PUBLIC REVIEW OF CUYAMACA RANCHO STATE PARK GENERAL PLAN/DRAFT EIR POSTPONED

 

PUBLIC REVIEW OF  CUYAMACA RANCHO STATE PARK GENERAL PLAN/DRAFT EIR POSTPONED

July 12, 2014 (Cuyamaca) -- The Cuyamaca Rancho State Park General Plan Webpage has been updated to indicate that release of the Preliminary General Plan/Draft EIR has been delayed until August 7, 2014  due to time required to incorporate all comments submitted.  California State Parks is proposing to adjust select wilderness boundaries and decommission particular areas of existing wilderness at the Park.


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DID THE GUHSD PUSH OUT A MEMBER OF ITS BOND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO SILENCE TOUGH QUESTIONS?

Grossmont CBOC Member Nick Marinovich Resigns After Pressure From Asking Tough Questions

By Sharon Penny

July 13, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--The Grossmont Union High School District’s (GUHSD) Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) serves on behalf of  San Diego County taxpayers to  “independently review the planning and execution of the Proposition H and Proposition U bond programs to validate to the public and the Governing Board that bond funds are spent within the intent of the bond measure.” East County Magazine has raised questions over problems with the CBOC’s watchdog role in a radio interview a few months ago.

Since his appointment to CBOC in June 2013, Nick Marinovich has a history of questioning the GUHSD Board about what many view as its inadequate responses for plans for an Alpine High School (funded by Proposition U) and for not properly addressing the Grand Jury’s report criticizing the Boardm as ECM has reported.

Effective June 19, Marinovich “resigned” from the CBOC. GUHSD Board member Priscilla Schreiber has told East County Magazine that she believes Marinovich was ”indirectly forced” to resign due to his probing questions and failure of the board to respond to his follow-up efforts.


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"OPERATION LEMON DROP" NABS REPEAT OFFENDERS IN LEMON GROVE

 

July 13, 2014 (Lemon Grove) – A multi-agency enforcement and probation compliance sweep occurred July 11 in Lemon Grove at the trolley station.  Out of 3,330 people checked for trolley fare compliance, 100 probationary searches leading to 53 arrests occurred.


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BRUSH FIRE CLOSES MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK

 

 

East County News Service

Photos by Helga Weis, shot at Golfcrest and Navajo

July 13, 2014 (San Diego) – A brush fire has charred nearly 100 acres, forcing closure of Mission Trails Regional Park. The blaze is now 70% contained, however the park will remain closed Monday, San Diego Fire & Rescue Lee Swanson told ECM news partner 10 News.   

Fortunately there were few hikers in the park due to the hot weather and all were able to get out safely. One firefighter suffered a heat-related injury, however.


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CRITICISM GROWS OVER ISSA "WATCHDOG" ROLE

 

Campaign opponent Peiser calls Issa “out of touch” with constituents

By Jordan Schaffner

Photos: Rep. Darrell Issa (left) and opponent Dave Peiser (right)

July 13, 2014 (San Diego)—San Diego Congressman Darrell Issa has been touted as a possible Republican presidential candidate for the 2016 election, UT San Diego reported recently.  Issa, who is also seeking reelection this fall, chairs the powerful House Oversight Committee on Waste, Fraud and Abuse.


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EL CAJON VOTES TO LOWER SALES TAX

 

By Miriam Raftery

July 13, 2014 (El Cajon) – Starting March 31, 2015, the sales tax in El Cajon will drop by a half cent on every dollar, from 9 cents to 8.5 percent.


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SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES FIRST IN STATE TO CARRY OVERDOSE ANTIDOTE

East County News Service July 13, 2014

(Santee)-Sheriff’s deputies in Santee will be the first law enforcement officers in California to carry a potentially life-saving treatment for people who have overdosed on drugs.

When someone is not breathing and suffering from an opiate overdode, every second counts. The Sheriff's Deputies are often the first to arrive on scene and are in a position to save overdose victims.


