By Miriam Raftery

September 29, 2011 (San Diego) Updated 10 p.m. -- Keith Slotter, Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego FBI office today announced arrest of 36 people with ties to the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. Six defendants were already in custody and four are considered fugitives at this time.

"During this investigation agents and detectives prevented a kidnapping," FBI special agent Darrell Foxworth revealed.

September 29, 2011 (La Mesa) –“This is the 38th annual Oktoberfest and we’re making plans to have it be the biggest and the best ever,” La Mesa Chamber of Commerce President Mary England told ECM. Festivities encompass 10 city blocks and run from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, and fro 12-5 p.m. on Sunday Oct. 2.

German music plus rock 'n' roll,  an expanded array of foods, games, contests, 400 vendors, and a "big beer garden" are all part of the fun at the annual fall celebration.

An East County Magazine exclusive interview

By Jeremy Los

Sept. 28, 2011 – Elected to the California State Assembly back in 2008, Assemblymember Nathan Fletcher has made a name for himself as a busy legislator, one willing cross over to the other side of the aisle to form bipartisan coalitions in order to get legislation passed. A married father of two and a 10-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Fletcher insists that he brings a different style of leadership to the table, one that qualifies him to be the next mayor of San Diego.

Click to view video of speech highlights

September 22, 2011 (San Diego) –Congressman Bob Filner laid out an ambitious plan for revitalizing San Diego in a speech Saturday at the County’s Democratic Convention. He wants to transform the port into a maritime center to employ thousands of people and replace good-paying jobs for skilled middle class workers that vanished when General Dynamics left San Diego. He aims to make San Diego the alternative energy capitol of America, bringing green jobs to our region. In addition, he seeks to create a more “livable city”, moving redevelopment out of downtown and into communities with greater needs.

Why does he believe he can succeed at leading such a major redevelopment effort? Because he already has. “I wrote the Gaslamp plan,” he says of his service on the City Council before his election to Congress.

September 30, 2011 (San Diego-- Fork it Over for Kids with Sam the Cooking Guy, winner of 12 Emmys for his TV cooking shows! 

This event benefitting the Salvation ArmyKroc Center Scholarship Fund will be held October 1st at 6 p.m. at the Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center. After enjoying appetizers and tastes from local restaurants, plus listening to live entertainment, guests will see a live cooking demonstration, followed by dessert and coffee.

September 29, 2011 (El Cajon)—An ambulance burst into flames after oxygen tanks on board exploded late this afternoon at Westfield Parkway Plaza mall in El Cajon, according to Monica Zech, spokesperson for the city of El Cajon.

Shortly after 4:00 p.m. Heartland Fire & Rescue in El Cajon responded to reports of the vehicle fire near Wal-Mart and found the ambulance fully engulfed in flames.

"I have called on the CPUC to hold a public meeting in Alpine to look the community in the eye and prove that lives and property are not at risk."

By Miriam Raftery

September 27, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)—Community leaders and residents in East County praised the California Public Utilities Commission for its decision yesterday to ground all helicopter activity on SDG&E’s Sunrise Powerlink due to serious safety incidents.

Deadliest food outbreak in over a decade; illness may occur weeks after consuming Listeria bacteria

September 28, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Federal authorities with the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration warn consumers not to eat cantaloupes unless you’re certain where they came from. If in doubt, throw it out.

Millions of cantaloupes are being recalled after sickening 72 people and leading to 16 deaths linked to Listeria in the deadliest food outbreak in a decade. The recall covers cantaloupes distributed to at least 25 states, with illnesses reported in 18 states, including California. 

September 30, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories in our region and state, published in other media outlets.  These week's top Roundup headlines include:

LOCAL

• City to offer exhaustive report on Sept. 9 blackout (10 News)
• The green jobs transition (San Diego Union-Tribune editorial)
• SDG&E chopper strikes went unreported (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Schools, hospitals struggle to serve large Iraqi refugee population (KPBS)
• Santee Freeway smooths traffic but not for all  (San Diego Union Tribune)
• New director of Parks and Rec takes the reins at Santee Lakes (Santee Patch)

STATE

• California sued for cuts to developmentally disabled (KFMB-TV)
• Amazon truce wins Jerry Brown signature (Sacramento Bee)
• California undecided on No Child Left Behind waiver (Sacramento Bee)

Update 4:45 p.m.  The Tierra del Sol fire is 40% contained at 3 acres. There has been structure damage, according to Cal Fire Captain Mike Mohler. Forward spread has been stopped.

September 29, 2011 (La Mesa) -- La Mesa Historical Society opens its Centennial year activities with the release for sale of its special edition 2012 Centennial Calendar at Oktoberfest, which runs Sept. 30 through October 2.

Calendars feature historic photos plus fun Centennial facts.

September 29, 2011 (La Mesa)—La Mesa Police have arrested Damu Lucas, 20, and Victoria Gonzalez, 19. The pair has been charged with three residential burglaries that occurred on Thorne Drive and Saranac Place the morning of September 27.

