ECM WORLD WATCH: GLOBAL AND NATIONAL NEWS

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.

 


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GOLF GUIDE: MT. WOODSON COURSE IS SCENIC AND CHALLENGING

 

Story and photos by Jeremy Los

 

April 5, 2011 (Ramona) -- Nestled in the mountains of Ramona, Mt. Woodson golf course offers up picturesque views, as well as a challenging layout. Seen as one of the county’s more visually appealing golf courses, Mt. Woodson golf course carries plenty of bite to coincide with the beautiful scenery.

 


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PASSAGES: SHELLY MCCLENDON HILLIKER REMEMBERED BY COMMUNITIY

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."


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SOCCERNATION.COM ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH SPORTSPLEX

 

April 5, 2011 (San Diego's East County) – SoccerNation.com, which provides Southern California’s most in-depth coverage of recreational, competitive and professional soccer, will soon add indoor soccer  reporting through a partnership with Sportsplex, which has indoor soccer facilities in Santee and Poway.  


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GRIP IT & RIP IT: CHAMBER GOLF TOURMANENT TEES OFF MAY 19 AT SYCUAN


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.

 


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TEEN BEATEN, ROBBED ON TROLLEY IN LA MESA

 

 

April 5, 2011 (La Mesa)  At 8:30 a.m. today, a 14-year-old boy was punched in the face three times and his necklace and hat were taken by two suspects aboard a trolley in La Mesa. The robbery occurred while the victim and suspects were riding eastbound on the MTS Trolley between the Spring Street and La Mesa Boulevard stations.


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SUSPECT KILLED IN APPLE STORE ROBBERY IDENTIFIED

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.


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BUDGET WOES FORCE CUTS OF ALMOST 800 CLASS SECTIONS AT EAST COUNTY COLLEGES


About 5,000 students will be unable to get the classes they need
Even worse cuts may be on horizon in what Chancellor calls a “true budget Armageddon”

 


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MOOSE NO LONGER ON THE LOOSE: STOLEN RAMONA STATUE RECOVERED

 

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.


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LEMON GROVE TO HEAR PROPOSALS TUESDAY TO OUTSOURCE RECREATION PROGRAMS & YOUTH SERVICES

By Miriam Raftery

 

April 4, 2011 (Lemon Grove) – Faced with a budget gap, Lemon Grove City Council will consider four proposals at Tuesday's meeting for slashing costs in recreational services:

 

1) outsource youth programs to the Boys and Girls Club of East County;

2) Outsource both youth and adult services to the East County Family YMCA;

3) Combine contracting with one of those organizations to run some programs, while having a new Recreation Services Department handle others;

4) Completely eliminate the City’s Recreation Services Department—a move that could also end City-sponsored community events such as Concerts in the Park, Movie Night, and the annual holiday Bonfire.


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HELIX WATER UNVEILS NEW CLEAN ENERGY SOURCE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY

 

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.


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HIKER, LOST AND DEHYDRATED, RESCUED IN ANZA-BORREGO DESERT

April 4, 2011 (Borrego) – San Diego Sheriff’s communication center received a call on Thursday from a woman in Mammoth Lakes whose husband and a friend were hiking off Rockhouse Trail in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The two hikers called the woman from a satellite phone because the husband’s friend had become severely dehydrated, incoherent, and in immediate need of medical attention.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT US!

 

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.


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AUTHORS TO SIGN INSPIRATIONAL BOOKS AT RAMONA LIBRARY APRIL 16

 

April 16, 2011 (Ramona) – Ramona authors o inspirational books will be signing copies of their works on Saturday, Aprl 16 at the new Ramona library, 1275 Main Street in San Diego. Authors include Barbara McBride, Byron Mettler, Mike Mulligan, and Peter Zindler. The signing will be held from 9-11 a.m.


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POLICE CHIEF DESCRIBES DEADLY SHOOTOUT AT OTAY MALL

 

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.


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ROBBERY SUSPECT KILLED IN SHOOT-OUT AT MALL IN OTAY; 2 OTHERS ARRESTED

April 4, 2011 (Otay Mesa)—Schools near the Otay Ranch Town Center were placed in lockdown briefly following a shooting at the mall. According to multiple sources, three people smashed a window at the Apple Store shortly before 6:45 a.m.

 

Chula Vista Police report that 40 rounds were fired in a shootout between a security guard and the suspects.


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REMEMBRANCE OF RICK SMITH APRIL 9 AT LAKESIDE RODEO GROUNDS

 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.


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U.S. MILITARY ACTION IN LIBYA DIVIDES POLITICAL REPRESENTATIVES

 

By Jeremy Los

 

April 3, 2011- President Obama’s decision to intervene in the Libya crisis has divided both Democratic and Republican political parties, with support and opposition on both sides of the political aisle.

