PHOTO OF THE WEEK: RACCOONS IN SAN CARLOS

DRIVER CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE, DUI IN FATALITY LEMON GROVE CRASH

INJURED MOUNTAIN LION RETURNS TO WILD; 2 OTHER CUBS CONTINUE REHAB AT RAMONA WILDLIFE CENTER

MARINES NOW STATIONED IN CAMPO AT BORDER; NEWSOM OFFICE: 'DANGER' TO COMMUNITY

SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER AT PARKWAY PLAZA

SUPREME COURT LIMITS INJUNCTIONS THAT BLOCKED TRUMP’S PLAN FOR BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP

ECM WINS TWO JOURNALISM AWARDS

GUHSD BOARD FACES MULTIPLE LITIGATION THREATS

LAKESIDE FIRE PANCAKE BREAKFAST JUNE 28

WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN LOSES SD COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY FUNDING

SAN DIEGO RIVER CLEANUP IN SANTEE ON SATURDAY

SUPREME COURT ALLOWS TRUMP TO DEPORT MIGRANTS TO COUNTRIES THAT AREN'T THEIR HOMES, WITHOUT DUE PROCESS

ANZA-BORREGO FOUNDATION AND PACIFIC CREST TRAIL ASSOCIATION PRESERVE OPEN SPACE

 
March 20, 2012 (Anza-Borrego) -- Pacific Crest Trails Association and Anza-Borrego Foundation are pleased to announce the purchase of 40 acres within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
 
The once privately-held parcel located next to the Pacific Crest Trail will be preserved as open space and set aside for public use.  PCTA helped pay a portion of the purchase price and Anza-Borrego Foundation will hold the land in trust for the state park. It’s the first partnership between the two nonprofit conservation groups.

POLITICAL WRANGLING: BATTLEGROUND CALIFORNIA, ENDORSEMENTS IN LOCAL RACES, & A WILD CARD ENTERS A KEY CONGRESSIONAL RACE

 

By Buck Shott
 
March 18, 2012 (San Diego) – California is shaping up as a potential battleground state in the Republican Primary. That’s right, the state known for its progressive politics and many Latino voters may be choosing a nominee for the party that’s been accused of waging a war on women and minorities.  

RATTLESNAKE AVERSION CLASSSES FOR DOGS MARCH 25

 
Train your dog to avoid rattlesnakes
 
March 20, 2012 (Alpine) -- This is the season for rattlesnakes in the East County. At Natural Instincts Healthy Pet Center , partnering with High On Kennels  there will be rattlesnake aversion classes. Appointments can be made for the  Sunday, March 25 classes.

MEET THE NEW 50TH DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES IN JULIAN APRIL 4

March 20, 2012 (Julian) -- On Wednesday April 4, the Congressional candidates running for the new 50th District, previously the 52nd District, will participate in a question and answer session.  The candidates are Connie Frankowiak (D), Terri Linnell (R), David Secor (D), Michael Benoit (I)(L), and Congressman Duncan Hunter (R) has also been invited to participate.  In this forum the audience asks the questions, and the questions are not be screened.  Everyone is welcome to participate. 

FATALITY ACCIDENT AT I-8 NEAR SDSU

 
March 20, 2012 (San Diego) – A driver who lost control on I-8 westbound at College Avenue struck a guardrail and died shortly before 10 a.m. yesterday.  The Medical Examiner’s office has identified the victim as Bernardo Carrillo, 33, a resident of Mexico who was visiting friends in San Diego.

Two passengers were in the vehicle when the accident occurred.  Multiple parties called 911, but death of the driver was pronounced at the scene.  California Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.  

5TH ANNUAL “PAWSITIVELY YOURS” DOGGY ADOPT-A-THON ON MARCH 24

March 19, 2012 (Santee) – On March 24, Camp BowWow will host its 5th Annual “Pawsitively Yours” Doggy Adopt-a-Thon event to help people and pups make a love connection.  The event will take place at Woodglen Vista Dog Park at 10250 Woodglen Vista Drive in Santee from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

The event is open to the public and will raise awareness of the importance of adoption from local rescues and shelters. 

