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.

PINE VALLEY WOMAN DIES AFTER BEING HIT BY PICKUP TRUCK

AN ARTIST WHO REPURPOSES

JOIN US MAY 8 FOR A FESTIVE FEAST! EAST COUNTY DINING CLUB AT LEMON GROVE BISTRO

SAN DIEGO POLITICAL, COMMUNITY LEADERS CONDEMN IRAN MISSILE ATTACK AGAINST ISRAEL

OVERTURNED TRASH TRUCK SNARLS TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY 94 IN LEMON GROVE

 

July 19, 2012 (Lemon Grove) – A SIG ALERT has been issued for eastbound Highway 94, where an overturned trash truck is blocking access to northbound SR-125.

“It was an EDCO trash truck laying on its side with its wheels pointed south,” El Cajon Councilman Gary Kendrick told ECM, who drove past the incident moments ago.

ECM WORLD WATCH: GLOBAL AND NATIONAL NEWS

 
July 19, 2012 --  (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 reflecting 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:   
   
 U.S.
  • Drug trial offers hope for Alzheimer’s treatment (USA Today)
  • Worst drought in decades grips nation (Los Angeles Times)
  • Why Democrats are willing to walk off the “fiscal cliff” (Washington Post)
  • Can Obama save manufacturing? (Washington Post)
  • Controversial GOP spending bill released (The Hill)
  • Romney attacks on Bain questioned: Obama campaign accuses Romney of lying about Bain tenure (Boston Globe)
  • Could Obama’s negative attacks on Mitt Romney backfire? (USA Today)
  • NAACP crowd boos Romney for voting to repeal health reform (NBC)
  • Condi Rice a possible VP pick for Romney: pros and cons (CNN)
  • Supreme Court rejects ‘Stolen Valor’ law, says lying about military honors isn’t a crime (McClatchy News)
WORLD
  • Google searching for human traffickers, drug cartels  (Fox)
  • Olympics security shambles is a “humiliating shambles”, boss concedes (CNN)
  • Dutch, U.S. authorities investigating needles in airline sandwiches (CNN)
  • Central Damascus hit by clashes (Reuters) 
 
Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST CONCERNS RAISED OVER PLANNERS' TIES TO COGENTRIX LOBBYIST AS VOTE NEARS ON QUAIL BRUSH POWER PLANT

 

By Miriam Raftery

July 19, 2012 (San Diego)  At  9 a.m. today, the San Diego Planning Commission will hold an important vote to determine whether to rezone open space to industrial land in order to allow a proposed natural gas-fired power plant to be built next to Mission Trails Regional Park.

LA MESA POLICE SEARCHING FOR ROBBERY SUSPECT: ADVISE STAYING INDOORS

 

July 18, 2012 (La Mesa)--La Mesa Police searching the area of La Mesa Blvd. & Grossmont Blvd. near Grossmont Center for a robbery suspect; air support and K9 responding as of 10:20 p.m.  Police advise that you avoid this area. Remain indoors if possible due to K-9 unit searching area. 

LAKESIDE’S RIVER PARK CONSERVANCY RECOGNIZES VOLUNTEERS

July 18, 2012 (Lakeside) – Lakeside’s River Park Conservancy held a Volunteer Appreciation Party on July 14 to thank all the volunteers who have given many hours of support over the years.  The 2011 Volunteer Appreciation Awards were distributed at the party.  The winners are:

FRIDAY NIGHT IS MOVIE NIGHT AT SANTEE LAKES: JULY 20, AUGUST 3 & 17

July 18, 2012 (Santee) – Santee Lakes hosts Friday movie nights this summer.  Bring a blanket or chairs and your picnic and enjoy movies under the stars.  The Friday night lineup includes:

Kung Fu Panda – July 20
Muppets – August 3
Dolphin Tale – August 17

FLETCHER HILLS LIBRARY’S ANNUAL ICE CREAM SOCIAL IS JULY 25

July 18, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Fletcher Hills Library is holding its annual Ice Cream Social on July 25 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 576 Garfield Avenue, El Cajon.  The Friends of Fletcher Hills Library will be serving up the ice cream.  Firefighters with Heartland Fire and Rescue in El Cajon will be stopping by as well.

