SPRINGS FIRE SPARKS EVACUATIONS IN JAMUL

TODDLER DIES FROM FALL OUT LA MESA WINDOW

LEMON GROVE COUNCILMAN AND HELIX FOOTBALL COACH STEVE FAIAI DIES

COTTONWOOD SAND MINE BACKERS FAIL TO DREDGE UP ENOUGH VOTES, AS PLANNERS DEADLOCK

MOST EVACUATIONS LIFTED IN STEELE FIRE; DRONE HAMPERED FIREFIGHTERS

OVER 4,700 UNDER EVACUATION ORDERS FROM STEELE FIRE

YOU'RE INVITED! JULY 17 FEAST AT HIMALAYAN CUISINE IN LA MESA WITH EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE'S DINING CLUB

COUNTY TO SPRAY FOR MOSQUITOS IN ROLANDO AREAS OF LA MESA AND SAN DIEGO TO REDUCE RISK OF WEST NILE VIRUS

RAMONA ROBBERY VICTIM SPOTS SUSPECT AT BANK, LEADING TO ARREST

ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ: A FLORIDA `CONCENTRATION CAMP’

OWNER IDENTIFIED IN DOG-DRAGGING CASE; ANIMAL CRUELTY CHARGES TO BE FILED

TRUMP SIGNS BUDGET BILL ON JULY 4 THAT INFLATES DEFICIT, CUTS SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME AMERICANS AND MAKES TAX CUTS FOR WEALTHY PERMANENT

GRAND JURY ISSUES REPORT ON GUHSD AND ALPINE HIGH SCHOOL: FOOL US ONCE, FOOL US TWICE?

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

May 21, 2013 (Alpine) – The San Diego County Grand Jury has issue a report blasting the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) for repeatedly axing plans to build a 12th high school in Alpine despite voters twice approving bond measures to construct the new high school. The report is descriptively titled Grossmont Union High School District—Fool Us Once, Fool Us Twice?

The Grand Jury found that “residents of the GUHSD and the greater Alpine area deserve clarity from the School Board regarding the proposed 12th high school."

The report referenced several past articles published in East County Magazine.

THAI IMMIGRANT WINS LAW ENFORCEMENT SCHOLARSHIP

May 24, 2013 (El Cajon)--Grossmont College student Thirada Kingphuang has received from the San Diego Police Foundation a Rita Olsen Memorial scholarship of $2,500 awarded to women pursuing an education preparatory to a career in law enforcement.

 

Kingphuang left her family and everyone she knew in the rural, teak-forest-covered Uttaradit province of northern Thailand in 2009 to pursue a career in forensic science in California.  

SANTEE STREET FAIR HAS FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY THIS SATURDAY

 

By Sierra Robinson

May 24, 2013 (Santee) – Looking for some family fun this Memorial Day weekend? On Saturday, May 25, the Santee Chamber will be hosting the annual Santee Street Fair. Starting at 10:00 a.m. and running until 7:00 p.m., visitors of all ages can enjoy live music on three stages, over 300 vendor books, food, and entertainment fit for the whole family.

ALPINE TO HONOR VETERANS ON MEMORIAL DAY

 

May 22, 2013 (Alpine) – The public is invited to honor fallen veterans on Monday, May 27 at the Alpine Community Center’s Wall of Honor, 1830 Alpine Boulevard from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guests will also hear stories from veterans who put their lives on the line for our country, enjoy patriotic music, and a fly-over tribute by the Buecker Squadron in vintage WWII planes. A freeall-American meal of hot dogs and hamburgers.

READER’S EDITORIAL: SILENCE IN OCOTILLO

 

By Jim Pelley

Photos:  Red Tail Hawk at Ocotillo. Thank God the turbines were not spinning! – Jim Pelley

May 22, 2013 (Ocotillo)--It’s been (1) week now since the blade throw at the Ocotillo Wind overseen by Pattern Energy. Wow! What a difference, we forgot what it was like without these wind turbines turning; it’s a breath of fresh air. Not seeing/hearing the turbines turning weather they are generating power or not is a huge difference and now that they are not turning it reminds of some of main reasons we moved to Ocotillo.

