THE SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPARTMENT CHRISTMAS TOY DELIVERY DEC. 21

 
December 20, 2011 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Police Department is holding its annual Mid-City Division Christmas toy delivery on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 beginning at 6:00 a.m. T
he toy delivery will be held at the Multicultural Storefront at 5348 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92105.

 


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READER’S EDITORIAL: SDG&E WINS AGAIN; CONSUMERS AND FIRE VICTIMS LOSE


By Tom Myers
 
December 20, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) --The CPUC has approved SDG&E’s request to pass the cost of increased wildfire liability costs on to consumers.
 
Let's see...In testimony before the Powerlink was constructed, SDG&E said their
Power lines do not cause wildfire. The EIR said the Powerlink will cause wildfire during its expected life. CPUC approved the Powerlink. SDG&E changed their story and admitted they caused several 2007 wildfires in East County. CPUC fined SDG&E for lying to them, but let them proceed with Sunrise Powerlink.

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SHERIFF’S YOU ARE NOT ALONE PROGRAM BRIGHTENS HOLIDAYS FOR SENIORS


December 20, 2011 (San Diego) -- Senior  Volunteer  Patrol  (SVP)  members  are  making sure the season is merry and bright for seniors who live alone. They  will  be  delivering  holiday  baskets  or  hot  meals  this month to seniors enrolled in the Sheriff’s You Are Not Alone (YANA) program.
 
The program ensures daily telephone calls and a weekly visit from a Senior Volunteer Patrol team year‐ round. If no one picks up the phone during the daily calls, a welfare  check  is  also  conducted. This  is a  FREE  service  for disabled people and seniors who live by themselves within the jurisdiction of the Sheriff’s Department. To enroll, please call (858) 565‐5200.

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BILL GARRETT RETURNS AS GROSSMONT-CUYAMACA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD PRESIDENT IN 2012


December 20, 2011 (San Diego East County) -- The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board has unanimously selected Bill Garrett to serve a fifth term as president, while Mary Kay Rosinski and Edwin Hiel were elected to serve as fellow board officers for 2012. Garrett has served since 2008 as board president for the East County district, with about 30,000 students at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges.

 


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ROLLOVER ACCIDENT ON WILDCAT CANYON ROAD


December 20, 2011 (Lakeside) -- At 1:22 p.m. today there was a single vehicle rollover accident at Wildcat Canyon Road and Muth Valley Road in Lakeside. The accident blocked Wildcat Canyon Road in both directions at Old Barona Road, and at Willows Road. One fatality has been confirmed.  


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KITTENS, CATS & DOGS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION - JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

 


December 20, 2011 (El Cajon) -- There are plenty of kittens, cats and dogs (large & small), even bunnies, all available for adoption at the El Cajon Animal Shelter. One fee includes their vaccinations, microchip, spay or neuter, as well as a visit to the vet.  In addition to adoptions, the shelter provides many services for the Cities of El Cajon and La Mesa.

 


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EL CAJON POLICE HOLIDAY STOREFRONT NOW OPEN AT WESTFIELD PARKWAY

 


December 20, 2011 (El Cajon) -- Take a break from shopping and visit the El Cajon Police Holiday Storefront in the Westfield Parkway Plaza mall near the entrance to Dick's Sporting Goods store "now" through December 30. Stop by and see the restored 1942 Police vehicle, law enforcement photos and displays, plus valuable safety information from both police and fire. The storefront will be open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

 


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LEONARD SMITH,OWNER OF LEONARD SMITH REALTY DIES


December 19, 2011 (La Mesa) -- The death of Leonard
 Smith, owner of Leonard Smith Realty on Grossmont Boulevard was confirmed Friday morning, December 16, by his son David.
 
According to his website, he began his real estate career in La Mesa in 1946. A charter member of the La Mesa Board of Realtors and past president, he was instrumental in organizing their Multiple Listing Service. He maintained a La Mesa office for 50+ years, enjoying a reputation of the highest integrity while specializing in selling fine homes in the Mt. Helix and East County areas.

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LAKESIDE FIRE STATION GRAND OPENING

 

By Betty McMillen

December 19, 2011 (Lakeside) -- Dignitaries and VIPs braved the blustery wind for the grand opening of the new Lakeside Fire District Administration Office and combination Fire Station #2 on December 16.  It was branded a "sneak preview" since the station has about two weeks worth of finishing work to be done by the contractors.  Firefighters are hoping to be moved into the now empty 24,000 square foot structure by mid-January. 


