February 26, 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:
February 25, 2014 (Alpine)—Alpine teachers approved the new contract this morning after marathon negotiations with the Alpine Union School District, ending a strike that began last Thursday. There are no details of the agreement to be found on the school district website. The contract is not all that teachers wanted, but according to a post at the Alpine Teacher Association website, the Union received the following:
February 25, 2014 (Boulevard) – A Boulevard woman reported finding her husband, Frank Paul Caruso, dead with head trauma in an outbuilding on their property in the 2300 block of Tierra Heights Road in Boulevard on February 24 at 6 a.m.
“The investigation is in its early stages, however the death is believed to be a homicide,” said Lt. Glenn Giannantonio with the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail. No suspect has been identified yet.
Dear EarthTalk: What are “dirty fuels” and why are they so called?-- Bill Green, Seattle, WA
February 25, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - The term “dirty fuels” refers to fuels derived from tar sands, oil shale or liquid coal. Just like their more conventional fossil fuel counterparts such as petroleum and coal, they can be turned into gasoline, diesel and other energy sources that can generate extreme amounts of particulate pollution, carbon emissions and ecosystem destruction during their lifecycles from production to consumption.
February 26, 2014 (San Diego)--In celebration of Black History Month and as part of its ongoing commitment to cultural diversity and responsible banking, Union Bank, N.A., has partnered with KPBS in San Diego to honor extraordinary African Americans as local heroes. The 2014 Black History Month honorees are: former professor and breast cancer awareness advocate Tessie Bonner, and J.T. Inge, Joe Earl Jackson, and Dr. Carrel Reavis, Original Montford Point Marines.
Legislation Introduced to Boost Medi-Cal Reimbursements
Lori Abbott, California News Service
February 25, 2014 (Sacramento)--An effort is under way to restore funding cuts to the California Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal. California has the lowest reimbursement rates in the nation, at just $18 a visit for primary care services - which makes it increasingly more difficult for people on Medicaid to find a doctor.
February 24, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) -- It’s official: The Bureau of Indian Affairs has formally terminated the final Environmental Impact Statement for Shu’luuk Wind on the Campo Indian reservation in East County. The move comes after the Campo tribe’s General Council down the project and cancelled the tribe’s contract with Invenergy.
The BIA alo approved the Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay Indian’s plan to lease Cuyapaipe Reservation lands for a portion of Iberdrola’s massive Tule Wind project. The Bureau of Land Management and County of San Diego previously approved portions of the project on federal and county lands.
February 24, 2014 (Washington D.C.)--This week, the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments in a case that could determine whether or not the Environmental Protection Agency has the right to regulate greenhouse gas pollutants emitted by coal-fired power plants, oil refineries and chemical facilities.
February 24, 2014 (El Cajon ) – El Cajon City Council and its redevelopment agency are negotiating “price and terms for the potential lease” of the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC). A lease could allow the church to rentl use of the facility for a specified period of time each month or year as an anchor tenant, but is not a management contract, which is set to be negotiated separately.
“Apparently, El Cajon City is negotiating with The Rock Church behind closed doors to lease ECPAC,” said Ray Lutz, chair of the Save ECPAC committee and founder of Citizens Oversight, a watchdog citizens group.
February 24, 2014 (El Cajon ) – Heartland Lions Club invites the public to its 26h annual fashion show, champagne luncheon and silent auction on Saturday, March 22. The show will feature limited edition ECCOCI collections.
February 24, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the Daytona 500 race on Sunday, February 23. It was his second Daytona victory in a decade, at the same track where his father was killed back in 2001.
February 24, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - On Tuesday, County Supervisors will consider acquiring land for a new Sheriff substation in Lakeside. That’s welcome news for Lakeside residents who complained of slow response times during a recent public meeting.
February 24, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - The public is invited to a Community Violence Prevention Summit on Saturday, March 1 hosted by San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and members of her office, along with County Probation Department officers and the San Diego Commission on Gang Prevention and Intervention.
February 23, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--The massive solar farm planned for the community of Boulevard has been documented in the East County Magazine, but what has been largely under the radar are several smaller-scale solar farms planned throughout the backcountry, including Descanso, Pine Valley, Potrero and others.
On Thursday, February 20, the Descanso Planning Group (DPG) heard a brief presentation on a proposed solar farm on the south side of Viejas Boulevard on the Merigan property. Carlos Valdivia from Ecoplexus, the firm that is proposing to develop both Descanso and Pine Valley solar farms, gave an informational overview to the DPG and about 25 residents in attendance.
February 23, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - A frightening, polio-like illness has stricken some 25 children in California, leaving them paralyzed, USA Today reports. All have lost the ability to move at least one arm or leg, and some have lost all four limbs.
