FBI San Diego investigation leads to seizure of fake cryptocurrency investment domain used by Tai Chang scam compound in Burma: 400 San Diegans victimized
Budget decisions made by the San Diego Mayor and City Council over the next two months will directly impact neighborhoods and quality of life throughout the year starting July 1.
Local residents can have a say in those decisions. Collaborating with more than 30 local organizations of the Community Budget Alliance, the nonprofit Center on Policy Initiatives is offering a series of free events on understanding the budget process and effectively advocating for the services and infrastructure every neighborhood needs.
April 12, 2013 (San Diego's East County) -- The cause of today's spot fires along Interstate 8 was accidental, says Heartland Fire spoksman Sonny Saghera. Heartland responded to reports of several small fires along westbound I-8 from West Main Street in El Cajon to Severin Drive in La Meas around 1 p.m. today.
Heartland Fire & Rescue units from La Mesa and El Cajon, assisted by engines from Cal Fire and Santee, were dispatched to contain the four individual fires approximately 100 yards apart from each other. A structure on Murray Drive in La Mesa was briefly threatened, but fire crews aggressively attacked the flames to keep them along the freeway’s shoulder.
April 12, 2013 (La Mesa) -- A woman was robbed of her purse in the Walmart parking lot at Grossmont Center on April 10 at 4:50 p.m. while she loaded recently purchased items into her vehicle from her shopping cart.
The suspects drove up behind the victim and her briefly unattended purse in a nearby shopping cart. The passenger suspect leaned out of his door window and grabbed the victim’s purse. Realizing the theft, a short struggle ensued between the victim and the suspect over her purse, La Mesa Police indicated.
Residents spread word through social networking of crimes and more, strengthening bonds in close-knit community
April 12, 2013 (Eucalyptus Hills) --A hidden surveillance camera in Lakeside captured a mail thief in action last night, ECM has learned. View the video. Property owner Dennis Richardson, an award-winning ECM photographer, has posted the video on his Facebook page and on the community’s Brush Fire Partyline website. He is hopeful that alert neighbors and law enforcement will lead to arrest of the thief, whose vehicle is also shown in the video.
“Eucalyptus Hills is a very safe neighborhood with proactive people who have a huge network of communications – Facebook, e-mail and just neighborly across the fence,’ Richardson told ECM. “We can get the word out to a lot of people really quickly. Everybody is on the lookout and knows what to look for, so our neighborhood is safer than most.”
April 12, 2013 (Mt. Helix) – The Fourth Annual East County Earth Day, a free, family-fun event, will be held at Mt. Helix Park and Amphitheater on April 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Co-hosted by The Jarrett Meeker and Mt. Helix Park Foundations, East County Earth Day will feature eco-friendly vendors, live music, speakers, an art contest, wildlife presentations, an Earth Day scavenger hunt and games for children.
Vendors include Birch Aquarium, The California Wolf Center and I Love A Clean San Diego with interactive environmental and wildlife presentations.
April 12, 2013 (La Mesa) -- Multilple small brush fires have broken out on I-8 in La Mesa, likely caused by a vehicle pulled over under the Grossmont bridge. Other fires are reported at the Spring Street exit. There is also fire reported on westbound 8 at Main Street in El Cajon.
Sources inform ECM that the fires are being knocked down quickly but smoke is heavy so expect lane closures in this area.
April 12, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will host its 11th annual “Grip It & Rip It!” golf tournament on May 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Sycuan Resort.
The Chamber invites participants to “ditch your suit and rock the argyle” at Sycuan Resort’s Pine Glen Executive Course for an afternoon of “golf, hilarious fun and incredible networking.”
April 11, 2013 (Alpine) – An 82-year-old man was serious injured while sitting on a bus stop bench outside a Circle K store on Tavern Road in Alpine. A Volkswagon Jetta parked near gas pumps rolled out of the parking lot, pinning the man underneath.
“Several Alpine angels were able to lift the car and pull him out from under before an ambulance got there,” Dana Halzip posted on the Alpine Community Network.
