April 4, 2012 -- (San Diego’s East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:
LOCAL
Lemon Grove considers downtown rule change (UT San Diego)
Fletcher bolts GOP as San Diego mayoral race nears (Sacramento Bee)
Former college official, architect arraigned (UT San Diego)
Underemployment holding back San Diego economy (KPBS)
Candlelight vigil held for slain Iraqi woman (10 News)
Redevelopment pigs back at the trough (San Diego Reader)
MTS boosts benefits for boss by $20,000 (10 News)
Records Suggest Move Against Racist Icon Tom Metzger in Bombing (SPLC)
STATE
California Legislative Democrats balk at Jerry Brown’s proposed budget cuts (Sacramento Bee)
California GOP lawmakers push budget plan to cut state workers’ pay, nix tax increase (Sacramento Bee)
Gov. Jerry Brown’s solar energy campaign (Sacramento Bee)
Scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories.
April 4, 2012 (La Mesa) -- On April 10, 2012, the La Mesa Police Department will be presenting a Drug Awareness presentation for apartment managers. Attendees will learn how to identify illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia and how to recognize symptoms of persons under the influence of drugs. This meeting is open to all La Mesa apartment managers and owners. Reservations are encouraged.
April 4, 2012 (San Diego)--Under California state law, planning and sponsor groups of San Diego County's unincorporated areas are considered elected agencies subject to all the laws governing open debate and process. They have largely been a part of San Diego's planning process since 1968, but they are creatures of any county's Board of Supervisors, and exist at the Supervisors' discretion.
March 30, 2012 (La Mesa) – The 13th Annual Spring Harp Fest will be held at Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden Street, La Mesa on April 7 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.Featured performers include Jon Gindick, Harmonica John with the Bayou Brothers and many more.
The event is free to all and benefits the San Diego Blues in the Schools program.The money raised will be used to provide harmonicas to the students involved in the BITS program.For more information visit www.springharpfest.org.
Speak out at Thursday’s CPUC hearing on SDG&E scheme to make you pay for wildfires that it caused
April 4, 2012 (San Diego) -- As you are probably by now aware, SDG&E is trying to get the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to make you pay for their future uninsured wildfire costs for fires they start, and including the past 2007 fires: Witch, Guejito and Rice. For those fires they want $594 million from their customer’s collective pocket, which works out to about $350 a meter.
April 4, 2012 (Rancho San Diego) – Cub Scouts and their families got a tour yesterday of at MCAS Miramar.They were able to see demonstrations of the K-9 dogs used to detect explosives.They were also shown how a fire is fought should a crash occur on the runway.Finally, they were shown how ordinance is detonated via a robot and if necessary with highly trained Marines in the field.
The photo is of the Scouts and a Marine from the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team.
April 4, 2012 (Lemon Grove) – On April 2, homicide detectives, with the assistance of the San Diego Regional Fugitive Task force, arrested another suspect in the March 14 murder of 23 year old Avel Michael Edgar that occurred in the 8200 block of Vernon Street in Lemon Grove. The suspect, 20 year-old Dasaun Roberts, of San Diego, was booked into the San Diego Central Jail for murder and the transportation/sales of marijuana.He is currently being held with no bail.
April 4, 2012 (San Diego) – “GreenBlue San Diego" kicks off Earth Month in San Diego, on April 5th, 2012.A distinguished group of regional Green leaders will brief on the next wave in the renewable sector, the sustainable oceans and water economy. Career experts will also discuss the growth of careers and job paths in this new and expanding area of the economy.
April 4, 2012 (Lemon Grove) -- The "History Alive" lecture series continues on Apr. 5 at 7 p.m. in the H. Lee House Cultural Center, 3205 Olive, Lemon Grove, when the Lemon Grove Historical Society presents "A Fireside Chat with Estelle Lauer." This warm and witty writer, teacher, and former columnist for the Valley Grove News and Life News, is a walking repository of often hilarious tales that reveal the back story of Lemon Grove and its unique cast of people and institutions.
County, City, School and Church Partner to Make Vision a Reality
April 4, 2012 (San Carlos) – San Carlos has its first community garden at Springall Academy, a school serving K-12 students with special needs throughout San Diego County.The school, in partnership with San Carlos United Methodist Church, developed and will operate and maintain the garden.The garden, located at 6460 Boulder Lake Ave., San Diego, is one of two community gardens on San Diego Unified School District sites and represents an agreement between the district and the community to jointly use the plots for growing fresh fruits and vegetables.
