July 18, 2013 (San Diego)—Supporters of San Diego Mayor Bob Filner held a rally today to urge that the Mayor be provided due process to allow claims of sexual harassment to be investigated before rushing to judgment.
David Vallalodid, a long-time activist, noted that allegations have “not been substantiated” and charges “have not been filed.”
San Diegans are speaking out on the anonymous sexual harassment allegations against Mayor Bob Filner--and their opinions are as diverse as the city's population. While some have called for the mayor's resignation or a recall election, others are urging him to stand his ground pending outcome of any investigaiton--and object to anonyous allegations being leveraged to try and force the mayor from office.
A rift has also occurred within the Democratic Party, with some prominent former supporters and multiple members of the City Council now calling for his resignation. But others say the Mayor is entitled to due process and that demands for his resignation are inappropriate absent proof of illegal actions. In addition, the party is divided over who should replace Mayor Filner should he step down or be forced from office.
July 18, 2013 (San Diego) – Governor Jerry Brown has signed legislation into law that overhauls the state’s enterprise zone program of tax credits for employers hiring in designated areas. The old Enterprise Zone system had been criticized as wasteful and ineffective at creating jobs.
The reforms were backed by labor and manufacturing interests, though some business representatives have raised concerns over elimination of the old enterprise zone program.
The new measures, including Senate Bill 90 and Assembly Bill 93, were signed into law in San Diego on July 11 at Takeda, a local biotech firm.
July 18, 2013 (Rancho San Diego )–Firefighters from Cal Fire/San Miguel Fire District responded to a six vehicle incident at Jamacha Road and Cuyamaca College Drive in the Rancho San Diego Area shortly after 11 a.m. today.
According to witnesses, the driver of a silver van was traveling eastbound on Jamacha Road when her vehicle sped up and hit five other vehicles, plunging over an embankment. The vehicle also knocked over a tree and continued through a Mobile gas station parking lot, then up a slight embankment, crashing into a light pole at Rancho San Diego Town Centre before bursting into flames.
July 18, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Once again the winemakers of East County Vintners have demonstrated their winemaking skills at the annual San Diego County Fair competition.
New to the competition is David Raum of Potrero, whose 2012 Viognier (a white wine with notes of pear) took home a silver medal. Richard Westfall (Campo) received “the best of class” and gold medal for his 2011 Mourvédre. He also received a silver medal for his 2011 Primitivo, a silver for his 2008 Aglianico and a bronze medal for his 2011 Cabernet Franc. Janet Wright (Potrero) also received a silver medal for her 2011 Primitivo.
July 18, 2013 (Mission Valley) – San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU), San Diego’s largest locally-owned financial institution with three local East County branches in El Cajon, La Mesa and Santee, is inviting the public to its SDCCU Super Shred Event featuring free document shredding services from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday, July 20 at the Qualcomm Stadium northwest parking lot located at 9449 Friars Road, San Diego. SDCCU is hoping to shred the Guinness World Record for most shred paper collected in 24 hours. The current world record of 111,920 pounds of paper is held by Comerica Bank, Iron Mountain and KDFW FOX 4 in Dallas.
July 18, 2013 (Santee) – Xtreme Diamond Sports (XDS) returns to San Diego County for the Xtreme Diamond Sports World Series (July 22-27), the premier youth baseball tournament serving ages 8-18 years across five venues. This year, XDS will welcome teams from all over the western United States and the South Pacific — including six teams from Hawaii and one from Guam. The event will be held at Sportsplex USA Santee located at 9951 Riverwalk Drive, Santee CA 92071.
July 18, 2013 (San Diego)--“San Diego Family Magazine” readers voted Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) “Best of Family Fun” for 2013 in four categories: Best Place to Connect with Nature, Best Lake, Best Guided Nature Walk, Best Lake, and Best Horseback Riding Trails (bring your own horse). MTRP was the only entry to win in four categories.
