December 8, 2011 (El Cajon) – The San Diego District Attorney has declined to prosecute an El Cajon Police Sergeant accused of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old male volunteer.
El Cajon Police department learned of the allegation on August 28, one day after the alleged assault occurred in Alpine.
Editor's note: I was driving home on I-15 the night Cara Knott was killed, passing the isolated exit at nearly the exact time she was murdered. If Peyer were innocent, why would he refuse a DNA test that could exonerate him? I find it chilling that a law enforcement officer who so violated the public trust could be set free. Please post your comments below.
December 8, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)—Craig Peyer, the California Highway Patrol officer convicted in the 1986 strangling murder of 20-year-old motorist Cara Knott, is eligible for parole. The family of Knott, a student at San Diego State University when she was brutally murdered by Peyer, seeks public help to prevent him from being freed.
December 8, 2011 (El Cajon) -- An artists' Opening/Meet the Artists reception forthe "Lesson Learned" Drew Bandish Student Juried Art Show, will take place at the Main Street 5 Gallery on Friday, December 9, 2011, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public. The gallery is located at 124 E. Main St. in historic downtown El Cajon CA.
Global humanitarian organization served over 230 people, including 160 children, with holiday gifts and community health resources
December 8, 2011 (San Diego, CA) -- PCI (Project Concern International) and the Strong, Healthy Empowered (SHE) group of PCI volunteers hosted their third annual Santa party and health fair in collaboration with PCI’s California Border Healthy Start (CBHS) Program on December 7, 2011 at the Jacobs Market Creek Plaza. Other community agencies that participated include Logan Family Health Center at Logan Heights, American Red Cross WIC, La Maestra Family Health Center at National City, and the Family Health Centers at Lemon Grove.
December 8, 2011 (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.
Obama sets campaign theme: middle class at stake (AP)
Postal Service confirms cuts that will slow down mail (CBS)
Republicans split on Democratic plan to extend payroll tax cuts (Washington Post)
Obama: Congress ‘shouldn’t go home’ until payroll tax cut is extended (The Hill)
Cain suspends campaign (The Hill)
Tainted nectar? Consumer group warns of arsenic in fruit juice (NPR)
WORLD
Thousands protest against Putin over Russia vote (Reuters)
Putin’s party barely hangs onto its majority (Yahoo! News)
WHO issues European measles warning (BBC)
3-D printers help grow new bones (BBC)
U.N.: Syria death toll exceeds 4,000 since March (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories.
December 8, 2011 (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:
STATE
Jerry Brown has plans to hike sales, income tax (Sacramento Bee)
California fiscal conservatives file spending cap proposal (Sacramento Bee)
LOCAL
Sunrise Powerlink water use put in perspective (San Diego Union-Tribune)
County improves healthcare for the very poor, but stops there (Voice of San Diego)
Backcountry warrior keeps up the fight (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Hunter casts protest vote against immigration reform (CityBeat)
Water district directors meet, talk in secret (Voice of San Diego)
Release of rare golden eagle a success at Safari Park (North County Times)
Our Greater San Diego Vision launches interactive website (KPBS)
La Mesa is in “great financial position” new auditors tell City Hall (La Mesa Patch)
Reports reveal trends in drug use and gang involvement (SANDAG)
Mistrial of Stanley Lloyd Jr. case; new trial may be held (Santee Patch)
Barona murder “a puzzle”; casino and tribal security could have provided more pieces, prosecutor says (Ramona Patch)
So what can schools cut? (Voice of San Diego)
SDG&E defends solar rate hike to County Supervisors (San Diego Reader)
Escondido: Tighten the rules (The Reader editorial by Don Bauder)
Scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories.
Proposals aim to sharply reduce communities’ input on major development projects
By Jeremy Los
Update Dec. 8, 2011 --After hearing a proposal yesterday to streamline the regulatory process for developers, Supervisors postponed a decision until Feb. 29, 2012.
Dec. 6, 2011- Local elected planning groups fear that their days are numbered, as the San Diego County Board of Supervisors will hear recommendations from the Red Tape Reduction Task Force on Wednesday.
