August 23, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Greg Fox, Chair of the Alpine Community Planning Group, has forwarded an announcement from the County Department of Public Works (DPW) advising that SDGE’s contractor, American Heavy Equipment (AHE) has submitted a moving permit application and traffic control permit request to transport seven large transformers from the San Diego Port to Bell Bluff Truck Trail (east of Alpine).

The truck will get onto I-8 from Greenfield Drive and will exit on Japatul Valley Road and will not be traveling through the Community of Alpine.  AHE is proposing the first move for tomorrow night (August 23, 2011). This is the first of seven roundtrip moves that will occur every two to three days apart after the initial move.

August 21, 2011 (Rancho San Diego) – A buffet brunch with live music will be held at Hooleys Irish Pub in Rancho San Diego from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today to help raise money for Saving Horses, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit horse rescue. The organization rescues horses from slaughter, abuse and neglect.

Aug. 18, 2011 (San Diego) – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), a unit of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), has closed a public offering of $350 million of 10-year first-mortgage bonds. This transaction marks the second time SDG&E has used a minority-owned investment bank as co-lead in a bond offering. 

By Jeremy Los

August 19, 2011 (La Mesa)--Water rates are set to increase yet again after the Helix Water District board voted Tuesday to raise the district water rates yesterday. The board faced a firing squad of comments from concerned and angered citizens about the rate hikes scheduled to be implemented on September 1, 2011.

August 16, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) –A Sig Alert has been issued for northbound 125 at Spring Street, where a vehicle rolled over, blocking lanes and a dog has reportedly been injured.

There is also a hazardous fuels spill on Highway 94 at Dulzura Café reported at 1:19 p.m.

 
Taxpayer group calls move “outrageous”; district defends action as "revenue neutral"

August 12, 2011 (Otay) – By a 4-1 vote, the Otay Water District Board of Directors on Wednesday approved free lifetime healthcare for retirees and their dependants. Director Mark Robak cast the sole “no” vote.

August 10, 2011 (Poway)--Thomas Cantrell, III, 30, of Poway died of injuries sustained August 7th at 2:41 a.m. in an automobile accident.  According to witnesses, he was traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound on Poway Road when he lost control of the Mercedes he was driving and skidded down an enbankment, striking trees.

Bystanders called 911.  Poway fire and San Diego Sheriff deputies responded, confirming death without resuscitation due to multiple blunt force injuries, according to the San Diego Medical Examiner's office.  

August 10, 2011 (Alpine) – Robert Eugene Shy, 41, of Alpine, was driving his motorcycle eastbound on Interstate 8 west of Tavern Road August 9th at 9:18 p.m. when for unknown reasons he collided with the rear of a semi-truck.

Death was confirmed at the scene without medical intervention. Shy, who was divorced, resided in Alpine with his girlfriend, according to the San Diego Medical Examiner’s office.
 

Story and photos by Miriam Raftery

August 8, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – “What are You Waiting For? Birds are chirping, hiking trails beckon, a whiff of white sage drifts on the breeze. Night skies are so black the stars look 3D,” reads a new website launched by the Boulevard-Jacumba Revitalization Alliance at www.gosandiegobackcountry.org.

August 5, 2011 (El Cajon ) – San Diego Police seek help to locate Natasha Martin, 13. She was last seen July 29 in the vicinity of Main Street and Anza Avenue in El Cajon. Natasha, who is African-American, has brown hair and blue eyes. She is 5 feet tall and weighs 130 pounds.

August 5, 2011 (Alpine) – East County Magazine Editor Miriam Raftery will be the guest on Billie Jo Jannen’s “TGIF Report” tonight. Hot topics include:

• A sexual harassment suit against a former Mountain Empire Union School District Superintendent
• Rural Fire Protection District’s revocation of approval for SDG&E’s ECO-Substation
• The County’s first legal marijuana dispensary
• AT&T’s proposed merger with T-Mobile and how it may impact rural phone service
• Updates on the state fire parcel fee
• County’s approval of a new General Plan

Listen via streaming audio at www.my1079.com, or tune your dial to 107.9 FM, from 6 to 7 p.m. You can send your news and event information to TGIF Report at newstips@my1079.com or to East County Magazine at editor@eastcountymagazine.org.

August 5, 2011(Escondido)-- The San Diego County Board of Supervisors this week unanimously approved the acquisition of four properties needed to complete the widening of Bear Valley Parkway in unincorporated Escondido, between Boyle Avenue and Highway 78.

To date, the County has negotiated real property contracts to acquire or use 31 of the 50 properties that will be needed to complete the project. This week's vote follows approvals given earlier this year to proceed with property acquisitions and relocation of homeowners displaced by the widening project.