June 11, 2010 (Sacramento) - The California State Senate unanimously passed Assembly Concurrent Resolution 131, which grants historic designation to the portion of Highway 94 from Jamacha Road in Rancho San Diego to the junction with Historic Route 80. Authored by Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon), the Resolution previously passed the Assembly and is now law.
June 10 (Santee) - Tuesday evening (June 8) was the night that many baseball fans eagerly waited for: the Major League debut of Washington Nationals' pitching ace Stephen Strasburg, an alum of West Hills High School and San Diego State University.
Fans got what they hoped for and more as Strasburg's performance lived up to the hype that preceded it. Nationals Ballpark in Washington D.C. was sold out with 40,315 in attendance to see the Nationals play the Pittsburgh Pirates and witness what may prove to be one of the team's historic moments.
A look at Strasburg's statistics shows a game of dominance and efficiency. Over seven complete innings, he struck out 14 batters, gave up no walks and threw only 94 pitches, 65 of them for strikes. His velocity reached 100 MPH, but a healthy dose of off-speed pitches kept Pirates hitters off balance for much of the game.
San Miguel Fire District has voted 4-2 against putting a ballot measure on the ballot to reduce the number of board members from seven to five. Members Clark and Jackson voted in favor; Johnston, Augustine, Rickards and Winters voted against. Board member Brainard was absent. Clark, Winter and Augustine have seats up for reelection this fall.
Chief August Ghio said the board weighed information from its attorney, an impassioned plea from a member of the public who spoke against reducing the board, and impacts on the board’s ability to serve the public in making its decision.
June 11, 2010 (San Diego) -- I strongly believe in approaching every movie I review with as neutral an attitude as possible, with no preconceived notions as to whether or not I will like it. The A-Team made it simultaneously difficult and easy. It was difficult in the sense that I’m a huge fan of the original series and easy in that the show was not a work of art. The episodes followed a strict formula and contained mindless action, yet it worked because it was entertaining, energetic, and fun. This movie works because it follows in that same spirit that made the show fun to watch.
June 10, 2010 (Santee) – On June 12, Santee Lakes will come alive with the sounds of orchestral and jazz music. Young Artists Symphony (YAS) and the Santee-Lakeside Rotary are collaborating to present this special evening of music, dance, refreshments, wine and cuisine at the YAS Symphony at the Lakes.
June 11, 2010 (San Diego) – A man driving a pickup truck the wrong way on 43rd Street in the Talmadge neighborhood refused to pull over for a police officer. A high-speed pursuit ensued, with additional officers joining the pursuit. While crossing Altadena in the 5000 block of Orange Avenue, the truck ran a stop sign and struck a police car at a high speed from the front right side, damaging both vehicles badly. The truck then hit 13 other parked vehicles.
June 10, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – Celebrating East County’s multitude of cultures from around the world, the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce is organizing a Summer Music & Culture Festival. The event, which is free to the public, will be held Sunday, August 8 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College.
Cultural performers such as dancers, singers and bands as we ll as artisans, crafters and food/beverage vendors are invited to participate as sponsors.
June 10, 2010 (San Diego) –Victoria Wilkerson, 19, of San Diego has been arrested for suspicion of robbing banks in Spring Valley, the College area, and Mission Valley. San Diego FBI Special Agent in Charge Keith Slotter announces the arrest of Victoria Wilkerson yesterday at 10 a.m. in the 4000 block of Vandever in San Diego, California.
June 10, 2010 (Campo) – The Campo Band of the Kumeyaay Nation’s general council has voted to rescind lease agreements and terminate the Campo Sanitary Landfill Project, ending a decade-long battle by neighboring community members seeking to halt the project.
June 10, 2010 (Spring Valley) – Only ten area residents showed up at a June 3rd meeting convened by San Miguel Fire to discuss a budget crisis facing the District. Chief August Ghio presented a Power Point presentation. Several residents offered suggestions for the District to pare back expenses, said public information officer Leonard Villareal.