District 51 Congressional candidate seeks more money from residents for local government
By Billie Jo Jannen
For East County Magazine
April 2, 2012 (San Diego's East County)--A new state bill proposed by District 40 Senator Juan Vargas would modify existing law based on Property and Business Improvement District Law of 1994 to make it possible for municipalities to levy assessments to pay for improvements in the district without the 2/3 voter approval by people who would pay it.
April 3, 2012 (El Cajon) -- A 50-year anniversary doesn’t happen every day, so Grossmont College will celebrate its golden moment in history with a blowout weekend of free events for the community to enjoy April 13 and 14 at the El Cajon campus.
Music lovers, foodies, dancers, amateur scientists, artists, CSI fans, poets, fitness and health devotees, theater lovers, techies, gamers, math whizzes – there’s something for everyone.
April 3, 2012 (La Mesa) -- La Mesa Community Services is enrolling now for their popular adult classes , and for the youth recreation classes that begin the week of April 9th. La Mesa Community Services Recreational Program was honored as 2010 Best of East County, by the 2010 East County Californian Readers Poll.
Adult classes include: Adult Ballet, Belly Dancing, Boot Camp, Dog Obedience, Fencing, Ice Skating, Irish Folk Music, La Mesa Stroller Strides, Tennis, Walk and Talk, Yoga, Zumba, Adult Lap Swim, Adult Learn to Swim, Masters Swim Team, and Watercise.
April 3, 2012 (Lakeside) -- Pami Wilmers of Lakeside rides her horse, Seth Boy, through the Jack in the Box drive-through in Lakeside. Photographer Billy Ortiz offers this explanation for the unusual jaunt. “Pami will be in the Lakeside Western Days Parade next month, so she rode through town to get Seth Boy used to the cars and noise.”
Some other "red tape" reduction items are approved; action is postponed on Resource Protection Ordinance
By Danielle Cook
April 2, 2012 (San Diego)--On Wednesday, The San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously rejected Red Tape Reduction Task Force recommendations that would eliminate or severely limit the scope of community planning groups. The recommendation was one of thirty designed to speed up the permitting process and deliver better “customer service” for developers.
April 2, 2012 (Cedar Creek) – When Ed Hale read that the National Forest Service (NFS) was reopening one of two entrances to Cedar Creek Falls starting yesterday, he and a friend headed east to hit the trail--and brought back a firsthand account of their experiences as well as some changes at the popular hiking site.
April 2, 2012 (El Cajon) -- Tomorrow, April 3rd, firefighters across the county will be at various intersections collecting donations for the Burn Institute’s “Give Burns The Boot” fundraiser. Money raised benefits the Burn Institute’s burn prevention programs in the County.
Firefighters from Heartland Fire & Rescue in El Cajon, will be at the intersection of Greenfield Drive and East Main Street from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. collecting donations!
April 2, 2012 (Ramona) -- On Wednesday April 11, the Congressional candidates running for the new 50th District, previously the 52nd District, will participate in a question and answer session. The candidates are Connie Frankowiak (D), Terri Linnell (R), David Secor (D), Michael Benoit (I)(L), and Congressman Duncan Hunter (R) has also been invited to participate.
April 2, 2012 (San Diego) – San Diego has become a hotbed of human trafficking and it includes more than undocumented immigrants. Law enforcement have identified San Diego as an international gateway for sex trafficking and one of the 13 cities in the nation with the highest incidence of child prostitution, including local teens. Forced marriages and modern slavery are also critical issues. Worldwide, trafficking is an estimated $40 billion industry affecting every country.
April 2, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Knox House Museum is open for tours the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.The museum, which is the first commercial building in El Cajon built in 1876, is located at 280 N. Magnolia Avenue.The continuing exhibit is “Shards, Archaeology Tools & Milk Bottles?”
April 2, 2012 (San Diego) -- Today, in an effort to help enhance the region’s emergency preparedness, San Diego Gas & Electric unveiled its new mobile emergency command centers and new satellite communication systems in San Diego.
April 2, 2012 (San Diego) – The Kroc Center’s 9th annual free community Easter Egg Hunt and festival will be held April 7 from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Kroc Center Recreation Field, 6845 University Avenue, San Diego.The event includes visits and pictures with the Easter Bunny, pony rides, bounce houses, arts and crafts, carnival games and prizes.
Have you seen our weekly newsletter? It's packed full of the most important news, best attractions and festive events for our region. View the current issue here. It's a great way to keep up on what's happening in East County and our region!