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS WILL BE AT ALPINE WOMAN’S CLUB LUNCHEON JUNE 18

May 23, 2013 (Alpine) – The Alpine high school graduates who are receiving college scholarships will be in attendance at the Alpine Woman’s Club last monthly luncheon for the 2012-2013 season on Tuesday, June 18 at 12:00 noon.  The new officers will also be installed at this meeting.

KROC KIDS JUNIOR THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS CATS MAY 24-26

May 23, 2013 (San Diego) – The Salvation Army Kroc Center’s Kroc Kids Junior Theatre Company presents a performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS on May 24 & 25 at 7 p.m. and May 26 at 2 p.m. at The Joan Kroc Theatre.

The show will feature local talent ranging in age from 6 to 18, led by a professionally acclaimed production team including: Director and Choreographer – Laura Hodge, Musical Director – David Kamatoy, and numerous others.

CONTROL BURN NOW OUT OF CONTROL NEAR SHELTER VALLEY AREA; BLAZE CHARS 1,500 ACRES

 

 

Photo by Jamelle McCullough

May 23, 2013 (San Diego's East County)--A controlled burn has grown out of control due to a change in wind directions. The fire started along State Route 78 at the Great Southern Overland Stage route. Authorities initally predicted the blaze had potential for 500 acres, but it has now topped 1,500 acres with 30% containment.

There is no current threat to structures of infrastructure,  per Cal Fire.

The California Highway Patrol website indicates that a closure has been ordered on S-2 at S22 and at State Route 78.  Smoke is blowing across San Felipe.  According to the Julian News editor, the route from Shelter Valley to Warner Springs is blocked. Road closures are expected to remain in effect through tomorrow.

 

ALPINE SOROPTOMIST HONORS WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENT

 

By Janis Mork

May 22, 2013 (Alpine)- On May 21, Alpine Soroptomist had a special meeting to honor the organization’s Women of Achievement Award recipient, Brenda Killingbeck (pictured with program chair, Patty Tweed, and her two sons). She came with her sons,  Clayton, 9, and 6-year-old Mason.

“The Women of Achievement Award is awarded to a single mom in East County trying to make a better life for herself, who is trying to support her family, enhance her career, or change careers,” said Patty Tweed, program chair.

She introduced Killingbeck and read a short biography about Killingbeck, an Alpine resident and nurse whose actions helped locate a missing elderly man.

GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT ANNOUNCES 2013-14 TEACHER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

 

Eileen Bagg-Rizzo and Randy Cambou to Represent GUHSD in Prestigious San Diego County Teacher of the Year Competition

 

May 21, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)—At its Governing Board Meeting on Wednesday, April 10, 2013, the Grossmont Union High School District honored Teacher of the Year nominees from its school sites. These nominees are selected by their peers. A panel comprised of previous Teachers of the Year and District personnel selected two representatives from this distinguished group of nominees to be considered for the San Diego County Teacher of the Year competition. If selected to represent the County, the next step is the California State Teacher of the Year competition.


 

 

GUHSD 2013-14 Teacher of the Year Nominees:

MAN IN SPIDERMAN MASK ROBS GAS STATION AT GUNPOINT, KICKS CUSTOMER

 

May 24, 2013 (La Mesa) –La Mesa Police responded to a robbery report at 1:24 a.m. at the USA gas station in the 7900 block of University.  A suspect wearing a Spiderman mask pulled a black, semi-automatic pistol out and told a customer to lie on the floor, then began kicking the customer, according to police.

The suspect demanded money from the clerk.  The masked man was last seen running northbound on La Mesa Boulevard. The loss was approximately $300 and the clerk was not injured. The male customer left on a bicycle after the robbery and before police arrived; he has not been located.

PORTIONS OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY ADDED TO LIGHT BROWN APPLE MOTH QUARANTINE

 

May 23, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Portions of land in and around Oceanside were added to California’s Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) quarantine this week after inspections turned up four apple moths.

