration at Pinnacle Peak in Santee was a hit - thanks to our wonderful readers, the fabulous Bayou Brothers Band, and our generous donors and sponsors!  Your support will help East County Magazine continue to provide award-winning coverage of important news that matters here in our region -- as well as providing wildfire and emergency alerts.  We're your community media!

Oh, and we do like to put the "fun" in fundraising, too!  Scroll down to see lots more photos of our readers enjoying the festivities -- and if you missed the best party in town, be sure to click "subscribe" (it's free!) at the top right side of our homepage to be added to our email list for future fabulous events.

 

READER'S EDITORIAL: GET THE POLITICS OUT OF WIND ENERGY!

 

Originally Published in the ECOreport

by Roy L Hales

Stanford University has just published a glowing report about how Wind Farms “can provide a surplus of reliable clean energy to society.” I almost posted it. It is important to publish information that does not fit your beliefs but, in this case, I decided to voice my skepticism instead.

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