Second transient beating in a week raises questions in this rural town

By Miriam Raftery

May 9, 2012 (Ramona) – Sheriff’s deputies have arrested Tanner Hendee, 19, for the severe beating of a homeless man found unconscious yesterday morning.

May 7, 2012 (La Mesa) – The “Sundays at Six” summer concert series will be held in the amphitheater at Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden Street in La Mesa on Sundays, at 6:00 p.m. during June, July and August.  In honor of the City’s centennial celebration each concert will celebrate the music of the ten decades from 1912 to 2012.

May 7, 2012 (San Diego) -- Richard C. Atkinson, who served as chancellor of the University of California, San Diego for15 years, was barely four weeks into his tenure as president of the University of California system when the UC Regents voted to end affirmative action in August 1995.

How he dealt with the admissions wars—the political, legal and academic consequences of that historic and controversial decision, as well as the issue of governance—is discussed in a new book by Patricia Pelfrey recently released by the University of California Press entitled The Entrepreneurial President: Richard Atkinson and the University of California, 1995-2003.

May 7, 2012 (El Cajon) – Stephen Watson, a Christian High Grad, won the NCAA PacWest Div II Men’s Golf championship April 24.  He was honored with PacWest Co-Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and is a member of the All-Conference First Team.

Watson captured the individual title by recording a five-under-par 211.  On the final day of the tournament he carded his second 69 of the tournament, finishing (69-73-69) after entering the day in a four-way tie for second place. Watson wins the tournament in the Lancers' first season as a member of the conference. He was one of just two players to shoot under par in the final round.

 Update 2:05 p.m. - The suspect is identified as Kenny Lee Walker, 45. 

"Deputies have the place surrounded and under containment. We're still trying to convince him to come out," Detective Tom Poulin told ECM. However the suspect has made threats to harm himself and officers. He says he's going to shoot it out with deputies and then shoot himself," said Poulin, who added that the suspect was wanted for slashing his wife's tires and is believed to be armed with a handgun.  

Update 10:50 a.m.  -- Lindo Lake Elementary and El Capitan High schools are on lockdown as a precaution, ECM news partner 10 News now reports.

May 7, 2012 (Lakeside) 10:40 a.m. – A suspect who wanted on a domestic violence charge has barricaded himself into a residence on Lakeshore Drive in Lakeside.  The suspect is believed to be armed. 

“They’re going to call a SWAT team out,” Detective Tom Poulin with the Sheriff’s substation in Santee told EC, while en route to the situation.  The suspect has been wanted for “a couple of days,” he added.

May 6, 2012 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Chamber is hosting a special evening mixer at North Island Credit Union, 7968 El Cajon Blvd., La Mesa on May 9 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  It is an opportunity to meet the business banking team from NICU.

May 6, 2012 (San Diego) – Bleu Boheme  in Kensington is celebrating Mother’s Day with a special Brunch Prix Fixe on May 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.   The three course meal includes hors d’oeuvres, entree and dessert for $39.95 per person. 

May 6, 2012 (La Mesa)—A transient who destroyed a room at the Motel 6 barricaded himself in a room late last night triggered a response from the La Mesa Police Department’s Special Response Team (SRT) and temporary evacuation of the motel. 

Update May 6:  Staff has now recommended that Chief Ghio be kept on at up to 40-hours a week (maximum of 960 hours through Dec.