July 25, 2011 (Scripps Ranch)—Each Fourth of July for the past 12 years, Sheriff’s Homicide Captain Tim Curran and his wife, Debby, have displayed a flag the size of a two-car garage at their Scripps Ranch home. But on July 5, the flag was stolen and Debby was injured as the thief made a getaway.

 July 15, 2011, (Santee) -- Participate in a refreshing morning sprint, or a leisurely jog close to nature around the beautiful Santee Lakes at the annual "Lap the Lakes" 5K fun run on September 25th.

by Miriam Raftery

July 10, 2011 (San Diego)--“Hunger is at record levels here in San Diego,” John Lucero Criswell with the San Diego Hunger Coalition told members of the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce during a breakfast Friday at Mission Trails Regional Park.

Victim found with no pulse, not breathing, and without identification -- hospital traced identity through running shoes and IPOD

June 8, 2011 (Spring Valley ) – “There was no warning. I was just running—and then I woke up in the hospital,” says Grant Fleener, 60, who collapsed from a heart attack suddenly while on his morning run on Sweetwater Springs Blvd. on April 29. Yesterday, he returned to San Miguel Fire Station to thank a passerby,  firefighters and paramedics who all helped saved his life.

May 26, 2011 (El Cajon)--Bike To Work Day on Friday, May 20^th was a big success in El Cajon.  A total of 103 riders stopped by the Bike To Work Day Pit Stop at East Main Street and Sulzfeld.  City employees and residents were asked to find an alternative way to get to work, such as riding their bike, carpooling or taking public transit.

This event also reminded motorists and bicyclists about bicycle safety - and about sharing our roadways.  Those who stopped by the Bike To Work Pit Stop were treated to snacks, water and a Bike To Work Day T-Shirt. 

Through the sale of t-shirts, El Cajon employees raised $850 to purchase bikes for deserving grade school children in the City of El Cajon.  Last year six bikes were purchased for area students.   

 May 28, 2011, ( El Cajon ) – With the summer approaching and warmer weather coming our way, Camp Bow Wow along with Cat & Doggie Works will once again host a Woof-n-Wash Fundraiser to help support local Animal Shelters.

On June 4th, Camp Bow Wow, El Cajon, will host its 2nd Annual Woof-n-Wash Fundraiser. The event is co-hosted by Cat & Doggie Works, El Cajon.  This event is open to the public and will raise funds and awareness for local shelters. 

By Miriam Raftery

May 18, 2011 (La Mesa) – Ashley Charlton, a junior and AP student at West Hills High School, has been named the grand prize winner for her entry in the 3rd Annual Golden Artistry Jewelry Design Competition.

Other top entrants for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place were Cassandra Kingsbury from El Capitan, Scott Holcomb and Noraa Reeder from Santana.

Congressman Filner, the Freedom Rides, and Three Generations of Civil RIghts Activism

“I was 18. We did this thing, and we changed the whole legal structure of America. The sense that change is possible has been with me since."–Congressman Bob Filner

For the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Rides, Rep Bob Filner (D-San Diego) shares his memories as a Freedom Rider and of enduring two months in jail  to take a stand during the tumultuous Civil Rights movement.

 By Miriam Raftery

May 3, 2011 (El Cajon) – Drum Macomber of El Cajon is revved up over winning the “Best in Show Sycuan Casino Award” at last Wednesday’s Classic Cruise Night in El Cajon.

“I have owned the car for about seven years,” Macomber said of the 1963 Impala Super Sport that he purchased from the original owners with 132,000 miles.

Supervisors Honor 20 Volunteer-of-the-Year Recipients at Annual Event

April 16, 2011 (San Diego)—San Diego County Supervisors commended the extraordinary service contributions of 20 residents who were selected as Volunteers of the Year for their work with various departments. The volunteers, who have collectively donated a total of 4,834 hours, were honored at the County’s annual Volunteer Recognition event held prior to the Board of Supervisors meeting this week.

April 15, 2011 (El Cajon) –Former Congressman Duncan L. Hunter’s sixth annual Wounded Marines Golf Classic will tee off on May 9th at the Cottonwood Golf Club. Proceeds will benefit wounded Army, Navy, and Marine Corps personnel at Naval Medical Center in San Diego. Armed Services YMCA, a 501c3 nonprofit, is the host sponsor.

Cottonwood is donating the course, personnel and equipment so that every dollar will go to help support ill and injured service members.

pril 6, 2011 (San Diego) – Col. Ann Wright, one of the nation’s most prominent peace activists, will speak this evening from 7-9 p.m. at San Diego State University in Hepner Hall 100.

Wright spent 13 years in the U.S. Army and 16 additional years in the Army Reserves, retiring as a Colonel. On March 19, 2003, the eve of the U.S invasion of Iraq, she cabled a letter of resignation to Secretary of State Colin Powell, stating that without the authorization of the UN Security Council, the invasion and occupation would be a violation of international law. Since then, she has been writing and speaking out for peace.

By Dave Patterson

March 27, 2011 (San Diego)  There are now about 4,000 homeless folks in San Diego County, with many of them located downtown on the streets. Many of them are the "newly homeless" and have nothing other than the clothes that they are wearing. The nights can be very cold and wet.