February 2014 Articles

BOULEVARD PLANNING GROUP FORMALLY OPPOSES PROPOSED MASSIVE SOLAR PROJECT AFTER HEATED MEETING

 

February 17 is deadline for public comments; citizens are urged to participate

By Sharon Penny

February 11, 2014 (Boulevard)--An overflow crowd attended the February 6 meeting of the Boulevard Planning Group to hear a detailed presentation by the County of San Diego and Soitec about four massive solar projects planned for the community.

But the show-stealer proved to be Jacumba resident Howard Cook, chair of the Jacumba Sponsor Group.  Cook fired off a list of  glaring omissions from the water use estimated by Soitek’s consultant, Dudek.  These were not minor components; among the omitted items were a substation, concrete-making plants and rock-crushing operations--all water intensive activities, raising serious questions about the competence and integrity of an environmental consulting firm with a record of severely under-estimating water use at other recent projects.


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ALBERTA PETCOKE GETS AROUND - KOCH EMPIRE

 

Editor's Note: The following story previously ran at Reviving Gaia (now Eco Report) and Watershed Sentinel.

The photo came from Flickr - Photo by Stephen Boyle

 

by Joyce Nelson

It looks like Armageddon but it’s “just a little bit of Alberta.”

That’s what some are saying about the black clouds of “petcoke” that have been blowing off huge piles of the stuff in Detroit and Chicago, forcing residents to hide in their homes until the wind dies down, then try to hose off the black grit until the next time Alberta blows through their neighbourhoods.


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SAN DIEGO HOMEOWNERS AND RURAL PLANNERS GRILL SOITEC OVER OMISSIONS FROM WATER ESTIMATE

 

This story published originally on the Eco Report is part of an joint investigation with East County Magazine

http://www.theecoreport.com/green-blogs/area/usa/california/san-diego/sa...

By Roy L Hales

February 10, 2014 (Boulevard)--Yesterday, we reported how three authorities state Soitec's consultant is wrong, Boulevard does not possess enough water for their proposed solar project.  Now a video from the February 6  community meeting, at Boulevard, reveals that Soitec's consultant, Dudek, recently underestimated the amount of water needed at SDG&E recent ECO substation project by  more than three times what would be the final total. (The original estimate was 30 million gallons and the actual amount was closer to 100 million gallons.) Dudek is also alleged to have seriously underestimated the amount of water needed for the  Ocotillo Wind Project. If this is true, how can  we assume that Dudek's estimates for the Boulevard project are correct?


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MOTORCYCLE ENFORCEMENT OPERATION IN EL CAJON FEB. 21

 

February 11, 2014 (El Cajon)--The El Cajon Police Department will be conducting a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation on February 21 in an effort to lower deaths and injuries.  Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur.  

Officers will be looking for violations made by drivers and riders alike that can lead to motorcycle crashes.  They will be cracking down on both those operating regular vehicles and motorcycles that are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, making illegal turns, or any other dangerous violation.


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PREHEARING HELD ON SDG&E PLAN FOR CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST

“Our forest is a delicate ecosystem being attacked by growth...This project will only add to the problems we are facing out here in the forest.” – Duncan McFetridge, founder, Cleveland National Forest Foundation (photo, left)

“We plan to rebuild existing lines in the forest to provide safe, reliable service and fire protection.” – Allen Trial, SDG&E

By Sharon A. Penny

February 6, 2014 (Alpine)--SDG&E submitted a plan to retrofit and update electric line facilities within the Cleveland National Forest into one Master Special Use Permit (MSUP). Currently, SDG&E has over 70 individual special use permits for these facilities. Many organizations and back country citizens are concerned about the need, cost, environmental impacts, and potential harm to the forest of the proposed plan of development.

On February 5, California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Administrative Law Judge Jean Vieth held a formal prehearing conference at the Alpine Community Center regarding the $418.5 million MSUP project. 


