January 29, 2012, San Diego, CA….The Cleveland National Forest welcomes Donn Christiansen as the new District Ranger on the Descanso Ranger District in Alpine, CA. Christiansen started his Forest Service career in 1991 as the Counseling Program Manager at the Timber Lake Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center on the Mt. Hood National Forest in Oregon.

 
January 29, 2012 (La Mesa)--In an on-going commitment to communicating with residents and in honor of the City’s Centennial, all five members of the La Mesa City Council will host a Town Hall Meeting. The open-forum session is set for Tuesday, February 7, at 6:30 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa. 

January 28, 2012 (Lemon Grove) – A man who was asked to leave Dirk’s Nightclub in Lemon Grove shortly before closing time at 2 a.m. returned with a semi-automatic rifle and opened fire, ECM news partner 10 News reports. The shooter and a friend are believed to have fled in a dark pick-up truck.

 
January 28, 2012 (La Mesa) -- La Mesa La Mesa Community Services is enrolling now for their popular classes that begin the week of February 6th. La Mesa Community Services Recreational Program was honored as 2010 Best of East County, by the 2010 East County Californian Readers Poll.  

 
January 28, 2012 (East County) -- Owners of two East County businesses are hearing their voices on radio commercials this month as part of the San Diego Better Business Bureau’s “Famous Voices” radio advertising campaign. Mark McDonald of La Mesa Carpet & Linoleum and Brad Belus of Cable, Pipe and Leak Detection of El Cajon are among  several BBB accredited businesses touting the value of the BBB to their company and consumers in the community on about 2,000 30-second commercial spots airing in January on 19 English-language and nine Spanish-language stations.

 
January 28, 2012 (La Mesa) -- Helix Water District Board President DeAna Verbeke has announced that Director of Engineering Carlos Lugo has been selected as the new general manager of the Helix Water District.

 
January 28, 2012 (San Diego) – With a focus on the San Diego region’s job growth, smarter technology development, solar energy storage integration and increased electric vehicle infrastructure and deployment, Smart City San Diego is delivering results.  The collaborative is made up of City of San Diego, GE, UC San Diego, CleanTECH San Diego and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E).  It formed to leverage each entity’s strengths to create and implement initiatives to improve the region’s energy independence, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and assert San Diego as a clean energy leader.

By Mia Myklebust

January 27, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Looking for something luscious for your special someone?  We promise you’ll love our guide to the most delectable treats in town! Whether you’re seeking candies, cakes, crepes or gelatos, we’ve found an appetizing array of choices.  Or surprise your heart’s delight with a special gift—such as candy-making class or a gourmet chocolate-of-the-month club.

Scroll down for these delicious options, and more "sweet" surprises.

By Brian Lafferty

January 27, 2012 (San Diego) – Around this time last year, Sanctum hit theaters. Set in a series of frigid, but gorgeous underwater caves, it boasted beautiful cinematography. Unfortunately, it was a dopey survival movie whose sole purpose was to kill off its cardboard characters in gruesome ways.

January 27, 2012 (El Cajon) – In response to numerous complaints from parents and residents who were not informed before the Grossmont Union High School District voted to change school boundaries, the District today announced that it will host two public information forums and accept public comments.

 
Alvarado Hospital Recognized

January 27, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for Saturday due to high winds and warm, dry weather that will create “explosive fire growth potential.”

Feb. 29 meeting will allow public testimony on Red Tape Reduction Task Force recommendations, including developers’ proposal to eliminate community planning groups and Resource Protection Ordinance

By Miriam Raftery

January 27, 2012 (San Diego)—A lawsuit filed by Californians Aware has succeeded in persuading the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to vacate votes that approved key changes made by a developer-stacked Red Tape Reduction Task Force without public input. The lawsuit alleged that the Board violated the Brown Act by voting on items not listed as action items on the agenda.  Now, the County has announced it will hold a public hearing on February 29. 

By Miriam Raftery and Mia Myklebust

January 26, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) - President Barack Obama laid out some ambitious new legislative plans in Tuesday night’s State of the Union speech. Here’s a bipartisan sampling of reactions from local business and community leaders, as well as voters.

Scott Alevy, president and chief executive officer of the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, voiced support for some of the president's economic proposals, while voicing skepticism over other points in the speech. “Anything that brings jobs to Americans, be it jobs coming back from another company or creating jobs, is good,” said Alevy. “As a veteran myself, I love the idea of employing the veterans coming back with a Jobs Corps.”