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.

By Jeremy Los

March 30, 2011 (Sacramento) – Governor Jerry Brown yesterday declared budgetary talks with Republicans “dead.”  The GOP issued 53 proposed alternatives, leading the Governor to accuse Republicans of obstructing the process with new demands that would widen the budget gap, not close it.  View Governor Brown's video message to the people by clicking the above image.

March 30, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Charles Dumars, 46, of Poway died of coronary artery disease while hiking near Ramona on Saturday, March 26, the San Diego Medical Examiner’s office reports.
 

Dumars was with a group of Boy Scouts and their fathers hiking in remote terrain on Black Mountain Truck Trail. According to Ramona Patch.com, a 911 call indicated that Dumars as unresponsive and CPR was in progress.

Update 8:50 p.m. - The eastbound lane is now open.  There is damage to a guardrail, so use caution.

March 27, 2011 (El Cajon) 8:10 p.m. -- An accident has shut down La Cresta Blvd. near Mountain View in El Cajon, the main access route into the Crest community.  The road is expected to remain shut for several hours, an area resident has informed ECM.

"Celebration of life" service set for April 1
 

March 26, 2011 (Ramona) –The San Diego Medical Examiner has identified Kevin Montgomery Birse, 22, of Ramona as the driver who perished in a vehicle accident on March 23rd on San Vicente Road, just east of Wildcat Canyon Road in Ramona.

By Miriam Raftery

March 24, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – Today, North American Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced that NATO will take over enforcement of the no-fly zone. The U.S.-led coalition will continue to take the lead in handling air strikes against Libyan ground forces and a naval blockade.

Allied coalition forces led by the U.S. have crippled Libyan air power, though Libyan ground forces continue to wage attacks on rebel forces in several cities amid a civil war.

March 24, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Grab your umbrella if you’re heading out this weekend. The National Weather Service predicts light rainfall late tonight and early tomorrow, with a second storm due to arrive Saturday night.

Snow levels are predicted to drop to 5,500 feet, with windy conditions in San Diego’s desert areas.

SAN DIEGO, CA – On Saturday, March 19, the Miss San Diego Pageant and Scholarship Association held the 2011 Miss San Diego Pageant at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts. Thirty-five talented women ages 13-24 participated in a program that has been a San Diego tradition since the late 1920’s. Over $4,000.00 in scholarships were awarded.

Danamarie McNicoll Carter of La Mesa won the title of Miss San Diego’s Outstanding Teen 2011. She is a former Miss Teen La Mesa and a student at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace. She wowed the judges with piano performance which accounted for 35% of the overall score.