June 23, 2011 (San Diego) – An attorney representing local groups opposed to Sunrise Powerlink presented arguments in U.S. District Court yesterday in San Diego, seeking to halt construction of the line on lands in East County owned by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
Plaintiffs’ attorney Stephen Volker represented the Protect Our Communities Foundation, Backcountry Against Dumps and the East County Community Action Coalition. Volker argued that the BLM’s environmental review was inadequate and that its approval of Powerlink will increase the number of acres of protected lands open to development from 51 acres to 41,000 acres in McCain Valley, a scenic federally owned wilderness area.
June 23, 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 global and national news stories include:
U.S.
Obama announces Afghanistan troop withdrawl plan (CNN)
House sets up Friday vote on limiting funding for Libya mission (The Hill)
Leading house democrats say social security cuts are a nonstarter (The Hill)
GOP hopefuls divided over anti-abortion pledge (NPR)
WORLD
U.S., other nations agree to release oil; prices fall (USA Today)
Israelimilitary begins to move West Bank barrier ( Jerusalem CNN)
Climate change: public skeptical, scientists sure (NPR)
Syria warns against outside influence (Sydney Morning Herald)
Mexico urges inquiry as U.S. shoots man on the border (BBC)
June 23, 2011 (Otay Water District) Otay Water District’s (the District) Board of Directors has declared an end to the District’s Water Shortage Response Plan Level 1. The District has been in a voluntary Level 1 water shortage since June 12, 2008. The Plan listed ten ways customers could voluntarily cut their water use by up to ten percent.
County Seeks to Ensure Low-Income, Homebound Seniors Have Fresh, Local Produce
June 23, 2011 (San Diego) -- On Thursday June 15th, the County of San Diego is launched More on the Menu (MOM), a community-supported program that will deliver fresh, locally grown produce to the neediest of the County’s elderly home-delivered meal clients. Program recipients are homebound and unable to buy fruits and vegetables for themselves. The weekly bag of fresh produce will provide healthy snacks and supplement the nutritious lunch-time meal these older adults already receive.
June 23, 2011 (San Diego) -- A prescription drug abuse taskforce, homeless prevention for students, water conserving landscaping and a traffic school of sorts for pet owners are among the County of San Diego’s innovative programs that won national recognition and the second highest number of awards in the country by the National Association of Counties (NACo).
Final Update: June 22 , 2011 -- The Border 9 Fire that began near In Ko Pah Park Rd, Jacumba in San Diego's East County is now 100% contained. The blaze charred 380 acres (40 in the U.S. and 340 in Mexico), Cal-Fire reports.
June 22, 2011 (San Diego)--SummerFest tickets are selling fast! Join us June 26 at Mission Trails Regional Park for a feast cooked up by Chefs de Cuisine, plus wine and beer tasting, live music, thousands of dollars in prizes and more -- all for just $25 ($20 if you buy 2 or more tickets) if you buy in advance online (at the door: $30 or two for $50).
June 14, 2011 (Valley Center) -- The Key Creek Lavender Farm will be holding a Forage Dinner on June 25 at 6:30 p.m. This unique, five course dinner will serve local, organic vegetables grown at Morning Star Ranch, as well as fresh produce from other local organic farmers.
June 22, 2011 (San Diego) -- Wildfires are increasing in both absolute number and severity in the American southwest and this trend is predicted to continue over decades to come. Wildfire prevention has now become a major priority, and scientists at the University of California, San Diego have received federal funding to devise descriptive and predictive simulation tools to help prevent or suppress wildfires.
With a one-year grant* from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Cyberinfrastructure, effective June 1, the UC San Diego researchers have opened a new phase for their SDFireSight project. They will develop a technical framework and computer models that will simulate the conditions that can spark a wildfire in San Diego’s ‘backcountry’.
June 21, 2011 (El Cajon) – “We had some uninvited guests last night drive right up to our front porch. Check out the great parking job,” Jim Symington stated in an e-mail sent to ECM and friends.
