February 3, 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
Does new County land use plan go too far? (San Diego U-T)
State realignment floods county jails and probation departments (KPBS)
Sheriff reduces jail time for inmates to avoid overcrowding (La Mesa Patch)
City Council meeting Tuesday: With redevelopment gone, now what? (Santee Patch)
Santee gets another ‘F’ in state of tobacco report(Santee Patch)
Beating Briarcrest: How La Mesa attorneys saved city $10.5 million (La Mesa Patch)
Meet the artist February 3 from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.
February 2, 2012 (La Mesa) -- Lionel Talaro returns to O'Dunn Fine Art for a show running from January 19 until April 19, 2012. His last show, "Divine Bovine", was one of the most successful exhibitions at the gallery, and nearly sold out. In this show, Lionel continues to demonstrate his virtuosity for figure painting in the new selection of works.
February 1, 2012 (Buckman Springs) – An 80-year-old woman who was a passenger in a rollover accident on January 29 in Campo died yesterday of head and neck injuries sustained in the crash. The victim, Maria Espiritu, was a widow who live in Vista.
Her daugher, who was driving, lost control of the vehicle and it overturned on Buckman springs Road north of Lake Morena Drive.
February 1, 2012 (Lakeside)—Kirell Rybarev, an East County resident, pled guilty today to felony carjacking and felony battery on a peace officer. A judge at the El Cajon Courthouse sentenced him to five years and eight months in state prison for stealing a car from the Barona Casino in Lakeside after punching a valet attendant.
February 1, 2012 (Alpine) –Fresh & Easy Neighborhood market, owned by British retail powerhouse Tesco, has announced plans to open an Alpine store at the site of the former Daniel’s Market. According to the San Diego Business Journal, Fresh & Easy has signed a 10-year lease to open a 22,015 square foot retail store in the Alpine Creek Town Center.
February 1, 2012 (San Diego)--President Obama’s decision denying a permit to construct a controversial pipeline from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico has fueled strong responses. Now local representatives offer their views on the project, which pits calls for construction jobs and a domestic energy supply against potentially serious environmental and health impacts.
February 1, 2012 (Washington D.C.)--Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego), along with 27 other members of Congress, called upon President Obama to make an immediate appointment for the Director of the Federal Housing Financial Agency (FHFA).
“Reigniting the American Dream and expanding on our nation's economic recovery is contingent on restoring the housing market to the pillar of economic strength it once was," said Rep. Davis. “We need a director in place at FHFA who can guide that effort and help middle class families avoid foreclosures and keep them in their homes.”
February 1, 2012 (La Mesa) School budgets have been cut to the bone, but fortunately for the Grossmont High School Men’s Soccer Team, San Pasqual Winery is kicking in some help—and asks community support. This Saturday, February 4 from 6-8 p.m., San Pasqual Winery will host a fundraiser wine tasting to benefit the Grossmont Men’s Soccer Team. The event will be held at the Winery’s Tasting Room, 8364 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa.
February 1, 2012 (San Diego) -- Two centuries ago—on February 7, 1812—Charles John Huffam Dickens entered the earthly stage. Born into an impoverished family, his father having served a term in debtor's prison, Charles, worked as a child slave in a London blacking factory.
The rags-to-riches life of Charles Dickens's was more remarkable than any of his stories. From such unpromising origins, he arose to become the best-selling writer of his time and one of the most enduring and quotable writers of all time.
February 1, 2012 (San Diego)--San Diego Police Department Northeastern Division detectives are looking for a white male suspected of exposing himself to two Rancho Bernardo High School students as they walked to a bus stop yesterday morning.
February 1, 2012 (Alpine)—Democratic, Republican and Libertarian candidates running against incumbent Congressman Duncan Hunter will be squaring off at a candidate forum on Saturday, February 4 at 1 p.m. in the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine.
February 1, 2012 (El Cajon)--The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is all about being prepared for a disaster, such as an earthquake, firestorm or house fire. This FREE preparedness education program offers residents the knowledge and tools they'll need in the event of a disaster. The first academy is now full, but there are two more academies being offered for 2012. Pick the one that best fits your schedule, and call (619) 441-1737 to register. Please leave your name and best contact phone number. Hurry, classes will fill quickly.
February 1, 2012 (Escondido)—The Escondido “For the Love of Chocolate and SweetArt” has my four favorite food groups: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and chocolate truffles. Oh—and pairings to provide the perfect wine for every chocolate! This sweet affair will be held Saturday, February 11 from 1-5 p.m. in downtown Escondido—just in time for Valentine’s Day.
February 1, 2012 (San Diego) – A group of citizens attempted a citizens’ arrest of Mayor Jerry Sanders on Monday, alleging that his deal to temporarily change the name of Qualcomm Stadium without Council’s approval amounted to felony embezzlement.
Story and video by Nadin Abbott; photos by Tom Abbott
February 1, 2012 (San Diego)-- The National Union of Health Care Workers (NUHW) called for aone-day strike yesterday at all Kaiser Permanente healthcare facilitiesstatewide in California. In San Diego the picket line walking started at six in the morning and ended at 10 p.m. outside Kaiser Hospital on Zion, with about 50 union members and supporters walking the line. View video of strike:http://youtu.be/ZuJGg95okOAAccording to Jim Clifford, a union rep, the ”concerns are over patient care and retirement.”
