April 5, 2011 (La Mesa) At 8:30 a.m. today, a 14-year-old boy was punched in the face three times and his necklace and hat were taken by two suspects aboard a trolley in La Mesa. The robbery occurred while the victim and suspects were riding eastbound on the MTS Trolley between the Spring Street and La Mesa Boulevard stations.
April 5, 2011 (Otay) -- The suspect killed in yesterday's early morning robbery and shootout at the Apple store in the Otay Ranch Mall has been identified at Alex Somphonh Choulamontry, age 23. According to Chula Vista Police, Choulamontry was a documented gang member and on active California State parole. Choulamontry had convictions for theft, possession of controlled substances, driving under the influence and false identification to a peace officer.
April 4, 2011 (Ramona) -- A stolen bronze moose statue from Ramona was recovered in a vacant field on March 30, about a mile from the 2800 block of Willow Oak Drive where it was stolen sometime between February 15 and 23. The area is located at the intersection of Dye Road and Southern Oak Road and is frequently used by people who ride and train horses.
A watchful citizen made the discovery and contacted the Sheriff’s Department after reading media articles about the theft of several statues in our region.
April 4, 2011 (Lemon Grove) – Faced with a budget gap, Lemon Grove City Council will consider four proposals at Tuesday's meeting for slashing costs in recreational services:
1) outsource youth programs to the Boys and Girls Club of East County;
2) Outsource both youth and adult services to the East County Family YMCA;
3) Combine contracting with one of those organizations to run some programs, while having a new Recreation Services Department handle others;
4) Completely eliminate the City’s Recreation Services Department—a move that could also end City-sponsored community events such as Concerts in the Park, Movie Night, and the annual holiday Bonfire.
District Partners with Borrego Solar and CCSE to deploy 290 Kw solar system at Nat L. Eggert Operations Center
April 4, 2011 (El Cajon)--Helix Water District has activated a 290 kilowatt (KW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system at the Nat L. Eggert Operations Center (OC) in El Cajon. The zero-emission system was deployed through a partnership with Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. and the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE).
To celebrate, the District hosted a ribbon-cutting event for the new system on March 30th.
April 4, 2011 (Borrego) – San Diego Sheriff’s communication center received a call on Thursday from a woman in Mammoth Lakes whose husband and a friend were hiking off Rockhouse Trail in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The two hikers called the woman from a satellite phone because the husband’s friend had become severely dehydrated, incoherent, and in immediate need of medical attention.
March 31, 2011 (La Mesa)--"Today's benefit structure for public employees is unrecognizable from the design, funding structure and goals of the original 1932 version. Instead of retirement security, the public pension became a wealth generator. Initially, state workers retiring at age 65 could expect retirement income at roughly half of their final compensation, based on an average salary earned during their last five years of employment. The retirement formulas and benefits began ratcheting up in the 1940's and never stopped. California's pension plans are dangerously under funded, the result of overly generous pension promises, wishful thinking and an unwillingness to plan prudently. Unless aggressive reforms are implemented now, the problems will get far worse, forcing counties and cities to severely reduce services and layoff employees to meet pension obligations."
The words above are taken from the 50 or so pages of the Little Hoover Commission Report released last month. The report is about the State at large - but its words apply so accurately to La Mesa that it seems to be talking about us.
April 16, 2011 (Ramona) – Ramona authors o inspirational books will be signing copies of their works on Saturday, Aprl 16 at the new Ramona library, 1275 Main Street in San Diego. Authors include Barbara McBride, Byron Mettler, Mike Mulligan, and Peter Zindler. The signing will be held from 9-11 a.m.
Swift action by Police and Border Patrol canine patrol led to capture of two suspects; Robbery may be part of a series of storefront “smash and grabs”
Update 7:15 p.m.: The two suspects arrested have been identified as Johnny Chenda, 25, and Melissa Ortiz, 21. Both are charged with commercial burglary and conspiracy. The third suspect, who died, has not yet been identified. The security guard has been identified as Jose Jimenez, 58, with Security Industry Specialists in Culver City.
April 4, 2011 (Otay Mesa) – Chula Police Chief David Bejarano has provided an interview with East County Magazine moments after returning from the scene of a fatal shooting at Otay Ranch Town Center shopping mall. He disclosed chilling details of a brazen robbery attempt that ended with one suspect dead following a hail of bullets and a massive response by law enforcement to seal off and search the neighborhood.
April 4, 2011 (Otay Mesa)—Schools near the Otay Ranch Town Center were placed in lockdown briefly following a shooting at the mall. According to multiple sources, three people smashed a window at the Apple Store shortly before 6:45 a.m.
Chula Vista Police report that 40 rounds were fired in a shootout between a security guard and the suspects.
Updated April 22 to add photos from the April 9th celebration of life.
