March 24, 2013 (Alpine)—Seven Alpine businesses have filed a lawsuit alleging that SDG&E failed to adequately reimburse business owners for losses caused by the two-year project to underground the high-voltage Sunrise Powerlink lines along Alpine Boulevard. Plaintiffs allege that some businesses were forced out of business, while others suffered hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenues.
An attorney for plaintiffs contends that SDG&E did not live up to its promises to mitigate construction impacts by limited portions of Alpine Boulevard, instead creating a “gauntlet of construction obstacles” that drove customers away.
The Miss San Diego Cities Pageant in conjunction with the Miss San Diego Pageant and Scholarship Association invites the community to a fundraiser to support Taylor Cunningham and the Cunningham Family, today Tuesday, March 26 all day at the Chilis restaurant in Santee on Mission George Road. Chilis will donate a portion of all orders (dine in and take out) for parties who bring in the attached filer in support of Taylor Cunningham and Family.
Taylor currently holds the title of Miss San Diego's Outstanding Teen. She and her mother and two sisters were hit by a wrong way drunk driver on the Eastbound 52 just more than a week ago.
March 24, 2013 (Jacumba Hot Springs) --I spotted this beautiful crested bird, a cedar waxwing, on a visit to Jacumba Hot Springs last week. Lake Jacumba, once virtually dry, is now refilled and is a magnet for a wide variety of bird species.
Cedar waxwings are most often found in the northern United States, but can be seen in wooded areas of San Diego County during their spring migration. They often travel in flocks and are known as the "party animals" of the bird world, since they have been known to feast on fruits and berries until they become intoxicated!
March 24, 2013 (La Mesa) – San Pasqual Winery announces a creative series of upcoming events at its tasting room in La Mesa. Each Saturday night, find live entertainment including flamenco fusion, classic guitar, hits from yesterday and today, plus original local music. Other upcoming events include a painting class and a “big read” from a Ray Bradbury sci fi favorite read by La Mesa’s Vice Mayor and other local talents.
March 22, 2013 (El Cajon)- East County’s newest farmers’ market had its grand opening yesterday on the Prescott Promenade in downtown El Cajon. Many people came, young and old, single and families, all flocking to check out what this market had to offer. Shoppers found a unique blend of fresh produce, unique ethnic and multicultural foods, fresh flowers, baked goods, hot entrees and specialty foods.
An International Rescue Committee (IRC) spokesman thanked the public for coming out and supporting the new market, which benefits not only the community, but also local refugees who are growing some of the fresh produce sold here.
March 22, 2013 (Santee)--A 14-year-old boy has been booked into Juvenile Hall after making threats against two schoolmates, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department reports.
The principal of Cajon Park Elementary (which has students from kindergarten through 8th grade) school called the Santee Sheriff's Station yestserday after a female student reported receiving a text message saying she will be killed at school. A second female student received a text message in reference to the killing and a body being hidden.
March 22, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Today the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed closure of 149 air traffic control towers due to sequestration cuts that are mandated due to Congress failing to agree on how to balance the federal budget. That includes towers at Ramona Airport in East County and Brown Field in Otay Mesa, both slated to shut down starting April 7.
Closure of the Ramona facility had sparked widespread protests from local officials and the public, who had urged the FAA to keep the tower open to assure protection of firefighters at the backcountry airport.
March 26, 2013 (El Cajon) – Heartland Fire Training Facility hosts a, “Joint Chamber Mixer” this Thursday, March 28, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., located at 1301 North Marshall Avenue, El Cajon.
Join Chambers from throughout the East County to learn about the facility that provides ongoing fire training for the cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove and Santee; the fire protection districts of Alpine, Bonita, Lakeside and San Miguel, San Diego County Fire Authority, Barona and Viejas.
March 22, 2013 (Otay) -- This morning at 11:05, California Highway Patrol communications began receiving reports that a small private plane had been forced to land on the freeway after experiencing mechanical problems. CHP officers responded to these reports and located the Cessna 150 on the right shoulder of State Route 125, near the Otay River Bridge.
Story and photos by Miriam Raftery, video by Paul Kruze
March 22, 2013 (Alpine) – “This truly is a game changer for East County,” said Joe Terzi, Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego Tourism Authority, at a VIP grand opening last night of the $36 million, five-story hotel at Viejas Casino & Resort in Alpine. He hailed the new resort as a “great new addition to the San Diego region” that will help East County benefit from tourism that drives San Diego’s economy.
Dignitaries and community leaders from across our region turned out for last night’s occasion. A second opening for the public, including a free world premier performance of the Cirque-style show “Rise”, will be held on Saturday night, March 23 along with fireworks to celebrate East County’s landmark new addition.