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SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION POINSETTIA BOWL


December 19, 2011 (San Diego) -- The seventh annual San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl kicks off at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21 at Qualcomm Stadium and features Texas Christian University and Louisiana Tech University.

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EXPANDED TROLLEY SERVICE FOR POINSETTIA BOWL DEC. 21

Fans encouraged to travel early to see TCU take on Louisiana Tech

December 19, 2011(San Diego) -- The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is expanding Trolley service for the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl on December 21. Kickoff is at 5 p.m. and fans can park for free at MTS park-and-rides to avoid traffic and parking hassles.
 

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HOME INVASION IN LA MESA

 
December 19, 2011 (La Mesa)—A man taking out his trash outside an apartment complex at 7407 Alvarado Road was accosted by a gunman at 11:09 p.m. last night. The gunman forced the man into his apartment and ordered the victim and his wife to get on the ground; they complied.
 


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HELIX WINS! LA MESA TEAM CAPTURES STATE CIF CHAMPIONSHIP 35-24

By Miriam Raftery

December 18, 2011 (La Mesa) – The Sacramento Bee called the Helix Highlanders “near perfect”, describing the football team as “a mixture of speed, power and fury…storming to a 28-10 halftime lead, scoring three touchdowns in a blur with their array of dazzling skill players sprinting downfield.” 

Ken Stone, editor of La Mesa Patch.com, was at the big game in Loomis, north of Sacramento. Topping what Stone dubbed a “magical season” with a 13-1 record, the team squared off against the Del Oro Golden Eagles, a formidable force with a 13-2 record.


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HEAD-ON COLLISION IN JAMUL

 

December 18, 2011 (Jamul) – CHP reports a head-on collision on Highway 94 at Indian Springs in Jamul. The crash now involves three vehicles, a black SUV, a small white sedan, and a black mid-sized sedan. CHP, Cal-Fire and Border Patrol are now at the scene and an ambulance has been called.


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SEC CHARGES FORMER FANNIE MAE AND FREDDIE MAC EXECUTIVES WITH SECURITIES FRAUD


 “All individuals, regardless of their rank or position, will be held accountable for perpetuating half-truths or misrepresentations about matters materially important to the interest of our country's investors." -- Robert Khuzami, Director, SEC Enforcement Division

 

December 18, 2011 (Washington D.C.) --The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has charged six former top executives of the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) with securities fraud. 


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PROTEST PLANNED MONDAY IN SAN DIEGO TO URGE PRESIDENTIAL VETO ON BILL ALLOWING INDEFINITE DETENTION OF U.S. CITIZENS

 

December 18, 2011 (San Diego) --San Diegans to Save the Bill of Rights, a coalition of local activists from progressive  groups, plan a sit-in at San Diego County Democratic Party offices beginning Monday, December 19.


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WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY ISSUED FOR MOUNTAINS

December 18, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for mountain areas in San Diego County and other southern California mountain locations. Scattered snow showers are expected early this afternoon with the snow level falling to 4500 feet. Locations where snow is forecast include Cuyamaca, Mount Laguna, and Ranchita locally.


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BODY OF MISSING MAN FOUND

 

 

On Monday, December 19, the search for Dan Hoff resumed.  At approximately 10:20 a.m., ASTREA discovered a body with a gun lying next to it, in the rural brush area on the back side of Iron Mountain.  The body was subsequently recovered and positively identified as Mr. Hoff.  The body sustained a single gunshot wound, apparently self-inflicted in a suicide.

Confirmation of the cause of death will be made by the Medical Examiner’s Office pending further investigation.

 


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WOMAN ARRESTED IN LA MESA FOR MURDER OF GREAT-AUNT IN TIERRASANTA

December 17, 2011 (La Mesa)—Tiffany Burney, 23, of San Diego was arrested this morning on Parkside Drive in La Mesa by San Diego Police homicide detectives. She is charged with the murder of her grandmother’s sister, Daisy Mae Hayes, 74.


