By Miriam Raftery

December 7, 2014 (Alpine)—The Alpine Tavern & Grill hosts an “Injunction Function” last week, donating 20% of the evening’s proceeds to help fund a lawsuit against the Grossmont Union High School District over its failure to build an Alpine High School despite two bond measures approved by voters.

December 7, 2014 (Valley Center) – A bomb threat e-mailed to an NBC news station threatened to place explosives targeting San Diego Gas & Electric Company work trucks over a land use dispute in Valley Center.  Sheriff’s Bomb and Arson investigators shut down the Spearhead Trail area for two hours on December 4^th to assure that it was safe.

December 6, 2014 (Alpine)--The Sheriff's Homicide Detail wants your help in solving the murder of 34-year old David Paz (Zeidenberg) more than 20 years ago.

By Randy Zuniga

December 6, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - A mountain of a mere 1,594 ft. high borders three cities -- San Diego, Santee, and La Mesa. For some, it's an epic hike accompanied by packs filled with snacks and water. For others, it's a quick jog up and a small water bottle waiting for them back at their car. No matter who you are -- everyone seems to love this mountain.

East County News Service

December 6, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)—If you see smoke over the backcountry, be aware that the Cleveland National Forest will conduct prescribed burning from December 2014 through June of 2015 as weather and fuel conditions permit on the Trabuco, Palomar and Descanso Ranger Districts. The goal of the burning is to reduce hazardous fuels that have accumulated in the Forest and around local communities.

December 5, 2014 (El Cajon)—The First Presbyterian Church in El Cajon announces upcoming holiday events with Christmas music and more.

By Miriam Raftery

December 5, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – As you’re decking the halls for your holiday festivities, it’s important to be aware that many holiday traditions can be hazardous for your pets—including popular holiday plants, tinsel, tree preservatives, candles, glass ornaments and potpourri. Here’s what you need to know to keep your dog or cat safe this holiday season:

Bobbi Brink, founder of the rescue facility in Alpine (photo, left) works to save bears and other exotic animals from canned hunts and cub petting operations in U.S.

By Miriam Raftery

December 5, 2014 (Alpine) – East County Magazine stopped by  Lions, Tigers and Bears this week for a sneak-preview of the brand new bear enclosure that opens this Saturday, December 6^th, at the rescue facility’s annual holiday party and fundraiser from 1 to 4 p.m.. 

We also got some up-close-and-personal looks at some of the big cats and bears who will be celebrating too—with Christmas trees, holiday packages to rip open and special foods for these special rescued animals—including Cherry Bomb, Teddy, Albert and Baloo —grizzly and Himalayan black bears who will be turned loose into their new two-acre home (albeit a temporary home while an even bigger two-acre preserve is built.)

Coalition of local leaders call for changes to restore trust and accountability

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Ben Reid, Creative Commons image on FlickR

December 4, 2014 (San Diego)--For the second time in the past two weeks, a Grand Jury has failed to indict a white police officer for killing a black man.  The latest decision was in New York, where jurors declined to charge a police officer in the choking death of Eric Garner.

Unlike the now-famous case in Ferguson, Missouri where a Grand Jury acquitted a white police officer of shooting and killing an unarmed black man who some witnesses said had his hands up in a surrender position,  the case in New York was documented on videotape by a friend of Garner’s.

Yet jurors refused to prosecute the officer in New York, even though the video showed the officer using a chokehold to subdue Eric Garner,  who was accused of selling cigarettes without paying taxes, while several other officers surrounded him. The video shows Garner clearly stating “I can’t breathe” at least 11 times in a panicked voice before passing out.  A second video shows police standing by, making no effort to resuscitate Garner, before an ambulance arrived. The father of six, a large man who also suffered from asthma, was taken to a local hospital, where he died.

December 2, 2014 (San Diego)--General Motors has ordered a recall of over 300,000 vehicles because of headlights that stop working.  The low-beams may turn off intermittently or permanently, increasing the risk of an accident.

December 2,2014 (Mt. Helix) – Leon Thompson caught the moon amid a golden glow in the sky, looking east across El Cajon and the mountains beyond from atop Mt. Helix.

East County News Service

December 4, 2014 (San Diego's East County) -- California Highway Patrol reports the following hazards this rainy morning:

• Vehicle overturned on Wildcat Canyon Road, near the racetrack
• Dehesa Road is shut down between Sloan Canyon and Willow Glen due to 18 inches of mud across the road
• Roadway flooding at Campo Road and Kenwood in Spring Valley
• Harmony Grove Road is closed at Wilgen Drive due to a mudslide and flooding

By Miriam Raftery

December 2, 2014 (Sacramento)—Today Senate Democrats announced a plan to prevent a tuition hike approved by University of California Regents from taking effect for California students. However out-of-state students’ tuitions would increase by 17 percent. 

The plan follows an earlier proposal by Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins (D-San Diego). The two plans have similarities, but also differences in their approaches.

By Miriam Raftery 

December 3, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – A Grinch suspected of stealing holiday packages across East County is now in custody,  the Sheriff’s office reports.

The thief nabbed over a thousand dollars worth of packages in Lemon Grove, Spring Valley and unincorporated areas of El Cajon from November 21^st until the thief was finally caught on December 3^rd.