U-T OWNERS BLOCKED EDITORIAL ON ICE PROTESTS SAYS FIRED OPINION EDITOR

COURT RULES TRUMP’S ORDERING NATIONAL GUARD TO L.A. IS ILLEGAL AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL

FANITA RANCH GETS GO AHEAD FROM SANTEE CITY COUNCIL--AGAIN

“NO KINGS” PROTESTS PLANNED SATURDAY NATIONWIDE OVER AUTHORITARIAN TACTICS, INCLUDING 11 EVENTS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY

SAN DIEGO GROCERY WORKERS VOTE TO OK STRIKE AMID CONTRACT DISPUTE

CALIF. SENATOR PADILLA FORCIBLY REMOVED FROM HOMELAND SECURITY PRESS CONFERENCE AND HANDCUFFED

“HIGHWAYMAN” TOM WELLER, WHO AIDED THOUSANDS OF STRANDED MOTORISTS, NOW NEEDS HELP FOR EMERGENCY HOME REPAIRS

IN A WIN FOR PUBLIC ACCESS, CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO KEEP LAKE MURRAY OPEN DAILY

GUHSD BOARD REJECTS TEACHERS’ ETHNIC STUDIES PROGRAM, PROVIDES UPDATES ON AI AND TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES

LOS ANGELES IMMIGRATION PROTESTS, CIVIL UNREST FUEL CLASH BETWEEN GOVERNOR AND PRESIDENT

FARM TOUR DAY RETURNS JUNE 28

PASSAGES: ART MADRID, FORMER LA MESA MAYOR WHO SERVED THE CITY FOR OVER 30 YEARS

News

SEVERE WEATHER CAUSES TRAFFIC HAZARDS , WHITE OUT CONDITIONS

February 8, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Avoid I-8 east of Alpine. White-out conditions are reported on I-8 at Crestwood/Campo. At Pine Valley, multiple vehicles have spun out due to snow and ice on the freeway. 

Chains are required on Palomar Mountain and Sunrise Highway,  and in other locations above 3,000 feet for two-wheel drive vehicles. 

In Valley Center, Woods Valley Road is closed overnight due to a power pole down.

A winter storm warning remains in effect countywide until 3 a.m.,with rain and snow falling. Stay off roads if possible and use extreme caution if you must travel.


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CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT OCOTILLO WIND PROJECT ARRESTED FOLLOWING THREATS TO PHOTOGRAPHERS

 

 

Update February 8, 2013:  The court in Imperial Valley has issued a restraining order requiring Graham to stay away from Park Ewing, the photographer he reportedly attacked.

By Miriam Raftery

Jim Pelley and Parke Ewing contributed to this report.

February 7, 2013 (Ocotillo) –Russell Scott Graham, 48, a representative  at Pattern Energy’s Ocotillo Wind Express Facility, has been arrested after allegedly attempting to wrestle a camera away from an East County Magazine photographer and making violent threats, including one documented on  video during the attack. (Warning, coarse language.) According to the Imperial Valley Press and photographers documenting the project's daily progress for many months,  Graham is the construction manager at Pattern's site.

Freelance photographers Parke Ewing and Jim Pelley have spent months extensively documenting construction activities at the Ocotillo wind project.  Many of their videos and photos have been published by East County Magazine, including  photographic evidence that raised serious questions on whether the project is producing wind speeds claimed, as ECM previously reported in a story titled Where is the wind?


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WINTER STORM TO DROP SNOW LEVEL TO 2500 FEET

 

February 8, 2013 (San Diego’s East County ) – A cold front will bring chilly temperatures, thunderstorms and in mountain areas, snowfall starting Friday.  Four to ten inches of snow are expected to fall above 4,000 feet, with snow levels dipping down to 2500 feet or even lower Friday night and Saturday. 

Travel may be hazardous on portions of I-8 as well as on mountain roads.


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WILDLIFE KILLERS: BIRDS KILLED AT COUNTRY CLUB, COUNTY TAXPAYERS PAY

Editor’s Note:  If you have any information on wildlife killed by tax-funded trappers in East County, please send your tips to editor@eastcountymagazine.org.

 

Reprinted with permission from Voice of San Diego.

By Rob Davis, for voiceofsandiego.org

A country club near Chula Vista’s Eastlake had a gnawing problem.

