Decision conflicts with some other rulings; measure likely to be decided by Supreme Court
 

By Miriam Raftery
 

January 31, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – U.S. District Court Roger Vinson in Florida today ruled that it is unconstitutional to require people to have healthcare insurance by 2014 or pay fines. His is the fourth ruling on the insurance mandate provision; two have found it constitutional, while a Virginia judge found it unconstitutional. (All four cases are being appealed.) But Judge Vinson’s decision goes further than the Virginia ruling.
 

“Because the individual mandate is unconstitutional and not severable, the entire Act must be declared void,” Vinson wrote in a decision that promptly sparked both praise and criticism.

February 1, 2011 (San Diego) -- Newly-elected Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk, Ernest J. Dronenburg, Jr. announced that the County Clerk's Office will extend office hours for romantic couples seeking to marry or renew their vows on Valentine's Day. The downtown office at 1600 Pacific Highway will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for licenses and ceremonies.

In addition, a special "sweetheart deal” is available for newlyweds on their wedding day.

January 31, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- San Diego Police Department Homicide Unit detectives have arrested Crystal Cardenas for the murder of her daughter, Elizabeth Holloway, 9. The mother was arrested at 10:25 a.m. today while walking in the 1600 block of Canyon Road in Spring Valley.

On January 17 at 10:22 p.m., officers and paramedics were dispatched to the family’s home at 328 Milbrae Street in the Mountain View community when the child went into medical distress. She was taken to a trauma center, and her autopsy revealed she died from blunt force trauma.

January 31, 2011 (El Cajon) – The Grossmont Union High School District has announced that it will hold a special budget study session on Thursday, February 3 at 2:30 p.m.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held at the Instructional Resources Meeting room at 301 North Mollison in El Cajon.

Deal gives players more ways to win in MEGA Millions plus Viejas to have 22,000 winners in February Lottery promotions; winnings help benefit public schools

 By Miriam Raftery

Public Workshops to be Held in Pine Valley and Ramona, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1

January 30, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- The County of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department is in the process of a Cost Recovery, Resource Allocation, and Revenue Enhancement Study to ensure the sustainability of parks and recreation in the future.  Residents of Pine Valley and Ramona are invited to participate in this process to help the County determine how to allocate future Parks resources.

January 30, 2011 (Otay) – Two motorcycles collided head-on around 11:02 this morning on Otay Lakes Road, just west of the Otay Glider Port.

“Unfortunately, one patient was pronounced dead at the scene,” said Nick Schuler with Cal Fire. “The second patient who suffered arm and leg fractures was flown to Sharp Memorial Trauma Center by Mercy Air.”

January 30, 2011 (Pine Valley) – Cal-Fire/San Diego County Fire Authority will conduct a controlled burn starting at Corte Mader Road near Pine Valley starting Monday, January 31 through Wednesday, February 2.

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS AND GROWTH

By Rama Beerfas

February 1, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – We’ve identified the three components of a successful trade show marketing plan:

• Have a system in place for attracting potential customers to the exhibit.
• Qualify those people who visited the booth.
• Follow up with those visitors who left contact information.

Last month, we looked at some methods to qualify the people who visit your booth as legitimate prospects. This month, we’ll explore the most critical part of the trade show process: the post-show follow-up.

January 30, 2011 (Lakeside) – Last night, a 28-year-old man reported that his 77-year-old father was deceased at their residence. Paramedics pronounced the elderly man dead at the scene, 12645 Laurel Street, Apt. 1, in Lakeside. “The condition of the body was such that paramedics expressed their concerns to deputies,” said Lt. Dennis J. Brugos with the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail.

By Miriam Raftery

January 29, 2011 (Alpine) -- Elected officials, tribal leaders, community members and veterans turned out this morning at a “Labor of Love” event to break ground for Alpine’s Wall of Honor.

Viejas tribal chairman Anthony Pico spoke movingly about his own military service in the Army and his memories of visiting the Viet Nam memorial in Washington D.C., where 13 of his friends’ names are inscribed. “For every friend who has fallen, there is someone who will remember them,” he said, expressing sorrow that his fallen comrades could not live into the autumn of their lives but instead, sacrificed their futures for our country. “They stayed forever young in my mind,” he said.

By Pam Wilmers

View an aerial video of East County: http://www.facebook.com/v/1274446437632

 
ECM editor tackles “extreme hike” to one of our region’s most spectacular destinations
 

View a video of hikers sliding down the lower falls: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTi45vdpEFw

Casino Royale night, Hooley’s anniversary, and breakfast with Supervisor Jacob