September 9, 2011 (Escondido) -- It's time to enjoy the fruits of the harvest--along with plenty of family fun at Escondido's annual Grape Day Parade and Festival this Saturday, September 10.
The public is invited to join in festivities that include a grape stomp, free grapes, a parade, entertainment, arts and crafts, kids' activities, and food.
September 9, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- Due to the power outage last night, this is an abbreviated version of ECM Roundup with headlines only, no excerpts. Click links to view full stories on top issues in our region and California, published in other media.
Vendors, Entertainers, Children’s Attractionsto Line Highway 67
September 1, 2011 (Ramona) -- Discount ride tickets for the inaugural Fall Festival at Ramona United Methodist Church (http://ramonaumc.org)are now on saleoutside Albertsons and Stater Bros., RUMC announced. Tickets will be available at both stores from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday, Aug. 29 through Saturday, Sept. 3.
September 8, 2011 (San Diego) – 11:30 p.m. – Isolated reports of broken glass and possible looting attempts have been reported at a taco store in Lemon Grove, where metal barriers prevented entry, and at a home in Vista. San Diego County has declared a local emergency, meaning looting is now a felony, San Diego Sheriff advises.
Update 11:10 p.m. SDG&E advises residents to turn off air conditioners to avoid overwhelming the system when power comes back on.
BOIL WATER ORDERS are issued for several locations; scroll down for details.
September 8, 2011 (San Diego) – A widespread power outage has left 5 million people in the dark across Southern California, Arizona and northern Mexico including all 1.4 million SDG&E customers in San Diego County. The outage occurred because a major power line between Arizona and California was tripped out of service. “Think of the system as linked by springs, when one part goes out the rest are affected," a Twitter message from SDG&E read. The San Onofre Power plant was also impacted and shut down as a precaution.
Tonight, power is beginning to be restored across portions of San Diego County including the South Bay, Rancho San Diego, Jamul and Mt. Helix areas. SDG&E blames the outage on “operator error.” FBI special agent Darrell Foxworth assures that there is no indication of terrorism.
September 9, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)—Due to the power outage, this week’s World Watch has headlines only, no excerpts. Click links to view full stories.
September 8, 2011 (In-ko-pah) – I-8 westbound has been ordered to shut down due to a five-acre brush fire burning in light, flashy fuels half a mile from In-ko-pah along I-8. In-ko-pah is located east of Jacumba near the San Diego County-Imperial County line.
September 8, 2011 (Spring Valley) – 2:50 p.m. – A residential structure fire that started in a split level home at Grand and Eucalyptus has spread into adjacent brush, Heartland Fire Dispatch has just confirmed. Wildland fire air support is en route. Mutual aide firefighting units from Santee and La Mesa have also been called to the scene.
September 8, 2011 (Rancho Bernardo) – A brush fire that started at West Bernardo Drive on the west side of I-15 scorched approximately three acres this afternoon, briefly slowing traffic. The fire is now out; cause is under investigation.
September 8, 2011 (San Diego) – The San Diego Medical Examiner’s office has identified the man who died at Mission Trails yesterday morning as Jeffrey Andrew Martin, 33. Martin, who was single, resided in San Diego. Cause of death has not yet been determined, pending autopsy.
September 7, 2011 (La Mesa) –Today the Helix Water District Board of Directors voted 5-0 to suspend the El Monte Valley Mining, Reclamation, and Groundwater Recharge Project in Lakeside.
September 8, 2011 (Spring Valley)--Fleet & Family Support Centerin partnership withHousing Opportunities Collaborative,and the San Diego County Librarywill holda FREE Home Clinic for active duty military, reservists and retirees. The home clinic will be held on Saturday, September 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the recreation center behind the Spring Valley Library, 836 Kempton Street in Spring Valley.
Members of the military and their families face unique financial challenges but also have a variety of financial options available to them. HUD Approved housing counselors will be on hand to provide members of the militaryand the general public all possible options in their home ownership situation.
City to host “play day” Sept. 24 during KidsCare Fest at Briercrest Park
September 8, 2011 (La Mesa)--For the fourth year in a row La Mesa has earned recognition from the national non-profit KaBOOM! as a 2011 Playful City USA community for its efforts to increase play opportunities for children.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, play is important to healthy brain development and allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Only one in five, or 20%, of US children live within walking distance of a park or playground.
September 8, 2011 (San Diego)--Texas Governor Rick Perry denies there is such a thing as Global Warming, but this week the Governor had to quit the campaign trail to address a huge wildfire that burned 1,000 homes to the ground. Texas has been in a tremendous drought for several years, decimating the cattle industry and leaving most of Texas smoldering.
Now its the upscale hill country where the rich folks live that is burning. Perry had no choice but to come home and try tofight the fires.
