May 26, 2012 (San Diego)– Camping in the southern California’s national forests can be a year-round endeavor, but for many people, the up-coming Memorial Day weekend is the time to air out the tents, dust off the hiking boots and load up on the makings for s ‘mores.
The school year is nearly over, and the days are warmer and longer, making it a perfect time to start reintroducing yourself and your family to the fun and excitement, and the calm and peacefulness of the Cleveland National Forest.
May 26, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--The Mount Miguel High School JROTC Memorial Day Ceremony on Wednesday, May 23, paid tribute to all of the men and women who have fought and died to protect our freedom as well as those who are presently serving our country.
Vermont’s latest energy statute expands its statewide Clean Local Energy Accessible Now (CLEAN) Program and removes program cap for projects with locational benefits to the power grid.
May 26, 2012 (Montpelier, Vermont)– On May 18, Vermont’s Governor Shumlin signed into law the 2012 Energy Bill, which contains a groundbreaking acknowledgment of the locational benefits of distributed generation and more than doubles the amount clean local energy that will be brought online through the state’s CLEAN program. Similar programs could well be applied in places such as San Diego to encourage locally-generated rooftop solar and other local power as alternatives to massive industrial-scale energy projects and high-voltage transmission lines running long distances.
May 26, 2012 (Alpine) -- The Alpine Historical Society presents Alpine History Day Celebration on June 2 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 2116 Tavern Road, Alpine.The event will feature new displays in Dr. Nichols’ carriage house, tours of two pioneer houses, a Model T and an organ concert on the veranda.
San Diego Jewish Academy junior Melissa Fagan placed first at the Intel International Science and Engineering. Intel is the largest and most prestigious high school science competition in the world.
May 26, 2012 (San Diego)–Last week, San Diego Jewish Academy (SDJA) student Melissa Fagan received first place at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Seven million students compete annually to receive an invitation to Intel as it is considered the top high school science competition in the world.
May 26, 2012 (Santee) -- The Santee Street Fair is back May 26 at RiverView Parkway from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.This year’s featured bands include Atomic Groove, Creedence Relived and Liquid Blue.
There will be rides, entertainment, arts and crafts, vendor booths, a variety of food and a Beer Garden. The free festival is open to all ages.
May 25, 2012 (San Diego) – San Diego Police have issued a warning that on three occasions in the past two weeks, a man in a red vehicle has attempted to abduct children near Emerson Elementary School in the Mountain View neighborhood in southeast san Diego.
May 25, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The military has dealt a major blow to the wind industry, announcing that it may soon oppose wind projects in the Mojave desert due to interference with military radar tracking aircraft.
May 25, 2012 (Poway) – San Diego Sheriff’s office has revealed details in a high-speed chase that ended in a crash in Poway on May 22. Two of the occupants were on probation while a third had an outstanding arrest warrant; all now face new charges.
May 25, 2012 (San Diego) -- Today the Desert Protective Council is filing a lawsuit in Federal Court in San Diego to stop the Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility Project (OWEF) from causing damage to fragile desert lands in western Imperial County, adjacent to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the largest state park in the U.S.
The lawsuit, naming the Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar, the County of Imperial, California, and the Project Permittee, Pattern Energy of La Jolla, CA as defendants, alleges that the Secretary violated the right-of-way provisions of the Federal Lands Policy Management Act (FLPMA) when he approved the Project.
May 25, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--A 20 year old man from Poway was traveling northbound on SR-67 north of the Poway city limits in a Chevrolet Silverado truck today when he lost control, causing a deadly crash that claimed the lives of four people and injured three others, including a five-year-old girl.
“According to witness and physical evidence, he was traveling at a high rate of speed and failed to maintain control of the Silverado,” Officer Brian Pennings with the California Highway Patrol said. “The truck traveled across the solid double yellow lines into the southbound lanes and directly into the path of oncoming traffic.”
May 25, 2012 (San Diego)--A red flag warning has been issued for the desert, with high wind warnings and possible rain forecast for other areas across East County this weekend. Get the latest weather update from Your Online Weather with Gary Kelley.
Update 5:10 p.m. - The forward spread of this fire has been stopped.
May 25, 2012 (Dulzura) – A brush fire titled the "Pink Fire" is burning in the 17000 block of Highway 94 near Sycamore Canyon in the Dulzura area.
“It’s burning under power lines,” Battalion Chief Nick Schuler informed ECM.Currently the fire is approximately three acres in size, burning in a canyon to the east.
May 25, 2012 (Shelter Valley)--The Banner Fire flared up at the eastern end this afternoon, prompting mandatory evacuation of the Stage Coach Trails RV Resort at the south end of the Shelter Valley community.
May 25, 2012 (San Diego) -- Enjoy the 124 photographs now on display in the Visitor Center Gallery as part of our 20th Annual Amateur Photo Contest. View the natural beauty of Mission Trails as captured by our local amateur photographers.
The reception and awards presentation will be held on Sunday, May 27 from to 4 p.m. at the Mission Trails Visitor & Interpretive Center. Come by and vote for your favorite.
