By Janis Mork

February 28, 2013 (El Cajon)-At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, members voted unanimously to send a “deemed approved” ordinance to restrict single-serve alcohol sales to the Planning Commission.

City manager Doug Wlliford introduced the alcohol sales land use study session, advising Council members, “It’s a very complex issue.” A PowerPoint presentation included three speakers- Chief of Police Jim Redman, Planning Manager Manjeet Ranu, and City Attorney Morgan Foley.”

By Paul Kruze

A Special Report for East County Magazine

February 26, 2013 (El Cajon)--The City of El Cajon may once again be walking down a rocky road of church and state separation issues with the announced participation of the El Cajon Police and Fire Departments as “special guests” at the groundbreaking of Rock Church’s newest location on Saturday, March 9 near Parkway Plaza on Jackman street. The invitation also includes “prayer and worship” at the newly-leased space.

More award categories added this year to recognize sustainable commute leaders

February 25, 2013 (San Diego)--SANDAG is seeking nominations for the iCommute Diamond Awards, which recognize individuals and organizations for promoting and adopting sustainable commute choices, such as taking transit, carpooling, and teleworking. Nominations are due by 4 p.m. PST, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013.

Update: ECM writer Nadin Abbott is at the scene; authorities except this incident to last another 3-4 hours and the fire fully extinguished. 

February 25, 2013 (Flinn Springs) -- A fire at atowing facility has shut down Olde Highway 80 at Flinn Springs, CHP's incident page reports and IPN confirms.

"It is on or near...[a towing facility] 15289 Old Highway 80," Russ Park, who shot the photo at left, told ECM.  The blaze is at least 100 yards off the main road.  Park confirmed an early IPN report, with both indicating the fire originated at a pile of junked cars. IPN reports propane tanks nearby.  Visibility on I-8 is also now affected.

Burning tires are sending billlows of black smoke visible across the area, the Alpine Community Network reports.

Update February 24: The boil water notice has been cancelled.  View notice here. 

Photo courtesy of the Alpine Community Network

February 23, 2013 (Alpine) – Yesterday’s water main break and sinkhole continue to cause problems for merchants and residents in Alpine, where a boil water order remains in effect to protect public health.  (View map of affected areas.)

Padre Dam indicates it may be up to 72 hours before the problem will be resolved.  “In the meantime almost ALL of our Alpine restaurants had to close last night (on a busy Friday night),” Angela Brookshire, editor of the Alpine Community Network, told ECM.

By Miriam Raftery

February 21, 2013 (Alpine)—In the wake of the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting, school districts across America are examining security procedures to consider the unthinkable – how to respond if confronted with a gunman aiming to commit mass murder.

The debate is raging in Alpine, where at least one parent is calling for armed guards in public schools.  On February 21, the Alpine Union School District Board will hear a report from Superintendent Pellegrino on school safety measures in place and new concepts to consider—ranging from enhanced lockdown procedures to potentially, adding armed guards and perimeter controls to local campuses.

February 20, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Interstate 8 is closed  this morning at Willows Road in Alpine due to ice and snow. There is a second closure in effect at Ocotillo. In addition, an accident has occurred at Viejas Grade and Willows Road and a rollover at Harbison Canyon, where two people are reported injured, per IPN.

Chains are required on Sunrise Highway.  Elsewhere in the county, rain, hail and snow are causing major delays for motorists. Use caution if you must drive during the storm.

Update 11:55 p.m. -- The driver has come forward to contact police. For details, see: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/12514

February 19, 2013 (El Cajon)--The El Cajon Police Traffic division is now investigating a hit and run collision involving a pedestrian tonight. A male pedestrian was struck and killed while crossing mid-block along Avocado Avenue near Carter Street just after 6:00 p.m. this evening. Avocado Avenue was closed between Chase Avenue and Washington Avenue for the investigation.

The Traffic Division is requesting witness information. If you have any information regarding this fatal collision, please call our 9-1-1 Dispatch, at (619) 579-3311.

