April 8, 2014 (San Diego)--California State Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez today announced the creation of the Assembly Select Committee on Women in the Workplace and named Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) as its chair.

April 8, 2014 (Ramona)--Aviation enthusiasts and war history buffs will enjoy an exciting display at Ramona Airport when the Wings of Freedom Tour flies into town this month. World War II aircraft, including the B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator and P-51 Mustang, will be on display April 23 to 25 at 2898 Montecito Rd., Ramona.

Photo: Surveillance video shows DMV employee accepting cash from license applicant.

Source: FBI http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2014/february/corruption-in-a-san-diego-motor-vehicle-office

February 25, 2014 (El Cajon) --You could call this scam a license to steal, and it certainly was—until it all came crashing down on the corrupt state employees and their accomplices who were selling California driver’s licenses for cash.

By Robert Clark

Photo: Shaima Alawadi

April 5, 2014 (La Mesa)-- Do you have a budding artist or a child that loves to act?  What about your sports enthusiast or do they love to work with wood and tools?  La Mesa Community Services is offering 19 “Summer to Remember!” camps that will put a smile on any child’s face ages three years and up:

April 5, 2014 (Alpine)--Grossmont Union High School District’s board meets on April 10 in the East County Regional Education Center, 924 East Main Street in EL Cajon.  Public session starts at 6 p.m. after a closed-door-session.

April 7, 2014 (Borrego Springs)--Borrego Springs residents are holding a rally tonight night to oppose the release of a violent sexual predator into their community.   The California Department of State hospitals proposes to place Terry Stone at 2632 Frying Pan Road in Borrego Springs.

By Miriam Raftery

April 7, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - Mark Twain’s classic short story, The Celebrating Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, told the tale of a gambler in the Gold Rush era who won a bet by loading up a competitor’s frog with buckshot.  The star of that tale, California’s red legged frog, was made famous—and the town of Angel’s Camp re-creates the fictional even each year.

April 6, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)—The future of the East County Performing Arts Center, whether Alpine parents should be free to leave the Grossmont district, and whether a fire district should be able to declare most native vegetation as nuisance or not are among the hot items on East County agendas this week.  Click “read more” and scroll down for these and other important items being heard this week.

April 5, 2014 (Jacumba) – Tom Lemon sent this surreal looking shot of a buffalo sculpture and man-made caves at the Desert View Tower, long a favorite roadside stop of travelers in Jacumba. Visit it while you still can – word is its long-time proprietor may be set to retire in the near future.

Ewin to step down, leaving two vacancies to fill on Council

By Miriam Raftery

April 6, 2014 (La Mesa) – The filing deadline isn’t until  August for La Mesa’s city council and mayoral races.  But at least two candidates have already declared their intention to vie for Mayor.  Art Madrid announced on East County Magazine’s radio show that he is seeking reelection. Listen to interview here.  Councilman Mark Arpostathis held a press conference to announce he plans to challenge Mayor Madrid. View video of his announcement here.

Whether Aropstathis wins or loses the mayoral challenge, it will open up his seat on the city council.  In addition, long-serving Councilman Ernie Ewin announced this week that he will not seek reelection and has further indicated he will not run for mayor, San Diego Rostra reported. That leaves two open seats on La Mesa’s  council –and a potential shift in the balance of power and priorities for La Mesa.

Celebration of life planned April 13

Linda Marie Shipman, 62, of Lakeside, California, passed away on March 29, 2014. A devoted wife, mother and massage therapist, she was also known as a tireless community volunteer active in local charities, nonprofits and business organizations.

April 6, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - Cuyamaca Community College invites you to its sixth annual “Coyote Music Festival” on the campus Grand Lawn on Saturday, April 26 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The festival features seven bands of up-and-coming local talent that will showcase all-original music compositions. These home-grown singer-songwriters will perform a variety of genres, including acoustic, rock, folk and pop.

April 6, 2014 (San Diego) – The League of Women Voters of San Diego will hold a Meet the Candidates Reception on April 29, 2014 from 6 to 8 pm.  The event will be held at the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park.  There is no charge to attend.

By Craig E. Kleffman

April 5, 2014 (San Diego County) - San Diego’s chief law enforcement officer is District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis. In 2012 she ran for Mayor. Her associate, Ernesto Encinas — a retired San Diego Detective — conspired with a foreign national to secure illegally about $200,000 in a foreign campaign contribution. Approximately $100,000 went to a campaign committee, while the other $100,000 or so funded the campaign’s online presence.