California’s “interior” quarantine has grown to 6,000 acres in 19 counties across the state for the apple moth, a destructive agricultural pest that eats and damages more than 250 types of crops.

The County of San Diego’s Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures (AWM) has scheduled a meeting to talk to local growers from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, May 24, at the Fallbrook Community Center Auditorium at 341 Heald Lane in Fallbrook. Officials from the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture will be at the meetings and available to answer questions.

NEW LEMON GROVE LIBRARY OPENS JUNE 1

 

May 23, 2013 (Lemon Grove) – On June 1 at 10 a.m., the new Mission Revival style Lemon Grove Library, 3001 School Lane, will open its doors for a day of tours, new library cards, brand new books and resources, a new Friends of the Library bookstore, entertainment, music, food and rejoicing as this community of some 25,000 residents finally gets the library of its dreams. 

Reigning--and ringing--in the new bell tower will be the school district's original, 1894 school bell, recovered and restored in 2002 by the Lemon Grove Historical Society and reinstalled by the Lemon Grove School District on Mar. 12, 2013.

OTAY BRUSH FIRE NOW 100 ACRES: POTENTIAL FOR 400 ACRES

Photo by Kim Hamilton

 

Update 5 p.m.:  The fire has reached 100 acres and is burning uphill and into the Otay Truck Trail area, closer to homes. Smoke is visible from Highway 94.

Update from Cal-Fire at 4:40 p.m.:   CAL FIRE is on scene of a 7 acre vegetation fire along the US/Mexico Border near Alta Road and Tin Can Hill (TB Map 1352 C3).  Currently we have 17 engines, 6 fire crews, 4 airtankers, 2 helicopters, 1 bulldozer, 3 water tenders and 2 chief officers either on scene or enroute.

 

The fire was dispatched at 4:14 and the fire originated in Mexico.  No structures are threatened.

May 22, 2013 (Otay) – Firefighters are battling a fast-spreading brush fire that started at Alta Road and Via De La Amistad in the east Otay area south of Otay Lakes.   The fire has  charred at least seven acres and has potential to burn 300, IPN reports.

There are currently no structure threats.  On flank has slowed but the other side is “taking off” per IPN.   Six hand crews and ten type-3 engines have been requested by the incident commander.

SAN MIGUEL FIRE DISTRICT AND CAL FIRE SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS AND PREVENTION CAMPAIGN MAY 25

 

May 22, 2013 (Spring Valley) – Maybe becoming a volunteer Firefighter is a bit much, but please consider being a volunteer “Fire Preventer.”

The San Miguel Fire District in cooperation with its partner CAL FIRE, is ramping up its “Before the Threat, Are You Ready” preparedness and prevention campaign. This massive public education effort provides critical preparedness information with an old- fashioned door-to-door contact.

Again this year they are hoping teams of community volunteers join CAL FIRE Firefighters in a door-to-door campaign in the Districts high hazard urban interface areas. Two major fires in four years have shown all of us the need to be prepared and to create defensible space, to have an evacuation plan, and have the supplies necessary to take care of your families for up to a week.

STAKE YOUR CLAIMS: VICTORIAN ROSES WILD WEST CASINO NIGHT JUNE 1 IN LAKESIDE

 

May 22, 2013 (Lakeside) – The Victorian Roses Ladies Riding Society presents their Wild West Casino Night 2 on June 1, 2013 at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds, Lakeside, CA from 6-10 pm. It benefits Saving Horses Inc., a San Diego horse rescue charity.

Ticket price is $20/person & includes $200 in play chips. Beer or wine glasses are $20 each and come with 5 free drink tickets. Raffles, silent auction, door prizes, roulette, black jack, craps & poker tables.

Live music by the Honky Tonk Kings, food available for purchase by Descanso Junction Restaurant & Catering.

STRONG-ARM ROBBERY AT LA MESA MOTEL

 

May 22, 2013 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police were called to the Motel 6 at 7621 Alvarado Road regarding a robbery that had just occurred on May 20 at 2:27 a.m.  Officers found a victim suffering minor injuries from being struck in the head by two unknown suspects.  The victim reported he was robbed of his wallet and car keys by the two assailants.