April 11,2013 (El Cajon) – A man found dead along the I-8 off ramp at Mollison in El Cajon was a transient, according to El Cajon spokesperson Monica Zech.
"They like to live in the bushes, and many don't want to leave the streets,” she said.The man is not believed to have been struck by a vehicle and cause of death is not yet known pending an autopsy.
April 11, 2013 (El Cajon) – Triumphant Quartet, an award-winning gospel group that has performed at Carnegie Hall and been nominated for a Grammy Award, will perform on Sunday, April 21 at 5 p.m. at El Cajon Wesleyan Church.
Formed in 2002 as the Integrity Quartet, the group changed its name in 2004 after a nationwide contest to Triumphant Quarter. After receiving the Christian Music Presenters Artist Endorsement and certification as American Gospel Music artists, they were invited to perform in a celebration of American Gospel Music at Carnegie Hall in New York.
April 7, 2013 (San Diego)— ECM spoke with County Board of Education Board Member Greg Robinson today. He shared details on how extensive the face of poverty has become in the County and how this affects our children. He also spoke of sequestration cuts and why living wages matter.
“El Cajon has the highest rate of poverty in San Diego County,” Robinson observed, adding that poverty leads to serious problems of food insecurity as more people are going hungry.
April 11, 2013 (Escondido) -- Firefighters are responding to a brush fire at Deer Springs and I-15 in the Escondido area. According to the Incident Page Network there are several spot fires, with a larger header farther south. One fire is now over an acre.
According to the CHP there is a second spot fire starting one to two miles from the original fire.
April 11, 2013 (Spring Valley)-- The County of San Diego invites you to "go play, get fit, be healthy!" The 8th annual "It's How We Live" community festival will be held this Saturday, April 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Spring Valley County Park, 8735 Jamacha Boulevard in Spring Valley.
The event is free to the public and includes games, activiites, healthy food samples, free health and dental screenings, a bounce house, live entertainment, information booths, prizes and giveaways.
April 11, 2013 (Lemon Grove) – You’re invited to enjoy an evening of bingo, black jack, craps, and roulette as well as silent auctions, raffles, food and drink. It’s all part of the fun at Casino Night 2013, hosted by the San Miguel Knights of Columbus, Soroptimist International and Kiwanis Club of Lemon Grove on Saturday, April 20.
Admission is $15; for an extra $10 you can purchase a chicken dinner from 5:30 to 7:30. The Casino Night runs from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. at 8086 Broadway (St. John of the Cross Knights of Columbus Hall) in Lemon Grove.
For more information, call JoAnne Burke at 619-469-8350.
April 11, 2013 (San Carlos) – La Mesa Sunrise Rotary is hosting a garage sale in San Carlos to benefit the Rotary Club’s projects. The sale will be held on Saturday, April 13 from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Sunday, April 14 from 7:30 to 11 a.m. The event will be held at 6210 Lake Shore Drive, San Diego.
Items for sale include tools, appliances, décor, jewelry, furniture, electronics, plants and more. Credit cards will be accepted.
April 11, 2013 (Lakeside) – Two public meetings are scheduled regarding Lakeside's Lindo Lake.
The County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, April 17 at 6 p.m. at the Lakeside Community Center. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the long term plans for Lindo Lake and obtain community input. All members of the public are welcome to attend. The meeting will be held at the Lakeside Community Center, 9841 Vine Street, Lakeside.
The Lindo Lake Subcommittee will hold a meeting on Monday May 6, 2013 at 9 a.m. to review the community input of the April 17, 2013 meeting and possibly develop recommendations to submit to the County regarding Lindo Lake.
“Your guide to financial planning & socially responsible investing”
By Judith L. Seid, CFP ®, President, Blue Summit Wealth Management
April 11, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) --The “American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012” has created a number of changes that may impact your taxes in 2013. Below are a few investment ideas that may help mitigate your tax liability and/or increase your net income for 2013.
Keep in mind that you should always consult with your tax professional for specific questions regarding your particular tax circumstances.
