East County News Network

August 5, 2010 (San Diego) – Four light-brown apple moths found in a single trap near Interstates 805 and 15, following discovery of another moth recently in Bonsall, will trigger a state-ordered quarantine of agricultural products, the San Diego Farm Bureau warned members this week. A state quarantine will likely lead to a federal quarantine that could restrict sale of crops grown throughout San Diego County.

Judge to hear arguments today on whether to issue a stay extending ban on gay marriages pending appeal; weddings could resume as early as tomorrow

East County News Network

August 4, 2010 (San Diego) – Over a thousand people celebrated in the streets of San Diego today after a federal judge declared Proposition 8, the initiative banning gay marriage, to be unconstitutional.  Same-sex marriages could resume as early as tomorrow--or not at all, depending on a judge's ruling on a request for a stay to extend the ban pending appeal.

"Yesterday when the ruiling came out, our phones starting ringing off the hook," San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/Clerk Dave Butler told East County Magazine.  Then word got out that the judge had issued a temporary stay until he hears arguments today and issues a decision on the stay.  "The phones have been quiet today," Butler said. 

Aide workers voice fears over impact of cuts on East County’s growing refugee population; San Diego’s Congressional representatives have thus far declined to take action to extend benefits

By Miriam Raftery

 

August 3, 2010 (San Diego) – Over 3,800 disabled and elderly refugees who came to the U.S. legally, all victims of persecution or torture, have been notified that they will lose Supplemental Security Income (SSI) on October 1st. Those slated to lose benefits include about 1,800 Iraq War refugees living in East County.

 

“They don’t have any other income. They want to find work and they can’t. They are too old and too sick,” said Joseph Ziauddin, president of the East County Refugee Center in El Cajon. Ziauddin estimates that there are around 40,000 Iraqis now living in East County.  Asked how many of East County’s Iraqis are currently refugees, he replied, “Ninety percent.”

By Miriam Raftery

August 4, 2010 (El Cajon ) – Joseph Ziauddin, president of the East County Refugee Center, rolls up his sleeve to reveal deep scars on his forearm acquired during a daring escape. “This saved my life,” said Ziauddin, who said he was thrown in jail and tortured daily for three months because he loaned money to a friend who opposed Saddam Hussein, then president of Iraq. “I am the only one who fled from the secret police prison.”

Today, he dedicates his life to helping fellow refugees, teaching English classes at the Refugee Center. He has funded his efforts out of his own pocket, he said, but seeks help for the growing number of refugees in East County. Many of them, like himself, have endured torture or other horrors.

Watch Perseid Meteor Showers at Stargazer Plateau, Sacred Rocks Reserve: Aug. 12-14

August 4, 2010 (Boulevard) Sacred Rocks Reserve, a 163-acre wilderness park with RV and tent camping sites, will offer “Streakin’ Star Party” packages for guests who want to view the Perseid Meteor Showers streak through the night sky from Thursday, August 12 through Saturday, August 14.

The park is located at an elevation of just under 4,000 feet, near Boulevard, California, approximately 65 miles east of San Diego along Interstate 8. Far from city lights, the property offers a clear vantage point from which to view the stars.

Hunter representative defends vote on cost, transparency issues

August 3, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Ray Lutz, Democratic candidate for the 52nd Congressional district, slammed incumbent Rep. Duncan D. Hunter (R-El Cajon) for voting against the Tribal Law and Order Act HR 725), calling it a “vote protecting rapists.” President Barack Obama signed the bill into law on July 30, as ECM previously reported.

The measure allows tribal councils to prosecute criminals including rape victims when the defendant is an outsider and the U.S. Department of Justice has declined to prosecute.  A study by Amnesty International found that one in three Native American women is raped during her lifetime; 86% of those rapes are committed by non-native men, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
 

By Buck Shott

August 4, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – This week, our Political Wrangler brings you the lastest from those smoke-filled rooms in Washington and San Diego.  Amid pressing world issues, which of your U.S. legislators has a bill to ban marijuana brownies?   Who is drawing fire for cozy ties to tobacco lobbyists after backing a cigar club for legislators? Which Congressman is fighting to make it easier to send cigarettes to our troops?  Did a certain Supervisor break the law in doling out $80,000 in taxpayer money to a special interest group?

August 4, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Grossmont College Athletics Dept. and men’s basketball coach Doug Weber invite boys and girls entering the 3rd through 8th grades to Grossmont College’s annual youth summer basketball camp from 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Thursday, Aug. 9-12.

