September 30, 2011 (San Diego) –  San Diegans are taking to the streets to combat rising energy costs Saturday, October 1 during the twelth Annual San Diego Solar Tour,  part of the non-profit American Solar Energy Society’s National Solar Tour, the world’s largest grassroots solar event. 

Click to view video of speech highlights

September 22, 2011 (San Diego) –Congressman Bob Filner laid out an ambitious plan for revitalizing San Diego in a speech Saturday at the County’s Democratic Convention. He wants to transform the port into a maritime center to employ thousands of people and replace good-paying jobs for skilled middle class workers that vanished when General Dynamics left San Diego. He aims to make San Diego the alternative energy capitol of America, bringing green jobs to our region. In addition, he seeks to create a more “livable city”, moving redevelopment out of downtown and into communities with greater needs.

Why does he believe he can succeed at leading such a major redevelopment effort? Because he already has. “I wrote the Gaslamp plan,” he says of his service on the City Council before his election to Congress.

September 29, 2011 (El Cajon)—An ambulance burst into flames after oxygen tanks on board exploded late this afternoon at Westfield Parkway Plaza mall in El Cajon, according to Monica Zech, spokesperson for the city of El Cajon.

Deadliest food outbreak in over a decade; illness may occur weeks after consuming Listeria bacteria

September 28, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Federal authorities with the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration warn consumers not to eat cantaloupes unless you’re certain where they came from. If in doubt, throw it out.

Millions of cantaloupes are being recalled after sickening 72 people and leading to 16 deaths linked to Listeria in the deadliest food outbreak in a decade. The recall covers cantaloupes distributed to at least 25 states, with illnesses reported in 18 states, including California. 

September 29, 2011 (La Mesa)—La Mesa Police have arrested Damu Lucas, 20, and Victoria Gonzalez, 19. The pair has been charged with three residential burglaries that occurred on Thorne Drive and Saranac Place the morning of September 27.

September 28, 2011 (San Diego's East County)--ECM World Watch highlights top U.S. and world news stories, published in other media.  This week's top headlines include:

WORLD

·         Saudi king gives women right to vote (Reuters)

·         Saudi woman driver’s lashing ‘overturned by king’(BBC)

·         NATO strikes Gaddafi stronghold(BBC)

·         Gamers crack AIDS puzzle(Medical News Today)

U.S.

·         Mass. man accused of plotting to hit Pentagon and Capitol with drone aircraft (Washington Post)

·         Air Force and Navy turn to biofuels (NPR)

·         Obama’s healthcare law appealed to Supreme Court (Reuters)

·         80 arrested as ‘occupy Wall Street’ protest of bank bailouts, mortgage crisis marches in NYC (Washington Post)

·         Hot truck problems getting worse (WTHR-TV)

·         U.S. Internet rules to take effect Nov. 20 (Reuters)

·         Net Neutrality rules are coming. Here’s why they matter (Christian Science Monitor)

·         Guantanamo tribunal for USS Cole suspect (BBC)

September 28, 2011 (El Cajon) -- Bring the family for the 40^th annual Oktoberfest in El Cajon, presented by the German American Societies, the first two weekends in October.  The dates are September 30 through October 2 and October 7 through 9, for San Diego’s original Oktoberfest – complete with a tantalizing selection of German foods, beverages, and so much more!

Update Sept. 29 - The victim has been identified as Andre Duff Zollicoffer, age 48.

Update Sept. 28, 7 p.m. - Trolley service has been restored.