SNAP cuts in America and the future impacts on California

Inmate firefighters get pay raise under bill signed by Governor

Passages: Donuts to Dollars, Mary Hennessy had a sweet life

County approves negotiations to buy land for Troy Street Sleeping Cabins in Lemon Grove

ECM World Watch: National and global news

La Mesa Police officer killed while aiding motorists after collision on I-8

County approves purchase of firefighting helicopter with nighttime capabilities

Twelve-year-old killed, two other children critically injured crossing street in San Carlos

La Mesa raises parking meter fees

Health and Science Highlights

Artillery round from Camp Pendleton celebration explodes over I-5, hits CHP vehicle

Trump aims to slash refugee admissions and add racist criteria

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS HONORS EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE WITH MEDIA AWARD 2012

May 20, 2012 (San Diego) -- The League of Women Voters, San Diego this week presented East County Magazine with its Media Award 2012.  The honor was bestowed in recognition of ECM's coverage of developer's efforts to abolish community planning efforts.

SAN DIEGO PLANNING COMMISSION POSTPONES DECISIONS ON TULE WIND AND COUNTY WIND ORDINANCE

Staff recommends denial of Tule Wind turbines on County lands

By Miriam Raftery

May 21, 2012 (San Diego) – A decision on two controversial wind issues have been postponed by San Diego County’s Planning Commission. 

A proposed wind ordinance as well as changes to the Boulevard community plan have been delayed until July 20.  In addition, planners heard public comments on the Tule Wind project proposed for McCain Valley, but postponed a decision until June 8, due to the absence of two planners.

Without changes to the wind ordinance, any approval of industrial-scale turbines would violate county height requirements in rural areas. Thus approval of Tule Wind turbines on County lands June 9 appears unlikely.

EUROPEAN UNION’S PUSH FOR WIND ENERGY WITHOUT PUBLIC INPUT VIOLATES INTERNATIONAL LAW, UNITED NATIONS FINDS

 
May 20, 2012 (Switzerland) –As in the United States, wind energy projects have been fast-tracked through much of Europe, including sites within protected preserves. Now the United Nations Economic Commission’s compliance committee has found the European Commission in violation of international rules under the Aarhus Convention by failing to allow citizens’ adequate participation in decision-making processes regarding siting of renewable energy projects.

 

LA MESA WOMAN PLANNING HEALTHY LIVING SAN DIEGO EXPO JUNE 2

 
May 20, 2012 (La Mesa) -- La Mesa resident Cristy Boisvert is a member of a committee planning the first annual Healthy Living San Diego Expo. Slated for June 2nd at the Scottish Rite Event Center, the event will offer options in our community for healthy living and is geared toward those living with an autoimmune disease or people who want to explore healthy lifestyle options.

HUNDREDS TURN OUT TO ‘MOW DOWN POLLUTION’

 
Residents exchange old, gas guzzling lawn mowers for zero-emission models at County
 
May 20, 2012 (San Diego)--County residents began lining up early this morning at the County Administration Center for the chance to trade-in their old, gas powered lawn mowers for new, zero-emission models. The price? The Black & Decker mowers, which normally retail for $400 plus tax, cost just $99.99 at the 13th Annual “Mowing Down Pollution” Lawn Mower Trade-In Event.

REGION’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE CHIEFS WARN OF ‘DISMANTLING’ CUTS IF TAX VOTE FAILS

 
Local campuses face $27 million hit without passage of November initiative

May 20, 2012 (San Diego) -- The heads of the region’s six community college districts issued a tsunami warning of sorts Wednesday, saying a new wave of funding cuts will further cripple the colleges if voters reject the governor’s November tax initiative.
 

GROSSMONT HEALTHCARE DISTRICT HONORS HEALTHCARE HERO VOLUNTEERS

 

Grossmont Healthcare District honors Healthcare Hero volunteers
 
May 20, 2012 (East County) -- Two volunteer physicians, two members of a community service club and a hospice volunteer were among this year’s recipients of a 2012 Healthcare Hero award from the Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD).
 
 
 
(from left): GHD board members Dr. Michael Long, Debbie McElravy, Carol Lewis of the Kiwanis Club of Alpine, Dr. Robert Eisenberg of the San Diego Medical Society Foundation, Harry Bair of San Diego Hospice, Henry McAdams of La Mesa Lions Club, Dr. Steven Globus of Volunteers in Medicine, and GHD board members Michael Emerson, Gloria Chadwick, Bob Ayres. 

SILENCE OF THE LAMBS: U.S. GOVERNMENT AUTHORIZES KILLING OF ENDANGERED BIGHORNS IN PATH OF WIND PROJECT

By Miriam Raftery

May 19, 2012 (Ocotillo) -- In a precedent that has horrified wildlife experts, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has authorized the “take” (meaning harassment, displacement or even death) of 10 endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep – five ewes and five lambs. 

The decision comes after federal wildlife officials were provided photographic evidence by ECM  that the endangered animals were seen in recent weeks on the site of the just-approved Ocotillo Express wind energy facility—a presence federal officials and the project developer have long denied.

FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS INDEFINITE DETENTION AFTER JOURNALISTS AND ACTIVISTS FILE SUIT

 

By Miriam Raftery

May 19, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – A federal judge has ruled that section 1021 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 is unconstitutional, violating the First Amendment of the Constitution by having a chilling effect on free speech.

The clause allowed the U.S. military to arrest and indefinitely detain anyone—even U.S. citizens—for providing substantial support to terrorist groups.  Civil libertarians opposed the clause and journalists filed suit, arguing that the definition was so vague that reporters and political activists feared they could be indefinitely detained.