For more information call 619-466-1132.

SUPERVISORS APPROVE GILLESPIE FIEILD REDEVELOPMENT DESPITE NEIGHBORS CONCERNS

                                         

By Ariele Johannson

July 16, 2012 (El Cajon)—San Diego County’s Board of Supervisors voted on June 20 to approve the  Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) allowing redevelopment of 70 acres at Gillespie Field Airport from light industrial to aviation-only usage. 

DOG TEAMS SEARCH FOR NATIVE AMERICAN REMAINS IN MCCAIN VALLEY , OCOTILLO AND JACUMBA

 

Canines identify dozens of sites in path of wind and power line projects

 

Wind developers “cooperate” with tribes on searches-- but SDG&E refuses to allow dogs on its ECO-Substation site

 

 

Story by Miriam Raftery

Photos by Tom and Nadin Abbott, Miriam Raftery, and Jim Pelley

July 18, 2012 (McCain Valley) – Weaving across cactus-studded terrain in McCain Valley, Piper, a border collie trained to find ancient human remains, pauses to sniff the ground.  Ears erect, he sits, alerting handler Lynne Engelbert, who records the GPS coordinates. (Click video to view.) Minutes later, Piper’s find is independently confirmed by a second search dog.

TEACHER’S AIDE ARRESTED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES IN LA MESA

 
July 17, 2012 (La Mesa)—La Mesa Police yesterday arrested Chrystina Delrosario, a teacher's aide at Reflections Central School, for unlawful sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old male student. 
 
Officials at the school notified the police department after receiving information that the student may have had sex with the teacher’s aide. The patrol officer was assisted by detectives, who conducted the preliminary investigation. 

READER’S EDITORIAL: SOHO SUES TO SAVE BALBOA PARK – PUBLIC HELP IS NEEDED

 
By Helen Ofield, President Lemon Grove Historical Society
 
On July 9, in shocking disregard for 100 years of citizens' efforts to preserve Balboa Park and for their constituents' pleas to reject the Jacobs Plan -- pleas made over more than six hours of testimony -- the San Diego City Council voted 6 - 1 in favor of the costly, destructive Jacobs Plan.  The lone holdout and sole voice for the people was Sherri Lightner (sherrilightner@sandiego.gov), who showed leadership in her elected duty to protect and serve the public.  By contrast, her colleagues on the council caved to Jacobs/Sanders machine in an embarrassing display of forelock-tugging toadyism. 

FRONT AND CENTER: ANOTHER ASSAULT LOOMING FOR COMBAT VETS

 
By Rick Rogers
DefenseTracker.com
 
July 18, 2012 (San Diego) -- One war is over while another winds down.
 
A more important fight looms at home.
 
I’m not talking about troops wrestling with Post-Traumatic Stress, but battling unscrupulous predators mining GI Bill gold while delivering nothing but penniless pockets and sour futures.

SDG&E AND FOREST SERVICE PRESERVE SENSITIVE WATERSHED HABITAT

 
July 18, 2012 (San Diego) – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and the U.S. Forest Service have collaborated to preserve and protect 266 acres of sensitive habitat immediately adjacent to Cedar Creek Falls in the San Diego River watershed.  The land is now National Forest System land donated by SDG&E.
 
This critical watershed habitat is home to 26 sensitive or endangered wildlife species and twice as many sensitive to endangered plant species. Species include the endangered arroyo toad which relies on sandy streambeds and chaparral as well as the Least Bell’s vireo, a migratory songbird that nests in the poison oak and other brush that grows in the San Diego River watershed.