August 3, 2010 (San Diego) – A employee at Wings and Things, 6715 El Cajon Boulevard in the Rolando area, was shot in the leg during an attempted robbery at 9:08 p.m. last night. The suspects, three black male adults in their 20s, were all armed and had their faces covered.

August 3, 2010 (San Diego) -- "Oh my, isn't fashion fun?" is the theme for the 33rd annual Haute with Heart fashion show.  The program will benefit St. Madeleine Sophie's Center in El Cajon, which meets the needs of developmentally disabled adults.  

The benefit event will be held August 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina.

August 3, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) board of directorshas unanimously approved a $25,000 grant to the non-profit San Diego Regional Fire & Emergency Services Foundation.  

Funds are to purchase supplies and equipment to be used during medical emergencies and rescues by volunteer fire departments serving rural East County communities, including Dehesa, Dulzura, Harbison Canyon, Jacumba, Lee Valley, Portrero and Mt. Laguna.

August 3, 2010 (Alpine) --Viejas Casino and Fox 5 San Diego rolled out the Viejas Cash Cube last week to help raise money for San Diego area charities. The event kicked off a month-long “Cool Cash” promotion at the Casino, where over $1,000,000 is up for grabs in August.

Gang-related homicides down 60%

August 3, 2010 (San Diego) – The City of San Diego had a 3.8% decrease in crimes in the first six months of this year. Violent crimes fell 4.6% decline in violent crimes including murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. The murder rate fell by one-third (33%), while robberies dropped over 11% and vehicle thefts fell nearly 16%.

If the rate continues through year’s end, it will mark the seventh straight year of crime reduction in San Diego. Despite tight budgets, response times to priority calls also became faster. SDPD Chief William Lansdowne announced.

Petition calls on City to help residents start community gardens

By Sylvia Hampton

August 3, 2010 (San Diego) -- I remember the Victory Gardens promoted by the government during WWII. Foods like sugar, butter, milk, cheese, eggs, coffee, meat and canned goods were rationed to assure enough supplies for the soldiers. Labor and transportation shortages made it hard to harvest and move fruits and vegetables to market. So the government asked citizens to plant "Victory Gardens."

San Pasqual Winery hosts “A Perfect Pairing” event with Chef Dave and champion BBQ pitmaster secrets

August 2, 2010 (La Mesa) – San Pasqual Winery’s new tasting room in La Mesa’s downtown village invites the public to join its inaugural cooking class and sumptuous winemaker dinner on Saturday, August 7.

WITNESS RECOUNTS HARROWING NEAR-MISS

By Miriam Raftery

August 2, 2010 (Tierrasanta) – A pilot who reported a door falling off in flight crashed onto the 11th hole at Admiral Baker Golf Course in Tierrasanta this afternoon, killing a woman passenger and injuring four others.  The plane was a single-engine Velocity Super XLRG5.
 

“Whoever was at the helm of that plane was a hero in my mind.  It could have been much worse,” Arrit McPherson told East County Magazine, before news of the fatality was known. “There are a lot of houses around here, as well as power lines.”  McPherson was working on his boat, Treasure Seeker, at San Diego Boat Movers, when he saw the pilot make an evasive move to avoid striking his boat, then head for an opening between trees at the golf course.

August 2, 2010 (La Mesa) -- The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa, will host a free senior discussion group on the Part D Medicare and the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA). The event will feature a presentation by Jean Soderberg, community education outreach specialist with the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 25. The public is invited to attend this free event.

East County News Service

August 1, 2010 (Sacramento)--Assembly Bill 1506, the "IOU Taxpayer Protection Bill" authored by Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon) will be heard on Monday, August 2 in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

“As the State's cash flow situation continues to deteriorate, California is once again in danger of issuing IOU's to its businesses and citizens. AB 1506 will protect taxpayers from the state's forced borrowing,” Anderson said.

August 3, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) America's Night Out Against Crime is in its 26th year. The national event provides opportunities for Neighborhood Watch participants, communities, and law enforcement agencies to celebrate effective crime prevention practices and partnerships. San Diego Sheriff's Department supports Neighborhood Watch, Crime-Free Multi-Housing, Start Smart, and other programs targeting crime and safety, and has crime prevention specialists at all patrol stations dedicated to community education and support.

Sheriff's Department National Night Out events in East County will take place at Lakeside, Santee, and San Diego near La Mesa/Lemon Grove Details:

August 1, 2010 (Julian)--Jeremy’s on the Hill California Style Bistro in Julian will host a Seven-Course Wine Pairing Dinner featuring fine wines from five back country wineries on Saturday, August 6 at 7 p.m.

