The art and spirit of Borrego Springs in downtown San Diego

California State Parks photo contest deadline extended through Oct. 23

Linchpin encourages people to find their value in the workplace

GUHSD agenda tonight includes restricting protests outside school board meetings, allowing prayers and other controversial measures

Evacuations lifted in Rancho Fire

San Diego Humane Society urging adoptions during overcrowding crisis

Judge denies Grecia Figueroa's civil harassment restraining order request against Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher

All that and pumpkins, too: 50 years and counting at Christmas Tree Farm in El Cajon

Crest achieves Firewise USA® recognition, a communitywide commitment to wildfire preparedness

Dog costume contest and Halloween party Oct. 25 in El Cajon aims to be a treat for pets and their owners

Brews & Bites event coming to Santee Oct. 18

Chicago ICE raid draws condemnation over tactics including zip-tying naked children and terrorizing residents, even citizens

SHERIFF DEPUTY FINDS SHOOTER IN VALLEY CENTER SCHOOL BUS INCIDENT

 

Update June 21, 2011:  The shooting has been found to be the result of a 17-year-old who was target shooting at his family's property when a bullet ricocheted off an object in the target area and struck the bus.  Deputy Ken Simon, special purpose officer assigned to the Rincon Reservation, contacted the homeowners who were "very cooperative" in the investigation."  While the act is believed to be unintentional, the investigation will be sent to the District Attorney's office for review.

 

June 20, 2011 (Valley Center)--A Project Headstart school bus with two adults and six children on board was struck by a single .22 bullet around 8:45 this morning in Valley Center. None of the children or adults were injured, Sergeant Bob Bishop with the San Diego Sheriff’s office confirms.

MAN SEVERELY BURNED IN SUICIDE ATTEMPT AT BURNING LAKESIDE HOME

 

June 21, 2011 (Lakeside) Updated 2:25 p.m. – A man has suffered second and third degree burns over 70% of his body in an apparent suicide attempt, according to Sgt. Everard Dayrit with the San Diego Sheriff’s Department.

 

Emergency personnel were called to a report of an explosion at a modular home in the 12000 block of Lakeside Court at 7:20 this morning, where firefighters found the man suffering burns to his face and upper body after the blaze was doused.

ANAT TOUR, EAST COUNTY’S RENAISSANCE WOMAN

 

By Dennis Moore 

 

June 20, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County resident Anat Tour, originally from Canada, is our community’s own Renaissance woman—a master of  mathematics, art, music, writing and much more.  By day, she is a mother of four and a math teacher at a local high school; by night, she is the lead singer for Possession, a local band. In between, she is a writer and illustrator of children’s books, as well as an animator.  She has also been an international model, which is easily discernible by her stage presence and how she carries herself.

NEW WEB-BASED TOOL ALLOWS PUBLIC TO SEARCH DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S ACTIVE CRIMINAL CASES

 
Public Able to Sign Up for Case-Related Email Notifications
 
June 20, 2011 (San Diego) San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis announced  last week that a new web page where the general public and members of the media can access basic information on open criminal cases being prosecuted by the District Attorney’s Office, as well as receive email notifications when new hearing and court dates are set for specific cases.
 
“It’s important that members of the public, especially victims, interested in our cases have a place where they can easily find basic information,” DA Dumanis said. “This web page is in keeping with our office’s commitment to openness and transparency and allows anyone to access up-to-date information online about criminal cases.”
 

FATHER'S DAY FACT: DAD'S EXPOSURES CAN BE SIGNIFICANT PRIOR TO PREGNANCY

 
UCSD Experts Say Many Paternal Exposures Can Affect Sperm & Lead To Infertility 

 
June 18, 2011 (San Diego) - According to the California Teratogen Information Service (CTIS) Pregnancy Health Information Line, a statewide non-profit that educates the public about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding, more studies are needed to evaluate the potential effect of illnesses, medications and men's lifestyle habits and their impact on both fertility and pregnancy.

ROB SAUVAJOT APPOINTED TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/VICE PRESIDENT OF THE EAST COUNTY FAMILY YMCA

June 20, 2011  (East County) -- When Steve Rowe East County Family YMCA’s executive Director/VP left the local Y to tackle his new role as the new Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer of the YMCA of San Diego County, Rob Sauvajot was appointed to the Executive Director/Vice President of the East County Family YMCA. Rob previously served as the Executive Director of the Peninsula YMCA in Point Loma. Rob’s long career at the YMCA of San Diego County started at the La Jolla YMCA in 1988 as a Day Camp leader. At the La Jolla YMCA, he held positions such as Childcare site supervisor, Day Camp Coordinator, Program Department Head and Associate Executive Director before accepting his former position as Executive Director of the Peninsula Family YMCA in 2004.

