President also rolls out jobs plan for returning veterans

October 21, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – It’s going to be a merry holiday season for the families of 39,000 U.S. service men and women in Iraq.

ECM Special Report
 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Pam Wilmers, Video by Billy Ortiz

Updated October 21, 2011

Cost-of-Living Adjustment is First Since 2009, but benefit may be offset by hike in Medicare premiums for some recipients

October 19, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 60 million Americans will increase 3.6 percent in 2012, the Social Security Administration announced today.

Half a million in Madrid sing Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" as peaceful protest

“Move Your Money” campaign urges transfer of money from big banks to local financial institutions by Nov. 5; “Solidarity” leader Lech Walesa joins forces with Occupy Wall Street

By Miriam Raftery

October 17, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement and similar demonstrations against financial institutions and corporate power in Spain and Germany, a “Global Day of Protest” on Saturday, October 15 brought millions of people into the streets in protests held in 950 cities worldwide.  The  largest occurred in Madrid, where an estimated half million Spaniards joined together to sing Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” and raise hands to show that theirs was a peaceful protest. (Click video to view).

The movement is attracting some strange bedfellows—drawing support this week from labor leaders, Solidarity's Lech Walesa, and even a co-founder of the conservative Tea Party movement. 

Additional Long-Term Closures also Announced 

Protest planned Tues. Oct. 18 at Civic Center

By Jeremy Los

Oct. 16, 2011– A medical marijuana advocate  stricken with scoliosis threatened to jump off an overpass above State Route 163 on Friday night after the U.S. Department of Justice announced plans to raid and shut down hundreds of medical marijuana dispensaries throughout the state.

 
By George J. Janczyn 

October 16, 2011 (San Diego) -- The following story is reprinted with permission from http://GrokSurfSanDiego.com. 

October 14, 2011 (San Diego) - A SIG alert has been issued and Highway 163 has been shut down at University Avenue.  According to the CHP website, a man is threatening to jump off a bridge at 10th Street.

ECM news partner 10 News reports the man is a mental patient with a bag next to him, on the outside of the guard rail.  A negotiator is at the scene.

October 14, 2011 (San Diego) – San Diego Police issued a warning yesterday to Occupy San Diego protesters camped at the Civic Center Plaza downtown to remove their belongings. While participants may continue to stage a sit-in as long as they wish, camping out will no longer be permitted.

“I urge the Commission to treat SDG&E’s proposal the same way SDG&E has treated East County in recent years: Ignore it. Reject it. Trash it.” – Supervisor Dianne Jacob

By Miriam Raftery
 

October 13, 2011 (La Mesa) – University Avenue in La Mesa has been reopened after authorities found no explosives in an abandoned U-Haul truck. Damian Payne, a 35-year-old transient, has been arrested and charged with auto theft and possession of stolen property.

The U-Haul had been stolen on October 8 in Santee, according to a press release issued by La Mesa Police.

By Kristin Kjaero

October 13, 2011 (La Mesa) -- Re: "Reader’s Editorial: The Shame of La Mesa -- Council Votes Against Fair Trade, Bows to Corporate Interests Over Helping People," in which Meg Jensen expressed her disappointment at their decision to decline a proposal by the Fair Trade Towns USA ("FTT").

The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued a Boil Water Order and Public Notification for Wynola Farms Water District located at 4470 Highway 78, Julian, CA 92036 effective immediately.

October 12, 2011 (El Cajon) -- You can be a part of the party – and history.  Excitement is growing as plans continue for the City of El Cajon's Centennial Celebration in 2012, organizers report.  The exact date of the City's 100th Birthday is Monday, November 12, 2012, but events are in the planning stages for the months leading up to that date. 

The Centennial Celebration Committee, led by Councilmember Jillian Hanson-Cox, is now accepting volunteers.

Ruling today on smart meter opt-out for SDG&E customers sparks added interest among local ratepayers

By Miriam Raftery

October 11, 2011 (El Cajon) – SDG&E wants to hike utility rates by over 17% in the next four years.  Tomorrow, East County residents will have a chance to voice their views on the proposal at two hearings held by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The public meetings will be held at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m. at the El Cajon City Council Chambers, 200 East Main Street in El Cajon. 

An East County Magazine poll of readers has found that thus far, 93% of the 275 who voted think the CPUC should deny SDG&E's rate hike request.  TAKE OUR POLL: Should the CPUC approve SDG&E's rate hike?

The rate hike is opposed by the CPUC’s own Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA), which conducted an audit that found SDG&E inflated its costs. The DRA recommended that SDG&E lower—not raise—its rates.