February 23, 2012 (San Diego)--Four candidates running for the redrawn 52nd Congressional District seat currently held by Rep. Brian Bilbray met Tuesday for a lively debate during a luncheon sponsored by the Conservative Order of Good Government Club in Rancho Bernardo. Participants included incumbent Brian Bilbray, Republican challenger John K. Stahl (a veteran and businessman), and two Democrats: former Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña and former City Council president Scott Peters.
Issues discussed ranged from job creation to immigration to working across the aisle with the other party, as well as energy policy. While candidates clashed on views, an ECM fact-check on claims by all candidates reveals mostly—but not entirely—truthful statements.
$3,000 reward offered for information leading to arrest of shooter
February 23, 2012 (Alpine) – A dog found shot and abandoned in Alpine is improving after surgery, ECM news partner 10 News reports. Named “Chance” by veterinary staff, the golden retriever mix is no longer on oxygen or an IV; Chance is eating and drinking on his own and may soon be available for adoption.
Proposed “Blunt Amendment” would let employers deny coverage for blood transfusions, birth control, AIDS or cancer treatments, and more
Rep. Issa (R-San Diego) draws heat for restricting testimony to men only at hearing on women’s health
By Miriam Raftery
February 21, 2012 (Washington D.C.) – Disguised as an amendment to limit options for women’s health, the “Blunt Amendment” (S. 1467) introduced byU.S. Senator Roy Blunt and supported by conservatives in Congress goes much farther.
It would allow employers to design their own healthcare plans under the Affordable Care Act and to exclude any “specific items or services” that are “contrary to the religious beliefs or moral convictions of the sponsor, issuer, or other entity offering the plan.”
February 23, 2012 -- (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.
General news
Supreme Court takes up affirmative action case (ABC News)
Post Office closings isolate small towns and poor (MSNBC)
Obama to float corporate tax overhaul (Reuters)
Presidential Election
25 percent of Super PAC money comes from 5 rich donors (USA Today)
Super PAC donors revealed: Who are the power players in the GOP primary? (Washington Post)
Is Santorum too extreme for the middle? (Los Angeles Times)
February 22, 2012 (Lemon Grove) -- The fabulous Cremer Family that lived in Lemon Grove's famous H. Lee House for half a century will return to the scene of their saga on Mar. 1 at 7 p.m. on the next "History Alive" lecture sponsored by the Lemon Grove Historical Society.
February 22, 2012 (Alpine) -- The Alpine Sheriff's Station is hosting an evening with Lieutenant Jose Sanchez and Alpine Sheriff's Detective Rich Bolter on Thursday, March 1 at the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Blvd.
February 22, 2012 (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. For more information, call 619-740-4214. For other programs, call 1-800-827-4277 or visit our web site at www.sharp.com.
University of New Mexico Now In Sole Possession of First Place in Mountain West Conference
By Ryan Schuler
February 22, 2012 (San Diego)--This was as close to winner-take-all game as a regular season game gets, except this winner became leader of the Mountain West Conference and controlled their destiny of winning the regular season title.
The script was written. After losing to No. 14/16 UNLV, No. 13/15 SDSU (20-5, 6-3 MWC) was back at home on February 15 in the friendly confines of Viejas Arena. They were facing a team they had beaten earlier on the road. They had not lost back-to-back games since January 2010.
February 22, 2012 (Lakeside)--Once a month, on the corner of Los Coches and Olde Highway 80 in Lakeside, you will find a charity event happening at the 7/11 mini market.
The events described below are sponsored by the County of San Diego and open to all Alpiners - COMMUNITY INPUT IS NEEDEDReprinted with permission from the Alpine Community Network
February 22, 2012 (Alpine) -- To all Alpine residents, landowners, and business operators, your input is needed this week for creating the Alpine Village Core Implementation Plan.
Learn how the Navy is going green, plus hear national and local leaders' visions for the future of our region and nation
February 20, 2012 (San Diego)-- Navy Captain Marko Medved, Congressional members Susan Davis and Bob Filner are the latest speakers confirmed to join UnitedGREEN’s Forging a Sustainability Symposium March 3-4 at San Diego State University. They join a long list of distinguished national and international presenters and panelists, including keynote speaker Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
February 22, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) -- ECM columnist Cate Sacks, owner of the local shelter rescue and dog training company, Shelter Dogs to Dream Dogs, is no stranger to odd animal antics. But bad behavior hit close to home when Scooter, her seven-pound pet Maltese, was mauled by a stranger dog while out in public with the family.
The attack left a two-inch hole in Scooter's chest cavity and lungs. He also almost lost his eye and more.
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February 21, 2012 (Bonita) – Johnathon Richard Kordylas, 18, of Bonita has been identified by the San Diego Medical Examiner’s office as the driver who died February 18 following a car accident in the 2400 block of S. Woodman Street in San Diego.
Events feature discounts on low-water-use plants, information from gardening experts
February 21, 2012 (San Diego County) -- San Diego County residents interested in making their yards and gardens more attractive and water efficient will have an opportunity to get information from gardening experts and save up to 50 percent on select varieties of low-water-use plants at San Diego County Garden Friendly Plant Fairs this spring at select The Home Depot locations.