LAKESIDE COMMUNITY FESTIVAL MARCH 24 AT LINDO LAKE

March 19, 2011 (Lakeside) – The Sheriff’s Department is partnering with County Parks and Recreation as well as County Health and Human Services to hold a Community Festival at Lindo Lake Park, 9841 Vine Street, Lakeside on March 24.  The event will be from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

BILLS FOR BILL: FUNDRAISER AT ALPINE TAVERN APRIL 2 TO HELP COVER MEDICALCOSTS FOR EDUCATION LEADER BILL WEAVER

By Miriam Raftery

March 19, 2012 (Alpine)—A spinal tumor and life-threatening infection have left Bill Weaver, a dedicated education leader and advocate for East County’s  children, in need of community help.  I ask our readers to join in efforts to help Bill, who requires continuing in-home care while recovering from a long hospital stay. There are two ways you can help.

On Monday, April 2 from 3-10 p.m., the Alpine Tavern & Grill at 2502 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine will host “Beers for Bill,” donating 20% of proceeds to help pay for Bill’s medical expenses. 

DREAM DOGS:LOOKING FOR FOREVER HOMES

 

March 19, 2012 (San Diego's East County) -These shelter dogs have been provided training to become dream dogs for individuals or families. This month, we have several wonderful dogs to choose from -- from pups to mature pets. This  male Basset Hound / Dachshund is 9 months old. He weighs 34 pounds and is  good with all dogs, and loves people! 

STATE PARKS DEPT. WEIGHS PROPOSAL TO SAVE PALOMAR MOUNTAIN STATE PARK AFTER SUPPORTERS RAISE $72,000 IN PLEDGES TO KEEP PARK OPEN

 

By Miriam Raftery
 
March 18, 2012 (Palomar) – Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park announced this week that they have reached and exceeded their fundraising goal to fill the budget gap between the park’s operating expenses and revenues. The group received nearly $72,000 in pledges—far more than the $60,000 sought.

 

COMEDY NIGHT BENEFIT FOR THE MELTZER BOYS AT FLINN SPRINGS INN MARCH 23

 

By Caprice Harrison
 
March 19, 2012 (Flinn Springs) – Flinn Springs Inn is holding a Comedy Night on March 23 that will be a benefit for the Meltzer boys of Alpine who lost their mother on December 23, 2011. For more information about the crime, click here.
 
The entertainment for the night includes headliner Chris Clobber, John Holt, Drizz, Diane Jean, Rick Gene, and Charlie Ayers.

LA MESA RESIDENTS ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR VOLUNTEER POSITIONS ON CITY BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

 
March 19, 2012 (La Mesa) -- Applications are now being accepted for positions on the City’s boards, commissions, and committees. The deadline for submission of applications is 5:30 p.m., Thursday, June 7, 2012, in the City Clerk’s office at La Mesa City Hall, 8130 Allison Avenue.  Applications may be obtained at City Hall, the La Mesa Library or by accessing the City of La Mesa website,  www.cityoflamesa.com.

 

FEELING LUCKY? VIVA LA MAESTRA CASINO NIGHT ON MARCH 30

 

March 19, 2012 (San Diego) – La Maestra is holding a Vegas Style casino night on March 30 from 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. at 4060 Fairmount Avenue, San Diego.  The event includes a special guest, the King.
 
Tickets are $75.  For sponsorships or registration please contact Gloria Sosa at 619-584-1612 ext 3111. Or visit www.lamaestra.org

 

WEATHER CAUSES PROJECTED 16-HOUR POWER OUTAGE IN MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES

Fallen trees block roads in Pine Valley and Rancho San Diego

March 19, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – A weather-related problem with a power pole has left 38 utility customers without power in the East Descanso, Green Valley Falls and Cuyamaca areas. 

