April 21, 2011 (San Diego)--The property values in San Diego County have been dropping in market value over the last couple of years. Consequently, some property owners are submitting a request for review of their assessed value with the County Assessor’s Office. Ernie Dronenburg, the San Diego County Assessor, reminds property owners that the deadline to request a review of their assessed value is April 29, 2011.

Family wants case reopened; believes daughter may have been sold to human traffickers

 By Miriam Raftery

April 19, 2011 (El Cajon ) – Do you have blankets or a dog bed that you don’t need? The El Cajon Animal Shelter seeks donations or new or used dog beds and blankets for dogs that are currently housed in outdoor kennels with concrete floors. Cushioning will help make them more comfortable.
 

April 17, 2011 (Julian) – A motorcycle accident prompted a SIG Alert briefly today near Julian, Incident Page Network reports. The accident occurred on Highway 79 in front of Jeremy’s on the Hill around 11:15 a.m.

April 18, 2011 (Lakeside) – An EDCO trash truck has overturned at 11206 Valle Vista Road in Lakeside. The accident was reported at 11:45 a.m. The truck is now leaking large amounts of diesel fuel from saddle tanks, Incident Page Network reports. According to the CHP, a Hazmat team has been dispatched and is en route to the scene.

April 16, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) wants to remind people not to handle young wild animals. The improper handling of young wildlife is a problem in California and across the nation, most commonly in the spring, when many species are caring for their offspring.

Award-winning journalist and ECM's own East of the Line columnist hosts TGIF Report on East County issues

Show airs Fridays from 6-7 p.m. on FM 107.9

By Miriam Raftery

April 12, 2011 (Alpine) – She’s won awards for investigative reporting and spent nearly 25 years writing and editing articles about East County’s hottest topics such as wildfires, wind turbines, border and land use issues. Her coverage has drawn national attention on 60 Minutes and 20-20 TV shows. She’s also rooted out tales of feral pigs and turkey hunts, offered tips on how to remove horse manure, and covered local politics. (Some might see similarity in these topics.)
 

Now the backcountry’s best-known news hound has a found a new home behind the microphone at my107.9 radio in Alpine, where her new show, the TGIF report covers news and events in San Diego’s backcountry communities and Alpine.  East County Magazine readers will recognize Jannen as author of the popular East of the Line column on backcountry issues.
 

The TGIF (Thank God It’s Friday) Report airs Fridays from 6-7 p.m. because “I don’t do mornings well,” quips Jannen. If you’re not close enough to Alpine to pick up the signal, you can listen to the show streaming live at http://www.my1079.com.

April 13, 2011 (La Mesa)-- La Mesa residents who are Vietnam War Veterans are invited to attend the La Mesa City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26th at the City Council Chambers, 8130 Allison Avenue.

The City Council will honor these military personnel for their service during the meeting as part of its ongoing effort to recognize local veterans. Last month, the Council recognized Korean War Veterans, in February the WWII Veterans, and in January the Council honored the Pearl Harbor Survivors for their valor.

April 9, 2011 (San Diego) – Thanks to ECM reader Tiffany Husted for alerting us to a website called www.Geebo.com. “It is a safer website like Craigslist but so much better!” Husted wrote. “They do not allow child solicitation, human trafficking, drugs, spam or scams. They double check their postings manually and automatically, unlike Craigslist.”

Craigslist has repeatedly been implicated for allowing prostitution and even human trafficking of children to be advertised. ECM research found that Geebo is a nationwide online classified ads site established in 2000.  It offers a safer haven to place and browse ads by reviewing all ads before publishing them to be sure content is appropriate. Geebo was first in its industry to remove personal ads and has never supported adult content, drug or gun sales. Geebo has also been recognized by human rights groups for its commitment to improve safety on the Internet.

Decision based on cost, but a local resident who started a national movement to ban smart meters claims they can harm health in some individuals

April 7, 2011 (La Mesa)—Helix Water District customers won’t be getting smart water meters anytime soon. The Board of Directors opted against the change.

“We don’t want to spend a million and a half dollars,” board vice president John Linden stated. The board also noted that among 322 pilot project customers who do have the smart meters, only 9 percent accessed the smart meter website to check their energy usage.

April 8, 2011 (Lemon Grove) – By a 4-1 vote, the Lemon Grove City Council ordered staff to come up with a plan to shut down its Parks & Recreation Department, outsource programs for children and adults to the YMCA, but find a means to keep other functions of the department.

Those functions include leasing recreation buildings to community groups and operating city events, such as the holiday bonfire and concerts in the park. Staff will present its report to Council on May 3rd.

April 7, 2011 (San Diego) – California Highway Patrol officers are on heightened alert after two shootings around 7:10 a.m. this morning on Highway 163 in Kearny Mesa. One shot wounded a USD student and another bullet lodged in a vehicle owned by a Rancho Bernardo man.

Police shut down the freeway and found about 10 shell casings from a small-caliber gun along the side of the freeway between the Clairment Mesa and Balboa exits. There is no evidence to indicate that either victim was targeted.
 

April 6, 2011 (Lemon Grove) – Frieda Molina, 97, died March27 of congestive heart failure. A pillar of the Lemon Grove Historical Society and owner of one of Lemon Grove's most historic homes, she will be memorialized on April 8 at 11 a.m. at Lemon Grove Lutheran Church, 2055 Skyline Drive, Lemon Grove.

By Miriam Raftery

April 4, 2011 (Lemon Grove) – Faced with a budget gap, Lemon Grove City Council will consider four proposals at Tuesday's meeting for slashing costs in recreational services:

1) outsource youth programs to the Boys and Girls Club of East County;

2) Outsource both youth and adult services to the East County Family YMCA;

3) Combine contracting with one of those organizations to run some programs, while having a new Recreation Services Department handle others;

4) Completely eliminate the City’s Recreation Services Department—a move that could also end City-sponsored community events such as Concerts in the Park, Movie Night, and the annual holiday Bonfire.

 Updated April 22 to add photos from the April 9th celebration of life.

A Celebration of Life, Service and Dedication to Community

April 3, 2011 (Lakeside) The El Capitan Stadium Association has offered the use of the rodeo grounds for a community gathering honoring Rick Smith, who passed away on February 18th, 2011 following a long battle with cancer.  A celebration of his life and service will be held April 9 from 1-4 p.m. at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds.