By Miriam Raftery

September 21, 2015 (Alpine)—A proposed Forest Conservation Initiative Lands General Plan Amendment was heard by Supervisors last year, when Supervisors directed staff to work with the Alpine Community Planning Group, U.S. Forest Service and property owners to develop boundaries and scope of work for a special study area. That information will be used to determine land use densities for thousands of acres of private property near or within Cleveland National Forest in the Alpine area, opening the door for major development of lands east and south of Alpine.

On Thursday, September 24, County staff will provide an overview of the draft scope of work for the Special Study at the Alpine Community Planning Group meeting in the Community Center at 1830 Alpine Boulevard.  An agenda will be posted prior to the meeting at: http://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/pds/gpupdate/comm/alpine.html

East County News Service

September 20, 2015 (San Diego) – United Against Police Terror-San Diego, a group that documents police-related deaths and advocates for law enforcement reforms, has posted a hate-filled diatribe on its Facebook page along with a claim that the sender’s IP address  has been traced to the Sheriff’s Department.

East County News Service

September 21, 2015 (San Diego) – An estimated 90,000 San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) customers lost power for several hours on Sunday afternoon.  SDG&E tweeted at 2:02 p.m. Sunday that the California Independent Systems Organization known as CAISO ordered it to “drop 150 MW of load in our service territory at around 1:15 p.m.”  CAISO, a nonprofit, is responsible for maintaining the statewide power grid- in other words, keeping the lights on.

Photo: A Planned Parenthood rally in Washington. Courtesy Planned Parenthood

September 20, 2015 (San Diego)—The House of Representatives voted Friday to defund Planned Parenthood.  The measure is not expected to pass the Senate and President Barack Obama has said he will veto it.  The vote was 241 to 187, with Republicans Duncan Hunter and Darrell Issa voting to end funding, while Democrats Susan Davis, Scott Peters and Juan Vargas voting to protect it. Now Republicans are threatening to shut down the government on September 30^th if any Planned Parenthood funding for women’s health is included in the federal budget.

East County News Service

September 20, 2015 (San Diego) – CAL FIRE Captain Kendal Bortisser, on behalf of CAL FIRE and County Fire Chief Tony Mecham, has provided an  update on status of eight major wildfires  plus two new fires burning in California,. Currently 10,500 firefighters are battling the blazes.

CAL FIRE San Diego continues to support the Northern California wildfires with three strike teams (15 engines- 53 firefighters), 12 hand crews (160 inmate firefighters) and  three bulldozers (6 firefighters).   

By Miriam Raftery

September 20, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - In the second Republican presidential debate, Ex-Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina scored high approvals from voters for standing up to Donald Trump over his disparaging “look at that face” remark. But when it comes to standing up for women’s rights, just how does Fiorina compare to the leading contenders in either party?

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

September 20, 2015 (El Cajon) – A 7-year-old girl has died after being struck by a Ford Ranger pickup truck in the parking lot of an apartment complex where she lived at 589 North Johnson Street in El Cajon.  A makeshift memorial for the victim, identified as Riley Jackson by neighbors, has been set up, 10 News reports.

El Cajon Police officers and Heartland Fire paramedics responded to the scene at 7:11 p.m. last night. According to the Medical Examiner’s office, the girl and another child were playing in the parking lot when the victim ran out from behind a dumpster into the path of the Ford Ranger.

The driver, Bradley Brown, a 20-year-old from National City, called 911 and remained at the scene. He has been fully cooperative with the investigation, said  Lieutenant Soulard with the El Cajon Police, adding that neither alcohol nor speed were factors.

East County News Service

File photo: Flooded road in Pine Valley, by Alex Tardy, National Weather Service

September 20, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch, cautioning that heavy rainfall and flash flooding is possible from Monday afternoon through Tuesday in San Diego’s eastern mountains and deserts.

Rainfall could exceed two inches in mountains and could top an inch in the deserts.  Recent wildfire burned areas will be particularly susceptible to flash flooding and debris flows.

