May 8, 2013 (Otay) – The County Medical Examiner has ruled the death of Reyna Carolina Genel, 16, a suicide.
She had been reported missing after going jogging around the reservoir, her sister told authorities. On May 6, passerbys found her unconscious in the Otay Reservoir at the upper dam.
May 8, 2013 (El Cajon) – Erik. E. Gilbert, 48, from El Cajon died at Sharp Memorial Hospital on May 2 shortly after he was admitted due to head and torso injuries sustained in an accident.
Gilbert was riding his bicycle in Santee when he was struck by a pickup truck at the intersection of Vomac Road and Mast Boulevard at 5:21 a.m.
May 8, 2013 (San Diego) – San Diego State University will celebrate Commencement 2013 from May 16 to 19, graduating 9,038 degrees candidates. There will be eight separate ceremonies throughout the weekend. By tradition, SDSU’s Commencement ceremonies include a processional, introductions, awards, a speaker and a recessional. Each processional is led by a grand marshal carrying a college banner, followed by the faculty marshals donned in full academic regalia. This year’s speakers include former Mayor Jerry Sanders, business leaders, and Kumeyaay.com founder Larry Banegas, among others.
May 8, 2013 (Sacramento) –While encouraging wildfire preparedness this week, CAL FIRE is also reminding residents of the dangers posed by arson. CAL FIRE is pleased to join the United States Fire Administration (USFA) in announcing the theme for the 2013 Arson Awareness Week: Reducing Residential Arson. The goal for this year’s Arson Awareness Week, which takes place May 5-11, 2013, is to provide all residents with strategies to combat arson in their neighborhoods.
According to the USFA’s National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) during 2008-2010, an estimated 16,800 intentionally set fires in residential buildings occur annually in the United States. These fires result in an estimated 280 deaths, 775 injuries, and $593 million in property loss each year. The average dollar loss for an intentionally set fire in a residential building is $21,320. The fatality rate for intentionally set residential fires was more than twice that of other residential building fires.
May 8, 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:
May 8, 2013 (Spring Valley) – David and Mary Cuzick will be holding a Mother’s Day show and pottery sale at their studio at 9204 Campo Road, Spring Valley on May 11 and 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featured artists are David Cuzick, Mary Cuzick, Evan Lopez, Frederick de la Cruz and Rachael Blackmore. American Art pottery, dinnerware, planters and much more will be featured.
May 8, 2013 (Lakeside) – Internationally renowned horseman Chris Irwin is bringing his inspirational message on Horse Sense to Mountain View Ranch, 15665 El Monte Rd., Lakeside for a special one day clinic. Irwin, a best-selling author, specializes in teaching communication skills for people with horses. People learn to use horse body language to become better leaders and communicators, to be “the better horse”.
May 8, 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:
May 8, 2013 (San Diego's East County) --Our Health and Science Highlights brings you cutting edge news each week that could impact your health and our future.
May 8, 2013 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police Sergeant Bret Richards was injured early this morning when a stolen vehicle abandoned following a pursuit rolled backward, dragging the officer over 50 feet down Maryland Avenue. Police still seek the suspect, who was not apprehended.
May 7, 2013 (San Diego) - With the recent completion of a state audit of the City of San Diego Development Services Department, United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 135 President Mickey Kasparian calls for the City of San Diego to take action, based on those results. “In light of the finding by state auditors, our city has no choice but to take extreme action on the Walmart project in Sherman Heights,” demanded Kasparian. “The clear violations of City codes and procedures, possible ethics violations, and a complete lack of transparency, are stunning in their magnitude.”
May 7, 2013 (El Cajon) – A woman of a certain age contemplates suicide when the phone rings in her San Diego apartment. The caller, believing she is contacting an analyst she read about in a health magazine, launches into her own tale of woe.
So begins “An Ordinary Day,” a one-act play by Dario Fo and Franca Rame, and directed by Martin Katz, a Grossmont College theater arts instructor. The lead character, Julia, finds herself trying to help the woman on the phone, in between encounters with her neighbors, the police and two flower-delivery men. As the tragic-comedy unfolds, it illuminates the themes of zealous commercialism, relationship stress, the notion of betrayal and the exhilaration of contributing to someone else’s life.
May 9, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) --To some, romantic love is a never-never land—a place of unfulfilled dreams. Sometimes, a parent chooses not to explore fulfilling his or her own needs in order to protect someone else.
Patricia, an East county resident who asked that her last name not be published, is a single mom. She does not date or bring a romantic partner into her life for a reason---to protect her now teen-age daughter from being hurt—emotionally, physically, or any other way.
“I decided not to date when she was two or three and to focus on raising her,” Patricia told ECM. As a mom, Patricia learned first-hand about having to protect her daughter from a man who was a convicted pedophile.