MTRP is 12 miles from downtown San Diego and five miles northeast of Qualcomm Stadium off Mission Gorge Road. The park encompasses about 5,800 acres, and offers 40 miles of trails for hiking, bicycling – including mountain biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, and a 14,750-square-foot Visitor Center located at One Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego 92119. It is the largest urban open space park west of the Mississippi and everything is free--including many special summertime activities. Scroll down for details.
July 18, 2013 (San Diego's East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:
July 18, 2013 (San Diego's East County) --ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:
July 18, 2013 (Ramona) – A hiker found dead on a trail at San Dieguito River Park on the San Pasqual Clevenger Trail has been identified as Ellen Turkish Comisso, 65, of La Jolla.
Two hikers found the victim in brush just off the trail on the morning of July 5 and called 911. The San Diego Medical Examiner has found that her death was caused by hyperthermia, a condition most commonly associated with heat stroke. It is unknown how long the victim had been deceased before she was found.
July 18, 2013 (Pine Valley) – A 38-year-old Pine Valley resident died at the scene of a rollover accident that occurred July 17 at 10:18 p.m. The driver, whose name has not yet been released by the Medical Examiner, was driving a 2001 Volkswagen GTI westbound on I-8 east of East Willows Road in Alpine at a high rate of speed, a witness told the California Highway Patrol.
"It was avery sad night indeed. It was a very dangerous scene to roll upon in the darkness."
said Don Lumb, who sent the photo in this story. "He was still alive, but took almost 30 minutes before the first emergency vehicle even arrived. He passed away while at the scene just prior to advanced help."
July 18, 2013 (El Cajon)--The arraignment of a man arrested by San Diego Sheriffs deputies on suspicion of arson and other associated crimes Sunday night has been continued until July 24 in Department 2 of El Cajon Superior Court. Dane Coburn is accused of intentionally setting a fire that charred five acres of brush on State Route 79 near the Los Vaqueros Horse Camp in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park last week.
Coburn, represented by legal counsel, is also accused of threatening to kill one of the firefighters who first responded to the blaze. He then allegedly provoked a fight with several deputies before being subdued. His attorney requested the continuance on the grounds that Coburn needed access to a mental health professional for an evaluation prior his arraignment. Coburn is being held in San Diego County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bail.
The defendant has been charged with arson of forest lands, assault on an officer, making terrorist threats, resisting arrest, and of being under the influence of drugs.
July 17, 2013 (El Cajon)- At the July 9 meeting, El Cajon City Council unanimously voted to authorize the city manager to issue a formal request for qualifications to hire an architect to prepare and provide construction documents ready for bid on renovations to reopen the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC).
According to Ray Lutz from Citizens Oversight, who also organized a Save ECPAC group last year when the theater was threatened with possible demolition, “This is the best news we have had on this issue for over a year."
July 17, 2013 (Borrego) – The 43rd annual sheep count in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park was completed July 5-7.
“This year we tallied 332 bighorn, which replaces the 2011 count as the second largest tally in sheep count history at Anza-Borrego,” states a letter to volunteers from coordinators Steve Bier and Mark C. Jorgensen.
The numbers don’t tell the whole story, though. The count did not include some portions of the park where populations may be under the most stress—and at least two dead sheep were found during the count due to apparent dehydration.
July 16, 2013 (San Diego) – On the continued fight over forcing the Mayor to resign - It is not too smart to call a press conference, like the one Briggs, Frye and Gonzales called yesterday in an attempt to use the media to force San Diego Mayor Bob Filner to resign, then attack the media for asking legitimate questions.
I believe Bob Filner should resign for the good of San Diego, but if he survives this thing, it will be due to his opposition playing such heavy handed politics - from the left and the right - that the public decides this is all just another power grab and there is no difference between Bob and his adversaries.
