SOLAR ECLIPSE VIEWING PARTY

ATMOSPHERIC RIVER TO DRENCH REGION OVER EASTER WEEKEND

GROSSMONT HIGH SCHOOL BOARD SLASHES STAFFING, OVER OBJECTIONS OF VOCAL CROWD

CONSUMER ALERT FOR SAFELY FILING YOUR TAXES

VIEW OUR INTERVIEW: LA MESA ACTIVISTS OBJECT TO CITY COUNCIL BANNING REMOTE PARTICIPATION

WINTER STORM WARNING

EASTER BRUNCH AND EGG HUNT MARCH 30 IN EL CAJON

BIA SAN DIEGO PARTNERS WITH WORKFORCECONNECT TO UTILIZE JOBS PLATFORM, WHILE ADDRESSING CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WORKFORCE SHORTAGE

RECENT FIRE DEATHS HEIGHTEN CALLS FOR FIRE PROTECTION BALLOT MEASURE IN SANTEE

MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK COMMUNITY NIGHT SLATED FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 4

COUNTRY MUSIC LEGEND TANYA TUCKER LIVE AT THE MAGNOLIA MAY 19

UNOFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS SHOW FLIPS IN TWO KEY RACES HOLDING

MAN WANTED IN GRANTVILLE ATTACK THAT LEFT VICTIM WITH BRAIN DAMAGE

 

 
Attacker believed to have met his victim at McGregor’s Bar & Grill
 
June 12, 2012 (San Diego) -- Detectives from the San Diego Police Department’s Eastern Division have released photos of a man wanted as a “person of interest” in the attempted homicide of a Grantville woman last month. On May 13, officers responded to a call that a female victim, 34, had been found unconscious in her apartment. Severely beaten, the woman remained unconscious for almost three weeks and sustained brain damage from the attack. 

 

HOMICIDE DETECTIVES INVESTIGATE CASE OF MISSING SPRING VALLEY WOMAN

 

Update: Alford was located near her home and has been arrested on a new charge of transporting a controlled substance. Click here for details.

 

June 12, 2012 (Spring Valley ) – San Diego Sheriff’s Department is investigating the whereabouts of Rebecca Faye Alford, also known as Fatima Garcia.  Reported missing, she was last seen Monday, June 11 at 10:30 p.m. at her residence in the Lamplighter Village Park, 10767 Jamacha Blvd. in Spring Valley.

Homicide detail is investigating the case.  The missing woman, 41, has red hair and hazel eyes. She is described as light-skinned, 5 feet 6 inches tall, weight 125 pounds. A 1999 black Ford F159 with license plate #67216A1 may also be involved.

FLORIDA ATTACK PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON `BATH SALTS’: DANGEROUS DRUGS PUT LOCAL YOUTHS AT RISK, AUTHORITIES WARN

By Sierra Robinson

 

 

June 11, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—Last month, a tragic incident in Florida, now nationally known as the ‘Florida Zombie Attack’, has been attributed to a dangerous drug most commonly known as ‘bath salts’. But just how dangerous is this new drug? Are we all in danger of such a horrific attack like that in Florida? 

Use of ‘bath salts’ has been dramatically increasing.  The American Association for Poison Control Centers took 303 calls about the drug in 2010; while in the first eight months of 2011, 4,720 calls were received regarding use of such synthetic drugs. Local and national authorities now warn the public about an alarming rise in serious health reactions and violent incidents linked to these drugs.  But what are they, exactly, and what makes them so dangerous? 

TRANSFORMER FIRE IGNITES VEHICLE, SHUTS DOWN POWER AND CONFINES RESIDENTS TO THEIR HOMES IN EL CAJON

June 12, 2012 (El Cajon) 9:35 a.m. – Power remains out in parts of El Cajon following a transformer fire this morning. Heartland Fire & Rescue crews in El Cajon responded to reports of a transformer fire in the 200 block of Lincoln Avenue in El Cajon. As crews arrived, they found not only the transformer fire, but downed power lines and a resulting vehicle fire. 

EL CAJON MERCHANT HOPES REOPENING THEATER WILL BRING BUSINESS BACK TO DOWNTOWN

Click screen above to view our exclusive video interview

June 12, 2012 (El Cajon)--Many of the restaurants in downtown El Cajon opened their doors several years ago because of the proximity of the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) on Main Street. One of those is Domenico Donato’s “Mangia Bene” Italian restaurant located directly across from the theater which opened a decade ago. 

SIG ALERT: I-8 AT COLLEGE DUE TO BRUSH FIRE

June 11, 2012 (San Diego) -- A SIG ALERT has been issued for I-8 eastbound at College Avenue due to a brush fire. Two lanes are now blocked, Cal-Trans reports. Expect traffic delays.

