January 5, 2009 (La Mesa) — On January 5, 2009, at 3:12 PM, two masked
men entered the Michael's Craft Store at 9108 Fletcher Parkway, La Mesa and
robbed customers and the store employees at gunpoint.

The suspects entered the store and ordered employees and customers to the
floor while they each waved a handgun around.  The suspects took money
and jewelry from several customers and also took an undisclosed amount of money
from the store's cash registers.  The suspects fled the scene in an unknown
type white sedan.  No one was injured during the robbery. 

By Miriam Raftery

January 5, 2008 (San Carlos) — More than 1,500 students,
parents, coaches, referees and soccer players from throughout San Diego County
teamed up to host a fundraiser December 29th for Howie Hawver, the popular
Patrick Henry High School soccer coach recently diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's
Disease.  Friends
of Howie Hawver raised over $15,000 to help pay his medical costs.  More
events are planned, including an online auction starting January 15th.

Border agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean

January 5, 2008 (San Diego's East County) — Assemblyman Joel Anderson has written a letter to President George W. Bush requesting a pardon for Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compeon.  Both are currently in prison, serving 11 and 12 year sentences after being convicted by a jury of shooting the unarmed Osvaldo Aldrete Davila in the rear, then attempting to cover up their actions.  Davila was later sentenced to two years for marijuana smuggling.

"The sentencing and imprisonment of Ramos and Compean and the severe impact on their families has demoralized the rest of the U.S. Border Patrol which is the nation's first line of defense against the massive influx of illegal aliens into the U.S.," Anderson wrote, noting that the East County Assembly district that he represents is significantly impacted by illegal immigration.  "These men have already served nearly two years in prison, subjecting their wives and children to extreme emotional and financial hardship."

Several new laws designed to help strengthen existing DUI laws

January 4, 2009 (Sacramento) — With a new year on the
horizon, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) wants to remind motorists of a
handful of new laws, passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Schwarzenegger,
that go into effect in 2009.

"The overall safety of the motoring public is our primary concern," says
CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. "Not only will these new laws enhance a motorist's
safety, many of them are a step toward ridding the roadways of drunk drivers
and the tragedy they cause."

January 2, 2000 (La Mesa) — On January 1, an eight-year-old boy reported being
kidnapped from in front of his residence in the 4800 block of Parks Ave., La
Mesa. 

By Miriam Raftery

Each of these individuals has attained remarkable achievements.  Some have sparked controversy for their views or actions.  Many are working to make our community, our nation, or our world a better place.  Our list includes people who triumphed over disabilities, animal protection advocates, artists and musicians, business leaders, citizen watchdogs, educators, fire heroes, healthcare reformers, humanitarians, social justice leaders, politicians, a police intern, sports stars, tribal leaders, veterans' champions, volunteers and nonprofit leaders.  All are East County newsmakers extraordinaire. Who knew we had so many amazing people in San Diego's eastern region?

UPDATE: Police have determined that this reported kidnapping was a hoax.

La Mesa Police Officers responded to an attempted kidnapping that occurred
at 4827 Parks Avenue in the city of La Mesa on January 1st at 6:55 p.m..  Officers
met with the eight-year-old male victim and his aunt at the Parks Avenue address. 

By Carole Carson

January 1, 2009 (San Diego) — Who hasn't sat down on New Year's Day and come
up with changes--such as losing weight and exercising more--they'd like to make?

Our good intentions, though, can pass as quickly as the weeks on the calendar.
Before we know it, we're facing yet another New Year with the same old list.
As Oscar Wilde cynically points out, "Good resolutions are simply checks
that men draw on a bank where they have no account."

By Miriam Raftery

Aneesha Silvels

President-elect Barack Obama has called for a major expansion of the Peace
Corps and other public service programs, adding, "This will be a cause of my
presidency."  Obama's plan aims to double the size of the Peace Corps
from 7,800 to 16,000 volunteers by the organization's 50th anniversary in 2012.   "JFK
made their service a bridge to the developing world," Obama said of President
John F. Kennedy, whose administration founded the Peace Corps. 

By Janelle Eckardt

January
1, 2008 (San Diego) —  There is no denying that the oversaturation
of bright lights, holiday music, and the overabundance of sales successfully
lures us into shopping every year for that one special thing we may have written
off as excessive two months ago, but that is suddenly now budding into a necessity.
And while that glorious gadget that will simultaneously style your hair and
reorganize your PDA is still out-of-stock in January, you may consider marrying
your urge to boost the economy with the interest to provide a true necessity
for someone special in your life. Whether you're shopping for someone you know
or for yourself this year, it pays to be on top of all the new and exciting
adaptive technology coming out daily. So look out Burp-Me-Elmo, I'm highlighting
some of the best sources and products sure to bring lasting smiles long after
the holiday season.