August 2014 Articles

JACUMBA HOT SPRINGS CELEBRATES 100 YEARS WITH A FALL CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OCT 4 : SEE FULL SCHEDULE

 

Update October 4, 2014 - To view a full schedule of events, click here.

 

East County News Service

August 28, 2014 (Jacumba Hot Springs)-- Jacumba Hot Springs is gearing up for its Fall Centennial Festival set for Saturday, October 4, 2014 in Jacumba’s Community Park on Old Highway 80 in the heart of this historic town.  The hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission and parking are free.


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PODCASTS OF OUR JUNE SHOWS ARE NOW ONLINE

 

Our June podcasts of the East County Magazine Show on KNSJ radio are now online, including many candidates who will be on your November ballot, as well as interviews on issues ranging from firefighting job opportunities to legal tips for surviving disasters.

To listen to our June radio shows online now, plus see a complete list of interviewees and other content on each show in June, click here or click "read more" and scroll down. (Please be patient, sound files may take a minute to load)

The East County Magazine Radio Show airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on KNSJ 89.1 FM.

Audio: 


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NEW LAND, NEW HOPE: SOMALI-BANTU ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA CELEBRATION SEPT. 20

 

September 5, 2014 (San Diego)—A cultural celebration featuring music, dance and cuisine of San Diego’s Somali-Bantu community will be held on Saturday, September 20 from 2-5 p.m. at the United Domestic Workers of America office, 4855 Seminole Drive, San Diego.


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KEEP GROWING WITH SEASON-EXTENDING GARDENING TIPS FOR FALL

 

 

Article courtesy of Bonnie Plants

October 5, 2014 (San Diego's East County)--Warm weather, continued care and robust plants have yielded a bounty of beautiful, fresh vegetables – and personal satisfaction – from your garden this season. As the weather cools and fall approaches, it is not time to hang up your hat, gloves and trowel for the year. Autumn provides optimum weather and ample opportunity to keep growing and harvesting delicious, healthy produce well into the season.


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FUND ESTABLISHED TO HELP FAMILY OF JULIA ELIZABETH HILLS, DESCANSO WOMAN KILLED IN MOTORCYCLE CRASH

 

 

Services scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 6th

East County News Service

August 30, 2014 (Descanso) – Julia Elizabeth Hills, 53, was killed in a motorcycle crash on State Route 79 in Julian on August 24th.  Her husband, Norman "Scott" Allen, broke his hip and suffered a compound break in his right leg in the crash. Hills is survived by her son, Chuck, as well as her mother, two sisters and a brother serving in the mlitary in Iraq.

Ericka Dehoyos, a friend of the famliy, has set up the Norman "Scott" Allen fund.  "They need financial help in burying the love of his life as well as his medical bills and help so he doesn't lose his home and what he has worked for," Dehoyos states.  To donate, visit http://www.gofundme.com/djq08k.


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PREDATOR TO LIVE IN CAMPO, JUDGE RULES

 

East County News Service

September 2, 2014 (Campo) – Over the objections of Campo residents and Supervisor Dianne Jacob, San Diego County Superior Court Judge Margie Woods has ruled that a convicted child molester can be released to live in Campo starting in late October.


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U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE WHISTLEBLOWERS DENOUNCE AGENCY FOR TURNING BLIND EYE TO BIRDS KILLED BY WIND AND SOLAR FACILITIES

 

By Miriam Raftery

September 1, 2014 (Washington D.C.) – Two former investigators with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are speaking out to say that the federal government is ignoring harm to wildlife caused by industrial scale wind and solar facilities.


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AUTHOR TO SHARE TALES OF ALPINE'S PAST SEPT. 11

 

East County News Service

August 30, 2014 (Alpine) – Author Carlette Anderson will share stories and artifacts from the Alpine Woman’s Club’s 100-year history during the group’s meeting on Thursday, September 11th at 6 p.m. in the Alpine Library, 2140 Arnold Way in Alpine.