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THE COST OF VALLEY FEVER: HUMAN AND ECONOMIC

 

San Diego has sixth highest rate of valley fever in California; concerns voiced that Imperial County cases may be under-reported

By Janice Arenofsky

July 13, 2014 (San Diego)--More than 160 scientists, researchers and regional activists met in Phoenix on April 5th to learn about and exchange views on the human and economic costs of Coccidioidomycosis (valley fever). Due to recent national and local media coverage of the valley fever epidemic across the Southwest and formation of a Cocci Congressional Task Force headed by two U.S. House Republicans from California and Arizona-- Kevin McCarthy and David Schweikert--the 58th Annual Meeting of the Cocci Study Group brought together a historic number of attendees.

Keynote speaker Steven Holland, MD, deputy director for intramural clinical research at the National Institutes of Health, spoke about human DNA mutations that leave a percentage of people especially vulnerable to valley fever, mycobacterial disease and Job’s Syndrome (immune-mediated disease). Holland concluded that in certain extreme cases of cocci, bone marrow transplants should be considered. He anticipates receiving more referrals of seriously ill cocci patients from Arizona and California physicians.


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EXPERT ON MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT TO SPEAK JULY 17 IN EL CAJON

 

July 13, 2014 (La Mesa)—Farouk Al-Nasser, PhD, will speak on the current conflicts in the Middle East at a meeting of the East County Democratic Club on Thursday, July 17.  The event will be held at Coco’s Restaurant, 1025 Fletcher Parkway in El Cajon with dinner (available for purchase) and socializing at 6 p.m. and the program at 7 p.m.   The meeting is free.


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LES MISERABLES AT MOUNT HELIX

 

By Annie Crandall

June 26, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – It’s official!  The cast for Christian Community Theater’s  Les Miserables has been selected and the rehearsals have begun.  This summer blockbuster will be staged atop Mount Helix (July 17 – August 2).


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BYSTANDERS HELP CHILDREN LEFT ALONE IN HOT CAR

 

July 12, 2014 (La Mesa)—A 9-month-old baby and a 4-year old child were left unattended inside a locked car at Grossmont Center on Friday afternoon amid sweltering heat.  Bystanders called 911 and were able to get the 4-year-old to unlock the door by the time Heartland Fire & Rescue crew arrived. The mother said she had been gone only five minutes; paramedics evaluated the children and released them  to their father.


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EARTHTALK(R): CHEMICALS AND OBESITY

 

E - The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: I’ve heard that, above and beyond our bad eating and lifestyle habits, some chemicals in everyday products are contributing to the obesity problem. Can you explain?


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KEEPING CA KIDS SAFE FROM FOOTBALL INJURIES

 

Lori Abbott, California News Service

July 9, 2014 (Sacramento)--How long high school football players can practice each week - and how rough those practices can be - may be changing in California.


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BISTRO SIXTY HOSTS WINE DINNER JULY 18

 

 

July 12, 2014 (San Diego’s College Area) – Bistro Sixty, located on El Cajon Boulevard near San Diego State University, is hosting a wine dinner on July 18 feature a “decadent six-course dinner” along with Hill Family Estate wines.


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BULLS ONLY RODEO JULY 18 - 19 IN LAKESIDE

 

 

July 11, 2014 (Lakeside) –Bull riding, mutton bustin’ and wild horse racing are among the attractions slated for this weekends’ Bulls Only Rodeo at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds.


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PASSAGES: GROSSMONT HOSPITAL CEO MICHELE TARBET

 

Memorial fund to be established to benefit hospice care; services pending

By Miriam Raftery

July 12, 2014 (La Mesa) – Grossmont Hospital is mourning the loss of its chief executive officer, Michele Tarbet, who passed away yesterday morning at her home surrounded by her family members, under the care of Grossmont’s hospice care.

An announcement issued jointly by Sharp Healthcare and  Sharp Grossmont Hospital yesterday, voiced “a heavy heart and great sadness” at the news.  “Michele’s passing was peaceful and she left this world with dignity and grace,” he stated. “We will miss her immensely. Fortunately for us, Michele has left an indelible mark on Sharp HealthCare, Grossmont Hospital, the East County, and the countless individuals she worked with and knew.”


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SUMMER WINES: TASTING CLASS OFFERED AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE JULY 16 AND 23

July 11, 2014 (El Cajon) – East County Magazine’s new wine columnist and viticulture expert Don Rutkoff will conduct a two-week summer wine tasting class in the conservancy garden at Cuyamaca College from 6-8 p.m. on July 16 and 23.

