HELIX WATER CORRUPTION ALLEGED

 

UPDATE November 18, 2014 5 p.m. -- Helix Water District has responded to ECM's request for comments on the 10 News investigation.  Helix contends that an independent inquiry as well as an in-house audit found no irregularities.  You can read the Helix responses here.

 

View part 1 of the 10 News investigation here with links to documents and watch for part 2 airing tonight.

By Miriam Raftery

November 18, 2014 (La Mesa)—Whistleblowers are alleging that a Helix Water District inspector and a contractor conspired to overcharge ratepayers for work that was never done.

The district refused to be interviewed on camera about the allegations.  However an investigation by JW August at 10 News, an East County Magazine news partner, found documents that appear to substantiate some of the claims made by the whistleblowers, employees who spoke under condition that their names not be publicized due to fears of retribution.

East County Magazine has contacted Carlos Lugos, general manager at Helix, for comments on the 10 News investigation. We also inquired whether steps are being taken by the District to assure that overcharges are not made in the future. plus we asked whether competitive bids were obtained for the projects in question.  We will publish any responses once received.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

ON THE SILVER SCREEN: TANKS FOR THE MEMORY (FURY)

 

"The first casualty of war is innocence."

- Tagline, Platoon (Oliver Stone, 1986)

By Brian Lafferty

November 18, 2014 (San Diego) – In the 28 years since Platoon's release, its tagline quoted above has become more and more relevant in light of the world events that followed it. This includes, but is not limited to, the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and Russia's invasion of the Ukraine. With the way things are going, it looks at this point like those are just for starters.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

EX-SDG&E WORKER AVOIDS JAIL TIME IN FATAL HIT AND RUN

 

November 17, 2014 (El Cajon) – An SDG&E employee who struck a homeless man with an SDG&E pickup truck in early January, then fled the scene, has been sentenced to 180 days of house arrest and 20 days of public service by Judge Laura Halgren. Hector Hoyt also received three years probation after pleading guilty to felony hit and run.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN FOUND DEAD NEAR RAILROAD TRACKS IN LEMON GROVE

 

East County News Service

November 16, 2014 (Lemon Grove) – The Sheriff’s Homicide detail is investigating the death of an unidentified man found lying near the railroad tracks at 7:23 a.m. at the intersection of Lemon Grove Avenue and Palm Street.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

49TH ANNUAL SAN DIEGO LOCAL AUTHOR EXHIBIT

 

By Dennis Moore

November 16, 2014 (San Diego) – It’s that time of year again when San Diego’s best and brightest minds converge on the San Diego County Library in downtown San Diego. For the 49th consecutive year the city will honor and celebrate authors and their books. I was fortunate to have been one of those authors at the 46th Annual San Diego Local Author Exhibit at the old San Diego County Library. The Local Author Exhibit highlights the intellectual and creative accomplishments of writers in the San Diego region. The San Diego Public Library is calling on San Diego County authors who have published books in 2014 to submit them to the 49th Annual Local Author Exhibit. See attached.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

ANIMAL TALES: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SIAMESE RESCUE ORGANIZATION IS THE CAT'S MEOW

 

By Mimi  Pollack

Photo: Riley

November 15, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) -- Looking at her blue eyes and gorgeous coat, nobody would ever suspect that Riley was once a very sick seal point Siamese that was going to be euthanized.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

CITIZENS OVERSIGHT SUES CPUC OFFICIALS ON BEHALF OF RATEPAYERS; ALLEGES BILLING FOR POWER NEVER PRODUCED AT SAN ONOFRE

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 16, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) –Citizen's Oversight and the law firm of Aguirre & Severson have filed a Federal lawsuit against two top public utility officials and Southern California Edison (SCE) for allegedly violating the constitutional rights of SDG&E ratepayers and SCE ratepayers by taking over  $3 billion without just compensation. 

View lawsuit here: http://www.copswiki.org/Common/M1518


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

HEADING ABROAD FOR THE HOLIDAYS? APPLY FOR YOUR PASSPORT NOW

 

Source: County of San Diego’s News Service

November 16, 2014 (San Diego)--If you’re planning to travel out of the country over the holidays, now is the time to apply for your passport book or card, the County advises.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

FUKUSHIMA RADIATION REACHES WATERS OFF WEST COAST

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 16, 2014 (San Diego) – An oceanographer who has studied plutonium levels in the Black Sea after Chernobyl reports that small levels of radiation from the Fukushima nuclear power plant meltdowns in Japan have now reached waters off America’s west coast.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

CONGRESS MEMBERS SPLIT ALONG PARTY LINES ON KEYSTONE PIPELINE VOTE

 

By Chris Jennewein

Reprinted with permission from Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association (SDONA)

