December 20, 2010 (Lake Morena) – Firefighters at the Lake Morena Fire Station heard an explosion at 8:45 p.m. last night. “They went outside and saw the house next door was on fire,” Cal-Fire Captain Mike Mohler told East County Magazine. Fire was through the roof, swiftly engulfing the small modular home.
December 20, 2010 (San Diego's East County)--State Route 67 will close in both directions between Prospect and Woodside Avenues tonight through Wednesday from 9 p.m. each night until 5 a.m. the next morning. In addition, starting at 8 p.m., the southbound Magnolia on-ramp, northbound Bradley Avenue on-ramp and Prospect Avenue off-ramp will also be closed. The closures will allow highway construction crews to install highway signs and remove k-rail.
December 20, 2010 (Spring Valley)- -San Miguel firefighters used a 100-foot ladder truck to access a third story roof, cutting ventilation holes to control a raging condominium fire that threatened multiple units in the 3000 block of Charwood Drive in Spring Valley just before 4 a.m.
Five people were inside the unit when the fire began. One occupant told investigators he was trying to light the fireplace when the lighter flame ignited and there was was a swift explosion, as a ball of flame and embers shot out onto the area rug.
December 20, 2010 (San Diego) -- A winter holiday crackdown by 14 local law enforcement agencies resulted in 122 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs from 12:01 a.m. Friday, December 18 to midnight Saturday, December 19. That’s more than double the 57 DUI arrests made during the same period in 2009. Fortunately, no fatalities associated with DUIs were reported this weekend.
Through year's end, DUI checkpoints, sting operations, multi-agency task force operations and warrant/ probation sweeps will be conducted by local law enforcement agencies.
Local representatives split votes down party lines
December 19, 2010 (Washington D.C.) – By a 65-31 vote, the U.S. Senate voted to end the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which barred gay and lesbian service members from serving openly in the military. The House approved the measure last week, which President Barack Obama is expected to sign.
December 18, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- To quote a favorite carol, "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" all across East County! Here are highlights from just some of the holiday festivities that have recently taken place in our communities.
At the Olde Time Christmas Village, sponsored by the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce, youngsters frolicked in snow--some for the first time.
December 18, 2010 (La Mesa) – A driver lost control of his vehicle on a rain-slicked roadway in the 5800 block of Lake Murray Blvd. at 1:15 this morning. The vehicle, which was traveling southbound, struck a large tree on the center median, then spun out of control and hit another tree. The force of the impact dislodged the engine and transmission. The engine was fond in the driveway of a home about 25 yards away.
December 17, 2010 (San Diego) – A strong Pacific storm is forecast to bring high rains to San Diego County through at least Wednesday of next week. Tne National Weather Service forecasts two to five inches of rain for San Diego’s mountain areas tonight through Sunday. Inland valleys may received up to two inches of rain, with a half inch forecast for desert areas.
December 17, 2010 (Jamul) 11:14 p.m. – A vehicle fire has spread into brush, sparking evacuation of a trailer park at 13800 Lyons Valley Road in Spring Valley, Incident Page Network reports. A rollover accident with a vehicle ending up in a ditch triggered the blaze, which was reported at 10:22 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.
December 17, 2010 (Jamul)-Jamul Drive was shut down this afternoon after a passerby found a dead man at 1:45 p.m. The body , which had blood on its face, was lying face-down in the 14000 block of Jamul Drive. California Highway Patrol officers responded and determined that the death did not result from a traffic accident, then summoned Sheriff’s homicide detectives.
December 18, 2010 (El Cajon) – Christmas on Prescott, a unique Chaldean Christmas Celebration, will be held Saturday, December 18 from 1-5 p.m. on Prescott Promeande in downtown El Cajon. The event will feature Christian Arabic carols and music, English carols and music, skits, Santa Claus, face painting, balloons, and more. In addition, downtown stores and restaurants are open while you enjoy the free Holly Jolly Trolley around downtown, strolling Christmas carolers, and merchant specials.
December 17, 2010 (La Mesa) – “Food, wine, art and a chance to talk with local people who are going about making the world a better place, one village at a time…what could be more in the holiday spirit?” asks an invitation from Shannon O’Dunn, owner of O’Dunn Art in La Mesa. Tonight from 5-7 p.m., she will host a wine-tasting event to benefit H.U.G.S. (Helping Ugandans Grow Stronger). The organization is raising funds to build a bakery in western Uganda that will provide jobs for women and girls in this impoverished area.
December 16, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about the most important issues globally and nationally.