Sign up to receive free Viejas Wildfire & Emergency Alerts via email at the top right side of our homepage, and also receive a free weekly copy of East County Magazine with news and events for our region.

GANG AND DRUG SWEEPS SNAG 26 SUSPECTS IN LA MESA

 
June 11, 2012 (La Mesa)—La Mesa Police Department reports that a Special Enforcement Detail arrested 26 people last month. The unit targets gangs, drug deals, and serial criminals.  After executing four search warrants, the unit resulted in seizure of over $20,000 in drug sales cash, two guns, over 7 ounces of methamphetamine, 5 pounds of marijuana, and 2.2 ounces of heroin. 

SAN DIEGO STUDENT AMONG 15 FINALISTS AT GLOBAL GOOGLE SCIENCE FAIR

San Diego Jewish Academy eight grader Jonah Kohn's project uses tactile sound to enhance music for people with hearing loss through vibrations

 

June 11, 2012 (San Diego)--San Diego Jewish Academy (SDJA) eighth grade student Jonah Kohn was recently notified that he is one of five finalists in his age group out of a total 15 finalists in the 2012 Google Science Fair, which received thousands of entries from over 100 countries worldwide.

His project, Good Vibrations: Improving the Music Experience for People with Hearing Loss Using Multi-Frequency Tactile Sound, has the potential to affect millions of people with hearing loss by enhancing their ability to enjoy music.

HIGH-POWER LIVING: SOLAR FUELS HOUSE AND VEHICLE FOR LOCAL COUPLE—WITH ALL THE COMFORTS OF HOME

 
“It’s just the right thing to do.” – Gene Dolphin

How Kathy and Gene Dolphin walk their talk every day
 
By Faith Attaguile
 
June 11, 2012, (San Diego) -- When the energy “crisis” hit California in 2001, Kathy and Gene Dolphin got angry.
The roving blackouts and triple-digit rate increases in California caused by Enron’s market manipulations tipped the scales. The soaring electric bill pushed them over the edge.

ON THE SILVER SCREEN: DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

By Brian Lafferty

 

June 11, 2012 (San Diego) – I attend every screening with a pen and small notebook in hand. I have a strong visual memory, but it never hurts to jot down certain things I may later overlook. For Prometheus, I wrote only three brief sentences before I put the notebook down. This film had the tractor beam effect on my eyes. I sat fully entranced, unable to look away.

 

EARTHTALK® E - THE ENVIRONMENTAL MAGAZINE

 
Written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss

June 11, 2012 (
 Norwalk, CT) --  Dear EarthTalk: I own a small business and would like to do what I can to minimize its impact on the environment. Can you help me? -- Jacob Levinson, New York, NY
 
There are many ways to green up any business, large or small—and an added benefit might just be saving money. Just like individuals, businesses can measure their carbon footprints to get a sense of where they are starting from and to get some initial ideas of areas to focus on to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

CHIEF’S CORNER: WHAT TO DO DURING A WILDFIRE

By Sam DiGiovanna
June 10, 2012 (San Diego County) 
  • Listen to your portable radio for reports and evacuation information.
  • Back your car into the garage or park it in an open space facing the direction of escape.
  • Close garage windows and doors, but leave them unlocked.
  • Confine pets to one room.
  • Arrange temporary housing.
  • When advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
  • Wear protective clothing.
  • Take your emergency kit.
  • Lock your home.
  • Follow the evacuation route that your local officials have identified.

ECM EDITOR ON WIND WISE RADIO AT 4:30 TODAY

East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery will be a guest on WindWise Radio.  The network, which specializes in wind energy issues, broadcasts nationally via live-stream over the Internet.

The show starts at 4 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, with Raftery slated at 4:40. She will talk about new developments with the Ocotillo Express and Tule Wind projects locally. 

Preston Arrowweed, an elder in the Quechan tribe which has filed a lawsuit seeking to halt the project, will also be a guest on the program.

Listen live at http://www.windwiseradio.org and please call in with your questions and comments at (213)943-3683! Tis is a great chance to air your concerns on wind issues nationally.

 

 

HIGHWAY 79 CLOSED DUE TO BRUSH FIRES

Update 3:50 pm. The highway is expected to reopen by 6 p.m., starting with one-way traffic.  Traffic is being diverted up Old Highway 80 over the Sunrise Highway currently.

Update:  2:25 p.m.  These fires have been held to a total of 12 acres; air tankers are being dismissed. Fire is contained but not yet out; no structures were lost.

CROSS-BORDER POWERLINES APPROVED

 
By Miriam Raftery
 
June 10, 2012 (San Diego) – The San Diego Planning Commission on Friday approved the Energia Sierra Juarez Gen-Tie project, a power line that Sempra Energy plans to utilize to bring energy from a planned Mexico wind facility across the border to the U.S. That facility’s future is in limbo, however, since a Mexican court has agreed to hear a lawsuit challenging Energia Sierra Juarez. 

