September 18, 2012 (Santee) -- A man is dead after jumping off a bridge over westbound State Route 52 near Mast Boulevard in Santee, CHP's webpage confirms. The freeway is closed and the Medical Examiner has been called to the scene.
September 19, 2012 (El Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon Recreation Department, together with Crest Kiwanis, present the annual ALL FORE R.E.C. Golf Tournament. The tournament will be held at the Sycuan Resort, 5485 Casino Way, El Cajon, on October 5. All proceeds from the tournament directly support activities that develop youth and provide positive choices through youth activity scholarships, youth sports, recreation classes and after-school programs.
September 19, 2012 (La Mesa) – A 16-year-old girl was robbed in the Spring Street Trolley Station, 4250 Spring Street, on September 17 at 6:47 p.m. According to La Mesa Police, the victim was in the parking lot near the bus stop when she saw the suspect. She walked away to the opposite side of the lot, but the suspect approached and grabbed for her purse on her shoulder. The victim began hitting the suspect with her cell phone, trying break away. He grabbed her cell phone and ran downstairs towards Spring Street.
September 19, 2012 (San Diego) --NOTE TO READERS: The SDWriteWay webzine is temporarily down for maintenance. Below are events for late September and October. — Sam Warren, editor
September 20 (Thursday, 7:00 pm) — Join Dr. Jon Rebman, author of Baja California Plant Field Guide at the San Diego Natural History Museum. Time to be announced.
September 17, 2012 (El Cajon) – Under darkening clouds of economic uncertainty, the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board battened down the hatches Tuesday, September 11, passing a $150.4 million budget that prepares the district to weather the storm, should Proposition 30 – the governor’s tax measure – fall short in the November election.
Participants must post photos of their bites to win
September 17, 2012 (San Diego) – To promote the release of his new novel Shady Palms in October, San Diego author Allen Dusk is holding a contest to give away signed copies of his book, set in El Cajon. Victims of bedbug attacks are encouraged to post photos of their bites on Twitter and Instagram with the hastag #ShadyPalms. On October 1, 2012 Allen will announce the winners on his website http://www.allendusk.com.
September 15, 2012 (La Mesa)--The League of Women Voters will sponsor and moderate a candidate forum for La Mesa City Council candidates in the 2012 election. The forum will be held on September 27 from 7 to 9 pm at the La Mesa City Council Chamber.
September 17, 2012 (El Cajon) – Downtown El Cajon invites you to a gallery walk featuring seven galleries on Friday, September 21 from 5-8 p.m. More than 500 works of art will be available along El Cajon’s Gallery Row in the community’s burgeoning arts district. The evening also features giveaways, food and beverages, live music and demonstrations by local artists. In addition, a “meet the artist” reception with Dawn Hough Sebaugh will be held at the Main Street 5 Gallery.
September 17, 2012 (San Diego) – Well, now we know. The 2012 Presidential election won’t just be between incumbent Democrat Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney, but between two starkly different philosophies not only of politics, or how to revive the economy and preserve the capitalist system, but also of life itself and what it means to be human. It won’t be a serious debate over how much government the American people want, or how they propose to pay for it. Nor will it really be about the budget deficit or the national debt, however much Republicans — especially their vice-presidential candidate, Congressmember Paul Ryan —might claim the moral high ground on that issue even though their giveaway tax cuts to the ultra-rich will actually make the national debt bigger, not smaller.
September 17, 2012 (San Diego) – Daphne Hearn, Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego FBI Office, and Chris Maston, Director of Field Operations, Customs Border Protection (CBP) announced the arrest of CBP Officer Thomas Silva, age 33, a nine-year veteran with the CBP. Silva was arrested on Friday, September 7 2012, at approximately 8:30 a.m, at the San Ysidro Port of Entry by CBP and FBI Agents assigned to the FBI Border Corruption Task Force (BCTF) pursuant to a federal arrest warrant based on a complaint filed with the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, case number 12MJ3305. The complaint charges Silva with wire fraud and concealing a person from arrest.
September 19, 2012 (Columbia, Mo.) – The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can contain dozens of different mutations, called polymorphisms. In a recent study an international team of researchers, including MU scientists, found that one of those mutations, called 172K, made certain forms of the virus more susceptible to treatment. Soon, doctors will be able to use this knowledge to improve the drug regimen they prescribe to HIV-infected individuals.