HOT NEWS: SOLAR NOW COMPETITIVE WITH FOSSIL FUELS AS MAJOR STRIDES MADE TOWARD SUSTAINABILITY, BUT CHALLENGES REMAIN

 “San Diego is becoming a Mecca for renewable energy for the United States.” –Mike Armstrong, Soitec, speaking at the San Diego Solar Energy Symposium

By Miriam Raftery

March 18, 2012 (San Diego) – The future is sunny for solar energy. Price parity with conventional energy sources has now been attained in some areas as demand rises and the cost of solar falls. California has emerged as a national leader in the shift to solar--with San Diego at the helm. 

DEPUTY INVOLVED SHOOTING IN VALLEY CENTER ENDS IN ARREST OF SUSPECT

March 18, 2012 (Valley Center) – Valley Center Area Investigators were called to Harrah’s Rincon Casino on the afternoon of March 15 for a report of a stolen vehicle in the parking lot.  As investigators were watching the vehicle, a subject, later identified as Joe Hernandez (07/10/86), approached and entered the vehicle.  Investigators attempted to detain Hernandez, who failed to comply with orders and attempted to flee in the vehicle.

WATER RATES AT STAKE: APPELLATE COURT TO REVIEW PRE-TRIAL DECISION IN WATER AUTHORITY CASE AGAINST METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT

 
MWD seeks to prevent discovery in case from revealing “bad facts” and “bad acts” 
March 18, 2012 (San Diego) -- The First District Court of Appeal has issued a preliminary order asking for further briefing on a request by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to prevent discovery in litigation filed by the San Diego County Water Authority challenging its 2011 and 2012 water rates. The court did not grant MWD’s request, or writ petition. It only asked the other parties in the case to set forth their positions on that request. 

 

MEDIATION GROUP FORMED TO ADDRESS LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROVERSIES

 
March 18, 2012 (San Diego) -- The National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC) today announced the establishment of its Land Use and Environmental Mediation Group, specializing in resolving disputes among landowners, developers, environmentalists, community activists and government agencies around development issues and other environmental concerns.

 

COLLEGE PREP MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS EARN THEIR ROBOTICS STRIPES

 

March 18, 2012 (La Mesa) -- Eight students from College Preparatory Middle School (CPMS)in La Mesa competed in the Greater San Diego Botball Tournament on March10, 2012, at the University of San Diego. The CPMS Robotics Team was one of  18  regional  Botball  teams  from  San  Diego,  Arizona  and  Mexico  competing  at  the  tournament. The competition was tough and comprised of mostly high school teams but the newly formed middle school team called the Cyber Stripes, took 5th place in the seeding rounds and received the Rookie Award.

 

FIRE CAUSES HEAVY DAMAGE TO AN ABANDONED HOME

March 18, 2012 (El Cajon) -- At 7:43 p.m. March 15, Heartland Fire & Rescue in El Cajon, with assistance from the San Miguel Fire Protection District, responded to reports of a structure fire in the 500 block of East Madison Avenue in El Cajon. As crews arrived on scene heavy smoke was seen coming from a single-story home at 593 East Madison Avenue. Quick action by firefighters had the fire knocked down in less than 15 minutes. According to Monica Zech of Heartland Fire & Rescue, the home was reportedly abandoned, with windows boarded up, but was full of household items and debris. There were no injuries reported.

SAN DIEGO REGION WINS ADDITIONAL $1.7 MILLION IN FEDERAL HOMELESS FUNDING

Survivors of Human Trafficking/Commercial Sexual Exploitation Among Those Getting Help  

March 18, 2012 (San Diego) -- Four new regional projects have received more than $1.7 million in federal funding for the first time thanks to efforts by County Housing and Community Development, the lead agent for the Regional Continuum of Care.  The new projects will provide transitional and long-term housing and support services for homeless people. 

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