By news staff at www.GovTech.com

July 20, 2011 (Washington D.C.)--The full-body scanners used to screen passengers at airport security checkpoints will be getting new software that will discontinue “passenger-specific” images, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced Wednesday, July 20.

By S. Robert Perry

July 21, 2011 (Otay) -- This is a letter sent to Director Robak relating to his vote against the "blank check" benefit adopted by the Otay Water District's Board.  It points out some of the objections to this open-ended forever benefit adopted by the Otay Water District's Board.  Hopefully there will be enough public reaction to cause the four who approved this multi-million dollar gift of public funds to look at what they've done and reverse the decision. 

July 21, 2011 (San Diego) -- Renowned local storytellers Mary Holma and Cynthia Griffin will be spinning Native American Folklore Tales In The Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center Theater with their program "Whispers In The Wind"on July 24 from 3-4 p.m.

July 21, 2011 (El Cajon)--Grossmont College Athletics Dept. and Grossmont College men’s basketball coach Doug Weber invite boys and girls entering third through ninth grades to Grossmont College’s annual youth summer basketball camp, from 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Thursday, Aug. 8 to 11.

July 20, 2011 (La Mesa)--Sharp Grossmont Hospital’s Senior Resource Center offers free or low-cost educational programs and health screenings each month. The Center also provides health information and community resources.

July 20, 2011 (El Cajon)-- Mother Earth Alternative Health Cooperative, Inc., is attracting a steady stream of customers three weeks after opening its doors in an unincorporated area of El Cajon near Gillespie Field.

Some might say it’s high time. California voters approved medical marijuana with a ballot initiative back in 1996, but San Diego Supervisors filed suit to block implementation.

"Seeing is believing!" Lynne McTurk, Funbelievable

By Miriam Raftery

July 20, 2011 (Lakeside) – Now there’s a place where you can let kids climb the walls—plus run, jump, and bounce to their heart’s delight. It's a great place to beat the summer heat and let the kids run wild. 

The Grossmont College Adult Reentry Program will host “Recreate Yourself,” a free orientation meeting for adults interested in returning to school to learn a new career, earn a college diploma or upgrade workplace skills for a job promotion, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 2.

July 23, 2011 (San Diego) -- The East County Youth Symphony will present a concert of Wolfgang Mozart symphonies No. 40 and 41 at San Diego State University (SDSU) on Saturday, July 23 at 7 p.m.

The program will be held at the Smith Recital Hall (SDSU campus) 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego.  Funds raised at this performance will be used to purchase music instruments for the Orchestra.

July 19, 2011 (La Mesa) -- Helix Water District will hold an informational public meeting on the proposed water rate increase on July 21 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive in La Mesa.

July 19, 2011 (San Diego) – A car fire spread into brush alongside State Route 52 near mast Boulevard this afternoon on the northern edge of Mission Trails Regional Park.

July 18, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The California Redevelopment Association and the League of California Cities today filed suit in California's Supreme Court. They seek to block implementation of state budget measures that would force redevelopment agencies to either dissolve or fork over hefty sums to the state coffers.

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders held a press conference to support the law suit today, joined by La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid, National City Mayor Ron Morrison, and other local leaders.

By Miriam Raftery

July 18, 2011 (El Cajon) – A fire that began around 1:35 on a hill above the 2600 block of Windmill View Road in Fletcher Hills briefly threatened several homes this afternoon.

Heartland Fire & Rescue credits quick action by about 30 firefighters, along with "the fact this hillside was recently cleared of heavy brush by hired workers and goats, creating a defensible space" with limiting the fire to only half an acre. No structures were burned and there were no injuries.