"This is one disease that physicians are really afraid of," -- Dr. Mark Sawyer, Rady Children's Hospital and UCSD School of Medicine

September 29, 2011 (San Diego) – Preteens and teens are at increased risk of meningitis—and death rates are up to five times higher among teenagers and young adults compared to other age groups. The disease is preventable –yet vaccination rates are low locally among teens and preteens, those most at risk. Statewide, over one-third of those 13-17 have not been immunized. Now County officials hope to change that. 

Jonathan Deguzman, a San Diego State University student who contracted the disease and lost his fingers and both feet as a result, was among those on hand at a press release held by health officials in San Diego yesterday to urge that teens and preteens be vaccinated.

September 28, 2011 (San Diego's East County)--ECM World Watch highlights top U.S. and world news stories, published in other media.  This week's top headlines include:

WORLD

·         Saudi king gives women right to vote (Reuters)

·         Saudi woman driver’s lashing ‘overturned by king’(BBC)

·         NATO strikes Gaddafi stronghold(BBC)

·         Gamers crack AIDS puzzle(Medical News Today)

U.S.

·         Mass. man accused of plotting to hit Pentagon and Capitol with drone aircraft (Washington Post)

·         Air Force and Navy turn to biofuels (NPR)

·         Obama’s healthcare law appealed to Supreme Court (Reuters)

·         80 arrested as ‘occupy Wall Street’ protest of bank bailouts, mortgage crisis marches in NYC (Washington Post)

·         Hot truck problems getting worse (WTHR-TV)

·         U.S. Internet rules to take effect Nov. 20 (Reuters)

·         Net Neutrality rules are coming. Here’s why they matter (Christian Science Monitor)

·         Guantanamo tribunal for USS Cole suspect (BBC)

By Miriam Raftery

 
September 27, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The California Public Utilities Commission has issued an immediate stop work order for helicopter activities on SDG&E’s Sunrise Powerlink due to repeated safety violations and unreported serious incidents.  The letter cites increasing frequency of pilot errors, mechanical and rigging failures.

September 28, 2011 (El Cajon) -- Bring the family for the 40^th annual Oktoberfest in El Cajon, presented by the German American Societies, the first two weekends in October.  The dates are September 30 through October 2 and October 7 through 9, for San Diego’s original Oktoberfest – complete with a tantalizing selection of German foods, beverages, and so much more!

September 18, 2011 (El Cajon)—The public is invited to view a wide variety of roses on display, along with plants and craft items for sale at the East County Rose Show. This free event will be held from 12-4 p.m. on October 1st at the Foothills Adult Center, 1550 Melody Lane in El Cajon. A rose show luncheon will be served at noon; luncheon reservations are required by Sept. 26.

Update Sept. 29 - The victim has been identified as Andre Duff Zollicoffer, age 48.

Update Sept. 28, 7 p.m. - Trolley service has been restored.

September 28, 2011 (El Cajon) – A pedestrian has been struck and killed by the trolley at Arnelle and Marshall Avenue, according to Monica Zech, spokesperson for the City of El Cajon.

Public urged to testify at hearings in San Diego area Oct. 10-13

September 27, 2011 (San Diego)-- UCAN, the Utility Consumers' Action Network, announced on September 22 the results of a one-year probe into SDG&E's rate-setting activities.  “UCAN's intensive audit shows that in the last three years, SDG&E’s rates have skyrocketed, its profits have soared, and its executives have reaped enormous bonuses even as its customers have suffered through the worst recession since 1929,” a UCAN press release states.

September 18, 2011 (Alpine) – Lions, Tigers and Bears invites the public to savor wining and dining under the stars to benefit the big cat rescue facility in nonprofit. In addition to wine and food provided by PRP Wine International and Chef Drew, visitors will have an opportunity to win a drawing to feed one of the big cats including lions, tigers, and a leopard. This “wild” event will be held Saturday, October 1 from 6-8 p.m. at 24402 Martin Way in Alpine.

Tempers flare as frustrations over Powerlink impacts on town mount

By Miriam Raftery
 

"There will surely be one more star in the heavens tonight." -- Dennis Mammana, syndicated Stargazer columnist, upon hearing of Schad's passing

September 25, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Beloved local hiking writer Jerry Schad has traveled his final trail. The author of 16 books, including Afoot & Afield in San Diego County, a popular guidebook to local hiking trails,and 50 Southern California Bicycling Trips, passed away September 22, 2011 of kidney cancer.

September 27, 2011 (Santee) – The City of Santee will hold a community workshop on proposed changes and long-term financial outlook for landscape maintenance zones currently administered by the City. The meeting is set for Wednesday, October 5 at 6:30 p.m. in Building 7 at City Hall Complex, 10601 Magnolia Avenue.

September 29, 2011 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon Police Department will hold five Sector Watch Community Forums starting in October.  Previous meetings have been very well received and will again involve all five sectors in the City. This is a n opportunity for residents to ask Police and other City department representatives questions,  voice any concerns about your neighborhood, or say “thank you” for a job well done.  You can also sign up for a Neighborhood Watch program. All meetings will be from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.