October 23, 2012 (El Cajon) -- Make plans to come to downtown El Cajon on October 26th for HauntFest On Main! The Promenade District and St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center will be hosting their first annual HauntFest on Main in Downtown El Cajon on Friday, October 26th from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.

October 25, 2012  --  (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/REGIONAL

• Scout files show abuse in county (U-T San Diego)
• La Mesa ready to allow beer and wine-making (U-T San Diego)
• U.S. to study cancer risk near San Onofre nuclear plant (KPBS)
• Appeals court deals another blow to sprawling Fanita Ranch project (Santee Patch)
• DeMaio once attacked tax hike he now champions (Voice of San Diego)
• U-T San Diego publishes questionable poll in mayoral race (LGTB Times/Free Press)
• California woman survives car bombing, husband’s double life (ABC)
• Another DeMaio scandal: U.S. attorney Laura Duffy (LGTB Weekly)
• San Vicente Dam reaches full height (FoxCT)

STATE

• California has lowered number of uninsured children (Sacramento Bee)
• Jerry Brown accuses anti-tax group of illegal money laundering (Sacramento Bee)
• Medical pot growers ravage state forest habitat (Sacramento Bee)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

October 25, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Water Company President Joel Scalzitti is squaring off against incumbent Helix Water District board member Richard K. Smith for the District 5 seat.  ECM sent a questionnaire to both candidates.  Smith declined to answer the questions, instead responding, “I refer you to my web site, www.richardsmithforhelixwaterdistrict5.com.

Scalzitti , who previously served on the Helix Board but left office 13 years ago due to residency questions as a result of a divorce, says he now meets residency requirements and owns and runs a  small ranch in Granite Hills.  He answered each question in detail and his responses are below.  Scalzitti’s website is http://www.joel4water.com/index.html

By Joel A. Harrision, PhD, MPH

October 25, 2012 (San Diego)--In June, during the Primaries, I was appalled to see on the front page of the U-T San Diego both op-eds supporting Carl DeMaio for mayor and a list of voting recommendations. Historically, American newspapers, at least over the past century, have kept separate their news and editorial departments as well as their respective pages.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

October 25, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--Wildfires are a major concern for us beginning today and into the weekend says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. Warm temperatures, with wind gusts anticipated to reach up to 60 mph in wind prone areas with relative humidity expected to be in the single digit area with little over-night recovery.

This warning applies to most all of the Southern California area. If a wildfire fire does develop under these conditions anticipate a rapid rate of spread due to low fuel moisture content!

October 24, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning, which means that critical fire weather conditions are occurring now or will shortly.A combination of strong Santa Ana winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures will create explosive wildland fire growth potential.

Highest winds of up to 65 mph are forecast for late Thursday evening through early Saturday afternoon, with strong and gusty northeast to east winds.  Dry conditions will continue through the weekend, though with weakening winds.

October 24, 2012 (La Mesa)—A suspect wielding what witnesses described as a “submachine gun”, attempted to hold up the Well Deck Liquor Company at 3773 Avocado Blvd. in the unincorporated area of San Diego County near La Mesa on October 20 around 11:07 a.m.  The suspect carried an orange backpack and as described as possibly Hispanic with blood shot eyes. He was dressed all in black including a cloth over his face. 

6 candidates in Grossmont Union High School District also tackle furloughs, Brown tax measure.

By Kristina Houck , Santee Patch

October 23, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--Assailing what he called the school board’s lack of transparency, Grossmont Union High School District candidate Bill Weaver told a forum Monday night that he was running because he doesn’t trust the current board members.

October 23, 2012 (San Carlos) – Italian and food lovers across America’s Finest City are about to celebrate one of San Diego’s oldest restaurants next month:  Nicolosi’s Italian Restaurant announced its plans for its 60th anniversary party today. The weeklong celebration will begin on Saturday, Nov. 10 with an Italian street fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. followed by a special four-course dinner. In addition, Nicolosi’s will feature a special menu showcasing its 1952 inspired dishes until Sunday, Nov.18.

“Sixty years of being in business is a landmark to celebrate,” said Ron Burner, owner of Nicolosi’s Italian Restaurant. “We want to thank the San Diego community for its loyal support during the past 60 years and making Nicolosi’s what it is today.”

October 23, 2012 (El Cajon) -- The Knox House museum at 280 N. Magnolia Avenue will have some special activities on October 26th during HauntFest.  Popular historical author Carroll Rice will be reciting a murder mystery shrouded by ambient candlelight.  Enjoy a spooky evening of storytelling and refreshments, compliments of the El Cajon Historical Society.

Boy, 12, spent day in park, sparked intensive search

Story by Nadin Abbott; photos by Tom Abbott

October 23, 2012 (Spring Valley)--At 6:40 p.m. last night, Sherriff’s Department officials confirmed that 12-year-old William Patrick Gear Jr. of Spring Valley was found “safe” at Berry City Park on Mt Vernon Street in Lemon Grove.

“They found him, they found him, thank you Jesus!” The boy’s grandmother exclaimed. As relatives rushed to a waiting vehicle William Gear told ECM that they were expecting the worst, and they were “very relieved.” View a video of the reunion.

By Miriam Raftery

View video of full third presidential debate

View text/transcript of third presidential debate

October 23, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) --In the third and final presidential debate last night, President Barack Obama and former Governor Mitt Romney shared their views on foreign policy issues including uprisings in the Mideast, political hot spots such as Iran and Syrian, relations with Israel, trade with China, and more.

On some issues, the candidates showed agreement, while on others they drew distinctions in their policy approaches.  Romney criticizsed some aspects of Obama’s record and praised others. Obama defended his record and faulted Romney for flip-flopping on numerous foreign policy issues.

October 22, 2012 (Washington D.C.) – In an open letter to the American people, 68 Nobel Prize winning scientists and physicians write:

“America’s economic future, the quality of our health, and the quality of our environment depend on our ability to continue America’s proud legacy of discovery and invention. As winners of the Nobel Prizes in science, we are proud of our contribution to the extraordinary advances American science has made in recent years. But we’re deeply concerned that without leadership and continued commitment to scientific research the next generation of Americans will not make and benefit from future discoveries.

October 16, 2012 (San Diego) – Not a banner day for our beloved democracy when a legitimate candidate for President of the United States is arrested simply for practicing her right to free speech.

But so it goes...

Jill Stein and Cheri Honkala, the Green Party presidential and vice-presidential nominees, were just forcibly prevented from entering the grounds of tonight's presidential debate and arrested by local police.

http://therenodispatch.blogspot.com/2012/10/breaking-news-green-party-ca...

October 22, 2012 (Lemon Grove) – A week after receiving an endorsement from the Lemon Grove Firefighters, Local 2728, the San Diego Deputy Sherriff's Association has unanimously endorsed both Council Member George Gastil and City Council candidate Racquel Vasquez to fill the two open Lemon Grove City Council seats up for election this November 6.

Gastil is seeking his second term on the City Council, while Vasquez, who currently serves as a City of Lemon Grove Planning Commissioner, is seeking her first.