By Miriam Raftery

November 11, 2014 (Jacumba) – Consultants hired by renewable energy companies in recent years have consistently claimed that there are no golden eagles in the Jacumba-Boulevard Planning areas, where several major energy projects are proposed or planned. 

But two separate residents of Jacumba now report seeing a pair of golden eagles in the past 10 days—including on documented with a photograph.  The first sighting was over the town itself and the second was directly across from the Jacumba Solar project and a proposed power line tie-in to the ECO substation.

By Janis Russell

November 11, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)-  Cajon Valley, Lakeside, Lemon Grove, and Ramona’s school districts  all had school bond measures on the ballot. Each bond measure needed 55% of the votes to pass.  Lemon Grove’s school bond passed by a healthy margin.  Lakeside’s school bond narrowly won approval.  Cajon Valley and Ramona’s bonds appear to have failed by slim margins, though the Registrar of voters still has about 28,000 absentee and provisional ballots countywide left to count.  Below are details.

By Miriam Raftery

November 11, 2014 (Julian) – The Golden Chariot mine along the Banner Grade near Julian was once a motherlode that produced nearly a million dollars worth of gold.  Commercial mining there ceased in 1931 during the Great Depression, though small-scale operations continued up until 2002, when a fire blazed through the Chariot Canyon.

EarthTalk®

E - The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: I hear that many school cafeterias have nutrition standards no better—even worse—than those of fast food chains. What can be done about this?      -- Betsy Edison, Nashville, TN

November 10, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - Americans have done a great job making sure that our kids have something to eat at school regardless of socioeconomic status, with the National School Lunch Program providing low-cost or free lunches to upwards of 31 million students at 92 percent of U.S. public and private schools.

November 11, 2014 (El Cajon) –Seeking to boost sales tax revenues for the city, the city of El Cajon has been wooing car dealerships.  Car sales bring in about $4 million in sales tax annually – one-fifth of the city’s total sale tax revenues.

East County News Service

November 10, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service predicts that the Polar Jet Stream will be forced south across the Pacific next week as a high pressure ridge moves to higher latitudes. This will force storms to track south, increasing the likelihood of significant rainfall by the middle of next week across southern California.

By Miriam Raftery

November 8, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – Laundry pods are colorful packets of liquid detergent intended to offer convenient use in washing machines.  But to kids, they look like candy or juice.

By Monique Coppola, California News Service

November 9, 2014 (Sacramento) - Pharmaceuticals - they're what's for dinner. Now three groups in the U.S. are suing the federal government over the drugs.

East County News Service

November 9, 2014 (Lemon Grove) -- The Lemon Grove Historical Society announces a wealth of events including a film night, musical concerts, holiday open houses, civic bonfire, holiday craft fair and Christmas caroling.  Below is a complete calendar of these upcoming events. 

5 dogs now secured; missing pit bull mix sought by authorities

East County News Service

November 9, 2014 (Deerhorn Valley) – A pack of six dogs attacked a horse in Deerhorn Valley on Saturday.   Karen Sample heard her horse, Sergio, panicking and came out to find the horse kicking to defend itself against six dogs circling the frightened horse, lunging and biting. She fired a shotgun in the air to scare off the pack of dogs, the Deerhorn Valley Antler reports.

By Miriam Raftery

November 9,2014 (San Diego) – An 11-year-old suffered burns to the chest and torso after a fireworks launcher tipped over and sent a firework into field levels seats at Qualcomm Stadium Saturday night.

The accident occurred during the annual KGB Sky Show extravaganza following the San Diego State University homecoming game, in which SDSU defeated the Idaho State Vandals 35-21.

A CBS news report indicates up to five people may have been hit, though it’s unclear whether any were seriously injured.  UT San Diego reports the 1y-ear-old had burns on the torso and legs.

November 8, 2014 (Santee) – The Santee Historical Society invites you to its annual Christmas party at the Barn, 9200 Magnolia Avenue, on Sunday December 6^th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mama’s Bees, by Anat Tour

Book Review by Dennis Moore

With podcast interview on "East County Magazine Live!" KNSJ 89.1 radio show.

San Diego’s East County resident Anat Tour, is at it again, with her latest book offering, Mama’s Bees. This prolific writer has penned her 6^th children’s book, since we initially met while I was moderating an Author Event at Barnes & Noble Grossmont bookstore in La Mesa, and she asked me for some advice on how to get started. A few weeks later Tour had published as an eBook, Mama’s Shoes. The interesting thing about Mama’s Bees, as told to me in a phone interview with Tour, is that it is actually inspired by a true story.

By Miriam Raftery

November 8, 2014 (La Mesa) – Starting Monday, November 10, Center City Shell at 3810 Massachusetts Avenue will be offering up an ethanol fuel blend made from corn by Pearson Fuel.  The E85 Flex Fuel will be sold for a special rate of just 85 cents a gallon on opening day, when Miss California will be on hand for a ribbon cutting.

East County News Service

November 7, 2014 (El Cajon) – A man in his 40s was struck by a vehicle and killed while walking across Second Street at Marline Avenue in El Cajon shortly after 7 p.m. tonight.