Update, August 21, 2015:  Donna Tisdale notified us that the backcountry "celebration over the death of Soitec's Boulevard projects was a bit premature. Today, County staff informed me that Soitec is going to remove the 160 cargo containers full of potentially toxic batteries from their Rugged Solar project and will resubmit the revised EIR for certification by the Board of Supervisors. (Back in February, Soitec self-terminated their Tierra Del Sol Solar project just 1 month after receiving Board approval due to a lack of buyers.) Staff is trying to docket the revised EIR for the Board agenda by October so they can meet the Court's order to report back by November 2nd on how they plan to comply," adds Tisdale, who concludes, "The battle to save the backcountry continues."

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: A Soitec solar panel in Newbury Springs, California

August 20, 2015 (Boulevard) – The last of four massive solar projects proposed by Soitec Solar in Boulevard may now be officially dead.

On August 7^th, Superior Court Judge Joel R. Wohlfeil  overturned County Supervisors’ approvals of Soitec’s Rugged Acres and Tierra del Sol projects,  because the approvals violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)  Soitec and the County failed to file an appeal by the August 14^th deadline, says Donna Tisdale, chair of the Boulevard Planning Group and founder of Backcountry Against Dumps, which filed the lawsuit aiming to halt the project. View the court's judgment.

“Soitec’s Boulevard projects, approved for 1,200 acres, are now dead and buried!” Tisdale wrote in an email to project opponents. Any new projects proposed for those sites would need to start all over at step one,” requiring a new environmental impacts review, a lengthy and costly process. “I have asked the County for details on when they will set aside their voided approvals, as mandated by the court,” Tisdale added.

East County News Service

August 19, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – An Avian Flu outbreak has caused 48,000 chickens and other poultry to be  put to death to prevent spread of the deadly disease, CBS news reports.  That’s caused the price of eggs to skyrocket—and has left some restaurant owners scrambling to find substitute ingredients.

August 18, 2015 (El Cajon) --The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College is offering a free sprinkler repair and maintenance class this Saturday, Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

By Janis Russell

August 17, 2015 (El Cajon)- On Friday August 14, the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce hosted its 2^nd Dine and Dialogue with Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, who spoke on issues including education, social justice, health care,  business opportunities , the minimum wage, and the state budget.

East County News Service

August 20, 2015 (El Cajon)—El Cajon Police  responded to a 911 call reporting a possible shooting last night at 7:15 p.m. at an apartment complex at 989 Peach Avenue in El Cajon. Officers found the victim, a black man about 40 years old, lying on the ground in the parking lot suffering from a gunshot wound.

He was transported to a hospital for treatment, but later died of his injuries. His name has not been released pending notification of family.

By Miriam Raftery

August 19, 2015 (El Cajon)—About 250 to 300 Iraqis from multiple religions and beliefs united in a demonstration in El Cajon on Saturday, standing in solidarity with people across Iraq who have taken to the streets to demand governmental reforms.  Mass protests in Iraq followed a cut-off of electricity amid sweltering heat.

Free Dive-In Movie at the La Mesa Municipal Pool

August 19, 2015 (La Mesa) -- Dive in and enjoy the movie Rio (rated PG) at the La Mesa Municipal Pool on August 21, presented by the City of La Mesa and the La Mesa Park and Recreation Foundation. The movie is free to the public and will be shown on a large screen. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m., and movie screening at 8:00 p.m..



Bring your swimsuits and something to float on to watch the movie from the pool, or a lawn chair to sit on the pool deck if you prefer to stay dry.

East County News Service

Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture

August 18, 2015 (La Mesa)-- State, federal and County of San Diego officials have announced that 93 square miles covering portions of San Diego City and East County communities have been put under quarantine after the discovery of four Mediterranean fruit flies — a dangerous pest that can infest more than 250 crops.

The Supporting Cast runs August 14 - September 13

By Kathy Carpenter, www.sdtheatrereviews.com Associate and Youth Reviewer

August 19, 2015 (La Mesa) - The Supporting Cast, is not a title of a play that grabs me and says “Hey, you need to see me.” However, the play it turns out is aptly named. The title is the name of a book the lead actor in the play wrote. The book is about people who are all married to famous people - thus the supporting cast. These are the heroes behind the celebrities who would not be who they are without the support of their loved one standing behind them. The wonderful support of the entire cast makes the play a hit.

East County News Service

August 17, 2015 (Sacramento)--California’s Department of Education is being sued for denying access to records on the number of students who are English language learners.  The Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area and Public Counsel has filed a lawsuit in Sacramento County Superior Court to obtain the records pursuant to the California Public Records Act.

By Miriam Raftery

August 18, 2015 (San Diego)--State Senator Ben Hueso, a Democrat from the San Diego region, announced this week that Senate Bill 415, a measure that will dramatically increase voter turnout in local elections, passed the State Senate on a 26-12 vote and is now headed to the Governor’s desk for his signature.   Local governments with voter turnout 25% less than the average turnout in that city will be required to consolidate their elections with state elections.

East County News Service

August 17, 2015 (Otay) –An agent from the U.S. Border Patrol found the body of a Hispanic man alongside a roadway in unincorporated San Diego County at 6 a.m. on the morning of August 12, 2015. “The man had been shot multiple times in the upper body and died as a result of his injuries,” said Lieutenant John Maryon with the Sheriff’s homicide detail.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Boltman's Facebook page for fans

August 19, 2015 (San Diego)—Striking a blow for Chargers’ fans, Dan Jauregui,  a loyal fan known as the “Boltman” fired off a letter yesterday to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL Chief legal officer Anastasia Danias. The letter contends that moving the Chargers to Carson is a violation of both the NFL constitution’s bylaws and the federal Sherman Antitrust Act.

“Me and other loyal  Chargers fans are prepared to spearhead an initiative to force the City to file a lawsuit against the NFL unless the League and the Chargers enter into serious talks to keep the team in San Degio,” Jauregui’s letter states. 

East County News Service

August 16, 2015 (Salton Sea) – The National Weather Service confirmed yesterday that a severe storm that tore through Mecca on the north shore of the Salton Sea on August 6 was a tornado that caused over $10 million in damages.

August 17, 2015 (El Cajon ) -- Chris Prokop, president of the Cajon Valley Education Association, the teacher’s union for Cajon Valley Union School District, will be the featured speaker at the East County Democratic Club’s meeting on August 20^th at MJ’s Restaurant, 526 North Second Street in El Cajon.  Social hour and dinner starts at 6 p.m. with program at 7 p.m.