September 23, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service predicts hot weather across Southern California this weekend and early next week. High pressure building over the west along with weak offshore air flow will result in mostly clear skies, low humidity and high temperatures:

Septemer 23, 2010 (Sacramento) Assemblymember Marty Block (D-Lemon Grove) announced that 10 bills which he authored now await Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s signature. This package includes measures to boost skills for the unemployed, improve community college student assessment, eases the voting process for military serving overseas and protect funding for special education programs in schools across California.

Sullivan Solar has vision for Alpine “solar revolution”; hosts community meeting Sept. 25
Property owners can start saving money immediately, with no money down

September 23, 2010 (Alpine) – Sullivan Solar Power, a San Diego firm ranked among the fastest growing companies in America by Inc. Magazine, is offering group discounts to help Alpine homeowners and businesses create a solar-powered community. 

“When the powers-that-be such as the PUC, Sempra and SDG&E don’t respect the wishes of the constituents, it’s time for the constituents to declare independence,” Daniel Sullivan, president of Sullivan Solar Power, told East County Magazine. “What we are doing is setting the stage for them to declare independence at a cost that’s less than they would find anywhere else.” 

By Billie Jo Jannen
For East County Magazine

September 22, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- The principals of Campo and Potrero elementary schools in Mountain Empire Unified School District were reassigned by the superintendent without warning on Sept. 9; shocked parents were issued hasty letters of explanation five days later.

Campo Principal Diane Yops was informed that she was being removed. A janitor was dispatched to collect her keys and, in the presence of parents and staff members, moved her office items to Potrero Elementary. There, the non-Spanish speaking educator will supervise a student body that is mostly made up of native Spanish speakers. Witnesses said she was forbidden to speak to anyone at the time of her removal.

September 23, 2010 (Encanto) – Two people in a White Ford Explorer reportedly tried to coax an 11-year-old walking to school into their vehicle yesterday morning, San Diego Police report. The attempted kidnapping occurred near 61st street and Division in the Encanto neighborhood southwest of Lemon Grove.

Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore to keynote conference south of border in October; sustainable new city aims to house 1 million inhabitants by 2030

By Abraham Nudelstejer

By Miriam Raftery

September 22, 2010 (Santee)—Outside Walgreens pharmacy in Santee today, local carpenters held a banner reading “Shame on Walgreens.”

“This is a nationwide campaign,” Ian Law, a representative of Carpenters Union Local 1506, told East County Magazine. “Walgreens has decided to use non-union contractors and sub-contractors to do remodeling and construction of Walgreens stores around the nation,” he said.  Non-union contractors may avoid paying healthcare and pension benefits to workers, also paying lower wages that threaten the quality of life for workers and their families, Law added.

Updated September 21, 2010.

By Miriam Raftery

September 20, 2010 (Alpine) – A man driving near the intersection of Dehesa Road and Dehesa Ranch Road in Alpine around 11 p.m. last night told officials that he pulled over after seeing a flashing red light and a white spotlight behind him, Channel 10 News reports. Sheriff’s Lieutenant. Jim Duffy said the motorist claims that he was robbed at gunpoint after pulling over, believing he had been stopped by law enforcement.

September 21, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego Police are searching for John Sudds, 20, who fled eastbound on Skyline Drive near the La Presa area after stabbing his two brothers around 2:21 this morning.

By Lola Sherman

September 19, 2010 (Santee) - They call it a race when candidates compete for election, and in the case of the contest for city Council here, the word “race” seems appropriate.

September 20, 2010 (San Diego) – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) today announced that it will be providing additional customer safety communications for its natural gas customers who are located near natural gas transmission facilities.

Update 6:40 p.m.  The Border Fire has been halted at 120 acres, Cal Fire's Nich Schuler said.  Firefighters will remain on scene through the night mopping up hot spots.

Update 2:40 p.m. Forward spread has been stopped, Nick Schuler of Cal-Fire reports.  He added that Cal-Fire was incorrect in its earlier report; after further mapping officials have concluded that the fire did not cross the border.
September 19, 2010 (San Diego) – 1:15 p.m. -- A fire that began this morning in Mexico has now crossed over into the U.S.

“It is still very active and we are sending five engines into Mexico south of Boulevard due to the continued threat,” Cal-Fire battalion chief Nick Schuler told East County Magazine. Winds are now blowing to the north, he added.

September 16, 2010 (Poway) – Poway Community Association invites the public to dress up in old-fashioned or Western wear and head ‘em on out to Old-Fashioned Poway Days this weekend, where activities include a parade, picnic, battle of the bands/dance, a trail ride (bring your own horse!) and the Poway Days Festival.

September 19, 2010 (Poway) – A Poway woman, 50, was killed today while riding her bicycle in Carlsbad, the San Diego Medical Examiner’s office reports.