January 31, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—Looking for something extraordinary to delight your valentine? We’ve done the legwork to bring you the best of the best—from free salsa lessons to deluxe destinations, you’ll find plenty of delightful discoveries in San Diego’s inland regions.
What could be more romantic than a vineyard trail ride, jeep journey, or sky sailing adventure for two? Perhaps an overnight stay at a bed and breakfast on an exotic wildlife sanctuary, a picnic and boat ride across a secluded lake, a carriage ride at a chocolate festival, or savoring gourmet goodies at a local winery!
February 1, 2012 (Ramona) – The California Department of Fish and Game announced today that its wardens have arrested Jacob Thogmartin, 26, of Ramona on suspicion of setting a fire in a wildlife area filled with hunters early Saturday morning. The blaze, which extended into the night, charred 650 acres.
January 31, 2012 (El Cajon)—A Heartland Fire & Rescue crew from El Cajon responded to reports of a structure fire at a board and care facility at 1460 E. Lexington Avenue in El Cajon late last night. Fire crews arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the facility, with reports of a trapped victim.
Reducing Energy Bills for Low-Income Families Across California
January 31, 2012 (Sacramento) -- The Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) today announced California has weatherized 43,530 low-income homes three months ahead of schedule under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). This surpasses California’s original goal of weatherizing 43,150 homes by the end of March 2012.
January 31, 2012 (Alpine) -- On Saturday, March 25, 2012 the communities of Alpine and Mt. Empire will host one of their traditions, the Miss Alpine, Miss Mt. Empire, and Miss East County Scholarship Pageants.
The organizers are seeking young women ages 6-24 to participate in the pageants that have been a mentoring program for them. The pageants are produced by the Associated Pageants of Alpine/Mt. Empire and focus on community service. There is no swimsuit competition, and no entry fee to participate, only a sponsorship fee.
Special early-bird rates for ECM members now available
January 28, 2012 (San Diego)--Environmental law professor Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will be the keynote speaker at UnitedGREEN’s second Forging a Sustainable Future Symposium March 3 and 4, 2012 at San Diego State University.
January 3, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) -- The AARP Tax Aide Program offers free tax preparation and E filing for seniors and low income residents and others in need in the East County Community.
Tax sites will be open the week of February 4, 2013 and continue until April 15, 2013
Listed below are the tax sites and phone numbers for appointments:
January 30, 2012 (El Cajon) – Help is needed a family with a child and two dogs, all displaced by an early morning fire at the home they were renting. The house, built in the early 1900s, may be a total loss and damage is estimated at $180,000 including contents.
“The couple renting this home did not have renter’s insurance and lost everything,” said Monica Zech, spokesperson for the City of El Cajon. “If anyone would like to help, please call (619) 441-1737.
Update February 1, 2012: SB 810 narrowly failed on reconsideration. After reportedly receiving thousands of call urging him to support the bill, Vargas ducked the issue and did not vote.
January 30, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – This week, we have big news on major regulatory changes for California’s real estate industry, good news about our local real estate market, and a warning about a real estate-related scam:
January 30, 2012 (Santee) -- The Board of Directors of Padre Dam Municipal Water District appointed officers for 2012. The Board unanimously reappointed Bill Pommering as president, Augie Caires as vice president, and Doug Wilson as treasurer. Committee members were also appointed for 2012.
January 30, 2012 (San Diego)-- It a time of deep recession, caused by Big Banking’s unregulated greed, deep dishonesty, and unconscionable conspiracy to create monopoly conditions in energy and health care, the public found out that Mitt Romney was an unregenerate , greedy, dishonest speculator who threw Americans out of work and profited from the same.
January 30, 2012 (El Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon Teen Coalition would like to recognize youth for making a difference in our community. If you see, hear, or know of a youth who has gone the extra mile to improve the quality of life in our community, please take this opportunity to acknowledge and reward that effort.
January 30, 2012 (El Cajon) -- The El Cajon Police Department is now accepting applications for the 2012 Citizen's Police Academy. The Citizen's Police Academy is an eight week program that allows members of the community to learn how their police department functions from the inside - out.
Meet the artist February 3 from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.
February 1, 2012 (Buckman Springs) – An 80-year-old woman who was a passenger in a rollover accident on January 29 in Campo died yesterday of head and neck injuries sustained in the crash. The victim, Maria Espiritu, was a widow who live in Vista.
Late night fire displaces 4 adults and 2 children
January 28, 2012 (San Diego)--Environmental law professor Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will be the keynote speaker at UnitedGREEN’s second Forging a Sustainable Future Symposium March 3 and 4, 2012 at San Diego State University.
January 3, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) -- The AARP Tax Aide Program offers free tax preparation and E filing for seniors and low income residents and others in need in the East County Community.
Update February 1, 2012: SB 810 narrowly failed on reconsideration. After reportedly receiving thousands of call urging him to support the bill, Vargas ducked the issue and did not vote. 
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