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PG&E RECONNECTS ELECTRICITY FOR SIX FAMILIES WHO REMOVED SMART METERS


December 17, 2011 (La Mesa) -- PG&E, the utility that turned off the electricity for six families that had switched out smart meters for analog meters due to health problems that they believed were related to the wireless meters, has now reconnected them with electricity. 


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CAJON VALLEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION HOLDS BREAKFAST WITH SANTA DEC. 19


December 17, 2011 (El Cajon) -- Hometown Buffet in El Cajon at 390 Main Street will be the site of a breakfast with Santa on Monday, December 19, 2011 from 7:00 until 9:00 a.m. Kids may wear their P.J.s!
 
Breakfast includes:
Scrambled eggs, sausage, oatmeal, fruit, coffee, milk, orange juice, tea, hash browns, pancakes, & toast.
 

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DOE GIVES $700,000 ROOFTOP SOLAR CHALLENGE AWARD TO CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY


Project to streamline and standardize procedures and permitting for solar energy systems throughout Southern California
 
December 17, 2011 (San Diego) --  As part of the Department of Energy’s $12 million Rooftop Solar Challenge, the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) was awarded $700,000 to lead a team of 11 jurisdictions and five utilities across Southern California to streamline and standardize the installation of solar systems. The regional team will develop guidelines for expedient and uniform permitting and connection of rooftop solar aimed at reducing the cost of solar installations and making solar cost-competitive with other energy sources.

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FIRE PARCEL FEE POSTPONED

By Miriam Raftery

December 17, 2011 (Sacramento)—The State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has withdrawn its proposed fire parcel fee for further revisions and will reexamine the fee level in January.


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GIFTS TO HELP REFUGEES: INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE PRESENTS LIST AND SAVES LIVES

 December 17, 2011 (San Diego) –This holiday season, the International Rescue Committee offers options for socially conscious, eco-friendly and financially prudent shoppers – Rescue Gifts that save and improve lives of refugees and others hit by war and natural disaster.  

San Diego County last year welcomed more refugees than any other U.S. county, making this especially meaningful here. At Rescue.org/Gifts, holiday shoppers can choose Rescue Gifts to dedicate to friends or family members, including:


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HELIX CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL PLAYS FOR CIF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS SATURDAY, DEC. 17


December 16, 2011 (La Mesa) -- The game for the state championship in Division II will be played in Carson, California on December 17. Helix will play Del Oro, Loomis at 4:00 p.m. The game will be covered live on Cox Channel 4 in the San Diego area.
 


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READER'S EDITORIAL: SAN DIEGO COUNTY GENERAL PLAN UPDATE FATALLY FLAWED

 by Scott Barnett & Richard Parker

 
December 16, 2011(Alpine) -- 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. Rather than proceeding forward in the face of significant resident opposition and well-considered questions about the Plan, the Board of Supervisors should direct staff to get it right before it is ultimately approved. 

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READER’S EDITORIAL: SAN DIEGO MOM ASKS CONGRESS TO EXTEND UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND KEEP HER FAMILY OFF THE STREETS

 By Vanessa Celia Winters, San Diego

 
December 16, 2011 (San Diego) -- I am a Wal-Mart associate who supports three children, and an unemployed husband. My husband was laid off due to the economic recession and has been on unemployment ever since. I work odd hours at Wal-Mart just to earn enough money to feed my family.

 


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WINTER STORM BRINGS ROAD CLOSURES IN MOUNTAINS; WEATHER-RELATED ACCIDENTS CAUSE FURTHER TRAFFIC HAZARDS


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CONGRESS AVERTS GOVERNMENT SHUT-DOWN, BUT BATTLE LOOMS OVER PAYROLL TAX CUT, UNEMPLOYMENT, AND OTHER KEY ISSUES

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 16, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – Final votes are expected today in both houses on a compromise funding measure to avoid a government shut-down--just in time for the holiday adjounrment. 


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GIFTS FROM THE EAST – PART II: OUR GUIDE TO SPECIAL GIFTS FROM EAST COUNTY

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 14, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) –Doing our part to support our local economy, we bring you more delightful gift ideas from Mom-and-Pop retailers in our community. (If you missed part I, click here:  http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/7950 )  Scroll down to see our newest additions. Shopping locally not only helps support local merchants, artists and artisans and grows our local tax base, it also means you can view gifts first-hand, find some special items, get personalized service, and not worry whether items shipped from far away will arrive in time for the holidays.


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