Our Guide to San Diego’s Mountains and Gold Rush Region

Dawn Hough Sebaugh’s “Wear Art, Live Art” fashion show at Wieghorst Museum features modern art styles with Western vibe

La Mesa Chamber bringing cheer to homebound seniors

Our guide to discovering Northeast San Diego County’s hidden charms

San Diego River Park Foundation takes action to protect homeless; hundreds in jeopardy from storms

Elderly man who died in custody had urinary tract infection, high blood pressure and heart disease

Sheriff deputies kill Alpine resident Robert Liddell during wellness check

Hygiene for Humanity drive brings care, compassion to those in need

Supervisors discuss future housing and development in unincorporated county

County Supervisors Extend Behavioral Health Services Contracts

Hannah Shirley the pygmy hippo, turns 52

Trump aims to open California coast to oil drilling; Senator Padilla and Governor Newsom denounce plan

TWITTER GOES DARK WORLDWIDE: NEED OUR ALERTS? HERE ARE ALTERNATIVES

 

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.

ECPAC FOUNDATION TO SUBMIT PLAN TODAY TO SAVE EAST COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (ECPAC)

 

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.

POLICE SEEK MEN WHO ROBBED SAM'S MARKET IN LA MESA



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.

SEARCH ON FOR MISSING BONITA MAN, 80, WHO NEEDS OXYGEN

 

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.

FIRE IN JAMUL CONTAINED WITH NO DAMAGE

 

Story and photos by Nadin Abbott

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.

A SMASHING SUCCESS: LEMON GROVE WINS FIREFIGHTERS DEMOLITION DERBY

 

By Miriam Raftery

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. 

JETS’ TIM TEBOW DELIVERS WINNING MESSAGE: FINISH STRONG

 
By Rebecca J. Williamson
 
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.” 

FARM BILL: SOME GOOD, SOME BAD FOR CALIFORNIA

 
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. 

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: HORNED DESERT LIZARD

 

June 20, 2012 (Ocotillo) -- Photographer Jim Pelley snapped this image of a horned desert lizard, whose camouflaged appearance blends right in with its desert surroundings. Pelley spotted the reclusive reptile on the site of the Ocotillo Express wind energy facility, which is now under construction.

TEE OFF FOR KIDS: GOLF CLASSIC 2012 JUNE 28 TO BENEFIT SANTEE STUDENTS

 
June 20, 2012 – The Santee Chamber of Commerce and the Santee School District Foundation present the Golf Classic 2012 June 28 at Carlton Oaks Country Club, 9200 Inwood Drive, Santee.  The tournament benefits the students of the Santee School District through the Santee School District Foundation. The Foundation is raising funds to support the Arts and enhance Technology instruction in the schools.

WIEGHORST MUSEUM HOSTS A FINE ART SHOW JUNE 29

June 15, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Olaf Wieghorst Museum & Western Heritage Center, 131 Rea Ave, El Cajon will host an exhibition of nationally known local artists Grace Schlesier, Jack Jordan and Mark Martensen June 29 through August 29.  The opening night Meet the Artists Reception will be held on June 29 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Wine and light hors d’oeuvres will be served.

TAYLOR GUITARS HAILS "UNITED BREAKS GUITARS" YOUTUBE SENSATION DAVE CARROLL


Musician/author finds new career as author, speaker inspired by baggage mishap

By Sierra Robinson and Miriam Raftery

June 18, 2012 (San Diego) -- After United Airlines’ baggage handlers broke the neck of his Taylor guitar, Dave Carroll didn’t just get mad--he got even.

Carroll wrote and starred in a music video that has now had over 12 million hits on Youtube.  Titled United Breaks Guitars, the video uses humor to illustrate the troubles Carroll went through trying to get compensated for his loss. Its success has been hailed as a model of how one person can make a difference by using social media.

GROUP FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST PATTERN ENERGY AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, ALLEGES "ILLEGAL" ACTIONS OVER OCOTILLO WIND PROJECT

 

By Miriam Raftery

Government accused of illegally approving “ineligible” project that failed to meet minimum federal wind speed standards

Violations of other laws alleged, including discrimination against low-income residents

June 20, 2012 (Ocotillo) –A fourth lawsuit seeking to halt the Ocotillo Express wind facility has been filed in federal court.  The plaintiff in this case, Community Advocates for Renewable Energy Stewardship, filed suit yesterday against Pattern Energy, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management and top government officials.