June 10, 2010 (El Cajon) -- The third annual "Royal Tea & Fashion Show" benefitting the 63rd Annual Mother Goose Parade will be held Saturday, June 12th, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 1400 East Washington Avenue in El Cajon.
June 10, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Agent Richard Agundez, who won the Medal of Valor for his heroic efforts to stop the Granite Hills High School shooting, will retire tomorrow after 30 years of service with the El Cajon Police Department. He is one of the Department’s most highly decorated officers.
Season kicks off June 16 with Monsters vs. Aliens, wraps up with Avatar
June 10, 2010 (Alpine) — The Viejas Outlet Center officially kicks off its free “Movies in the Park” series on June 16 with a showing of the hit movie Monsters vs. Aliens. The season concludes this year with Avatar, the blockbuster that set new worldwide sales records.
CALI COMFORT HOSTS VIEWING PARTY FOR OPENING SOCCER MATCH FRI. A.M.
June 10, 2010 (Spring Valley) – The World Cup Soccer tournament kick off Friday, June 11 at 7 a.m. with a match between Mexico and South Africa.. Next up, game two on Saturday, June 12 at 11:30 a.m. pits the U.S.A. vs. England. Cali Comfort Restaurant & Sports Bar in Spring Valley is hosting viewing parties bright and early for soccer fans both days.
June 4, 2010 (San Diego) -- Maybe Hollywood should focus on making comedies instead of romantic comedies. After enduring such sludge as When in Rome and The Bounty Hunter earlier this year, it has, in the past few months, been a welcome relief to see laugh out loud films like Death at a Funeral and Get Him to the Greek, which opens today.
Police seek getaway vehicle, a silver Ford Explorer
June 9, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Two robbers held up a Wells Fargo Branch on Navajo Road near State Route 125 in the Lake Murray area at 9:45 this morning. “They burst in and ordered customers to the floor,” an employee at another Wells Fargo branch informed ECM, adding that the robbers wore ski masks. A San Diego Police bulletin indicates thieves wore dark pants and hooded sweatshirts.
June 9, 2010 – Perhaps the most stinging defeat in San Diego’s June 8th California election went to conservative Christian judges backed by Better Courts Now, an organization seeking to oust four incumbent judges.
All four sitting judges won by hefty margins, each garnering about two-thirds of the vote. Judges Lantz Lewis, Joel Wholfeil, Robert Longstreth and DeAnn Salcido all won reelection.
June 9, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Local author Ella deCastro Baron will read selections from her autobiographical book, Itchy Brown Girl Seeks Employment, with accompaniment by singer Malia Martinez and guitarist Graham Hadidian this Friday from 7-9 p.m. at Borders Bookstore in El Cajon.
June 9, 2010 (Oceanside/Lake Henshaw) - Bicyclists lined up at the ampitheater next to the Oceanside pier Tuesday (June 8) to begin a 3,000 mile journey to Annapolis, MD in the annual Race Across America (RAAM). The participants included cyclists from as far away as South Africa. From the coast, racers headed the San Diego's eastern regions, then on towards the Arizona desert and beyond.
June 9, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – In a an error reminiscent of the infamous “Dewey Defeats Truman” headline, the Valley News reported that Jeff Stone won the Republican primary for the 36th State Senate seat. That’s because the district spans both Riverside and San Diego Counties---and the chagrined publisher apparently only checked the Riverside results, the conservative blog Flash Report revealed today.
In fact, Anderson leads by a hefty total of 6,810 votes with all precincts in both counties counted--though tens of thousands or more absentee and provisional ballots remain to be tallied.
June 9, 2010 (Spring Valley) – At tomorrow night’s meeting, San Miguel Fire District will consider reducing the size of its board from seven to five members. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the District’s headquarters at 2850 Via Orange Way in Spring Valley.
Fire official warns against use of metal blades to cut brush
June 9, 2010 (Spring Valley) – Clearing brush with a metal-bladed weed whacker set off sparks which caused today’s four-acre blaze on Dictionary Hill in Spring Valley, said Leonard Villareal, spokesman for the San Miguel Fire District.