The accident occurred last night around 10 p.m. at the home of Jim and Nikki Symington on Tyrone Street in the Fletcher Hills neighborhood. The car also knocked down powerlines, taking down power to some 200 residences ,according to Incident Page Network.
June 21, 2011 (Sacramento) –The budget vetoed by Governor Jerry Brown this week included 19 bills cobbled together into the budget package. Among those was ABx 1 29, which sought to establish an annual $150 fee for homeowners to fund firefighting costs in areas under state (Cal-Fire) jurisdiction.
“Once again, members of California’s desperate legislature are unfairly targeting rural property owners to make up for the State’s inability to balance its budget and adequately fund fire protection,” Supervisor Dianne Jacob said of the measure, which also drew strong opposition from rural residents.
June 21, 2011 (Santee) -- The Via Moto restaurant is now in Santee. A grand opening was June 15 for the 4,400-square-foot Via Moto restaurant in The Marketplace in Santee, California. According to Michael Pirraglia, owner and restaurateur, Via Moto is a new Italian dining concept that will feature an express section where diners can order at the counter, a full service bar and dining area for table service, and a vast selection of local and draft beer at the indoor/outdoor bar. The restaurant will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. in The Marketplace, at Mission Gorge Road and Carlton Oaks Boulevard.
June 21, 2011 (San Diego) -- The paintings of Chuck McPherson, an East County resident, are often among the winners in exhibitions he enters. Since 2008 he has won almost forty awards for his paintings. In the San Diego Watercolor Society's 31 Annual International Exhibition, his watercolor painting, Cantos Cove, New England ,was juried into the show, and earned McPherson Signature Status.
June 23, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--A quick perusal of the definition of the word “govern” reveals the critical inclusions to be: manipulate, restrain, control and exercise authority. In consideration of same, one cannot but conclude that even the most legislatively restrained government is a sovereignty led by a body of rulers; who, in the USA, are elected to “serve and protect” the governed.
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.
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.
June 17, 2011 (San Diego) – Opponents of SDG&E’s Sunrise Powerlink hope to have their day in court on Tuesday, June 21. A lawsuit filed by three local organizations seeking an injunction to halt the Powerlink is set for hearing at 9 a.m. in U.S. District Court at 940 Front Street, Courtroom 3, in downtown San Diego.
June 20, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The driver of an SUV that plunged over an embankment off I-8 westbound just west of Highway 94 is trapped, CHP’s website reports. According to Incident Page Network, the SUV plummeted 100 feet and a second vehicle is involved; a medical helicopter has been ordered to the scene.
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 ofmathematics, 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.
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.”
June 20, 2011 (East County) -- Summer programs at the three East County YMCAs are available for all people in the East County community. Programs include chlid care, swimming, sports, summer camps and more.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
June 23, 2011 (San Diego) – An attorney representing local groups opposed to Sunrise Powerlink presented arguments in U.S. District Court yesterday in San Diego, seeking to halt construction of the line on lands in East County owned by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
June 23, 2011 (Otay Water District) Otay Water District’s (the District) Board of Directors has declared an end to the District’s Water Shortage Response Plan Level 1. The District has been in a voluntary Level 1 water shortage since June 12, 2008. The Plan listed ten ways customers could voluntarily cut their water use by up to ten percent.
June 22, 2011 (San Diego)--SummerFest tickets are selling fast! Join us June 26 at Mission Trails Regional Park for a feast cooked up by Chefs de Cuisine, plus wine and beer tasting, live music, thousands of dollars in prizes and more -- all for just $25 ($20 if you buy 2 or more tickets) if you buy in advance online (at the door: $30 or two for $50).
June 21, 2011 (Sacramento) –The budget vetoed by Governor Jerry Brown this week included 19 bills cobbled together into the budget package. Among those was ABx 1 29, which sought to establish an annual $150 fee for homeowners to fund firefighting costs in areas under state (Cal-Fire) jurisdiction. 
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.
June 20, 2011 
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 
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.
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