“The only reason to consider gutting planning groups is to give free rein to every developer who wants to overwhelm a rural town—and keep the locals in the dark.” -- Patsy Fritz
By Miriam Raftery
March 1, 2012 (San Diego) – It wasn’t quite a public flogging, but it came close.Rural residents and their community planning representatives showed up at a County Board of Supervisors’ meeting yesterday to verbally excoriate those considering recommendations made by a developer-stacked “Red Tape Reduction Task Force.The Task Force wants to eliminate community planning groups(CPGs) or discourage participation through measures such as eliminating indemnification of planners against lawsuits, imposing term limits, and eliminating the County’s Resource Protection Ordinance.
“None of the Red Tape Reduction Task Force members were required to submit conflict of interest statements,” observed Boulevard Planning Group Chair Donna Tisdale.“They failed to disclose huge vested interests and profits to be made. That is illegal.”
March 1, 2012 (San Diego) -- One San Diegan commits suicide every day. We read of the most spectacular cases in the press, but on average, 365 local residents take their own lives. According to the County, “…as a cause of non-natural death, suicide ranks second, behind only drug/alcohol overdoses, and ahead of motor vehicle crashes.” http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/hhsa/programs/phs/documents/CHS-SuicideReport_2011.pdf
March 1, 2012 (El Cajon) -- Travel back in time to your school days when the excitement of a spelling bee seemed like the most important thing in the universe! Grossmont College- Theatre Arts Department presents the musical comedy, "Putnam County Spelling Bee" from March 8 to 17 at the Stagehouse Theatre.
March 1, 2012 (Alpine) -- On March 15,there will be a meeting of land owners/residents in the former Forest Conservation Initiative lands of Eastern Alpine at 6 p.m. at the Alpine Community Center. The residents will hear a presentation from the County and then conduct a working group to create the densities/zoning for their property.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
March 1, 2012 (San Diego) -- Never put water on a grease fire, slide a lid sideways away from you, using the lid as a shield, over the pan - or use baking soda. CAL FIRE warns that you or your home could catch fire if you do not remember this simple technique. Never move a pan with burning contents from the stove - that can spread the fire. Be fire safe, not sorry!
March 1, 2012 (Alpine) -- A new comedy show airs Thursdays from 8-10 p.m. on www.my107.9 FM in Alpine. Need some laughs? Listen in to hear "The Week You Missed With Diane and Chris" and "The Amazing Al Gavi."
March 1, 2012 (East San Diego County) -- The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians has announced that they are donating $2,500 for the recovery of “Chance,” the dog that was found shot on the Viejas Reservation earlier this month.
February 29, 2011 (San Diego)--David Cobb from Move to Amend came to San Diego on a barnstorming tour . The organization aims to get money out of politics and to amend the Constitution to end corporate personhood.
This event took place at the Peace Resource Center and was attended by about 400 people. It was organized by Women Occupy San Diego.
Update 9:30 p.m. Lanes are reopened. ECM news partner 10 News reports the woman was struck while walking on the center median. She was taken to a local hospital, but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
February 29, 2012 (Bonita) – All lanes of State Route 54 westbound are closed after multiple vehicles struck a pedestrian, according to the CHP website at 7:53 p.m. Incident Page Network reports the collision is now a fatality.
Tom Freeley Raises $4,700 For Sharp HospiceCare with dip in Lake Arrowhead’s 45-degree waters
February 29, 2012 (La Mesa) –San Diego resident Tom Freeley raised $4,700 for La Mesa-based Sharp HospiceCare at the “PolaRotary Plunge” on February 4 in Lake Arrowhead. As one of 60 participants to brave the lake’s 45-degree temperatures, Freeley’s fundraising efforts generated the most money by an individual and contributed to the event’s total amount of more than $22,000 for various charities.
Freeley learned about the event during one of his monthly visits to the area with his girlfriend, Luanne Brito. Brito is co-chair for Sharp HospiceCare's annual fundraising regatta which takes place in August. A portion of proceeds will also benefit the event's sponsor, the Lake Arrowhead Rotary Club.
February 29, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Photos taken at Lake Jennings during March may be entered in Helix Water District’s Lake Jennings Photo Contest. Prizes of up to $100 will be awarded in adult and student categories. Photos can be of any aspect of the lake—wildlife, wild flowers, camping, fishing, boating, scenic views.
February 29, 2012 (El Cajon) -- "The Bottom Line for Green Is Black" is the theme for the 4th annual Sustainable Urban Landscape Conference presented by the Cuyamaca College Horticulture Department. This conference is the premier Southern California event to learn successful business models leading the way to our landscape future.
"We will never put our heads down, we will play our hearts out, and we will play for Coach because he will be on the turf with us.” – Clay Meyer, Valhalla Saga
February 29, 2012 (Santee) – Frank Yancey was “an inspiration for all those who served under him,” Clay Meyer wrote in the Valhalla Saga. The school’s varsity football coach passed away February 13 at his home in Santee of an undisclosed cause.
Yancey coached 18 season at West Hills High, five at El Cajon Valley High and his last five at Valhalla.His East County roots included playing as an offensive lineman at Santana High School and Grossmont College, as well as later at San Francisco State.
