D.A. declines to prosecute felony conspiracy charge for protest at Mayor’s speech, following public pressure
By Miriam Raftery
January 29, 2012 (La Mesa) – First Amendment advocates expressed shock when San Diego Police arrested La Mesa resident Mike Garcia and three others on felony conspiracy charges--a tactic customarily reserved for grave offenses such as organized crime activities and drug trafficking.
Their purported crime? Interrupting Mayor Sanders’ state of the city speech with a brief “Mic-Check” protest over a free speech issue.
Check out these loveable pups (and one cat) now available for adoption
By Cate Sacks
January 29, 2012 (San Diego's East County) -These shelter dogs have been provided training to become dream dogs for individuals or families. This month, we have several wonderful dogs to choose from, from pups to mature pets, and one cat.
January 29, 2012 (Washington D.C.) — Friday, Representatives Duncan Hunter (R-CA) and Tim Murphy (R-PA), introduced a bipartisan resolution with 100 original cosponsors, expressing gratitude to members of the U.S. Armed Forces for their service and sacrifice in Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn. The resolution is available here.
January 29, 2012, San Diego, CA….The Cleveland National Forest welcomes Donn Christiansen as the new District Ranger on the Descanso Ranger District in Alpine, CA. Christiansen started his Forest Service career in 1991 as the Counseling Program Manager at the Timber Lake Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center on the Mt. Hood National Forest in Oregon.
January 29, 2012, (La Mesa) -- The Grossmont College Theatre Arts Department kicks off 2012 with its production "Inside The Actor's Process: Readers Theatre - The Theatre of the Imagination." In this unique form of oral storytelling, space and time can stretch to create fantastic worlds and marvelous journeys that soar through the imagination.
January 29, 2012 (La Mesa)--In an on-going commitment to communicating with residents and in honor of the City’s Centennial, all five members of the La Mesa City Council will host a Town Hall Meeting. The open-forum session is set for Tuesday, February 7, at 6:30 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa.
January 29,2012 (San Diego’s East County) – If you’re driving in East County, please be aware of the following hazardous situations:
A medical helicopter is en route to 1840 Buckman Springs Road in Cameron Corners, where a rollover accident has resulted in major injuries. The accident involves a van that went off the roadway near a fire station. The accident was reported at 11:08 a.m.
A bicyclist, 17, has been hit head-on by a vehicle on Japatul Road at Hidden Glen. CHP is closing the roadway, CHP reported at 10:47 a.m. The victim was reportedly conscious and breathing.
High wind warnings have been issued for I-8 from Alpine to the County line and CHP advises the area is unsafe for high-profile vehicles. A wind warning has also been issued in the Julian/mountain areas.
In Alpine, Arnold remains closed at South Grade due to repairs from a water main break.
January 28, 2012 (Lemon Grove) – A man who was asked to leave Dirk’s Nightclub in Lemon Grove shortly before closing time at 2 a.m. returned with a semi-automatic rifle and opened fire, ECM news partner 10 News reports. The shooter and a friend are believed to have fled in a dark pick-up truck.
January 28, 2012 (San Diego) – Yesterday, the California Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision to leave newly redrawn state Senate boundaries in place for this year’s elections. That’s good news for Assemblyman Marty Block, a Democrat and education expert running for the 39th State Senate district. The redrawn district has a 38.1% Democratic registration, 30.9% Republican and 26.1% decline to state, giving Block a clear advantage.
In an exclusive interview with ECM, Block shared his goals and recapped his legislative accomplishments. Last year, Block authored 14 bills that were signed into law by the Governor—more than any other Assemblymember. Bill topics ranged from helping veterans and military families to protecting safe drinking water. But most reflect his passion for strengthening public education for California’s children, teens and college students.
January 28, 2012 (La Mesa) -- La Mesa La Mesa Community Services is enrolling now for their popular classes that begin the week of February 6th. La Mesa Community Services Recreational Program was honored as 2010 Best of East County, by the 2010 East County Californian Readers Poll.
January 28, 2012 (San Diego)--A federal grand jury in San Diego has handed up 17 indictments and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California has filed eight criminal complaints charging a total of 119 defendants with federal racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking violations, and federal firearm offenses, announced U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California Laura E. Duffy.
January 28, 2012 (East County) -- Owners of two East County businesses are hearing their voices on radio commercials this month as part of the San Diego Better Business Bureau’s “Famous Voices” radio advertising campaign. Mark McDonald of La Mesa Carpet & Linoleum and Brad Belus of Cable, Pipe and Leak Detection of El Cajon are among several BBB accredited businesses touting the value of the BBB to their company and consumers in the community on about 2,000 30-second commercial spots airing in January on 19 English-language and nine Spanish-language stations.