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JACUMBA HIKERS & WALKERS ANNOUNCE FALL OUTINGS

 

September 1, 2014 (Jacumba Hot Springs)—The Jacumba Hikers and Walkers have announced their outings for September and October. View schedule here.  View hiking tips here.


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READER'S EDITORIAL: MUNICIPALITIES HAVE NO BUSINESS ENGAGING IN BUSINESS WITH RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS

 

By Tom Comeau

August 30, 2014 (El Cajon)--There's always been a steady assault by religious groups of all stripes, on the separation of church and state, but what El Cajon doesn't need is for the City Council to initiate such activity as in its proposed contract with the "Rock Church" (do they worship rocks?) for the utilization of the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) for religious purposes. The Council cannot dodge the issue of the church/state violation when it agrees to allow a church to utilize 'public property' for what is clearly religious purposes. Included in this agreement is the proposed erection of an additional building on 'public property' to serve the needs of this religious group, with the generous proviso that the building would revert to the city at the end of its use by the religious group.


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READER'S EDITORIAL: HELICOPTERS FLYING TOO LOW

 

Photo: View of Oak Creek/Boulder Creek area taken by Cynthia Burnham from her home, where she reports seeing an SDG&E helicopter hovering "very low" for at least 10 minutes.

An open letter sent to the California Public Utilities Commission,  U.S. Forest Service/Cleveland National Forest, Congressman Duncan Hunter and Supervisor Dianne Jacob:

By Cindy Buxton

Dear CPUC, Foresters, Congressmen, and Supervisors:  

August 31, 2014 (Boulder Creek)--Several residences and visitors to the Cleveland National Forest lately between Descanso and Julian in the Boulder Creek area have complained about low flying helicopters.  These were seen hovering over people's back yards by only a few hundred feet. Subsequently we are to learn in the East County Magazine that several other residences identified the helicopters belonging to SDG&E, also experienced this to the point that horses were so frightened that they were injured.  One of the helicopters seen by several residences along Boulder Creek Road had a visible camera on the front  and apparently was not necessarily  in line with the ROW (right of way) for the TL626 line.


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TRUCK HITS, KILLS LAKESIDE MAN

 

August 30, 2014 (Lakeside)—An 18-year-old Lakeside man, Christian Nee, died August 17th shortly after his motorbike struck the rear of a truck on Sunview Drive in EL Cajon. He was taken by ambulance to Sharp Memorial Hospital, where despite aggressive medical intervention, he died shortly after arrival, of injuries to his head and torso, the Medical Examiner’s office reports.


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ANCIENT KUMEYAAY ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIND AT ECO-SUBSTATION SITE

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

August 30, 2014 (Jacumba Hot Springs)—Two agave roasting pits  found recently in Jacumba Hot Springs have been carbon-dated, indicating Kumeyaay Native American occupation in the Jacumba region dates back at least 9,000 years.  Termed “an astounding recent archaeological find” by the Imperial Valley Desert Museum in Ocotillo, the agave roasting pits were unearthed during construction of SDG&E’s ECO substation project in San Diego’s East County.

Howard Cook, chair of Jacumba Hot Springs Sponsor Group (the town's advisory planning board) believes the find should have impacts on future develoment projects pending in the area. 

“This is highly relevant to the proposed Jacumba Solar project located next door and sharing roads with the under construction Eco project,” he told East County Magazine. “Certainly this calls for a cultural monitor and perhaps some preliminary excavating of the proposed site by [an] historical society and Native American historical/cultural experts."


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: SAN VICENTE AT SUNSET

 

 

August 30, 2014 (Lakeside) – Leon Thompson shot this tranquil shot of a sunset over the San Vicente Reservoir, with water level higher than in the past  due to the largest dam height raising in America.