The victim stated he was visiting a friend and walked out to his vehicle in the parking lot to leave.  The victim reported he was approached from behind, struck over the head, and then knocked to the ground while he was trying to get into his vehicle. The suspects, who were described as African American males, both wearing dark hooded sweatshirts, took the victim’s property and ran towards a waiting vehicle parked on Alvarado Road.  The suspects then fled the scene in that vehicle and were last seen driving east from the motel property.

SENIORS GROUP AT LA MESA HEALTH CARE LIBRARY TO LEARN TIPS FOR FINDING HEALTH CARE INFO MAY 22

 

May 22, 2013 (La Mesa) – 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 “Alternatives to Google: Finding Health Information Online,” from 10 to 11 a.m. today. The public is invited to attend, and RSVP is not required. The speaker will be Kathy Quinn, library director of the Herrick Library.

Quinn, with 21 years of experience as a librarian and researcher, will share tips on how to find reliable, accurate and trustworthy information on the Internet about your health. The presentation will include a demonstration of the links to health information available on the Herrick Library website. Handouts on how to evaluate health websites and reliable sites to search will be provided.

DON'T DELAY PAST MAY: IT'S TIME TO PREPARE FOR WILDFIRES

 

Residents Urged to Clear Defensible Space, Plan for Family Readiness

May 22, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – California has already seen 1,569 wildfires this year, about 500 more fires compared to the same period last year and 85 percent more fires than in an average year. With the long, hot and dangerous summer a real possibility, County Supervisor Dianne Jacob and public safety officials today urged residents to protect their homes against wildfires by creating a 100-foot buffer zone.

“Now is the time to prepare for what is shaping up as a tougher-than-usual fire season,” said Supervisor Jacob. “The firestorms of 2003 and 2007 taught us that homes with defensible space are far more likely to survive than homes without it.”

DESCANSO MAN FOUND IN FIRE DIED OF HEART ATTACK

 

May 22, 2013 (Descanso) – The Medical Examiner has determined that Robert Sean Gibbons died of natural causes  from a heart attack related to coronary artery disease.   The body of Gibbons, 46, was found by firefighters who responded to a fire at his trailer, which was fully engulfed in flames.

RATTLESNAKE SAFETY TIPS FROM CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE

 

May 22, 2013 (San Diego's East County) --As warm weather returns, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is reminding the public to be rattlesnake safe.

All of California is snake country. Much like bats, rattlesnakes are often misunderstood. They play an important role in the ecosystem by keeping rodent populations under control.

KSON TO RAISE MONEY FOR OKLAHAMA VICTIMS WEDNESDAY IN LAKESIDE

 

May 21, 2013 (Lakeside) – KSON radio will be at the Lakeside Park and Ride at Highway 67 and Mapleview tomorrow from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. collecting donations to help tornado victims in Moore, Oklahoma. 

Local residents are invited to drive through and drop off cash donations.  Everyone who donates will also be entered in a contest to win two tickets to Taylor Swift’s sold-out concert August 15.

RAMONA RESIDENTIAL FIRE TURNS INTO BRUSH FIRE

 

By Sholeh Sisson 

May 22 2013 (Ramona)-- Mike Mohler, spokesman from Cal-Fire, has informed East County Magazine that a vehicle/ residential fire burned into brush in a nearby field.  Fire crews halted the blaze at one-quarter acre.

The fire was dispatched at 11:55 this morning and resources will be there until 2 p.m. Avoid area near 2014 Montecito while crews are at work.

LIVE OAK SPRINGS WATER FACES $1 MILLION FINE AND TAKEOVER UNDER CPUC PROPOSAL

Company had flood of violations, including providing unsafe drinking water and illegally selling water to SDG&E and other contractors

By Miriam Raftery

May 20, 2013 (Live Oak Springs) – Chief Administrative Law Judge Karen V. Clopton with the California Public Utilites Commission has issued a decision recommending that  owners of Live Oak Springs Water Company be fined $1 million for violations that have put public health at risk.  The CPUC proposal would  ask the Superior Court to appoint a receiver to take possession of the property , including the bankrupt Live Oak Springs resort, and operate the water system.