December 16, 2010 (Santee) -- On Tuesday, December 14 shortly before 3 a.m.,a clerk at the 7-11 store at 9750 Cuyamaca Street in Santee was robbed at gun point by a man wielding a semi-automatic handgun, according to Sergeant Craig Johnson with the Sheriff’s Department.
December 16, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- The holiday season is upon us—bringing carols, crowded shopping malls and of course, Christmas lights! Several East County neighborhoods have taken it upon themselves to celebrate the holiday season with extravagant light displays for everyone to enjoy. Scroll down for descriptions, and view our map of holiday light displays in East County.
Judge grants Quechan Indian tribe’s request for temporary injunction on Tessera Solar plant in Imperial Valley; decision has ramifications for large-scale energy projects in East County and across the nation
By Miriam Raftery
December 16, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Local and statewide activists battling massive energy projects on public lands are praising a decision issued by U.S. District Court Judge Larry Burns yesterday, while the CEO of Tessera Solar says he is "deeply disappointed" in the ruling.
The federal Judge issued a temporary restraining order halting construction on the first massive desert solar project authorized on public lands—a project that if built, would be one of the largest solar power plants in the world.
December 16, 2010 (Santee) – “We’ve got at least 600 people here,” Santee Chamber of Commerce Warren Savage estimated, smiling broadly while sandwiched between teen beauty queens in the jam-packed lobby of Union Bank in Santee on December 2nd.
December 16, 2010 (Escondido) – Local sports fans will be able to cheer on a Padres’ Triple-A baseball team in Escondido starting with the season opening in 2013, if plans proceed on time to build a $50 million stadium approved yesterday by the Esondido City Council.
December 16, 2010 (Rainbow) – Martimiano Morales Carreon, 49, died on December 14th of injuries that he suffered after his foot became entangled in a pile of brush, pulling him into a commercial wood chipper at 9329 Moon Ridge Road, Rainbow.
The victim had been working with his son to clearn trees next to an avocado grove when the tragedy occurred.
December 16, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- If you're driving this morning, be aware of multilpe incidents that may pose hazards for motorists. CHP reports numerous minor collisions as well as several major accidents and a flooded roadway. Here are the latest reports:
December 16, 2010 (El Cajon )- Last night around 10 p.m., deputies from the Lemon Grove Sheriff's Station responded to a report of an armed home invasion robbery at 2966 Wildwind Drive in the Rancho San Diego area of unincorporated El Cajon near Steele Canyon County Park. (View map) Four armedm masked white men entered the home and held four victims at gunpoint while conducting the robbery, Sergeant Chris Davis reports. Victims were also bound and blindfolded.
December 16, 2010 (La Mesa)-- The Senior Resource Center at Sharp Grossmont Hospital offers free or low-cost educational programs and health screenings each month. The Senior Resource Center also provides information and assistance for health information and community resources. Below are classes offered for January on a wide range of topics of interest to seniors.
More than 25,000 reusable shopping bags to be given away Dec. 16
December 16, 2010 (San Diego)--To promote “green’” shopping for the holidays and beyond, San Diego County has declared Thursday, Dec. 16, “A Day Without a Bag,” with shoppers encouraged to forgo single-use bags, and retailers and volunteers planning to give away more than 25,000 reusable shopping bags at locations throughout the region.
December 16, 2010 (San Diego) --The FBI and several local banks are offering a combined reward of $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the “Geezer Bandit.”
The “Geezer Bandit” is believed to be responsible for robbing 12 banks since August 2009 throughout San Diego County, including East County, and most recently, in Bakersfield.
December 15, 2010 (Spring Valley)– To help make the holiday season brighter for low-income families in his district, Assemblymember Marty Block (AD-78) will sponsor the “Holiday Helping Hands” Event on Thursday, Dec. 16 from 12-1:30 p.m. (while supplies last), at the Family Health Centers of San Diego at 8788 Jamacha Road, Spring Valley.
In partnership with the Barona Band of Mission Indians, Block will distribute toys to children and families at the health center. He will also donate baby clothes and supplies to the health center’s Holiday Baby Boutique Program to assist expectant mothers and newborn babies.
December 15, 2010 (La Mesa) – An early morning fire at 4:30 a.m. Monday resulted in the death of a cat and sent the owner to a hospital with respiratory problems sustained while trying to locate her pet in a smoke-filled apartment unit.
Chez Nous Gourmet Deli and Café 9821 Carroll Canyon Road, Suite E, San Diego
858-566-4766
Review By Tanya Huang
December 15, 2010 (Scripps Ranch)--As I pull into the familiar small parking lot, the first places I’m forced to notice are Carl’s Jr. on my right and the local salon on my left. Then, slowly but surely, my eyes are drawn to the sky blue sign, “Chez Nous.” I feel as though I’ve spotted a long lost friend in a crowd of strangers. It’s been months since I’ve been home, in Scripps Ranch, and even longer since I’ve indulged in the best sandwich in town.