September 17, 2012 (San Diego) – The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States commemorating the alliance between the two nations during the Revolutionary War. The statue arrived in the United States aboard the French freighter Isere as 350 individual pieces packed in 214 crates. Lady Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, designated as a National Monument in 1924, and restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986.
The Truth about Firearms, the Criminal Justice System, and You: What Every Gun Owner Should Know About being Falsely Accused
According to Michelle Gesse, author of Bogus Allegations, being a gun owner puts you at increased risk for being falsely accused of a crime. (She should know—it happened to her husband!) Here, she shares what you should know about being falsely accused, and what you can do to protect yourself.
September 17, 2012 (Boulder, CO)—If you own a gun and consider yourself to be an upstanding, law-abiding citizen, you probably haven’t given much thought to being targeted or profiled because you own firearms. After all, as long as they’re legal and you don’t use them inappropriately, you have nothing to fear, right?
September 19, 2012 (Alpine) – Viejas Casino, Southern California’s premier gaming, dining and entertainment destination, on September 14, set a new Guinness Record for the World’s Largest Blackjack Table.
The record was set at 9:45 a.m. September 13, as six guests sat at a massive blackjack table measuring just over 2,226 square feet and played a hand of blackjack with chips and cards that were ten times the size of the actual Viejas blackjack chips and cards. Philip Robertson, an official “Adjudicator” for Guinness was on hand to confirm the measurements and witness the hand of blackjack…and the new record was officially certified amid a rousing round of cheers and applause from Viejas Team Members and guests in the DreamCatcher at Viejas Casino.
Proceeds help fund special programs for San Diegans in need of hospice care
September 16, 2012 (San Diego) – The LightBridge Hospice Community Foundation, a non-profit organization that fulfills special requests from hospice patients and their loved ones, will host its 4th annual Remembrance Walk on Sunday, September 23 at Liberty Station.
September 21, 2012 (San Diego)--I probably could have gone through my life blissfully unaware of the existence of a scrap of film called Innocence of Muslims — a.k.a. Innocence of Bin Laden, a.k.a. Desert Warriors — if the U.S. ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, and three other U.S. Embassy staff members hadn’t been killed in an attack allegedly inspired by a YouTube trailer for this movie. It’s a film almost no one has seen — and that includes the attackers in Libya and the mobs who stormed the U.S. Embassy in Egypt — but that hasn’t stopped either the protesters against the film or the mystery people who made it, who appear to be members of the Copts, an Egyptian Christian sect who lost their protector when Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was driven from power and now fear both official discrimination and private retribution.
September 18, 2012 (La Mesa)—Comedians from Brew Ha-Ha will perform September 19 and 20 at Haritna, which was voted #1 Mediterranean Restaurant in San Diego’s A-list 2012. Haritna is located at 7303 El Cajon Blvd. at the corner of 734d Street in LA Mesa. http://www.haritnarestaurant.com.
Find inspiration, savor a fresh foods buffet, and learn the latest in sustainability
By Walt Meyer
September 16, 2012 (Lakeside)--At Heartland Coalition/UnitedGREEN's Forging a Sustainable Future event at San Diego State University in March, keynote speaker Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shared the importance of changing how we all live in light of the global climate crisis. But as has been said many times, all global change starts with local action--and there has never been a better time to take steps for real change. Toward that end, Heartland Coalition’s UnitedGREEN division is producing a series of customized Forging a Sustainable FutureSolutions events to advance its mission of transforming the San Diego region.
The first FSFS event will be “Living Green at Blue Sky Ranch” on September 29 from 3-6:30 p.m. Exhibits and experts will explain permaculture, wildfire protection, Community Supported Agriculture, grey water, water catchment, organic farming and gardening, and other aspects of this self-sustaining community in Lakeside. The aim is to encourage others to emulate techniques used at Blue Sky Ranch (BSR) and invite people to showcase their innovations on the property. Early bird rates of $20 have been extended; at the door rates are $35/person or $60/couple.
September 15, 2012 (Oceanside) -- A major brush fire at Camp Pendleton has now charred 1,100 acres and is 50% contained. No structures are threatened, IPN reported at 7:04 p.m.
Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna, ECM’s “From the Chief’s Corner” columnist, advised earlier that the fire has bee moving north at a rapid rate towards Cleveland National Forest. Smoke is highly visible from both San Diego and Orange Counties.
September 15, 2012 (La Mesa, Ca.) – The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce hosted the first City Council Candidate Forum, and East County Magazine was there to record so you can hear the candidates in their own words.