July 16, 2013 (San Diego) – Mayor Bob Filner yesterday announced appointments intended to significantly strengthen City management. Filner prefaced the announcement with a statement addressing recent calls for his resignation:
“I’m not going to resign, and here’s why,” said Filner. “As your elected mayor, I fully expect to be accountable to the citizens of San Diego for all of my actions. But as a citizen of this country, I also expect – and am entitled to – due process, and the opportunity to respond in a fair and impartial venue to specific allegations. I do not believe I am guilty of sexual harassment, and I believe a full presentation of the facts will vindicate me,” said Filner.
July 15, 2013 (San Diego) --Equivalent to our Independence Day, Bastille Day is the great national holiday of France. In the true Gallic tradition, Bastille Day is also celebrated in America.
Why have we Americans so fervently embraced a foreign holiday of which we know so little about? It is due, perhaps, to the unmistakable joie de vivre we have imported from the French culture. Our thoughts about Bastille Day are not so much an exercise in history, but rather a reflection of the things we view as endemic to the nation of France.
July 5, 2013 (San Diego)—Planning on attending Comic Con International this year starting July 18? Parking is challenging, so consider taking the trolley.
July 15, 2013 (El Cajon) -- Are you a military member or veteran? If so, the County wants to hear from you.
The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency is sponsoring a forum at the El Cajon Library on July 18 from 4 to 6 p.m. to gather information that will help service members make a successful transition to civilian life.
Drills aim to prepare law enforcement officers in the event of a school shooting
July 15, 2013 (El Cajon) – If you live or work in El Cajon be advised the Sheriff's Department will hold an active shooter training at Grossmont College on Tuesday, July 16th and Thursday, July 18th from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. THIS IS ONLY A DRILL.
July 15, 2013 (Lemon Grove) – This summer the music is floating over Berry Street Park, 7071 Mt. Vernon, Lemon Grove on Thursday evenings. The free concerts are sponsored by the City of Lemon Grove and are from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
July 15, 2013 (San Diego)--The popular Miramar Air Show set for October 4-6 is at risk of cancellation, following Friday’s announcement that the Pentagon will not allow military flights in the annual air show at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar due to budget cuts caused by sequestration. Marine officials have not yet confirmed if the show will be held, but if the show does go on, it will be with no military aircraft. Military planes such as the Blue Angels have comprised the majority of the show in the past.
“More than half a million visitors attend the Miramar event, which helps our local economy and showcases the skill of our armed forces. This is a tremendous disappointment across the region,” said State Senator Marty Block (D-39th District).
July 15, 2013 (La Mesa)—La Mesa Police responded to a 9-1-1 call on July 12 at 7:40 p.m. in the 7400 block of Colony Drive. A witness reported that a suspect slashed the face of a victim with a knife and then fled west through the residential complex.
Officers arrived on scene and located the victim on the ground with a laceration to his nose and face. The 50-year-old victim was transported to the hospital with wounds that were not life threatening.
Officers searched the area with assistance from San Diego Sheriff’s helicopter ASTREA and El Cajon Police Department canine units, but were unable to locate the suspect. The suspect is described as a white man in his 40s or 50s, between 5’4 and 5’6 tall, approximately 160 pounds, with “salt and pepper” hair. He was wearing a t-shirt and brown shorts and carried a large black trash bag when he fled the scene.
Update: A reader in the area informed ECM at 10 p.m. he can no longer see flames and it appears firefighters have the blaze under control.
July 14, 2013 – AT 9:04 p.m., Incident Page Network reports scanner traffic indicates a new brush fire at Highway 79 and Sunrise Highway is now two acres, burning in moderate fuel near Los Vaqueros Horse Camp.
The CHP website indicates fire is near Stonewall Road and Horse Camp not far from Lake Cuyamaca. CHP's site also states that the San Diego Sheriff is out with a “5150” (mental case) party possibly responsible for the fire.