January 28, 2012 (El Cajon)--Visit the first commercial building in El Cajon, built in 1876 as a hotel for travelers and teamsters on their way to the Julian gold fields. The Knox House Museum will be open each Saturday in February, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 280 N. Magnolia Ave., El Cajon. Also view a continuing exhibit titled Children's Toys on the Frontier.
January 28, 2012 (La Mesa) -- Helix Water District Board President DeAna Verbeke has announced that Director of Engineering Carlos Lugo has been selected as the new general manager of the Helix Water District.
Director Verbeke noted, “After a comprehensive process with a number of qualified candidates, the board has determined that Carlos Lugo is the best person for the position. His 20-plus years of experience at Helix and leadership style will sustain the organizational excellence of the District and maintain the outstanding service we provide our customers.”
January 28, 2012 (Sacramento) -- The city of La Mesa was profiled as part of the ongoing “Strong Cities | Strong State” campaign highlighting local government success stories across California. “Strong Cities | Strong State” is a project of the League of California Cities and the California City Management Foundation (CCMF).
“La Mesa is celebrating its Centennial in 2012 and it is fitting that La Mesa is highlighted as a Strong City with its long tradition of successful community projects,” says Mayor Art Madrid.
January 28, 2012 (San Diego) – With a focus on the San Diego region’s job growth, smarter technology development, solar energy storage integration and increased electric vehicle infrastructure and deployment, Smart City San Diego is delivering results. The collaborative is made up of City of San Diego, GE, UC San Diego, CleanTECH San Diego and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). It formed to leverage each entity’s strengths to create and implement initiatives to improve the region’s energy independence, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and assert San Diego as a clean energy leader.
January 28, 2012 (El Cajon)—The public is invited to the Grand Re-Opening of Renette Park Community Center on Thursday, February 2, from 3:00 to 6:30 p.m., at 935 South Emerald Avenue in El Cajon. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 4:00 p.m.
January 28, 2012 (Washington, D.C.) – Yesterday the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 290, the War Memorial Protection Act. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon), a member of the House Armed Services Committee and veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
January 27, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Looking for something luscious for your special someone?We promise you’ll love our guide to the most delectable treats in town! Whether you’re seeking candies, cakes, crepes or gelatos, we’ve found an appetizing array of choices.Or surprise your heart’s delight with a special gift—such as candy-making class or a gourmet chocolate-of-the-month club.
Scroll down for these delicious options, and more "sweet" surprises.
January 27, 2012 (San Diego) – Around this time last year, Sanctum hit theaters. Set in a series of frigid, but gorgeous underwater caves, it boasted beautiful cinematography. Unfortunately, it was a dopey survival movie whose sole purpose was to kill off its cardboard characters in gruesome ways.
January 27, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) –California Rare Fruit Growers have partnered with the Paul and Helen Thompson Endowment Committee to offer free bare-root fruit trees for schools, nonprofit organizations, and community gardens. Varieties available include apples, peaches, pears, persimmons, and pluots.
January 27, 2012 (El Cajon) – In response to numerous complaints from parents and residents who were not informed before the Grossmont Union High School District voted to change school boundaries, the District today announced that it will host two public information forums and accept public comments.
January 27, 2012 (Sacramento)-- State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson congratulated First Lady Michelle Obama and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for making fresh fruits and vegetables the focus of the first major changes to school meals in more than 15 years.
January 27, 2012 (San Diego) -- Alvarado Hospital was recognized as part of the only hospital system in California—Prime Healthcare—named one of the nation’s top 15 by Thomson Reuters, a leading provider of information and solutions to improve the cost and quality of healthcare.
January 27, 2012 (El Cajon) -- The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College has announced new classes ranging from raising chickens to beekeeping to aquaponics. For details, scroll down:
January 27, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for Saturday due to high winds and warm, dry weather that will create “explosive fire growth potential.”
January 27, 2012 (San Diego County) -- The winter series of the San Diego County Library Acoustic Showcase is coming to an end with eight concerts taking place in February! The Acoustic Showcase series offers a wonderful variety of some of San Diego's very best singer/songwriters, folk music performers and story tellers.
Feb. 29 meeting will allow public testimony on Red Tape Reduction Task Force recommendations, including developers’ proposal to eliminate community planning groups and Resource Protection Ordinance
By Miriam Raftery
January 27, 2012 (San Diego)—A lawsuit filed by Californians Aware has succeeded in persuading the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to vacate votes that approved key changes made by a developer-stacked Red Tape Reduction Task Force without public input.The lawsuit alleged that the Board violated the Brown Act by voting on items not listed as action items on the agenda.Now, the County has announced it will hold a public hearing on February 29.
By Miriam Raftery
By Mia Myklebust
By Brian Lafferty
January 27, 2012 (San Diego County) -- The winter series of the San Diego County Library Acoustic Showcase is coming to an end with eight concerts taking place in February! The Acoustic Showcase series offers a wonderful variety of some of San Diego's very best singer/songwriters, folk music performers and story tellers. 
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