December 20, 2010 (San Diego's East County)--State Route 67 will close in both directions between Prospect and Woodside Avenues tonight through Wednesday from 9 p.m. each night until 5 a.m. the next morning. In addition, starting at 8 p.m., the southbound Magnolia on-ramp, northbound Bradley Avenue on-ramp and Prospect Avenue off-ramp will also be closed. The closures will allow highway construction crews to install highway signs and remove k-rail.

December 20, 2010 (San Diego) -- A winter holiday crackdown by 14 local law enforcement agencies resulted in 122 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs from 12:01 a.m. Friday, December 18 to midnight Saturday, December 19. That’s more than double the 57 DUI arrests made during the same period in 2009. Fortunately, no fatalities associated with DUIs were reported this weekend.

Through year's end, DUI checkpoints, sting operations, multi-agency task force operations and warrant/ probation sweeps will be conducted by local law enforcement agencies.

December 18, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- To quote a favorite carol, "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" all across East County!  Here are highlights from just some of the holiday festivities that have recently taken place in our communities.

At the Olde Time Christmas Village, sponsored by the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce, youngsters frolicked in snow--some for the first time.  

December 17, 2010 (San Diego) – A strong Pacific storm is forecast to bring high rains to San Diego County through at least Wednesday of next week. Tne National Weather Service forecasts two to five inches of rain for San Diego’s mountain areas tonight through Sunday. Inland valleys may received up to two inches of rain, with a half inch forecast for desert areas.

December 17, 2010 (Jamul)-Jamul Drive was shut down this afternoon after a passerby found a dead man at 1:45 p.m. The body , which had blood on its face, was lying face-down in the 14000 block of Jamul Drive. California Highway Patrol officers responded and determined that the death did not result from a traffic accident, then summoned Sheriff’s homicide detectives.

December 17, 2010 (La Mesa) – “Food, wine, art and a chance to talk with local people who are going about making the world a better place, one village at a time…what could be more in the holiday spirit?” asks an invitation from Shannon O’Dunn, owner of O’Dunn Art in La Mesa. Tonight from 5-7 p.m., she will host a wine-tasting event to benefit H.U.G.S. (Helping Ugandans Grow Stronger). The organization is raising funds to build a bakery in western Uganda that will provide jobs for women and girls in this impoverished area.

December 16, 2010 (Santee) -- On Tuesday, December 14 shortly before 3 a.m.,a clerk at the 7-11 store at 9750 Cuyamaca Street in Santee was robbed at gun point by a man wielding a semi-automatic handgun, according to Sergeant Craig Johnson with the Sheriff’s Department.

Judge grants Quechan Indian tribe’s request for temporary injunction on Tessera Solar plant in Imperial Valley; decision has ramifications for large-scale energy projects in East County and across the nation
 

By Miriam Raftery
 

December 16, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Local and statewide activists battling massive energy projects on public lands are praising a decision issued by U.S. District Court Judge Larry Burns yesterday, while the CEO of Tessera Solar says he is "deeply disappointed" in the ruling.

The federal Judge issued a temporary restraining order halting construction on the first massive desert solar project authorized on public lands—a project that if built, would be one of the largest solar power plants in the world.

December 16, 2010 (Escondido) – Local sports fans will be able to cheer on a Padres’ Triple-A baseball team in Escondido starting with the season opening in 2013, if plans proceed on time to build a $50 million stadium approved yesterday by the Esondido City Council.

But several issues remain to be resolved.

December 16, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- If you're driving this morning, be aware of multilpe incidents that may pose hazards for motorists.  CHP reports numerous minor collisions as well as several major accidents and a flooded roadway.  Here are the latest reports:

December 16, 2010 (La Mesa)-- The Senior Resource Center at Sharp Grossmont Hospital offers free or low-cost educational programs and health screenings each month. The Senior Resource Center also provides information and assistance for health information and community resources. Below are classes offered for January on a wide range of topics of interest to seniors.

December 16, 2010 (San Diego) --The FBI and several local banks are offering a combined reward of $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the “Geezer Bandit.” 

The “Geezer Bandit” is believed to be responsible for robbing 12 banks since August 2009 throughout San Diego County, including East County, and most recently, in Bakersfield.

FTC offers tips on how to avoid falling victim to phone fraudsters

December 15, 2010 (La Mesa) – An early morning fire at 4:30 a.m. Monday resulted in the death of a cat and sent the owner to a hospital with respiratory problems sustained while trying to locate her pet in a smoke-filled apartment unit.

Chez Nous Gourmet Deli and Café
9821 Carroll Canyon Road, Suite E, San Diego

858-566-4766
 

Review By Tanya Huang

December 15, 2010 (Scripps Ranch)--As I pull into the familiar small parking lot, the first places I’m forced to notice are Carl’s Jr. on my right and the local salon on my left. Then, slowly but surely, my eyes are drawn to the sky blue sign, “Chez Nous.” I feel as though I’ve spotted a long lost friend in a crowd of strangers. It’s been months since I’ve been home, in Scripps Ranch, and even longer since I’ve indulged in the best sandwich in town.