January 16, 2013 (Spring Valley) – On January 19 the community is invited to a special fundraiser at Steele Canyon High School, 12440 Campo Road, Spring Valley from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to benefit the family of Don Mott.  Mott is recovering from a seven hour open-heart surgery after suffering three heart attacks in the month of December.

January 16, 2013 (El Cajon) – The East SD County cash mob is headed to Silver Creek Gallery, 120 E. Main St. in El Cajon on January 19 at 12 p.m.  A Cash Mob is a large number of people organized via social media to draw customers to support a local small business during tough economic times.  Previous cash mob events have brought thousands of dollars into local retailers.  It’s all about supporting your local economy.

January 16, 2013 (La Mesa) – Two men are in custody after attempting to break into a vehicle at the La Mesa Indoor Soccer Park yesterday evening.  According to Police, the suspects fled the scene but were apprehended with help from the Sheriff’s ASTREA helicopter. 

Officers found the suspects’ vehicle in the parking lot at the Soccer Park, 9586 Murray Drive, and discovered additional stolen property inside. 

By Ray M. Wong

Okay, so it’s New Years, a time for resolutions. Since the independent press that was going to publish my memoir in 2013 has closed its doors due to the owner’s health, I need to find another publisher for my book. The state of the industry, large publishers merging in order to survive and the prohibitive cost of paper dictating major print publication decisions, makes this a challenging time for authors. The saving grace is we’re living in a digital age and there are multiple avenues available to writers through digital publication. Also, small to medium-size independent publishers are putting out excellent books.

January 16, 2013 (Lakeside)--Sandra (Sandie) Seckington of Lakeside won a First Place award for miniatures at the San Diego Watercolor Society’s January show, “New Beginnings”.  Sandie’s painting, “Uncertain Future”, was picked by juror Carol Mansfield because of its painterly but realistic depiction of a cheetah.  Mansfield said that the cheetah had “such presence”.  

Asked about her painting, Sandie said, “As a lifelong animal lover and currently doting "Mom" to two horses, two cats, a parrot and a dog, paintings of animals are a special pleasure for me. I try to really get to the soul of the animal through its eyes and imbue it with fanciful colors to express my delight in the creature.

September 15, 2013 (San Diego) -- Joan McKasson and Joan Merrick were awarded first and second places respectively in the San Diego Watercolor Society’s January show, “New Beginnings”.  The juror, Carol Mansfield, complimented both paintings for their expert use of watercolor along with their strong colors and designs.

January 15, 2013 (Descanso) – The Descanso Branch Library will be holding a Customer Appreciation Open House on January 17 from 12 – 2 p.m.  Meet the Library Director, Jose Aponte, enjoy lunch provided by the Friends of the Descanso Library and listen to bilingual storytime.

January 15, 2013 (Encanto)--San Diego Police Department Homicide Unit detectives are investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred in the Encanto neighborhood of east San Diego.

According to police, on Saturday, January 12 around 1:17 a.m., a San Diego police officer patrolling the area saw a car speeding eastbound in the 5400 block of Imperial Avenue.  The officer attempted to stop the car for the speeding violation; however the driver failed to yield to the officer’s police lights and siren. Two other officers assisted in the pursuit, chasing the car to the 6500 block of Brooklyn Avenue. 

January 15, 2013 (Ramona) -- Sheriff’s deputies have arrested Oscar Torres, 32, of Chula Vista on suspicion of burglary and vehicle theft in Ramona. A bizarre string of events began when deputies responded to a call reporting a suspicious person in the 17000 block of Ridgeview Lane, Ramona yesterday shortly after 3 p.m.

“The suspect entered several residences in the area and was described as having black paint on his face and arms,” said Sergeant Ken Jones. “The suspect stole a Ford F-150 truck from one of the driveways and left the area.”  Deputies found the vehicle traveling east on Main Street toward Highway 78. The ASTREA helicopter and canine units were requested.

