By Miriam Raftery

Photos: Rural residents rallied for protection from wind turbines after explosions; faith-based community leaders sought justice for immigrants outside County Administration Building at site that may soon be restricted for free speech rallies.

June 6, 2015 (San Diego)—For years, community groups and activists have rallied outside the County administration building where Supervisors meet to protest or urge support for various causes, from immigrant rights to stopping environmentally damaging projects, with rally organizers ranging from civil liberties advocates to conservative Tea Party groups. 

But under a new ordinance proposed for consideration on Tuesday’s agenda, people wishing to exercise First Amendment rights may be restricted to  designated “free speech zones” at the new Waterfront Park around the building, where you won’t be able to bring a megaphone, microphone, or even a chair on which to sit.  There will be noise limits and gatherings of 200 or more must obtain permits—meaning you’ll have to predict how many will show up for your event, or risk paying fines.

That’s not all.  The proposed ordinance would go farther,  changing codes regarding selling and advertising for all county parks and recreation facilities to regulate “other issues such as commercial photography, noise levels, and the prohibition on posting or affixing materials on park property.”

East County News Service

June 5, 2015 (Spring Valley) – The Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Station will hold a coffee with the community at Cali Comfort Restaurant, 8910 Troy Street in Spring Valley.  The event will be on Thursday, July 16 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

East County News Service

June 5, 2015 (Sacramento)--Assemblyman Brian Jones’ (R-Santee) legislation to conform California law to the federal “Made in America” standard, which is used by every other state in the country, passed the Assembly on May 26^th.

(June 4, 2015 ) -- Dr. Nabil S. Abu-Ghazaleh, president of West Los Angeles College, has been named president of Grossmont College effective July 1.

Story by Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: "Would you want these kids breathing that, every day for 15 years?" -- Jessica Webb

June 5, 2015 (Lakeside) –  Imagine up to 250 trucks a day – one every minute and a half—hauling sand along a rural  road right in front of your house--five days a week for the next 15 years or more in El Monte Valley, if a sand mining developer has his way.  It gets worse:  noise and dust from sand mining operations clogging the area, kicking up potentially deadly Valley Fever spores lurking in soil here, where several El Monte Valley residents have already contracted the disease. 

The sand loads would be transported for use on highways, roadways and other aggregate projects across San Diego County—potentially bringing sand  laden with Valley Fever spores to construction projects near you.  All thanks to a deal cut by Helix Water District to settle litigation over a golf course and water reclamation deal gone sour on land that Helix owned in El Monte Valley, a county-designated scenic view corridor.

This project has the Orwellian-like name “El Monte Nature Preserve” though all parties including the developer concede it is first and foremost a mining operation that will strip bare the valley for decades, lowering the valley floor 30 feet with dredging  far deeper in places, in a project three times wider than Lake Jennings.

Story and photos by Miriam Raftery

June 4, 2015 (Lemon Grove)—Five local living legends were honored on May 29^th at the Lemon Grove Library, where their portraits by prominent artist Mona Mills were unveiled.  Those honored reflect a diverse cross section of our community, each with stories to tell.

May 28, 2015 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you to “eat your heart out” at the 7^th annual Taste of La Mesa, featuring tastings from 29 local restaurants.  This year’s event will be held on Monday, June 8 from 6-8 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center (4975 Community Drive).

Driven: When Obstacles Take Center Stage

June 4, 2015 (Poway) - Sunday, June 14, at 11:15AM,  St. Bartholomew’s own Magetta Chantiloupe (immigrant, single mother-of-four, entrepreneur, and Registered Investment Advisor) shares stories and wisdom from her book Driven: When Obstacles Take Center Stage immediately following 10:15 service. Chantiloupe, a distinguished speaker on the roles of faith, hope, willpower, and positive thinking in overcoming harsh difficulties, will provide signed copies of her book at a “St. Bart’s discount." See book review

"Why did San Diego County YMCA's board vote in 2013 to have all branches in our region stop issuing affordable youth memberships? Under the new policy, instead of paying just $80 to $100 a year for a child 12 or younger to use the Y’s facilities, users must purchase a family membership at a cost of about $1,000 per year. Are they really saying that if kids' parents aren't interested or can't afford to join, then the Y isn't interested in the kids?" -- Joel Harrison, PhD, MPH

By Joel A. Harrison, PhD, MPH

June 4, 2015 (San Diego) — The following can be found on the website of the U.S. National YMCA Headquarters:

By Lemon Grove Historical Society president Helen Ofield

Story and photos by Susan A Mahalick

June 3, 2015 (Cantamar, Mexico)--Robin MacKenzie, proprietor of Black Cross winery in Cantamar up in the hills helps to support Pretty Horse Rescue owned by Krystal Redmon. Robin had her first anniversary party on a fine May afternoon overlooking the hills surrounding the property where both businesses coexist.

Grey or silver Honda with CA license 4NOG855 sought by Sheriff

June 3, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - San Diego County Crime Stoppers and investigators from the Ramona and Poway Sheriff's stations want your help to identify and find two unknown suspects wanted in a series of vehicle burglaries.

June 3, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) -- As drought conditions continue to increase fire danger in the region, CAL FIRE has suspended all burn permits for outdoor open residential burning within the State Responsibility Area of San Diego and Imperial Counties. This suspension takes effect June 1, 2015 and bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris including branches and leaves.

By Miriam Raftery

June 1, 2015 (El Cajon)—Last week, we reported that parents in El Cajon have filed a lawsuit Ametek Aerospace & Defense, alleging that the company’s underground toxic waste dumping  is causing illness among children at Magnolia Elementary School next door. 

Now the Cajon Valley School District Board has voted unanimously to close down the school for the current school year.  All students and staff will be relocated to Bostonia Elementary School.

June 2 ,2015 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL

• Entire Borrego Springs Community Now Powered By Microgrid (KPBS)
• 92-Year-Old Becomes Oldest Woman to Finish Marathon (NBC San Diego)
• Pension system returns to in-house CIO (U-T)
• We’re Suing the City of Carson (Voice of SD)
• CPUC judge had backchannel talk (U-T)
• San Diego County Brings Back Saturday Wedding Service (KPBS)
• Desal Deal Leaves San Diego With Extra Water in Drought (Voice of San Diego)
• Longtime residents will bear water conservation burden (San Diego Reader)
• SDG&E Wants Solar Customers to Pay Up (Voice of SD)
• San Diego’s infrastructure neglect makes drought even worse (UT San Diego)

STATE

• California Doctors, Dentists To Rally For Higher Medi-Cal Pay (KPBS)
•  Civil-liberties bills to watch (U-T)
• Court upholds Schwarzenegger reduction of Nunez prison sentence (Sac Bee)
• CPUC has tapped another defense lawyer (U-T)
• L.A. labor union leaders seek minimum wage exemption for firms with union workers (Los Angeles Times)
• In Los Angeles, homeless camps are suddenly everywhere (APM Marketplace)
• Sacramento Report: The Other Housing Bills on the Block (Voice of San Diego)
• California Panel Mandates Low-Water Lawns On New Buildings (KPBS)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.