“Metal blades are not a good idea for cutting weeds,” he said, adding that plastic strips or blades are safer. Ironically, clearing brush, while important to create defensible space, can actually cause a fire if caution is not taken. Villareal also warned against spilling flammable gasoline while refilling gas-powered weed cutters.
June 9, 2010 (San Diego) -- Assemblymember Mary Salas, candidate for State Senate in the 40th District, declared victory today in her Democratic primary campaign for the Senate seat. With 100% of the precincts reporting from all three counties – San Diego, Imperial, and Riverside – Salas leads opponent Juan Vargas by a slim 336 vote margin of 1.2%.
The campaign for the 40th State Senate seat has been one of the most expensive primaries ever for the legislature. Vargas and his allies spent over $3 million dollars, outspending the Salas campaign by nearly four to one. Salas has pointed to Vargas' hefty donations from the insurance industry, in which he once held a position, to suggest that he has been unduly influenced by special interests.
Sereni-Tea, By Dharlene Marie Fahl (Transformation Media Books, Bloomington, Indiana, 2009, 209 pages.)
Book Review by Dennis Moore
June 9, 2010 (San Diego) Author Dharlene Marie Fahl, a protégé of Mark Victor Hansen (Co-creator, #1 New York Times best selling series, Chicken Soup for the Soul), has an ambitious goal: to become Amazon’s next best-selling author. From what I have read of her book, Sereni-Tea, this East County resident is on her way. She has used tea as a means to examine our roles in life and the spirituality that we all possess. She redefines success from the inside out – all while sipping tea. An upcoming graduate of the East County Leadership program, Fahl will introduce her book at The World Tea Expo, June 11-13 in Las Vegas.
PROP 14, “OPEN” PRIMARY MEASURE, MAY FACE CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGES
By Miriam Raftery
June 9, 2010 (Sacramento) – Two ballot measures heavily backed by powerful utility and insurance industry money failed to win approval from voters. By narrow margins, Proposition 16 and 17 were defeated. A third controversial measure, which would eliminate party primary elections, won passage by voters but may face legal challenges in court.
HUNTER ALSO WINS EASILY; WATCHDOG TO FACE CONGRESSSMAN IN NOVEMBER
June 9, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Raymond Lutz won a decisive victory in the 52nd Congressional district Democratic Primary, winning 70.63% of the vote. His opponent, community activist Connie Frankowiak of Anza-Borrego, received 29.3% with all precincts counted.
In November, Lutz will face off against incumbent Republican Congressman Duncan D. Hunter, who won a resounding primary victory over Tea Party activist Terri Linnell by a 90.5 to 9.5% margin.
June 9, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – A four-acre brush fire on Dictionary Hill in Spring Valley threatened homes in the 1400 block of Coronado. The fire caused some damage to decks and external walls, Chief August Ghio of San Miguel Fire has confirmed.
Discounts on hotel rooms and suites, restaurants and more available at all properties
San Miguel Fire District has voted 4-2 against putting a ballot measure on the ballot to reduce the number of board members from seven to five. Members Clark and Jackson voted in favor; Johnston, Augustine, Rickards and Winters voted against. Board member Brainard was absent. Clark, Winter and Augustine have seats up for reelection this fall.
June 10, 2010 (Santee) – On June 12, Santee Lakes will come alive with the sounds of orchestral and jazz music. Young Artists Symphony (YAS) and the Santee-Lakeside Rotary are collaborating to present this special evening of music, dance, refreshments, wine and cuisine at the YAS Symphony at the Lakes.
June 11, 2010 (San Diego) – A man driving a pickup truck the wrong way on 43rd Street in the Talmadge neighborhood refused to pull over for a police officer. A high-speed pursuit ensued, with additional officers joining the pursuit. While crossing Altadena in the 5000 block of Orange Avenue, the truck ran a stop sign and struck a police car at a high speed from the front right side, damaging both vehicles badly. The truck then hit 13 other parked vehicles.
