August 2, 2012 (La Mesa) – The Board of Directors of Helix Water District will conduct a Public Hearing on proposed Water Rates August 15 at 6:00 p.m. at the Helix Water District Administration Office, 7811 University Avenue, La Mesa.  View the proposed water rate hikes here.

• East County hit by 700 lightning strikes (UT San Diego)
• Is boy, 10, competent to stand trial in killing? (UT San Diego)
• Ailing nuke plant, San Onofre, may restart by 2013 (AP News)
• $4 billion in unpaid hospital bills (Voice of San Diego)
• Teen wins $25,000 for science fair project (UT San Diego)

• Editorial: Is a sequel of Enron scandal scamming state? (Sacramento Bee)
• Most California for-profit colleges lose Cal Grants  (Sacramento Bee)
• Cal-State reaches tentative agreement with faculty (Sacramento Bee)
• Gov.. Brown: Earth’s future more important than preserving East County Vistas (La Mesa Patch)
• Californians consume 4th lowest amount of energy in nation (Scoop San Diego)
• Scientists looking for large local quake (KPBS)
• Leaue of California Cities touts openness but shuns disclosure requirements (Reader)

  Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

By Miriam Raftery

By Kristin Kjaero

August 1, 2012 (La Mesa)--The deadline to run for Helix Water District Board is August 10 and no challengers have returned papers. We need good candidates to replace incumbents!

This is the Board that CalAware forced to redo a rate hike for Brown Act violations.

August 2, 2012 (La Mesa)—For the second weekend in a row, La Mesa residents will experience a scheduled power outage, SDG&E has announced. The power will go out at 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 4 and is expected to last up to five hours. 

A previous planned outage occurred July 28.  Traffic signals will be affected at University and Lowell Street as well as University Ave. and Parks Avenue. 

U.S.

• Romney would let wind energy tax credits expire, campaign says (Denver Post)
• Leaders have agreement to avoid pre-election government shut-down (The Hill)
• Scathing report on for-profit colleges and their $32 billion in tax dollars (Atlanta Journal Constitution)
• Congress warned that Al Qaeda in Iraq is coming to America (Jewish World Review)
• Scalia: Guns may be regulated (National Journal)
• More worries for the wealthy? Inheritance taxes to jump unless Congress acts (Christian Science Monitor)
• U.S. raises taxes on Chinese wind turbine makers (NY Times)
• 14 reasons why this is the worst Congress ever (Wonkblog)

• India blackout affects millions, grid failure among world’s worst power outage (Reuters)
• Japan utility gets $12.8B nuclear crisis bailout (UT San Diego)
• Cuba broadens economic reforms, plans new measures (Reuters)
• In pictures: Olympics opening ceremonies (BBC)
• Thousands flee amid growing ethnic violence in India (NPR)

By Miriam Raftery

July 29, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – It’s one of our region’s best-kept secrets.  The Back Country Winemaking Tour, which swiftly sells out each year, is a great way to meet local vintners and savor the fruits of their labors—all with a designated driver aboard an air-conditioned bus.

This year’s tour rolled into four diverse wineries in Ramona and Warner Springs, where participants sipped, savored, and partied their way across the sun-drenched countryside in East County.

July 31, 2012 (Jamul) -- Reno’s Pub & Grub is hosting its 2nd Annual “Summer in Jamul” Party August 18, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 14019 Campo Rd., Jamul.  The afternoon will include music and craft booths on the patio.  Featured food will be Ivan’s “Smoking Hole” BBQ, burgers and more.  Beer and wine will be available.

For more information call 619-303-0127 or visit www.renospubandgrub.com.