Coach Steve Vickery inducted into National High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame
By Ryan Schuler
February 28, 2012(Lakeside)--It’s no secret that El Capitan High School is a powerhouse when it comes to baseball in San Diego. Coming off a 2011 season in which the squad was ranked California's No. 18 team by ESPN’s CalHiSports and reached the San Diego Section CIF Division III finals, the Vaqueros are back in the CalHiSports state rankings again, this time in the preseason.
Led by reigning California Coaches Association State Baseball Coach of the Year Steve Vickery and 6-foot-5 senior southpaw Troy Conyers, the Vaqueros enter the season ranked No. 4 in California.
February 28, 2012 (San Diego)—A coalition of students and faculty at San Diego State University plan to walk out of class Thursday, March 1 at 12 noon. A rally will follow at the Scripps Cottage Patio, 5500 Campanile Drive, as part of a National Day of Action for Education at universities across America.
February 26, 2012 (San Diego)--The LA Times ran a story which criticized Obama for not keeping gas prices lower. That’s hilarious! A Democratic President can no more control gas pricing than control the weather. With the Conservatives in Congress blocking nearly all Climate Change and Alternative Energy programs it is easy to see the Oil Dinosaurs are in charge of US Energy Policy. In fact, a case could be made the Big Oil controls not only Foreign Policy, but the Beltway itself.
February 28, 2012 (Spring Valley)-- San Diego County is estimated to have over 900,000 homeless cats in San Diego County--and Spring Valley is a hotbed for overpopulation. Now the National Cat Protection Society (NatCat) is offering to spay/neuter the cats of Spring Valley residents for free. As part of this free service, NatCat will also help Spring Valley residents by transporting their pets to and from the vet.
February 28, 2012 (San Diego)-- San Diego leads the nation in rooftop and on-site solar installations. According to a recent report from e Environment California Research & Policy Center, over 4,500 installations and 37 MW peak capacity for the city--15,700 installations—have been made within San Diego Gas & Electric’s service territory. Now the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA), CleanTECH San Diego and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) are offering a solar energy symposium on March 6 at the University of San Diego to discuss the future of solar energy in the region.
February 28, 2012 (San Diego)--Apparently, San Diego State sophomore guard Jamaal Franklin forgot that Senior Night is supposed to be a celebration for the seniors in their last home game ever.
Franklin matched his career-high in points with 31 and set a new career-high with 16 rebounds as the No. 24 Aztecs defeated the Colorado State Rams February 22 to pull into a three-way tie for first place in the Mountain West Conference standings with No. 18 New Mexico and No. 21 UNLV.
Next president will appoint Supreme Court justice who will be swing vote; at stake are women’s access to birth control and abortion, attorney tells local law students
February 28, 2012 (Alpine) -- Viejas Bowl, located at the Viejas Outlets in Alpine, California, is pleased to welcome their new manager – La Mesa native, T. Hagedorn. A former All-American on the powerhouse Wichita State bowling team, Trevor brings a wealth of bowling and bowling operations experience to the position.
February 28, 2012 (San Diego) -- The Department of Environmental Health has issued a General Advisory for the coastal waters of San Diego County due to recent rainfall. Swimmers, surfers, and other ocean users are warned that the levels of bacteria can rise significantly in ocean and bay waters, especially near storm drains, creeks, rivers, and lagoon outlets that discharge urban runoff.
Student tickets $10; $35 tickets for ECM subscribers
February 28, 2012 (San Diego) – Named among Time Magazine’s “Heroes for the Planet”, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has led legal battles to protect clean water, help indigenous tribes preserve homelands, and defend our environment around the world.
The famed environmental lawyer, author, “Ring of Fire” radio co-host, and member of one of America’s most prominent political families will be the keynote speaker Saturday, March 3 at the “Forging a Sustainable Future” conference at San Diego State University.
February 28, 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.
Rudy is an Anatolian Shepherd/ Collie mix who is a 3 year-old male. This wonderful boy is playful as well as loving, and bonds very closely. He is a very tall boy and weighs 90 lbs. He has been neutered, has his shots, rabies, micro chip and is doing very well with his on leash and off leash training. Wonderful family dog or companion. As you can see by his big smile...he is a very happy boy!
February 27, 2012 (El Cajon)-- El Cajon police officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots fired near Graves and Madison tonight at 7:30 p.m. They arrived to find one adult male victim in the 100 block of E. Madison. Officers found a second adult male victimin the 400 block of Ballantyne. Officers also located a 7-year-old girl with a non-life threatening gunshot in the 500 block of Graves. All gunshot wounds were considered non-life threatening.
February 27, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Accidents have been reported on both eastbound and westbound I-8 in Alpine near Willows Road due to ice on the highway this evening. Due to snowfall, chains are required on Sunrise Highway, in Julian, and on old highway 80 in Jacumba.
February 27, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—Five-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, a hometown hero who grew up in El Cajon and Santee, wiped out on the second lap of the Daytona 500 tonight in a multi-car pileup.
tops list for East County at 50; La Mesa has 7 yet crime rate has gone down 
February 29, 2012 (Santee) – Frank Yancey was “an inspiration for all those who served under him,” 
By Ryan Schuler
By Miriam Raftery
By Nadin Abbott
February 27, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Accidents have been reported on both eastbound and westbound I-8 in Alpine near Willows Road due to ice on the highway this evening. Due to snowfall, chains are required on Sunrise Highway, in Julian, and on old highway 80 in Jacumba.
By Miriam Raftery
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