Source: County News Service

May 27, 2014 (San Diego)--The shift of felons from state parole supervision to County Probation supervision did not result in a spike in crime, as measured by arrests, said Probation Chief Mack Jenkins, citing a San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) study released late last week.

May 27, 2014 (San Diego)--Tuesday, May 27^th is the deadline to request a mail-in ballot for the June 3^rd election.  You can download an application from the Registrar of Voters site and e-mail or fax it in.  Your request must include your name, registered address and date of the election, the address where your ballot should be mailed, and your signature.  You can email your request to ROVmail@sdcounty.ca.gov.

May 24,  2014 (San Diego’s East County)-- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

“How we can affect our environment” is topic of session

May 24, 2014 (La Mesa)--San Diego Planning Commissioner Anthony Wagner will headline the June 4th meeting of the La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive in La Mesa.  Wagner, an area native, also heads up the Allied Gardens Town Council and was recently Chair of Navajo Community Planners.  He’ll discuss the results of the June 3rd primary election, as well as the importance of the updated Grantville Community Plan.  As a board member of the San Diego River Park Foundation, Anthony will discuss the balance planners must reach in protecting our open spaces and valuable natural resources with the plans proposed for high-density development of the Grantville area.

By Miriam Raftery

May 26, 2014 (Julian)--Julian celebrates its Gold Rush Days next weekend, May 31st and June 1^st, bringing to life the community’s colorful past.

May 25, 2014 (Alpine) – Bruce Cochrane has been named the new Superintendent of the Alpine Union School District, replacing Tom Pellegrino. Pellegrino resigned to move with his family to Costa Rica.

By Miriam Raftery

May 25, 2014 (San Diego) Campaign signs posted by Ken Gosselin’s judicial campaign  are raising ethical questions In large letters, the words Judge Gosselin are displayed.  Nearly invisible to motorists and passersby, the word “for” in small italics is also present on the signs.

Gosselin, a candidate for Superior Court Judge seat 25, has previously worked as a temporary judge pro tem handling traffic and small claims court cases. He is currently not listed on the Superior Court’s roster of judges pro tem and has stated he is on leave due to the campaign. However, judicial candidates by law are not allowed to call themselves judges, even if  the candidate is currently serving as a judge pro tem.

By Susan Mahalick

May 20, 2014 (Baja)--I am not retired, like so many people are down here, but I consider Baja to be my home, and have for eleven years now. I used to come down for long weekends when I lived up in San Diego, staying with a friend in Baja del Mar. I started crying going back over the border on Sunday evenings, so I decided I could fix that problem by moving here. My friend helped me a find my first tiny casita to rent in Colonia Reforma which is close to the power plant in Rosarito.

May 24, 2014 (El Cajon)--The City of El Cajon Recreation was awarded a grant through the Indian Gaming Local Benefit Committee for fiscal year 2013 - 2014 to replace the outdoor adult exercise equipment located at Wells Park.  The ribbon cutting for the grand re-opening of the fitness area will be on Friday, May 30, at 10:00 a.m.

May 24, 2014 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Grand Jury has issued a report “Say what you’ll do and then do what you say.”  It urges the County Office of Education and the City of San Diego to each establish an implementation review committee.  The report notes pointedly, “The 2013/2014  Grand Jury believes that all agencies within the county should be held accountable for implementing those Grand Jury recommendations to which they have agreed.”

May 24, 2014 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Jacumba Hot Springs (Jacumba) celebrates its Centennial with a major festival on Saturday, May 24th in downtown Jacumba. The Healing Waters & Arts Festival will stretch along Old Highway 80, from the old pink bath house ruins on the west end of town, east to the community park.

Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Parking and attendance are free. Attendees will enjoy Kumeyaay Bird Singers, Native American flute players holistic healers, New Age vendors, drum circles, bounce houses for the children, and many unique crafts, clothing and jewelry vendors. Also featured are multiple music venues, art walk with open studio tours, delectable food trucks, Pacific Southwest Railroad Museum display, Campo Motor Transport Museum displays, raffles for prizes and more, all in a beautiful high desert setting.

PWIA Launches 2nd Annual Safe Rider Program: Awareness initiative focused on education and personal watercraft rider responsibility.

May 20, 2014 (Washington D.C.) - The Personal Watercraft Industry Association (PWIA) announced May 19 that it is again promoting the responsible use of personal watercrafts (PWC) by encouraging safety and education.

May 23, 2014 (El Cajon)--A Lebanese cultural festival takes place this weekend from Friday, May 23 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and then on Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. at St Ephrem Catholic Church in El Cajon.

Authentic Lebanese foods will be served, such as hummus, falafel, shawarma, tabouleh, stuffed grape leaves, chicken kabob, and a wide assortment of gourmet sweets. Visitors can expect live music and dancing, folkloric performances, and a variety of booths with Lebanese specialties, a beer & wine garden, hookah bar, carnival rides, and raffle prizes.

By Peggy Buffo

May 22, 2014 (El Cajon)—ACES, the El Cajon Animal Center for Education and Services Fooundation,  is holding “Barkitecture 2014”, an animal house auction on  June 1st at O’s American Kitchen, Parkway Plaza from 5 to 7 p.m. The Aces Foundation is a  501c3 formed to assist the El Cajon Animal Shelter.

Hear East County Magazine’s interview with  Tony Teora: http://kiwi6.com/file/xtdo52vum0 (new link)

By Trevor Hill and Miriam Raftery

May 23, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)- - In the 71^st Assembly District encompassing most of East County,  Republican Tony Teora is running against Republican incumbent Brian Jones.

There is no Democrat on the ballot (though Democrat Howard Katz has launched a write-in campaign). While Jones takes far-right conservative stances across the board, Teora takes a moderate position on fiscal issues and voices progressive views on social issues and climate change, providing a clear choice for voters.