Congressman must answer tough questions on cozy connections to lobbyists, tobacco industry and a racist hate group; Busby must overcome past losses to woo voters

By Miriam Raftery

October 17, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – California Highway Patrol has received reports that as many as 15 cars have collided on State Route 67.  The problem began with an accident around 6:30 p.m in a curve near Scripps Poway Parkway; additional vehicles have repeatedly struck the stopped cars. There is also a second accident approximately 1/4 mile away, north of Vigilante Road on Highway 67.

By Brian Lafferty

October 17, 2010 (San Diego)--There isn’t a lot in Red that is original. We get the usual shootouts, chases, and other typical action movie staples. But director Robert Schwentke and screenwriters Jon and Erich Hoeber take what could have been a standard action movie and make it both refreshing and funny. They take scenes that could have been clichés and reinvigorate them by filming and editing them in ways that are both refreshing and surprising.

Swift death heightens concern over deadlier toxins in local snakes

October 16, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – A 67-year old fly fisherman from La Jolla stopped breathing minutes after being bitten by a rattlesnake while wading across a stream near Cuyamaca Reservoir.

October 15, 2010 (San Diego) – Two bank robberies occurred today in the College East and Grantville areas, Officer David Stafford with the San Diego Police reports.

October 15, 2010 (El Cajon) – A pumpkin patch, corn maze, farm animal exhibit, draft horse-drawn hay ride, and mobile video game truck are among the attractions at the Alpine Education Foundation’s Fall Festival at Summers Past Farms, 15602 Old Highway 80 in El Cajon.

First-in-the-county retail licensing program credited for decline

October 15, 2010 (La Mesa) -- Warner Graves, 47 of San Diego turned himself in and was arrested for a string of commercial robberies after someone close to him saw his photo in a news release identifying him as a suspect.

 La Mesa Police sought public help to solve several robberies of business committed October 11 in the area of Fletcher Parkway and Jackson Drive.

New law will expand and update benefits for veterans

October 15, 2010 (Washington, D.C). – House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-San Diego) announced yesterday that President Obama signed H.R. 3219 into law. The Veterans’ Benefits Act of 2010, authored by Filner, improves and modernizes certain benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans and their families.

September 14, 2010 (El Cajon) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will host a debate among the three ballot-qualified Congressonal candidates in the 52nd Congressional District. Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-Alpine) will square off against challengers Ray Lutz, a Democratic community activist and businessman, and Libertarian Michael Benoit, a small business owner.

The event will take place Friday, October 15th at 7 p.m. in the Communication Arts Theater at Cuyamaca College, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in El Cajon.

By Brian Lafferty

October 15, 2010 (San Diego)--I didn’t do great in my Introduction to Political Science class but there was one thing that stuck with me: gerrymandering. In the three and a half years since I’ve taken that class I’ve been surprised that the issue has never come up significantly. This documentary of the same name thoroughly and effectively explores this overlooked but very important subject. As Bill Mundell of Californians for Fair Redistricting put it, “Gerrymandering is America’s best kept secret.”

‘Downzoning’ is actually ‘upzoning’ when it comes to property values

October 14, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Earlier this week we published an inquiry from a Deerhorn Valley/Jamul reader who believed she saw a large meteor possibly crashing to earth over East County on Monday night, October 10.

By Nancy and Dawn Clement

October 15, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) - Have you ever needed to look up a phone number from your cell phone but do not want to pay the $1.50 - $2.00 cost? There is a free 411 service from Microsoft that you can use and the number is 800-225-5411 or 800-CALL-411. Take a minute right now to program this number into your cell phone directory so you never pay for a 411 call again!