November 15, 2014 (San Diego)--The San Diego Congressional delegation followed party lines in the vote Friday to approve construction of the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPORT: HOT HEARINGS THIS WEEK

 

East County News Service

November 16, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – Here are some of the top agenda items coming up on this week’s boards and commissions across East County, from a solar field in Lakeside's El Monte Valley to renovations at El Cajon’s City Hall to a marijuana dispensaries measure in Lemon Grove.  This week, the El Cajon and Lemon Grove City Council meet, as well as the Helix Water Board district.  Know of a hot item we missed on a board or council in your community? E-mail editor@eastCountymagazine.org.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

SALVATION ARMY THANKSGIVING DRIVE-THROUGH FOOD DRIVE NOV. 25

 

November 15, 2014 (El Cajon)--You can help a family in need during the holidays.  On Tuesday, November 25, from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the Salvation Army in El Cajon will hold a special “drive-thru food drive” at their offices located at 1011 East Main, El Cajon.  The Salvation Army Drive Through Thanksgiving Food Drive rallies the San Diego East County community to contribute Thanksgiving dinners for families in need. To participate, drive to The Salvation Army El Cajon Corps to donate a frozen turkey, and/or any of the fixings, or make a cash donation.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

A MODERN TAKE ON A CLASSIC - "SCAPIN" AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE NOV. 15-22

 

November 15, 2014 (El Cajon )--When two young men of substantial wealth fall in love with two beautiful but penniless ladies, they employ the assistance of the clever, crafty, and possibly clairvoyant servant, Scapin. Complications abound in Bill Irwin and Mark O’Donnell’s modern adaptation of Moliere’s classic French farce, Les Fourberies de Scapin.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

FROST WARNING: FREEZING CONDITIONS

 

November 15, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a frost warning for the high desert areas.  As cold air filters into the deserts and winds drop off, clear skies and very dry air will allow temperatures to plummet by Monday morning.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

RED FLAG WARNING

 

November 15, 2014 (San Diego)--The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning from 8 p.m. Sunday to 8  p.m.Monday for the San Diego County inland valleys and mountains. Periods of strong and gusty northeast winds will develop for Sunday into Monday. Very dry conditions will develop with humidity values falling into the single digits on both days. Weaker but gusty northeast winds will continue into Tuesday along with low humidity.  

More forecast information and updates are available from the National Weather Service.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

SDSU AZTEC ATHLETICS RECEIVES $1.25 MILLION DONATION TO LAUNCH CORYELL LEGACY

 

East County News Service

November 15, 2014 (San Diego)—San Diego State University’s Aztec Club recently launched a drive to raise scholarship funds for student athletes.  This week, Athletics Director Jim Sterk announced that a $1.25 million donation has been bequeathed by Bill and Robin Sinclair to launch the Coryell Legacy.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

EL CAJON HOST LIONS CLUB DELIVER CHRISTMAS BASKETS

 

November 15,2014 (El Cajon)--The El Cajon Valley Host Lions Club will deliver 100 Christmas food baskets with turkeys and all the trimmings on December 20th starting at 7 a.m.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

SHOP SMALL - SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY IS NOVEMBER 29

 

El Cajon plans special activities

November 15, 2014 (El Cajon) - Small Business Saturday is a day to recognize and shop small businesses held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.  Avoid the hectic crowds and fighting for parking spaces, shop in your neighborhood.  Small Business Saturday activity is scheduled for the downtown El Cajon area from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

SHOOTING IN LEMON GROVE

 

East County News Services

November 15, 2014 (Lemon Grove)—A man who told deputies he was shot in the stomach during an argument with an unknown male near Federal Boulevard and Broadway last night drove away, then stopped in the 7400 block of Daytona Street and asked a resident to call 911.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

HEAR OUR INTERVIEW WITH GRETCHEN BURNS BERGMAN, A NEW PATH, ON CHANGES IN DRUG SENTENCING GUIDELINES

 

November 15, 2014 (Spring Valley) – Our interview with Gretchen Burns-Bergman, founder of A New Path, is now online. Listen now at : https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...  .   Hear from this Spring Valley mother who helped lobby successfully to change drug sentencing laws and put more emphasis on getting help for those battling addiction. 

In the interview, she discusses newly announced reductions in federal drug sentencing laws that can also impact those already behind bars, as well as the impacts of Prop 47, the California ballot initiative recently passed.  This interview originally aired Wednesday on KNSJ 89.1 FM radio.

