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.

JOIN OUR 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION! BIRTH OF INDEPENDENT MEDIA AND OUR RADIO SHOW

 

TUNE IN JULY 4 TO HEAR OUR RADIO SHOWON  KNSJ 89.1 FM! 

July 3, 2013 -What could be more fitting than to launch independent media for our region on Independence Day?  Our East County Magazine radio show starts tomorrow with two special presentations . Tune in and tell us what you want to hear on community radio!

 On July 4, we launch our show with a special live broadcast on  the new KNSJ 89.1 FM station at a day-long celebration. East County Magazine 's live broadcast July 4  will be:

10 a.m. to 11 a.m., with interviews of community leaders and newsmakers

2 p.m., a special ECM-produced dramatic presentation--featuring "interviews" our nation's founding fathers--and mothers.

Our July 4 show will be at the World Beat Center in Balboa Park, so if you’re in the area stop by to cheer us on!

East County Magazine's regular radio program will launch next week, broadcasting on Mondays through Fridays at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

COOL ZONES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY

 

July 3, 2013 (San Diego) – As temperatures climb, it’s important to stay cool.  Seniors and those without air conditioning are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness.  The County has provided a list of “cool zones” where you can beat the heat, including places in East County, such as libraries and senior centers:  http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/hhsa/programs/ais/documents/coolzones.pdf.   All are free and open to the public during designated hours.

ON THE SILVER SCREEN: HIGH FIVE, SILVER! AWAY! (THE LONE RANGER)

 

By Brian Lafferty

July 3, 2013 (San Diego) – When I first learned of The Lone Ranger’s budget, I asked myself, “What studio in their right mind would spend a quarter of a billion dollars on a movie based on a property that originated as a long-running radio show, and later a low-budget 1950s kids TV show?”  In the 1930s and 1940s, Monogram Pictures and Republic Pictures rolled out hundreds of low-budget B-movies, a significant chunk of them westerns.  A cursory glance through the Internet Movie Database and a little arithmetic tells me The Lone Ranger cost a ton more than all these companies’ movies put together.

VIEJAS ANNOUNCES FULL WEEKEND OF INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS JULY 4-7

 

July 3, 2013 (Alpine) – Viejas is planning four full days and nights of activities, all free, to celebration Independence Day this weekend. Activities include fireworks on the 4th, as well as music, outdoor movies, and the new ICONS show in the Viejas Outlets Show Court throughout the weekend. For a schedule of events, scroll down.

SANTEE MAN KILLED IN HIGH-SPEED CRASH

 

July 2, 2013 (Santee) -- Sergio Joseph Dyda, 28, of Santee was killed June 30 in a high-speed collision on State Route 52 near Santo Road.  According to the California Highway Patrol, Dyda was driving a 2000 Subaru Outback westbound when the crash occurred.  A witness told CHP the vehicle was traveling at over 100 mph at 4:42 a.m. when the Outback passed him, lost control and collided with a guard rail on the right shoulder, careened across all lines and struck the center median, then traveled to the right and collided with the guard rail yet again before coming to a stop.

FIRE CHARS 110 ACRES IN LAKESIDE

By Nadin Abbott

Photos and videos by Billy Ortiz

View video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFyIKMWlzdE&feature=youtu.be

 July 2, 2013 (Lakeside)—Firefighters from Heartland Fire, the U.S. Forestry Service, Cal-Fire and Lakeside Fire Department have attained 50% containment of a brush fire that consumed at least 110 acres Lakeside as of this evening.  The fire began along El Monte Road in light, flashy fuels this afternoon and burned portions of El Cajon Mountain (El Capitan).

NEW GROSSMONT-CUYAMACA STUDENT TRUSTEES FOR 2013-14

 

July 1, 2013 (El Cajon) – Two new student trustees were recently officially seated on the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board.

The student trustees, who are elected by their peers as non-voting board members, are Grossmont College student Peg Marcus, 62, and Cuyamaca College student Elsa Michelle Hernandez, 19.

FINAL "LEGACY TRASH" REMOVED FROM WRIGHT'S FIELD IN ALPINE

 

July 1, 2013 (Alpine) – The Back Country Land Trust (BCLT) has owned and managed open-space landscapes in San Diego’s East County for over 20 years. The best example of these conservation lands is Wright’s Field preserve in the community of Alpine. Located in the heart of this small foothill town, Wright’s Field is a 230-acre nature preserve, saved from development in 1990 and preserved as open-space for wildlife, habitat conservation, and recreation such as hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

RANCHO SAN DIEGO RESIDENT NAMED HEALTH SECTOR "NAVIGATOR" FOR SAN DIEGO, IMPERIAL COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGES

 

July 1, 2013 (El Cajon) – Rancho San Diego resident Ann Durham, Director of the Health Workforce Initiative based at Grossmont College, has been named Deputy Sector Navigator (DSN) for Health for the San Diego/Imperial Region.

