Casa de Oro has new “House of Gold” mural, thanks to ArtReach and Casa de Oro Alliance

Over 20 guns, military armored vests, stolen vehicles, drugs and fraud lab recovered during high-risk search in Spring Valley

Plane lands on freeway in Lakeside

Sheriff’s deputies to conduct increased Super Bowl DUI Patrols on Sunday

Trump administration’s new version of food pyramid draws criticism from health experts on fats and alcohol, praise for advice to “eat real foods” and avoid processed products

Reader’s Editorial: What I saw and heard in the ICE detention facility in California City

We need your help! We have more news tips for East County issues than our budget can cover

Felon arrested in Spring Valley on drug and weapons charges

La Mesa hosting Home Energy Fair in March

Supreme Court allows Prop 50 redistricting, bringing major shifts in representation for East County voters

Jamul Casino continues to support Black-led organizations

Calif. Attorney General asks for help to identify “unlawful” activity of ICE and Border Patrol

EAST COUNTY VIDEO ADVENTURE: RIVER PARK COMMUNITY DAY

 
View East County Magazine’s video of this event:  http://youtu.be/NrWud3-lEGM

 
By Billy Ortiz
Photos and video by Billy Ortiz
 
December 21, 2011 (Lakeside) --  Early in the morning on December 10 at the Lakeside River Park Conservancy, students from El Capitan High School AP Environmental Science Group, Lakeside River Valley High School, and biology students from Cuyamaca Collage joined members from AmeriCorps NCCC  for a Lakeside Community Day event. The day’s goal was to teach students how to construct habitat for small wildlife that lives along this stretch of the San Diego River. 

CUYAMACA COLLEGE AWARDED $535,000 GRANT FOR JOB TRAINING IN WATER/WASTEWATER TECHNOLOGY


December 21, 2011 (Rancho San Diego)As water becomes an increasingly precious resource in California, more public water agencies and businesses are hiring experts to help customers find ways to better conserve water. To meet this growing demand, Cuyamaca College has been awarded a $535,000 state grant to lead a partnership of seven California community colleges that will provide more training for jobs in the water and wastewater field.

(Cuyamaca College water/wastewater technology students tour the Point Loma treatment plant and see a sample of sludge from plant supervisor K.C. Shankles.)

EAST COUNTY RESIDENTS SERENADE MISSION VALLEY MALL


By Nadin Abbott

 
December 21, 2011 (San Diego) -- Twenty members of Women Occupy San Diego serenaded Mission Valley Mall with modified lyrics of traditional Christmas Carols to tell the message of the Occupy movement. According to Masada Disenhouse of La Mesa this will bring the Occupy message to the community at large.
 
 As another Occupier explained, “Middle Class Women are doing this so the next generation has a democracy.” She added, “this is a way to show another face of Occupy to people who have jobs.”

 

BLEU BOHEME BISTRO FESTIVITIES ON CHRISTMAS EVE DECEMBER 24


December 21, 2011 (Kensington) --  Chef/Owner Ken Irvine of the Bleu Boheme invites you to celebrate a festive "Vielle de Noel" Christmas Eve with a three-course meal, with three choices in each course for $45 per person, Saturday, December 24, 2011. Bleu Boheme is located at 4090 Adams Avenue, San Diego CA 92116, in the Kensington area (between Terrace Drive and Kensington Drive).

READER'S EDITORIAL: PUBLIC DEMAND FOR SUPERVISORS TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH REGARDING SMART METERS

By Susan Brinchman
Dear San Diego County Board of Supervisors,
 
December 20, 2011 (San Diego County) -- I am the Director of the national nonprofit, Center for Electrosmog Prevention, headquartered in La Mesa, CA. I add my urgent, repeated request for the SD County BOS to investigate and respond to the calamity befalling our county called "smart meters", courtesy of San Diego Gas and Electric, a company that I heard Supervisor Diane Jacobs criticize severely for other reasons, in front of a large audience at the El Cajon CPUC Rate Increase meeting in October. SDG&E have been caught repeatedly lying about smart meter complaints, minimizing these and covering them up.

