June 22, 2012 (Alpine)--At the Alpine Woman’s Club’s monthly meeting on June 19, the following students were presented with $1,000 scholarships: Zachary Wiley from Steele Canyon High School; Teresa Williams from Alpine Academy; Amanda Brookshire, Victoria Pool and Evan Myres from Granite Hills High School.
June 22, 2012 (Washington, D.C.) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Menhibrix, a combination vaccine for infants and children ages 6 weeks through 18 months, for prevention of invasive disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups C and Y and Haemophilus influenzae type b.
June 22, 2012 (Deer Springs) – Cal Fire and San Diego Fire have stopped a two-acre brush fire that started midmorning near Circle R Drive in the Deer Springs area. Cause of the blaze is under investigation. No structures were threatened or lost.
Firefighters remain on scene mopping up hot spots. Approximately 75 firefighters responded to the blaze.
June 21, 2012 (San Diego)--The Taste of Little Saigon was created to showcase the many businesses in the newly established Little Saigon District, specifically the wide array of restaurants offering authentic Vietnamese cuisine.
This event, held Saturday June 23 from 1-5 p.m. on El Cajon Boulevard will also include performances from local singers and live painting by San Diego artist Leah Younker who paints urban landscapes of El Cajon Boulevard.
June 21, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – it sounds like a vision out of Utopia.Imagine driving on highways and streets made of glass—12-x12 foot solar panels that produce electricity and ultimately, recharge your solar-powered car as you drive.
No need for power lines or power plants anymore, since roads and driveways will actually deliver electricity straight to your doorstep.
Sound impossible? Think again.The Federal Highway Administration issued a contract to Solar Roadways, brainchild of Idaho electrical engineer Scott Brusaw, to build the first ever solar Road Panel prototype in 2009. In 2011, a contract to build a solar parking lot was issued--with completion due this September
But a solar roadway can do much more than produce power--and the potential is enlightening.
June 21, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--Don't assume that someone else has already called. Describe the location of the fire, speak slowly and clearly, and answer any questions asked by the dispatcher.
Here are additional tips to take to protect your home and your family:
117-mile, 500,000-volt transmission line improves electricity reliability, but increases concerns over fire safety for region
June 21, 2012 (San Diego) – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) announced June 18 that it had completed and put into service Sunrise Powerlink, a 500,000-volt transmission line linking San Diego to Imperial Valley.
“Putting the Sunrise Powerlink into service is the final milestone in a complex and challenging energy project that ranks among the largest and most significant in the history of San Diego Gas & Electric,” said Jessie J. Knight, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of SDG&E.
June 20, 2012 (Ramona)—There are more than 60 wineries and vineyards (and counting!) within the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association. What better way to showcase Ramona—which was designated as an American Viticulture Area in 2006—as an up and coming wine region than through a new magazine designed to educate readers about award-winning wines and the people behind the process?
June 21, 2012 (La Mesa) – Biz Center Art, the gallery in residence at the La Mesa Biz Center, 7317 El Cajon Blvd., La Mesa, is holding an opening reception for Nowhere on June 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The reception will feature the artists and their art.“Nowhere” is a small image show featuring works of art no larger than 12” x 14” and costing no more than $100.
June 21, 2012 (La Mesa) -- Celebrity Chef Brian Malarkey is serving up some summer specials Gingham restaurant in La Mesa. Dubbed the first “urban cowboy diner”, Gingham features weekly themed events and specials, fun for couples, friends and families including movies and dining deals. Also, in conjunction with the La Mesa Car Show, Gingham will be offering some to-go food that will be cooked on the grill out back, perfect for anyone who wants to grab a quick lunch and go back to the festivities.
June 21, 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.