December 20, 2010 (Lake Morena) – Firefighters at the Lake Morena Fire Station heard an explosion at 8:45 p.m. last night. “They went outside and saw the house next door was on fire,” Cal-Fire Captain Mike Mohler told East County Magazine. Fire was through the roof, swiftly engulfing the small modular home.
December 20, 2010 (Spring Valley)- -San Miguel firefighters used a 100-foot ladder truck to access a third story roof, cutting ventilation holes to control a raging condominium fire that threatened multiple units in the 3000 block of Charwood Drive in Spring Valley just before 4 a.m.
December 18, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- To quote a favorite carol, "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" all across East County! Here are highlights from just some of the holiday festivities that have recently taken place in our communities.
December 18, 2010 (La Mesa) – A driver lost control of his vehicle on a rain-slicked roadway in the 5800 block of Lake Murray Blvd. at 1:15 this morning. The vehicle, which was traveling southbound, struck a large tree on the center median, then spun out of control and hit another tree. The force of the impact dislodged the engine and transmission. The engine was fond in the driveway of a home about 25 yards away.
December 17, 2010 (San Diego) – A strong Pacific storm is forecast to bring high rains to San Diego County through at least Wednesday of next week. Tne National Weather Service forecasts two to five inches of rain for San Diego’s mountain areas tonight through Sunday. Inland valleys may received up to two inches of rain, with a half inch forecast for desert areas.
December 17, 2010 (Jamul) 11:14 p.m. – A vehicle fire has spread into brush, sparking evacuation of a trailer park at 13800 Lyons Valley Road in Spring Valley, Incident Page Network reports. A rollover accident with a vehicle ending up in a ditch triggered the blaze, which was reported at 10:22 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.
December 17, 2010 (Jamul)-Jamul Drive was shut down this afternoon after a passerby found a dead man at 1:45 p.m. The body , which had blood on its face, was lying face-down in the 14000 block of Jamul Drive. California Highway Patrol officers responded and determined that the death did not result from a traffic accident, then summoned Sheriff’s homicide detectives.
December 18, 2010 (El Cajon) – Christmas on Prescott, a unique Chaldean Christmas Celebration, will be held Saturday, December 18 from 1-5 p.m. on Prescott Promeande in downtown El Cajon. The event will feature Christian Arabic carols and music, English carols and music, skits, Santa Claus, face painting, balloons, and more. In addition, downtown stores and restaurants are open while you enjoy the free Holly Jolly Trolley around downtown, strolling Christmas carolers, and merchant specials.
December 17, 2010 (La Mesa) – “Food, wine, art and a chance to talk with local people who are going about making the world a better place, one village at a time…what could be more in the holiday spirit?” asks an invitation from Shannon O’Dunn, owner of O’Dunn Art in La Mesa. Tonight from 5-7 p.m., she will host a wine-tasting event to benefit H.U.G.S. (Helping Ugandans Grow Stronger). The organization is raising funds to build a bakery in western Uganda that will provide jobs for women and girls in this impoverished area. 
December 16, 2010 (Santee) -- On Tuesday, December 14 shortly before 3 a.m.,a clerk at the 7-11 store at 9750 Cuyamaca Street in Santee was robbed at gun point by a man wielding a semi-automatic handgun, according to Sergeant Craig Johnson with the Sheriff’s Department. 
By Jeremy Los
By Miriam Raftery
December 16, 2010 (Escondido) – Local sports fans will be able to cheer on a Padres’ Triple-A baseball team in Escondido starting with the season opening in 2013, if plans proceed on time to build a $50 million stadium approved yesterday by the Esondido City Council. 
December 16, 2010 (Rainbow) – Martimiano Morales Carreon, 49, died on December 14th of injuries that he suffered after his foot became entangled in a pile of brush, pulling him into a commercial wood chipper at 9329 Moon Ridge Road, Rainbow.
ecember 16, 2010 (El Cajon )- Last night around 10 p.m., deputies from the Lemon Grove Sheriff's Station responded to a report of an armed home invasion robbery at 2966 Wildwind Drive in the Rancho San Diego area of unincorporated El Cajon near Steele Canyon County Park. (
More than 25,000 reusable shopping bags to be given away Dec. 16
December 16, 2010 (San Diego) --The FBI and several local banks are offering a combined reward of $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the “Geezer Bandit.” 
By Tanya Huang
Chez Nous Gourmet Deli and Café
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