Coots. Lots and lots of coots.

The small, black bird that looks like a duck was chewing greens and fairways on the club’s golf course, pooping so much near the snack bar that it occasionally closed for cleanups. Birds are attracted to golf courses’ open space, a common problem in heavily developed Southern California. The private country club — records aren’t specific about which one — suspected the coots were hurting their bottom line.


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U.S. POSTAL SERVICE DROPS SATURDAY DELIVERY

Congresswoman Davis questions legality of action

February 6, 2013 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Postal Service has announced plans to end Saturday mail delivery as a cost-saving measure. 

The announcement drew swift criticism from Congresswoman Susan Davis, who also noted that since Congress mandated Saturday delivery, eliminating it should require Congressional action.


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CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION HOLDS PUBLIC FORUM ON PEAKER POWER PLANTS; QUAIL BRUSH OPPONENTS TURN OUT IN FORCE

 

By Nadin Abbott

Photos by Tom Abbott

February 4, 2013 (San Diego)-- In a public hearing Friday, Public Utilities Commission Representative Denise Tyrrell listened to the concerns of over 500 San Diego citizens regarding three proposed peaker gas-fired power plants, including the Cogentrix and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) plan to develop Quail Brush,near Mission Trails Regional Park. Other proposed plants were Pio Pico in the Otay area and the Wellhead Escondido Energy Center.


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MAYOR FILNER ENDS RED LIGHT PHOTO ENFORCEMENT

 

Mayor Brings Police Officers Back To Red Light Patrol

February 2, 2013 (San Diego)--Mayor Bob Filner fulfilled a campaign promise today and officially ended the controversial Red Light Photo Enforcement Program, bringing San Diego Police Department officers back to red light violation patrol.

Standing with San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne, the Mayor made the announcement at what was the busiest red light camera intersection in the City, Grape Street and North Harbor Drive, just a mile from the San Diego International Airport.


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EL CAJON COUNCIL ASKS STAFF TO DRAFT ORDINANCE TO RESTRICT LIQUOR SALES

By Janis Mork

February 1, 2013 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon’s City Council voted 5-0 on January 22 to ask staff to draft options for an ordinance with tougher licensing regulations for off-site sales of liquor at markets and liquor stores.

“El Cajon has changed a lot since I was a kid in the 1960’s,” said Councilman Gary Kendrick, who introduced the proposal. “Unfortunately, as we grew, we acquired problems big cities had. One is alcohol abuse. We’ve struggled with it for 30 years now,” he said, adding that his proposal is modeled after ‘deemed approved’ ordinances that have, “...become very popular in cities that have it.” 


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COYOTES UNDER FIRE: GOVERNMENT PROGRAM SLAUGHTERS COYOTES BY THE TENS OF THOUSANDS

 

Unfairly accused of widespread sheep deaths, coyotes are among the most persecuted predators in North America, All Animals magazine

By Karen E. Lange

February 1, 2013 (San Diego)--The lucky ones hide when the helicopters and planes appear overhead. Most coyotes, though, take off running for their lives. And this is just what the men from Wildlife Services want. Armed with Benelli shotguns modified to fire six or seven times in quick succession, they shoot and shoot again at the animals flushed from cover. They’re flying so low—sometimes as little as 20 to 100 feet off the ground—it feels like they’re shooting sideways. It’s easy to hit the coyotes: Some take a shot to the chest and die instantly. Others are merely wounded and crawl off to lingering deaths. Any the gunners miss, they can get on the next pass. Or the next. They stop only when they’ve shot every single coyote—when they’ve knocked down all the predators on the ground.


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CPUC PUBLIC FORUM ON QUAIL BRUSH POWER PLANT FEB. 1

January 30, 2013 (San Diego) – The CPUC is holding a Public Forum on the Quail Brush Power Plan along with two other proposed power plants in San Diego County on Feb. 1 at 6 p.m. at Al Bahr Temple/Shriner’s Auditorium, 5440 Kearny Mesa Rd., San Diego. The CPUC’s proposed decision will prevent the emission of over 900,000 annual tons of greenhouse gases by denying purchase power tolling agreements.