April 2, 2012 (El Cajon) -- St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center’s 14th Annual Morning Glory Brunch is once again generating a buzz around town, and it’s not just because the bees and butterflies are attracted to St. Madeleine’s organic garden. Approximately 500 people are expected to attend this popular brunch on Saturday, April 14 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on St. Madeleine’s campus at 2119 E. Madison Avenue, El Cajon.
ECM stands by our story-and offers additional details.
By Miriam Raftery
April 2, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – A representative of Covert Canyon and Marc Halcon has contacted East County Magazine to contend that our March 5, 2012 article titled “Residents react to news of pig killings at military site in Alpine” contained “false, defamatory statements.”
Our editor, publisher and attorney have carefullyreviewed this claim.Our story was researched thoroughly, fully vetted, and we stand by our story, with the following clarifications of details.
Is truth stranger than fiction? You decide. Be sure to click this hot link to view these stories in our extra-special April 1st edition. (Trust us, you won't want to miss this!) -- Miriam Raftery, Editor
Cheers! El Cajon announces Vice Revival for Centennial
Mega-Millions Lotto winner in Lakeside reveals hot plans
Rare species discoveries may halt wind farms
Animal rights activists protest plan to eradicate wild pigs
Rural residents' "Ultimate Red Tape Reduction" initiative qualifies for ballot
April 1, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – House Republicans this week passed a budget that would give massive tax breaks to the wealthy and to corporations, while weakening programs that benefit students, the middle class and senior citizens, including Medicare.
March 30, 2012 (San Diego)—A legend has returned. Baseball Hall of Famer and current San Diego State baseball head coach Tony Gwynn has returned to the dugout after missing the team’s first 21 games recovering from Feb. 14 surgery to remove a cancerous tumor and insert a nerve from his shoulder into his right cheek.
April 1, 2012 (Jacumba) – “Little Destiny Pierce of Jacumba lost her last battle of life on March 27, 2012 at 11:18 p.m.,” Lorrie Ostrander, who had helped organize a fundraising drive to help the Pierce family, informed East County Magazine.
March 30, 2012 (La Mesa) – The 13th Annual Spring Harp Fest will be held at Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden Street, La Mesa on April 7 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
April 4, 2012 (Rancho San Diego) – 
April 4, 2012 (Lemon Grove) – On April 2, homicide detectives, with the assistance of the San Diego Regional Fugitive Task force, arrested another suspect in the March 14 murder of 23 year old Avel Michael Edgar that occurred in the 8200 block of Vernon Street in Lemon Grove. The suspect, 20 year-old Dasaun Roberts, of San Diego, was booked into the San Diego Central Jail for murder and the transportation/sales of marijuana.
April 4, 2012 (San Diego) – “GreenBlue San Diego" kicks off Earth Month in San Diego, on April 5th, 2012.
April 4, 2012 (Lemon Grove) -- The "History Alive" lecture series continues on Apr. 5 at 7 p.m. in the H. Lee House Cultural Center, 3205 Olive, Lemon Grove, when the Lemon Grove Historical Society presents "A Fireside Chat with Estelle Lauer." This warm and witty writer, teacher, and former columnist for the Valley Grove News and Life News, is a walking repository of often hilarious tales that reveal the back story of Lemon Grove and its unique cast of people and institutions. 
County, City, School and Church Partner to Make Vision a Reality
Some other "red tape" reduction items are approved; action is postponed on Resource Protection Ordinance 
April 2, 2012 (San Diego) – San Diego has become a hotbed of human trafficking and it includes more than undocumented immigrants. Law enforcement have identified San Diego as an international gateway for sex trafficking and one of the 13 cities in the nation with the highest incidence of child prostitution, including local teens. Forced marriages and modern slavery are also critical issues. Worldwide, trafficking is an estimated $40 billion industry affecting every country.
April 2, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Knox House Museum is open for tours the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
April 2, 2012 (San Diego) -- Today, in an effort to help enhance the region’s emergency preparedness, San Diego Gas & Electric unveiled its new mobile emergency command centers and new satellite communication systems in San Diego.
April 2, 2012 (San Diego) – The Kroc Center’s 9th annual free community Easter Egg Hunt and festival will be held April 7 from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Kroc Center Recreation Field, 6845 University Avenue, San Diego.
By Miriam Raftery/newsflash.gif)
April 1, 2012—East County Magazine has the exclusive scoop on some 
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