September 7, 2011 (San Diego)--Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. joined San Diego business leaders at Gen-Probe, Inc. yesterday to urge the state Legislature to pass his California Jobs First plan, which offers over $1 billion a year in tax relief for businesses that create jobs in the state.
September 7, 2011 (East County) – A new foundation that will strengthen fundraising for East County’s two community colleges has been established to better connect with alumni and broaden the sources of money coming in to support the schools.
The Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges continues the work of the two separate foundations at Grossmont College and Cuyamaca College to raise money for scholarships, facilities and college programs.
Rural Video Interviewing Program Garners National Award
September 7, 2011 (San Diego) -- A San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) program that makes it easier for rural North County residents to access Medi-Cal and Cal Fresh through video interviewing has been nationally recognized with a Digital Government Achievement Award (DGAA).
The HHSA North Coastal and North Inland Video Interviewing Program was one of six programs across the nation recognized in the Government-to-Citizen County Government categoryby the DGAA.
September 7, 2011 (La Mesa) –To get ready for the La Mesa City 100th anniversary year, the La Mesa Historical Society is raising matching funds for building maintenance and beautification. The Society is also changing the hours the museum will be available for tours.
September 7. 2011) -- There are three new opportunities for people to volunteer to help the environment in September, all through the San Diego River Park Foundation.
September 7, 2011 (San Diego) –A man found dead this morning in Mission Trails Regional Park had “small puncture wounds on his lower extremities” that “may have been snake-related,” Lt. Andra Brown with the San Diego Police has informed East County Magazine. An autopsy is pending to determine cause of death.
September 7, 2011 (San Diego) Updated 12:00 p.m. – The body of a “young man” has been found along a popular trail at Mission Trails Regional Park, a park employee has informed East County Magazine.
September 7, 2011 (San Diego) — A load of hot sauce hauled by a Mexican trucker had a secret ingredient: more than a ton of marijuana, with a street value of $1.4 million.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa cargo facility disiscovered the marijuana hidden in boxes of hot sauce on Friday.
"I left my job to run for Congress - to fight for you - the working men and women who are the true heart and soul of America. Like you, I have known what it is to stand in the unemployment line. I've been without health insurance...Like you, I will not give up. I will not be invisible...All of us, employed and unemployed must make our voices heard, because we have become the new "Silent Majority."
- David Secor, who aims to run against Congressman Duncan Hunter and represent East County
Reprinted with permission from OB Rag; Secor comments added by ECM
September 6, 2011 (San Diego)--Under gray skies, over 350 people gathered along Broadway yesterday in downtown San Diego at a Labor Day “Rally for the Jobless.” Organized by MoveOn and Rebuild the American Dream, the noon event was designed to gather unemployed San Diegans and put pressure on the White House and Congress for jobs.
“When the flag came down dozens of people volunteered to help catch and fold it. Some were moved to tears.” – Leonard Villareal, San Miguel Fire Department
September 6, 2011 (Spring Valley)—Two fires briefly threatened homes this evening in Spring Valley. A careless cigarette has been blamed for one blaze, while the other appears to be natural in cause, according to Leonard Villareal, spokesman for the San Miguel Fire District.
September 6, 2011 (Rancho Penasquitos) San Diego Police Department Sex Crimes detectives are investigating a sexual assault on two teen girls at knifepoint in a Rancho Penasquitos park on Saturday night, September 3. The suspects, both Hispanic men, remain at large.
Community invited to September 28 reception to welcome new leader
September 6, 2011 (Rancho San Diego)-- As a first-generation college graduate, Mark Zacovic, Cuyamaca College’s new president, understands well the challenges facing students. As a finisher of several marathons, he also knows the value of tenacity and goal-setting.
By Miriam Raftery
September 8, 2011 (La Mesa)--For the fourth year in a row La Mesa has earned recognition from the national non-profit KaBOOM! as a 2011 Playful City USA community for its efforts to increase play opportunities for children. 
September 7, 2011 (San Diego)--Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. joined San Diego business leaders at Gen-Probe, Inc. yesterday to urge the state Legislature to pass his California Jobs First plan, which offers over $1 billion a year in tax relief for businesses that create jobs in the state.
September 7, 2011 (San Diego) –A man found dead this morning in Mission Trails Regional Park had “small puncture wounds on his lower extremities” that “may have been snake-related,” Lt. Andra Brown with the San Diego Police has informed East County Magazine. An autopsy is pending to determine cause of death. 
By Miriam Raftery
r 6, 2011 (Spring Valley)—Two fires briefly threatened homes this evening in Spring Valley. A careless cigarette has been blamed for one blaze, while the other appears to be natural in cause, according to Leonard Villareal, spokesman for the San Miguel Fire District.
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