June 20, 2012 (Ocotillo) -- Photographer Jim Pelley snapped this image of a horned desert lizard, whose camouflaged appearance blends right in with its desert surroundings. Pelley spotted the reclusive reptile on the site of the Ocotillo Express wind energy facility, which is now under construction.
June 20, 2012 (San Diego)--A brand new online news and commentary daily has appeared in San Diego. It's the San Diego Free Press - SanDiegoFreePress.org - and was launched by the OB Rag (obrag.org) last week. It aims to provide progressive views and neighborhood news.
June 20, 2012 – The Santee Chamber of Commerce and the Santee School District Foundation present the Golf Classic 2012 June 28 at Carlton Oaks Country Club, 9200 Inwood Drive, Santee. The tournament benefits the students of the Santee School District through the Santee School District Foundation. The Foundation is raising funds to support the Arts and enhance Technology instruction in the schools.
June 15, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Olaf Wieghorst Museum & Western Heritage Center, 131 Rea Ave, El Cajon will host an exhibition of nationally known local artists Grace Schlesier, Jack Jordan and Mark Martensen June 29 through August 29.The opening night Meet the Artists Reception will be held on June 29 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.Wine and light hors d’oeuvres will be served.
Musician/author finds new career as author, speaker inspired by baggage mishap
By Sierra Robinson and Miriam Raftery
June 18, 2012 (San Diego) -- After United Airlines’ baggage handlers broke the neck of his Taylor guitar, Dave Carroll didn’t just get mad--he got even.
Carroll wrote and starred in a music video that has now had over 12 million hits on Youtube.Titled United Breaks Guitars, the video uses humor to illustrate the troubles Carroll went through trying to get compensated for his loss. Its success has been hailed as a model of how one person can make a difference by using social media.
Government accused of illegally approving “ineligible” project that failed to meet minimum federal wind speed standards
Violations of other laws alleged, including discrimination against low-income residents
June 20, 2012 (Ocotillo) –A fourth lawsuit seeking to halt the Ocotillo Express wind facility has been filed in federal court.The plaintiff in this case, Community Advocates for Renewable Energy Stewardship, filed suit yesterday against Pattern Energy, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management and top government officials.
The suit, which seeks a permanent enjoinment or halt to the project, differs from prior lawsuits filed by other groups on several fronts.
June 20, 2012 (La Mesa) -- The purpose of the scoping meeting is to provide an opportunity for La Mesa residents and interested parties to review project information, ask questions, and provide oral and written testimony.
Updated June 21, 2012: The Old Fire is now 100% contained at a cost of approximately $2.3 million
June 20, 2012 (Campo) – The Old Fire has charred 995 acres and is now 90% contained.One residence burned, as well as a recreational vehicle (RV). Cause remains under investigation, however electrical and lighting have been ruled out. There are no electrical lines near the origin of the blaze on the Campo Indian Reservation, nor were there any reports of lightning, Cal Fire reports.
June 20, 2012 (La Mesa) – Tonight at 10:16 p.m.., La Mesa Police Officers responded to a report of a robbery. The victim, 22, told officers he was robbed while buying a movie ticket at the Grossmont Theaters in Grossmont Shopping Center.
June 19, 2012 (Alpine) – The Alpine Education Foundation is offering Hogwarts Academy for grades K -8th beginning June 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The program immerses the children in a world of wonder and imagination while the learn the science of astronomy, herbology, potions (science), riddles (language), chess (logic), care of magical creatures and ‘wizardry’ games.A tour of Wright’s Field with a credentialed biologist/ornithologist is also on the agenda.
June 19, 2012 (Santee) – The city of Santee’s Summer Concert Series kicked off its 29th year on June 14 with The Destroyers, Navy Band Southwest.The concert was accompanied by a food truck rally.
The nine-concert series features the return of three musical acts that attracted sizeable crowds last year, as well as an eclectic lineup of 7 other bands that range from country to classic rock. Performances are every Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. through August 16, except July 5.
June 19, 2012 (Poway) – Taste of Our Towne will be held at the Poway Center for Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road, Poway on June 23 beginning at 5:30 p.m.The event includes live music performed by Gipsy Menco, wine from local wineries and signature dishes from favorite restaurants.A silent auction, a live auction and dancing are part of the fun.
June 19, 2012 (San Diego) The San Diego City Planning Commission has received a recommendation by city staff to initiate zoning changes to pave the way for a power plant on the border of Mission Trails Regional Park. A hearing is scheduled at 9 am on Thursday, June 28, 2012 at San Diego City Hall (downtown). Your attendance at this hearing is vital so that you may submit testimony for the record and to show unified public opposition. Complete a Public Comment slip upon arrival if you wish to speak.
June 19, 2012 (San Diego)--Recently I won a $48,000 scholarship funded by STOP2011, a Heartland Coalition project. This number represents more than a weight off my chest for college, however. It is the amount of debt each American owes if the United States national deficit was divided by the number of our citizens.