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SAN DIEGO RIVER CONSERVANCY APPOINTS NEW EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

Conservation Leader Tapped To Direct State Conservancy



January 31, 2013 (San Diego)--The Governing Board of the San Diego River Conservancy (SDRC) announced the appointment of Kevin McKernan as its Executive Officer. McKernan, who currently serves as Executive Officer for the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy, will assume his new position in March.


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AARP OFFERS FREE TAX HELP FOR SENIORS AND LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS IN EAST COUNTY

 

January 31, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) -- The AARP Tax Aide Program offers free tax preparation and E filing for seniors and low income residents and others in need in the East County Community.

Tax sites will be open the week of February 4, 2013 and continue until April 15, 2013

Listed below are the tax sites and phone numbers for appointments:


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HIGHWAY 78 CLOSED DUE TO FATALITY CRASH, POWER LINES DOWN

 

January 31, 2013 (Santa Ysabel/Ramona) – Highway 78 is shut down due to a fatality accident involving downed power lines. The rollover crash was reported close to 1 p.m. with occupants trapped inside the vehicle.  A Sig Alert has been issued. Highway 78 is closed in both directions from Old Julian Highway to the junction of Highways 78 and 79 in Santa Ysabel, CHP reports.


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EL CAJON COUNCIL HEARS FROM AGRICULTURE EXPERTS ON DISEASE THREATENING CITRUS CROPS

By Janis Mork

January 31, 2013 (El Cajon)—A dozen trees in El Cajon have been found infested by an insect carrying a disease that is deadly to citrus disease and which has prompted a countywide quarantine, agriculture experts informed El Cajon Council members at yesterday’s meeting.

Mark Olson, a representative for the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program, wanted to give the community an update on the Asian Citrus Psyllid and the disease it carries- Huanglongbing (HLB). “It was recently found in El Cajon for the first time,” he said. “The good news is that the pest has been found and the disease has not shown up. We’re preparing for it though; it will probably show up in El Cajon.” 


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CITY ATTORNEY TO ENFORCE MEDICAL MARIJUANA ZONING LAWS UNTIL NEW ORDINANCE IS ENACTED

January 29, 2013 (San Diego) -- Today, the City Council met in Closed Session to address civil enforcement actions that were filed against marijuana dispensary operators and property owners to compel compliance with the City’s zoning laws.

On a unanimous vote (with Councilmember Faulconer absent) and with agreement by the Mayor, the Council directed the City Attorney not to dismiss the cases. In order to preserve the status quo, the current zoning laws will be enforced. Dispensaries should not open in violation of existing laws.


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CITY COUNCIL APPROVES FARMERS’ MARKET IN EL CAJON

The market will be held on Thursdays downtown starting March 21

By Janis Mork

January 30, 2013 (El Cajon) - Following approval at Tuesday’s January 22nd City Council meeting, the City of El Cajon will now have its own farmers’ market in the downtown area. The City is working with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and others to establish a certified farmers’ market on Thursday evenings, beginning March 21, at the Prescott Promenade, located at 201 East Main Street in downtown El Cajon. 


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INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION TO APPEAR OVER EAST COUNTY

By Tom Lemon

January 30, 2013 (San Diego's East County) -- The International Space Station is returning to the sky over The East County and will be visible tomorrow morning. You don't need a telescope or binocs. The brightest pass will be Thursday morning, January 31, visit the NASA site at this link for times and where to look:

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/cities/view.cgi?country=United_States&region=California&city=San_Diego


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PINE VALLEY SHERIFF'S SUBSTATION OPENS IN TEMPORARY LOCATION

 

January 27, 2013 (Pine Valley)--Beginning Friday, February 1, the Pine Valley Sheriff's Substation can be found at a new location as construction on a new substation gets underway. The temporary address of the substation is 28914 Old Highway 80 Suite 106, Pine Valley, CA 91962 with the same telephone number at (619) 473‐8774.


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CHP WARNS DISTRACTED DRIVERS: YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE. IT’S NOT WORTH IT

 

January 27, 2013 (Sacramento)--Distracted driving is a serious safety concern for all drivers throughout California, especially teen drivers.  Eighty percent of vehicle crashes involve some kind of driver distraction. Talking on the cell phone or texting is the main source of driver distraction.  The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is urging teenage drivers to stop texting, put away cell phones, and focus on driving.  In an effort save lives, CHP along with Impact Teen Drivers will be conducting a year-long teen distracted driving traffic safety campaign through September 2013. 