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TENTING FOR TERMITES? BEWARE OF INTRUDERS

By Miriam Raftery

 

February 8, 2014 (San Diego)--If you’re planning to tent your house to get rid of termites, you’d better be aware of another unwanted “pest.”


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NEW SHERIFF STATION OPENS IN RANCHO SAN DIEGO

 

February 10, 2014 (Rancho San Diego)--A new Sheriff’s Station opened Monday on Campo Road in Rancho San Diego, near the intersection of Highways 54 and 94.


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GUHSD RESOLUTION TO MUZZLE MEMBERS FROM ADDRESSING OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE IS “NOT ENFORCEABLE,” LEGAL EXPERT SAYS

 

 

District seeks to muzzle whisteblower Priscilla Schreiber (photo, left)

By Miriam Raftery

February 8, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – Last week, Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) trustee Priscilla Schreiber testified before the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) to urge examination of a Grand Jury report and other evidence, as ECM reported.   In response, the District’s board has proposed a resolution to prohibit its trustees from speaking to the Oversight Committee unless specifically invited to do so by the chair or a majority of committee members.  The items is on the agenda on February 13.

ECM asked general counsel Terry Francke at Californians Aware (a nonprofit that works to protect open government), if this resolution was legal or not.  “It's legally unenforceable," he responded via e-mail. "School trustees have the same First Amendment, Brown Act and Public Records Act rights as anyone else to attend meetings of a bond oversight board and obtain any documents that pertain to or result from its work.”


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VALENTINE'S DAY WEEKEND OF WINE PAIRINGS IN RAMONA

 

February 10, 2014 (Ramona) – Ramona vintners invite you to visit Ramona's Wine Country for Valentine's Day Weekend (Friday - Sunday), and enjoy Ramona's East End Winery Loop, a scenic drive connecting three local wineries, Ramona Ranch, Vineyard Grant James, and Turtle Rock Ridge.   Each winery will be providing a special pairing in honor of Valentine's Day all weekend.


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AGENCY RECOMMENDS NOT PROTECTING GRAY WOLVES UNDER CALIFORNIA ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT



“We are puzzled by recommendation not to list, given that the state’s current known wolf population is only one wolf that intermittently comes into the state.  It’s hard to get more endangered than that.”--- Lauren Richie, Director of California Wolf Recovery for the California Wolf Center in Julian. “It’s hard to get more endangered than that.”

 

 

Source: California Wolf Center

February 6, 2014 (San Francisco)--. — The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has determined that protecting gray wolves under the California Endangered Species Act is not warranted. The Department presented that recommendation yesterday in a status report given to the state’s Fish and Game Commission in Sacramento.


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FOOD PRICES MAY RISE DUE TO DROUGHT

 

February 10, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--The worst drought in California history is hitting farmers hard—and soon, consumers may be paying higher prices as a result.


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COASTKEEPERS CALLS FOR CONSERVATION, LONG-TERM WATER PLAN FOR REGION; GROUP QUESTIONS DRAINING OF LAKE MORENA

 

February 10, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - “The City of San Diego has begun drawing water out of Lake Morena …Shouldn’t a reservoir that is at just 5.4% of its capacity point strongly to a need for immediate and drastic action?” --Coastkeepers

Coastkeepers, a San Diego based group addressing water issues, is speaking out on the draining of Lake Morena.

Audio: 

Lake Morena radio interview on ECM Show

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VETERANS JOIN FIGHT TO EXTEND UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

 

February 10, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - A battle is brewing in Congress over unemployment benefits for veterans.


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2 LOCAL TEENS RAISE MONEY FOR WOUNDED WARRIORS



 

February 7, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) -- While on their month long inter-session break from Saint Augustine High School, two juniors put on a golf tournament to benefit Wounded Warriors. Tournament Director Louis Molina of Chula Vista had the initial idea to organize a golf tournament after speaking to wounded warriors on the golf course when he was younger. He invited his Saint Augustine High School golf teammate, Collin McNicholl-Carter of La Mesa, to be Assistant Director and Marketing Assistant.