Recommendations by the task force could greatly diminish community driven input on major developments in East County communities.
December 8, 2011 (San Diego)--The Orange Line’s fifth annual Holiday Entertainment Series starts Monday morning December 12 at the 62nd Street/Encanto Trolley Station. Jazz vocalist Rodney Hutsona kicks off the series which will also include performers from the Southeastern San Diego area.
December 8, 2011 (Santee) – The Santee Post Office shut down briefly yesterday after an 83-year-old driver hit the gas pedal instead of the brakes while pulling into a handicapped parking space.
November 21, 2011 (El Cajon) – While the book industry abounds with change and uncertainty, one local publisher continues its holiday tradition that has spanned over a quarter of a century. Sunbelt Publications invites the public to its warehouse for a celebration of literature in the holiday season.
On Thursday, December 8 from 4:30 to 8:30, Sunbelt Publications will host its annual holiday party with the 2011 theme: Eat, Drink, and be Literary.
December 7, 2011 (San Diego)--The Occupy Foreclosures National Day of Action took place at the Civic Center Plaza yesterday afternoon. The event was led by David Blankstein from Alliance of California for Community Empowerment (ACCE) http://www.calorganize.org/, as well as Occupy San Diego and “Women Occupy of San Diego.” According to Mr. Blankstein “millions have lost their homes, and two million homes are underwater in the state of California.” He also said that ACCE was inspired by the Occupy movement to take action.
December 7, 2011 (Lemon Grove)—The public is invited to a fundraiser hosted by Lemon Grove Historical Society to defray the cost for all 8th graders going on a class trip to Washington D.C in the spring 2012.
"Absolutely Fabulous" will take place on Saturday, December 10, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the H. Lee House, 3205 Olive Street, Lemon Grove.
The center for adults with developmental disabilities urges supports to give BIG on December 14-15
December 7, 2011 (San Diego) -- St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, the non-denominational adult day-training facility for adults with developmental disabilities, is participating in giveBIG 2011. On December 14-15, the public will have an opportunity to make online donations to the non-profit. The total donation amount will be matched by The San Diego Foundation, which strives to make San Diego a better place to live, work and play.
The mission is to strengthen and enhance services to those with developmental disabilities in San Diego County
December 7, 2011 -- Home of Guiding Hands (HGH), which provides quality services, training, and advocacy for people with developmental disabilities, their families, and others who will benefit, has announced plans to assume the operations and assets of The Charles I. Cheneweth Foundation (CICF).
Second Annual Outdoor Community Production Features a Candlelit Procession with Mary, Joseph and the Donkey and a Live Nativity Scene
December 7, 2011 (San Diego) -- Kensington Community Church (KCC), United Church of Christ, celebrated the season with its second annual Las Posadas in Kensington production on Saturday, Dec. 3. Put on by the church’s Middle and High School Youth Group, the outdoor reenactment of the Christmas story featured a candlelit community procession with the angel, Mary, Joseph and the donkey as they were turned away by innkeepers at Kensington Café and Starbucks.
Editor’s note: When Governor Jerry Brown spoke at San Diego State University last year, he pledged to support public education and fight to restore funding. Now he seeks support from voters for a ballot initiative to raise funds to restore deep cuts made in funding for public schools including grades K-12, colleges, and universities in California.
December 7, 2011 (Sacramento)--When I became Governor again -- 28 years after my last term ended in 1983 -- California was facing a $26.6 billion budget deficit. It was the result of years of failing to match spending with tax revenues as budget gimmicks instead of honest budgeting became the norm.
December 7, 2011 (San Diego)--Kroc Kids Junior Theatre Company is performing the Broadway classic Pirates of Penzance, Jr. on December 9, 10 and 11 at the Joan B. Kroc Theatre.
Wacky, irreverent and as entertaining as its predecessor from 1879, Pirates of Penzance Jr. spins a hilarious farce of sentimental pirates, bumbling policemen, dimwitted young lovers, dewy-eyed daughters, and an eccentric Major-General, all morally bound to the often ridiculous dictates of honor and duty.