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EAST REGION RESIDENT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY STARTS SOON

 

January 27, 2013 (El Cajon)--The El Cajon Collaborative invites you to join the East Region Resident Leadership Academy starting in late January, continuing every Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.  This free, 14-week course will give you the knowledge and skills you need to become a leader in the community.


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MENTAL PATIENT ARRESTED FOR HATE CRIME, ARSON IN BURNING OF GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH IN EL CAJON

By Miriam Raftery and Nadin Abbott

January 27, 2013 (El Cajon)- San Diego Sheriff today announced the arrest of Darin Williams in connection to an early morning fire that caused an estimated $250,000 in damage to St. Gregory of Nyssa Greek Orthodox Christian Church in the unincorporated area of El Cajon.  Williams s charged with arson, burglary and a hate crime, said Sergeant E. J. Dayitt.

The suspect was released last week from a psychiatric institution and became upset when the church’s priest, Simeon Corona, told him he could no longer stay at a parishioner’s home if he woud not take his medications,  U-T San Diego reports.  The priest called Williams, 38,  a “troubled man.”


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DENSE FOG TO BLANKET COUNTY: RAIN, SNOW ALSO FORECAST

 

January 25, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for San Diego County, including mountains, valleys, deserts and coastal areas.  Widespread dense fog with visibility near zero in places is expected tonight and tomorrow. 

Scattered rain showers are predicted Sunday and Monday along and west of the mountains. Snow levels should lower to 4500 feet by Monday.


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WILL CONGRESS LET VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT DIE?

Hunter among those voted against extending protections to all women

By Miriam Raftery

January 26, 2013 (San Diego’s East County ) – One in four women has been a victim of domestic violence and nearly one in five has been raped during their lifetime, the Center for Disease Control reports.  Yet last year, House Republicans blocked reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act  (VAWA),  allowing it to expire rather than approve a Democratic proposal to expand  protections  from domestic violence for  Native American women, immigrant women and gay women.  

Now,  programs  funded by VAWA  for all women are in danger of disappearing, unless Congress takes action. Nationwide, VAWA supporters are organizing efforts to persuade Congress to pass a newly introduced VAWA bill before funds for all VAWA programs run out.

Advocates  of last session's VAWA measure hoped to end discrimination that has prevented  many women from getting help after violent assaults. Native American women are 2.5 times more likely to be sexually assaulted than any other racial group; one in three has been raped.  Undocumented immigrant women are often afraid to report domestic violence for fear of deportation. Battered women in same-sex relationships have been discriminated against when seeking shelter 45% of the time.


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WILD ANIMALS RUINED, EVEN KILLED, BY PEOPLE’S CARELESSNESS

January 26, 2013 (San Diego)--Wild animals are in trouble, and the problem is people who are careless with food and garbage.Coyotes play an important role in the ecosystem, helping to keep rodent populations under control. They are by nature fearful of humans.If coyotes are given access to human food and garbage, their behavior changes. They lose caution and fear. They may cause property damage. They might threaten human safety. They might be killed.

Relocating a problem coyote is not an option because it only moves the problem to someone else’s neighborhood. Help prevent deadly conflicts for these beautiful wild animals.


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COMMUNITY RAISES CONCERNS OVER ALCOHOL PROBLEMS IN THE BACKCOUNTRY

January 26, 2013 (Campo) -- Underage drinkers, empty lots littered with empty beer bottles and irresponsible alcohol retailers have residents speaking out after a recent community meeting to voice their concerns about youth access to alcohol in Back Country areas.

Boulevard resident Tammy Daubach said she noticed teens drinking in the empty lot near her home in Boulevard. She explained kids frequent the empty lot to ride their BMX bikes on the dirt tracks. “When the kids need to fill their motor bikes at the gas station nearby, they gas up and get their stuff. You constantly see the trash back there. We’ll go out with bags to pick it all up and find chips and wine coolers and little liquor bottles, all of that.”