View our exclusive video, see our photo gallery and read details of this landmark occasion below.
Approval of Escondido power plant restart triggers local generation charge to ratepayers
Story and photos by Nadin Abbott
March 21, 2013 (San Diego)—East County residents savored victory following the California Public Utilities Commission’s unanimous rejection today of Quail Brush, a gas-fired power plant proposed near Mission Trails. Commissioners also rejected the Pio Pico plant in Otay Mesa, but approved refiring an Escondido power plant.
But according to Lane Sharman, co-founder with Bill Powers of the San Diego Energy District Foundation, a grassroots group trying to get community based utilities, this vote did something else. It added one more tax to your utility bill. Not only are rate payers to pay for energy distribution and transmission distribution, but now a local generation charge as well. Effectively, ratepayers will be subsidizing utilities, according to Sharman.
March 21, 2013 (Descanso) -- Descanso will soon be the home of a new non-commercial community radio station, KNSJ, which will broadcast on 89.1 FM from Monument Peak, Mt. Laguna. The station aims to begin broadcasting in April, once a transmitter is built.
The station is actively soliciting community members to broadcast their own shows, stories, events listings and items of local information, and to join with and guide the station as it grows into a real 24/7 media outlet by and for the people.
“Today’s rejection of Quail Brush is not only a victory for the environment. It’s a victory for our community. It sends a message that San Diego County shouldn’t rely on old-school, power plant technology and that we can accelerate our efforts to develop renewable, cleaner forms of energy, like rooftop solar and fuel cells.”—Supervisor Dianne Jacob
March 21, 2013 (San Diego) – Before a packed audience in San Diego today, the California Public Utilities Commission unanimously denied SDG&E’s requests to build Quail Brush and Pio Pico, gas-powered peaker plants near Mission Trails Regional Park and in Otay Mesa. The Commission did, however, authorize repowering of an existing but idle gas plant in Escondido.
Screens Friday, April 5 at 10:00 p.m. at the Ocean Beach Playhouse as part of the first Frequency Film Festival.
By Brian Lafferty
March 22, 2013 (San Diego) – Two weeks ago, Sam Raimi'sOz the Great and Powerful was released. Memory of the Dead - which screens on Friday, April 5 as part of the new Frequency Film Festival - is a film that owes much to Raimi's not so family-friendly work. It balances both camp and fright with scattered, but effective, jump scares and lots of blood.
Update: A $500 reward is now being offered for Napolean's safe reward.
March 22, 2013 (Alpine)--On Tuesday afternoon, March 19, Napoleon, a French Bulldog, went missing from the backyard of his home in Alpine. Napoleon is almost 11 years old and has retired from his job as a therapy dog to live out his days with the Storms family and their 5-year-old daughter, Carson. The dog specialized in working with developmentally disabled adults that have violent tendencies. He is a black-brindle French Bulldog with white markings. He weighs around 25 pounds and was wearing a blue plaid collar.
Napoleon has also been the center of a love story. After taking part in his owners' wedding as a 'Groomsdog' he was on a flight from San Diego to Charlotte, N.C. with a close friend of the family who subsequently met his wife, a Delta flight attendant, during the flight when they started talking about the handsome dog.
March 21, 2013 (Rancho San Diego)- This past Sunday was the first annual ‘East County Run’-also known as the ‘Hooleys to Hooleys Half Marathon.’ Over 1,000 people showed up and participated in the half marathon, 5K run/walk, and green mile for adults with developmental disabilities. Since it was St Patrick’s Day, many people came decked out in green from knee high green socks to green shamrock facial tattoos.
March 21, 2013 (San Diego)--Moving to a new town or city is always very exciting and sometimes also a little nerve racking.
When contemplating relocation, therefore, it is always a good idea to take a long hard look at all the pros and cons in order to arrive at a balanced view. Here are just some of the things to take into account of for anyone contemplating moving to San Diego.
March 21, 2013 (Julian/Wynola) – A three-course wine pairing dinner will be served up Friday, March 29 at Jeremy’s on the Hill, featuring exquisite bottles from J. Jenkins Winery. Jeremy’s is located at 4354 Highway 78, Wynola; five minutes west from downtown Julian. Dinner begins at 7:00 p.m.
“We have several great wineries here in the back country and pairing these great wines with seasonal food is one of my favorite things to do,” said Chef Jeremy. Jeremy’s on the Hill specializes in farm-to-table cuisine and features many local breweries and wineries at the restaurant. Chef Jeremy Manley, 26, and a Cordon Bleu graduate, has been working with food and cooking since the age of ten.
March 21, 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:
March 20, 2013 (San Diego)—Federal employees and their families at a rally outside the 32nd Street Naval Station today came to bring attention to the effects of the federal sequester in their lives. This is a reality for them right now, not just a headline in a paper.
