July 17, 2011 (La Mesa) – A fire has displaced seven residents at a triplex located at 5055 Thorne Drive in La Mesa. Heartland Fire & Rescue in La Mesa responded to a call at 3 p.m. and found smoke pouring from one of the units.

By Cate Sacks

July 17, 2011 (Blossom Valley)-- This week we have several different kinds of animals here at Dream Dogs, all in need of forever homes. First there are several dachshund-mix puppies. We also have other dogs, kittens, a rabbit and a duck.

July 16, 2011 (San Diego) -- Home foreclosures in the City of San Diego are costing local governments hundreds of millions of dollars, in addition to billions lost by neighboring homeowners, a study by the Center on Policy Initiatives shows.  

The report, Foreclosure: the Cost Communities Pay, projects almost 57,000 foreclosures in San Diego over five years, and recommends the City take action to hold banks accountable for the resulting costs.

July 16, 2011 (La Mesa) -- The City of La Mesa is planning for the future and would like to hear from you! The City will host a community workshop featuring Safe Routes to Transit and City-Wide Parks Master Plan on Saturday, July 30 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at the Nan Couts Cottage located in MacArthur Park, 5054 Memorial Drive in La Mesa. The City also invites you to review several ongoing General Plan efforts including: Health & Wellness, Sustainability, Land Use and Circulation. 

July 16, 2011 -- Mission Trails Regional Park will present an art display, "Midsummer Medley" July 16 through AUgust 12. The exhibition features seven award-winning artists: Stephanie Black, Larry Coleman, Pat Dispenziere, Jenny Ferrone, Carolyn Kenny, Terry Kvitky, and Kurt Lightfoot.

Diverse Scholars Initiative Seeks To Enhance Culturally Competent Health Care
 

July 15, 2011 (San Diego) – Nine California residents, including Erica Tiscareno of San Diego, have won scholarships from United Health Foundation’s Diverse Scholars Initiative to pursue a career in health care. 

July, 16, 2011 (Washington, DC) – Congressman Bob Filner applauded the announcement of more than $1.4 million for San Diego area school-based health centers.  The Department of Health and Human Services, along with the Department of Education, today. The announced awards went to Family Health Centers of San Diego, Inc. $500,000; La Maestra Family Clinic was awarded $406,733; and the National City based Operation Samahan, Inc. was awarded $493,885.

Don't touch bats, dead or alive

Update July 20, 2011:  County Health authorities have located the boys and determined that they did not touch the bat.  Their family physician will make final determination on whether preventative treatments will be administered.  

July 16, 2011 (San Diego) – San Diego Sheriff’s office seeks public help to identify three boys, 12-13 years old, who brought an ill Mexican free-tailed bat to a Petco Store in Vista on July 10. An employee contacted Project Wildlife and later, County Public Health officials tested the bat and found it positive for rabies.

Bats become more active this time of year and County Health officials urge parents in all areas of the County to instruct children never to touch a bat, dead or alive.

July 14, 2011 (Otay) -- San Diego County Crime Stoppers and Chula Vista Police Department investigators seek help  to identify suspects in arson fires which recently occurred at an elementary school and nearby canyons in the Otay and Chula Vista areas.

July 15, 2011 (East County) -- East County’s two community colleges have raised almost $850,000 for the Bernard Osher Foundation scholarship fund that will forever provide awards of at least $1,000 to 82 students each year.

July 15, 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 include: the fire parcel tax, a lawsuit filed by Derek and Nancy Casady seeking return of bail-out funds for taxpayers, smart meters, closure of Cedar Creek Falls, redistricting in the Grossmont Union High School District, Alpine's proposed high school, and CSU trustees' decision to hike both tuitions and the salary of SDSU's new president. 

Juggler/comedian David Lucas joins lineup July 17 at Moxie Theater

July 15, 2011 (El Cajon) –Artists’ demonstrations, live music, giveaways, food and drinks are all part of a Gallery Walk event set for Friday, July 15 from 5-8 p.m. in downtown El Cajon.  The public is invited to participate in the free art walk to help support local artists at eight participating galleries. In addition, many downtown shops and restaurants are offering discounts for the evening.

July 14, 2011 (El Cajon)—A 75-year-old woman hit the gas pedal instead of the brake while turning into a parking space at the Villa Embasadora Inn, a motel at 1556 East Main Street in El Cajon, early this afternoon. 

Her vehicle sped forward, striking a housekeeper, 67, who was pinned against a wall.

43 COUNTIES IN CA HAVE VOTED TO OPPOSE SMART METERS --

AND 10 HAVE BANNED THE DEVICES

July 12, 2011 (La Mesa) – The Center for Electrosmog Prevention in La Mesa along with Californians for Renweable Energy, Inc. filed a protest July 6 with the California Public Utilities commission (CPUC) against San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E).