June 2014 Articles

CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS PETERS AND DAVIS HEADLINE INDEPENDENCE DAY BBQ HOSTED BY LA MESA DEMOCRATS AT MISSION TRAILS

 

June 25, 2014 (Mission Trails)--Embroiled in a contentious re-election campaign, Representative Scott Peters (CA 52) will headline the La Mesa Foothills Democratic Clubs’, “Party in the Park.. The event is being held at the Mission Trails Region Park (MTRP) Visitor’s Center (One Father Junipero Serra Tr., San Diego, CA 92119) at 6pm on Wednesday, July 2nd.  Peters will be accompanied by many other local politicians and candidates including Representative Susan Davis (CA 53), County Supervisor Dave Roberts and County Democratic Chair Francine Busby among others.


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VACATION TIPS, CHECK-UP SERVICE FOR HOMEOWNERS AWAY

 

Source: San Diego Sheriff

June 25, 2014 (San Diego)-- It's officially summer and finally time to take that vacation. You can make your break even more stress-free and sign up for vacation checks from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.


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KEEPING PERSPECTIVE: O’DUNN FINE ART PLANS GRAND REOPENING JUNE 27

 

 

 

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, right: La Jolla Cove, by W. Jason Situ

June 25, 2014 (La Mesa)— When an out-of-control truck smashed through the picture window of her gallery on La Mesa Boulevard back on June 2, artist Shannon O’Dunn kept it all in perspective.

Now she’s hosting a grand reopening at O’Dunn Fine Art, 8325 La Mesa Boulevard, inviting the community to share in champaign, chocolates, live music, and some fine new works of art that she has acquired since the unexpected closure. The event will be held on Friday, June 27 from 5 to 8 p.m.  “Come celebrate a new chapter in fine art for East County,” says O’Dunn. “We would love to see you here!"


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EL CAJON COUNCIL REJECTS HOMEOWNERS’ PLEAS FOR RELEIF FROM WEED ABATEMENT FEES , BUT GRANTS SALES TAX RELIEF TO CAR DEALER

 

Residents question high cost of weed cutting by private contractor

By Grey Feathers

June 24, 2014 El Cajon – The City Council of El Cajon considered issues from a retired police dog to hookah lounges as Mayor Bill Wells gaveled in Tuesday’s meeting.

Councilmember Star Bales displayed items purchased at the El Cajon ‘America on Main Street’ event that she will proudly wear at the Fourth of July celebration at Kennedy Park (photo, left). The Council then voted to retire and release ownership of El Cajon Police dog “Turbo” to Officer Thompson, Turbo’s experienced and sole handler.  Happy retirement Turbo!

The longest discussion of the meeting concerned filing liens on properties of owners who owe money to the City for weed abatement, mandatory trash service and sidewalk repair. The staff recommendation was to authorize the City Clerk to record the amount owed as a lien on the property  and forward the list to the County Tax Assessor for billing on the owner’s next property tax bill.


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COUNTY BOARD RENEWS GILLESPIE FIELD DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FOR 4 MORE YEARS OVER OBJECTIONS OF SOME NEIGHBORS

 

By Nadin Abbott

June 25, 2014 (San Diego)--The San Diego County Board of Supervisors renewed the Gillespie Field Development Council, despite serious concerns raised by several members of the public.

The council runs the day to day activities at the Gillespie Field airport for both El Cajon, which appoints two members, and the County, which appoints three.

Robert Germann told the Board that he opposes the agreement since it does not include the City of Santee. He told Supervisors,“Santee should have a seat on the board. I am surprised they are not here demanding one.” The airport has one gate exiting into Santee, built at Santee’s expense.


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MORE THAN 90% OF RESIDENTIAL PACE INSTALLATIONS ARE MADE THROUGH HERO

 

 

All photos are Courtesy of HERO PACE,

  • Synthetic Turf – Courtesy HERO PACE
  • Weather based irrigation systems – HERO PACE
  • Gray water systems – Courtesy HERO PACE

Originally Published in the ECOreport

By Roy L Hales

June 23, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - The Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)program is spreading across the US. Maine offers single PACE loans for up to $15,000 and New Hampshire is preparing to life its cap to $1 million. There is a PACE program in Ann Arbor and another being formed to service the rest of Michigan. PACE programs are starting up in Arkansas , Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin. Eighty percent of the US is said to be adopting . However the program is still primarily Californian and, according to company spokesperson Severn Williams, more than 90% of residential PACE installations are made through HERO.


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MINK MISCARRIAGES, BIRTH DEFECTS AND STILLBIRTHS HEIGHTEN CONCERNS OVER WIND TURBINES

 

Photos: Danish wind farmer blames wind turbines (left) on 1,600 stillbirths and 320 miscarriages (right) among mother minks at his farm.

By Jessica Richmond

June 18, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – From Denmark to San Diego’s East County, concerns are growing over the safety of wind turbines near pregnant women, pets and livestock. 

