July 2, 2011 (El Cajon) – Pilots of the Sheriff’s ASTREA helicopter followed a trail of smoke and directed El Cajon Police officers to a teen, 17, who is suspected of firing a flare gun at the helicopter. The flare, believed to have been shot from the vicinity of Main Street and Sunshine Avenue, exploded about 30 feet from the helicopter.

“Fortuntely the flare did not impact the helicopter, but could have caused a fire on the aircraft or entered the cockpit and incapacitated the pilot,” said Lt. J.D. Arvan.

July 1, 2011 San Diego) – After creating course material guaranteed to improve SAT scores, B Line Test Prep is now offering its eLearning services for free to all students.  The free SAT prep course is part of B Line Test Prep’s initiative to give back to the community, specifically to ensure everyone, no matter their socioeconomic background, has access to an SAT prep course.  
   

July 1, 2011 (Alpine) -- East Count Magazine editor  Miriam Raftery will be a guest this evening on Billie Jo Jannen's "TGIF" radio news show from 6-7 p.m.  

Livestream at www.my1079.com wherever you are, or listen live at 107.9 on your FM radio dial (heard in parts of East County). 

Hot topics to be discussed include today's court ruling on the Sunrise Powerlink, the new state budget and how it may impact your, smart meters, Senator Joel Anderson's bill to eliminate Cal-Trans, and where to find fireworks and family fun this 4th of July weekend.

Story, photos and video by Elena Peña

June 29, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--Nestled in between slopes in the Cleveland National Forest lies a gem known as Cedar Creek Falls, often referred to as The Devil’s Punch Bowl. A wondrous waterfall is the picturesque background to the swimming hole at the end of this approximately four-mile hike.  The location used to be accessed mainly from Julian.  But due to a newly revamped trail out of Ramona, it’s now more accessible than ever before--and more populated, especially on weekends and holidays. 

Fire parcel fee, redevelopment cuts, tuition hikes, freeze on teacher lay-offs, and "crippling" cuts in border crimes enforcement among the budget impacts on our region

By Miriam Raftery
 

June 30, 2011 (Sacramento) –Governor Jerry Brown and Democrats in the state Legislature have approved a majority-vote budget without a single Republican vote. The move ends a months-long impasse in which Republicans held out for an all-cuts budget, while Democrats sought revenue increases to prevent slashing programs ranging from healthcare to law enforcement. The budget includes $7.9 billion in cuts which aim to reduce the state’s $26 billion deficit to $5 billion.

Story, photos and video by Miriam Raftery

June 30, 2011 (San Pasqual)--A talented troupe of Tanzanian acrobats is the newest attraction at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, performing Saturdays starting this weekend through late August.  

June 30, 2011 (La Mesa) -- On June 24, 2011 a woman was walking in the parking lot of the Bank of America at 512 Fletcher Parkway to go inside the bank and deposit receipts from her employer. The suspect approached her from behind, grabbed the bank bag from her hands, and fled on foot.

June 30, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflecting all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views.

By Jeremy Los and Miriam Raftery

“Californians can no longer afford to build roads and infrastructure with golden shovels. We need to send the money where the rubber meets the road. Literally.” –  Senator Joel Anderson

“Eliminating Caltrans would result in an ineffective and scattered patchwork of local projects, hamper the movement of goods and people, and ultimately hurt our economic competitiveness… During the 2007 wildfires, we partnered with first responders and helped with emergency road repairs and evacuations.” --Matt Rocco, Caltrans

June 27, 2011- State Senator Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon) is revved up over his new bill to cut state spending by eliminating the California Transportation Department (Caltrans).  SB 851 would shift responsibilities for highway building and maintenance onto local cities and counties, also allowing local governments to outsource to private companies.  

Can local communities afford those cost?  How will motorists and taxpayers be impacted?

Supporters say the bill would save money and cut waste.  Opponents question whether public safety could be jeopardized, particularly in San Diego--where a Grand Jury investigation found roadway conditions "appalling" and where local agencies have relied on Caltrans for quick highway repairs during major wildfires and other disasters.

Nothing but the truth! 

June 29, 2011 (San Diego)--The US Supreme Court made two important health care rulings last week. 

Local Science Camp a “First” on the West Coast


June 29, 2011 (San Diego) -- Last week, 150 elementary school children in San Diego County were attending a new kind of summer camp -- the “Summer Engineering Experience for Kids” (SEEK) Camp, a concept designed by the National Society for Black Engineers (NSBE) in 2007 to build a pipeline to careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) for African-American and other under-represented minority children. 

June 29, 2011 (El Cajon) – An injured man who called 911 after falling down an embankment last night has been found following an intensive search and will be transported to a hospital, Melissa Aquino, public affairs officer with the San Diego Sheriff’s Office, advises.

By Miriam Rafery

June 29, 2011 (San Diego)—The California Citizens Redistricting Commission heard input from area residents this month, including some residents of East County and Imperial County who objected to the redrawing of Congressional and state leglsiative district lines to lump the two regions together.