 

MAN ARRESTED FOR LEWD ACT WITH A CHILD IN A PUBLIC RESTROOM

June  20, 2011 (La Mesa) -- On 06/15/11, at approximately 6:53 p.m. a witness walked into the men’s restroom at the Vons located at 8011 University Avenue in La Mesa.  The witness observed an adult male sitting on the toilet with his pants down.  The adult male had a 2 year old child on his lap and the witness observed the child touching the male’s penis.  The witness reported the incident to the La Mesa Police Department.

 

The adult male was identified by La Mesa detectives as 29 year old Russell Cilibraise III. On 06/17/11, Cilibraise was arrested by detectives for Lewd and Lascivious Acts with a Child – 288(a) PC and is currently being held on $100,000 bail.
 

LAKE MURRAY FIREWORKS ON FOR THE 4TH OF JULY, BUT BANDS CANCELLED

June 20, 2011 (Lake Murray) -- Lake Murray's fireworks display will be there this 4th of July for all surrounding neighbors and friends. The program will start at 9:15 p.m. at Lake Murray on the fourth of July.

 

However, the show has had to cancel the entertainment part of the performance due to lack of funds.

NORTHBOUND RAMP FROM I-15 TO 94 CLOSED DUE TO FATALITY

Update:  The victim has been identified as a Cal-Trans worker who was clearing debris from the lane.

 

June 20, 2011 (San Diego)—A pedestrian has been struck and killed on the on-ramp from I-15 northbound to Highway 94 eastbound, Incident Page Network reports. The ramp is closed to traffic and a SIG Alert has been issued.

ANDERSON BILL REQUIRING STATE TO TAKE OWN IOU’S AS PAYMENTS PASSES STATE SENATE

 

June 20, 2011 (Sacramento) – Legislation authored by Senator Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon) aimed at protecting taxpayers and businesses from the impacts of state-issued IOUs has been approved by the State Senate.

“What’s good for the goose is good for the gander,” stated Senator Joel Anderson. “Right now, the state IOU process is a forced-borrowing scheme at the expense of the taxpayers. This measure will offer taxpayers protection by forcing the state to accept its own IOU as payment.”

CONGRESSWOMAN DAVIS SAYS SHE IS WORKING TO “STOP THE PAIN AT THE PUMP”

 

June 19, 2011 (San Diego) – Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego), whose district may soon extend to include La Mesa, part of El Cajon and other areas in East County with reapportionment, has joined several other legislators in sending a letter asking Attorney General Eric Holder to conduct an investigation into oil speculation.  The legislators seek to “determine whether illegal practices may be artificially inflating oil and gas prices” and also ask for “common sense limits" on the  trading of oil futures.

 

 “It's infuriating that major oil companies continue to profit from tax exemptions while American families struggle with rising gas prices," Davis said in a letter to constituents. "I joined in sending a letter to Vice President Biden asking him to make sure that cutting unnecessary tax subsidies for major oil companies is part of a deal to reduce the deficit.”

VIOLENT ASSAULT ON CAB DRIVER NEAR COLLEGE AREA

June 19, 2011 (San Diego) –A cab driver was attacked, beaten and struck in the head with a rock by a couple he gave a ride to on Friday night near San Diego State University.

 

 According to San Diego Police officer Frank Cali, around 9:55 p.m., the cabbie picked up a man and a woman at Winona Ave. and El Cajon Blvd. He drove them to 5739 Adelaide Avenue in the El Cerrito neighborhood near San Diego State University. When the driver turned to the woman for payment, the male passenger punched him. The cab driver jumped out of the taxi and ran down the street as the cab rolled into a parked truck, however the suspects pursued the driver and brutally attacked him.

CUTS TO MEDICARE APPROVED BY GOP HOUSE WOULD HAVE MAJOR IMPACTS ON EAST COUNTY SENIORS AND DISABLED PEOPLE, ANALYSIS FINDS

 

In the 52nd Congressional District represented by Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon),  a Democratic analysis estimates the plan would shift thousands of dollars in costs onto individuals --$182,000 to $287,000 per person for those ages 44-54--while sharply cutting benefits for those over age 54 and the disabled.