Unlike the chemical or food industries, the wind industry has never had to provide safety data backed by any scientific studies on potential impacts of infrasound, noise or stray voltage from wind turbines on human reproductive health or even animals.  But a growing number of deaths and deformities of baby animals near wind turbines, as well as high sterility rates in some adult animals, is heightening fears among people living near wind turbines about potential impacts on their own health—and the health of their children.

ECM has previously reported on a study that found negative impacts from wind turbines on geese and other instances where health problems among livestock were observed near wind turbines including cattle deaths, high rates of stillbirths and miscarriages among horses, chickens laying eggs with no shells, and birth defects among goats, as ECM  reported.

Most alarming, now Kaj Bank Olesen, a mink farmer in Denmark, reports staggering reproductive problems after a wind turbine was erected 328 meters away.


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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO SAVE DESERT WILDFLOWERS FROM INVASIVE WEEDS

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 24, 2014 (Borrego Springs)--Where have all the flowers gone?

Anza-Borrego has long been famous for its spectacular spring wildflower blooms.  But now the region’s biodiversity is threatened by an invasive weed—the Sahara mustard.


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LOCAL ATHLETES SPEAK OUT ON DANGERS OF CHEWING TOBACCO IN WAKE OF TONY GWYNN'S DEATH

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 24, 2014 (San Diego)--The death of baseball giant Tony Gwynn at only 54 years of age has drawn national attention to the dangers of chewing tobacco.  Gwynn had suffered through surgeries and paralysis of part of his face following cancer linked to his habit of chewing tobacco – a custom shared by many baseball players as well as 9% of all high school students nationwide.


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MORE LOW-INCOME SDG&E CUSTOMERS ELIGIBLE FOR BILL-ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

 

Increased Income Guidelines Expand Eligibility

June 23, 2014 (San Diego)– More San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) customers are now eligible to save every month on their bill and receive energy efficient home improvements due to new income guidelines that went into effect June 1, 2014.  Households of two with a yearly income of $31,460 or less can now enroll in the money-saving, state sponsored customer assistance programs California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and the Energy Savings Assistance Program.


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CALTRANS TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING JULY 24 IN SAN DIEGO ON FREIGHT MOVEMENT PLAN

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 22, 2014 (San Diego) – Caltrans will hold a public workshop July 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Caltrans office complex in San Diego (Garcia Room), 4050 Taylor Street.  The transportation agency seeks public comments on a draft California Freight Mobility Plan that aims to improve freight movement and reduce environmental impacts on the state’s highways, seaports and railways.


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CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION PRESIDENT ASKS PUBLIC HELP TO SAVE FOREST LANDS: SUPERVISORS TO VOTE WEDNESDAY ON DEVELOPMENT ENCROACHMENT PROPOSAL

 

East County News Service

 

June 23, 2014 (Alpine) – A proposal before the San Diego Supervisors on Wednesday would weaken protections for federal forest lands by allowing development encroachment in East County. The plan could double the size of rural Alpine, putting forest lands at risks, conservationists warn.

Now Jack Shu, president of the Cleveland National Forest Foundation, has issued a plea for the public to contact Supervisors and urge them to support protections granted by the Forest Conservation Initiative that was approved by two-thirds of local voters but recently expired.  Below is the letter he sent to conservationists countywide.


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SOLO VEHICLE COLLISION RESULTS IN A FATALITY

 

June 22, 2014 (Lakeside) – A Lakeside man, 45, died at the scene of an accident that occurred on June 13 at 12:49 a.m. on State Route 52 east, just west of Cuyamaca Street.


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STATE DECLARES WHOOPING COUGH EPIDEMIC

 

June 23, 2014 (San Diego)— “Pertussis activity continues at a high level locally and the California Department of Public Health declared a pertussis epidemic in the state,” Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., San Diego County public health officer has announced.


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BASEBALL STARS TURNED OUT TO HONOR TONY GWYNN AT PRIVATE FAMILY MEMORIAL

 

June 23, 2014 (San Diego)--The Gwynn family held a private memorial service for Tony Gwynn at the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union on the campus of San Diego State University on June 21. The family was joined by approximately 200 close friends and representatives from SDSU, major-league baseball and the National Baseball Hall of Fame.


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ALHIMIDI SENTENCED TO 26 YEARS IN PRISON

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 23, 2014 (El Cajon)--Kassim Alhimidi, an Iraqi immigrant who was convicted of bludgeoning his wife, Shaima Alawadi to death at their home in El Cajon in March 2012 has been sentenced to serve 26 years to life in prison.


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FROM THE FIRE CHIEF'S CORNER: DROUGHT AND YOUR HEALTH

 

FIRE CHIEF SAM DIGIOVANNA

Drought and Your Health

June 23, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - Summer is officially here and with more than half the U.S. currently in drought, there are concerns over the consequences of not only the country's crop yields and wildfires, but also on human health reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.


