LA MESA HOLDS SPECIAL HEARING TODAY ON PROP L SALES TAX RENEWAL SURVEY

HUD ANNOUNCES FINAL RULE THAT WILL PROTECT COMMUNITIES FROM FLOODING EVENTS AND RISING INSURANCE COSTS

PROTECTED CLASSES UNDER FAIR HOUSING ACT

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AS A TENANT: FAIR HOUSING PRESENTATION MAY 1 IN SPRING VALLEY

REFUGEE JOB FAIR TO BE HELD MAY 1 AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE

STUDENT ARRESTED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON MOUNT MIGUEL CAMPUS

SAN DIEGO FARMERS PRACTICE CLIMATE-RESILIENT AGRICULTURE TO CURB CLIMATE CHANGE

11 NOROVIRUS CASES IN SAN DIEGO LINKED TO FROZEN KOREAN OYSTERS

CEMETERY PROPOSED FOR PINE VALLEY OPPOSED OVER GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION CONCERNS

A GRAVE MISTAKE

HOMICIDE IN SPRING VALLEY: WOMAN KILLED, SUSPECT LATER FOUND DEAD

EL CAJON HOMICIDE SUSPECT ARRESTED CROSSING BORDER INTO U.S.

FREE GREEN JOBS TRAINING AT CUYAMACA COLEGE

 

November 3, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) -- If you’re out of a job and looking to go green in your next career, check out the free classes being offered at Cuyamaca College. The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District received a $1 million grant from the state of California and the California Energy Commission to provide the free classes to 240 students at Cuyamaca College.

 

STATEWIDE PROPOSITIONS: WHAT DO THE RESULTS REALLY MEAN?

Miriam Raftery
 

November 3, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Decisions made by California voters on yesterday’s ballot propositions will have broad ramifications on the state budget process, redistricting, the environment and more. Here are the results – and what passage of some key measures could mean.

ATTORNEY GENERAL’S RACE FLIPS OVERNIGHT: HARRIS NOW LEADS

 

East County News Service
November 3, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – At daybreak, Democrat Kamala Harris has regained a narrow lead over Republican Steve Cooley in the California attorney general race.

Cooley declared victory last night, but canceled a press conference today after learning that overnight, Harris took the lead at 46.1% to 45.6%. Fewer than 38,000 votes separate the two candidates and thousands of provisional and late absentee ballots remain uncounted.

REPUBLICANS RETAKE HOUSE; DEMOCRATS SWEEP CALIFORNIA

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Dennis Richardson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 2, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – This election night provided both political parties in California with victories as well as defeats. Nationally, Republicans are projected to regain a majority in the House of Representatives, picking up 60 seats—including some won be Tea Party-backed candidates. Democrats retained control in the Senate by a slim margin. "

But in California, Democrats swept the slate, winning all statewide offices except attorney general. Former Governor Jerry Brown soundly defeated former E-Bay CEO Meg Whitman 52.8% to 42.4% to regain his former job, despite Whitman spending $163 million—the highest amount ever spent on a political race in California.

SCHOOL BOND PASSES IN JULIAN; TEACHERS’ UNION WINS 2 SEATS ON A LOCAL COLLEGE BOARD

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

November 3, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Amid an era of tight budgets, Julian voters passed a school bond measure with 59% of the vote (55% was needed to win).

 

Debbie Justeson and Edwin Heil, both backed by the teacher’s union, appeared headed for election to the Grossmont-Cuyamaca board, with nearly all votes counted.

 

WANT LIVING BREAKING ELECTION RESULTS FOR LOCAL RACES? FOLLOW EASTCOUNTYMAG ON TWITTER!

 

November 2, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Magazine will tweet election results live from Golden Hall after polls close tonight, and also post detailed stories online a bit later. 

 

If you wish to receive live election results on top local races, go to www.Twitter.com and sign up to follow EastCountyMag. It's free! Note:  This is a separate Twitter account from our ViejasAlerts account, which is used only to "tweet" emergencies. 