Audio: 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

LAKESIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS BRINGS SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF THE SEASON DEC. 6

 

November 15, 2014 (Lakeside) -- The Lakeside Chamber of Commerce will host the 16th Annual Spirit of Christmas on Saturday, December 6th, 4pm to 9pm on Maine Avenue (between Parkside and Laurel) in Lakeside. This free, fun-filled family event will include a community tree lighting, visits with Santa, vendor booths, kids’ activities, food, music and entertainment by local bands & schools. Sponsorship opportunities and booth space are available. For more information, www.lakesidechamber.org or call (619) 561-1031.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

BIGHORN BOOK AUTHOR, PHOTOGRAPHER TO HOST PROGRAMS NOV. 19 AND DEC. 16

 

November 15, 2014 (San Diego)--Desert Bighorn Sheep: Wilderness Icon is the most comprehensive photographic work ever published on this iconic symbol of the deserts of  southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Author Mark Jorgensen, former Superintendent of the Anza Borrego Desert State Park, and photographer Jeff Young will appear at two events:  November 19 at Adventure 16 San Diego and December 16 at the Natural History Museum in Balboa Park.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

DREAMING OF HOME OWNERSHIP? HABITAT FOR HUMANITY TO BUILD 6 HOMES IN EL CAJON: LEARN HOW TO APPLY AT NOV. 18 MEETING


November 15, 2014 (El Cajon) - The City of El Cajon is providing financial assistance to help San Diego Habitat for Humanity build six new homes in El Cajon.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

BEST EAST COUNTY VIDEOS: VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION IN EL CAJON

 

 

November 15, 2014 (El Cajon)--Rob Tade at the El Cajon American Legion post sent in this video by David Miyashiro, CVUSD Superintendent, of  El Cajon’s 2014  Veterans Day commemoration held earlier this week to honor our nation's veterans.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

STATE WANTS TO SEND PREDATOR SNAVELY BACK TO JACUMBA; DEC. 19 HEARING SET

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 14, 2014 (Jacumba Hot Springs)—The state has changed its proposed plan to place sexually violent predator Gary Snavely in Borrego Springs and now instead proposes places him in Jacumba Hot Springs at 45612 Old Highway 80.  A hearing is set for December 19 at 9 a.m. in Department 2 of San Diego Superior Court downtown.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

OCOTILLO RESIDENTS SAY WIND TURBINE NOISE CREATES “LIVING HELL”

 

“It's a horror beyond words; something you have to live to understand. Something must be done to stop the noise.” – Ocotillo resident Parke Ewing

November 14, 2014 (Ocotillo) – Residents in Ocotillo say that during windy conditions in early November, noise from wind turbines is making their lives unbearable.   

Jim Pelley captured the loud noise on videotape, juxtaposed with footage of Pattern Energy’s Glenn Hodges selling the project to supervisors in Imperial Valley by claiming that noise would not be an issue due to setbacks.  “The project was sold on the understanding to be five miles from the community of Ocotillo,” Pelley wrote on a Youtube post. “We have turbines as close as 1/2 mile, we are now forced to live with the horrible noise of 112 turbines when the wind blows.”

His neighbor, Parke Ewing, says his complaints to Imperial County and Bureau of Land Management officials, as well as Pattern Energy, have fallen on deaf ears, with no meaningful responses.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER'S EDITORIAL: FERGUSON-RELIVING OR REVERSING A VIOLENT SELF-FULFILLING PROPHESY?

 

by David  Ragland with Wayne Adams, Mahdis Azarmandi and Mark Lance

Photo by Jamelle Bouie, Creative Commons on FlickR

November 14, 2014 (Ferguson MO) -- It’s been over 100 days since Darren Wilson killed unarmed young African American Michael Brown and the world is watching and waiting to hear the forgone conclusion of white officer Wilson’s non-indictment. Many expect a violent reaction from an angry community when there is no indictment.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED ON DRAFT DESERT RENEWABLE ENERGY CONSERVATION PLAN

 

November 14, 2014 (Sacramento)--In response to public requests, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), California Energy Commission (CEC) and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will extend the public comment period for the draft Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) for 45 days.  The comment period, originally scheduled to close on January 9, 2015, will be extended through February 23, 2015.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

FIREFIGHTERS FLIP FOR MAKE A WISH: PANCAKE BREAKFAST DEC. 6

 

November 15, 2014 (Santee) – Santee Firefighters and Sheriff’s deputies will host their 16th annual Santee Fire Pancake Breakfast at 9130 Carlton Oaks Drive in Santee on December 6th from 7:00 to 10:30 a.m.  All proceeds will benefit the Make a Wish Foundation, which fulfills wishes for terminally ill children.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

ELDERLY PEDESTRIAN KILLED IN EL CAJON

 

East County News Service

November 14, 2014 (El Cajon)—An 87-year-old man died at a local hospital after being struck by a vehicle in the 600 block of El Cajon last night shortly before 5:30 p.m.  Witnesses told police that the man walked into the roadway from the center media, following two family members. He was wearing dark clothing and appeared unaware of the vehicle traffic.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

Pages