A surge in solar growth is expected after today's announcement

March 27, 2014 (San Diego)-- The California Public Utilities Commission made a final decision today that has solar homeowners celebrating. The Commission unanimously voted to protect California’s solar customers’ net energy metering contracts for 20 years. Net energy metering allows the meter to spin backwards, giving customers full credit for electricity produced by solar panels that is not used in the building. The highly anticipated decision is a part of Assembly Bill 327 (AB327).

By Miriam Raftery

March 27, 2014 (Julian) – Last night shortly after 8 p.m., a lost hiker called the Sheriff’s communication center to report that he and a companion were lost in the rugged Three Sisters Falls area near Julian.  Their cell phone was dying and they could not find their way back to their vehicle, said Sergeant Carlos Medina at the Julian Sheriff’s Substation.

March 26, 2014 (El Cajon) – Back on the morning of September 1, 2007, Sheriff’s deputies responded to a  call at a home in the 1800 block of Hillsdale Drive in unincorporated El Cajon.  There they found Jerrad Fletcher lying face down in the living room with a gunshot wound in his back. He died at the scene.

March 26, 2014 (San Diego)--The Pacific Crest Trail is one of America’s greatest long-distance hiking routes. Stretching from Mexico to Canada, its 2,650 miles are traversed annually by several hundred thru-hikers as well as thousands of day hikers. They come to the PCT to experience something rugged and memorable, to challenge themselves, and sometimes to find themselves. Cheryl Strayed’s bestseller Wild introduced many readers to the PCT. Now Day Hikes & Overnights on the Pacific Crest Trail gives hikers the tools they need to get out and explore sections of this fabled route.

March 30, 2014 (Alpine) – On March 31, the Alpine Union School District will hold a special meeting.  A closed session at 5:15 to conference with labor negotiators will be followed by an open session at 5:30.

The open session ncludes discussion of changes to upcoming board meeting scheduling, as well as a board workshop at which lead petitioners of the unification process and high school committee members will present their understanding of the unification process. The board will also ask questions.

By Miriam Raftery

March 26, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) –Last week, we reported  on the latest in a string of fires at Iberdrola wind facilities, last time at a Pennsylvania site. Some involved turbines made by Gamesa, in which Iberdrola owns a controlling interest.  Fires have occurred with other Gamesa turbines at additional sites.

Meanwhile in  New Hampshire, ECM has learned that State Fire Marshal Rob Anstey has accused Iberdrola of violating fire safety codes and lying to an oversight committee about the Fire Marshal’s requirements at its Groton Wind facility. The Fire Marshall has announced that he may issue a stop work order to shut down the facility.

That should spark concern here in San Diego, where Supervisors and the federal government recently approved Tule Wind, an Iberdrola wind project slated to go into a region prone to cstastrophic wildfires including the 2007 Harris Fire, which was fueled by 100 mph hurricane-force winds. Campgrounds are located in McCain Valley, where Iberdrola aims to line the only road in and out with wind turbines, each filled with hundreds of gallons of flammable lubricating oil.  Former Cal Fire Batallion Chief Mark Ostrander has warned that firefighters can't fight fires under a flaming turbine whirling off debris, and aerial drops won't work at heights above 300 feet. The turbines are 500 feet, so firefighters would have to wait for the fire to burn outside of the wind facility, which could result in a firestorm that could burn into urban San Diego areas, he has warned.

March 25, 2014 (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 reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• White House plan would end NSA collection of Americans’ phone records (Wash/ Post)
• High court to test limits of religious liberty in Obamacare case (The Hill)
• 14 dead, 176 missing in Washington landslide (USA Today)
• Mountaintops, communities permanently altered in West Virginia (Al Jazeera)

WORLD

• Russia kicked out of G-8 club (The Hill)
• India beats the odds, beats polio (CNN)
• Officials: missing plane went down in Indian Ocean (Washington Post)
• Polish See Shades Of 1939 In Russia's Crimea Grab (NPR)
• If it comes to war with Russia, does Ukraine stand a chance? (BBC The World)
• Moscow signals concern for Russians in Estonia (Reuters)
• Iranians build an American aircraft carrier, sort of (BBC The World)
• Hamas sends threatening text messages to Israelis (JPost)
• NATO says Russia has big force at Ukraine's border, worries over Transdniestria (Reuters)
• Election observers pull foreign staff out of Afghanistan after hotel attack (Reuters)
• After two hearings, Egyptian court issues death sentence verdict for 529 people (+video) (CS Monitor)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

March 24, 2014 (Spring Valley) - A new, primary Incident Command Vehicle is now in service within the San Miguel Fire District, thanks to an award from Barona and Sycuan Casinos. The $45,000 grant covered 68 % of the total vehicle cost. That cost included Required Code 3 Equipment, VHF & 800mgz Radios and Installation. The total cost of the Command Vehicle was $65,000. The remainder of the cost came from the District’s Vehicle Replacement fund.

By David Dickens

March 24, 2014 (San Diego)-Some of us run for fun, some of us run for better health, and some of us run on behalf of others. We have all heard of, or even had friends or family members who have walked for breast cancer, brain cancer, and many other ailments. Wonderful people volunteer their time to help raise awareness of these diseases or even raise funds for the less fortunate. Society as a whole has become selfish in these times of need, however there are still a select  few that love their fellow man or child in this case.

By the East County Eater

Mediterraneo Italiano Bistro & Bar, 1347 Tavern Road, Alpine 91901 (619)445-9902 http://mediterraneobistro.com/

March 24, 2014 (Alpine) –It’s been five years since the East County Eater first reviewed the Mediterraneo in Alpine, in a story titled “A Delightful Find in Alpine.”  Now there are new owners and a new head chef  with a menu focused on authentic Italian cuisine, raising the bar from “delightful” to “magnifico.”

March 24, 2014 (La Mesa)--On March 24 at 5:19 am, La Mesa Police were notified by Grossmont Hospital staff that a stab victim had just been brought into the hospital. Minutes before the hospital report, La Mesa Police received reports of a disturbance at a residence in the 3800 block of Murray Hill Drive, La Mesa.  When officers arrived on Murray Hill, they determined the two incidents were related and the stabbing was believed to be in self defense.

By Miriam Raftery

March 24, 2014 (San Diego)—Mass school shootings have occurred around the nation—including tragedies locally at Santana and Granite Hills High Schools in East County, as well as at Carlsbad Elementary School and at Cleveland Elementary in San Diego. 

Now the San Diego Grand Jury has issued a report finding that not enough has been done to prevent future school shootings locally. The Grand Jury is calling for improving school security and says that low cost options need to be considered.

March 24, 2014 (El Cajon) – St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center is holding its 16th annual Morning Glory Brunch on April 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2119 E. Madison Ave., El Cajon.  The brunch will feature complimentary food and beverage tastings from over 20 local restaurants, art work from SMSC students and local artists, silent and Chinese auctions and the famous great frog race.

By Miriam Raftery

March 24, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) -- The $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama in February 2009.

March 24, 2014 (Bonita)--On Sunday, March 23, 2014, Sheriff's Deputies in the Bonita area responded to a report of a domestic assault, at 2900 Briarwood Road, in Bonita. James Kang , 29, allegedly assaulted his wife who escaped their apartment with injuries and called a friend for help.