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CITY OF SAN DIEGO SETTLES WITH IRENE McCORMACK JACKSON

By Nadin Abbott

 

February 11, 2014 (San Diego)-- Yesterday City Attorney Jan Goldsmith told reporters, “The lawsuit filed by Irene McCormack Jackson based upon claims of sexual harassment against former Mayor Bob Filner has been settled.” The settlement was agreed unanimously by the City Council. Under the settlement, the City will pay McCormack Jackson $250,000 as full settlement including attorney’s fees.


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HOW TO AVOID SCAMS & CONS: AUTHOR TERRY AMBROSE AT CREST LIBRARY FEB. 25

 

February 13, 2014 (Crest)--It seems that almost every day a new scam appears. From trickster emails to fake phone calls, fraudulent websites to people you meet, the opportunities to get taken are everywhere. “Tips to Stay Ahead of the Con” is intended to raise your awareness about these opportunities to get taken.


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HUNTER BILL TO CREATE SAFE PUBLIC SHOOTING RANGES PASSES HOUSE

 

February 10, 2014 (Washington D.C.) – This week, the House of Representatives passed legislation that includes the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act, a bipartisan and deficit-neutral measure introduced by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) to help states create and maintain public shooting ranges for hunters and sportsmen.


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JUDGE FINES CAL FIRE $32 MILLION FOR “CORRUPT AND TAINTED” ACTIONS

 

Local fire board member questions County Fire Authority’s reliance on Cal Fire in wake or ruling

By Miriam Raftery

A Superior Court judge has fined Cal Fire $32 million  to cover legal bills for Sierra Pacific Industries after Cal Fire blamed a logger working for the company of causing a 2007 wildfire in Plumas County.  Judge Leslie Nichols accused Cal Fire of “egregious and reprehensible conduct” including covering up evidence, lying, and engaging in “corrupt and tainted actions.”

Cal Fire had sought to recover its firefighting costs.  But the case against Sierra Pacific was dismissed in July  for lack of evidence and last week, the judge announced sanctions against Cal Fire.


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CANYONEERS TO LEAD HIKE IN ANZA BORREGO FEB. 15

 

February 8, 2014 (San Diego County) - The Canyoneers from San Diego Natural History Museum will be leading a nature walk/hike in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park on Saturday, February 15th starting at 9:00 AM to the Indian Hill area in the park. This walk/hike is rated Moderate with a boulder scramble 6 miles up to 1000 ft elevation change.


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BORDER PATROL AGENT INJURED IN CRASH NEAR CAMPO

 

February 7, 2014 (Campo)—A Border Patrol agent was injured shortly after 1 a.m. this morning when the vehicle he was driving veered off the road and struck a tree.  IPN reports the accident occurred at Lake Morena Drive and Buckman Springs Road, where they found the driver trapped with injuries.


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SUPERVISORS APPROVE BACKGROUND CHECKS ON FOREIGN STUDENT PILOTS

 

February 7, 2014 (San Diego)-- County supervisors have unanimously approved a new law designed to help make sure that foreign students learning to fly at County airports are undergoing federal background checks.


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DAVIS AMENDMENT TO KEEP EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE PART OF CONSERVATION DECISIONS KILLED BY HOUSE

 

 

February 7, 2014 (Washington D.C.)-- Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA-53) joined her colleagues in offering an amendment to let the Secretary of the Interior include climate change in considering decisions on conservation and recreation on public lands.  The amendment was an effort to improve a House majority bill attempting to undermine environmental protections for National Parks.  However, the House Republican majority blocked the amendment’s passage.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: RED-TAILED HAWKS AT NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE IN JAMUL

 

 

 

February 8, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - Debbie Ekhaml photographed these red-tailed hawks at three different locations around East County recently. They were taken in the National Wildlife Refuge in Jamul.


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VALENTINE'S HIGH TEA FEB. 9 IN LEMON GROVE

 

February 7, 2014 (Lemon Grove) – Lemon Grove Historical Society invites you to the organization’s annual Valentine Tea on Sunday, February 9 at 2 p.m. This classic, four-course English high tea will be held in the historic H. Lee House at 3205 Olive in Lemon Grove.