April 11, 2013 (Washington D.C.) – As homeowners in San Diego and across the nation continue to tangle with banks, Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) re-introduced legislation to give people another tool to avoid foreclosure and the subsequent damage to the their credit rating. The Short Sale Transparency Act will require Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to disclose the minimum asking price they are willing to accept for a short sale if they reject the first offer.
“People deserve a real chance to avoid foreclosure. It is unfair to expect someone to complete a short sale instead of abandoning their home to foreclosure, if the banks don’t meet them half way,” said Davis. “Many homeowners are willing, even eager, to work with banks to get out from under the mortgage and protect their credit rating. But far too often, they find themselves in a guessing game as to what dollar amount will complete the sale.”
April 10, 2013 (Potrero) – Jerry Fowler, who suffered serious injuries after falling into a well in Potrero on March 13, is now out of the intensive care unit at Sharps memorial Hospital but is still on “some life support” according to his parents, Thell and Normal Fowler.
“As of now, he is awake a lot of the time and sees us with his eyes and moves his head when we talk to him. He can move his arms and legs, squeezes our hands and rubs his thumb on the back of our hands to let us know he knows it is us,” his parents wrote in an e-mail to concerned community members. “His doctor says he is not out of the woods yet, but he has a long way to go. At first the doctors said that from the damage of the fall he may not ever wake up, but he has proven them wrong.”
April 10, 2013 (Ramona) – Students and faculty at Ramona High School are reacting with shock and sadness to the death of Taylor Dorman, 16. He was accidentally hit in the chest with a ball during an over –the-line game in physical education class late this morning.
The teen initially showed no sign of trauma and continued playing the game, Assistant Principal Kathryn Gunderson told the U-T San Diego. But 20 minutes later, he collapsed after walking across the field with a friend. A teacher called 911 and Mercy Air landed at the school to fly Taylor to Palomar Medical Center, where he died at approximately 4 p.m.
“He was a great young man,’ principal Tony Newman said, the Ramona Sentinel reporter. “He was very well-liked on campus…We will remember some good memories and keep them alive in our hearts and our thoughts and our conversations.”
April 10, 2013 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup brings you top news headlines of interest to East County and our region, published by other media. This week's top Roundup headlines include:
April 10, 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:
April 10, 2013 (El Cajon)--The 2013 Cuyamaca College Annual Spring Student Fine Art and Graphic Design Exhibition opens Thursday and will run through May 8. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, April 11 from 5-7 p.m. followed by an awards ceremony on the artist veranda.
The event will be held at the Community Arts B Building, East Wing, Third Floor on the campus of Cuyamaca College, 900 Rancho San Diegio Parkway in El Cajon. For more information, call (619)660-4027.
April 10, 2013 (Julian) – Restaurants, wineries and breweries in the historic gold mining town of Julian will be offering up tastes to savor at the Taste of Julian this Saturday, April 13 from 1 to 4 p.m. This is a self-guided culinary tour that this year will also include an art tour.
April 9, 2013 (San Diego)—At the cusp of the U.S. Senate taking on immigration reform, the San Diego City Council today sent a bipartisan message to Washington. With a unanimous vote, the San Diego City Council passed a resolution asking for comprehensive, common sense, immigration reform. The partisan divide in Washington was not evident in San Diego, where Republicans joined their Democratic colleagues to stand united on this issue.
Council Member David Alvarez chaired the effort with Council Member Mark Kersey. Before the vote, Alvarez said, “The language is meant to send a message to Washington DC...This is a united message.” He noted that almost everybody is affected by this issue; immigration touches all of us.
April 9, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Multiple sources have advised ECM that Wednesday night’s meeting of the Grossmont Union High School Board will include a discussion on theater options to meet the needs of students--and, perhaps, the broader East County community. Options are set to be raised under the Board President’s report, item VI(b) on the agenda.
The discussion is expected to center around whether a new events center should be built at Grossmont High School as well as whether the district should consider partnering with the City of El Cajon to reopen the East County Performing Arts Center.