May 7, 2014 (San Diego)--“How do you beat the national average with below average wind speeds?” Attorney Bill Pate posed that intriguing question at a forum hosted in San Diego recently by Activist San Diego.
Good question. Pattern Energy told the California Public Utilities Commission that it would reach 34% capacity at Ocotillo Express Wind Facility, a site rated just a class 2, the second lowest federal rating for wind speeds. The first three months of data for the Ocotillo project show only about a 19% capacity reached. In the entire U.S., there is only a 22 to 23% net capacity on average.
By Nadin Abbott and Sierra Robinson; Miriam Raftery also contributed to this report
“This is an epidemic and we need help.” – Rowena Elliott, Manzanita tribal member
(photos left, David and Rowena Elliott)
May 6, 2013 (San Diego) –At a press conference outside the county administration building today, backcountry residents living near wind turbines told the media of serious health conditions they are suffering. With Wednesday’s vote on a county wind ordinance looming, residents called on the county’s top health official, Wilma Wooten, to revise her report and recognize health concerns linked to wind turbines.
According to Donna Tisdale, President of the Boulevard Planning Group and founder of two community nonprofits, the vote is critical. Supervisors will “either sell us out, remove our human and property rights, or the Board (of Supervisors) will vote to protect the community.”
If that doesn't happen, residents are prepared to file suit, they said.
May 6, 2013 (Santee) -- The Santee Fire Department responded to a call at approximately 11:00 a.m. and scaled the roof of the Santee Staples store on Mission Gorge Road. Staff and customers were evacuated while firefighters checked the store for fires or potential hazardous situations.
May 6, 2013 (La Mesa) -- Xusha Brown Jr., 22, of El Cajon has died of a gunshot wound to his head. Brown was one of two victims in a drive-by shooting that occured on I-8 east near State Route 125 shortly after 3:30 a.m. Sunday.
"The senseless murder of young Xusha Brown Jr. offends the conscience," Sycuan Chairman Daniel Tucker said. A $50,000 reward has been offered, including $40,000 from the tribe, for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer
“The threat of acquiring the respiratory illness extends to residents living near expansive construction sites. That risk is rising given the scope of the renewable energy boom centered in the state.” – Los Angeles Times
May 6, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Valley Fever has sickened 28 workers at two large-scale solar facilities under construction in San Luis Obispo County, the Los Angeles Timesreported on April 30. The disease is contracted by breathing in fungal spores released when desert soils are disturbed.
The finding is the latest in a series of disturbing reports on epidemic Valley Fever conditions in California and across the Southwest. With numerous large-scale solar projects and wind projects proposed for East County that would scrape bare thousands of acres of high desert terrain, public health concerns over the prospect of exposing residents to Valley Fever are growing. Since wind-blown spores can carry 75 miles or more, residents across San Diego County could be at risk of the potentially deadly disease.
May 7 (Tuesday, 5:30 pm) — Barnes & Noble Oceanside, 2615 Vista Way, Oceanside, presents Gretchen Wendel who will talk about her book, Becka and the Big Bubble series.
May 7 (Tuesday, 6:00 pm) — Barnes & Noble Oceanside, 2615 Vista Way, Oceanside, presents Kevin Gerard, who will talk about his book, Diego's Dragons.
May 7 (Tuesday, 7:30 pm) — Warwick's will host Dean of Arts and Humanities at UCSD Seth Lerer, who will discuss and sign his memoir Prospero's Son. This event is free and open to the public. In order to be signed the author's most current book must be purchased from Warwick's.
May 5, 2013 (San Diego) – Nathan Fletcher, former Assemblyman and Mayoral candidate, made headlines last year when he left the Republican Party to become an independent. Yesterday, Fletcher announced on his Facebook page that he has joined the Democratic Party.
“For me, the last couple years have been quite a journey—going to war, serving in the State Assembly, campaigning for Mayor and now teaching and working in the private sector,” Fletcher wrote. Fletcher added that he has had time to “eflect on my values and principles and where they fit best. My votes and positions, candidates I endorsed and voted for had been in line with the Democratic Party.”
Celebrate our launch party! Thousands of dollars in prizes!
Early bird rates extended to Friday! RSVP to reserve space
You're invited! Celebrate launch of our East County Magazine prime-time radio show on KNSJ! Join us Sunday, May 19 from 12-3 p.m. at the beautiful Maness Vineyards estate, 3044 Colina Verde Lane in Jamul. Winetasting, great food, music, amazing prizes and more!
DIRECTIONS: (click read more below to open and view directions)
By Miriam Raftery; photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News
May 5, 2013 (La Mesa) -- Two victims are in serious condition after being shot by a passing car on I-8 eastbound near State Route 125 early this morning. I-8 east was closed for several hours, reopening around 10 a.m. Lt. Matt Nicholass at La Mesa Police informed ECM that both victims are men in their 20s.