February 19, 2013 (Santee)--Motorists will have to be cautious along Magnolia Avenue and Mast Boulevard for the next several months because of a major construction project by San Diego Gas & Electric. Crews will be replacing wood and steel poles with galvanized steel and concrete poles.

The project footprint will span 11 miles from the utility’s Sycamore substation to the Santee substation near Mast Boulevard and Magnolia Avenue.  According to the City of Santee’s website, the infrastructure upgrades are necessary to service the expansion of the Las Colinas Women’s Detention Facility and to improve power circuit stability.

Lemon Grove Filmmaker Jim Ellis Creates 33-Minute Documentary for Children, Parents to Watch Together

By Mark Gabrish Conlan

February 18, 2013 (Lemon Grove)--Nikki’s story is all too typical of the ones told in Lemon Grove filmmaker Jim Ellis’s new 33-minute documentary, Indoctrinated: The Grooming of Children Into Prostitution. At age 18, to raise the money to go to college, she took a job in a strip club. There she met an older man who helped her out financially, bought her nice clothes and accessories, and got her to fall in love with him and ultimately move in with him. Then he put the hammer down and told her that in order to keep her lifestyle — and his affections — she’d have to have sex with other men, for which he, not she, would be paid. Nikki’s story ends more happily than most such tales; she got out of “the life,” as prostitutes call it, and in her 20’s is trying to piece her life back together. She’s sufficiently self-assured that of all the present and former prostitutes Ellis interviewed, she was the only one who agreed to show her face on camera instead of having it electronically blurred.

February 18, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) -- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is reviewing its policies on radiofrequency (RF) radiation, such as that emitted by cell phone towers, smart meters, broadcast antennae and other sources.  Public comments will be accepted until March 6, 2013.

February 17, 2013 (New York)--Pressman Toy (www.PressmanToy.com), announced winners of its first annual Mastermind Braintwister Challenge February 10 at its 110^th annual American International Toy Fair. The first place winners, 4^th grader Gaurov Bansal, age 10 from Stamford, CT; won for “Letters Equal Numbers” and 5^th grader Sophi Schneider, age 10 from Dresher, PA, won for “Wordsticks Mode 4 – Let’s Race.”  Each received a $1,000 scholarship.

Three Braintwister category winners were also awarded $100 each:

•          “Difficulty” – Luke Cepurac, 10, La Mesa, CA,  for his entry “Order Up”
•          “Skills” – Erica Blakely, 12, Tinley Park, IL, for her entry “Who, What, Where”
•          “Creativity” – Max Hartle, 12, Tampa, FL, for his entry “Air Attack”
  
  

February 18, 2013 (La Mesa) – Sylvester J. Yanta, a resident of the Mount Helix area, passed away on Sunday, February 3, 2013.   A veteran of the U.S. Navy who served his country for 20 years, he later worked for the State of California until his retirement.

He was born December 30, 1920 in Little Falls, Minnesota to Thomas and Mary Yanta, one of 12 children.  He is survived by his wife, Esther Sabo Yanta, and his two daughters, Nina Monrreal and Paula Butler, two grandchildren, one great-grandson, one brother and four sisters.

February 15, 2013 (Valley Center)-- Sheriff's Deputies went door to door in Valley Center this morning to inform the community about a former Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) now living in their neighborhood. Mark William PLISKA reported to the Valley Center Sheriff's Substation on February 6th. He is now living at 15236 Woods Valley Road #41, Valley Center. 

Deputies and members of the SAFE or Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement Task Force notified 110 homes within a half-mile radius of Pliska's mobile home. Deputies also notified the principals of Valley Center Elementary and Valley Center Middle Schools, which were closest to Pliska's residence. Pliska relocated to Valley Center from Escondido. He is current with his registration and a county probation officer will monitor his compliance. 

February 14, 2013 (San Diego's East County) - Gusty northeast Santa Ana winds are forecast from tonight through Saturday afternoon. Sustained winds of 15-30 mph and gusts up to 55 mph are possible in some local mountain passes and canyons.

Driving may be difficult, especially for higher-profile vehicles. Minor damage to trees and outdoor objects that are unsecured may occur.