THE SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPARTMENT CHRISTMAS TOY DELIVERY DEC. 21

 
December 20, 2011 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Police Department is holding its annual Mid-City Division Christmas toy delivery on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 beginning at 6:00 a.m. T
he toy delivery will be held at the Multicultural Storefront at 5348 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92105.

 

READER’S EDITORIAL: SDG&E WINS AGAIN; CONSUMERS AND FIRE VICTIMS LOSE


By Tom Myers
 
December 20, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) --The CPUC has approved SDG&E’s request to pass the cost of increased wildfire liability costs on to consumers.
 
Let's see...In testimony before the Powerlink was constructed, SDG&E said their
Power lines do not cause wildfire. The EIR said the Powerlink will cause wildfire during its expected life. CPUC approved the Powerlink. SDG&E changed their story and admitted they caused several 2007 wildfires in East County. CPUC fined SDG&E for lying to them, but let them proceed with Sunrise Powerlink.

SHERIFF’S YOU ARE NOT ALONE PROGRAM BRIGHTENS HOLIDAYS FOR SENIORS


December 20, 2011 (San Diego) -- Senior  Volunteer  Patrol  (SVP)  members  are  making sure the season is merry and bright for seniors who live alone. They  will  be  delivering  holiday  baskets  or  hot  meals  this month to seniors enrolled in the Sheriff’s You Are Not Alone (YANA) program.
 
The program ensures daily telephone calls and a weekly visit from a Senior Volunteer Patrol team year‐ round. If no one picks up the phone during the daily calls, a welfare  check  is  also  conducted. This  is a  FREE  service  for disabled people and seniors who live by themselves within the jurisdiction of the Sheriff’s Department. To enroll, please call (858) 565‐5200.

BILL GARRETT RETURNS AS GROSSMONT-CUYAMACA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD PRESIDENT IN 2012


December 20, 2011 (San Diego East County) -- The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board has unanimously selected Bill Garrett to serve a fifth term as president, while Mary Kay Rosinski and Edwin Hiel were elected to serve as fellow board officers for 2012. Garrett has served since 2008 as board president for the East County district, with about 30,000 students at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges.

 

KITTENS, CATS & DOGS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION - JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

 


December 20, 2011 (El Cajon) -- There are plenty of kittens, cats and dogs (large & small), even bunnies, all available for adoption at the El Cajon Animal Shelter. One fee includes their vaccinations, microchip, spay or neuter, as well as a visit to the vet.  In addition to adoptions, the shelter provides many services for the Cities of El Cajon and La Mesa.

 

EL CAJON POLICE HOLIDAY STOREFRONT NOW OPEN AT WESTFIELD PARKWAY

 


December 20, 2011 (El Cajon) -- Take a break from shopping and visit the El Cajon Police Holiday Storefront in the Westfield Parkway Plaza mall near the entrance to Dick's Sporting Goods store "now" through December 30. Stop by and see the restored 1942 Police vehicle, law enforcement photos and displays, plus valuable safety information from both police and fire. The storefront will be open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

 

LEONARD SMITH,OWNER OF LEONARD SMITH REALTY DIES


December 19, 2011 (La Mesa) -- The death of Leonard
 Smith, owner of Leonard Smith Realty on Grossmont Boulevard was confirmed Friday morning, December 16, by his son David.
 
According to his website, he began his real estate career in La Mesa in 1946. A charter member of the La Mesa Board of Realtors and past president, he was instrumental in organizing their Multiple Listing Service. He maintained a La Mesa office for 50+ years, enjoying a reputation of the highest integrity while specializing in selling fine homes in the Mt. Helix and East County areas.

LAKESIDE FIRE STATION GRAND OPENING

 

By Betty McMillen

December 19, 2011 (Lakeside) -- Dignitaries and VIPs braved the blustery wind for the grand opening of the new Lakeside Fire District Administration Office and combination Fire Station #2 on December 16.  It was branded a "sneak preview" since the station has about two weeks worth of finishing work to be done by the contractors.  Firefighters are hoping to be moved into the now empty 24,000 square foot structure by mid-January. 

