Febuary 2012 Articles
ASSEMBLY HIGHER EDUCATION CHAIR MARTY BLOCK CO-AUTHORS LEGISLATION TO MAKE COLLEGE MORE AFFORDABLE
February 10, 2012 (Sacramento)-- Assemblymember Marty Block (D-78th District), Chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee, has joined Speaker John A. Pérez on legislation that will keep college fees down for middle class families. The Middle Class Scholarship, which was introduced by Speaker Pérez today, will close a tax loophole for out-of-state corporations in order to cut college fees for middle income families.
THE WOMAN WHO STOOD ALONE AGAINST THE “THIEVING BANKS”
How Kamala Harris played hardball and won $18 billion to help California homeowners
Story by Miriam Raftery, photos by Ron Logan
February 13, 2012 (San Diego) – Last September, the U.S. Department of Justice and attorney generals from other states were ready to sign a multi-state settlement of misconduct by banks that resulted in foreclosures. The deal on the table? An estimated $4 billion or less for California, the state hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis. Moreover, no wrongdoers would be prosecuted.
So California’s Attorney General Kamala Harris stood up—and walked out.
Her actions led to a dramatically different settlement reached last week that is expected to ultimately reach $40 billion—including an estimated $18 billion for California and $1.5 billion for San Diego homeowners.
READER’S EDITORIAL: COUNTY SHOULD REJECT EYE GNAT VECTOR ORDINANCE – UNLESS KEY AMENDMENTS ARE MADE
An Open Letter To the Honorable Supervisors on the Proposed Ordinance Amending San Diego county’s Regulatory Ordinances Relating to Vector Control
By Danielle Cook
February 13, 2012 (Jacumba) --I am a resident of Jacumba, a member of JAG (Jacumba Against Gnats), Secretary of the Jacumba-Boulevard Revitalization Alliance and one of the four (total) community representatives that participated on the EGIWG committee that produced the proposed new ordinance draft.
KROC KIDS CASTING CALL FEB 28TH AND MARCH 1ST
February 13, 2012 (San Diego) -- Kroc Kids Junior Theater Company is holding a casting call for all skill levels age 7-18 for the upcoming production of “Once Upon a Mattress” with performance dates of May 25-27th. Tuesday, February 28th 4:30-6:30 p.m. is the music audition, come prepared to sing with a CD for accompaniment. Thursday, March 1st from 4:30-6:30 p.m. is for callbacks and the dance audition.
LEGAL ACTION BY FIRE VICTIMS SEEKS TO BLOCK SDG&E EFFORT TO FORCE RATEPAYERS TO PAY WILDFIRE COSTS INCURRED BY UTILITY
2 other utilities have withdrawn requests to make ratepayers pay for wildfire damages
By Miriam Raftery
February 10, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—A motion has been filed on behalf of 2007 wildfire victims whose properties were destroyed or damaged in the 2007 Witch Creek, Guejito and Rice Canyon Fires caused by San Diego Gas & Electric Company’s power lines.
The motion claims SDG&E did not provide proper notice to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) about a proposed “wildfire expense balancing account” – a rate hike that would force the public including fire victims to pay SDG&E’s uninsured liability costs for massive wildfires that it caused.
VETERAN BUFFALO SOLDIERS AND DESCENDANTS RIDE AGAIN AT LEMON GROVE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING
“Throughout history, it was hard for black men, with no education. They couldn’t become officers. They weren’t trained right. African-Americans were always left with the worst equipment (like hats and shoes) while the white officers made 50 cents more.” – Trooper John Green
By Megan McGlamery
February 10, 2012 (Lemon Grove) In celebration of Black History Month, the Lemon Grove Historical Society hosted members of the San Diego Chapter of the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers. Dressed in authentic uniforms, the speakers—including veterans of the famed regiment and their descendants--explained the history of the Buffalo Soldiers, as well as their importance to the San Diego community.
I-8 WEST SHUT DOWN DUE TO SUICIDE
Update 12 p.m. The freeway is now reopened.
February 13, 2012 (San Diego) 11:00 a.m. - I-8 west is shut down due to a suicide. According to the CHP website, a man waved to passing motorists before jumping to his death off a bridge at 805. Traffic is being diverted off I-8 at Texas Stsreet and a SIG ALERT has been issued.
MONTH-LONG UNIVERSITY AVENUE SEWER PIPE REPLACEMENT STARTS FEB. 15
February 14, 2012 (La Mesa)-- The City of La Mesa has awarded a construction contract to replace the sewer pipe beneath University Avenue from Massachusetts Avenue to Harbinson Avenue. Construction is scheduled to take place at night, between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6 a.m. beginning February 15. The work is expected to take four weeks to complete.
Looking for Love? Beware of Online Dating Scams
By Darrell Foxworth, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), San Diego
February 14, 2012 (San Diego)--Millions of Americans visit online dating websites every year, hoping to find a companion or even a soul mate. But today, on Valentine’s Day, we want to warn you that criminals use these sites, too, looking to turn the lonely and vulnerable into fast money through a variety of scams.