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FROM THE FIRE CHIEF'S CORNER: CALIF. GRAPE CRUSH AND CRASH COMES EARLY-- WINE AWARENESS MONTH IS SEPTEMBER

 

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

August 29, 2014 (San Diego)--It appears the California Grape Crush came crashing in a bit early and un-expectantly for the Napa wine region. On the eve of the 2014 harvest, Napa and Napa Valley wineries were rocked by a 6.1 magnitude earthquake in the early hours of Sunday morning. The quake injured over 100 people, but fortunately claimed no lives says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. Napa’s Resiliency is to be commended, however, a good reminder for all of us to be prepared… Coincidentally, September is National Wine Awareness Month and wine has become so vital to California, that it deserves a whole month.


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SDG&E ON TRACK TO MEET 33% RENEWABLES GOAL BY YEAR'S END

 

Photo: Wind turbines in Ocotillo dwarf resident and mountains surrounding the desert town

By Miriam Raftery

August 29, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--Jim Avery, a senior vice president at San Diego Gas & Electric Company, says the utility will meet California’s 33% renewable energy goal by the end of 2014 – six years ahead of schedule, IT San Diego reports.


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THREE PEOPLE CONTRACT WEST NILE VIRUS IN EAST COUNTY

 

East County News Service

August 30, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – Three East County residents have contracted West Nile Virus – the first victims of the disease in San Diego County in the past two years.


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WOMAN KILLED IN GOLF CART AT SHADOW MOUNTAIN

 

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

August 30, 2014 (El Cajon) - A truck hit and critically injured a woman driving a golf cart in the parking lot at Shadow Mountain Church in El Cajon Friday morning.


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LEGISLATURE VOTES TO BAN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS

 

By Miriam Raftery

August 30, 2014 (Sacramento) – Plastic accounts for 90% of all floating debris in the ocean. This has negatively impacted over 250 species and puts petroleum-based chemicals into our food chain. Many bags wind up in the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” in the north Pacific Ocean that has been estimated to measure hundreds of thousands, even millions of square miles.  Whales, dolphins and sea turtles choke by swallowing plastic bags, which resemble jellyfish prey. Bags can also become entangled around an animal’s neck.


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MEASURE TO PROTECT TEMPORARY WORKERS PASSES SENATE, MOVES TO GOVERNOR'S DESK

 

By Miriam Raftery

August 30, 2014 (Sacramento) – Just in time for Labor Day, a bill to protect temporary workers, AB 1897, has passed the Legislature and is now on the Governor’s Desk.

Increasingly companies are relying on long-term use of temporary workers even for strenuous and dangerous jobs, and some have reportedly been cheated out of wages.A report by ProPublica found that in California, temporary workers face a 50 percent higher risk of being injured on the job than permanent employees. Subcontracted workers have no guarantee of future work and risk punishment for speaking out or reporting hazardous conditions--problems this measure aims to correct.

The bill has support of labor groups and opposition from large employers.


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HAVE A BLAST: VIEJAS AIMS TO SET WORLD RECORD FOR FIREWORKS SEPT. 12

 

August 30, 2014 (Alpine) – Viejas Casino & Resort will attempt to launch the world’s longest chain of fireworks—more than 10,000 – to celebrates its 23rd anniversary on Friday, September 12th at 8 p.m. You’re invited to the festivities near the Viejas Hotel pool to witness the sky come alive with fireworks during this Guinness Book of World Records setting attempt.


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JULIAN HOSTS END OF SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL SEPT. 20

East County News Service

August 30, 2014 (Julian) – For the 45th year, Julian celebrates the end of summer with music.  The Julian Music Festival will be held at the Menghini Winery on September 20th from 1 to 8 p.m.  This year’s event features bluegrass to celebrate the festival’s roots, Western ballads to remember the past, as well as music by current songwriters and singers.

Performers slated to appear include singer/songwriter Melanie Devaney, guitarist/singer Steve Ybarra, Cool Band Luke performing high energy favorites, and Trails and Rails performing train songs, cowboy tunes, pop, swing, vocal harmonies and whistling. 


