By Miriam Raftery

April 14, 2014 (San Diego)-- Tonight, San Diegans will be able to view a rare astronomical sight:  a blood moon, which is an unusual type of eclipse in which the moon appears red or orange.

April 14, 2014 (Lakeside) - Last year on Christmas Eve, Salvatore Belvedere and his brother’s fiancé, Ilona Flint, were found mortally wounded in a vehicle parked at Mission Valley Center.  Flint managed to call 911 despite having been shot in the head.  She died at the scene and her finance later succumbed to his wounds at a hospital. Both were 22 years old.

Daughter told friend she saw a "white guy" fleeing murder scene

By Robert Clark

April 13, 2014 (El Cajon)--The trial of Kassim Alhimidi for the murder of his wife, Shaima Alawadi, in El Cajon District Court is winding down. According to Judge William McGrath, the case could go to the jury as early perhaps as April 15, following completion of presentation of evidence, his jury instructions, and closing arguments.

The prosecution rested at 10:06 a.m. on April 11, having presented 108 exhibits into evidence. The defense called four witnesses before court adjourned about 2:30 p.m.

April 13, 2014 (San Diego)—Author Ben Ross will appear at Upstart Crow on Monday, April 28 at 7:00 for his book, Dead End: Suburban Sprawl and the Rebirth of American Urbanism. This event is sponsored by the Cleveland National Forest Foundation.

April 13, 2014 (Lemon Grove) - Assemblymember Shirley Weber will host a Community Coffee Chat on Saturday, April 19^th. Attendees will have the opportunity to be updated on what’s happening in Sacramento and to share their concerns on statewide issues. This event is a free and open to the public.

By Miriam Raftery

 

April 13, 2014 (Spring Valley)—A man who allegedly assaulted and seriously injured a store clerk with the blunt end of a hatchet has been arrested following a pursuit in Spring Valley yesterday afternoon.

Harold Hill, 24, who was wanted for a parole violation, entered Jamacha Produce on Jamacha Blvd in Spring Valley armed with a gun and a hatchet at 3:26 p.m, according to Sergeant Daniel Vengler with the San Diego Sheriff . Customers, including a 12 year-old girl, hid in the store as Hill confronted the 34 year-old clerk.

Chukuka S. Enwemeka to become the next senior academic administrator at SDSU

April 12, 2014 (San Diego) — San Diego State University has named Chukuka S. Enwemeka as its next provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, the senior academic administrator at the university. Currently distinguished professor and Dean of the College of Health Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Enwemeka will begin as SDSU provost on July 1, succeeding Nancy Marlin, who is stepping down from the role.

By Miriam Raftery

April 12, 2014 (La Mesa)—Polonia United, an organization of Polish Americans in San Diego, hosted a meet and greet with Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-Alpine) at a private home in La Mesa.

“I am proud to have fought for people who want to be free,” said Hunter, a veteran who has served multiple tours of duty in Afghanistan.Hunter spoke of the need for the U.S. to support its allies that value freedom including nations in Europe such as Poland, while guarding against those who seek to cause harm.

April 12, 2014 (San Diego) -- Looking for a pet rabbit? Just in time for Easter, the County has created this video to help you "hop to it" if you want to adopt a bunny from a local animal shelter.

By Stephen C. Ross, Esq.

April 11, 2014 (San Diego County) – “Funding” a trust is the process of taking assets titled in your individual name, or in joint names with others, and changing the title into the name of your revocable trust, or taking assets requiring a beneficiary designation and naming your revocable trust as the primary or secondary beneficiary of those assets. An asset not retitled into the name of your trust is not governed by the trust terms, the trustee has no power over the asset, the asset may be subject to probate and the asset may not transfer to your intended beneficiaries at your death. The following are trust funding suggestions to ensure assets are included in your trust.

By Miriam Raftery

April 10, 2014 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – The weather is warming up and the Jacumba Hikers are hitting the trail, with a trip to Blue Angel’s Peak  and Nopal Peak planned this weekend and more outings later in the month.  For a list of hikes, click here.  To read hiking safety tips, click here.

April 9, 2014 (La Mesa)--The city of La Mesa kicks off “May is Drowning Prevention Month” with several free learning and prevention activities at the La Mesa Municipal Pool. On Saturday, April 12^th from 12 noon to 3:00 p.m., the following classes will be held:

By Nadin Abbott

April 10, 2014 (El Cajon) --Think of it as a contested divorce.

With a vote of four to one, the Grossmont Unified High School District (GUHSD) board made its intent clear. The majority does not wish to allow Alpine parents and students to leave the GUHSD and join forces with the Alpine Union School District. Board Members Robert Shield, Richard Hoy, Jim Kelly and Jim Stieringer voted against unification, while Board Member Priscilla Schreiber cast the lone vote in favor. 

Unification would allow the Alpine district to become a K-12 district, adding high school students so that the AUSD could build the long-promised high school that Grossmont has failed to build.  Not even a scathing Grand Jury report has been able to prod GUHSD members into taking action. The Grand Jury admonished the board to either agree to build the high school by the end of last year, or cooperate with unification efforts. Instead, the board has done neither.

By Miriam Raftery

Updated April 11, 2014 (El Cajon) – By a unanimous vote, the El Cajon City Council on Tuesday asked the City Manager to prepare a request for proposal for groups seeking to rent or lease space at the East County Performing Arts Center. 

The theater has been closed for several years, in need of major repairs. Recently Council voted to allocate funds for renovations and is now moving forward to attract additional tenants in hopes of reopening the theater  next year.

But some community members testified that they believe the city should first make good on its promise to hire a professional theater management company, before making commitment to lock in time blocks for groups such as the Rock Church, which wants to use the theater for church services on Sundays.