Update July 15: The property owner has granted a brief stay to allow Coyote Canyon Caballos d'Anza more time to relocate the herd. The nonprofit group asks public help to contact federal and county elected officials and the Bureau of Land Management to urge that relocation on public lands in San Diego be approved and expedited. Actions that could be taken include the county adding these wild horses to its protected species list and the BLM approving the horses for relocation to the Beauty Mountain area in northeast San Diego County.
By Miriam Raftery
July 14, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Plans to restore San Diego’s heritage herd of wild horses to public lands is in peril. An eviction notice has been served on the nonprofit organization that recently found and brought back the last descendants of San Diego’s original wild horses. Unless the property owner backs down, the horses will be evicted on Monday, July 15.
July 13, 2013 (Campo) – The Motor Transport Museum is hosting a Mexican Fiesta party to celebrate the completion of the restoration work on the vintage 1924 Cadillac Julian Stage bus on July 20 at 4 p.m. at the museum, 31949 Highway 94, Campo.
Attendees can ride in the 1924 Cadillac Stage bus, learn what was state-of-art manufacturing of busses in the 1920’s, wear vintage clothing and enjoy vintage music. There will also be surprise events for the kids.
July 13, 2013 (Santee) – As part of the Summer Concert Series in Santee, July 18 will be Blues & BBQ featuring music from Mercedes Moore Band and Bill Magee Blues. The food will be provided by Phil’s BBQ and the beer garden features Manzanita Brewing Co. The event takes place at Town Center Community Park East, 550 Park Center Drive, Santee from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
July 13, 2013 (El Cajon) – The Young Actors Theater is presenting Les Miserables July 25-28 and August 1-4 at Cuyamaca College Performing Arts Center, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon. Les Miserables, recently a blockbuster movie, is the story of Jean Valjean and his search for peace in 19th century France which culminates at the beginning of a revolutionary uprising.
July 13, 2013 (La Mesa)—The City of La Mesa presents “Movie Night Under the Stars” on July 26, at La Mesita Park. The movie, “Wreck it Ralph” (rated PG), starts at 8:00 p.m. with pre-show entertainment starting at 7:30 p.m. This is fun family entertainment at its best “Under the Stars.”
The movie is FREE to the public and will be shown on a 25’ x 14’ screen. Bring your lawn chair, spread out a blanket, sit back and enjoy. La Mesita Park is located adjacent to the Junior Seau Sports Complex at 8855 Dallas Street, La Mesa.
July 15, 2013 (Lemon Grove) – This summer the music is floating over Berry Street Park, 7071 Mt. Vernon, Lemon Grove on Thursday evenings. The free concerts are sponsored by the City of Lemon Grove and are from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. 
July 13, 2013 (Campo) – The Motor Transport Museum is hosting a Mexican Fiesta party to celebrate the completion of the restoration work on the vintage 1924 Cadillac Julian Stage bus on July 20 at 4 p.m. at the museum, 31949 Highway 94, Campo. 
July 13, 2013 (Santee) – As part of the Summer Concert Series in Santee, July 18 will be Blues & BBQ featuring music from Mercedes Moore Band and Bill Magee Blues. The food will be provided by Phil’s BBQ and the beer garden features Manzanita Brewing Co. The event takes place at Town Center Community Park East, 550 Park Center Drive, Santee from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
July 13, 2013 (El Cajon) – The Young Actors Theater is presenting Les Miserables July 25-28 and August 1-4 at Cuyamaca College Performing Arts Center, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon. Les Miserables, recently a blockbuster movie, is the story of Jean Valjean and his search for peace in 19th century France which culminates at the beginning of a revolutionary uprising.
July 13, 2013 (La Mesa)—The City of La Mesa presents “Movie Night Under the Stars” on July 26, at La Mesita Park. The movie, “Wreck it Ralph” (rated PG), starts at 8:00 p.m. with pre-show entertainment starting at 7:30 p.m. This is fun family entertainment at its best “Under the Stars.”
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