The suit, which seeks a permanent enjoinment or halt to the project, differs from prior lawsuits filed by other groups on several fronts.

OLD FIRE 100% CONTAINED: ELECTRICAL RULED OUT AS CAUSE

 

By Miriam Raftery

Updated June 21, 2012: The Old Fire is now 100% contained at a cost of approximately $2.3 million

June 20, 2012 (Campo) – The Old Fire has charred 995 acres and is now 90% contained.  One residence burned, as well as a recreational vehicle (RV).  Cause remains under investigation, however electrical and lighting have been ruled out. There are no electrical lines near the origin of the blaze on the Campo Indian Reservation, nor were there any reports of lightning, Cal Fire reports.

HOGWARTS SUMMER FUN FOR KIDS IN ALPINE BEGINS JUNE 25

June 19, 2012 (Alpine) – The Alpine Education Foundation is offering Hogwarts Academy for grades K -8th beginning June 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

The program immerses the children in a world of wonder and imagination while the learn the science of astronomy, herbology, potions (science), riddles (language), chess (logic), care of magical creatures and ‘wizardry’ games.  A tour of Wright’s Field with a credentialed biologist/ornithologist is also on the agenda.

SANTEE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES NOW PLAYING

June 19, 2012 (Santee) – The city of Santee’s Summer Concert Series kicked off its 29th year on June 14 with The Destroyers, Navy Band Southwest.  The concert was accompanied by a food truck rally. 

The nine-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. Performances are every Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. through August 16, except July 5. 

WINE, DINE, BID AND WIN! AT TASTE OR OUR TOWNE IN POWAY JUNE 23

June 19, 2012 (Poway) – Taste of Our Towne will be held at the Poway Center for Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road, Poway on June 23 beginning at 5:30 p.m.  The event includes live music performed by Gipsy Menco, wine from local wineries and signature dishes from favorite restaurants.  A silent auction, a live auction and dancing are part of the fun.

LAST DAY FOR COMMENTS TO PLANNERS ON QUAIL BRUSH POWER PLANT: IS TODAY JUNE 19: HEARING SET FOR JUNE 28

 
June 19, 2012 (San Diego) The San Diego City Planning Commission has received a recommendation by city staff to initiate zoning changes to pave the way for a power plant on the border of Mission Trails Regional Park. A hearing is scheduled at 9 am on Thursday, June 28, 2012 at San Diego City Hall (downtown). Your attendance at this hearing is vital so that you may submit testimony for the record and to show unified public opposition.  Complete a Public Comment slip upon arrival if you wish to speak.

HOW OUR NATIONAL DEBT HELPED PAY FOR MY COLLEGE EDUCATION

 

By Ellinoa Blake

June 19, 2012 (San Diego)--Recently I won a $48,000 scholarship funded by STOP2011, a Heartland Coalition project. This number represents more than a weight off my chest for college, however. It is the amount of debt each American owes if the United States national deficit was divided by the number of our citizens.

LA MESA RESIDENTS HELP APPREHEND VEHICLE BURGLAR

 

June 19, 2012 (La Mesa)—On June 15 at 9 a.m., a resident in the 7400 block of Sturgess Avenue in La Mesa, observed a man burglarizing his vehicle. The victim realized his vehicle window had been broken and observed the suspect holding a screwdriver and stealing property from the vehicle. The victim called La Mesa Police as the suspect fled the scene on foot, jumping over fences and cutting through the back yards of residences. 

SANTEE POWER PLANT: TO BE, OR NOT TO BE

 
By David Secor, Candidate, 50th Congressional District
June 19, 2012 (Santee) -- Oh, NO! Shakespeare? No, this isn’t Hamlet’s question, it’s ours.

Will the people, the businesses, and the local governments who all know it’s the right thing to do, stand up and take the actions necessary to stop the proposed Quail Brush power plant. (In what follows, I borrowed the italicized words from Bill.)

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