 

June 19, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – How will the bill passed in April by House Republicans’ to cut $1 trillion in Medicare costs impact people in East County and San Diego?


The plan would eliminate Medicare for those now under 55, making them use vouchers for private insurance instead. Some benefits for current Medicare beneficiaries and the disabled would be cut immediately. Seniors would pay more for prescriptions and government reimbursement to private insurers would not keep pace with the rising cost of medical care, resulting in seniors paying higher costs.  That's based on numerous independen analyses, from the Wall Street Journal to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).
 

Now ranking members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee have posted a breakdown by Congressional districts that shows majorl impacts on seniors and even greater cuts to those currently under 55.

THE SPACE BAR INTERNET CAFE - 4TH THURSDAY OPEN MICROPHONE JUNE 23

 

June 19, 2011 (La Mesa) --On Thursday, June 23, The Space Bar Intenet Cafe will presenting  RegE Gaines with host  Jim Moreno. The Space Bar feature is part of its 4th Thursday  Open Mic -- Jihmye. The Gaines performance will contain works of the spoken word, poetry, song and dance. The open mic session will begin at 7:30 p.m, and end at 10:00 p.m.  In addition to the entertainment, the Space Bar is also home to coffee, tea, soothies, and a deli.

The Space Bar is located at 7454 University Ave., La Mesa, CA 91942 

                                            Info: (619) 461-7100 (619) 285-9737

Jim Moreno describes RegE as he has seen him in performance:
 

NO LICENSE, NO CAR, NO EXCEPTION

 

 

June 19, 2011 (LaMesa) --The La Mesa Police Department conducted a Court Sting Operation at the East County branch of the San Diego Superior Court on Thursday, June 16, 2011.  Our main focus was to identify those drivers who continue to drive even after having their license suspended as the result of a prior DUI arrest.  The detail was operational for about two and a half hours.  In the end, 10 subjects were contacted and 8 of them were found to be driving on a suspended or revoked license.  All of them were issued a citation and their cars were impounded and then placed on a hold due to the driver having a suspended license. 
                                             

 

PHOTOS OF THE MONTH: EAST COUNTY SHOWS ITS PATRIOTIC SPIRIT

June 19, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – From La Mesa’s Flag Day Parade to the Wings Over Gillespie Air Show in El Cajon, East County displayed its patriotic pride.

 

At left, Dexter Levy drives a vintage auto in La Mesa's Flag Day Parade, heralding in the City's upcoming Centennial year of celebration. Photo by Kristin Kjaero.

ON THE SILVER SCREEN: STARK RAVING NOMAD

By Brian Lafferty

 

June 18, 2011 (San Diego) – After watching Korkoro I fondly recalled the stories of my Uncle John and “the Gypsies.” When my sisters were little, he would warn them about the Gypsies and how they wouldn’t hesitate to snatch them while they slept. If you left root beer outside, maybe my sisters would have a fighting chance.

 

If only Korkoro was as interesting as these stories.

 

FOR THE BIRDS: NESTS FOUL POWERLINK CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE

 

 

June 18, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Nesting birds have accomplished what thus far, citizens opposed to the Sunrise Powerlink have not been able to manage: slowing down construction of the project. According to a newsletter sent by the Community Alliance for Sunrise Powerlink, some birds have sought to nest in construction equipment and in other works area, “significantly hampering construction.”

LA MESA POLICE ARREST 2 “HOT PROWL” BURGLARS

 

June 18, 2011 (La Mesa)—La Mesa Police have arrested two juveniles linked to burglaries in the community.

 

A woman living at a condominium complex at 5700 Baltimore Drive called 911 on June 15 around 3:57 p.m. to report an attempted burglary. She told police that two males knocked on her door for several minutes, but she didn’t answer because she did not recognize them. Soon, after she heard her kitchen window screen being removed and saw one of the strangers entering through the window.

ELDERLY WOMAN FIGHTS FOR LIFE AFTER ATTACK BY NEIGHBOR'S PIT BULLS

 

June 18, 2011 (Paradise Hills) – A 75-year-old woman has suffered injuries that are “life threatening” after her next-door-neighbor’s two pit bull dogs attacked her early this morning, according to Sgt. Ray Battrick with the San Diego Police Department.

 

Emako Mendoza was in the backyard of her home at 5800 Alllegheny Street in Paradise Hills when the dogs entered her yard through a hole in the fence.

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