By Millicent Arko

February 1, 2012 (Ramona) – The California Department of Fish and Game announced today that its wardens have arrested Jacob Thogmartin, 26, of Ramona on suspicion of setting a fire in a wildlife area filled with hunters early Saturday morning. The blaze, which extended into the night, charred 650 acres.

 
Reducing Energy Bills for Low-Income Families Across California

Special early-bird rates for ECM members now available

January 28, 2012 (San Diego)--Environmental law professor Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will be the keynote speaker at UnitedGREEN’s second Forging a Sustainable Future Symposium March 3 and 4, 2012 at San Diego State University.

 
January 30, 2012 (El Cajon) – Help is needed a family with a child and two dogs, all displaced by an early morning fire at the home they were renting. The house, built in the early 1900s, may be a total loss and damage is estimated at $180,000 including contents.

 Update January 31, 2012 - The Medical Examiner has identified the victim as Gordon Woodard, 41, of Santee.

 
January 30, 2012 (Santee) -- The Board of Directors of Padre Dam Municipal Water District appointed officers for 2012. The Board unanimously reappointed Bill Pommering as president, Augie Caires as vice president, and Doug Wilson as treasurer. Committee members were also appointed for 2012.

 
January 30, 2012 (El Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon Teen Coalition would like to recognize youth for making a difference in our community.  If you see, hear, or know of a youth who has gone the extra mile to improve the quality of life in our community, please take this opportunity to acknowledge and reward that effort. 

D.A. declines to prosecute felony conspiracy charge for protest at Mayor’s speech, following public pressure

By Miriam Raftery

January 29, 2012 (La Mesa) – First Amendment advocates expressed shock when San Diego Police arrested La Mesa resident Mike Garcia and three others on felony conspiracy charges--a tactic customarily reserved for grave offenses such as organized crime activities and drug trafficking.

Their purported crime? Interrupting Mayor Sanders’ state of the city speech with a brief “Mic-Check” protest over a free speech issue. 

 
January 29, 2012 (Washington D.C.) — Friday, Representatives Duncan Hunter (R-CA) and Tim Murphy (R-PA), introduced a bipartisan resolution with 100 original cosponsors, expressing gratitude to members of the U.S. Armed Forces for their service and sacrifice in Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn.  The resolution is available here.

 
January 29, 2012, (La Mesa) -- The Grossmont College Theatre Arts Department kicks off 2012 with its production "Inside The Actor's Process: Readers Theatre - The Theatre of the Imagination."  In this unique form of oral storytelling, space and time can stretch to create fantastic worlds and marvelous journeys that soar through the imagination.

January 29,2012 (San Diego’s East County) – If you’re driving in East County, please be aware of the following hazardous situations:

• A medical helicopter is en route to 1840 Buckman Springs Road in Cameron Corners, where a rollover accident has resulted in major injuries. The accident involves a van that went off the roadway near a fire station. The accident was reported at 11:08 a.m.
  
• A bicyclist, 17, has been hit head-on by a vehicle on Japatul Road at Hidden Glen. CHP is closing the roadway, CHP reported at 10:47 a.m. The victim was reportedly conscious and breathing.
  
• High wind warnings have been issued for I-8 from Alpine to the County line and CHP advises the area is unsafe for high-profile vehicles. A wind warning has also been issued in the Julian/mountain areas.
  
• In Alpine, Arnold remains closed at South Grade due to repairs from a water main break.

By Miriam Raftery

In an exclusive interview with ECM, Block shared his goals and recapped his legislative accomplishments. Last year, Block authored 14 bills that were signed into law by the Governor—more than any other Assemblymember. Bill topics ranged from helping veterans and military families to protecting safe drinking water. But most reflect his passion for strengthening public education for California’s children, teens and college students.