By Mike Allen

Photo, left: Parc One artist's rendering

September 19, 2015 (Santee)--Two long-planned residential projects in Santee moved ahead this summer, with the Parc One apartment complex nearing its opening and the larger, more controversial Castlerock development looking to obtain final permits to begin construction, possibly later this year.

Castlerock, a project that’s been in the works for about 12 years, should go before the Local Area Formation Commission in October, said developer Pardee Homes.

By Miriam Raftery

September 19, 2015 (Borrego Springs) -- The Borrego Days Desert Festival has a long history of launching the peak season for Southern California’s desert region—welcoming snowbirds and enticing locals to join together after a long summer for a weekend of celebration.

 This year, the festival marks its 50^th anniversary with a theme of “Those Were the Days” Oct. 23-25, aiming to create new memories for young and old alike. Live entertainment on the main stage, artists, a children’s fun zone, outdoor shopping, gourmet food trucks, beer and beverage garden, vendors, as well as a Saturday parade featuring flyover, equestrians, marching bands, floats, clowns, dancers, classic cars and more are all planned.

By Liz Alper

Photos courtesy of Jamall LaFrance, Chargers Media Coordinator

September 14, 2015 (San Diego) - It looked like a lost cause.

In the first half, the Lions scored three touchdowns.  The Chargers, a mere field goal.  The score was 21-3 midway through the first half.  Philip Rivers made bad decision after bad decision and threw two interceptions.  The score was 21-10 at the half.

In the second half, it was as if the Chargers had been given a halftime speech by Mike McCoy that could only be rivaled by those in movies like Remember the Titans or Miracle (I know Miracle is a hockey movie. It still fits here) and the Lions turned back into the Lions that football fans know and love. 

East County News Service

September 18, 2015 (San Diego)—Aiming to help families and individuals sharing housing, San Diego’s City Council has unanimously passed an amendment to the Rooming House Ordinance proposed by Councilmember Marti Emerald.

Key differences emerge in foreign policy stances

By Miriam Raftery

September 18,2015 (Simi Valley) -- Eleven Republican presidential candidates held their second debate Wednesday night at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley:  real estate tycoon Donald Trump, Senators Marco Rubio (Florida), Rand Paul (Kentucky), and Ted Cruz (Texas); ex-Florida Governor Jeb Bush, current Governors Scott Walker (Wisconsin), Chris Christie (New Jersey), and John Kasich (Ohio), retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, and Hewlett Packard’s ex-CEO Carly Fiorina. The debate was hosted by CNN.

On some issues the candidates held similar stances.  All want to defund Planned Parenthood, repeal Obamacare and seal the U.S.-Mexico border.  But some key differences emerged in their positions on foreign policy, with some calling for boots-on-the-ground troops in the Middle East and others warning of the dangers of such intervention. Candidates also had diverse stances on the Iran nuclear concern. Candidates’ views also differed on economic issues, Social Security and more.  View the transcript of the full 3-hour debate here or scroll down for highlights of the Republican debate, as well as responses from leading Democratic candidates.

September 16, 2015 (Anaheim)--The California Republican Party announced that former Ambassador John Bolton would headline the CRP 2015 Fall Convention Saturday Dinner Banquet on September 19 at the Anaheim Marriott. Ambassador Bolton was chosen to replace Scott Walker at the Saturday Dinner Banquet when the Governor withdrew to focus his efforts on the early primary states.

Update:  La Jolla High and Pt. Loma High schools have been added to the list.

East County Magazine

September 17, 2015 (San Diego) – Threats of shootings or bombings have led to lock-downs at nine local high school campuses. Eight are in the San Diego Unified School District including Patrick Henry High School in the San Carlos neighborhood in East County. The ninth is in the Sweetwater Union High School District.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that no shooters or explosives have been found and no injuries have been reported; schools are locked down as a precaution while the threats are under investigation.