February 21, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, will host a free senior discussion group presentation on “Top Health News Stories of 2013,” from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26. The public is invited to attend, and RSVP is not required. The speaker will be Kathy Quinn, Herrick Library director.
February 20, 2014 (El Cajon)—Frog racing with over $10,000 in cash prizes is an annual highlight at the upcoming Morning Glory Brunch on April 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guests can also stroll through St. Madeleine Sophie Center’s two-acre organic garden and poolside area while savoring food and beverages from over 20 restaurants, artwork created by students and local artists, live music, entertainment on two stages, silent and live auctions.
February 20, 2014 (San Diego) Tim Draper is a venture capitalist living in what would become the new state of Silicon Valley under his proposal to split the state of California into six states.
So how would San Diego's region fare under such a plan--and just how costly might it be?
Author says AB 1873 would increase participation, save taxpayer money in traditionally low-turnout contests
February 22, 2014 (San Diego)-- California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) introduced the VOTE Act last week in an effort to boost voter participation and curb the taxpayer costs of special elections.
February 23, 2014 (Cuyamaca) – “The meadows should be green, Cuyamaca Lake full. Not so,” Tom Lemon writes after a trip to the mountain area. “The area is tinder dry and the lake down six or eight feet.”
Still, he found some interesting sights, as thees photos reveal.
February 23, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - Statistics released in the FBI’s Preliminary Semiannual Uniform Crime Report reveal declines in both the violent crime and the property crime reported in the first six months of 2013 when compared with figures for the first six months of 2012. The report is based on information from 12,723 law enforcement agencies that submitted three to six months of comparable data to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program for the first six months of 2012 and 2013.
February 21, 2014 (Lakeside)--The Barona Cultural Center & Museum will host an arrow-making class as part of the Ancient Spirits Speak series of classes on Saturday March 1, 2014 from 10:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Our January 2014 shows are now online—including special reports on East County issues, holiday specials, interviews with top newsmakers and people making a positive difference in our community. Click here for a list of our January shows and interviews with links to listen online.
You can also hear our one-hour show live when it airs on KNSJ 89.1 FM on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 5 p.m. and reruns Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 9 a.m. Or listen live online during those hours at www.KNSJ.org.
February 21, 2014 (San Diego) There is nothing like a romantic evening outside by the porch with a fire. Well, it was not quite that. Over the last two months we have had a good dozen fires in the Fashion Valley area in San Diego. Since some have been posted on the Twitter feed, you even saw them.
February 22, 2014 (Santee)—Gearing up to launch its brand nationally, the former Manzanita Brewing Company and Manzanita Distilling Company has announced a name change to reflect the twisted Manzanita tree that grows wild throughout California.
Jeff Trevaskis owner and founder stated, “We wanted to unify our logos and focus on our tree. People always ask us what Manzanita stands for or if we make cider, due to the alternate meaning of Manzanita in Spanish, “little apple”. By clearly focusing on the uniquely beautiful and twisted Manzanita tree we are making it clear what our logo represents. Manzanita will always focus on making great balanced beer, but adding the Twisted just helps to define our image.”
February 22, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – A multi-agency probation sweep in East County conducted on Friday, February 21 resulted in 17 arrests.
Deputies and officers visited probationers in Santee, Lakeside and El Cajon to see if they were following the conditions of their release, also working with Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Enforcement at San Diego Trolley stations in the area to conduct compliance checks on passengers.
February 22, 2014 (Deerhorn Valley) -- Deerhorn Valley residents are reporting serious problems with new cell phone service in their area. These issues range from the very serious, including getting disconnected during a 911 call to recurring reception problems.
February 21,2014 (Alpine) At 6:00 on February 20, teachers at the Alpine Union School District walked off the workplace, joining an unfair practices strike called by the Alpine Teachers Association. Children and parents dropped off their kids at schools where striking teachers marched around the campuses.
The schools had a 65% attendance, according to Alpine School Superintendent Tom Pellegrino, in a tweet posted at the District webpage. Yet, from the reaction of parents at the District’s board meeting at Boulder Oaks Elementary on February 21, the school day was far from normal.
February 21, 2014 (Jacumba) - Back by popular demand, the Jacumba Hikers will lead a Jacumba Walk-About on Saturday, February 22. Walkers will meet at 8:00PM at Mr. Jalapeno's Restaurant, 44461 Old Hwy. 80, Jacumba Hot Springs. Breakfast is available starting at 7:00AM. This hike will take you to the Chinese Castle, the natural hot springs, Jacumba lake, the Cook's House, Sand Wash, Railroad Station, through the Jacumba Hot Springs neighborhood with stops at the Jacumba Spa, library/community park, border fence, and ending at Mr. Jalapeno's.
February 19, 2014 (San Diego) - A library would seem to be a safe haven for both children and adults who are looking for a quiet oasis to escape the crime and commercialism on the streets, to find refuge in a great read or to complete a project.
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