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LOCAL CLINIC DISPUTES EDITORIAL ON "FAKE" ABORTION CLINICS

 

 

February 9, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – On January 24, ECM published two reader’s editorials – one pro-life and one pro-choice in view, related to the anniversary of the Roe v.. Wade Supreme Court ruling legalizing abortion.  The reader’s pro-choice editorial addressed crisis pregnancy clinics that the author termed “fake” abortion clinics that she asserted “frighten and mislead” women who are pregnant.

Josh McClure at the East County Pregnancy Care Clinic has sent a rebuttal disputing points in  the “fake” clinics editorial, though that piece did NOT reference the ECPCC by name and addressed issues of crisis pregnancy clinics only generally. Still in the interest of fairness and accuracy, here are the key points raised by McClure.


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OBAMA ENDORSES ALVAREZ FOR MAYOR; SAN DIEGANS HEAD TO POLLS TUESDAY

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

San Diegans head to the polls on Tuesday to elect the city’s next mayor.   Councilmembers David Alvarez and Kevin Faulconer are vying for the spot.  The race is a classic matchup pitting interests of working people vs. big business.  Urban poor and minorities vs. wealthy powerbrokers   Boosting budgets to help those in need vs. belt tightening and fiscal restraint.

As the election draws near, some high-profile endorsements have been announced.  Today, President Barack Obama weighed in on San Diego’s mayoral race, throwing his support behind Alvarez.


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LAKE MORENA AND SAN DIEGO'S WATER SUPPLY

Reprinted with permission from San Diego Coastkeepers; originally published February 4, 2014 at http://www.sdcoastkeeper.org/blog/latest-blog-posts/item/428-lake-morena-and-san-diego-s-water-supply.html

 

By  Megan Baehrens

 

 

 

February 8, 2014 (San Diego)--Shortly before the Governor declared an emergency state of drought in California, a question of supply arose.

In the news recently is a story about the ongoing drawdown of water from Lake Morena. To sum it all up, the City of San Diego has begun drawing water out of Lake Morena for water supply, while the County, which runs the public park surrounding Morena, is opposed to the drawdown because it claims less water in the reservoir means harm to the environment and fewer recreational opportunities.

So who is right? The City? The County?


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NEW STUDY DETAILS THE IMPACT OF PUBLIC SAFETY REALIGNMENT ON LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES

                                                                                                                                                                               

 

February 8, 2014 (San Diego County) - Due to statewide public safety realignment, 35 percent of all inmates in local detention facilities in San Diego County are offenders with more serious criminal histories who would have previously been housed in state prison – and these realigned offenders (who are generally at a higher risk of recidivism) now make up 15 percent of the local probation case load, according to a new SANDAG study.


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ANDERSON BILL AIMS TO PULL THE PLUG ON NSA SPYING ON CALIFORNIANS

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

February 7, 2014 (Sacramento)—Two California legislators have teamed up in an effort to curtail the National Security Agency (NSA) from warrantless surveillance of all Americans.  Senate Bill 828 is coauthored by  Republican State Senators Joel Anderson, who represents most of East County, and Democrat Ted Lieu from Torrance.

“I support this bill because I support the Constitution, our Fourth Amendment rights and our freedoms to live in the United States of America,” Senator Anderson stated in a press release.

The bill would prohibit state agencies and officials, as well as corporations that provide services to the state, from assisting the NSA in collecting data without warrants on 38 million Californians. Services that the NSA relies upon include power and water needed to cool its powerful supercomputers. 


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VALENTINE’S CRAFT SHOW FEB. 8 IN SANTEE

 

February 7, 2014 (Santee) – Hand-crafted Valentine’s gifts for your sweetheart will be offered at a special Valentine’s Craft Show set for this Saturday, February 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Santee Coffee Corner.  Over 17 local vendors will participate, offering items such as hand-made truffles, artwork, hair accessories and body-care products.


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