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ARREST MADE IN TRIPLE HOMICIDE; VICTIMS HAVE ROOTS IN LAKESIDE

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 23, 2014 (Lakeside) – A suspect has been arrested by San Diego Police in the case of a triple homicide  of three young people with ties to Lakeside, where their family runs an Italian restaurant.


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SANTEE SALUTES JULY 4

 

June 23, 2014 (Santee)--The City of Santee will hosts its annual Santee Salutes event on July 4th from 3:30 to 10 p.m.  at Town Center community Park East, located at 550 Park Center Drive.


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SETTLEMENT IN DOG JERKY CLASS ACTION SUIT

 

By Jaden Jimenez

June 16, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--Nestle Purina PetCare Co. and Waggin' Train LLC reached an agreement with pet owners in several states to create a $6.5 million fund to compensate dog owners who believe their animals were harmed by eating chicken and other jerky treats sold by the companies.


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SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL JOINS OTHER CITIES AGAINST AB 2145 "MONOPOLY PROTECTION BILL"

 

By Nadin Abbott

June 19, 2014 (San Diego)—On Monday, San Diego City Council  joined cities across California, including Chula Vista, Santa Cruz, Berkeley, and Menlo Park, as well as the counties of Monterey, Marin, Los Angeles and San Benito in asking the State Senate not to pass AB 2145.


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: BOULEVARD SUNSET

 

June 20, 2014 (Boulevard) – Michele Strand sent in this serene scene of a sunset over rural Boulevard in San Diego’s East County.


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WALK-IN WEDDINGS ARE BACK, THE COUNTY ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK....

 

June 20, 2014 (San Diego)--Getting married is a big decision, but once you’ve found "the one," why wait? Effective immediately, bridal couples can walk in to the County Administration Center downtown, pick up a marriage license and get married. No appointments necessary, no muss, no fuss.


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LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPORT: HOT LAND USES ISSUES IMPACTING EAST COUNTY ARE AMONG AGENDA ITEMS THIS WEEK

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 22, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--Here are highlights of important issues on the agenda this week impacting San Diego's unincorporated areas as well as residents in the cities of El Cajon, La Mesa and Santee.

The San Diego Board of Supervisors meets on Tuesday and Wednesday this week with many important items slated to be heard. On Tuesday, Supervisors will deliberate the county budget and a joint powers agreement with Caltrans for the Next Generation regional communications system and more.

On Wednesday, supervisors will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to the Forest Conservation Initiative Lands General Plan amendment.  This is a controversial  issue that will determine what sort of development will be allowed on properties in the vicinity of Cleveland National Forest in East County.


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READER'S EDITORIAL: OPEN LETTER TO SUPERVIORS--ADOPT STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS ON FOREST CONSERVATION INITIATIVE LANDS

 

By Lou Russo



June 20, 2014 (Alpine)--I am a 10+ year resident of Alpine, an 8+ year member of the Alpine Community Planning Group (ACPG) and a 6+ year member of the San Diego Rural Fire District (SDRF) Board of Directors.


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LOCAL RESIDENTS HONORED AS HEROES AFTER SAVING MAN'S LIFE WITH CPR AT CONSTRUCTION SITE IN ALPINE

 

June 21, 2014 (Alpine) -- Alpine Fire Department held a ceremony on June 17th to honor residents who saved the life of Scott Holland. Holland was working at a construction project on Kevin Court in Alpine on October 9, 2013 when he suddenly collapsed from a severe cardiac event.


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UCSD FINDS PROTEIN THAT INDUCES DIABETES

 

By Jaden Jimenez

June 18, 2014 (San Diego) -- Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have, for the first time, described the sequence of early cellular responses to a high-fat diet, one that can result in obesity-induced insulin resistance and diabetes.


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CALIFORNIANS URGED TO BE CAREFUL IN SUMMER HEAT

 

Lori Abbott, California News Service

June 18, 2014 (Sacramento)--The first day of summer may be on Saturday, but parts of California already have seen triple-digit heat this year - and more is on the way. With that in mind, health officials across the West are urging people to be careful in the potentially deadly heat.


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COUNTY TRAUMA SYSTEM DRIVING DEATHS DOWN, BUT EAST COUNTY LACKS TRAUMA CENTER

 

East County News Service

June 20, 2014 (San Diego)--Thirty years ago, the rate of preventable trauma deaths in San Diego County was 21 percent. Today, the figure is less than one percent.


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PET PARADE AND FAMILY FESTIVAL JULY 12 IN CAMPO

East County News Service

June 22, 2014 (Campo)—Kids of all ages are invited to join the fun and showcase pets at the first annual Pet Parade and St. Adelaide Parish Family Festival On July 12 at the Campo baseball field.  The parade begins at 11 a.m. and the festival runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Prizes will be awarded for the most creative and most entertaining costumes, as well as the pastor’s choice.  Drawings will also be held for prizes including a 50/50 raffle plus two chances to fill your freezer by winning half a steer, donated by Wright Ranch of Potrero.  The festival also includes vendor booths, inflatable slide and water combo with all-day jumper tickets for $10. Other activities will include face painting and refreshments.


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