A Celebration of Life, Service and Dedication to Community
April 3, 2011 (Lakeside) The El Capitan Stadium Association has offered the use of the rodeo grounds for a community gathering honoring Rick Smith, who passed away on February 18th, 2011 following a long battle with cancer. A celebration of his life and service will be held April 9 from 1-4 p.m. at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds.
April 3, 2011- President Obama’s decision to intervene in the Libya crisis has divided both Democratic and Republican political parties, with support and opposition on both sides of the political aisle.
President Obama found a surprising supporter in East County’s Republican Representative Duncan D. Hunter. Hunter was one of the few Republican leaders to come out and support the President’s decision to unleash air attacks on Libyan forces. Hunter, a former Marine captain who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, sits on the House Armed Services Committee.
April 3, 2011 (San Diego) -- On April 9 and 10, hundreds of San Diegans are expected to convene at University Ave. and Fairmount in City Heights to attend workshops, share knowledge, and discuss the sustainability, accessibility, and health of our food system in San Diego and around the world.
April 3, 2011 (La Mesa) -- At 8:05 a.m. La Mesa Police Department responded to multiple 911 calls of shots being fired in the 3900 block of Charles Street, La Mesa, near La Mesa Dale Elementary School. (View map) When officers arrived they discovered approximately seven shots had been fired into a house. The targeted house was occupied, but no one was injured.
The suspect reportedly fled the scene driving a motorcycle.The unknown suspect was wearing a dark jacket and a blue helmet.
April 3, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--Many might find it daunting to head up a major business association during the worst recession in 80 years. But Scott Alevy, new President and Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, has been in far tougher spots.
Those include combat zones in Southeast Asia and the crash site of PSA flight 182 in San Diego, where Alevy headed up public relations for the airline after the tragedy that claimed the lives of friends and colleagues.
In an exclusive interview with East County Magazine, Alevy shared insights gained from his experiences, as well as his leadership goals and vision for the Chamber’s future.
April 2, 2011 (San Diego)--The second annual San Diego County Library Acoustic Showcase is underway. The Acoustic Showcase series offers a wide variety of some of San Diego's very best singer/songwriters, folk music performers and story tellers. These concerts are free to the community. This year's series includes over 30 concerts at 12 branch libraries between February and the end of June.
April 2, 2011 (San Diego) -- Every 10 years, the City of San Diego Redistricting Commission redraws the political boundaries for City Council districts candidates. This is a once in a decade occasion. The County is also redistricting its Supervisorial seats. Want to have a say in how your community gets represented for the next 10 years?
April 2, 2011 (Lemon Grove) – Thom Rosenberger and Charlie Lewis, famous throughout the county for their traveling fire education program, racked up nearly 70 years as Lemon Grove firefighters and know from smoke-filled rooms, burning embers and screaming sirens.
On April 7 at 7 p.m., the Lemon Grove Historical Society will present “Putting out the fire with Thom and Charlie,” a fire safety program as part of the “History Alive” lecture series in the H. Lee House Cultural Center, 3205 Olive in Lemon Grove.
April 2, 2011 (San Diego) -- For our readers who have travel plans this weekend, please be aware that Southwest Airlines has cancelled 300 flights as it grounds 79 of its Boeing 737 aircraft for safety inspections. The inspections are anticipated to last several days as the planes are checked for "aircraft skin fatigue."
The grounding is a response to an accident yesterday in which a plane bearing 118 passengers taking off from Phoenix en route to Sacramento had a 3 foot hole torn in its fuselage. The pilot was able to land the plane safely in Yuma.
To read more details, click here. To check on the status of your flights, visit Southwestern Airline's website here.
April 2, 2011 (San Diego) – A 74-year-old man assaulted his 64-year-old neighbor at 246 Euclid Street, San Diego over allegations that the victim’s dog was bothering the suspect’s kittens. According to San Diego Police Officer David Stafford, the suspect struck the victim in the face with a broomstick, then went home to retrieve a knife, returned and stabbed the victim in the stomach.
Authors will offer writing tips and sign copies of books at Grossmont Center store
By Dennis Moore
April 2, 2011 (La Mesa)—Are you an aspiring author? Barnes & Noble bookstore in Grossmont Center will host ”How to get published” on April 9 at 1 p.m.
Moderated by ECM book reviewer Dennis Moore, The event will feature best-selling novelist Joshua Graham as well as local authors Max Sturman and TJ Johnson. The authors will field questions and offer helpful tips about the business, as well as sign copies of their books.
Update 8:15 p.m. CHP reports at 8:11 p.m. this will be a "long" closure. Body was found behind a dumpster at 12102 Wildcat Canyon Road, according to the Sgt. Roy Chase. Anyone with information is asked to call 858 565-5200.
April 1, 2011 (Lakeside) – Muth Valley Road is closed down at Wildcat Canyon Road due to a homicide investigation. According to Lt. Walker at the San Diego Sheriff, “a passerby or a resident found a body and called deputies.” A source close to the scene indicates the body is male and that there was bruising on the torso.