“Nazar Najor, the controversial owner, has been selling water to large construction projects without authorization from his small regulated water district that is meant to serve Live Oak Springs ratepayers,” said Donna Tisdale, chair of the Boulevard Planning Group.

TORNADO LEVELS 600 HOMES IN OKALAHOMA

 

San Diego search dog aids in search for survivors

By Miriam Raftery

May 20, 2013 (San Diego) – One of the worst tornadoes in recorded history has ravaged the Okalahoma City suburb of Moore, killing at least 51 people, injuring 120 including many children, and destroying 500 homes. The two-mile-wide twister destroyed an elementary school and entire neighborhoods nearby.

Eight Search Dog Foundation rescue teams have been dispatched to search the rubble for survivors.  One of the search dogs, George, was recruited from Labradors and Friends Dog Rescue Group in San Diego.

JUDGE GRANTS PLAINTIFF’S MOTION TO MOVE OCOTILLO WIND LAWSUIT FROM FEDERAL TO STATE COURT

 

By Miriam Raftery

May 20, 2013 (Ocotillo) – Federal Judge Gonzalo Curiel has granted a motion filed by citizens’ groups to remand a lawsuit over the Ocotillo Express Wind Facility from federal court back to state court.

Plaintiffs Donna Tisdale, Protect Our Communities Foundation and Backcountry Against Dumps hailed the decision.

“Since Ocotillo Express operation started in late 2012, residents complain of adverse impacts from noise, vibrations, electrical interference, shadow flicker and light pollution. People, pets and wildlife are suffering while the project’s wind production is far less than advertised,” a press release issued by plaintiffs states.

SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL ADOPTS RIVER PARK MASTER PLAN

May 20, 2012 (San Diego's East County)--After more than a decade of work, the San Diego City Council unanimously adopted a Master Plan to guide implementation of a river park system along the 17.5 miles of the San Diego River that runs through the City.

This legislation is based upon the San Diego River Park Foundation’s San Diego River Conceptual Plan which was completed in May 2002. Since then the San Diego River Park Foundation has been championing the adoption of the Master Plan which sets in place the legal framework for creating a system of trails, parks and other areas along the river while protecting and enhancing natural and cultural resources. 

16TH ANNUAL SAGE AND SONGBIRDS GARDEN TOUR AND FESTIVAL DRAWS A CROWD

 

By Janis Mork

May 20, 2013 (Alpine) -  The 16th annual Sage and Songbirds event this year featured seven self-guided tours around a church garden, two colorful home gardens, and the Sky Hunters birds of prey facility. This event was hosted by CHIRP for Garden Wildlife Inc.

The event held May 4-6 also included a festival at Viejas Outlet Centers, where visitors could enjoy a butterfly release, caterpillar races, educational seminars, arts and craft vendors, birds of prey-hummingbirds, spiders, snakes, lizards and more.

BROTHER STABBED WHILE PROTECTING HIS SISTER IN LA MESA, REMAINS IN CRITICAL CONDITION WITH CHEST WOUND

 

May 20, 2013 (La Mesa) – A man who reportedly choked his girlfriend until she lost consciousness and threw her against a closet is under arrest for stabbing his girlfriend’s brother.  

La Mesa Police received a report of the stabbing at 1:43 a.m. in the 7100 block of Waite Drive.  When officers arrived, they found the brother, 21, lying near a sidewalk and rendered treatment. A perimeter was set up and the suspect, Mark Hernandez Cervantes, 28, of San Diego surrendered shortly after.

During the investigation, officers learned of the altercation between the suspect and his girlfriend prior to the stabbing.  When she regained consciousness, the victim called her mother, who came to the apartment with the young woman’s brother.  The female victim did not require medical attention. 

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May 24, 2013 (San Diego's East County) -- We've added more to our "sneak preview" audio of our show. This is just a small portion of the great content we've got lined up on our East County Magazine radio show. Check it out! https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

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