San Diego River Park Foundation announces a series of events to raise funds for establishing trails, parks, gardens and visitor centers along the 52-mile-long San Diego River. The events include San Diego Days, San Diego RiverFest, and a Healthy River Run.

San Diego River Days May 7-8 and 14-15 offer community events along the 52-mile San Diego River from the mountains near Julian to Ocean Beach’s Dog Beach. Activities include bike rides, cleanups, mountain hikes, planting along the river, educational venues, along with nature and history walks. At the conclusion of River Days on May 15, the San Diego River Park Foundation and more than 50 organizations of the San Diego River Coalition join together with families from throughout the county for RiverFest.

May 5, 2011 (Lemon Grove) – A packed audience turned out Tuesday in Lemon Grove, where the cash-strapped city’s council voted 3-2 to eliminate the Recreation Department. Around 20 members of the community addressed the council, which also opted against outsourcing programs to the YMCA.

“All the community people who spoke were in favor of keeping the city’s youth programs,” said Councilman George Gastil, who voted against axing the department.

May 5, 2011 (Harbison Canyon) – “A kitten that looks very much like the pic I have attached (our 8 week old kitten) was picked up by a hawk and dropped in the road on Harbison Canyon right down the street from Shadow Hills Elementary,” Kelly Vitek said in a post on the Blossom Valley Network community forum. According to her report, the incident was witnessed by three people, including Vitek’s husband.

“He said the kitten was freaked out but was alive and moving,” she added.

Congressman Filner, the Freedom Rides, and Three Generations of Civil RIghts Activism

“I was 18. We did this thing, and we changed the whole legal structure of America. The sense that change is possible has been with me since."–Congressman Bob Filner

For the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Rides, Rep Bob Filner (D-San Diego) shares his memories as a Freedom Rider and of enduring two months in jail  to take a stand during the tumultuous Civil Rights movement.

May 4, 2011 (El Cajon)--Concerts on the Green, downtown El Cajon’s free weekly Friday night summer music series, opens this Friday, May 6, 2011. Chosen one of San Diego Magazine’s Top 10 outdoor music venues, Concerts on the Green at Prescott Promenade Park feature musicians performing from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Opening night of 2011 features San Diego’s favorites - the Mar Dels – to rock your socks off.

 May 4, 2001 (San Diego) --The California State University Board of Trustees today announced three finalists for the presidency of San Diego State University. The finalists and the dates they will visit the campus for all-day meetings with various groups are:

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Elliot Hirshman, provost and senior vice president, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will visit on Monday, May 2.

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Steven Leath, vice president for research and sponsored programs, University of North Carolina system, will visit on Tuesday, May 3.

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Paul J. Zingg, president of California State University, Chico, will visit onThursday, May 5.

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May 4, 2011 (El Cajon) - El Cajon Police officers responded to reports of gunshots at a residence on Lorna Street early Monday morning, just after 3:00 a.m. When they arrived, officers discovered a male victim who had suffered multiple injuries.

May 4, 2011 (Dulzura) – Gilbert N. Amador, 73, died May 2nd at Sharp Hospital of injuries sustained in a collision with a semi-truck April 28 at Dulzura. According to the San Diego Medical Examiner’s office, Amador was en route to an appointment and struck a semi-truck that was stopped in the roadway preparing to make a left turn.

May 4, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – E-mails that claim to show photos or videos of the killing of Osama bin Laden may contain a virus that will damage your computer and steal your identity, the Federal Bureau of Investigation warns.

Update 7 p.m.   The fire is now out, after charring over 12 acres and briefly threatening homes.  View our video shot by Billy Ortiz by clicking the image above.

May 3, 2011 (Lakeside)--Several students from El Capitan High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) traveled to the State FFA conference in Fresno April 15 – 19. Garrett Hurst was selected as the state winner in agriculture mechanics repair and maintenance proficiency and second place in forage production. He is Sentinel for the El Capitan FFA, also serving as a Sagebrush 4H and Junior Fireboard Member.

Shelby Meyer was selected the state winner in swine production

proficiency. Shelby Meyer is the President of  El Capitan FFA. Both students' projects and applications will be judged at the national level in July.  Meyer was also awarded a $500 state FFAscholarship.

May 3, 2011 (Pine Valley) 12:17 p.m. -- CHP has just received a report of a bridge-jumper at the Pine Valley Bridge on I-8.  It is unclear whether the individual has actually jumped; use caution if you are driving in this area as a freeway closure may occur.

May 2, 2011 (La Mesa) – Two 13-year-old boys were forcibly robbed of their bicycles last night around 8:30 p.m. at Northmont Park by a man and an older teen. The thieves were last seen with the bicycles heading south on Severin Drive away from the park, according to La Mesa Police. The man was described as a Hispanic male, 20, with dark spiky hair and a tattoo on his right arm, wearing baggy pants. The older teen was described as a black male, 16, with short hair, wearing a purple shirt with a white design and jeans.

May 2, 2011 (East County) -- During the week of April 23, 2011, all personnel from Heartland Fire and Rescue serving the cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove attended vehicle extrication training. C&D Towing made the training possible by providing twenty vehicles to practice the vehicle extrication and rescue techniques. The training was especially valuable because newer cars continue to change.