LOVE SNOW? VALENTINE’S STORM BLANKETS EAST COUNTY—WITH MORE YET TO COME
Story by Miriam Raftery, photos by Billy Ortiz
February 14, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – A late season storm left a dusting of snow across rural and mountain areas in East County, dipping as low as Descanso along I-8.
Tomorrow and Thursday, a chill Alaskan weather system is expected to dip snow levels to 2500-3500 feet, with heavier snowfall reaching 10 inches atop Mount Laguna.
FBI, POLICE AND SHERIFF SEEK PUBLIC’S HELP TO IDENTIFY BANK ROBBER WHO HAS STRUCK SANTEE 3 TIMES
Latest Robbery was at U.S. Bank, 9643 Mission Gorge Road, Santee, California
February 12, 2012 (Santee)--The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), San Diego Police and San Diego Sheriff’s Department are seeking the public’s assistance to identify an unknown man dubbed the “Insistent Bandit.” He is believed responsible for four bank robberies dating back to January 17.
LOVE YOUR HEART FOR VALENTINE’S DAY
County Offers Free Blood Pressure Screenings on Feb. 14
February 12, 2012 (San Diego)--A healthy heart is the best gift on Valentine’s Day—and all year. On Feb. 10, County officials and community partners kicked off the “Love Your Heart” campaign to help residents take charge of their own health by offering free blood pressure screenings.
Chairman Ron Roberts launches the “Love Your Heart” campaign. He is joined by Donald Turko from County Dept. of Human Resources, Minh Nguyen from US HealthWorks, Dr. Nick Yphantides from HHSA, Mary Ann Barnes from Kaiser and Nick Macchione, HHSA Director.
SAN DIEGO SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AND HIGHWAY PATROL JOIN FORCES TO ADDRESS ISSUE OF DISTRACTED DRIVERS
February 12, 2012 (San Diego County) -- Distracted driving is a serious traffic safety concern that puts everyone on the road at risk. As a result, the Sheriff’s Department and CHP are increasingly cracking down on cell phone use and texting. Beginning February 13th through February 18th, Deputy Sheriff’s and CHP officers will be conducting zero tolerance enforcements. A ticket for violating either the hands free or no texting law costs a minimum of $159 for a first offense and $279 or more for subsequent violations.
EL CAJON NAMES DOUGLAS WILLIFORD AS NEW CITY MANAGER
February 16, 2012 (El Cajon) -- Mayor Mark Lewis announced that the El Cajon City Council voted unanimously to select Douglas Williford as its new City Manager. The selection follows a thorough nationwide search in which 64 candidates applied for the position. Williford currently serves as the Deputy Executive Director of the Southern California Association of Governments. He has past experience working in the City of El Cajon’s Planning Department, as well as similar positions with the City of Santee and the City of Irvine.
FROM THE REAL ESTATE TRENCHES
By Charlotte Reed, Realtor, SRES, CRS
Real Estate is my business…my only business
A weekly column that focuses on Real Estate news that will have an impact on buyers and sellers of real estate in San Diego East County.
February 13, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s top real estate stories are:
- Big Bank/Feds settlement
- Free Homeowners counseling
- Weekly ESDCAR meeting
ELDERLY WOMAN ROBBED OF PURSE AT GROSSMONT CENTER
February 13, 2012 (La Mesa) -- A purse-snatching prompted at Grossmont Center prompted an intensive but unsuccessful search for a suspect on Saturday night, February 11. The suspect approached a 71-year-old woman from behind as she was walking with her husband through the parking lot near BJ’s Restaurant shortly before 8 p.m., then grabbed her purse from her shoulder and ran off toward Grossmont Hospital.
ON THE SILVER SCREEN: KILLER "ELITE"
By Brian Lafferty
February 13, 2012 (San Diego) – Elite Squad: The Enemy Within is populated with politicians more corrupt than Randy “Duke” Cunningham and a slew of dirty cops. With so many stock characters and potentially tiresome tropes like chases and shootouts, the film could have easily become a hotbed of clichés. Elite Squad, against all odds, transcends them all with a complex script. Nothing – not the characters, plot, themes, nothing – in this movie is as simple as black and white.
ARMED ROBBERY AT YUM YUM DONUTS IN LA MESA
February 11, 2012 (La Mesa) -- On 02/11/12 at approximately 3:44 PM, a male armed with a gun robbed the Yum Yum Donut shop located at 7550 El Cajon Boulevard in La Mesa.
The male suspect entered the store, displayed a black handgun, and demanded cash from the clerk. After the clerk complied, the suspect left the store on foot. The suspect was last seen on foot eastbound toward Comanche Drive.
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK : A HUMDINGER OF A PHOTO
February 11, 2
012 (Lakeside) -- Dennis Richardson froze the motion of a hummingbird pausing by for a snack at a backyard birdfeeder in Lakeside.
GUHSD ANNOUNCES SPECIAL MEETING FEB. 16 ON CONTROVERSIAL BOUNDARY CHANGES
February 11, 2012 (Santee) - Grossmont Union High School District will host a special Board meeting Thursday, February 16 to review its newly enacted high school boundaries and open enrollment policies, as well as consider alternative options for the 2012-13 school year. This public meeting will be held in the theater at West Hills High School at 8756 Mast Blvd. in Santee at 6:00 p.m.