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MICHAEL BROWN REMEMBRANCE AND SPEAK THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO DIED IN SAN DIEGO

 

August 29, 2014 (San Diego) - Activist San Diego (ASD), a coalition of community organizations, in an effort to keep the issue of lives lost at the hands of law enforcement, will have a rally at the City Heights Performance Annex in San Diego. As will many other such rallies throughout the country, the rally will be in remembrance of Mike Brown and the town of Ferguson, Missouri.


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KNOX HOUSE MUSEUM OFFERS GLIMPSE INTO EL CAJON'S PAST

 

Story and photos by Robert Gehr

August 29, 2014 (El Cajon)--Built in 1876 by Amaziah Lord Knox, this structure was a hotel and residence combined. It was located near what is now Main St. & Magnolia Avenue in downtown El Cajon. The place provided a comfortable place for weary travelers to spend the night when traversing back and forth from the Julian gold mines to San Diego.


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TRANSPORTATION JUSTICE FOR EAST COUNTY: MEETING & COMMUNITY DINNER SEPT. 9 IN EL CAJON

 

By Miriam Raftery

August 29, 2014 (El Cajon)—You and your neighbors are invited to discuss access to safe, efficient and affordable transportation options.  What are your transportation needs and priorities? How can you influence transportation planning decisions?

A community meeting on these issues is planned for Tuesday, September 9th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Prescott Promenade Park, 201 East Main Street in El Cajon. Dinner will be provided and Spanish translation is available. (View flyer) This event is organized by a coalition that includes the Environmental Health Coalition, Cleveland National Forest Foundation, MAAC,  and City Heights Community Development Corporation. The groups observe that transportation justice increases transportation access, improves public health and safety, and ensures equity for all.

In addition, a petition has been launched calling on local elected officials and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) to support transportation justice and adopt a regional transportation plant that:


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SCIENCE AND HEALTH HIGHLIGHTS

 

August 30, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)-- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

TECH

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


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SDG&E LOW-FLYING HELICOPTER CAUSED HORSE INJURY IN DESCANSO, OWNER CLAIMS

 

By Miriam Raftery

August 29, 2014 (Descanso) –A helicopter chartered by San Diego Gas & Electric Company to survey lines in Descanso was flying below the legal height limit on Wednesday, startling a horse that was injured as a result, says owner Rita Gallant.

Tim Garland, a ferrier who works for Garland, was shoeing horses on her property and called Gallant to report that horses were being spooked by the low-flying chopper.

“He said, `You’ve got this helicopter hovering above your property. It’s right at the top of your gate and your horses are going crazy,” Gallant told East County Magazine.  She added that Garland told her the helicopter was just 150 to 200 feet above the gate—close enough to get a good look at the pilot.  Anything under 1,000 feet would be illegal, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).


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TROLLEY OFFICERS FIRED OVER PASSENGER BEATING IN LA MESA

 

By Miriam Raftery

August 29, 2014 (La Mesa)--Two security officers caught on video beating a passenger on a trolley in La Mesa on August 18th have lost their jobs, Transit Systems Security has informed Metropolitan Transit System. MTS contracts with TSS to provide security services on trolleys and busses countywide.

“This incident never should have happened and we will take all appropriate steps internally and with TSS to help prevent future occurrences,” said MTS Chief Executive Officer Paul Jablonski in reference to the altercation between a passenger and two TSS security officers. “We do not tolerate that kind of behavior.”


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: POWER POLE REPLACEMENT

 

August 29,2014 (El Cajon) – Maintaining many miles of power lines is a time-consuming task.  Robert Gehr documented what’s involved on August 23, when San Diego Gas & Electric technicians replaced an electrical pole and transformer on west Park Avenue in El Cajon with photos and notes below.


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GIL AND NANCY RIEGLER: ANIMAL WHISPERERS IN RAMONA

 

By Mimi Pollack

August 28, 2014 (Ramona) -- Being an animal whisperer is not magic. It is a combination of common sense and tapping into an energy or even spiritual connection that a lucky few have with animals. Gil and Nancy Riegler, owners of the Oasis Dairy Camel Farm in Ramona, have had a special bond with animals since they were young, and it has grown over their many years of working and learning about them.


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