By Miriam Raftery

March 25, 2012 (El Cajon ) – The body of Shaima Alawadi, the 32-year-old Iraqi mother of five who died following a brutal attack in El Cajon last week, will be flown to Iraq for burial. The Detroit Free Press reports that her father, Sayed Nabeel Alawadi, a Shia cleric, confirmed that the Iraqi government will pay for the shipping expense.

Her murder has sparked outrage around the globe--and a show of solidarity among students in distant places.

March 25, 2012 (Otay) A brush fire that began in a canyon at 5353 Airway Road in the Otay area is being fed by heavy winds, Incident Page Network reports.  A helicopter has been requested to aid with water drops at 4:56 p.m.

Santee Council to weigh resolution opposing power plant March 28;  San Diego Council to consider zoning change to allow facility on April 26

By Miriam Raftery

March 25, 2012 (San Diego/Santee) – Seventeen staffers from the California Energy Commission heard from concerned residents at a standing-room-only workshop on a proposed gas-fired power plant this week at Mission Trails Regional Park.  Over 60 residents filled out speaker cards to oppose the controversial project and dozens more packed the room.  

In emotionally charged testimony, residents pleaded for the project to be withdrawn or approval denied.  They voiced concerns over the dangers pose by wildfire and explosions as well as worries over noise, traffic, air pollution, visual blight, and impacts on wildlife, homes, schools, and Mission Trails Regional Park.

March 25, 2012 (Anza-Borrego) – Now is the chance to stay overnight in an authentic Mongolian gers during a weekend of events that will introduce the fascinating culture of Mongolia and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park’s connection to this intriguing country.

Throughout the weekend, talks will be given on the nomadic lifestyle, Mongolian wildlife, ABDSP’s Sister Park relationship, traditional dress, games and a photo slideshow that captures the beauty of this vast country and its people.

By Miriam Raftery

Update:  All charges against Kobulnicky have been dropped.  For full story, see

Update March 27, 2012 (San Diego)--At a bail review yesterday, the victim told the judge that she is certain Kobulnicky was not the person who reportedly raped her.  "This man is not the man at all, and I'll stick with that for as long as I live," she stated, 10 News reports. http://www.10news.com/news/30763732/detail.html.  The San Diego Tea Party has posted an interview with the woman on their website at http://www.sandiegopatriots.com . Kobulnicky remains in jail, however.

“The next time you decide to write a story like this one, I have a suggestion. Go bite a dog." -- Bill Horn staffer Anita Lightfoot, in an e-mail to Valley Roadrunner editor David Ross

By Miriam Raftery

March 24, 2012 (San Diego) – On Wednesday, March 28 at 9 a.m., Supervisors will vote on whether to abolish community planning groups or radically reduce their powers. Proposals made by developers on a "Red Tape Reduction Task Force: include making planning groups pay for appealing County decision, taking away liability insurance for volunteer community planners, and more.

 March 24, 2012 (La Mesa) -- It looks like a cannon ball with a handle, and it’s called a Kettlebell.  This small exercise tool has been used in Eastern Bloc countries for hundreds of years, and it has made it to the USA.  

March 24, 2012 (El Cajon) – On March 28 Cajon Valley Middle School is opening their doors to the public from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to showcase their new campus at 550 East Park Avenue, El Cajon.  The school is highlighting all the new programs taking place: computer labs, a community garden, newcomer classes, art, music and dance exhibitions, AVID and Writing for Change programs, an extended day program, athletics, clubs and tutorial support.

March 23, 2012 (San Diego) – Charles H. “Chuck” Latimer, 81, passed away on March 12 at his home in San Diego of natural causes.  A retired Pacific Bell employee, he was active in labor causes and political campaigns in San Diego and East County.