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Fundraiser to help Marine’s family devastated by crash that killed daughter, 8, near Julian: accused DUI driver charged with murder and faces deportation
House Republicans pass healthcare bill without extending Affordable Care Act subsidies that expire December 31: costs set to double or triple for many Californians
September 26, 2011 (San Diego) – The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) president Michael Peevey has issued a ruling ordering San Diego Gas & Electric Company and two other utility companies to allow consumers who don’t want a “smart meter” installed to place their names on a delay list, pending the outcome of upcoming workshops on the issue.
September 24, 2011 (La Mesa) – A robbery suspect is in custody thanks to a citizen who heard a woman screaming near the La Mesa Trolley station and flagged down police.
September 25, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – A warrant sweep conducted by Sheriff’s deputies yesterday has led to the arrest of 33 fugitives. The 7-hour operation, conducted by the Sheriff’s Court Services Department Field Unit and San Diego Fugitive Task Force, included the cities of El Cajon, La Mesa and Santee as well as unincorporated portions of the County in Alpine, El Cajon and Lakeside.
September 25, 2011 (San Diego) – An agreement reached last week between the United Food & Commercial Workers and supermarkets has been approved after workers voted by an “overwhelming” margin for ratification, according to Mickey Kasparian, president of the local UFCW chapter.
September 24, 2011 (La Mesa) – The band played Beatles tunes and other '60s favorites as guests came decked out in love beads, bell bottoms and peace symbols.
No, this wasn't Woodstock. It all happened today right here in East County during Grossmont Center’s 50th anniversary celebration, evoking all things groovy from back in 1961, when East County’s first shopping mall was built.
September 24, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Photographer Greg Turok snapped these images of a Nutmeg Mannakin, or Spice Finch, and its mate in the Mission Trails Regional Park area Sept. 5.
“This bird is a recent resident to San Diego County,” said Turok, who has had the bird identified by the Ornithology Department at the San Diego Natural History Museum.
September 24, 2011, (El Cajon) -- The Mother Goose Parade Association will be holding a fundraising dinner at Mangia Bene's Italian Restaurant,Tuesday, September 27 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. It’s an-you-can-eat buffet dinner, $12 per adult, $8 for children under 10. Mangia Bene's Italian Restaurant is located at 221 East Main Street in El Cajon.
September 24, 2011 (El Cajon)--The Salon Series at the Knox House Museum continues Friday, October 7, with guest Del Hood, executive editor of the formerDaily Californiannewspaper before his retirement. Hood, who is currently writing a book, will share stories of the newsroom. He has also written an article on El Cajon history which is featured on the elcajonhistory.orgwebsite.
September 22, 2011 (San Diego)--After experiencing a wet winter, most of California’s reservoirs are brimming and many people are relaxing their guard about water use — including Mayor Sanders. The mayor decided that San Diego’s reservoirs are in such good shape that the city can afford to draw down its reserves so that it won’t have to buy as much imported water from the County Water Authority which has scheduled a rate increase for January 2012. That decision allowed him to announce that the city will not impose a pass-through increase to the city’s customers this year.
September 24, 2011 (La Mesa)--Frank Abagnale’s life of crime was depicted in a best-selling book and the Steven Spielberg filmCatch Me If You Can. Since his imprisonment, Mr. Abagnale has worked for the FBI for 36 years as a specialist in fraud prevention. As the opening speaker at this year’s FPA conference, he told his own riveting story of forgery, identity theft, and embezzlement.
September 24, 2011 (La Mesa)--Sharp Grossmont Hospital’s Senior Resource Center 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.
September 24, 2011 (La Mesa) -- Do you have E-Waste? Are obsolete computers, monitors, laptops, TVs, printers, cell phones, faxes, VCR & DVD players, stereos, cameras, etc. (working or not) cluttering your closets? Are they taking your car’s rightful place in the garage?
Here’s your chance to clean house! Load ‘em up! Bring to the parking lot of the United Church of Christ of La Mesa (UCCLM), 5940 Kelton Avenue, La Mesa, CA 91942 between 10am and 4pm, Saturday, October 8, 2011. There is no drop-off fee. Proceeds benefit the church and Mother Earth!
September 26 – On Thursday, September 29, San Diego’s Civilized Conversation Club will hold an open forum titled “To Fix the Economy, We Must…?” The long-time community discussion group meets each Thursday from 7-9 p.m. at Filter Coffee House, 4096 30th St. in San Diego (map). According to the club’s leader, David Genser of Poway, Civilized Conversation was formed because “It’s hard to find open, respectful discussions of controversial topics, especially in today’s political climate."
Kinde Durkee is accused of stealing funds from dozens of Democratic candidates including Congresswoman Susan Davis, as well as many charitable organizations
September 24, 2011 (La Mesa)--Grossmont Center invites you put on your 60's threads and come to a to a free family-friendly celebration that's a blast from the past.
September 23, 2011 (Julian) – Approximately 1,272 customers are without power tonight in Julian, SDG&E reports, due to an outage caused by a thunderstorm.
The National Weather Service reports thunderstorms and dry lightning are possible tonight and tomorrow across San Diego County.
September 24, 2011 (Alpine) – Alpine Community Planning Group member George Barnett resigned following last night’s meeting, Barnett has informed ECM. “It’s time for me to move on towards other community service activities I wish to pursue, and for others to pick up the baton at the Alpine Community Planning Group,” he said.
September 23, 2011 (Santee)--Sip wine while tapping your toes to some lively music at the Santee Wine and Bluegrass Festival this Saturday, September 24. The festival runs from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at 550 Park Center Drive, Santee, CA 92071. Advance tickets are $30; tickets purchased after September 12 are $35.
September 23, 2011 (San Diego) – A few years ago I watched the 1959 version of Ben-Hur. I sat in my seat mesmerized, so hooked that I did not take a single break during the entire three hours and forty-five minutes (which included the overture and intermission).
September 30, 2011 (Lakeside) – Supervisor Dianne Jacob will be at Mario’s Italian Restaurant, 12440 Woodside Avenue in Lakeside this morning at 8:30 to meet with constituents regarding community problems. Local residents are invited to stop by, voice concerns, and hear what Supervisor Jacob and other citizens have to say.
September 23, 2011 (Alpine) – A proposed 150-room hotel adjacent to the Viejas Casino would be “great for our guests and great for the community,” said Viejas public affairs director Robert Scheid at last night’s Alpine Community Planning Group meeting. The $36 million project would generate 450 construction jobs and upon completion, 45 employees at the hotel, said Scheid.
September 23, 2011 (La Mesa) – A 16-year-old girl was punched repeatedly in the face and robbed of her cell phone by two women Tuesday afternoon. The attack occurred at a bus stop in the 8100 block of Allison--the same block where La Mesa's Police station is located.
September 23, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup features top news stories of interest to our region, published in other media. Top Roundup stories this week include:
Grid operators didn’t share info during blackout (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Outage had roots in Mexico, too (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Downtown redevelopment: A special report (La Mesa Today)
Only 5 schools making `adequate progress” in La Mesa Spring Valley District (La Mesa Patch)
13 students barred from local middle schools for lack of booster shots (La Mesa Patch)
City sues 12 marijuana dispensaries(San Diego Union Tribune)
Sycuan Indians shrink reservation expansion plan (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Questions over missing items at Lions’ sensory garden (Santee Lakes)
Jerry Schad dies at 61; hiking writer once lived in La Mesa (La Mesa Patch)
California borrowing benefits from market, improved budget stability (Sacramento Bee)
September 22, 2011 (San Diego's East County)--ECM World Watch highlights top U.S. and world news stories, published in other media. This week's top headlines include:
U.S.
House approves spending measure opposed by Senate Democrats; shutdown possible (Washington Post)
Obama pushes jobs bill on GOP rivals’ turf (Washington Post)
Perry is focus of attention, attacks at Florida debate (CNN)
One in four U.S. children living in poverty, study finds (Huffington Post)
Postal service wants to end overnight delivery (Reuters)
Troy Davis execution sparks anti-death penalty backlash (Washington Post)
U.S. official: program aimed at Libyan scientistsSan Diego Union Tribune)
Reno’s reckless air tragedy (Daily Beast)
World
Walkout at UN as Ahmadinejad speaks (CNN)
Solar window is green game changer (Israel21c)
Global leaders struggle to calm recession fears (Yahoo News)
September 22, 2011 (San Diego)--After experiencing a wet winter, most of California’s reservoirs are brimming and many people are relaxing their guard about water use — including Mayor Sanders. The mayor decided that San Diego’s reservoirs are in such good shape that the city can afford to draw down its reserves so that it won’t have to buy as much imported water from the County Water Authority which has scheduled a rate increase for January 2012. That decision allowed him to announce that the city 
Do you have E-Waste? Are obsolete computers, monitors, laptops, TVs, printers, cell phones, faxes, VCR & DVD players, stereos, cameras, etc. (working or not) cluttering your closets? Are they taking your car’s rightful place in the garage? 
3 local Congressional members vote to cut funds for disaster relief
By Brian Lafferty
By Miriam Raftery
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