April 9, 2013 (Campo)--Imagine the Old West back in the 1800s. Lawmen are few and far between. Desperadoes sometimes spread terror throughout the new state of California. And Campo, on the United States-Mexican border, is the site of a confrontation between law-abiding citizens and one such gang of outlaws.
The Gaskill Brothers Gunfighters, an Old West reenactment team, brought history to life with period attire and weapons outside the Golden Acorn Casino on March 23, 2013. The occasion was the Campo Gunfight of December 4, 1875. Forgotten by history, The Campo Gunfight lasted longer and had more casualties than the shootout at the OK Corral.
April 9, 2013 (Campo)--The reenactors involved in this fascinating hobby of bringing the famed Campo Gunfight to life have their own histories and stories of how they came to portray the Old West—that is, when they are not working as investment brokers, linemen, firefighters, lawyers, and more.
Frenchy (photo, right) is played by Bear Larsen, who has acted in Hollywood movies, such as The Dogs directed by John De Bello, best known for directing Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. Larsen has been involved in reenacting for over 30 years. He speaks about it this way: "I love doing it. It's in my heart."
If you've watched a reenactment of the 1875 Campo gunfight, you may have wondered what led up to the conflict and wanted to learn more about this fascinating tale. Here are the true details behind one of East County's most infamous historical episodes.
The leader of a Mexican gang, or Californios banditos, was Clodoveo Chavez and his most trusted man, Cruz Lopez. Chavez had recently threatened revenge on the gringos, because his “captain,” the infamous Tiburcio Vasquez had been jailed in San Jose for two murders. Vasquez pled innocent, and it is possible he never committed any murders during his “career.”
April 9, 2013 (Santee)—The Santee community is organizing a benefit for a Santee family whose kindergarten boy is battling brain cancer. Diagnosed just this past December, Dylan Pourner has become bed ridden, is on oxygen 100% of his time and is in the process of starting a "research" chemo after the last treatment failed to shrink his very large tumor.
The two largest benefits will be a Coffee Benefit April 16 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and a Concert Benefit April 20 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The "Coffee Benefit" will be held at Coffee Corner cafe at Mast and Carlton in the Pathways Community Church parking lot. The Concert Benefit will be at the Pathways Community Church.
April 12, 2013 (La Mesa) -- A woman was robbed of her purse in the Walmart parking lot at Grossmont Center on April 10 at 4:50 p.m. while she loaded recently purchased items into her vehicle from her shopping cart.
April 12, 2013 (Mt. Helix) – The Fourth Annual East County Earth Day, a free, family-fun event, will be held at Mt. Helix Park and Amphitheater on April 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Co-hosted by The Jarrett Meeker and Mt. Helix Park Foundations, East County Earth Day will feature eco-friendly vendors, live music, speakers, an art contest, wildlife presentations, an Earth Day scavenger hunt and games for children.
April 11, 2013 (Lemon Grove) – You’re invited to enjoy an evening of bingo, black jack, craps, and roulette as well as silent auctions, raffles, food and drink. It’s all part of the fun at Casino Night 2013, hosted by the San Miguel Knights of Columbus, Soroptimist International and Kiwanis Club of Lemon Grove on Saturday, April 20.
April 11, 2013 (San Carlos) – La Mesa Sunrise Rotary is hosting a garage sale in San Carlos to benefit the Rotary Club’s projects. The sale will be held on Saturday, April 13 from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Sunday, April 14 from 7:30 to 11 a.m. The event will be held at 6210 Lake Shore Drive, San Diego.
April 11, 2013 (Lakeside) – Two public meetings are scheduled regarding Lakeside's Lindo Lake.
“Your guide to financial planning & socially responsible investing”
April 11, 2013 (Washington D.C.) – As homeowners in San Diego and across the nation continue to tangle with banks, Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) re-introduced legislation to give people another tool to avoid foreclosure and the subsequent damage to the their credit rating. The Short Sale Transparency Act will require Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to disclose the minimum asking price they are willing to accept for a short sale if they reject the first offer.
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