Public encouraged to send letters to state and county decision makers

East County News Service

April 10, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Supervisor Dianne Jacob has sent a letter to the County Board of Education President Gregg Robinson PhD urging support for a public vote to determine the outcome of the Grossmont Union High School District’s proposal for “by trustee” area elections. The GUHSD board majority is seeking a waiver from a state requirement that would ordinarily require a public vote on any redistricting proposal. 

But Jacob writes, “The importance of representing the people through elections is paramount to the political process. Normally, election `by trustee’ is a fair way to ensure that constituents are being properly and proportionally represented. GUHSD’s proposal to move to a `by-trustee’ area election method is not something that is generally considered unusual, however, recent actions and decisions by GUHSD’s Board of Directors has created a sense of public distrust.”

East County News Service

April 7, 2016 (Lakeside) -- Drivers are being advised by Caltrans and the County to steer clear of southbound State Route 67 in Lakeside from 10 p.m., Friday April 15, to 5 a.m. Monday, April 18, when a construction project will close a roughly 1 ½ mile stretch of the highway.

By Miriam Raftery

April 7, 2016 (San Diego) – Southern California, including San Diego County, could experience up to 14 days of unscheduled blackouts this summer and up to 18 days of additional outages later in the year, state officials warn.  The outages could occur due to the massive gas leak at Aliso Canyon, which depleted gas reserves before the four-month leak was finally plugged.

East County News Service

April 4, 2016 (San Diego )—Authorities have issued an Amber Alert across southern Calfornia for Ayden Avalas, an 18-month old Hispanic boy  reportedly abducted early this afternoon in Los Angeles by his father, 21-year-old Luis Avalos.

The suspect was driving a 2006 silver Chevrolet Impala four-door car with California license plate 7LPF713.  The suspect should be considered “violent and dangerous,” posing an “extreme-extraordinary threat” according to an alert sent by the California Highway Patrol.

The suspect is bald with brown eyes and tattoos around his neck and left check.  He stands 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds.   The abducted child has black hair and brown eyes.

Source: County News Service

Photo: A hiker and his dog on the trails at Sycamore Canyon.

April 3, 2016 (San Diego) -- You grab your leash, and your dog automatically starts heading for the door.  He knows it’s time for a walk.

By Miriam Raftery

March 31, 2016 (Lemon Grove) –The Lemon Grove/Spring Valley area would have its own district to elect a trustee to the Grossmont Union High School District’s board under a plan that the GUHSD approved, but  that must next be approved or rejected by the County Office of Education’s Committee on School District Organization.

The County committee previously announced five hearings on the redistricting plan. Now, the committee announces a sixth hearing to be held on Wednesday, April 6 from 6-8 p.m. at the Lemon Grove Library community room, 3001 School Lane in Lemon Grove. (Map)

Other upcoming hearings will be held in Lakeside, Alpine and Jamul. For a full list of all hearings and rules for public comment, click here.   

To view data on the GUHSD redistricting plan including demographic details and maps, click here.

By Leon Thompson

March 30, 2016 (San Diego) -- The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is scheduling extra Trolley service to accommodate 50,000 fans expected in East Village on Monday, April 4 when the Padres meet the L.A. Dodgers on Opening Day at Petco Park.

East County News Service

March 29, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Clementine Scott James, 67, of Spring Valley died of injuries sustained in a two-vehicle crash in Rancho San Diego Sunday afternoon, the Medical Examiner’s office reports.

Next meetings set for March 28, April 4, 5, and 11

By Leon Thompson

March 27, 2016 (La Mesa) – Turnout was light at the first of five county hearings March 17^th on a controversial redistricting plan proposed by the Grossmont Union High School District.  Members of the San Diego County Office of Education ‘s Committee on School Reorganization emphasized that they hope to see more public turnout and hear from a broad cross-section of the community at the upcoming four hearings.

East County News Service

Photo: Screenshot off Full Gospel church's Facebook page

March 27, 2016 (Spring Valley) – A fire burned down the Full Gospel Church of God in Christ in Spring Valley last weekend.  The Pentacostal church serves a congregation of about 30 people, mainly African Americans.

Just in time for Easter Sunday services, another church previously burned in a fire has offered up space for Full Gospel’s worship services, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

East County News Service

March 25, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Strong winds, rain and snow at higher elevations are forecast for early-to-mid week, along with cooler temperatures.

(Click the orange link  to hear full audio)

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Ron Logan and Miriam Raftery

Click here to read our interviews with a diverse range of rally attendees, including an East County community leader who met Senator Sanders.

April 23, 2016 (San Diego) – Democratic presidential candidate and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders spoke to an enthusiastic crowd of over 13,000 people at the San Diego Convention Center last night, informing the crowd that his campaign is doing ”something unusual in politics. We are telling the truth.”  He then stated, “We cannot go forward as a nation unless we are willing to confront real issues.”  

In his opening remarks of a speech interrupted by frequent enthusiastic applause, Sanders took aim at voter suppression tactics on a day when long lines at minority polling places and other questionable tactics drew strong criticism in Arizona.

 “In America today, we are living under a corrupt primary campaign system which is undermining our democracy,” Sanders said.

By Miriam Raftery

March 22, 2016 (San Diego) – Could ratepayers across Southern California be stuck with the bill for Sempra Energy’s Southern California Gas Co. to offset the massive greenhouse gas emissions from the Porter Ranch gas leak at Aliso Canyon north of Los Angeles?

East County News Service

March 20, 2016 (Alpine) Alpine residents and the watchdog group Citizens Oversight have sent a letter to the President of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) asking assistance in identifying any potential hazards associated with electromagnetic fields ((EMF) related to Sunrise Powerlink.  The residents ask for an investigation to assure that the public is protected. 

The residents’ letter claims that San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) could increase power flowing through the underground Sunrise Powerlink along Alpine Blvd. 

By Miriam Raftery

Updated March 31 with new info from the County Office of Education.

March 15, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The County Committee on School District Organization will hold six hearings to get public input on the Grossmont Union High School District’s proposed shift to electing governing board trustees by districts.  The GUHSD board voted 4-1 to adopt a controversial map and seek a waiver of a public vote despite opposition from members of the public who spoke, some alleging gerrymandering to oust a dissenting board member and break up a vocal minority voting block, as ECM reported.

The six hearings are set for March 17 in La Mesa, March 28 in El Cajon,  April 4 in Alpine,  April 5 in Jamul, April 6 in Lemon Grove, and April 11 in Lakeside.  The public can testify at the meetings and also submit written comments up until April 7.  The County’s committee will vote to approve or disapprove the district’s request at its April 13 meeting. The Alpine hearing was added after ECM and community members asked that Alpine be added as a location due to the many controversies involving the Alpine area.

For the full schedule of meetings, rules and details, click "read more" and scroll down.

To view the San Diego County Office of Education hearings announcement in English, Spanish and Arabic, click here.

To view data on the GUHSD redistricting plan including demographic details and maps, click here.