FROM THE CHIEFS CORNER: FLASH FLOOD SAFETY TIPS

 

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna, East County Magazine “In-House” Fire Chief
July 18, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--We are in our summer “monsoon season” which can quickly and unexpectedly bring flash floods.More people lose their LIVES in floods than in any other weather-related event. 80% of flood deaths occur in vehicles, and most happen when drivers make a single, fatal mistake - trying to navigate through flood waters.

VALUE, COST, & PRICE: THE THREE KEYS TO BUYING YOUR NEW HOME

 
By Megan Gates
 
July 18, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--When purchasing a home, it's important to "become an educated buyer," as Dottie Herman frequently advises. Aside from having a finalized budget in place and knowing how much home you can afford, one of the first steps any potential homebuyer should take is to hire a real estate broker who understands your needs and is knowledgeable of the area and homes in which you're interested. The broker will guide you through the real estate transaction and help you make informed decisions.

KADERABEK WITHDRAWS NOMINATION; ALPINE PLANNING GROUP SEEKS NEW APPLICANTS

 

By Miriam Raftery

July 17, 2012 (Alpine)—The Alpine Community Planning Group is seeking new applicants to fill a vacancy for seat 14.  All interested applicants are encouraged to come to the ACPG meeting on July 26 at 6 p.m. on the Alpine Community Center.

TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR WATERSHED, AWARD-WINNING REDFORD FILM PREMIERE JULY 28 AT WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN

July 13, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) –  A premiere screening of  Watershed, will debut at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College on July 28 at 8:15 p.m.  Tickets go on sale today. 

The film tells the story of threats to the once-mighty Colorado River—and offers solutions for the future of the American west.   It is produced by the Redford Center, established by actor Robert Redford.

LA MESA CENTENNIAL “AMAZING GEOCACHE” CHALLENGE BEGINS

 
Modern Day Scavenger Hunt Uses GPS-Enabled Devices to Find City’s Historic Treasures
July 17, 2012 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Centennial-themed Amazing Geocache Challenge is officially on, and anyone who appreciates a fun and family-friendly modern-day scavenger hunt is encouraged to participate – and possibly win prizes along the way. Officially started on June 2 to coincide with the city’s Flag Day Parade, the Challenge concludes at 5:00 pm October 7, 2012, coinciding with the end of the La Mesa Oktoberfest. It’s not to late to participate!

FEMALE ARTISTS FIND THEIR POWERS AT COMIC-CON

 

 
By Nadin Abbott
Photos by Tom Abbott
 
July 15, 2012 (San Diego) -- Women are involved in many aspects of the comics industry. At Comic-Con, ECM interviewed two women, Anina Bennet and Susie Cagle, who have left some power-packed marks in their own industry niches.
 
Bennett is the author, with her husband Paul Guinan, of Boilerplate: History’s Mechanical Marvel, and Frank Reade: Adventures in the Age of Invention. http://bigredhair.com   

 

SENIORS AT HEALTH CARE LIBRARY TO DISCUSS RELAXATION, VISUALIZATION AND MEDITATION JULY 25

 
July17, 2012 (La Mesa)--The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, will host a free seniors discussion group on “Relaxation and Visualization” from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 25. The public is invited to attend, and RSVP is not required.

ALPINE PLANNERS REOPEN NOMINATIONS FOR VACANCY; PARK LANDS AND ZONING DENSITY CHANGES ALSO ON AGENDA JULY 26

 

By Miriam Raftery

July 16, 2012 (Alpine) – The Alpine Community Planning Group meets on Thursday, July 26 at 6 p.m. in the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Boulevard. 

The agenda includes an opportunity for planners to ask questions of community members interested in being recommended for appointment to fill a vacant seat.  The planning group previously recommended Charles Kaderabek for the slot; however he withdrew his name after revelations of tax debts, lawsuits and a lapsed law license have surfaced.

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