Law enforcement can keep 80% of cash seized, a system critics say has led to victimization of innocent people

By Nadin Abbott

September 13, 2014 (San Diego) East County Magazine was informed by a reader in Santa Ysabel about seizure of $4,500 during a Sheriff’s raid locally. A member of the household was arrested on drug charges, Sheriff’s records indicate. But a relative claims the money belonged to the suspect’s father--savings that the older man intended to use to purchase a car.

By Miriam Raftery

September 13, 2014 (Alpine)—Tina Smyth, owner of the Atria Salon in Alpine, suffered serious injuries from a brutal attack during an attempted robbery at her shop on April 8, 2014.  In a blog posted at the Alpine Community News site, Smyth says she has now been forced to put her shop up for sale because her injuries prevent her from working more than a couple of days a week.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of CAL-FIRE

September 13, 2014 (Cleveland National Forest) – Over 200 homes are under evacuation orders in Silverado Canyon in Orange County due to the Silverado Fire burning in the Cleveland National Forest. The blaze, which started yesterday, has scorched over 1,500 acres. Other fires are also taking a heavy toll on federal public lands.

Firefighting resources are battling blazes in Yosemite National Park as well as Klamath, Sequoia, Lassen, and Shasta-Trinity National Forests. Fueled by tinder-dry conditions amid the worst drought in memory, the fires have collectively burned over a quarter of  a million acres—and it’s only September.

September 13, 2014 (Sacramento)—If you’re a part-time or full-time worker, you’ll soon have at least three paid sick leave days a year, starting in July 2015.

By Miriam Raftery

September 13, 2014 (San Diego) – A virus suspected of sickening hundreds of children in the Midwest this summer is spreading across the nation, with 80 cases confirmed, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control reports.

September 11, 2014 (Lakeside) -- The Barona Cultural Center and Museum invites San Diegans to learn the art of Southern California Style Pottery Making at a workshop led by Tony Soares. Pottery is one of the oldest forms of utilitarian objects used by the Kumeyaay/Diegueño people and other indigenous groups for the storage of water, food and seeds. Tony Soares will show participants how to grind and process raw clay, shape and build a pot, and then fire the final piece.

Our East County Magazine Show's July radio broadcasts are now online, covering hot issues from the Banner Fire to immigrant children to local rallies to save Iraqi Christians. We also interviewed local authors, musicians, a new winery owner, and a representative of the Lions Clubs’ Camp Jack in Descanso for disadvantaged children. Plus we had coverage and analysis of local and national issues, from the minimum wage to  some controversial Supreme Court rulings.

We also rebroadcast of our interview with Sycuan Chairman Daniel Tucker on the tribe’s Emmy Award winning documentary on Kumeyaay history, plus on the 4th of July weekend, we re-aired our “Spirits of 1776” dramatic presentation featuring `interviews’ with our nation’s founding fathers and mothers. Plus we brought you on-the-scene coverage of Descanso Days.

For a full list of interviews and issues on each of our July shows, click here, or click “read more” and scroll down. To listen to future shows, tune in to KNSJ 89.1 FM Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9 a.m. or listen online live during our broadcasts at www.KNSJ.org.

Tips Available for Customers to Save Energy

Sept. 12, 2014 (San Diego)– As some of the hottest weather of the year approaches over the next several days, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is prepared to meet system demand with crews on standby if needed, and tips available for customers to save energy and avoid high bills caused by increased energy use.

Child of The Storm, by Kirk Lee Aeder (Mutual Publishing, LLC, Honolulu, Hawaii, 2012, 306 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

September 12, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - Kirk Lee Aeder, currently a resident of Hawaii, the acknowledged birthplace of surfing, has written an iconic book about how an angry young man formed a bond with the sea and changed our lives forever; Child of The Storm.It has been described as “One of the most compelling, tragic, yet inspiring stories in the history of surfing.” It is all that, and much more! Aeder’s book is the story of Chris O’Rourke, a shy young Irish boy from New Jersey who had an affinity for playing in the water. It chronicles O’Rourke’s family being unexpectedly forced to flee their East Coast home and lavish lifestyle, and journey as far west as possible, La Jolla and the shores of the Pacific Ocean. It is very possible from reading this heartfelt and well written book, that the presumed anger in this young man came about as a result of this sudden uprooting of his family.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

September 12, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - It’s National Preparedness Month, a time when communities, emergency responders, businesses, and families come together to make sure they are prepared for the next disaster. This year’s theme is “Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare” says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. Our guard is down and now is the time to prepare!

By Miriam Raftery

photo: U.C. Berkeley Golden Bears blog

September 11, 2014 (El Cajon) – “Don’t Quit: The Joe Roth Story”, a documentary about Grossmont College football quarterback Joe Roth, will be honored at the La Costa Film Festival September 20th, with the film debuting there September 18th.

The El Cajon native led the Griffins to its first state championship in 1974.  He was diagnosed with melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer, but courageously battled the disease while triumphing on the field as one of America's top college athletes—all without telling friends or teammates about his condition.

 By  Leon Thompson

Photo, left to right: John Minto, Rob McNelis, Maggie Acerra, Ronn Hall, Keshav Damoor

September 11, 2014 (Santee) – Santee City Council candidates introduced themselves to the Santee Mobile Home Owners Association on Saturday, drawing sharp distinctions betweenchallengers who seek to represent citizens, youth, and smart growth vs. incumbents on a council long dominated by business and development interests.

Mobile home owners make up more than 10% percent of registered Santee voters and they turn out to vote in huge percentages.  Mobile home owners tend to be engaged and well informed, leading to some very pointed questions. 

Two incumbents and three challengers are running for three seats on the Council.  Council member John Ryan will not be running for reelection, leaving one seat open.

September 11, 2014 (San Diego) – Cleveland National Forest Foundation is urging the public to join in a protest Friday over the transportation plan put forward by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). The protest rally will be held in front ot the Wells Fargo building in downtown San Diego, 5^th and B Street on Friday, September 12 from 11:30 a.,m. to 12:30 p.m. A press release issued by CNFF.org and TransitSanDiego.org states:

September 11, 2014 (San Diego's East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL/REGIONAL

• Victory! San Onofre settlement deemed unfair (San Diego Reader)
• New Map Details Fire Risk for San Diego County Residents (NBC San Diego)
• The art center aims to connect community with artist (Ramona Sentinel)
• Water theft dooms volunteer fire department  (UT San Diego)
• San Diego’s Business Exodus Is Really a People Exodus (Voice of San Diego)
• Former Charger Junior Seau’s family rejects NFL settlement offer (Santee Patch)
• San Diego County Suicides Reach All-Time High (KPBS)

STATE

• Whaling ban seen as restoring blue whales in northeast Pacific (CS Monitor)
• Study: water pumping made desert ground sink two feet (Desert Sun)
• Napa earthquake shakes loose unknown groundwater (SacBee)
• Conservation groups snapped up large swaths of Sierra Nevada during recession (SacBee)
• California Wins Latest High Speed Rail Court Battle (KPBS)
• Solar incentives reward west-facing panels (UT San Diego)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

Part II in a series

By the East County Eaters

Week 2:  Alpine Beer Company Pub (Alpine) and Vine Cottage (La Mesa)

September 11, 2014 (San Diego's East County)--Last week, we opened our Best Happy Hours in East County series by focusing on some premier locations for cocktails. This week, our eager team of eaters and drinkers hit the road once again, this time bringing you reviews of a local brewery’s pub that’s one of the most popular watering holes in the backcountry, along with a European-style bistro with a wonderful wine bar and some of the best happy hour food deals in town.