HOMELESS HOUSING PROPOSED AT HOLIDAY INN: LA MESA HOLDS SPECIAL MEETING MONDAY, SUPERVISORS REVOTE TUESDAY ON PROJECT PUSHED THROUGH WITHOUT NOTICE TO CITY OR RESIDENTS
November 3, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Decisions made by California voters on yesterday’s ballot propositions will have broad ramifications on the state budget process, redistricting, the environment and more. Here are the results – and what passage of some key measures could mean.
East County News Service November 3, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – At daybreak, Democrat Kamala Harris has regained a narrow lead over Republican Steve Cooley in the California attorney general race.
Cooley declared victory last night, but canceled a press conference today after learning that overnight, Harris took the lead at 46.1% to 45.6%. Fewer than 38,000 votes separate the two candidates and thousands of provisional and late absentee ballots remain uncounted.
November 2, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – This election night provided both political parties in California with victories as well as defeats. Nationally, Republicans are projected to regain a majority in the House of Representatives, picking up 60 seats—including some won be Tea Party-backed candidates. Democrats retained control in the Senate by a slim margin. "
But in California, Democrats swept the slate, winning all statewide offices except attorney general. Former Governor Jerry Brown soundly defeated former E-Bay CEO Meg Whitman 52.8% to 42.4% to regain his former job, despite Whitman spending $163 million—the highest amount ever spent on a political race in California.
November 3, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Amid an era of tight budgets, Julian voters passed a school bond measure with 59% of the vote (55% was needed to win).
Debbie Justeson and Edwin Heil, both backed by the teacher’s union, appeared headed for election to the Grossmont-Cuyamaca board, with nearly all votes counted.
November 2, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Magazine will tweet election results live from Golden Hall after polls close tonight, and also post detailed stories online a bit later.
If you wish to receive live election results on top local races, go to www.Twitter.com and sign up to follow EastCountyMag. It's free! Note: This is a separate Twitter account from our ViejasAlerts account, which is used only to "tweet" emergencies.
November 2, 2010 (Lake Murray) – In a brazen day-time robbery, two thieves held up the Einstein Bagel shop at 8736 Lake Murray Blvd. yesterday afternoon at 1:55 p.m., then forced customers onto the floor and robbed them at knifepoint.
November 2, 2010 (Lakeside) -- I'm Mark Hanson and I’m running in the 77th Assembly District to represent you as a fellow East County resident. I’ve spent my entire life serving the public – and hope to continue doing so in Sacramento.
I will fight for stronger fire protection for our region. As a Cedar Fire survivor, I know how important it is to have fire warning and protection. My nonprofit, Heartland Coalition, raised money to help fire victims rebuild their lives. Heartland also founded the Viejas Wildfire & Emergency Alerts and East County Magazine to help keep people in East County protected and informed.
As a former educator twice named teacher of the year, I’ve taught at our local colleges and also served as an administrator of the Grossmont Union High School District back when it was among the best school districts in the state. I will work hard to restore our public schools to their former high achievement levels for our children.
November 1, 2010 (La Mesa)--The FBI and San Diego Sheriff’s Department announce the arrests of Christopher James Cuerden, age 26, and Caleb Gene Halcomb, age 20, as a result of the investigation into the robbery of the US Bank, located inside of the Vons grocery store at 3681 Avocado Boulevard in the unincorporated area of La Mesa on Friday, October 29, 2010.
Update November 4, 2010: The San Diego Medical Examiner’s office has identified Sergio Chan Mora, 54, as the deceased. His place of residence is unknown. According to witnesses, the driver of a Ford Explorer made an illegal u-turn on eastbound I-8 and struck Mora, who was unable to avoid the collision.
By Miriam Raftery
Photos by Dennis Richardson
November 1, 2010 (Alpine) – I-8 east was shut down and a Sig Alert issued following a fatality accident on the freeway just west of Harbison Canyon late this afternoon, as ECM’s Viejas Wildfire & Emergency alerts informed subscribers earlier today. The rollover collision involved a white van and a second vehicle, with several parties trapped and requiring extrication. Smoke from one of the vehicles was doused with a fire extinguisher.
November 1, 2010 (Rolando) – Halloween Night ended badly for two 18-year-old men, who were both seriously injured after crashing into a parked car in the 4500 block of Revillo Way in Rolando last night. The driver sustained an open fracture to his leg. The passenger sustained facial fractures and a broken hip.
November 1, 2010 (San Diego) – VoteSmart.org has for several years offered voters basic info on candidates gleaned from candidates’ responses to questions and info from the Registrar of Voters. Now the site has taken it a step farther – with an interactive “Vote Easy” guide that lets you find out which candidates in your area best match your beliefs. Campaign signs move forward and backward as you click through various issues, showing you graphically who most closely fits your views.
By Lori Bledsoe Reprinted with permission from The Alpine Sun; Factcheck provided by East County Magazine’s research team
November 1, 2010 (Campo) -- Four of the six candidates running for the Campo Planning Group were present at a discussion at the Campo Community Center: Diane Richards, Robert Hume, Richard Northcote, and Walter Ogle answered questions from the community for over an hour regarding their knowledge and agendas of the Campo community.