The appointment, announced this week by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office Division of Workforce & Economic Development, means that Durham will have expanded responsibilities and budget under the "Doing What Matters" program.

FROM THE CHIEF'S CORNER: DOG GONE IT! WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? 4TH OF JULY SAFETY FOR PETS

 

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

July 1, 2013 (San Diego) – If your pets could talk, chances are they “wouldn’t” give you a “lick in,” says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. Dogs can develop heat stroke and sunburn in the hot weather, but one danger to dogs that's frequently overlooked is the potential for paw pad injuries and burns from walking a dog on hot pavement or sand. Walk the dog in the early morning or evening to avoid paw pad burns. Avoid walking the dog in the heat of the day, when the sun beats down, heating the pavement and sand. Walk the dog on the grass; it’s cooler for you and them. Are you taking your dog hiking? Would you like to hike barefoot in the heat on rocky terrain? Maybe your dog wouldn’t either! Make sure you have water for your dog while hiking and do so during a cool hour and “watch those paws!”

NEW ACADEMIC AFFAIRS VICE PRESIDENT WENT INCOGNITO AT GROSSMONT

 

July 1, 2013 (El Cajon) – The day before she was to meet the Grossmont College search committee that would interview her for the job as vice president for academic affairs, Dr. Katrina VanderWoude, vice provost at Rochester College in Michigan, decided to do some interviewing of her own.  Visiting the Grossmont College campus incognito, she struck up conversations with students over lunch in Griffin Center, and elsewhere on the campus, to see if she could get a feel for the place at which she later accepted the job.

EL CAJON RESIDENT HONORED AS TOP GRADUATE BY ABC SAN DIEGO

 

July 1, 2013 (El Cajon) –  Years of dedication and hard work have paid off for apprentices and craft trainees who graduated with their apprenticeship and journeyman certificates on Friday, June 21 from the Associated Builders and Contractors Apprenticeship Training program. 

The 67 students in the Class of 2013 from the San Diego region have completed a skilled trades apprenticeship and craft training program in crafts such as plumbing and pipefitting, electrical, electronic systems technician and sheet metal. Their course of study included up to four years of classroom training and thousands of hours of practical field experience.

FROM THE CHIEF'S CORNER: 4TH OF JULY SAFETY

 

July 1, 2013 (San Diego) – With warm weather and family events, the Fourth of July can be a fun time with great memories. But before you and your family celebrate, make sure everyone knows about 4th of July safety, says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. If not handled properly, fireworks, barbeques and heat can be dangerous and cause injuries to kids and adults. The best advice: “Attend public fireworks displays, and leave the lighting to the professionals,” says Chief DiGiovanna.

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: COOPER'S HAWKS IN JAMUL

 

July 1, 2013 (Jamul) – Debbie Ekhaml captured these close-up images of a Cooper's Hawk family in Jamul, as the fledgling hawks learn how to successfully hunt a sparrow.  Cooper’s Hawks prey on birds and small mammals, even taking on prey larger than themselves such as ducks and chickens.  They have sometimes been known to lose their lives for taking on the wrong prey, such as a large owl.

FAMILIES NEEDED TO HOST EXCHANGE STUDENTS FROM CHINA

 

June 30, 2013 (San Diego's East County)--The Cultural Homestay International (CHI) program needs help finding homes for students from China for a two-week exchange program this summer or a longer 10-month program during the academic school year starting this fall.  For over 30 years, high school age students from many countries have participated in these high school foreign exchange programs, staying with local host families and attending local schools.

ASSEMBLYMAN JONES’ BILL TO CONFORM STATE AND FEDERAL “MADE IN AMERICA” LABELING STANDARDS IN CA KILLED IN COMMITTEE

By Miriam Raftery

July 1, 2013 (Sacramento) -- Legislation by Assemblyman Brian Jones (R-Santee) to modify “Made in America” labeling standards has  been killed the Senate Judiciary Committee today. Assembly Bill 890 would permit a product to qualify as “Made in America” if 90% of the components of the merchandise were made in the United States.  Current California law requires 100%.