White House threatens veto on GOP energy bill (The Hill)
U.S. trafficking report reports ‘modern slavery’ toll (BBC)
Biotech leader covered up animal deaths from GM corn (RSN)
Could the Supreme Court’s healthcare ruling kill patient safety reforms? (Pro Publica)
Trans-Pacific Partnership: leaked trade document reveals corporate interests favored over public interest (OB Rag)
WORLD
Ousted Egyptian leader Mubarak close to death (BBC)
Japanese authorities sat on data showing radiation spread (Reuters)
June 21, 2012 -- (San Diego’s East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:
LOCAL
Regional Chamber of Commerce paints hopeful picture of economic recovery (Ramona Patch)
SD Unified bringing back all laid off teachers (Voice of San Diego)
Switching on SDG&E’s Sunrise Powerlink (UTSanDiego)
New initiative launches in San Diego to reclaim science’s role in policy decisions (KPBS)
Helix leader Rani Goyal got $56,000 severance in settlement deal (La Mesa Patch)
The Starting Line: SDG&E’s Trojan Horse (San Diego Free Press)
UT CEO’s last media company sold interviews (CityBeat)
Man fatally stabbed in unincorporated La Mesa (La Mesa Patch)
STATE
California Dems resist Gov. Brown’s welfare plans (San Jose Mercury News)
California schools facing shorter year (Sacramento Bee)
Viewpoint: Voters have a right to know how much loopholes are costing state (Sacramento Bee)
Bill also jeopardizes national parks along U.S.-Mexico and Canadian borders;
2 local Congressmen vote to kill environmental protections for all federal lands within 100 miles of borders--encompassing vast swaths in San Diego
By Miriam Raftery
June 19, 2012 (Washington D.C) - The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation that would give the Department of Homeland Security the power to override dozens of environmental laws on all federal lands that lie within 100 miles of the Mexican and Canadian borders--even though Homeland Security opposes the bill.
That would encompass virtually all federal lands in San Diego County, wiping out protections not only for Bureau of Land Management, Cleveland National Forest and military properties throughout San Diego County.
June 21, 2012 (Sacramento)—On Wednesday, the Senate Public Safety Committee approved Assemblymember Marty Block’s (D-78th Assembly District) measure to allow law enforcement to prosecute human trafficking as a civil nuisance as well as a crime and direct recovered penalties to the victims of these crimes.
“Few crimes are more heinous than the enslavement of children and adults,” Block said. “Our law enforcement personnel need all the tools we can give them to battle these crimes and to assist victims.”
June 20, 2012 (San Diego) – Amid vocal community opposition, the city of San Diego’s Planning Commission will soon consider whether to approve a zoning change that would allow the proposed gas-fired Quail Brush power plant to be built next to Mission Trails Regional Park. The public hearing will be held on Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 9 a.m. in the City Administration Building, 202 C Street, 12th floor in downtown San Diego.
June 21, 2012 (Poway) -- The Poway Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its 62nd Annual Installation Ceremony Mixer on Thursday, June 28th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. The event will be held at Maderas Golf Club. This business casual event is open to members and non-members of the Chamber. Guests will enjoy delicious hors d'oeuvres compliments of Maderas Golf Club.
Prepares for Longest Off Road Race in United States
June 21, 2012 (El Cajon) -- When the Johnson name is mentioned in racing today it's hard not to think of 5-time NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson. But for Jimmie and younger brother Jarit racing began in the deserts of Southern California and Baja Mexico racing off-road. Nearly every weekend was spent either driving off road race cars or working around the sport in some way.
June 21, 2012 (City Heights – Somali Family Service of San Diego, in partnershipwith the East African Collaborative, will host its fourth annual Health Fair in Honor of World Refugee Day on June 23 from 1- 6 p.m. at the City Heights Community Park, south of the City Heights Weingart Branch Library at 3795 Fairmount Ave., San Diego.
The event brings together East African communities in San Diego in a setting where residents can get health checkups and learn about health topics including mental health, how to access care, nutrition, exercise, preventive screening and care. Community groups will also provide educational information booths in the park.
June 21, 2012 (San Diego's East County) -- While attempting to send out an alert about a missing person today, we discovered that Twitter is offline. News and blog sites worldwide are now reporting this as a global outage. Twitter has thus far offered no explanation for the outage.