September 15, 2012 (Encanto) -- Brush fire with structures threatened in the Klauber Avenue San Diego/Encanto area. Helicopter ordered for water drops.
September 14, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--It’s inevitable. At some point, everyone needs to call a heating and air conditioning company for maintenance, repairs and/or replacements.
Before getting any work done by an HVAC company – or any contractor for that matter – follow these 10 simple steps to ensure you’re hiring a trusted and qualified contractor.
September 15, 2012 (San Diego) - The California Energy Commission on September 12 approved the construction of the proposed Pio Pico Energy Center, a natural gas-fired “peaker” power plant.
By a 4-0 vote, the Energy Commission adopted the presiding member's proposed decision (PMPD) for the project.
"This power plant will be able to respond quickly and follow load fluctuations in the San Diego area when power demand is high,” said Energy Commissioner Carla Peterman, presiding member for the committee reviewing the project.
September 13, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--California's efforts to control the light brown apple moth will not include aerial spraying, although environmental groups say that restriction isn't enough.
Erin Tobin, an attorney with Earthjustice, says there's very little evidence to prove the non-native species causes any real harm to agriculture in California.
September 15, 2012 (Alpine)—Meatball the bear, originally slated to be temporarily housed at Lions, Tigers & Bears in Alpine, will now be staying permanently at the rescue facility. Owner Bobbi Brink has issued a plea for public help to build a larger enclosure for the bear, which had been wandering into neighborhoods before it was captured and taken to LTB to save it from being killed.
September 15, 2012 (Lakeside)—A power outage that occurred at 5:49 p.m. has left 2,605 customers without power in the Lakeside region. SDG&E indicates a problem in the overhead electrical system is the suspected cause.
Portions of the following communities are affected: Blossom Valley, El Monte, Glenview, San Vicente, Foster, Moreno, Winter Gardens, Lakeside, Bostonia. Power restoration is expected by 7:49 p.m.
September 15, 2012 (Palomar) – Assembly Bill 1478, now on Governor Jerry Brown’s desk awaiting signature, would issue a moratorium on state park closures until at least 2014. It also directs that a windfall of funds found within the Department of Parks and Recreation should be used in part to keep state parks open, with priority given to those parks where citizens have shown support by raising funds through foundations or nonprofits. (For details see http://www.friendsofpalomarsp.org/legislative_update_09_10.htm.) Now supporters of Palomar Mountain State Park are asking for public help to persuade Governor Brown to sign this legislation.
Case tests "Pruneyard" Supreme Court Decision when applied to public areas
September 14, 2012 (San Diego) – El Cajon activist Ray Lutz, founder of the watchdog Citizens Oversight organization, filed suit on Sept. 13, 2012, alleging a false arrest on November 29, 2011, while he was registering voters in San Diego's Civic Center Plaza, effectively the town square of San Diego.
September 15, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The Naitonal Weather Service warns of elevated wildfire risk over San Diego County’s mountains and valleys, with gusts of 25-35 mph forecast for today. Yesterday, high temperature records were broken in several local communities, including El Cajon, where the high reached 103 degrees.
Scorching hot temperatures and low humidity will continue today, with highs up to 107 forecast for coastal mesas and inland areas expected to peak at up to 103 degrees. “Hottest locations will be near 108 degrees along I-15,” the National Weather Service predicts.
By Sam DiGiovanna, East County's in-house Fire Chief
September 14, 2012 (Oceanside)--Camp Pendleton fire crews are battling several brush fires that ignited on base this afternoon, leaving smoke and flames from the blaze visible in San Diego and Orange County.
Four brush fires began in a training area in the central portion of the base around noon, Pendleton officials said. Crews are expected to continue battling the blazes overnight. A fifth vegetation fire, located in the southern portion of the base, was reported shortly after 5 p.m.
September 19, 2012 (El Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon Recreation Department, together with Crest Kiwanis, present the annual ALL FORE R.E.C. Golf Tournament. The tournament will be held at the Sycuan Resort, 5485 Casino Way, El Cajon, on October 5. All proceeds from the tournament directly support activities that develop youth and provide positive choices through youth activity scholarships, youth sports, recreation classes and after-school programs.
September 19, 2012 (La Mesa) – A 16-year-old girl was robbed in the Spring Street Trolley Station, 4250 Spring Street, on September 17 at 6:47 p.m. According to La Mesa Police, the victim was in the parking lot near the bus stop when she saw the suspect. She walked away to the opposite side of the lot, but the suspect approached and grabbed for her purse on her shoulder. The victim began hitting the suspect with her cell phone, trying break away. He grabbed her cell phone and ran downstairs towards Spring Street.
