February 11, 2011 (San Diego) -- A jack-knifed semi truck on I-15 north of Rancho Bernardo Road continues to clog traffic during rush hour.  The accident, which occurred shortyl after 3 p.m. today, spilled more than 100 gallons of diesel fuel.  Three lanes remain closed as of 5:30 p.m. and CHP officers have been dispatched to replace cones after several motorists traveled into lanes that were shut down. A SIG alert remains in effect.

GUHSD BOARD VOTES TO MOVE FORWARD WITH DESIGN PLANS AND AVOID DELAY….FOR NOW

By Miriam Raftery

February 11, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – “Please keep your promise and build the new High School for us,” 12-year-old Alpine student Dominique Markowitz implored the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) board during last night’s meeting, echoing the sentiments of nearly everyone in an overflow crowd that filled three rooms.

Trustee Priscilla Schreiber successfully fought to prevent the Board from approving a proposal by the Superintendent to delay construction bids indefinitely. She also pushed fellow Board members to unanimously authorize submitting site design plans to the state’s Division of State Architects review board. The Board voted 5-0 to approve several other components of the Superintendent’s proposal to keep the project moving forward, but language to delay construction bidding indefinitely was removed from the resolution adopted.

Increase your enjoyment of living

By Sharon Courmousis, Sacred Rocks Reserve

February 11, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- Recently, I read about February 14-20 being the “Random Acts of Kindness” Week. Most of us have heard this phrase, but where did it come from and what does it really mean?

By David Smyle, La Mesa

February 11, 2011 (San Diego's East Count)--On Thursday February 10, the SD County Taxpayer Association held an informative breakfast on 401(k) plans for public employees. All County and City leaders were invited to attend for free--but only representatives from the City of San Diego, San Marcos, Oceanside, the Port Authority, SD County Water Authority and the SD Firefighters and Police Associations were present, besides the public.

Since no East County city or Other County officials or their representatives were in attendance, I guess they already had all the answers and had determined that this route was not for them. With Helix Water District currently under employee MOU negotiations and paying the most beneficial employee package of any public agency, it would have been nice to at least see one of the two negotiators in attendance for good PR even if they didn't plan to use the information.

By Jeremy Los

Story and photos by Ron Logan

February 10, 2011 (La Mesa): "This event turned out better than I ever could have imagined!" exclaimed Kim Fleming. "The outpouring of support from the students, teachers, and staff at Helix was overwhelming."

Fleming, a special education teacher, provided the heartbeat for the First Annual Games of Champions at Helix Charter High School. The inaugural event, held on February 9th at the school's Benton Hart Stadium, brought together the entire Helix High Community to support a demonstration of athletic prowess by some of the school's most special students.

February 8, 2011 (Spring Valley) – Two suspects in a dark minivan tried to kidnap a 12-year-old girl walking to La Presa Middle School at St. George and Ramona streets in Spring Valley at 8 a.m. this morning.

February 8, 2011 (La Mesa) -- La Mesa Police officers responded to a report of a robbery at Yum Yum Donuts, 7550 El Cajon Blvd., at 2:28 a.m. Two employees reported that a pair of armed male suspects stole cash, then fled on foot.

Editor’s note: San Diego’s Board of Supervisors is slated to consider this issue on Wed., Feb. 9.

By Dr. Richard Parker and Scott Barnett

February 8, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) --Like anything in life, there’s no use doing something quickly if it’s not going to be done right. The adage couldn’t be more relevant to the current effort to update San Diego County’s General Plan. The Board of Supervisors will soon meet again on the plan, and after years of hard work, dozens of meetings and an abundance of feedback from the community, there is an apparent rush to suddenly, unfortunately, and haphazardly complete the effort, despite very significant flaws that threaten the long-term economic viability of the unincorporated areas of our County.

Update 1:30 p.m.:  Residents are being allowed to return home to their mobilehome park after a two-inch break in the line has been secured, IPN reports.

February 7, 2011 (Lakeside) – Evacuations of residents are underway after a gas line break at 13594 I-8 Business Loop in Lakeside, Incident Page Network reports at 12:50 p.m.. A Hazmat crew has been dispatched.

The leak occured in a mobilehome park after a resident struck a line while digging in a yard, said Allison Zaragoza at San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). 

Updated February 9, 2011

February 7, 2011 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police Department reports that late Wednesday night, February 2, they received a call from a hospital. The hospital informed police that a woman patient alleges that she was raped at an El Cajon residence by a San Diego Police officer and a woman.

El Cajon Police is investigating the case. ECM news partner 10 News cites sources who indentifed the officer as SDPD Vice Detective Arthur Perea.

February 7, 2011 (San Diego's East County)-- Cal-Fire will be conducting a controlled burn today and tomorrow south of Pine Valley on the Corte Madera Ranch (south of I-8).

By Doug Deane 

February 6, 2011 (San Diego's East County)--The following local, state and national education news items are excerpted from a very informative e-newsletter published by Doug Deane, chair of the Business Education Committee at the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce.

Our picks for Deane’s top education stories from the latest issue include: