By Miriam Raftery

April 2, 2012 (Cedar Creek) – When Ed Hale read that the National Forest Service (NFS) was reopening one of two entrances to Cedar Creek Falls starting yesterday, he and a friend headed east to hit the trail--and brought back a firsthand account of their experiences as well as some changes at the popular hiking site.

April 2, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Knox House Museum is open for tours the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The museum, which is the first commercial building in El Cajon built in 1876, is located at 280 N. Magnolia Avenue.  The continuing exhibit is “Shards, Archaeology Tools & Milk Bottles?”

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 ECM stands by our story-and offers additional details. 

By Miriam Raftery

April 2, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – A representative of Covert Canyon and Marc Halcon has contacted East County Magazine to contend that our March 5, 2012 article titled “Residents react to news of pig killings at military site in Alpine” contained “false, defamatory statements.” 

Our editor, publisher and attorney have carefully reviewed this claim. Our story was researched thoroughly, fully vetted, and we stand by our story, with the following clarifications of details.

By Miriam Raftery

April 1, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – House Republicans this week passed a budget that would give massive tax breaks to the wealthy and to corporations, while weakening programs that benefit students, the middle class and senior citizens, including Medicare.

By Miriam Raftery

Neighbors of proposed local wind farms dismayed at CA Senators Boxer and Feinstein votes for subsidies of industrial wind projects that pose dangers to their communities

April 1, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The U.S. Senate has voted to kill S. 2204, which failed to receive the 60 votes needed. The measure would have funded wind industry tax credits by eliminating tax credits for oil companies. 

Many wind energy proposals in the pipeline may have the plug pulled by energy companies that say those projects would not be viable without federal money.  At a hearing last week on the Ocotillo Express wind project, a representative from Pattern Energy warned that “delays can kill a project” since subsidies expire at year’s end.

March 17, 2012 (Boulevard) -- Veterans and their families are invited to come geocaching on Saturday, April 7th and to enjoy inexpensive camping ($10-$15) at Sacred Rocks Reserve during April.  The privately owned campground has set aside the month of April to say thanks for the sacrifices of veterans and their families.

Owner and Staff are extending appreciation for military service by offering their best - the gift of peace and quiet and simply being with family. Sacred Rocks wishes to stand apart from regular Memorial Day deals with a whopping 78% off.

San Diego Planning Commission to weigh changing zoning to allow project at April 26 meeting; Opponents plan march today in Santee

March 31, 2012 (Santee) – Santee Mayor Randy Voepel didn’t mince words. “This is a declaration of war,” he said at Wednesday night’s City Council meeting, where Councilmembers voted unanimously to oppose the gas-fired Quail Brush power plant. 

The 100 megawatt (MW) “peaker” power plant is proposed on 10 acres adjacent to Mission Trails Regional Park, close to West Hills High School and homes. 

Losses can be up to 40%; values affected 3 miles from turbine sites

By Billie Jo Jannen

For East County Magazine

FBI warns public of falling victim to the bank examiner scam

March 30, 2012 (San Diego) --  Thursday, March 29, the FBI announced  the arrest of two San Diego men on charges of impersonating FBI Agents as part of a scheme to defraud a San Diego woman over over $200,000.  Nenad Videnovic 22, was arrested by FBI Agents on March 27  in Ocean Beach.  Brian John Murphy, 33 was arrested later that same day in the Mission Bay area.