 

 

READERS' EDITORIAL: ELECT A FIRE SURVIVOR, AWARD-WINNING TEACHER, AND GREEN ENERGY LEADER TO STATE ASSEMBLY

 

Dear Voters,

November 2, 2010 (Lakeside) -- I'm Mark Hanson and I’m running in the 77th Assembly District to represent you as a fellow East County resident. I’ve spent my entire life serving the public – and hope to continue doing so in Sacramento.

I will fight for stronger fire protection for our region. As a Cedar Fire survivor, I know how important it is to have fire warning and protection. My nonprofit, Heartland Coalition, raised money to help fire victims rebuild their lives. Heartland also founded the Viejas Wildfire & Emergency Alerts and East County Magazine to help keep people in East County protected and informed.

As a former educator twice named teacher of the year, I’ve taught at our local colleges and also served as an administrator of the Grossmont Union High School District back when it was among the best school districts in the state. I will work hard to restore our public schools to their former high achievement levels for our children.

2 ARRESTED FOR ROBBERY OF US BANK

November 1, 2010 (La Mesa)--The FBI and San Diego Sheriff’s Department announce the arrests of Christopher James Cuerden, age 26, and Caleb Gene Halcomb, age 20, as a result of the investigation into the robbery of the US Bank, located inside of the Vons grocery store at 3681 Avocado Boulevard in the unincorporated area of La Mesa on Friday, October 29, 2010.

FATALITY CRASH ON I-8 SNARLED RUSH HOUR COMMUTE

 

Update November 4, 2010:  The San Diego Medical Examiner’s office has identified Sergio Chan Mora, 54, as the deceased. His place of residence is unknown. According to witnesses, the driver of a Ford Explorer made an illegal u-turn on eastbound I-8 and struck Mora, who was unable to avoid the collision.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Dennis Richardson

November 1, 2010 (Alpine) – I-8 east was shut down and a Sig Alert issued following a fatality accident on the freeway just west of Harbison Canyon late this afternoon, as ECM’s Viejas Wildfire & Emergency alerts informed subscribers earlier today. The rollover collision involved a white van and a second vehicle, with several parties trapped and requiring extrication. Smoke from one of the vehicles was doused with a fire extinguisher.

2 INJURED IN DRUNK DRIVING-RELATED CRASH IN ROLANDO

 

November 1, 2010 (Rolando) – Halloween Night ended badly for two 18-year-old men, who were both seriously injured after crashing into a parked car in the 4500 block of Revillo Way in Rolando last night. The driver sustained an open fracture to his leg. The passenger sustained facial fractures and a broken hip.

VOTE EASY: NEW INTERACTIVE SITE FOR VOTERS

 

November 1, 2010 (San Diego) – VoteSmart.org has for several years offered voters basic info on candidates gleaned from candidates’ responses to questions and info from the Registrar of Voters. Now the site has taken it a step farther – with an interactive “Vote Easy” guide that lets you find out which candidates in your area best match your beliefs. Campaign signs move forward and backward as you click through various issues, showing you graphically who most closely fits your views.

Click on the link, then on the map of your state to get started:
www.votesmart.org/voteeasy/

CAMPO CANDIDATES ADDRESS RURAL COMMUNITY ISSUES

 

By Lori Bledsoe
Reprinted with permission from The Alpine Sun; Factcheck provided by East County Magazine’s research team

 

November 1, 2010 (Campo) -- Four of the six candidates running for the Campo Planning Group were present at a discussion at the Campo Community Center: Diane Richards, Robert Hume, Richard Northcote, and Walter Ogle answered questions from the community for over an hour regarding their knowledge and agendas of the Campo community.

READER'S EDITORIAL: THE CALIFORNIA DEMOCRACY CRISIS--VOTE FOR PROP. 25

 

"California faces a crisis. It is mistakenly called a “budget crisis.” It is actually a democracy crisis." -- By Professor George Lakoff

 

November 1, 2010 (Sacramento) -- California is the only minority rule state in America. Both houses of the California legislature are in control of a minority on all economic issues - and almost all issues are about what is in the budget. Only 34 percent of only one House of the Legislature can control legislation by saying no, creating gridlock, and blocking the will of the majority that represents the overwhelming majority of Californians.