EXPANDED TROLLEY SERVICE FOR POINSETTIA BOWL DEC. 21

Fans encouraged to travel early to see TCU take on Louisiana Tech

December 19, 2011(San Diego) -- The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is expanding Trolley service for the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl on December 21. Kickoff is at 5 p.m. and fans can park for free at MTS park-and-rides to avoid traffic and parking hassles.
 

HELIX WINS! LA MESA TEAM CAPTURES STATE CIF CHAMPIONSHIP 35-24

By Miriam Raftery

December 18, 2011 (La Mesa) – The Sacramento Bee called the Helix Highlanders “near perfect”, describing the football team as “a mixture of speed, power and fury…storming to a 28-10 halftime lead, scoring three touchdowns in a blur with their array of dazzling skill players sprinting downfield.” 

Ken Stone, editor of La Mesa Patch.com, was at the big game in Loomis, north of Sacramento. Topping what Stone dubbed a “magical season” with a 13-1 record, the team squared off against the Del Oro Golden Eagles, a formidable force with a 13-2 record.

SEC CHARGES FORMER FANNIE MAE AND FREDDIE MAC EXECUTIVES WITH SECURITIES FRAUD


 “All individuals, regardless of their rank or position, will be held accountable for perpetuating half-truths or misrepresentations about matters materially important to the interest of our country's investors." -- Robert Khuzami, Director, SEC Enforcement Division

 

December 18, 2011 (Washington D.C.) --The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has charged six former top executives of the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) with securities fraud. 

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY ISSUED FOR MOUNTAINS

December 18, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for mountain areas in San Diego County and other southern California mountain locations. Scattered snow showers are expected early this afternoon with the snow level falling to 4500 feet. Locations where snow is forecast include Cuyamaca, Mount Laguna, and Ranchita locally.

BODY OF MISSING MAN FOUND

 

 

On Monday, December 19, the search for Dan Hoff resumed.  At approximately 10:20 a.m., ASTREA discovered a body with a gun lying next to it, in the rural brush area on the back side of Iron Mountain.  The body was subsequently recovered and positively identified as Mr. Hoff.  The body sustained a single gunshot wound, apparently self-inflicted in a suicide.

Confirmation of the cause of death will be made by the Medical Examiner’s Office pending further investigation.

 

PG&E RECONNECTS ELECTRICITY FOR SIX FAMILIES WHO REMOVED SMART METERS


December 17, 2011 (La Mesa) -- PG&E, the utility that turned off the electricity for six families that had switched out smart meters for analog meters due to health problems that they believed were related to the wireless meters, has now reconnected them with electricity. 

CAJON VALLEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION HOLDS BREAKFAST WITH SANTA DEC. 19


December 17, 2011 (El Cajon) -- Hometown Buffet in El Cajon at 390 Main Street will be the site of a breakfast with Santa on Monday, December 19, 2011 from 7:00 until 9:00 a.m. Kids may wear their P.J.s!
 
Breakfast includes:
Scrambled eggs, sausage, oatmeal, fruit, coffee, milk, orange juice, tea, hash browns, pancakes, & toast.
 

DOE GIVES $700,000 ROOFTOP SOLAR CHALLENGE AWARD TO CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY


Project to streamline and standardize procedures and permitting for solar energy systems throughout Southern California
 
December 17, 2011 (San Diego) --  As part of the Department of Energy’s $12 million Rooftop Solar Challenge, the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) was awarded $700,000 to lead a team of 11 jurisdictions and five utilities across Southern California to streamline and standardize the installation of solar systems. The regional team will develop guidelines for expedient and uniform permitting and connection of rooftop solar aimed at reducing the cost of solar installations and making solar cost-competitive with other energy sources.

GIFTS TO HELP REFUGEES: INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE PRESENTS LIST AND SAVES LIVES

 December 17, 2011 (San Diego) –This holiday season, the International Rescue Committee offers options for socially conscious, eco-friendly and financially prudent shoppers – Rescue Gifts that save and improve lives of refugees and others hit by war and natural disaster.  

San Diego County last year welcomed more refugees than any other U.S. county, making this especially meaningful here. At Rescue.org/Gifts, holiday shoppers can choose Rescue Gifts to dedicate to friends or family members, including:

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