"We have so much talent here in the back country and it is such a pleasure to work with these amazing vintners,” said Jeremy Manley, the restaurant’s Cordon-Bleu trained chef.

By Miriam Raftery

July 31, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – San Diego Sheriff deputies along with U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials conducted sweeps of homeless camps in wooded areas of Rancho San Diego in the grey light of early morning.

East County Magazine accompanied officers on the first sweep, behind Savanna Grill. More sweeps were held near Cuyamaca College, the YMCA, Target, and the old Steele Canyon bridge off Highway 94. No homeless people were present or arrested, though many left behind trash and/or treasures that could not be toted away in a backpack or shopping cart. Makeshift tents, lean-tos and mattresses were found, along with more poignant items: a large stuffed monkey, a cracked mirror with ornate frame, a pushcart, cooking utensils, nail polish, and a chipped china pitcher.

All lay forgotten in the mud, symbols of shattered lives and broken dreams.

East County News Service

August 1, 2010 (Julian) – Over 120 firefighters have worked through the night battling the Scissors Fire, which is now 110 acres. Full containment is expected by tonight, said Cal-Fire Battalion Chief Nick Schuler. The fire is burning along State Route 2 in the Scissors Crossing area, about 10 miles northeast of Julian.

Eloy Bazan suspected in Lakeside blazes

July 30, 2010 (Lakeside)--An arrest has been made in connection with a series of recent vegetation fires in the Lakeside area. The most recent fire occurred last night  near I-8 and Los Coches Road at approximately 10:45 pm. Fire crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire; there was no damage to structures and no one was injured.

July 31, 2010 (Escondido) -- Jena Glasgow enters her senior year this fall as a Dairy Science major at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. When the Ramona resident graduates next June, she aims to enter veterinary school in pursuit of a career supporting health of dairy cattle and food animals. The San Diego County Farm Bureau Scholarship Committee recently selected Glasgow to receive both the 2010 Farm Bureau Scholarship ($1,300) as well as the 2010 Leo McGuire Sr. Memorial Scholarship award ($1,200).

July 31, 2010 (Escondido)– Eleven  San Diego County agriculture students have been awarded scholarships from the San Diego County Farm Bureau Scholarship Program. This year, the San  Bureau's Scholarship Committee awarded $16,000 in varying amounts to the students.

East County News Service

July 31, 2010 (Washington D.C.) – U.S. Congressman Bob Filner announced this week that the federal Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $320,403 for the San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

“We have to work together across city lines if we are going to catch online child predators,” said Filner. “These funds will go to making sure we have the resources to be proactive in investigating and prosecuting those using the internet to commit crimes against children.”

By Miriam Raftery
 

July 31, 2010 (San Diego) – “Countywide, there are approximately 240 firefighters from San Diego at fires in the north,” Cal-Fire battalion chief Nick Schuler told East County Magazine today. That includes the Crown Fire southwest of Palmdale in Los Angeles County, which has scorched 13,918 acres and is 62% contained. In Kern County, another large blaze has charred 1,658 acres and is 85% contained.
 

About 220 of the 240 local firefighters deployed in northern regions are Cal Fire personnel, including 128 inmate firefighters. Cal-Fire employees a total of 500 people in San Diego County, Schuler said.

Update August 1:  County Animal Control officers have euthanized the dog, at the request of the family, which has other small children.

July 31, 2010 (Tierrasanta) – A family’s German shepherd fatally mauled a toddler in their home at 3529 Lofberg Street late this morning. “The baby, a boy, was taken to Children’s Hospital but did not survive,” San Diego Police officer Kevin McNamara confirmed.

July 30, 2010 (Washington D.C.) – Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-El Cajon), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today highlighted a report by the bipartisan Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) Independent Panel, which calls for increasing the Navy to a 346-ship fleet and expanding America’s focus to prepare for threats in the Western Pacific.

July 29, 2010 (San Diego's East County) – “This is destructive...It’s sabotage,” said Ray Lutz,  Democratic challenger to the 52nd Congressional seat. Lutz was reacting to Senate Republicans' filibuster of the Small Business Lending Fund Act, which would create a $30 billion lending fund for small businesses.  The bulk would be used to help community banks and credit unions start lending money again to local businesses.

Republican Congressman Duncan D. Hunter, Lutz’s opponent, voted no on the measure in the House June 17--four days after telling local business leaders that he shared their concerns over the need to help community banks and credit unions free up funds to lend to small businesses.