March 20, 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:
Broad coalition urging city leaders to move forward with safe, reliable options for drinking water in San Diego
March 20, 2013 (San Diego) The Water Reliability Coalition (WRC), a broad-based affiliation of environmental, business, consumer, labor, development, taxpayer and technical organizations, has come out in support of the City of San Diego’s Natural Resources & Culture committee’s decision to move forward in implementing water purification in the City of San Diego.
Earlier today, before the council committee voted unanimously to support water purification, WRC members stood beside Mayor Bob Filner, Council President Todd Gloria, and Councilmembers David Alvarez and Lorie Zapf to encourage city leaders to take the steps needed to implement water purification.
March 20, 2013 (Santee) – Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors unanimously approved a $1 per month lease agreement for the Santee Teen Center located at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve. The City of Santee requested the $1.00 per month lease payment for the Teen Center building due to funding shortfalls for the Teen Center Program.
March 20, 2013 (San Diego)--The U.S. Department of State's Rewards for Justice program is offering rewards for information on two members of the Somalia-based terrorist organization, al-Shabaab. The Department has authorized rewards of up to $5 million each for information leading to the arrest or conviction ofJehad Serwan Mostafa or Omar Shafik Hammami.
Jehad Mostafa is a U.S. citizen and former resident of San Diego, California. Mostafa departed for Somalia in 2005 and has served as a media expert and leader of foreign fighters for al-Shabaab, according to a press release issued today by the FBI. He was indicted on October 9, 2009 in the Southern District of California, San Diego, California, on charges of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists, conspiring to provide material support to al-Shabaab, and providing material support to al-Shabaab. Mostafa is on the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists list. He has used birth years of 1981 and 1986 and has used the aliases Ahmed Gurey, Anwar al-Amriki, and Emir Anwar.
March 20, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Robin Sadik, 18, of El Cajon and two 17-year-olds are in custody for burglarizing a Chula Vista home yesterday at 1 p.m.. A teen girl hid in a closet and called 911, leading to the arrests.
“The suspects have likely participated in other burglaries in the area, as other stolen property was found in their vehicle. The vehicle was also determined to be stolen from El Cajon within the previous week,” said Captain Gary Wedge with the Chula Vista Police department.
March 20, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)--Home sales prices in the East County are roughly 13 percent higher through the first two months of 2013, compared to the same period in 2012, according to recent statistics reported by the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR).
PSAR said the year-to-date average sales price for East County homes through February was $259,199, compared to $228,586 for the first two months of 2012. Sale prices for detached homes in this current calendar year have increased to $362,099 from $324,452 in 2012, a difference of 12 percent, as well as attached homes to $156,299 from $132,721 in 2012, a difference of 18 percent.
Brands include Natura, Innova, Evo, California Natural and Healthwise
March 19, 2013 -- Natura Pet Products is voluntarily recalling some of its dry pet food because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
March 15, 2013 (Campo) – Camp Lockett Event & Equestrian Facility is holding a fundraiser on March 23 at Star Ranch. The Star Ranch Trail Ride will begin at 9 a.m. with sign-ups starting at 8 a.m. The scenic ride will return to the ranch for a Pot-Luck Chili Fest around 1 p.m.
March 17, 2013 (San Diego's East County) -- A join Chamber of Commerce mixer will be held at the Heartland Fire Training Facility in El Cajon on March 28 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Join Chambers from throughout East County to learn about the Facility that provides training for east county. There will be food & beverage, demonstrations, hands-on activities, a Mayor's challenge, and meet your firefighters.
Closed-door meeting with county fire officials reported by residents violated Brown Act, legal experts advise ECM
By Nadin Abbott and Miriam Raftery
March 19, 2013 (Julian)—At a March 14 meeting of the Julian-Cuyamaca Fire District Board to discuss the possibility of joining the County Fire Authority and dissolving the community’s volunteer fire district due to financial shortfalls in the emergency medical services side of the ledger, Fire Captain James Stowers made a surprise announcement.
March 26, 2013 (El Cajon) – Heartland Fire Training Facility hosts a, “Joint Chamber Mixer” this Thursday, March 28, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., located at 1301 North Marshall Avenue, El Cajon.
Screens Friday, April 5 at 10:00 p.m. at the Ocean Beach Playhouse as part of the first Frequency Film Festival.
March 21, 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:
March 20, 2013 (San Diego)--The U.S. Department of State's Rewards for Justice program is offering rewards for information on two members of the Somalia-based terrorist organization, al-Shabaab. The Department has authorized rewards of up to $5 million each for information leading to the arrest or conviction of 
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