September 19, 2012 (San Diego) --NOTE TO READERS: The SDWriteWay webzine is temporarily down for maintenance. Below are events for late September and October. — Sam Warren, editor
September 17, 2012 (El Cajon) – Under darkening clouds of economic uncertainty, the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board battened down the hatches Tuesday, September 11, passing a $150.4 million budget that prepares the district to weather the storm, should Proposition 30 – the governor’s tax measure – fall short in the November election.
Participants must post photos of their bites to win
September 15, 2012 (La Mesa)--The League of Women Voters will sponsor and moderate a candidate forum for La Mesa City Council candidates in the 2012 election. The forum will be held on September 27 from 7 to 9 pm at the La Mesa City Council Chamber.
September 17, 2012 (El Cajon) – Downtown El Cajon invites you to a gallery walk featuring seven galleries on Friday, September 21 from 5-8 p.m. More than 500 works of art will be available along El Cajon’s Gallery Row in the community’s burgeoning arts district. The evening also features giveaways, food and beverages, live music and demonstrations by local artists. In addition, a “meet the artist” reception with Dawn Hough Sebaugh will be held at the Main Street 5 Gallery.
By Mark Gabrish Conlan
September 17, 2012 (San Diego) – Daphne Hearn, Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego FBI Office, and Chris Maston, Director of Field Operations, Customs Border Protection (CBP) announced the arrest of CBP Officer Thomas Silva, age 33, a nine-year veteran with the CBP. Silva was arrested on Friday, September 7 2012, at approximately 8:30 a.m, at the San Ysidro Port of Entry by CBP and FBI Agents assigned to the FBI Border Corruption Task Force (BCTF) pursuant to a federal arrest warrant based on a complaint filed with the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, case number 12MJ3305. The complaint charges Silva with wire fraud and concealing a person from arrest.
September 19, 2012 (Columbia, Mo.) – The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can contain dozens of different mutations, called polymorphisms. In a recent study an international team of researchers, including MU scientists, found that one of those mutations, called 172K, made certain forms of the virus more susceptible to treatment. Soon, doctors will be able to use this knowledge to improve the drug regimen they prescribe to HIV-infected individuals.
By Richard Lederer
The Truth about Firearms, the Criminal Justice System, and You: What Every Gun Owner Should Know About being Falsely Accused
September 19, 2012 (Alpine) – Viejas Casino, Southern California’s premier gaming, dining and entertainment destination, on September 14, set a new Guinness Record for the World’s Largest Blackjack Table.
Proceeds help fund special programs for San Diegans in need of hospice care
By Mark Gabrish Conlan
September 18, 2012 (La Mesa)—Comedians from Brew Ha-Ha will perform September 19 and 20 at Haritna, which was voted #1 Mediterranean Restaurant in San Diego’s A-list 2012. Haritna is located at 7303 El Cajon Blvd. at the corner of 734d Street in LA Mesa. 
By Colin Martodam
September 15, 2012 (San Diego) - The California Energy Commission on September 12 approved the construction of the proposed Pio Pico Energy Center, a natural gas-fired “peaker” power plant.
By Lori Abbott, California News Service
September 15, 2012 (Alpine)—Meatball the bear, originally slated to be temporarily housed at Lions, Tigers & Bears in Alpine, will now be staying permanently at the rescue facility. Owner Bobbi Brink has issued a plea for public help to build a larger enclosure for the bear, which had been wandering into neighborhoods before it was captured and taken to LTB to save it from being killed.
September 15, 2012 (Lakeside)—A power outage that occurred at 5:49 p.m. has left 2,605 customers without power in the Lakeside region. SDG&E indicates a problem in the overhead electrical system is the suspected cause. 
September 15, 2012 (Palomar) – Assembly Bill 1478, now on Governor Jerry Brown’s desk awaiting signature, would issue a moratorium on state park closures until at least 2014. It also directs that a windfall of funds found within the Department of Parks and Recreation should be used in part to keep state parks open, with priority given to those parks where citizens have shown support by raising funds through foundations or nonprofits. (For details see 
September 15, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The Naitonal Weather Service warns of elevated wildfire risk over San Diego County’s mountains and valleys, with gusts of 25-35 mph forecast for today. Yesterday, high temperature records were broken in several local communities, including El Cajon, where the high reached 103 degrees.
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