August 4, 2011 (San Diego's East County) ---Two fires are burning in Mexico, with smoke visible across portions of East County. According to Cal-Fire Captain Mike Mohler, the blaze is approximately seven miles south of the border but poses no threat to the U.S. at this time. One is south of Potrero/Tecate, the other south of the Otay area.
Get ready to witness a different kind of learning experience this fall at the Encore! Theatre in Spring Valley. The Young Actors’ Theatre is set to bring to life the beloved musical animated series School House Rock come September. It’s sure to be a fun, knowledge-infused event for the whole family.
August 4, 2011 (Alpine) -- Gary Spivey, internationally acclaimed psychic, medium and predictor of future events, will appear August 6 in the DreamCatcher at Viejas Casino.
August 4, 2011 (San Diego's East County)--If you see smoke today over East County, don't panic. Cal Fire and the San Diego Fire Authority will be burning brush piles in the Corte Madera area. These piles are a result of a fuels management program, said Cal Fire Captain Mike Mohler.
August 4, 2011 (San Diego)--As a bankruptcy attorney, I meet with clients everyday who struggle to make mortgage payments on their homes. Most of these clients participate in their bank’s loan modification program. But despite government pressure on banks to offer loan modifications, the sad truth is that most clients will never actually receive a modification.
Despite this fact, the bank’s programs will “consider” every applicant; no matter how likely they are to ultimately qualify. While it seems like this over-inclusiveness would be good, or at least neutral, it is in fact harmful to the struggling homeowner.
August 4, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflecting all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views.
Top world and U.S. headlines include:
U.S.
• FAA shutdown: Obama urges Congress to settle latest row (BBC)
• Deal could endanger healthcare law (Politico)
• General Mills partners with American Refugee Committee to aid famine relief efforts in Somalia (Wall Street Journal Market Watch)
• Obama signs U.S. debt bill into law (BBC)
• The Fires This Time (Fairness and Accuracy in Media)
• Accused Fort Hood plotter got bomb-making recipe from Al Qaeda (Christian Science Monitor)
• Study: Forests absorb much more greenhouse gases than previously known (Christian Science Monitor)
• Missing Iraq money may have been stolen, auditors say (Los Angeles Times)
WORLD
• Somali famine’s brutal toll: 29,000 kids dead in 3 months (Newser/AP)
• Arab League discusses Palestinian state (Al Jazeera)
• Nigeria Ogoniland cleanup ‘could take 30 years’ (BBC)
• Islamist show of state in Tahir state angers activists (Christian Science Monitor)
• Iran vows to skirt nuclear shutdown; watchdog embarrassed (Reuters)
• Hamas executives two Gazans as spies for Israel (Jerusalem Post)
• Norway shooting: Names and photos of victims published (Norwegian press)
• Fukushima radiation levels rise, area closed (Christian Science Monitor)
• Mubarak’s trial begins in Cairo (BBC)
August 3, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--Who says the only thing you can do with your dog is take him or her on a run/walk? Kayaking is a fun thing to do on a hot day with your dog, especially if your dog enjoys the water.
July 31, 2011 (Rancho Bernardo)—Tastings by 20 San Diego County wineries plus food vendors will be on hand at the San Diego Wine Country Festival on Saturday, August 6 from 1-5 p.m. The event takes place at the Bernardo Winery, San Diego’s oldest winery founded 121 years ago.
August 3, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County, published in other media.
Latest Roundup headlines include:
• Lemon Grove fighting back against water-rate hikes (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• La Mesa-Spring Valley Board raps law as ‘financially reckless’ (La Mesa Patch)
• Ex-Principal says Superintendent [of Mountain Empre] sexually harassed her (10 News)
• Supervisors may sue over state fire fee (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• County to consider new plan for growth (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Public agency could take over S-125 toll road (10 News)
• New redistricting maps show major changes for San Diego County (Mount Helix Patch)
• Sweetwater scholarship funds sat dormant (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Momentum grows to limit CSU salaries (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Spring Valley father gets 7 years after posting ‘dead or alive’ posters (Mount Helix Patch)
July 7, 2011 (Alpine) -- During the months of July and August, Alpine Community Centers Concerts will present the following concert events on Sunday summer eves from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.:
By T.J. Dunnivant
Miriam Raftery also contributed to this report
August 3, 2011 (El Cajon) -- For the second week in a row, voters staged a protest outside Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter’s 52nd Congressional District office to urge that their representative address needs of ordinary citizens over corporations and the wealthy.
August 3, 2011 (San Diego)—Ground turkey has been linked to 77 cases of salmonella nationwide, including six in California and at least one in San Diego, California’s Department of Public Health confirms. One person has died in San Franciso from the contaminated meat.
August 2, 2011 (San Diego)—By a unanimous vote, San Diego County’s Board of Supervisors today decided to redraw supervisorial districts to include a South Bay district in which racial minorities comprise the majority of the population The five white Supervisors, all Republicans, originally had proposed a map with all-white majority districts.
August 3, 2011 (El Cajon)--San Diego FBI Special Agent in Charge Keith Slotter announces the arrest of Cathy Rae Salmond, 30, as a result of the investigation into the robbery of the Bank of the West in El Cajon on Friday, July 22.
Story by Miriam Raftery; Photos by Mark and Miriam Raftery
August 2, 2011 (Alpine) -- "Oh, you're beautiful!" San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce President Scott Alevy exclaimed as his wife, Joanne, dished up a forkful of chicken. But he wasn't complimenting her cooking. Instead, Alevy was admiring Raja--a 500-pound Bengal tiger that Joanne was feeding after winning a drawing at Lions, Tigers & Bears (LTB) in Alpine.