FARM BUREAU SPONSORS SAN DIEGO COUNTY FARM TOUR DAY JUNE 16

May 19, 2012 (Valley Center) – The San Diego County Farm Tour Day, sponsored by the Farm Bureau, on June 16 gives a close-up look at what fresh and local agriculture is all about from those who know it best: San Diego farmers. Eight local growers will open their farms to the public for San Diego County Farm Bureau’s third annual Farm Tour Day, with guided walking tours starting every half hour from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at each site. 

RAUL CARRANZA, LOCAL DISABILITY ACTIVIST, HOSPITALIZED AFTER MEDI-CAL CUTS NURSING CARE

 
“I want you to fight. Fight for me, fight for the millions of unheard voices.” – Raul Carranza
 
May 19, 2012 (San Diego)—When Medi-Cal cut Raul Carranza’s round-the-clock nursing care, the paralyzed student feared for his future.  “Please join us so we can stop these cuts and save not only my life, but thousands of others,”  Carranza said at the time, organizing rallies in an effort to restore in-home healthcare services.

NOTICE OF UPCOMING SMOKE TESTING OF SEWER PIPES

 
May 19, 2012 (La Mesa) -- The City of La Mesa has awarded a contract to conduct smoke testing of the sewer pipes within the area bound by State Route 125, Fletcher Parkway, the City Limit and Dallas Street. Smoking testing is a tool that the City uses to detect defects in the sewer pipes and system. An informational flyer will be distributed to the neighborhood 48 hours prior to the start of work. This door hanger contains useful information regarding the smoke testing procedure. The work is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday May 23, 2012.

CARE CLUB’S STUDENT DIRECTED FASHION SHOW: “THE ENDS JUSTIFY THE JEANS” MAY 25

 
May 19, 2012 (El Cajon) -- The CARE Club at El Cajon Valley High School, a student-directed fashion show, will host its fifth annual fashion show on Friday, May 25 at 7 p.m. in the El Cajon Valley High School gym.  This year, the theme will be “The Ends Justify the Jeans.”  The show will benefit the YWCA of San Diego and Laura’s House of Orange County, two organizations helping women.

2 MOTORCYCLISTS DOWN AT 78 NEAR BANNER GRADE


May 19, 2012 (San Diego’s East County Magazine)—Two motorcyclists are down in the roadway  in a serious injury accident on Highway 78 at Banner Grade in the Julian/Wynola area, Incident Page Network reports.  According to the CHP website, a citizen is attempting CPR on an injured rider while CHP is en route.

The accident is near a twist in the road approximately 1 mile north of a campground at the horse shoe curve. 

ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION NAMES LA MESA A TREE CITY USA COMMUNITY

 
May 19, 2012 (La Mesa) -- La Mesa, CA was recognized by the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA community for its commitment to urban forestry. It is the 32nd year La Mesa has earned this national designation.

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.

 

BIRD FEEDER BATTLES: WINNING THE WAR AGAINST SQUIRRELS

 
For bird lovers, the sight of a bushy tail hanging off the side of a feeder means just one thing: war.
 
May 19, 2012 (San Diego County) -- Sure, squirrels have to eat, too, and no one wants to harm the persistent critters. But that doesn’t mean you have to put up with squirrels scarfing down the seed you put out for the birds, damaging your feeders and bumping up your blood pressure. It’s possible to discourage squirrels—and even outsmart them—with the right seed mix and some nature-friendly squirrel-control tactics.

 

BE BOLD AT OPEN MICROPHONE NIGHT AT VALLEY MUSIC MAY 19

May 19, 2012 (El Cajon) – Valley Music Store is holding Open Microphone Night May 19 at 1611 N. Magnolia Ave., Ste. 310, El Cajon at 6:00 p.m.  Dress up as your favorite pirate or gypsy and take the stage to play, sing or tell family oriented jokes.  Or just listen and be supportive.

A light repast of water, snacks, coffee and cookies will be available for a small donation.  During Open Microphone all items in the store (excluding consignments) will be 20% off.

MAN ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING OF HELIX STUDENT

 
Suspect also approached two female students near Grossmont High, Police indicate
 
By Miriam Raftery
 
May 18, 2012 (La Mesa) – Daniel Hubbard of La Mesa has been arrested and charged with attempted kidnapping, false imprisonment and annoying a child following a joint investigation by La Mesa and El Cajon Police departments.  Hubbard is believed responsible for approaching three female high school students over the past week.   

SECOND BORDER FIRE NEAR DULZURA


May 18, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – A border fire in Jewell Valley that has been burning for several days is now 100% contained.  However a new fire erupted this afternoon on Marron Valley Road near Dulzura.  The new fire, known as Border Fire #7, is now 70% contained and its spread has been stopped, according to Cal-Fire.

Border Fire #7 has burned about 25 acres in the U.S. and 15 in Mexico.  The Incident Commander has released three fire crews and all air-tankers assigned.

3RD ANNUAL LAKESIDE RELAY FOR LIFE 2012 JUNE 9-10

May 18, 2012 (Lakeside) – The 3rd annual Lakeside Relay for Life will be held June 9-10. This is a 24 hour, free family fun event open to the public to raise funds and awareness for The American Cancer Society while having a great time together.

Teams of people camp out and take turns walking or running around the track. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event, which represents the reality that cancer never sleeps and neither do we. By participating, you honor cancer survivors, pay tribute to the lives we've lost to the disease, and raise money to help fight cancer in your community.

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