After deputies were dispatched to the scene, they requested the homicide unit said Walker, who had no further details. As of 5:55 p.m., he said it’s likely the road will remain closed for several hours.
April 1, 2011—East County Magazine has the exclusive scoop on astounding major stories breaking today.
Is truth stranger than fiction? You decide. Click this link to our extra-special edition Friday, April 1st . Trust us, you won't want to miss this news.
What are your thoughts on these stories? Post your comments!
April 1, 2011 (Campo) – Shortly before dawn this morning, U.S. Border Patrol agents made a startling discovery along the border south of Campo in San Diego’s East County.
April 1, 2011 (Lakeside) – San Diego County officials today hosted a special event aimed at culling herds of wild pigs that are rampaging through the backcountry, destroying native habitat.
“Modeled after the Bureau of Land Management’s popular program for reducing surplus wild mustangs on public lands, our County has teamed up with Cleveland National Forest and local Harley Davidson clubs to sponsor the first annual Hog Wild pig roundup and run,” Supervisor Dianne Jacob announced, cutting a ribbon as a herd of stampeding pigs raced through the streets of Lakeside.
April 1, 2011 (Julian) – Highway 67 is notorious for the many head-on collisions and fatality crashes which have occurred on the winding stretch from Lakeside to Julian. Today, Cal-Trans and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) announced a solution.
In a joint press conference outside Julian Apple Pie Company, a major project sponsor, officials from both agencies revealed plans to replace old 67 with a new double-decker freeway from Santee to Julian.
April 5, 2011 (La Mesa) At 8:30 a.m. today, a 14-year-old boy was punched in the face three times and his necklace and hat were taken by two suspects aboard a trolley in La Mesa. The robbery occurred while the victim and suspects were riding eastbound on the MTS Trolley between the Spring Street and La Mesa Boulevard stations. 
April 5, 2011 (Otay) -- The suspect killed in yesterday's early morning robbery and shootout at the Apple store in the Otay Ranch Mall has been identified at Alex Somphonh Choulamontry, age 23. According to Chula Vista Police, Choulamontry was a documented gang member and on active California State parole. Choulamontry had convictions for theft, possession of controlled substances, driving under the influence and false identification to a peace officer.
About 5,000 students will be unable to get the classes they need
April 4, 2011 (Ramona) -- A stolen bronze moose statue from Ramona was recovered in a vacant field on March 30, about a mile from the 2800 block of Willow Oak Drive where it was stolen sometime between February 15 and 23. The area is located at the intersection of Dye Road and Southern Oak Road and is frequently used by people who ride and train horses.
April 4, 2011 (Borrego) – San Diego Sheriff’s communication center received a call on Thursday from a woman in Mammoth Lakes whose husband and a friend were hiking off Rockhouse Trail in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The two hikers called the woman from a satellite phone because the husband’s friend had become severely dehydrated, incoherent, and in immediate need of medical attention.
April 4, 2011 (Otay Mesa) – Chula Police Chief David Bejarano has provided an interview with East County Magazine moments after returning from the scene of a fatal shooting at Otay Ranch Town Center shopping mall. He disclosed chilling details of a brazen robbery attempt that ended with one suspect dead following a hail of bullets and a massive response by law enforcement to seal off and search the neighborhood.
April 4, 2011 (Otay Mesa)—Schools near the Otay Ranch Town Center were placed in lockdown briefly following a shooting at the mall. According to multiple sources, three people smashed a window at the Apple Store shortly before 6:45 a.m.
By Jeremy Los
April 3, 2011 (San Diego) -- On April 9 and 10, hundreds of San Diegans are expected to convene at University Ave. and Fairmount in City Heights to attend workshops, share knowledge, and discuss the sustainability, accessibility, and health of our food system in San Diego and around the world.
By Miriam Raftery
April 2, 2011 (Lemon Grove) – Thom Rosenberger and Charlie Lewis, famous throughout the county for their traveling fire education program, racked up nearly 70 years as Lemon Grove firefighters and know from smoke-filled rooms, burning embers and screaming sirens.
April 2, 2011 (San Diego) -- For our readers who have travel plans this weekend, please be aware that Southwest Airlines has cancelled 300 flights as it grounds 79 of its Boeing 737 aircraft for safety inspections. The inspections are anticipated to last several days as the planes are checked for "aircraft skin fatigue."
April 2, 2011 (La Mesa)—Are you an aspiring author? Barnes & Noble bookstore in Grossmont Center will host ”How to get published” on April 9 at 1 p.m.
April 1, 2011 (Lakeside) – Muth Valley Road is closed down at Wildcat Canyon Road due to a homicide investigation. According to Lt. Walker at the San Diego Sheriff, “a passerby or a resident found a body and called deputies.” A source close to the scene indicates the body is male and that there was bruising on the torso.
By Buck N. Hamm
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