DECADES OF EXPERIENCE LOST WITH PRESCOTT HOTSHOT CREW

 

 

19 elite firefighters dead in raging Arizona wildfire

By Nadin Abbott

June 30,2013 (San Diego)—A wildfire has resulted in a tragedy for Arizona firefighters and the nation, wiping out an entire Hotshot crew.  An Ariziona state forestry official confirms that 19 firefighters, including 18 members of the elite Prescott Granite Mountain Hotshots were killed in the line of duty today, fighting a fast-moving brush fire that leveled 250 homes in Yarnell. The unit’s only surviving member is reportedly hospitalized with burns. http://www.wivb.com/dpps/news/nation/18-firefighters-unaccounted-for-bat...

These firefighters are the elite of the elite in firefighting circles, among the best-trained firefighters in the country. Prescott is the first municipal department in the United States to gain the prestigious designation of a Hot Shot crew. It is the city with the oldest fire department in that State as well.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS, AWARDS AT MANESS VINEYARDS’ FOOD AND WINE MIXER

 

By Miriam Raftery, photos by Sue Brenner and Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  Award winners Raftery, Jacob and Kerns with Maness; photo by Sue Brenner Photography

June 30, 2013 (Mount Helix) –At the 5th annual Maness Vineyards’ Food and Wine Mixer earlier this month, Greg Maness presented Trailblazer awards honoring Supervisor Dianne Jacob, East County Magazine Editor Miriam Raftery, and winemaker/  Ramona Vintners Magazine Editor Teri Kerns for their pioneering efforts benefitting the local wine industry.  Maness also made another big announcement. At the event at Manor Vineyard on Mount Helix June 15, benefitting  St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center.

“”We have recently broken ground and designed the new [St. Madeleine’s] Mad Hatter Vineyard,” Maness told the crowd, then promptly asked for supporters to adopt  rows of grapevines.

BILL TO INCREASE PROTECTION OF NATIVE AMERICAN SACRED SITES PASSES ASSEMBLY, BUT KEY LOOPHOLE COULD LIMIT ITS EFFECT

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 30, 2013 (Sacramento) – A measure to require that developers consult with Native American tribes before initiating projects that affect tribal sacred sites and cultural resources has unanimously passed the state Assembly by a 56-0 vote. The bill now heads to the State Senate.

The approval of AB 52, authored by Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles), came despite opposition from the California Chamber of Commerce, which called the measure a “job killer.”

The bill strengthens consultation standards with tribes under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), including impacts to tribal sites among the environmental impacts that must be weighed.  But the bill also contains a provision that could allow tribal concerns to be ignored if any one of a list of other benefits is found to outweigh tribal concerns.

TWO KILLED IN GLIDER CRASH AT JACUMBA

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

June 30, 2013 (Jacumba) – Two men were killed shortly after noon yesterday in a glider crash in Jacumba.  The victims have been identified by the county Medical Examiner as Richard Riley Noble, 63, of La Jolla and Martin Gary Rothwell, 54, of San Diego. Noble was the pilot and Rothwell was a passenger, a Jacumba source has advised ECM.

According to the Medical Examiner’s report, the glider plane was towed and the towline released at about 100 feet. For unknown reasons, the glider lost control, rapidly decelerated and struck the ground.

$5,000 REWARD FOR REPORTING ARSON

 

June 29, 2013 (San Diego) – One out of every four fires is started by arson, according to Cal-Fire. When an arsonist sets a fire, everyone pays. Arson fires destroy homes, businesses, communities, forests, wilderness and lives. They cost our community considerably in fire losses, firefighting expenses and higher insurance premiums. They also tie up fire crews and equipment needlessly.

SAN DIEGO SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SEEKS PUBLIC HELP IN APPREHENDING WANTED FUGITIVE RAMIRO ESPINOZA

 

June 29, 2013 (San Diego)—The San Diego Sheriff's Department, Crime Stoppers and the Fugitive Task Force seek public help to locate Ramiro Espinoza, who  has a $1,000,000 arrest warrant for attempted murder, domestic violence, felony assault, as well as a felon in possession of a weapon. Espinoza has a tattoo that says "San Diego" on his stomach. He also has a tattoo picture of Jesus with a thorn crown on his back. Espinoza is known to frequent the South Bay area of the county.

If you see him, do not approach him. Espinoza has a history of violence and should be considered armed and dangerous.