The Chamber hosted a fundraiser to benefit the big cat rescue facility last weekend, donating 100% of proceeds to help this worthy cause while providing a memorable experience for Chamber members. View our video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFhE9h-O0Uw
August 2, 2011 (Ramona) -- ECM intern Elena Luz Pena snapped these "striking" close-ups of an unusually colorful rattlesnake at the home of her fiance's father in Ramona.
This two-foot-long critter's message is crystal clear: don't tread on me!
Update: The victim has been identified as Wesley Stewart Grove, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner. No other information has yet been released.
August 2, 2011 (Sacramento)– California labor unions are waging war against a handful of potential ballot initiatives aimed at restricting the power of local unions. The California Labor Federation has issued a warning to voters to be on the lookout for these “deceptive” petitions that are making the rounds.
August 1, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- Very soon, East County Magazine will be unveiling a very special guide to East County written by travel writers -- offering you tips of all the very best attractions and activities. Watch our sneak preview 7-minute video here:
Sponsors needed! Call (619)698-7617 or e-mail editor@eastcountymagazine.org to learn how you can become a sponsor for one of our 10 "video adventures" for your region in East County. Each region will highlight the history, culture, and attractions. We will also have special sections for dining, lodging, wine tasting, activities, a shopping and services directory, seasonal favorites, festivals and events, and much, much more!
August 2, 2011 (San Diego)--The County Board of Supervisors is set to approve a redistricting plan today in a meeting at 2 p.m. at the county Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 310 in downtown San Diego.
August 2, 2011 (Washington D.C.)--The US Fish and Wildlife Service is asking the public to send in their comments regarding its revised draft Land-based Wind Energy Guidelines. The deadline for sending your comments is August 4, 2011.
This concerns people from anywhere in the world, as these guidelines may inspire other countries and be used as justification for killing protected species.
August 2, 2011 (El Cajon)--Heartland Fire & Rescue is accepting applications for the "reserve" portion of the Heartland Fire Academy now through August 12th. Applications will be accepted Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at 100 E. Lexington Ave. in El Cajon.
August 1, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Sempra Energy has asked the U.S. Department of Energy for a presidential permit to construct a cross-border transmission line called Energia Sierra Juarez to import electricity from Sempra facilities in Mexico. The line would cross the border near Jacumba in San Diego’s East County.
August 1, 2011 (Jamul) – A little-known but very special treat in San Diego’s East County can be found at Jamul Haven, an authentic Victorian-era bed and breakfast inn in Jamul, California. Built in 1899 as the home of “olive king” Charles Gifford, the elegant mansion later served as a stage coach stop.
August 1, 2011 (Washington D.C.) -- By a 269-161 vote, the compromise measure hammered out by President Barack Obama and bipartisan leaders of both houses passed the House of Representatives. It now advances to the Senate, which is expected to vote before tomorrow's deadline to raise the debt ceiling or face default on our national debt.
Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-El Cajon) voted no on the measure, citing concerns over defense spending cuts. Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) voted in favor, calling it the "best of no good alternatives." Both have issued statements explaining their positions in detail. (Scroll down for full text). San Diego Republican Congressmen Brian Bilbray and Darrell Issa voted for the measure, while Democrat Bob Filner voted against it.
In a moment of drama, Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords returned to the House floor for the first time since being shot in the head, drawing bipartisan applause as she entered the chamber to vote for the bill.
August 1, 2011 (Santee)--A brush fire that began at 8756 Mast Boulevard near West Hills High School spread into nerby vegetation, Incident Page Network reported at 4:09 p.m.
At 4:35 p.m., Heartland Fire & Rescue dispatch confirmed that the fire, which began between the high school and the ball field, is now out.
by Elena Peña
August 4, 2011 (Alpine) -- Gary Spivey, internationally acclaimed psychic, medium and predictor of future events, will appear August 6 in the DreamCatcher at Viejas Casino. 
by Jason Jones, J.D.
By TJ Dunnivant
July 31, 2011 (Rancho Bernardo)—Tastings by 20 San Diego County wineries plus food vendors will be on hand at the San Diego Wine Country Festival on Saturday, August 6 from 1-5 p.m. The event takes place at the Bernardo Winery, San Diego’s oldest winery founded 121 years ago.
August 2, 2011 (San Diego)—By a unanimous vote, San Diego County’s Board of Supervisors today decided to redraw supervisorial districts to include a South Bay district in which racial minorities comprise the majority of the population The five white Supervisors, all Republicans, originally had proposed a map with all-white majority districts. 
By Jeremy Los
August 1, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- Very soon, East County Magazine will be unveiling a very special guide to East County written by travel writers -- offering you tips of all the very best attractions and activities. Watch our sneak preview 7-minute video here:
August 2, 2011 (San Diego)--The County Board of Supervisors is set to approve a redistricting plan today in a meeting at 2 p.m. at the county Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 310 in downtown San Diego.
By Mark Duchamp, CEO, European Platform Against Wind Farms 
August 1, 2011 (Jamul) – A little-known but very special treat in San Diego’s East County can be found at Jamul Haven, an authentic Victorian-era bed and breakfast inn in Jamul, California. Built in 1899 as the home of “olive king” Charles Gifford, the elegant mansion later served as a stage coach stop.
3 local representatives vote yes, 2 oppose
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