March 19, 2012 (Santee) – On March 24, Camp BowWow will host its 5^th Annual “Pawsitively Yours” Doggy Adopt-a-Thon event to help people and pups make a love connection.  The event will take place at Woodglen Vista Dog Park at 10250 Woodglen Vista Drive in Santee from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

The event is open to the public and will raise awareness of the importance of adoption from local rescues and shelters. 

By Miriam Raftery

March 19, 2012 (Alpine)—A spinal tumor and life-threatening infection have left Bill Weaver, a dedicated education leader and advocate for East County’s  children, in need of community help.  I ask our readers to join in efforts to help Bill, who requires continuing in-home care while recovering from a long hospital stay. There are two ways you can help.

On Monday, April 2 from 3-10 p.m., the Alpine Tavern & Grill at 2502 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine will host “Beers for Bill,” donating 20% of proceeds to help pay for Bill’s medical expenses. 

March 19, 2012 (San Diego) 12:18 a.m. –California Highway Patrol reports traffic is at a dead stop on Highway 163 at Robinson and traffic controls are being set up do an attempted suicide by an individual jumping from the bridge.  Incident Page Network reports a man down at 163 Southbound and Park Blvd. in cardiac arrest, possibly after jumping from the bridge.

Update 10:45 a.m.  I-8 is now reopened in both directions.

Update: At 9:09 a.m. CHP's wesite reports they are escorting traffic through and expect to reopen I-8 soon following snow-ploughing.  

 “San Diego is becoming a Mecca for renewable energy for the United States.” –Mike Armstrong, Soitec, speaking at the San Diego Solar Energy Symposium

By Miriam Raftery

March 18, 2012 (San Diego) – The future is sunny for solar energy. Price parity with conventional energy sources has now been attained in some areas as demand rises and the cost of solar falls. California has emerged as a national leader in the shift to solar--with San Diego at the helm. 

March 18, 2012 (Alpine) – Alpine, Tree Town USA, will be giving away 200 one gallon Sycamore trees and 200 one gallon Freemont trees between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the I Love A Clean Alpine event on Saturday April 14.  The event will be held in the Albertsons parking lot at 2955 Alpine Boulevard.

Survivors of Human Trafficking/Commercial Sexual Exploitation Among Those Getting Help  

March 18, 2012 (San Diego) -- Four new regional projects have received more than $1.7 million in federal funding for the first time thanks to efforts by County Housing and Community Development, the lead agent for the Regional Continuum of Care.  The new projects will provide transitional and long-term housing and support services for homeless people. 

 Legislature to weigh resolution calling for end to unlimited corporate political spending

March 17, 2012 (Sacramento) – On March 20, the California Assembly Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing and vote on Assembly Joint Resolution 22. The resolution calls for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that allowed corporations to spend unlimited sums to influence elections.

If the Legislature approves the measure, as expected, California would be among the first states to formally call for an amendment. The effort is part of a national movement taking place in more than 1,000 cities and towns across America.

Update March 25, 2012: The victim has been identified as Avel Michael Jordan Edgar, 21. According to the San Diego Medical Examiner, he died of a gunshot wound to the head.

March 17, 2012 (Lemon Grove) – Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call to a home at 8232 Mount Vernon Street in Lemon Grove, where a man had been shot, the evening of March 14.  Paramedics determined that the man was deceased.

There were several people inside the home at the time of the incident and they are being interviewed to determine what occurred.  There are currently two suspects in the case described as adult black males.