February 20, 2012 (San Diego)--2012 will prove to be an interesting electoral cycle, perhaps one for the history books. With the Occupy Movement, the Coffee Party, the Tea Party and now Be Your Government (http://beyourgovernment.org/) we are seeing a rise in a challenge to the Beltway Establishment.
February 20, 2012 (Ramona) – Several witnesses saw a man enter Nancy’s Cleaners at 1688#A Main Street in Ramona at 12:45 a.m. yesterday. According to Sgt. Daniel Vengler with the San Diego Sheriff, the burglar took the cash register and left, but dropped it outside. He picked up a small amount of cash and fled northeast from the shopping center on foot.
Authorities seek info on shooter; owner found but relinquishes dog
February 21, 2012 (Alpine)—A dog found lying on the side of Viejas Grade Road near Willows Road in Alpine with a bullet in its chest remains in extremely serious condition following surgery.The 40-pound retriever mix was found by a passerby and a Viejas firefighter yesterday morning around 7:30 a.m.
February 21, 2012 (San Diego) -- Timeshare owners across the country are being scammed out of millions of dollars by unscrupulous companies that promise to sell or rent the unsuspecting victims’ timeshares, the FBI has warned.
Lakeside, Fallbrook, Spring Valley Community Centers Promote Fun Heart Health Feb. 29
February 21, 2012 (San Diego East County) -- Leap year presents us with an extra day this February — which is also American Heart Month. In celebration, the San Diego County Department of Parks and Recreation is inviting people to do some literal leaping on Feb. 29 with free exercise classes at its three community centers.
Choose from Zumba, Boot Camp, Fitness Fusion or Fitness Yoga. Take the free day to try a fun class — it might just inspire you to return often and keep your heart healthy for many leap years to come.
February 21, 2012 (La Mesa) - A 17-year-old boy was struck by a trolley in downtown La Mesa today after attempting to beat the trolley by running across the tracks. La Mesa Patch reports the teen suffered "survivable" injuries and was conscious when rescued shortly after 11 a.m. today.
February 21, 2012 (Spring Valley) – A 28-year-old man was arrested this morning for assaulting his girlfriend, 35, and his mother at 1635 Canyon Road, #40, in Spring Valley. Deputies from the Lemon Grove Station responded to a call regarding the attack shortly after midnight. According to Sergeant V.J. Rivera, the suspect “wanted to hurt himself and he had a knife with him.”
February 21, 2012 (Jacumba) – Three-year-old Destiny Pierce is a survivor. Born with no trachea and with organs on the wrong side of her body, she defied doctors’ predictions that she would not live 24 hours and survived heart surgery.
"Mr. Pierce left his job and stopped his education of becoming a nurse so that he could stay at home and take care of his little angel, Destiny,"
said Lorrie Ostrander, a Jacumba resident who started a fundraiser to help the family in this small high-desert town in East County. Anthony Pierce needs a car to transport his "miracle" daughter to her medical appointments.
February 20, 2012 (La Mesa)—Two suspects, one armed with a silver handgun, forced three employees at the Lake Murray Café into the kitchen and stole their personal cash after they were unable to open the restaurant’s safe on February 17 at approximately 9:45 p.m. The suspects were last seen running westbound away from the business, located at 5465 Lake Murray Blvd. in La Mesa.
February 20, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--As a real estate agent, I’ve seen firsthand frustrations with factors that are needlessly driving down housing prices. Below are some of those factors, along with potential solutions.
Federal Government Asks for Additional Time to Process Proposal that Will Launch the Community-Based Adult Services Program
February 20, 2012 (Sacramento) -- The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) today announced that the elimination of the optional Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) benefit will be delayed until March 31. The one-month delay is in response to a request by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for more time to process California’s amendment to the existing 1115 “Bridge to Reform” waiver to implement the new Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) program.
February 20, 2012 (La Mesa) – at 5:45 a.m. on February 18, La Mesa Police officers responded to a radio call of a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of 7484 University Avenue. As officers arrived, the suspect vehicle fled and failed to yield to officers. A short vehicle pursuit ensued, ending when the suspect vehicle collided with a utility pole at Lowell Street and Normal Avenue. As the primary officer exited his vehicle, the suspect put his vehicle in reverse, driving at the officer and striking the officer’s patrol car.
February 20, 2012 (La Mesa) Former Grossmont High School head football coach Ron Murphy passed away on Tuesday after a battle with skin cancer. Murphy was 48 years old.
Grossmont High School dedicated its basketball game against Helix High School in honor of Murphy. Grossmont High School also held a celebration of Murphy’s life on Saturday morning at the football field on campus.
February 20, 2012 (Alpine) – The Alpine Community Planning Group’s agenda for February 23 includes addressing SDG&E’s request for a noise variance to fly helicopters on Sundays through May. Also on the agenda is a subcommittee recommendation for Albertson’s Park, a presentation by the County on streetscape improvements (phase 2) for Alpine Boulevard, and an update from SDG&E on Powerlink, streetscapes and underground utilities.
By Miriam Raftery
Authorities seek info on shooter; owner found but relinquishes dog 
February 21, 2012 (Jacumba) – Three-year-old Destiny Pierce is a survivor. Born with no trachea and with organs on the wrong side of her body, she defied doctors’ predictions that she would not live 24 hours and survived heart surgery. 
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