 

That is why budgets have not been on time, and why they are doing less and less for the state.

STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION RACE IS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR VOTERS


2 Democrats won “open” primary to square off Nov. 3
:  Teacher/legislator vs. retired superintendent

November 1, 2010 (San Diego) – When Republican Abel Maldonado held up the state budget and demanded fellow legislators approve an “open” primary ballot initiative as a condition for his vote, the GOP thought it would result in more Republicans winning high office in California, a heavily Democratic state.

 

But the new rule, which declared the top two vote-getters in June's primary winners regardless of parties, resulted in two Democrats, Tom Torlakson and Larry Aceves, squaring off in the state superintendent’s race (though Aceves has since changed his party registration to independent).

CHALLENGERS VIE FOR SEATS ON LAKESIDE COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP


October 31, 2010 (Lakeside) – Nine people are running for seven seats on the Lakeside Planning Group, an advisory board to the County on local planning issues. Six are incumbents (Julie Bugbee, Chad Ennis, Emad Bakeer, Thomas Medvitz, Anton Botter, and Glenn Inverso). Three are challengers: retired Lakeside Fire Chief Mark Baker, East County Community Action Coalition co-founder Laura Cyphert, and Jeffrey Brust, a construction contractor.

TRICK OR TREATING IS NO TREAT FOR YOUR PETS

Tips to keep pets safe and secure on Halloween

October 31, 2010 (San Diego) -- Halloween is a fun and spooky time for “ghouls” and boys, but County animal officials want you to know that the event can be scary for your pets.

 

Your pet is not used to costumed characters approaching the door and yelling “trick or treat!” Your cat may become spooked and run, not to be seen for several days. Your dog, the guardian of the household, may lunge or bite the costumed creatures. This is never what is intended to happen during Halloween, but it is a reality faced every year.

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL MONDAY FOR SLAIN SAN DIEGO POLICE OFFICER CHRIS WILSON

 

Community grieves for officer who chose to work in one of San Diego's toughest neighborhoods

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 31, 2010 (San Diego) – Community members are invited to a candlelight vigil to honor the memory of San Diego Police Officer Chris Wilson, who died in a gun battle on Wednesday night while trying to arrest an assault suspect. The event will be held on Monday November 1st at 6 p.m. in Skyview Park, 7222 Skyline Drive, next to the police station in the Southeast San Diego neighborhood where Wilson worked for 17 years.

HOMES EVACUATED IN ROLANDO; SWAT TEAM CALLED IN ON SEARCH FOR ARMED BANK ROBBERS

 

Update October 31, 10:20 a.m. -- The SWAT action has ended and a second suspect was taken into custody half an hour ago, Sgt. Randy Levitt has informed East County Magazine. The suspect's name and details of the arrest have not yet been released.

Exclusive! View our video of the SWAT team arriving on scene.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Dennis Richardson

 

October 30, 2010 8:35 p.m.  (La Mesa) -- A stand-off continues tonight as police continue searching for a bank robbery suspect believed to be hiding in the Rolando neighborhood.  A second suspect, Davan Darden, 23, was arrested at 5:45 this evening.  The area remains evacuated, according to Officer Stafford, San Diego Police.

Two robbers conducted a takeover-style robbery at the California Coast Credit Union in the Vons Center on La Mesa Boulevard around 2 p.m., San Diego Police report, prompting a chase through San Diego, La Mesa and El Cajon.

MIXING BUSINESS AND PLEASURE: EAST COUNTY HALLOWEEN MIXER IS A SPIRITED SUCCESS

October 30, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) - Gypsies, pirates and witches were among the costumed guests celebrating the season at LeTip's annual East County Halloween Mixer, held Thursday night at Cottonwood Golf in Rancho San Diego.  

MOTORCYCLIST WHO PLUNGED OFF LA MESA OVERPASS IDENTIFIED

October 30, 2010 (Lemon Grove) – The San Diego Medical Examiner’s office has identified Guy Edward Halac, 51, of Lemon Grove, as the victim of a fatal accident on October 26. Halac’s his Ninja motorcycle plunged over a ramp from State Route 125 at I-8 in La Mesa, landing on a roadway below.

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