December 16, 2010 (Rainbow) – Martimiano Morales Carreon, 49, died on December 14th of injuries that he suffered after his foot became entangled in a pile of brush, pulling him into a commercial wood chipper at 9329 Moon Ridge Road, Rainbow.

The victim had been working with his son to clearn trees next to an avocado grove when the tragedy occurred.

1 RESIDENT PISTOL-WHIPPED; SUSPECTS ELUDE CAPTURE

December 16, 2010 (El Cajon )- Last night around 10 p.m., deputies from the Lemon Grove Sheriff's Station responded to a report of an armed home invasion robbery at 2966 Wildwind Drive in the Rancho San Diego area of unincorporated El Cajon near Steele Canyon County Park. (View map) Four armedm masked white men entered the home and held four victims at gunpoint while conducting the robbery, Sergeant Chris Davis reports. Victims were also bound and blindfolded.

More than 25,000 reusable shopping bags to be given away Dec. 16

December 16, 2010 (San Diego)--To promote “green’” shopping for the holidays and beyond, San Diego County has declared Thursday, Dec. 16, “A Day Without a Bag,” with shoppers encouraged to forgo single-use bags, and retailers and volunteers planning to give away more than 25,000 reusable shopping bags at locations throughout the region.

December 15, 2010 (Spring Valley)– To help make the holiday season brighter for low-income families in his district, Assemblymember Marty Block (AD-78) will sponsor the “Holiday Helping Hands” Event on Thursday, Dec. 16 from 12-1:30 p.m. (while supplies last), at the Family Health Centers of San Diego at 8788 Jamacha Road, Spring Valley. 

In partnership with the Barona Band of Mission Indians, Block will distribute toys to children and families at the health center.  He will also donate baby clothes and supplies to the health center’s Holiday Baby Boutique Program to assist expectant mothers and newborn babies.

Grand opening at Café Europe is third location for Brew Ha Ha comedy shows 

By Tanya Huang

December 15, 2010 (San Diego)-- The FBI today announced the arrest of Sammy William Thomas,  27.  Thomas was taken into custody on December 8 by Agents and Officers from the FBI, San Diego Police Department, El Cajon Police Department and the California Department of Corrections. 

He is charged with nine bank robberies, including several banks in East County.

Dec. 16, 2010 (San Diego) – For the second consecutive year, Sempra Energy Foundation today announced $1 million in charitable donations to non-profit organizations in California and the U.S. Gulf region to help people in need. The contributions also include a grant-incentive program to support the Sempra Energy family of companies’ employee volunteer efforts.

December 15, 2010 (La Mesa) –Most robbers demand cash. But at noon yesterday, a man armed with a handgun entered Dr. Newman’s Optometry Office in the 5600 block of Lake Murray Boulevard and demanded that the doctor fill a bag with eye glass frames.

Nothing but the Truth!
By Will Power
December 14, 2010 (San Diego)--Necons, who have made the 21st Century the Age of Unbridled Greed, have a new plan. Not happy with a monopoly on electricity, gasoline, and natural gas, the new Conservatives want to privatize the LA Freeway system, to keep those damned poor people on the surface streets, while they cruise in Lexus Lanes.

December 14, 2010 (Pine Valley) – Two injured patients were transported by helicopter to a local hospital following a head-on, off-road collision on Bear Valley Truck Trail five miles south of I-8 in Pine Valley this evening.

December 14, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Parents, are you looking for a fun place to take the kids while you get some holiday shopping done?  Hillside Center in El Cajon is hosting a “Winter Wonderland Party Palooza” from 4-6 p.m. and children ages 5-12 are invited. The event includes a variety of holiday games, arts & crafts, cookie baking, and much more. Sign-ups have already started and the deadline to enroll is Wednesday, December 15th.

Thoughts on giving, plus egg nog recipes for your holiday season

By Sharon Courmousis, Sacred Rocks Reserve

December 15, 2010 (Boulevard)--The presents are wrapped and the little dears are tucked up tight. All the games and toys and electronics advertised on TV – wrapped up under the tree. Oh, wait, that was last year, or the one before. This Christmas everyone seems to be downsizing IF they are lucky enough to even have a home, and a job, and something extra. So the question is HOW do you make this a wonderful Christmas if the day itself is not really about the quantity of gifts?

By Brian Lafferty

December 11, 2010 (San Diego)--While watching Tiny Furniture, which opened yesterday at the Ken Cinema, I was somewhat captivated and never bored. It accomplishes its goals and captures without fail the feeling it wants to convey.

Victory in Iraq: How America Won
By Duncan L. Hunter. Columbus, MS. Genesis Press. 2010. 433 pages. Illustrations, end notes, and index. $19.95

Reviewed by Walter Hall

“The community of America’s military folks, active and retired, are at once a national resource and a national treasure.”  --Former Congressman and Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Duncan L. Hunter

December 14, 2010 (San Diego's East County)--The title of this book will delight many and annoy many others – who will likely pass it by. That’s too bad. Because at heart this is a tribute book. And a timely one. The setting is Iraq, but the subject is American grit, talent, innovation, and occasionally plain, raw courage. The ham-handed title is a distraction.