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RAIN BRINGS URBAN RUNOFF TO COUNTY BEACHES

January 25, 2013 (San Diego) – The Department of Environmental Health has issued a General Advisory for the coastal waters of San Diego County due to recent rainfall. Swimmers, surfers, and other ocean users are warned that the levels of bacteria can rise significantly in ocean and bay waters, especially near storm drains, creeks, rivers, and lagoon outlets that discharge urban runoff. Urban runoff may contain large amounts of bacteria from a variety of sources such as animal waste, soil, and decomposing vegetation. While many coastal storm drains within San Diego County are permanently posted with white metal warning signs, additional temporary warning signs are not posted for General Advisories. Activities such as swimming, surfing and diving should be avoided in all coastal waters for 72 hours following rain. This includes all coastal beaches and all of Mission Bay and San Diego Bay. Elevated bacteria levels can persist after a rainstorm depending upon the intensity of the storm, volume of runoff and ocean and current conditions.


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CLAIM YOUR EITC DOLLARS: IT’S EASY AND FREE

$10 Million Returned to San Diegans in 2012

January 25, 2012 (San Diego)--County officials and community partners kick off the 2013 campaign to help low-income families and individuals boost their federal tax refunds by taking advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and applying for CalFresh (food stamps). 

From Jan. 30 through April 15, hundreds of volunteers and college students will file income taxes for free at nearly 100 sites across the County. They will also screen families to determine if they qualify for CalFresh benefits. Residents can call 2-1-1 for more information. 


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PUBLIC RECORDS REVEAL EASTERN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT FRONTING SAN DIEGO PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN FOR METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT

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Riverside County water agency sued for refusing to release public records

January 24, 2013 (San Diego)--Public records show the Eastern Municipal Water District in Riverside County is funding a $15,000-per-month public relations campaign in San Diego County on behalf of the Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

While limited information was provided under the California Public Records Act, Eastern water district officials redacted key information and refused to release all records to the public, forcing the San Diego County Water Authority to file a lawsuit on January 22 to obtain the records.


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WHERE IS THE WIND? GOVERNMENT, SDG&E & PATTERN ENERGY REFUSE TO PROVIDE RECORDS ON ENERGY PRODUCED AT OCOTILLO

An ECM special investigative report:

Serious questions raised over industry claims on wind production here and around the world

By Miriam Raftery

Photos and videos by Jim Pelley

January 23, 2013 (Ocotillo) – Since taxpayer dollars were used to fund the destruction of public lands for the Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility, why won’t the federal government tell us how much power the project is producing?

Engineer and award-winning photojournalist Jim Pelley lives in Ocotillo.   A series of videos shot nearly each day since the wind project went online December 5, 2012 raises serious questions.  Turbines are not  turning , or scarcely moving,  in nearly all of the videos shot in December and January.  Wind speed readings and weather reports further suggest wind speed measurements are far below the minimum needed for the project to produce any power at all—let alone the levels claimed by developer Pattern Energy.

When the project went online December 5, Pattern claimed that with wind forecasts looking “favorable” it expected to power more than 125,000 homes. http://news.yahoo.com/video/controversial-ocotillo-wind-farm-goes-025000610.html.  But Ocotillo residents have long voiced concerns that their area lacks sustained strong winds needed to power the massive, controversial wind project on public lands that has been opposed by tribes, environmental groups and most residents.

After viewing videos bolstering concerns over lack of wind, East County Magazine sought public records to learn how much power has been produced.  The shocking result?  Federal and state authorities claim they don't know--and further, that public officials and the public have no right to find out.


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COMMUNITY MEETING JAN. 24 ON INDUSTRIAL ENERGY PROJECTS PROPOSED IN EAST COUNTY

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 17, 2013 (Boulevard) – Two nonprofit groups, Protect Our Communities Foundation and Backcountry Against Dumps, will convene a community meeting Thursday, January 24, 2013 to inform residents about planned industrial conversation of Boulevard and surrounding areas.  A dozen or so big energy corporations—most from outside the region--seek to push through zoning changes to allow massive projects that would forever transform this now-rural area. 

“Learn about the many industrial scale wind, solar, and related transmission line projects planned in and around our residential neighborhoods (on public, private, and tribal lands), adversely impacting many homes,” a flyer for the event states, “and what you can do to help protect and defend your family, your property, your future.”

The meeting will be held at the Boulevard Fire Station Equipment Bay, 39923 Ribbonwood Road, Boulevard 91905 (northeast corner of Old Highway 80 and Ribbonwood Road) from 7 to 9 p.m. on January 24.


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