Proceeds from April 6 event benefit the Burn Institute

April 6, 2011 (San Diego) -- Local firefighters take to the streets today for the 12th Annual Firefighter Boot Drive -- a countywide effort to support the Burn Institute.

The Boot Drive began as a grassroots effort backed by the fire service and has been going strong for more than a decade.  It is now a hallmark fundraiser for the Burn Institute. In 2010, more than $210,000 was raised for the organization.  Scroll down for a list of locations where firefighters will be asking the public to "fil the boot." 

SDSU Athletics

April 6, 2011 (San Diego)-- The 45th-ranked San Diego State women's tennis squad had its eight-match winning streak halted on Wednesday as it fell to cross-town foe and No. 24 San Diego, 6-1, at Hogan Tennis Center on the campus of USD. With the defeat, the Aztecs fall to 12-7 on the season, while the Toreros improve to 15-4.

The afternoon started off rocky as SDSU lost the doubles point after finding itself on the wrong end of all three matches.

April 6, 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.

April 5, 2011 (Lakeside) –A memorial service was held at the Lakeside Community Center on March 22 to commemorate Shelly McClendon Hilliker, a long-time community leader. Born in Chula Vista on October 20, 1959, Hilliker passed away on March 10, 2011.

“Shelly was a beautiful, lighthearted person, who was loved by everyone she met as much as she loved them,” states an obituary submitted by the Lakeside River Park Conservancy, where Hilliker served as a Board member. “She has joined her late husband, Harold Hilliker, who passed on July 31, 2009. Their extensive volunteer work will be missed by the entire Lakeside community."

April 5, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The ninth annual Grip it and Rip it Golf Tournament is set for Thursday, May 19. The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will host the annual event at Sycuan Resort.

April 5, 2011 (Otay) -- The suspect killed in yesterday's early morning robbery and shootout at the Apple store in the Otay Ranch Mall  has been identified at Alex Somphonh Choulamontry, age 23. According to Chula Vista Police, Choulamontry was a documented gang member and on active California State parole. Choulamontry had convictions for theft, possession of controlled substances, driving under the influence and false identification to a peace officer.

April 4, 2011 (Ramona) -- A stolen bronze moose statue from Ramona was recovered in a vacant field on March 30, about a mile from the 2800 block of Willow Oak Drive where it was stolen sometime between February 15 and 23. The area is located at the intersection of Dye Road and Southern Oak Road and is frequently used by people who ride and train horses.

A watchful citizen made the discovery and contacted the Sheriff’s Department after reading  media articles about the theft of several statues in our region.

District Partners with Borrego Solar and CCSE to deploy 290 Kw solar system at  Nat L. Eggert Operations Center

April 4, 2011 (El Cajon)--Helix Water District has activated a 290 kilowatt (KW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system at the Nat L. Eggert Operations Center (OC) in El Cajon. The zero-emission system was deployed through a partnership with Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. and the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE).

To celebrate, the District hosted a ribbon-cutting event for the new system on March 30th.

By Russell Buckley

March 31, 2011 (La Mesa)--"Today's benefit structure for public employees is unrecognizable from the design, funding structure and goals of the original 1932 version. Instead of retirement security, the public pension became a wealth generator. Initially, state workers retiring at age 65 could expect retirement income at roughly half of their final compensation, based on an average salary earned during their last five years of employment. The retirement formulas and benefits began ratcheting up in the 1940's and never stopped. California's pension plans are dangerously under funded, the result of overly generous pension promises, wishful thinking and an unwillingness to plan prudently. Unless aggressive reforms are implemented now, the problems will get far worse, forcing counties and cities to severely reduce services and layoff employees to meet pension obligations."

The words above are taken from the 50 or so pages of the Little Hoover Commission Report released last month. The report is about the State at large - but its words apply so accurately to La Mesa that it seems to be talking about us.

Swift action by Police and Border Patrol  canine patrol led to capture of two suspects; Robbery may be part of a series of storefront “smash and grabs”

Update 7:15 p.m.:  The two suspects arrested have been identified as Johnny Chenda, 25, and Melissa Ortiz, 21.  Both are charged with commercial burglary and conspiracy. The third suspect, who died, has not yet been identified.  The security guard has been identified as Jose Jimenez, 58, with Security Industry Specialists in Culver City.

April 4, 2011 (Otay Mesa) – Chula Police Chief David Bejarano has provided an interview with East County Magazine moments after returning from the scene of a fatal shooting at Otay Ranch Town Center shopping mall. He disclosed chilling details of a brazen robbery attempt that ended with one suspect dead following a hail of bullets and a massive response by law enforcement to seal off and search the neighborhood.

 Updated April 22 to add photos from the April 9th celebration of life.

A Celebration of Life, Service and Dedication to Community

April 3, 2011 (Lakeside) The El Capitan Stadium Association has offered the use of the rodeo grounds for a community gathering honoring Rick Smith, who passed away on February 18th, 2011 following a long battle with cancer.  A celebration of his life and service will be held April 9 from 1-4 p.m. at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds.

April 3, 2011 (San Diego) -- On April 9 and 10, hundreds of San Diegans are expected to convene at University Ave. and Fairmount in City Heights to attend workshops, share knowledge, and discuss the sustainability, accessibility, and health of our food system in San Diego and around the world.
 

April 3, 2011 (La Mesa) -- At 8:05 a.m. La Mesa Police Department responded to multiple 911 calls of shots being fired in the 3900 block of Charles Street, La Mesa, near La Mesa Dale Elementary School.  (View map) When officers arrived they discovered approximately seven shots had been fired into a house. The targeted house was occupied, but no one was injured.

The suspect reportedly fled the scene driving a motorcycle.The unknown suspect was wearing a dark jacket and a blue helmet.

By Miriam Raftery

April 2, 2011 (San Diego) -- Every 10 years, the City of San Diego Redistricting Commission redraws the political boundaries for City Council districts candidates. This is a once in a decade occasion. The County is also redistricting its Supervisorial seats.  Want to have a say in how your community gets represented for the next 10 years?