The victims were in a silver Nissan Maxima. There is no description of the suspect vehicle, except that it was a car. There is no information yet on the weapon used, or whether the shooting was random or if victims may have known the shooter.
May 3, 2013 (San Diego)—On Monday, May 6 at 1 p.m., East County residents opposed to the proposed County Wind ordinance and Boulevard Plan amendment will hold a press conference outside the County Administration Center at 1600 Pacific Highway (by the fountain on the west side.)
“On May 8th, the Board of Supervisors will make a life-altering choice for rural East County residents and valued resources,” a press release sent by the Protect Our Communities Foundation and Backcountry Against Dumps. Supervisors must choose to either “sell out to the taxpayer-subsidized wind industry and developers and turn the ruggedly beautiful Boulevard/Jacumba area into an unnecessary industrial energy sacrifice zone and fire trap," the rural residents say, or"protect and defend the ratepayers and real people and resources in the predominantly low-income fire-prone area from expensive, unreliable, and dangerous industrial wind turbine projects and related web of electrical infrastructure.”
Speakers will include rural residents and a fire official speaking out on dangers posed by industrial wind projects in our region.
May 4, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) --Daunting as it may seem, Joe “Tiger” Patrick II is walking across America to honor the fallen heroes of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. This week, his journey took him through East County, where he met with local firefighters and paramedics.
"I felt a compelling need to do something to honor to our fallen heroes, to give people a close up view of those we lost. This isn't a political statement, but an expression of love and respect for those who volunteered to put themselves in harm’s way to protect us here at home," said Tiger. He honors the fallen by carrying a memorial mosaic panel which contains a picture of every fallen warrior.
May 4, 2013 (Sacramento) – The State Senate Public Safety on Thursday voted 5-2 to defeat SB 779, a measure authored by Senator Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) and sponsored by the California District Attorneys Association. The bill sought to speed up executions in California through several means, including bringing back the gas chamber. The bill sparked strong outcry from human rights activists who denounced the method as inhumane.
California voters narrowly defeated a bill in November that would have outlawed the death penalty. The punishment remains on the books, but due to two judicial rulings finding prior methods inhumane, the state has been left unable to carry out executions since 2006, despite death penalty verdicts.
May 4, 2013 (El Cajon) – Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District’s Board of Trustees voted on April 16 to adopt a resolution calling on Congress to enact the comprehensive immigration reforms being hammered out by a bipartisan “gang of eight” legislators (four Republicans and four Democrats).
The resolution was introduced by trustee Mary Kay Rosinski and passed with five votes in favor. The action comes on the heels of similar resolutions adopted by San Diego Unified School District and the San Diego City Council.
A small plane made an emergency landing on the median of Highway 52 at the junction of State Route 125 in Santee shortly after 6 p.m. today.
ECM photojournalist Paul Kruze was driving on the freeway when he witnessed the startling event.
“I was on my way to a concert when all of a sudden I saw this thing landing right in front of me. It was surreal. I had the same exact feeling as watching the plane fly into the World Trade Center—like watching a movie,” he said, then praised the pilot’s skill. “It was very controlled and the pilot obviously knew what he was doing.”
Honors to be presented to “pioneering women” in local wine industry at Maness Vineyards’ event
May 27, 2013 (Mt. Helix) – East County Magazine Editor Miriam Raftery is among three honorees slated to receive an “Award of Merit” on June 15 from 12 to 4 p.m. at the 5th annual Maness Vineyards; Food & Wine Mixer. This year’s event will be held at Stephanie Young’s Manor Vineyard on Mt. Helix. Other honorees are Supervisor Dianne Jacob and Teri Kerns, Executive Editor of the Ramona Valley Wine Region Magazine.
Guests are invited to bring two bottles of wine to share and enjoy a barbecue luncheon and wine-tasting. An opportunity drawing will also be held, with proceeds benefitting St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center for developmentally disabled adults.
May 4, 2013 (Spring Valley) – San Diego Police seek public help to identify a young man in a hunting cap who cashed in winning lottery tickets at convenience and liquor stores in Spring Valley. Police indicate the tickets were from stolen lottery ticket dispensers taken from a San Diego gas station on two occasions. The thefts occurred at the Arco station at 4333 Home Ave on April 5 and on April 18,.
The suspect allegedly ripped the lottery ticket dispensers from the counter while the clerk was in a back room, then fled. He was seen getting into the passenger side of a dark-colored sedan, possibly a late model Honda Civic, detectives said.
May 8, 2013 (Spring Valley) – David and Mary Cuzick will be holding a Mother’s Day show and pottery sale at their studio at 9204 Campo Road, Spring Valley on May 11 and 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featured artists are David Cuzick, Mary Cuzick, Evan Lopez, Frederick de la Cruz and Rachael Blackmore. American Art pottery, dinnerware, planters and much more will be featured. 
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