November 1, 2010 (Alpine) - The Alpine Community Network has compiled links to articles about Alpine School Board candidates. Below is the Network's helpful information for Alpine voters.
November 1, 2010 (Lakeside) -- With the election a few days away, ECM offers Lakeside voters this collection of interviews, video clips, and debate coverage for candidates on their ballots.
November 1, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- Kids and the young at heart had some Halloween fun last night at parties and trick-or-treat events throughout East County. Photos by Trever Richardson and Miriam Raftery.
"California faces a crisis. It is mistakenly called a “budget crisis.” It is actually a democracy crisis." -- By Professor George Lakoff
November 1, 2010 (Sacramento) -- California is the only minority rule state in America. Both houses of the California legislature are in control of a minority on all economic issues - and almost all issues are about what is in the budget. Only 34 percent of only one House of the Legislature can control legislation by saying no, creating gridlock, and blocking the will of the majority that represents the overwhelming majority of Californians.
That is why budgets have not been on time, and why they are doing less and less for the state.
2 Democrats won “open” primary to square off Nov. 3: Teacher/legislator vs. retired superintendent
November 1, 2010 (San Diego) – When Republican Abel Maldonado held up the state budget and demanded fellow legislators approve an “open” primary ballot initiative as a condition for his vote, the GOP thought it would result in more Republicans winning high office in California, a heavily Democratic state.
But the new rule, which declared the top two vote-getters in June's primary winners regardless of parties, resulted in two Democrats, Tom Torlakson and Larry Aceves, squaring off in the state superintendent’s race (though Aceves has since changed his party registration to independent).
October 31, 2010 (Lakeside) – Nine people are running for seven seats on the Lakeside Planning Group, an advisory board to the County on local planning issues. Six are incumbents (Julie Bugbee, Chad Ennis, Emad Bakeer, Thomas Medvitz, Anton Botter, and Glenn Inverso). Three are challengers: retired Lakeside Fire Chief Mark Baker, East County Community Action Coalition co-founder Laura Cyphert, and Jeffrey Brust, a construction contractor.
October 31, 2010 (San Diego) -- Halloween is a fun and spooky time for “ghouls” and boys, but County animal officials want you to know that the event can be scary for your pets.
Your pet is not used to costumed characters approaching the door and yelling “trick or treat!” Your cat may become spooked and run, not to be seen for several days. Your dog, the guardian of the household, may lunge or bite the costumed creatures. This is never what is intended to happen during Halloween, but it is a reality faced every year.
Community grieves for officer who chose to work in one of San Diego's toughest neighborhoods
By Miriam Raftery
October 31, 2010 (San Diego) – Community members are invited to a candlelight vigil to honor the memory of San Diego Police Officer Chris Wilson, who died in a gun battle on Wednesday night while trying to arrest an assault suspect. The event will be held on Monday November 1st at 6 p.m. in Skyview Park, 7222 Skyline Drive, next to the police station in the Southeast San Diego neighborhood where Wilson worked for 17 years.
Update October 31, 10:20 a.m. -- The SWAT action has ended and a second suspect was taken into custody half an hour ago, Sgt. Randy Levitt has informed East County Magazine. The suspect's name and details of the arrest have not yet been released.
October 30, 2010 8:35 p.m. (La Mesa) -- A stand-off continues tonight as police continue searching for a bank robbery suspect believed to be hiding in the Rolando neighborhood. A second suspect, Davan Darden, 23, was arrested at 5:45 this evening. The area remains evacuated, according to Officer Stafford, San Diego Police.
Two robbers conducted a takeover-style robbery at the California Coast Credit Union in the Vons Center on La Mesa Boulevard around 2 p.m., San Diego Police report, prompting a chase through San Diego, La Mesa and El Cajon.
October 30, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) - Gypsies, pirates and witches were among the costumed guests celebrating the season at LeTip's annual East County Halloween Mixer, held Thursday night at Cottonwood Golf in Rancho San Diego.
October 30, 2010 (Lemon Grove) – The San Diego Medical Examiner’s office has identified Guy Edward Halac, 51, of Lemon Grove, as the victim of a fatal accident on October 26. Halac’s his Ninja motorcycle plunged over a ramp from State Route 125 at I-8 in La Mesa, landing on a roadway below.
November 3, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – At daybreak, Democrat Kamala Harris has regained a narrow lead over Republican Steve Cooley in the California attorney general race.
By Miriam Raftery
November 2, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Magazine will tweet election results live from Golden Hall after polls close tonight, and also post detailed stories online a bit later. 
Dear Voters,
November 1, 2010 (La Mesa)--The FBI and San Diego Sheriff’s Department announce the arrests of Christopher James Cuerden, age 26, and Caleb Gene Halcomb, age 20, as a result of the investigation into the robbery of the US Bank, located inside of the Vons grocery store at 3681 Avocado Boulevard in the unincorporated area of La Mesa on Friday, October 29, 2010.
By Lori Bledsoe
East County News Service
Community grieves for officer who chose to work in one of San Diego's toughest neighborhoods
Part of $50 million water infrastructure investment in East County
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