 

President Obama found a surprising supporter in East County’s Republican Representative Duncan D. Hunter. Hunter was one of the few Republican leaders to come out and support the President’s decision to unleash air attacks on Libyan forces. Hunter, a former Marine captain who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, sits on the House Armed Services Committee.


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4TH ANNUAL FOOD JUSTICE EVENT APRIL 9-10 IN CITY HEIGHTS

 

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.
 


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WOMAN KIDNAPPED IN COLLEGE AREA, SEXUALLY ASSAULTED IN LA MESA MOTEL


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SHOTS FIRED AT LA MESA HOME

 

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.


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TESTED BY FIRE: SAN DIEGO EAST COUNTY CHAMBER PRESIDENT/CEO SCOTT ALEVY HAS STRONG RECORD IN LEADERSHIP AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT

 

By Miriam Raftery
 

April 3, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--Many might find it daunting to head up a major business association during the worst recession in 80 years. But Scott Alevy, new President and Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, has been in far tougher spots. 

 

Those include combat zones in Southeast Asia and the crash site of PSA flight 182 in San Diego, where Alevy headed up public relations for the airline after the tragedy that claimed the lives of friends and colleagues.

 

In an exclusive interview with East County Magazine, Alevy shared insights gained from his experiences, as well as his leadership goals and vision for the Chamber’s future.
 


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READER'S EDITORIAL: AN OPEN LETTER TO HELIX WATER DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGARDING SAFETY AND ACCURACY OF SMART METERS


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BOOK THESE DATES: APRIL LIBRARY CONCERTS ANNOUNCED

 

 

April 2, 2011 (San Diego)--The second annual San Diego County Library Acoustic Showcase is  underway. The Acoustic Showcase series offers a wide variety of some of San Diego's very best singer/songwriters, folk music performers and story tellers. These concerts are free to the community. This year's series includes over 30 concerts at 12 branch libraries between February and the end of June.

 

The following concerts are set for April:

 


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VOTERS' WATCHDOG: SAN DIEGO REDISTRICTING MEETINGS ANNOUNCED

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?

 


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PUTTING OUT THE FIRE WITH THOM & CHARLIE: APRIL 7 IN LEMON GROVE

 

April 2, 2011 (Lemon Grove) – Thom Rosenberger and Charlie Lewis, famous throughout the county for their traveling fire education program, racked up nearly 70 years as Lemon Grove firefighters and know from smoke-filled rooms, burning embers and screaming sirens.

 

On April 7 at 7 p.m., the Lemon Grove Historical Society will present “Putting out the fire with Thom and Charlie,” a fire safety program as part of the “History Alive” lecture series in the H. Lee House Cultural Center, 3205 Olive in Lemon Grove.


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SOUTHWEST AIRLINE CANCELS 10% OF ITS FLIGHTS

April 2, 2011 (San Diego) -- For our readers who have travel plans this weekend, please be aware that Southwest Airlines has cancelled 300 flights as it grounds 79 of its Boeing 737 aircraft for safety inspections. The inspections are anticipated to last several days as the planes are checked for "aircraft skin fatigue."

The grounding is a response to an accident yesterday in which a plane bearing 118 passengers taking off from Phoenix en route to Sacramento had a 3 foot hole torn in its fuselage. The pilot was able to land the plane safely in Yuma.

To read more details, click here. To check on the status of your flights, visit Southwestern Airline's website here.


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TURKEY BURGER PRODUCTS RECALLED DUE TO SALMONELLA RISK


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MAN STABBED OVER PET PEEVE

 

April 2, 2011 (San Diego) – A 74-year-old man assaulted his 64-year-old neighbor at 246 Euclid Street, San Diego over allegations that the victim’s dog was bothering the suspect’s kittens. According to San Diego Police Officer David Stafford, the suspect struck the victim in the face with a broomstick, then went home to retrieve a knife, returned and stabbed the victim in the stomach.


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WANT TO GET PUBLISHED? GET TIPS FROM LOCAL AUTHORS APRIL 9 AT BARNES & NOBLE, LA MESA

 

Authors will offer writing tips and sign copies of books at Grossmont Center store

 

By Dennis Moore

 

April 2, 2011 (La Mesa)—Are you an aspiring author? Barnes & Noble bookstore in Grossmont Center will host ”How to get published” on April 9 at 1 p.m.

 

Moderated by ECM book reviewer Dennis Moore, The event will feature  best-selling novelist Joshua Graham as well as local authors Max Sturman and TJ Johnson. The authors will field questions and offer helpful tips about the business, as well as sign copies of their books.


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