"This was the best possible outcome that we could have hoped for. The decision to change the boundaries can only be reversed by the board," said Greg Kerrebrock, a parent who has led efforts to get the board to reverse the boundary changes...."I would urge those who are truly concerned or significantly affected to seize this opportunity and make an appearance next Thursday."
SANTEE-BASED COMPANY HELPS BRIDES DECORATE ON A BUDGET
February 11, 2012 (Santee)--So you’re engaged! Congrats! Now what? Wedding season is in full swing and brides-to-be and their fiancés are starting the fun yet sometimes overwhelming planning process. It’s no surprise that the budget is usually one of the first items discussed.
POLICE INVESTIGATE INDECENT EXPOSURE NEAR SCHOOL
February 10, 2012 (San Diego)-- San Diego Police Department Mid-City Division detectives are looking for a Hispanic male suspected of exposing himself to two Hoover High School students as they walked home Wednesday afternoon.
The girls were walking westbound on 3700 Orange Avenue when they passed the suspect’s vehicle parked at the curb. The suspect then drove past the girls and, again, parked at the curb where they were would pass him.
SPRING VALLEY STUDENTS COMPETE IN COUNTYWIDE SCIENCE OLYMPIAD
By Sophie Coston
February 10, 2012 (Spring Valley) -- After four months of spending many evenings and weekends preparing and learning about a variety of science subjects, the Spring Valley Middle School Science Olympiad team competed in the San Diego County Regional Science Olympiad. The annual competition took place on Saturday February 4 at Rancho Bernardo High School with 28 schools from all around the county, and 90 total middle school teams. Spring Valley Middle School, which is part of the La Mesa – Spring Valley School District was the only East County middle school that participated in the countywide event.
VET'S BEST FRIEND: SERVICE DOG HELPS INJURED MARINE
By Kate Malatino
February 8, 2012 (San Diego)--Gabe, a San Diego military veteran, is a seemingly laid-back, young guy. He's quick to smile, easy to joke with and can often be found wearing a tee shirt that's printed to appear like a tuxedo. However, if you get to know Gabe, you quickly realize how intense he actually is. He is fearless and ambitious - an unstoppable combination.
SUICIDE OFF BRIDGE ONTO 805 SOUTH
February 10, 2012 (San Diego) -- An individual who jumped off a bridge in an apparent suicide was struck by a vehicle and died at the scene, Officer Larry Landeros of CHP informed ECM at 1:40 p.m. All lanes but one have been shut down on southbound 805 at Balboa.
In addition, CHP reports an earlier incident in which two daredevil individuals with parachutes leaped off a tall bridge at southbound Highway 125 and westbound 905. The jumpers then fled in a white pickup truck.
Officer Landeros confirms that any jumps off bridges are both illegal and "very dangerous."
LIVE VIDEO OF OFF-ROAD RACING "KING OF HAMMERS" EVENT
February 10, 2012 (San Diego) -- Local off-road enthusiasts don't have to head east to the Mojave Desert to enjoy watching the "King of Hammers" competition, which starts today. You can view a live-streaming video here: http://www.ustream.tv/ultra4.
GOVERNOR, CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS AND STATEWIDE OFFICERS TO HEADLINE CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION IN SAN DIEGO THIS WEEKEND
February 10, 2012 (San Diego) – Democratic delegates and party activists from East County are among the participants at the three-day California Democratic Party Convention taking place Friday through Sunday at the San Diego Convention Center.
YES, THERE IS A FREE LUNCH! FEB. 25 FOR SENIORS INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING AT ALVARADO HOSPITAL
RSVP by Feb. 21 for “lunch and learn” with prizes and more
February 10, 2012 (San Diego) – If you’re an active senior or retiree with plenty of free time and a desire to make a positive difference in people’s lives, you’re invited to a free “Lunch and Learn” at Alvarado Hospital on Saturday, February 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
ATTENTION FOOD LOVERS: “APHRODESIAC DINNER” COOKED UP BY SYCUAN’S CHEF
Plus win an “Ultimate Romance Package” vacation in Sycuan’s Facebook Contest
February 10, 2012 (El Cajon)-- Sycuan Golf and Tennis Resort, is putting on a unique Aphrodisiac themed Valentine's Day dinner, created by Executive Chef Augie Saucedo (formerly of the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club).
The menu includes seafood, steak, and chocolate--all the makings for romance on Saturday, February 11 and Tuesday, February 14 for $39 per person. It’s all part of an "Ultimate Romance Package" to entice golfers eat, play and stay in style.
BALLS, CLUBS AND LOVE: GOLF TIPS FOR CELEBRATING VALENTINES DAY
February 10, 2012 (El Cajon)--Sycuan Golf & Tennis Resort understands ‘golf romance’ and how to treat sweeties to a day on the course…and tagging along. Can you play your lie? Know where to park your cart? Ready to talk it up? After polling our golfers, instructors and staff, here’s the top tips of what to do.
The resort is also offering a special "couple's retreat" for a full weekend of romance on the greens.
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