December 7, 2011 (San Diego)--Last night, comedian Rick Gene was on stage at the bistro at San Diego Desserts, making people laugh when suddenly his language was inaudible and he started looking very strange. 911 was called and he was taken to Alvarado Hospital. The emergency room doctor did tests and said he had a mild stroke.
December 7, 2011 (Ramona)-- East County residents will have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of three candidates running against Congressman Duncan Hunter at a town hall meeting on Wednesday, December 7 at 6 p.m. in the Ramona Library, 1275 Main Street in Ramona . The three candidates are David Secor (D), Terri Linnell (R), and Connie Frankowiak (D).
December 6, 2011 (East County) -- Take the San Diego County Library - Winter Reading Challenge December 5 - January 15. All ages at all branches can take the challenge and win prizes. Check out five for a chance to win. Enter the weekly drawing every time you check out five items, and you could win one of these weekly prizes: Board Games, Ear Buds, Thumb Drives, Jigsaw Puzzles, Books, Puppets, Coffee Mugs, Free Beverages Coupons /Free Tickets to Local Events.
December 6, 2011 (National City) California Note Catchers invites you to celebrate the joy of the season on Sunday, December 11 at 2 p.m. with a festive afternoon of musical entertainment.
December 6, 2011 (San Diego)--The unemployment insurance fund is about to expire before the end of this year. Congress needs to act to extend this necessary safety net or Americans will suffer even greater than they already have. We need this program to be renewed for the millions of people who are seeking jobs in this economy.
December 6, 2011 (Mt. Helix)--Put on those sweaters, collect your family and head up to Mt. Helix Park on Sunday, December 11 at 6 p.m. for free sing-along caroling.
Gina Seashore, known as "That Music Lady," will be leading an evening of singing to all the favorites. There will be coffee, hot cocoa and even a visit from Santa. SPRITES will be providing free baked goods.
December 6, 2011 (Santee) -- Talented singers of the combined adult and children's/youth choir will present an evening of Christmas Music entitled, "And His Name Shall be Called Wonderful." One performance only will be held at 6:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 10052 Magnolia Avenue in Santee.
The performance is free and open to the public. There will be a variety of musical performances, including a handchime choir and a violinist, along with a live nativity. Refreshments will be served following the performance.
December 6, 2011 (Alpine) – The Alpine Community Network reports that two mountain lion cubs were spotted the night before last in the 3000 block of North Victoria Drive. The sighting was reported by Bill Randall, who said he spotted the two lions in his driveway two nights ago.
December 6, 2011 (Mt. Helix) --We joyfully invite our readers to join us in an afternoon of festivities at our annual holiday party! Come join the fun -- and help support the East County Toy and Food Drive as well as East County Magazine.
The event will be held Saturday, December 10 from 2-6 p.m. at our editor's home on Mt. Helix. (Address/directions provided with RSVP). Join us for feasting and merrymaking, wine tasting, live music by jazz pianist Danny Green, prizes, drawings, and games galore!
December 8, 2011 (El Cajon) -- An artists' Opening/Meet the Artists reception forthe "Lesson Learned" 
Photos By Miriam Raftery
By Jeremy Los
December 8, 2011 (Santee) – The Santee Post Office shut down briefly yesterday after an 83-year-old driver hit the gas pedal instead of the brakes while pulling into a handicapped parking space.
By Nadin Abbott
By Millicent Arko
The center for adults with developmental disabilities urges supports to give BIG on December 14-15
December 7, 2011 (San Diego)--Kroc Kids Junior Theatre Company is performing the Broadway classic Pirates of Penzance, Jr. on December 9, 10 and 11 at the Joan B. Kroc Theatre.
History comes to life in upcoming December events
ore
By Millicent Arko
By Sierra Severson
December 6, 2011 (Santee) -- Talented singers of the combined adult and children's/youth choir will present an evening of Christmas Music entitled, "And His Name Shall be Called Wonderful." One performance only will be held at 6:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 10052 Magnolia Avenue in Santee.
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