By Mark Gabrish Conlan

October 6, 2012 (San Diego)—The first general election Presidential debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney concluded on October 3, entering into history. It had become one of those events that seemed important because everybody — or at least all the political pundits — were saying it would be important. In an election in which the recent polls had shown Obama gaining slight but significant leads in many of the so-called “swing states,” the nine or so across the country where the balance between Democrats and Republicans is so delicate the election could go either way, the debates have been hailed as Romney’s last chance to turn things around.

"Alpine could be the first of a district-wide peel off! This GUHSD Governing Board needs a wake-up call." -- Bill Weaver

By Bill Weaver, GUHSD Governor Board candidate and parent

The current Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) Board majority, which includes up for re-election incumbent Dr. Gary Woods, has shot themselves in the foot with recent bad policy decisions. They claim declining enrollment, and loss of Average Daily Attendance (ADA) funds as the justifying basis.

The GUHSD Board has passed a resolution to not move ahead with the 12th High School, until California State ADA funding returns to the higher 2007/08 levels. This has the Alpine Union School District, and the Alpine High School Citizens Committee, currently mounting an effort to pull out of the GUHSD.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Spark Photography / Provided by KPBS

October 6, 2012 (San Diego) – Broadcast journalist Gloria Penner, a pioneer in local broadcasting and a leading voice at KPBS radio/TV station on the San Diego State University campus for more than half a century, died today of pancreatic cancer. She was 81. 

Her death comes just days before the Women’s History Museum was slated to hold a special tribute to Penner at an October 13 “Broads in Broadcasting” celebration of women who broke through the barriers in the broadcast world.

October 6, 2012 (El Cajon) -- Considered to be one of the largest community events in the East County, the annual El Cajon Safety & Career Expo is being held Saturday, October 13th, at 100 E. Lexington Avenue from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

After a special noon welcome ceremony, the El Cajon Police Department will have a special Police K-9 demonstration.  San Diego Gas & Electric and Mission Federal Credit Union are our title sponsors, both dedicated to education in the community.  Stop by their booths for valuable safety information and get a fire badge sticker and red fire helmet for the children.

October 6, 2012 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon Safety and Career Expo will take place October 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fire Station 6, 100 East Lexington Ave., El Cajon.  This year’s event will honor the city’s centennial.  Heartland Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Rick Sitta will host the noon welcome ceremony that includes a tribute to responders and a tribute to the City of El Cajon’s Centennial.

October 6, 2012 (San Diego) – The Scripps Ranch Fire Safe Council will host its 6th annual “Play to Protect” Charity Golf Tournament on October 20 at The Vineyard Golf Course, 925 San Pasqual Rd., Escondido.  The event begins at 1 p.m. and features a fun day of golf and a selection of auction items and raffle prizes.

October 5, 2012 (San Diego) – The California Public Utilities Commission will hold a public hearing on SDG&E profits on October 5 at 7 p.m. in the Al Bahr Shriners Hall, 5440 Kearny Mesa Road.

The utility has repeatedly sought rate hikes. But SDG&E already has among the highest profit rates in the United States at 11.1%. Further, a recent study by The Utility Reform Network (TURN) indicates a 9.4% profit would be a fairer rate that would enable energy bills to be reduced by $50 a year for the average family. The public is invited to testify at the hearing.

By Brian Lafferty

Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox

October 5, 2012 (San Diego) -- Another week, another Liam Nelson film.  Taken 2 is his fourth this year alone.  First came The Grey, a gritty action survival film set in Alaska that packed a psychological punch.  The second was the wretched Wrath of the Titans, which right now is my pick for the worst film of the year.  Following that was Battleship, a stupid and turgid alien invasion flick that cribbed the worst elements of Michael Bay’s films.  Taken 2 does nothing to better Neeson's batting average this year, but at least it's somewhat more tolerable than Wrath and Battleship.  But that isn't saying much.

By Brian Lafferty

Photo courtesy of Magnet Releasing.

October 5, 2012 (San Diego) – V/H/S is a twisted ode to the videotape, a once-venerable technology that is becoming an increasingly forgotten relic in the high definition digital age.  Taking the best elements of the found footage genre and integrating it with the anthology film format, it made me scared, anxious, and queasy.  Each story, helmed by a different director, uses the found footage genre to its fullest potential, with scary, disturbing and unsettling results. 

October 5, 2012 (La Mesa) – Oktoberfest has been a tradition in La Mesa for 35 years, growing from a small street fair to a three-day fest that now draws over 186,000 attendees and 400 vendors. La Mesa Chamber has partnered with La Mesa Village Merchants Association, founders of the event. 

This year’s festivities include not only such German favorites as bratwurst, beer, and a Raving Polka band, but also more contemporary favorites such as CarTune Dogs playing classic rock and Jumpin’ Jack Flash mobile music all weekend long.

Photos, video and story by Billy Ortiz

October 5, 2012 (Lakeside)—Shots rang out at 6:24 yesterday morning after an intruder stabbed a resident in the 15000 block of El Monte Road in Lakeside.  According to Sergeant Tom Poulin with the Santee Sheriff’s Department, as the intruder was fleeing the scene in the car he was attempting to steal from the resident, the resident shot off a couple of gun rounds.

October 5, 2012 (El Cajon)--El Cajon Police responded to calls reporting gunshots heard in the 1300 block of Oakdale this evening at 7:40 p.m. Upon arrival, officers found a 22-year-old man with a non-life threatening gunshot wound to his leg.

"Officers were able to determine there was some type of argument in the street just prior to the shooting. The victim was transported to an area hospital. It is unclear at this time what led to the shooting," said Lt. Mike Moulton.

By Miriam Raftery

“Fix the poverty rate and schools, then long term we will have a great city.” – Chris Shamoon

October 2, 2012 (El Cajon )—Chris Shamoon has big dreams for El Cajon. A successful business owner and recent law school graduate, Shamoon says he was approached by local business owners to run for El Cajon City Council. His platform extends far beyond the business community, as he seeks to represent needs of all people in the city—and tackle head-on the root causes of poverty, health and education problems dismissed by some candidates as unsolvable or not the role of the city to address.

Shamoon, one of seven candidates vying for three seats on the Council, shared his vision in an exclusive interview with ECM.

October 4, 2012 --  (San Diego’s East County) – ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflecting all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• Loose seats on American Airline flights ground planes  (WAFB TV)
• Ahead of presidential debates, polls show Obama ahead on key issues (Washington Post)
• Mitt Romney would allow waivers to DREAMers (NBC)
• Most swing states are better off today (LA Times)
• Supreme Court rejects appeal on airport scanners (Reuters)
• China farm sues Obama over blocked wind farm deal (BBC)
• Obama blocks Chinese company from owning Oregon wind farm (Fox)
• Montana governor sees big savings with new state health clinic (Reuters)
• Intelligence effort named citizens, not terrorists(UT San Diego)

WORLD

• U.S. intelligence now says Benghazi attacks deliberate (Reuters)
• Pesticide use ramping up as GMO crop technology backfires: study (Reuters)
• Nigeria probes student killings (BBC)
• The Arab Spring becomes a Western Winter (Jewish World Review)
• California man behind anti-Islam film arrested

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

October 4, 2012 (San Diego) – County Assessor/Recorder/Clerk Ernest Dronenburg wishes to advise all property owners whose property was damaged or destroyed during the recent Shockey Fire that property tax relief is available. This tax relief program requires the reassessment of the property to reflect its damaged condition. The reduced value will remain in effect until such time as the property is rebuilt or repaired.