May 25, 2012 (El Cajon) -- Crisis House will present East County Homeless Connect, at Christ Church Unity, 311 Highland Avenue, El Cajon from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday May 30. The event will be featuring more than 20 providers of homeless services to East County homeless individuals and families.
May 25, 2012 (La Mesa) -- O’Dunn Fine Art is hosting a first viewing of Paul Strahm’s new paintings on May 26 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the gallery, 8325 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa.Strahm’s fresh-to the market pieces include paintings of Torrey Pines, the Del Mar Fair, The Gaslamp, Little Italy, Balboa Park and more.
New Child Development Center is part of the GUHSD Teen Parent Program
May 25, 2012 (La Mesa) -- Representatives from Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) and Grossmont High School dedicated the school’s new Child Development Center on Friday, May 18. The 6,193-square-foot center will offer a classroom setting for infant and toddler programs as part of the GUHSD Teen Parent Program.
May 25, 2012 (Lakeside)– Celebrating 10 years of service to the Tribal communities of Southern California, Inter Tribal Sports (ITS) ambassadors Bill Walton (NBA Hall of Fame) and Lorenzo Neal (NFL All-Pro) invite San Diegans to join former San Diego Charger Hank Bauer at the NeXt Generations Gala and Golf Tournament at Barona Creek Golf Course in Lakeside on June 29.
May 25, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Jamul resident Heather Berner is among those to be honored by Sharp HealthCare Foundation’s 2012 Victories of Spirit event. The event, which honors extraordinary individuals and community organizations for their inspirational achievements and contributions to others, will be held on Friday, June 1 at 6 p.m. at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego.
Update: Two people are dead and four injured victims have been transported to local hospitals. A long-term road closure is expected.
May 25, 2012 (Ramona) – A major automobile accident at State Route 67 and Rockhouse Road has claimed the life of one person and others remained trapped, Incident Page Network reports.
The highway is closed between Poway Road and Archie Moore for the investigation and a SIG alert has been issued. A medical helicopter was unable to reach the area due to stormy weather.
May 26, 2012 (Ramona) – At Dos Picos County Park, 17953, Dos Picos Park Rd. in Ramona this Saturday, two family fun activities are planned: A scavenger hunt and a “Snakes N’ Skins” ranger presentation complete with live animals. Scroll down for details and for directions see
By Michael Benoit, Libertarian candidate for Congress, 50th District
May 25, 2012 (San Diego's East County)--Most Americans know we have to cut government spending, but how to do that is a difficult question. Some say we can’t cut any military spending, but is that true? Most ex-service men and women I know say there is more than ten percent waste in that budget.
Let’s start with the fundamentals. We must keep our citizens safe from external attacks. And we must have a military that fits the purpose of the USA.
May 24, 2012 (La Mesa) – They make life or death decisions.Superior Court judges may determine who goes to prison—and for how long.They hear civil lawsuits, juvenile and family court cases. Their decisions can bringvictims closure or tear families apart—and their rulings may set long-lasting precedents.
Yesterday, three candidates vying for San Diego Superior Court Seat 25 presented their arguments why each contends he is the best qualified for the bench. The forum was presented by Foothills Bar Association at BJ’s restaurant in La Mesa.
May 24, 2012 (San Diego)--More than 50 people called for Sempra Energy Chief Donald Felsinger to come down and address the public’s concerns over the San Onofre nuclear reactors, which have been closed for months due to serious safety problems. (Felsinger was invited last Friday in a written-hand-delivered petition.) The crowd chanted “Donald Felsinger come on down” on this overcast afternoon, with Sempra Energy’s building looming above.
Update May 25, 2012-7:45 a.m. - The fire is now 2,500 acres and 20% contained. There have been no reported injuries to firefighters and no structures were damaged or destroyed.
Cal-Fire reports there are currently 36 engines, 17 fire crews, 3 bulldozers, 9 water tenders, 4 helicopters and 6 airtankers (393 firefighters). Shelter Valley residents have been allowed to return home.
May 24, 2012 (Julian) – The “Banner Fire” which started at 2:14 p.m.has burned four to five acres thus far east of Julian near the Banner Grade.
“The fire is located in an area known as Cigarette Canyon close to the location of last year’s `Great Fire,’” Battalion Chief Nick Schuler say, adding that the blaze is spreading at a “moderate rate.”
May 26, 2012 (Alpine) -- The Alpine Historical Society presents Alpine History Day Celebration on June 2 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 2116 Tavern Road, Alpine.
May 26, 2012 (Santee) -- The Santee Street Fair is back May 26 at RiverView Parkway from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
May 25, 2012 (La Mesa) -- O’Dunn Fine Art is hosting a first viewing of Paul Strahm’s new paintings on May 26 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the gallery, 8325 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa.
By Michael Benoit, Libertarian candidate for Congress, 50th District
By Miriam Raftery and Sierra Robinson 
Update May 25, 2012-7:45 a.m. - The fire is now 2,500 acres and 20% contained. There have been no reported injuries to firefighters and no structures were damaged or destroyed. 
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