“White and rose wines are very popular during the summer and come from all over the world. Local wineries are making excellent wines in these categories,” the course description states. Over two evenings, this class explores a short introduction of the grapes and winemaking methods, followed by several flights of 3-5 wines per flight, and discussion of food pairing.


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WIND TURBINE INFRASOUND BLAMED FOR AFFECTING WOMEN'S OVALUTION IN DENMARK

... and kill another small business

"All my female employees are complaining of irregular menstruations, and several have permanent headaches." (Boye Jensen, Nursery Owner, Denmark)

By Mark Duchamp, World Council for Nature

July 11, 2014 (Denmark)--The Danish press reports the case of a garden centre (nursery) going out of business because of nearby wind turbines. Headaches are frequent among employees, and female workers complain of unusual bleeding and problems with their menstruation cycles. They are worried that more serious illnesses may follow. Five have recently resigned. The owner is now closing his business for fear of being held liable should a child be born with deformities, as happened to numerous mink puppies at a fur farm near wind turbines in Jutland.


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ASSEMBLYWOMAN LORENA GONZALEZ TOURS FACILITY HOLDING UNACCOMPANIED REFUGEE YOUTH FROM CENTRAL AMERICA

 

July 8, 2014 (San Diego's East County)California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, D-San Diego, participated with other members of the California Latino Legislative Caucus to tour and observe a facility housing hundreds of unaccompanied  Central American refugee youth at Naval Base Ventura County. Assemblywoman Gonzalez made the following statement in response to her observations:


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REP. VARGAS & COMMUNITY LEADER MARK ARABO INTRODUCES H. RES. 663, EXPRESSING COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN IRAQ

 

July 11, 2014 (San Diego's East County) – Today, Representative Juan Vargas (CA-51) introduced House Resolution 663, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on the current situation in Iraq and the urgent need to protect religious minorities from persecution by the Sunni Islamist insurgent and terrorist group – the Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (ISIL) – as it expands its control over areas in northwestern Iraq.


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ASSEMBLYWOMAN WEBER HOSTS COFFEE WITH CONSTITUENTS JULY 12

 

July 11, 2014 (San Diego and East County) – Assemblywoman Shirley Weber (D-San Diego), whose district includes several East County communities such as La Mesa, Mt. Helix and portions of El Cajon, will host a coffee with constituents this Saturday, July 12. The event will be held from 12-2 p.m. at the  Linda Vista branch library, 2160 Ulric Street in San Diego.


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SAN DIEGO WINE COUNTRY FESTIVAL JULY 12 AT BERNARDO WINERY

 

July 11, 2014 (Rancho Bernardo)—Wine aficionados can sip and savor vintages from over 20 local wineries at the San Diego County Vintners Association Wine Festival, including many East County vintners. The event takes place Saturday, July 12 from 1-6 p.m. at the Bernardo Winery in Rancho Bernardo.


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ECM WINS 10 SPJ AWARDS FOR ONLINE NEWS AND RADIO SHOW

 

East County News Service

July 9, 2014 (San Diego) –East County Magazine picked up 10 journalism awards tonight in the Society of Professional Journalists San Diego contest, including four first place awards and for the third year in a row, the James Julian Memorial Award for community reporting.  

ECM picked up two awards for reports aired on KNSJ radio, as well as honors for online reporting. This brings ECM’s total awards to 69 since our launch in 2008.

“This is public service journalism at its finest—identify the problem for readers and track the changes. It worked in this case. Bravo,” commented a judge for the James Julian award, which includes a $100 cash prize for our story titled Why is County Veterans Service Department ignoring rural East County vets?  By Miriam Raftery.  After the report aired, Supervisor Dianne Jacob introduced a measure later adopted to bring veterans’ services to county libraries in rural locations.


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BAJA BLOG: POPOTLA FISHING VILLAGE - OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

 

By Susan A. Mahalick

July 10, 2014 (Baja) - Many have heard of Puerto Nuevo as a lobster village, an adventure in eating experiences. Few have the same pleasure of knowing of Popotla, Km 33, just south of Baja Studios, there is an arch and a dirt road leading into a tiny village full of tiny eateries and curio shops. Unlike Puerto Nuevo, much more than lobster is served up, caught only minutes or hours before it is served to you. The entire village can be walked in a mere twenty minutes. One can bring in their own beverages most places. It is also possible to purchase fish to take home for that party or intimate dinner.


