By Miriam Raftery

By Miriam Raftery

October 28, 2010 (San Diego) – Christopher Wilson, a veteran police officer was shot last night and died early this morning, San Diego Police report. “Officers were assisting U.S. marshals and probation units in doing a compliance check, when there was an exchange of gunshots,” Lt. Andra Brown told East County Magazine. “The officer was fatally wounded and a police canine was injured as well.” The shooting occurred at the Canyon View Apartments at 479 S. Meadowbrook Drive in the Skyline area of southeast San Diego, near Paradise Valley Road.

October 28, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery is among the nominees for a Women in Leadership Award. Winners will be announced Friday, October 29 at the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Women in Leadership luncheon at the Doubletree Hotel in Mission Valley.

Former Mountain Empire teacher:  `Misspent or reshuffled' monies should go back to the classroom

Update October 27, 2010 -- This story has been updated to include comments provided by Councilman Jerry Jones, who was not available when the original story ran.

By Emily Anderson

October 27, 2010 (El Cajon)--Just hours after announcement of the new El Cajon Tagger Tip Line on Monday, an El Cajon resident saw a group of individuals using spray paint to vandalize the rear of a business. The reporting party kept watching the suspects as he called the El Cajon Police Department. He directed officers to the location of the vandals and three juveniles were arrested.

By Miriam Raftery

October 26, 2010 (Spring Valley) Despite disapproval of two County agencies and community groups, the County’s Planning Commission gave the thumbs up for an Alcoholic Beverages commission (ABC) license allowing beer at Blue Flayme, a new Hookah lounge in Spring Valley. The Commission overturned a decision by the Department of Planning and Land Use (DPLU), which opposed the license.

Hookahs have been linked to serious health hazards.  Now, the new trend of combining Hookah smoking and alcohol consumption locally has many in the community up in arms.

By Miriam Raftery
Gail Lover also contributed to this article

October 26, 2010 – The California Secretary of State’s race pits two candidates who each represent historic milestones. Democratic incumbent Debra Bowen won a national John F. Kennedy “Profile in Courage Award” for ordering hack tests on electronic touch screen voting machines—then decertifying some machines after tests at universities proved that tampering could change votes. She was the second woman elected to the office (March Fong Eu, in 1974, was the first).
 

Her opponent, Republican Damon Dunn, aspires to be the first African-American elected to the office. A Stanford alumnus, he told Chamber members that he was mentored by Condoleeza Rice, former U.S. Secretary of State. Founder of a real estate business and an active community volunteer, he also had an award-winning career as a college and NFL football player.

Table Game Halloween-Themed Party on Oct. 30 to Feature Treats and Cash Giveaways

October 27, 2010 (Lakeside) – Barona Resort & Casino is getting in the Halloween spirit with the return of its popular Party Pit with a fun trick-or-treat theme. On Saturday, October 30 from 6 p.m. to midnight, table game players will have a chance to win prizes and cash.

October 26, 2010 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police seek the public’s help to locate a man who robbed the Wells Fargo Bank at 1235 Avocado in El Cajon at 2:35 p.m. today.

October 26, 2010 (San Diego) 9:45 a.m.-- A collision involving several vehicles on I-8 near San Diego State University has prompted a SIG ALERT to be issued.   The accident has resulted in several injuries, blockage of an offramp at College and some lanes on I-8 westbound, as well as a vehicle up an embankment.  

Story and photos by Tom Gatch

October 25, 2010 (Baja)--Punta Banda is a narrow, mostly barren, finger of land that pokes out into the Pacific Ocean at the southern end of Bahia Todos Santos near the City of Ensenada.  Standing not far from the tip, bus loads of bug-eyed tourists regularly stare out at the myriad of sharp, guano covered outcroppings as they munch on fish tacos and wait for the next influx of water to surge through the legendary blowhole, then spurt up in the air and dissolve into a fine, cool mist.

October 17 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- Several San Diego County Parks and Community Centers are offering fun and family-friendly activities this Halloween season.