Authorities present evidence that defendant brutally killed wife and mother-in-law before “staging” accident in Lakeside

By Jeremy Los

May 26, 2011 (El Cajon) -- Judge Herbert J. Exarhosin ruled Thursday that evidence laid out during preliminary trial testimony is sufficient  for Michael Richardson to stand trial for the murders of his wife, Thao Richardson, and mother-in-law, Phan Lai.  He is also charge in the two-decades-old murder of Jovita Collazo and the statatutory rape of his then-17-year-old niece.

Testimony came from police, experts, and witnesses -- including Colazzo’s daughter who revealed that she, too, was sexually abused by Richardson but at a much younger age.

May 26, 2011 (El Cajon) - Next weekend, you're invited to bring a team and take part in the Relay For Life at El Cajon Valley High School and help find a cure for cancer.  

This special 24-hour event is Saturday, June 4-5, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at 1035 E. Madison Avenue, in El Cajon.  

May 26, 2011 (Lakeside) – Cal-Fire, working in unified command with Lakeside Fire Protection District, has halted the spread of a 5-acre fire burning south of the San Vicente Reservoir near the Morena gate in Lakeside.

Ten engines, two fire crews, a helicopter, an air tanker, bulldozer and water tender have helped battle the blaze. Access was limited due to construction in the area, however the situation is under control and a request for a second air tanker has been cancelled.

May 26, 2011 (Wynola) – Acclaimed singer-songwriter Charlie Imes will perform on Friday, June 3^rd from 6-9 p.m. at the Wynola Pizza Express, 4355 Highway 78 , three miles west of Julian.  Imes’ “On an Island” was a San Diego Music Award nominee in 2009 for Best Americana or Country Album.  

May 26, 2011 (Ramona) – Cal-Fire reports that three small spot fires that started last night have grown to 15 acres but are now under control, with full containment expected tomorrow afternoon. The location is in the vicinity of San Vicente Road and Bunnie King Lane.

May 26, 2011 (La Mesa) –La Mesa Chamber of Commerce will host an evening mixer June 1st at San Pasqual Winery’s La Mesa tasting room, 8364 La Mesa Blvd., from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Hors d'oeuvres, wine, and raffles are all part of the fun.

Cost for nonmembers who RSVP by today is $15 ($20 at the door) and includes 1 free glass of wine. Member cost is $10.

May 26, 2011 (Washington D.C.) - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Walmart, has announced a voluntary recall of 255,000 food General Electric food processors.  The USCPS has received dozens of complaints that the units began smoking and in some cases, resulted in fires or injuries to hands. 

May 26, 2011 (Washington D.C.) - Summer officially kicks off this weekend and millions of Americans will celebrate with a cookout. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges consumers to check their grills and "fire it up safely" to prevent fires and carbon monoxide poisoning--and also make sure your grill hasn't been recalled.

Update May 25:  Authorities have now concluded that the parents planned their own suicides and the killings of their two children.  The couple detailed plans in notes left behind indicating the family had troubles, however authorities have not disclosed details   

May 24, 2011 (San Diego) – Priscilla Pimienta was supposed to graduate from High Tech High School tomorrow. But her family will never see her accept her diploma. This morning, Priscilla was found dead at her home in the 100 block of Parkcreek Court, along with her parents and younger sister.

Program to be funded by workforce partners in community and through student fees

May 23, 2011 (Sacramento) – To help meet demand for more college graduates to help drive California’s economy, Assembly Higher Education Chair Marty Block (AD-78) has authored legislation to look at alternate ways to help students achieve a baccalaureate degree.

AB 661 would allow Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and San Mateo County Community College District to establish baccalaureate degree pilot programs in subject areas where workforce need is high. Yesterday, AB 661 cleared the Assembly Higher Education Committee without opposition.

May 25, 2011 (Washington D.C) —With the U.S. government expected to hit the $14.294 trillion debt ceiling this week, Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon), a member of the House Armed Services Committee and veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, called for action on H.R. 1551, the Guarantee Paychecks for America’s Military Families Act. 

The legislation guarantees that, in the event the debt limit is reached or a lapse in federal funding occurs, all military families, in addition to civilians working in combat zones, continue to receive paychecks.  Cosponsors include San Diego representatives Bob Filner, a Democrat, and Republican Brian Bilbray. 

Push comes as major drug busts made at border involving Mexican trucks

By Jeremy Los

May 22, 2011- Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) is leading a bi-partisan push to end a cross-border trucking program that would allow Mexican trucks to use U.S. roadways. Hunter and Illinois Democrat Daniel Lipinski sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood protesting the agreement between the U.S. and Mexico. The letter has rare bipartisan agreement, signed by 42 lawmakers from both sides of the aisle including Rep. Bob Filner (D-San Diego).

The lawmakers claim that the program will tarnish border security as well as hurt the American economy and cost jobs. In addition, concerns have been raised over highway safety.

May 25, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Three men, one brandishing a gun, robbed the AM PM Mart at 6404 Mission Gorge Road at 1:01 a.m. The suspects are described as black male adults in their 20s, wearing hoodies and baggy jeans.

May 24, 2011 (Alpine) –Alpine Fire Protection District Fire Marshal Mary Tedesco advises that she received a phone call today from a resident who was called by a person claiming to be a representative from the Fireman’s Association—asking for a $500 donation.

“Firefighters DO NOT solicit for money,” Tedesco advised in a bulletin sent to the Alpine Community Network. “The only time we collect money is for the annual boot drive on the streets (in uniform) for the Burn Institute, and that takes place all over San Diego for just one day. Other than that.......NO PHONE CALLS OR ASKING FOR MONEY EVER!”

Program Expands Coverage for Uninsured, Thanks to Federal Funds

May 24, 2011 (San Diego)--Today the County Board of Supervisors approved implementation of the Low Income Health Program (LIHP). The program will expand the successful Coverage Initiative program which the County's Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) has been operating since 2007.

The expanded program will provide access to primary care and mental health benefits to low-income, uninsured adults. The program will help improve health outcomes and decrease healthcare costs in the region. LIHP will serve single, medically indigent individuals at or below 133% of the federal poverty level, and provide them with a patient-centered medical home.