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FROM THE FIRE CHIEF'S CORNER: HEAT SAFETY!

 

“It's like a heat wave, Burnin' in my heart, I can't keep from cryin', It's tearin' me apart…”

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

July 10, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - “What a cool song…  But lately, temperatures haven’t been so cool. It’s been hot and humid which put an even greater strain on us. Extreme heat is a potential health concern reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.”


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STUDY FINDS THAT HALF OF PLANTS SOLD AT BIG BOX STORES HAVE PESTICIDES THAT KILL BEES

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

July 10, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--Are the roses and other garden plants you’ve purchased recently killing off bees and butterflies?


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SPRINKLERS HELP STOP FIRE AT STORAGE FACILITY IN EL CAJON

 

East County News Service

July 8, 2014 (El Cajon)-Heartland Fire & Rescue crews in El Cajon responded to reports of a structure fire in the 1500 block of East Main Street in El Cajon this morning. As firefighters arrived on scene, they found smoke coming from one of the storage units at “Extra Space Storage,” located at 1539 East Main Street.


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YOUR SONG, YOUR STORY: SYMPHONY OFFERS FREE PERFORMANCES IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES

 

Programs July 15 at Kroc Theatre, July 16 at Embarcadero Marina Park South, and July 17 at Lincoln High School

By Miriam Raftery

Concert details and RSVP for free tickets:  www.yoursongyourstory.org

Listen Friday at 5 p.m. on KNSJ 89.1 FM to our radio interview with Leonor Perez, artistic projects manager, San Diego Symphony

July 10, 2014 (San Diego)—The San Diego Symphony teams up with local artists and Academy Award-winner Bill Conti (composer of the themes for Rocky and James Bond movies) for a series of free performances in disadvantaged communities. “Your song, your story” is the culmination of a year of outreach in which the Symphony received over 300 submissions from local artists, chose 18 and asked Conti to create a composition inspired by the works celebrating diverse cultural perspectives.

The shows highlight the diversity of San Diego neighborhoods – and each will include a block party celebration complete with free food and entertainment. Performers include many East County groups, such as the Kumeyaay Youth Bird Singers, Soaring Eagles, and Luay Yousif of St. Peters Chaldean Catholic Church.


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BORDER ANGELS LAUNCHES TEDDY BEAR DRIVE FOR IMMIGRANT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

 

Photos by Maria Teresa Fernandez and Miriam Raftery

July 10, 2014 (San Diego) – Border Angels, a nonprofit San Diego organization, has received over 10 tons of donated clothing, toys, diapers and food for the Central American refugee families coming to our region.  Now the group has launched a teddy bear drive to “share the love with our refugee children,”  said Enrique Morones, founder of Border Angels.  Donated items can be dropped off at the Border Angels office at 2258 Island Avenue in San Diego.  The group also seeks an East County drop-off location.

This is not the group’s first effort to help people in need locally.  Border Angels successfully raised donations to help wildfire survivors in our region, as well as to help victims of the Easter Sunday earthquake just over our border several years ago. 

The wave of Central American immigrants fleeing violence and risk of death in their homelands have been the subject of controversy.  Anti-immigration protesters blocked several busloads of the refugees in Murrietta, chanting racial slurs. Five of the protesters were arrested after some tackled law enforcement officers.  Now, as people across the nation and around the world have seen video of the controntation, many have stepped forward to help the immigrant children and their families.


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EL CAJON COUNCIL VOTES TO PROCEED WITH MARRIOTT HOTEL DOWNTOWN

 

By Janis Russell

July 9, 2014 (El Cajon)- At yesterday’s city council meeting, with Councilmember Tony Ambrose absent, El Cajon’s City Council voted 4-0 to approve a conditional use permit and exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the Marriott El Cajon Courtyard hotel to be built downtown on urban infill property.

“This is special to the city,” City Manager Doug Williford  said, then provided background. In Spring 2012 the Council held a special workshop on two interrelated topics: a hotel and the East Count Performing Arts Center(ECPAC).


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