2 BILLS BY BLOCK TO HELP LOCAL STUDENTS WILL BE HEARD WED. IN SACRAMENTO

By Miriam Raftery

June 29, 2010 (San Diego) – “What was once my dream had become a nightmare on the day I was notified that I was denied admission,” Donna Chanthalangsy, a student who had met all requirements for admission to San Diego State University. “I was angered, saddened and disappointed.”  She is among 1,740 local students rejected by SDSU due to a last-minute rule change made by SDSU president Stephen Weber.

June 29, 2010 (San Diego) -- Concerned about potentially deeper cuts to fire safety, San Diego City Councilmember Marti Emerald is pushing for a new Council policy. She will introduce the new safety plan at the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee on Wednesday, June 30th, at 2 p.m.
 

“Fire engines are already browned out affecting response times. The last thing we want to do is water down our Fire and Rescue Services even more,” says Emerald.

Will a wedding between a provocative model and an NFL star adept at catching passes prove a marriage made in heaven?

East County News Service

June 29, 2010 (San Diego) -- Dethroned Miss USA California Carrie Prejean is about to score a new title:  Mrs.

According to Hollywood publications, East County’s notorious celebrity is set to wed Oakland Raiders’ quarterback Kyle Boller on Friday at the Del Mar Inn in San Diego.

June 29, 2010 (Campo) – Luis Alberto Duran, 21, of Campo was arrested yesterday and charged with assault resulting in the death of his infant daughter.

On Friday, deputies and paramedics were called to the family’s home in the 1800 block of Campo Truck Trail after receiving a medical assistance call reporting a four-month-old infant who was not breathing. The baby, who exhibited no outward signs of trauma, was pronounced dead at the scene.

June 29, 2010 (Tierrasanta) – Looking for a doggone fine place to take your canine companion—and socialize with other dog owners? Back by popular demand is “K-9s and Cocktails” night at Andiamo’s restaurant this Wednesday from 5 to 9 p.m. Bring your dog and enjoy happy hour drink specials on the patio.

June 29, 2010 (Lakeside) – An accident  has claimed two lives on Highway 67 near Slaughterhouse Canyon Road in Lakeside. According to the California Highway Patrol, a dark blue vehicle plummeted 200 to 300 feet down an embankment before landing upside down.

“Many have difficulty traveling very far, and to make someone travel 10, 15, 20 miles or more to get their medicine is inhumane. For some who are forced to take public transportation, such a trek could easily take up to half of a day.” – Charlie Imes

An Open Letter to the San Diego Board of Supervisors

By Charlie Imes

June 29, 2010 (San Diego) – I am a medical marijuana patient. I wasn't using marijuana prior to my diagnosis and emergency surgery in 2001 for stage 3 colon cancer. I had complications. I almost died a few times; the chemo almost killed me, too. I've had subsequent abdominal surgeries for diverticulitis, then later for a ruptured spleen, and finally for a severe abdominal hernia related to the previous surgeries.

"Now you are finally considering zoning and operational ordinances regarding medical marijuana, which you will vote on tomorrow, and what are you proposing to adopt? A de facto ban that would effectively eliminate all medical marijuana facilities from operating in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County." -- Martha Sullivan

By Martha Sullivan

June 29, 2010 (San Diego)--As someone who is not a medical marijuana patient nor dispensary operator, but simply a taxpayer, voter and small business owner, I find the continuing opposition by my County Board of Supervisors to the Compassionate Use Act passed by California voters 14 years ago an affront to voters and taxpayers.

Conservation and Demand-response Programs Still Important

East County News Service

June 28, 2010 (San Diego) – Summer is here, and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) says it has lined up adequate electricity supplies and required reserves to meet customers’ expected energy needs this summer, barring extreme weather conditions

Parks and Recreation to Hold Community Meetings to Hear What Residents Want

June 28, 2010 (San Diego) -- The County of San Diego’s Department of Parks and Recreation plans to hold community meetings starting this week in Lakeside, Fallbrook, Pine Valley, Ramona and San Diego to hear from residents about what kind of county parks they want.

East County News Service

June 28, 2010 (Escondido) - San Diego Sheriff’s Department has issued details on the freak injury of a nine-year-old boy in Escondido. On Thursday, a Sheriff’s deputy, along with Escondido Police, responded to a call on San Pasqual Road in the unincorporated portion of Escondido. “

"The deputy learned that the nine year old, who had been shot with the arrow, had previously told his brother to shoot an arrow at him so he could catch it. He missed catching the arrow and was subsequently struck in the head, right above the eye,” a Sheriff’s media release stated.

June 28, 2010 (Alpine) - A brush fire burning east of Palo Verde Lake in Alpine is now five to seven acres.  "The forward spread is stopped," Chief Don Butz of Viejas Fire informed East County Magazine at 6:40 p.m. this evening.  

East County News Service

June 28, 2010 (Lake Murray) -- The Lake Murray Kiwanis Foundation needs to raise $8,000 more in donations and advertising sponsorships to hold the annual 4th of July event, which customarily features bands, fireworks, and family-friendly activities.

East County News Service

June 28, 2010 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Better Business Bureau (BBB) invites all local businesses, both large and small firms, to enter the 2010 Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics. The BBB's annual awards program honors companies that demonstrate ethical business practices. Both BBB members and non members, including for profits and non profits, are encouraged to enter the 13th annual Torch Awards competition, which matches businesses in similar size categories based on number of employees.

This is the latest in a series on homeless persons in East County based on first-person accounts. Because voices of the homeless are seldom heard in the media, this provides an ongoing platform for the homeless to relay their unfiltered stories. If you are homeless, or know of a homeless individual willing to be interviewed, please contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.

By Richard Darvas

June 28, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Lucy has lived a rootless life. In a recent interview with East County Magazine, the 46-year-old homeless woman detailed how she lost her way. (To shield her children from untoward attention, she is using a pseudonym for this article.)