By Mike Hancock

March 3, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)—Three people have died in the past four days in crashes on East County roadways--including two accidents on Highway 94 and a third in Borrego Springs.

Devices transmit power over existing power lines

By Miriam Raftery

March 3, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Smart meters have become a public relations nightmare for utility companies in California. After a flood of complaints by consumers alleging health problems suspecting of being caused by electromagnetic radio frequencies (EJF), the California Public Utilities Commission ordered utilities to allow consumers to opt out, or to have smart meters removed if already installers. Many homeowners have done so, but must pay for removal plus a monthly fee for reading meters.

Now Idaho Power has begun offering its customers smart meters that claim to avoid these problems. The company's website states: “Smart meters being deployed in Idaho Power's service territory do not transmit radio frequencies. Our smart meters do not use any wireless communication media or generate any high-frequency signals. Our system uses only wired infrastructure to communicate to and from our smart meters utilizing the low-frequency 60 hertz (Hz) power line signal as the carrier for our communications. This may be of interest because some smart meter deployments in California have raised concerns that radio transmission, wireless transmission or high-frequency transmission may pose health risks. The technology we're deploying is fundamentally different from the technologies in question in California.”

This begs the question: Why aren't these devices available to Califiornia ratepayers?

March 3, 2013 (El Cajon) – Congresswoman Susan Davis called representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration to her Washington office to share constituent concerns with Gillespie Field flight paths.  Neighbors of Gillespie Field in El Cajon have complained of increased flight traffic, noise, and low-altitude flights.

“As discussion of Gillespie Field development continues, Congresswoman Davis is looking to balance economic expansion in El Cajon and East County with quality of life near the airport,” said Aaron Hunter, spokesperson for the Congresswoman.

The meeting was informational, though no course of action has yet transpired, he advised.

March 2, 2013 (Sacramento) – Effective July 1, 2013, the excise tax on gasoline will increase 3.5 cents per gallon following a vote February 28, 2013 by the California State Board of Equalization. The Board is sensitive to the financial impact consumers are feeling at the pump, but state law requires the BOE to adjust the excise tax rate by March 1 of each year in order to ensure revenue neutrality.

As gasoline prices increase, the relative amount of state sales tax that would be collected, but for the fuel tax swap, decreases and must be offset by an increase in the excise tax rate.

March 1, 2013 (Alpine) – Former Alpine resident Chris Kyle, who served with Navy Seal Team 3, was gunned down near his home in Dallas, Texas in February by a fellow veteran. This morning, a flag-lowering ceremony was held at De La Fuente Cadillac in El Cajon, where the public joined in commemorating the famed fallen soldier.

 Kyle served five tours of duty in Iraq, where he earned a reputation as one of the U.S. military’s most lethal snipers, earning two purple hearts, four Bronze stars for valor and two Silver Stars. He authored a book, American Sniper, documenting his wartime experiences.

“Every one of the 12 companies that contributed more than $5,000 to the Grossmont Union High School District's Proposition U campaign in 2008 won a contract from the district.” – Voice of San Diego

Reprinted with permission from Voice of San Diego

Link to original story by Will Carless and Wendy Fry

Posted February 19, 2013 (updated February 27, 2013) 

From the Reporters:

The Question

We wanted to know whether major donors to school bond campaigns are likely to win contracts from school districts once the bond passes.

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.