LA MESA CENTENNIAL “AMAZING GEOCACHE” CHALLENGE BEGINS

 
Modern Day Scavenger Hunt Uses GPS-Enabled Devices to Find City’s Historic Treasures 
June 10, 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 5pm October 7, 2012, with the City’s other beloved event, the La Mesa Octoberfest.

EAST COUNTY COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS RE-ELECTED

No opposition for Bill Garrett, Mary Kay Rosinski
 
June 10, 2012 (El Cajon) -- Bill Garrett, president of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board, and Mary Kay Rosinski, board vice president, have been re-elected without opposition for another four-year term. Because they had no challengers, the names of Garrett and Rosinski were not on the June 5 ballot for East County voters. The college district operates Grossmont College in El Cajon and Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego, serving almost 30,000 students.

SUMMER CRIME PREVENTION TIPS FROM THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

 
June 10, 2012 (San Diego County) -- As summer approaches, people take advantage of the sunny weather to do outdoor projects, take their families to fun places, relax and keep cool. For criminals, however, it's a very busy time of year. 
 
It can be easy to forget to close a door or window, but if they are left open it creates an easy opportunity for a burglar. Criminals focus on easy targets; make it difficult for them to choose you. The San Diego Sheriff's Department wants to remind you of some tips to keep yourself, your family, your home and your valuables safe.

 

EXPRESSIONISTIC PAINTINGS AT LA MESA HEALTH LIBRARY

 
June 10, 2012 (La Mesa) -- The Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library is featuring an exhibit of 15 landscape paintings by Santee artist Barbara McVey through the month of June.
 
McVey worked at schools with special education students until she retired in 1999. Then, she taught art history and the history of famous artists at elementary schools for five years. Today, she focuses on her artwork. Her exhibition at the Herrick Library features abstract watercolor and oil pastel paintings.

READER’S EDITORIAL: NOTHING BOLD, NOTHING NEW

 
By Dave Patterson, Ramona
 
June 10, 2012 (Ramona)--The seminal message delivered at the Ramona School board meeting on June 7 was that the problem is the unions. While concessions from the unions will certainly be part of it, the real solution is much more complex.  Too bad that the administration and all but one of the school board members were willing to turn away from the reality, and instead cast a stone at a politically reliable targetpublic unions.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY’S “RELAY FOR LIFE” AT BATES NUT FARM

 
June 10, 2012 (Valley Center) -- Bates Nut Farm hosts the American Cancer Society’s “Relay for Life of Valley Center” from 9:00 am June 16 – 9:00 am June 17. This overnight relay-style event raises funds to help the American Cancer society save lives. Over 15 teams have already been formed, and the members from each team will take turns walking the course over the 24 hour period. Food, games and activities provide entertainment and fundraising opportunities throughout the event, and the family-friendly environment provides a sense of community.

RICHARD LAWRENCE TO RECEIVE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

 
June 10, 2012 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Housing Federation Board of Directors has selected Richard Lawrence as the recipient of the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award. The award will be presented at the Federation’s Ruby Awards…There’s No Place Like Home event Thursday, June 14.

OUT OF THIS WORLD AT THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY FAIR

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Leon Thompson and Miriam Raftery

Mayan Avitable, Nadin Abbott, and Serena Scaglione also contributed to this report

June 10, 2012 (San Diego County) – It was a tough job, but someone had to do it. So we took a team of our reporters and photographers to a media night preview of the San Diego County Fair at Del Mar, which opened yesterday.  We watched bungee jumpers, an acrobatic dog, and 4-H kids with pigs and goats. We savored our fill of fair food. Plus we met up with some East County participants--including Chief Don Butz and the Viejas firefighters, who showed off the shark-toothed, souped-up car they will be driving in the demolition derby on June 16.

Here are our helpful hints and highlights for your fair-going enjoyment this season:  

VIEJAS ROLLS OUT “SAY YES TO BOWLING!” FREE SUMMER PROGRAM FOR KIDS & TEENS

 

 
By Sierra Robinson

June 8, 2012 (Alpine) – Looking for something fun, free and cool for the kids to do this summer? Your child or teen can receive a free bowling game each week-day this summer, along with bowling shoes, in Viejas Bowl’s new “Say Yes to Bowling” program.  The fun starts in June and continues on through August.

 

SANTEE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES BEGINS JUNE 14

June 9, 2012 (Santee) – The city of Santee’s Summer Concert Series, now in its 29th year, begins June 14.  Performances are every Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. through August 16, except July 5.  The concerts take place at the Town Center Community Park at the north side of the San Diego River.

The 9 concert series features the return of three musical acts that attracted sizeable crowds last year, as well as an eclectic lineup of 7 other bands that range from country to classic rock.

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