LEMON GROVE COUNCIL TO WEIGH RESOLUTION CALLING FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO OVERTURN CITIZENS UNITED DECISION

 

June 29, 2013 (Lemon Grove) – At the request of Council members George Gastil and Racquel Vasquez, Lemon Grove’s City Council on July 2 will consider a request from Money Out of Politics (MOP) to adopt a resolution to limit the influence of money in politics. Thirteen state legislatures and many cities, including San Diego and Los Angeles, have already adopted similar resolutions.

The resolution opposes the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission case. The high court found limits on corporate campaign contributions to be illegal, finding that corporations have rights similar to citizens. 

The MOP resolution calls on Congress to begin the process of amending the U.S. Constitution t to make clear that corporations are not people and thus are not entitled to the rights and protections of citizens.

GAY MARRIAGES RESUME IN CA; OPPONENTS FILE LAST-DITCH APPEAL

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 29, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Following in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision dismissing the Proposition 8 case, the Ninth District Court of Appeal yesterday lifted its stay on same-sex marriages.  For the first time in five years, gay couples can now legally wed once again in California.

Attorney General Kamala Harris performed the first such marriage after the ban was lifted, uniting the two plaintiffs in the lawsuit brought against Prop 8, Kristin Perry and her fiancée, Sandy Stier.  The wedding took place at San Francisco’s City Hall.

AMATEUR RADIO CLASS JULY 27

June 29, 2013 (Lakeside) – An Amateur Radio class is being held on July 27 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Lakeside Fire Protection District Office, 12216 Lakeside Avenue, Lakeside.  Testing for the Amateur Radio License will be held immediately after class at 5 p.m.

Obtaining an amateur radio license enables people to communicate during a local disaster such as a fire or earthquake when traditional land lines and cell phones may stop working.  License holders can help their local community during times of need as well as get up to date information about the disaster from local authorities.  It’s also a great way to communicate with people around the world.

FIRES DOUSED IN SANTEE INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT AND IN LAKESIDE

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by 10 News and Leon Thompson

June 29, 2013 (Santee)---Exploding propane tanks fueled a fire in the 10500 block of Prospect Avenue in Santee yesterday, ECM news partner 10 News reports.

The fire began in a trash pile or container , according to Heartland Fire & Rescue spokeman Sonny Saghera. The blaze damaged a home, a garage and several vehicles, Santee Patch.com reported.

BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR STOLEN CORRAL

 

June 29, 2013 (Deerhorn Valley) -- Rustlers have struck at a ranch in Deerhorn Valley -- stealing not livestock, but a corral.  Approximately 20 panels of pipe corral, including a gate, were stolen in a brazen theft last week. Each panel is 12 feet long, the Deerhorn Valley Antler reports. 

Citizens are asked to report any appearances of similar pipe corral panels elsewhere in the region, as well as any other information on this crime. 

"The corral was assembled, standing and used for training and riding lessons. Apparently the thieves came on more than once occasion to dismantle and carry away the panels.  In all, half the corral has been stolen, a significant expense for the owners," the Antler reports.

HEPATITIS A OUTBREAK LINKED TO POMEGRANATE SEEDS SOLD LOCALLY

 

 

 

June 28, 2013 (San Diego)--Consumers are urged to throw away specific lots of Woodstock Frozen Organic Pomegranate Kernels, the second product sold in San Diego County associated with a national outbreak of hepatitis A, according to  the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA). 

The recalled lots contain pomegranate seeds imported from Turkey that were also used in Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend of frozen berries. Although the Woodstock product has not been linked to any illnesses here, the Townsend Farms berry blend has sickened 127 people nationwide, including 15 San Diego County residents.

“If you ate a product containing these pomegranate seeds in the past two weeks and you have never been vaccinated for hepatitis A or had the disease, you should contact your health care provider to discuss hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “Anyone who ate these products should be aware of the symptoms of hepatitis A and seek medical attention early if they appear.”

RESTORE THE FOURTH (AMENDMENT): RALLY AND MARCH TO SENATOR FEINSTEIN’S OFFICE JULY 4

 

 

“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures...”  U.S. Bill of Rights, Amendment IV

June 28, 2013 (San Diego)—A new nonpartisan movement called “Restore the Fourth” has been formed to seek restoration of Constitutional rights to privacy under the Fourth Amendment.  The effort is prompted by revelations that the federal government has secretly accessed phone and Internet records for millions of American citizens.

On July 4, Restore the Fourth is organizing protests in cities across America.  Restore the Fourth invites the public to join a rally and march to Senator Dianne Feinstein’s office.  Marchers will meet at 11 a.m. at the Balboa Park fountain near the Reuben H. Space Theater.

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