While being followed by deputies, Jones said, the suspect began to throw objects out of the vehicle and dowsed himself with gasoline. He then lit a towel on fire, throwing it onto the roadway.

January 15, 2013 (San Diego County)--They answer the call anywhere in the county when someone goes missing and they do it for free. Volunteers are the driving force behind the Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) Division.

On Saturday, January 19, 25 new volunteers will join 80 other members of the SAR Division in a qualifying hike at the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, 12020 Black Mountain Road from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Base Camp is at the Ranch House.

January 15, 2013 (El Cajon)--At 9:47 a.m. yesterday, Heartland Fire & Rescue crews in El Cajon responded to reports of fire in the 400 block of Van Houten Avenue in the City of El Cajon. As crews responded, heavy smoke could be seen rising from blocks away. The fire was located at the Evergreen Mobile Home & RV Park on Van Houten, where they found a trailer home in flames.

The fire was knocked down in less than ten minutes. A 17 year-old neighbor, who attempted to extinguish the blaze before fire crews arrived, was transported to the hospital with a non-life threatening arm injury. No one was home at the time of the fire and no other injuries were reported.

Much to the chagrin of California’s three public utilities companies, residential solar is booming

By Roy L. Hales

Reprinted with permission from San Diego Loves Green; original published at http://www.sandiegolovesgreen.com/articles/energy/residential-solar-industry-booming/

January 15, 2013 (San Diego)--According to the Vote Solar Initiative, 1,400 megawatts (MW) of PV installations are now operating on the homes or businesses of 134,000 Californians. In a recent study, they conclude that, the benefits to ratepayers in SCE, PG&E, and SDG&E territories will be around  $92.2 million a year “by the time the state’s net metering program is fully subscribed at 5% of peak demand.” Two thirds of these installations are in low and median income neighbourhoods.

Prominent East County residents turn out in support

By Miriam Raftery

January 14, 2013 (San Diego) –In Marin County, 80% of utility customers now buy power from a local energy cooperative supported by their local government. Now a similar effort is making strides toward giving SDG&E customers an alternative option to purchase power from a  public utility backed by the City of San Diego.

 Elections have consequences---and Mayor Bob Filner has voiced strong support for creation of a San Diego Energy  District.  One of Mayor Filner’s first actions was to write a letter  of support for SDED’s plans to create a community choice aggregate (CCA) local energy district that aims to purchase power from locally produced clean and renewable resources, primarily rooftop and parking lot solar.

Last week,  a full house packed a meeting held by the San Diego Energy Foundation, the driving force behind the San Diego Energy District.   The Foundation recently received a $50,000 donation from the Protect Our Communities Foundation (an East County group that fought against Sunrise Powerlink) to conduct a feasibility study due out this summer. Leaders from other East County organizations were also among the attendees.

By Miriam Raftery

January 14, 2013 (Washington D.C. ) – In a press conference today President Barack Obama today urged Congress to raise the debt ceiling and made clear that his position is non-negotiable. (View video and read transcript.)

Republican House members have balked thus far. Speaker John Boehner said, "The American people do not support raising the debt ceiling without reducing government spending at the same time." (View full statement.)

The President called that position “irresponsible” and made clear that raising the debt ceiling does not increase spending, but instead authorizes the nation to pay its bills already incurred by Congress.  He likened House Republicans' stance to refusing to pay a restaurant bill after the food has been eaten, adding, “We are not a nation of deadbeats.”

January 14, 2013 (Tierrasanta) – San Diego Police officers responded to a call at 10700 Esmeraldas Drive in Tierrasasnta, where a witness reported a gunshot. After learning that the suspect owned multiple firearms, officers surrounded the house. Moments later, the suspect exit the rare of the home, armed with an assault-style rifle.

Officers ordered him several times to drop the weapon.  “Officers showed superior restraint as the suspect refused to comply,” said Sergeant E.J. Dayrit.  “Eventually the suspect turned the weapon upon himself and fired, in an attempt to kill himself.” The suspect inflicted wounds to his face and head area.