June 10, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – Celebrating East County’s multitude of cultures from around the world, the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce is organizing a Summer Music & Culture Festival. The event, which is free to the public, will be held Sunday, August 8 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College.
June 10, 2010 (San Diego) –Victoria Wilkerson, 19, of San Diego has been arrested for suspicion of robbing banks in Spring Valley, the College area, and Mission Valley. San Diego FBI Special Agent in Charge Keith Slotter announces the arrest of Victoria Wilkerson yesterday at 10 a.m. in the 4000 block of Vandever in San Diego, California.
June 10, 2010 (Campo) – The Campo Band of the Kumeyaay Nation’s general council has voted to rescind lease agreements and terminate the Campo Sanitary Landfill Project, ending a decade-long battle by neighboring community members seeking to halt the project.
By Miriam Raftery
June 10, 2010 (El Cajon) -- The third annual "Royal Tea & Fashion Show" benefitting the 63rd Annual Mother Goose Parade will be held Saturday, June 12th, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 1400 East Washington Avenue in El Cajon. 
June 10, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Agent Richard Agundez, who won the Medal of Valor for his heroic efforts to stop the Granite Hills High School shooting, will retire tomorrow after 30 years of service with the El Cajon Police Department. He is one of the Department’s most highly decorated officers. 
June 10, 2010 (Alpine) — The Viejas Outlet Center officially kicks off its free “Movies in the Park” series on June 16 with a showing of the hit movie Monsters vs. Aliens. The season concludes this year with Avatar, the blockbuster that set new worldwide sales records.
June 10, 2010 (Spring Valley) – The World Cup Soccer tournament kick off Friday, June 11 at 7 a.m. with a match between Mexico and South Africa.. Next up, game two on Saturday, June 12 at 11:30 a.m. pits the U.S.A. vs. England. Cali Comfort Restaurant & Sports Bar in Spring Valley is hosting viewing parties bright and early for soccer fans both days.
Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, Superintendent of Public Instruction among key open-seat races
Police seek getaway vehicle, a silver Ford Explorer
June 9, 2010 – Perhaps the most stinging defeat in San Diego’s June 8th California election went to conservative Christian judges backed by Better Courts Now, an organization seeking to oust four incumbent judges.
June 9, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Local author Ella deCastro Baron will read selections from her autobiographical book, Itchy Brown Girl Seeks Employment, with accompaniment by singer Malia Martinez and guitarist Graham Hadidian this Friday from 7-9 p.m. at Borders Bookstore in El Cajon.
une 9, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – In a an error reminiscent of the infamous “Dewey Defeats Truman” headline, the Valley News reported that Jeff Stone won the Republican primary for the 36th State Senate seat. That’s because the district spans both Riverside and San Diego Counties---and the chagrined publisher apparently only checked the Riverside results, the conservative blog 
June 9, 2010 (Spring Valley) – At tomorrow night’s meeting, San Miguel Fire District will consider reducing the size of its board from seven to five members. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the District’s headquarters at 2850 Via Orange Way in Spring Valley.
June 9, 2010 (Spring Valley) – Clearing brush with a metal-bladed weed whacker set off sparks which caused today’s four-acre blaze on Dictionary Hill in Spring Valley, said Leonard Villareal, spokesman for the San Miguel Fire District. 
June 9, 2010 (San Diego) -- Assemblymember Mary Salas, candidate for State Senate in the 40th District, declared victory today in her Democratic primary campaign for the Senate seat. With 100% of the precincts reporting from all three counties – San Diego, Imperial, and Riverside – Salas leads opponent Juan Vargas by a slim 336 vote margin of 1.2%.
Sereni-Tea, By Dharlene Marie Fahl (Transformation Media Books, Bloomington, Indiana, 2009, 209 pages.)
By Miriam Raftery
June 9, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – A four-acre brush fire on Dictionary Hill in Spring Valley threatened homes in the 1400 block of Coronado. The fire caused some damage to decks and external walls, Chief August Ghio of San Miguel Fire has confirmed.
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