Public urged to attend and support call to save the theater; plan will reopen venue before City’s Centennial celebration this fall and calls for phased renovation
June 21, 2012 (El Cajon) – After objecting to a proposal by the City of El Cajon to demolish East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) and build a hotel on the site, community members have united around a goal of saving the theater, forming the ECPAC Foundation.
At a recent meeting, Council voted to reject a developer’s proposal to tear down the theater, then invited ECPAC Foundation to submit a proposal to save the venue.
Today, the organization will hold a press conference at El Cajon City Hall, 200 Civic Center Way, at 3 p.m. to outline its proposal. The group will submit an extensive plan for operating the theater to the City Manager at 3:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to come show support to save ECPAC.
June 21, 2012 (La Mesa)—Police seek public help to locate two men who robbed the Sam’s Market at 9:40 p.m. last night.
The suspects entered the store at 7587 University Avenue in La Mesa and one suspect displayed a brown handgun, demanding cash from the clerk. After the clerk complied, the suspects left the store on foot.They were last seen running westbound on Sturgess Avenue from Parks Avenue.
Update June 22: Joe Rodrigues is safe after walking into a medical clinic; he was hospitalized overnight for observation.
June 21, 2012 (Bonita) – The Sheriff seeks public help to find Joe Rodrigues, an 80-year-old Hispanic man who uses oxygen at night and walks with a cane. He walked away from his residence at 3709 Glen Verde Court in Bonita between 4 and 7:50 p.m. yesterday.
Although his destination is unknown, authorities say he may be heading toward his prior residence in downtown San Diego.He may have been wearing a dark baseball cap, long-sleeve blue shirt and glasses.He is 5 feet 10 and weighs about 180 pounds.
June 20, 2012 (Jamul)-- The fire that started this afternoon around the Thousand Trails Campground damaged no structures, and burned about 30 acres. According to Mike Mohler, Public Information Officer for Cal Fire, it was "wind driven, with light fuel."
Early reports mistakenly informed media that the fire started in a structure, based on a caller who reported the fire and believed it to be in a structure.
June 17, 2012 (Lemon Grove)—It was a sweet victory for Lemon Grove Firefighters Saturday night, when driver Joe Lavigne climbed out of his smashed-up vehicle to claim his department’s trophy.Lemon Grove entered two cars in the Firefighters’ Demolition Derby at the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar—and both made it into the final round.
View our video of the final round by clicking above.
June 20, 2012 (San Diego)--The San Diego Police Department today asked for help from the public to find Beverly Simmons, 57. She was last seen in the area of 2400 Fairmount Ave. on Wednesday of last week, according to an SDPD bulletin.
June 20, 2012 (San Diego) -- East County’s Shadow Mountain Community Church hosted Tim Tebow New York Jet’s backup quarterback, to speak at a Fathers’ Day service held last weekend at Qualcomm Stadium.
ESPN, NFL TV and other media were in attendance. So were fans Jose Luis Duenas and his wife, Carmalina, who came to see Tebow because “he is a good example for boys.”
June 20, 2012 (Washington, D.C.)The U.S. Senate is taking up the Farm Bill, which will set the nation's food policy for the next five years. The legislation's title - the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 - includes the word "reform," although some California farmers question the amount of reform it contains.
Dave Runsten, policy director for the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, supports eliminating direct payments to farmers who may or may not plant crops. He adds that the bill shifts much of that money into federally subsidized crop insurance.
By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna
117-mile, 500,000-volt transmission line improves electricity reliability, but increases concerns over fire safety for region
By Serena Scaglione
June 21, 2012 (La Mesa) – Biz Center Art, the gallery in residence at the La Mesa Biz Center, 7317 El Cajon Blvd., La Mesa, is holding an opening reception for Nowhere on June 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The reception will feature the artists and their art.
June 21, 2012 (El Cajon) – After objecting to a proposal by the City of El Cajon to demolish East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) and build a hotel on the site, community members have united around a goal of saving the theater, forming the ECPAC Foundation.
Update June 22: Joe Rodrigues is safe after walking into a medical clinic; he was hospitalized overnight for observation.
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