June 19, 2012 (La Mesa)—On June 15 at 9 a.m., a resident in the 7400 block of Sturgess Avenue in La Mesa, observed a man burglarizing his vehicle. The victim realized his vehicle window had been broken and observed the suspect holding a screwdriver and stealing property from the vehicle. The victim called La Mesa Police as the suspect fled the scene on foot, jumping over fences and cutting through the back yards of residences.
June 19, 2012 (San Diego's East County) -- Scroll down to view a list of this week's obituaries here, or visit www.EastCountyObits.com to read the full obituaries.
By David Secor, Candidate, 50th Congressional District
June 19, 2012 (Santee) -- Oh, NO! Shakespeare? No, this isn’t Hamlet’s question, it’s ours.
Will the people, the businesses, and the local governments who all know it’s the right thing to do, stand up and take the actions necessary to stop the proposed Quail Brush power plant. (In what follows, I borrowed the italicized words from Bill.)
Suspect linked to burglaries in La Mesa and Spring Valley; additional suspects sought
June 19, 2012 (Spring Valley) -- Yesterday at 1:34 p.m., Lemon Grove Station deputies received a call of a residential burglary in progress. The reporting party stated that he saw four young men running out of his neighbor's residence carrying a large screen projection television. The reporting party did not know if the neighbor was home, but reported he saw the suspects load the television into a green Toyota SUV type vehicle, and drive away.
June 19, 2012 (Campo) – Residents are being allowed back into the area along Old Highway 80 that was evacuated late Sunday afternoon due to the 900 acre “Old Fire” on the Campo Indian Reservation. Church Road at Old Highway 80 and by the 94 is still closed, and residents cannot come back into the location until it is safe to do so.
June 19, 2012 (Sacramento) -- Supported by many of California’s leading educators and school advocates, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and State Board of Education (SBE) President Michael Kirst today officially submitted California’s request to set aside specified requirements of Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), also known as ‘No Child Left Behind.’
Bureau of Security and Investigative Services launches Veterans Come First Program to guide vets through licensing process
June 19, 2012 (Sacramento) -- Veterans returning to the civilian workforce may be eligible for some specialized assistance through the California Department of Consumer Affairs’ Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (Bureau). The Bureau has developed the Veterans Come First program for veterans who want to leverage their military training to become licensed as security guards, private patrol operators, firearms instructors, or other licensee of the Bureau.
June 19, 2012 (San Diego's East County)--The Old Fire is now 75% contained at 907 acres, with full containment expected tonight, and full control expected tomorrow at 6 p.m., Cal Fire predicts.
Cost to battle the blaze is $1.5 million. The fire began Sunday in the Campo/Live Oak Springs area and has destroyed at least on structure.
A celebration presented by the Audrey S. Geisel Dr. Seuss Fund
June 17, 2012 (San Diego) -- The Salvation Army Kroc Center is celebrating its 10-year anniversary on June 19, 2012 with a private commemoration ceremony followed by a free community concert.
June 18, 2012 (Alpine) – A transformer fire broke out this afternoon at the site of the new Sunrise Powerlink, where the high voltage line had just been energized, Incident Page Network reports.
“I can confirm that two transformers are on fire,” said Lori Bledsoe, editor at The Alpine Sun.The transformers are taking power from the underground portion of the Powerlink and transferring the electricity into overhead lines, she added.
June 18, 2012 (El Cajon)--Today, several construction workers arrived at a work site in the
300 block of Linda Way, near Chambers Street in El Cajon, to a suspicious sight. Workers reported what appeared to be a homemade explosive device, according to El Cajon Police.
“It was a [road] flare with some wires and a container with fluid attached,” Battalion Chief Ted Kakuris with Heartland Fire told East County Magazine.
San Diego Sheriff’s Bomb and Arson Squad was called to the scene and used a water cannon to blow apart the device.
Chief Kakuris said the device did not detonate. However, he concluded, “It was simply an attempt to make an explosive device and it was flawed.”
June 18, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) --Nestled in the mountains of Descanso within Cleveland National Forest, Camp Oliver offers all children an outdoor experience and has been in operation since 1949, when Lawrence and Mary Oliver donated a portion of their ranch along the Sweetwater River to the Sisters of Social Service.
June 15, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Olaf Wieghorst Museum & Western Heritage Center, 131 Rea Ave, El Cajon will host an exhibition of nationally known local artists Grace Schlesier, Jack Jordan and Mark Martensen June 29 through August 29.
2012 (Jamul)—The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled 8 to 1 that a lawsuit seeking to shut down a Michigan casino can go forward.
June 19, 2012 (Santee) – The city of Santee’s Summer Concert Series kicked off its 29th year on June 14 with The Destroyers, Navy Band Southwest.
June 19, 2012 (Poway) – Taste of Our Towne will be held at the Poway Center for Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road, Poway on June 23 beginning at 5:30 p.m.
June 19, 2012 (Campo) – Residents are being allowed back into the area along Old Highway 80 that was evacuated late Sunday afternoon due to the 900 acre “Old Fire” on the Campo Indian Reservation. Church Road at Old Highway 80 and by the 94 is still closed, and residents cannot come back into the location until it is safe to do so.
300 block of Linda Way, near Chambers Street in El Cajon, to a suspicious sight. Workers reported what appeared to be a homemade explosive device, according to El Cajon Police.
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