Hearing set for Oct. 13; public comments open now through Oct. 26

September 12, 2015 (Spring Valley ) – The County’s Planning & Development Services has proposed a Mitigated Negative Declaration of environmental impacts for the Sweetwater Place project at the northwest corner of Sweetwater Springs Blvd. and Jamacha Blvd. in Spring Valley.

For complete Calendar including Authors Events, go to www.SDWriteWay.org

This column is also published in the http://EastCountyMagazine.org. If you are from East County, I highly recommend that you check out the ECM for articles and the latest in what is happening in the East County.

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East County News Service

September 12, 2015 (Sacramento)—A trio of bills to regulate medical marijuana in California have passed the Legislature and now await Governor Jerry Brown’s signature. 

The measures cover the full gamut of the billion dollar cannabis industry, from farming to dispensaries, all to be licensed for transportation and distribution under a new Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation in the Department of Consumer Affairs. In addition to state licenses, local city or county licensing will also be required, so jurisdictions with bans or restrictions can keep them and voters can also weigh in on issues such as taxing the growing or sale of medical marijuana.

East County News Service

September 12, 2015 (San Diego) – A bull dog died of heat stroke at Mission Trails Regional Park on September 7^th.  As a result, the park posted warnings urging owners not to take dogs on trails during the excessive heat. 

But some ignored the warnings, including the owner of another dog that nearly suffered heat stroke a couple of days later, Fox 5 news reports.

September 11, 2015 (Santee)--The death of a 79-year-old San Diego woman on Sept. 8 and the recent hospitalization of an 80-year-old Santee woman are under investigation as probable West Nile virus cases, the County Health and Human Services Agency announced today. The 80-year-old woman is currently recovering.

September 11, 2015 (El Cajon)--The Grossmont College Latino Film Festival and a Cuyamaca College Latino Heritage Celebration highlight an array of special events honoring Hispanic Heritage Month at the two East County colleges beginning Sept. 15.

All of the events are free and open to the public.

By Miriam Raftery

September 10, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Grossmont High School’s principal sent a letter to all parents yesterday warning of a apparent attempt to kidnap a female student on Tuesday, September 8th. 

According to Principal Daniel Barnes, the teen girl was waiting for a ride at 3:30 p.m. near the baseball field on Milden Avenue when she was approached by a man, who beckoned to her with a cigarette and told her to “get in” his vehicle. She refused and the man drove off on Water Street.

The victim described the suspect as a Hispanic man about 30 to 40 years old with brown hair, brown eyes, dark complexion, round face and large mole on his right cheek.  He was driving  a maroon single cab pickup truck, possibly a Ford F-150, older model with chipped paint.

Part IV: Rick Perry and Scott Walker

Miriam Raftery, Devoreo Bell, and Juwan Armostrong contributed to this series.

Update Sept. 11, 2015:  Rick Perry announced he has suspended his presidential campaign.

September 10, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – In part IV of our series on the 2015 presidential race, we profile Texas Governor Rick Perry and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, both Republicans who are among the most controversial contenders in this race. One is indicted on criminal charges of political favoritism,  the other survived a recall election over his anti-labor actions.

Listen to Destination East County, also airing on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audio link.

September 10, 2015 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County features a Car-B-Que at Santee Lakes, live musical theatre productions, the Sycuan pow-wow and a bluegrass festival in Santee.

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including the Julian Music Festival, the opening of the silver anniversary season of the Poway Performing Arts Center featuring Kenny Loggins as well as some major fall festivals including Julian Apple Days, Fall Fest, and of course, Oktoberfest!

So scroll down for all of these events and much, much more.

Free Seminar Sept. 17 at Alvarado Hospital

By Dr. Vadim Avulov

If you are considering gastric bypass surgery to lose weight, a therapeutic effect is often the reduction or elimination of type 2 diabetes. Gastric bypass reduces the amount of nutrients absorbed by the small intestine, which appears to result in metabolic changes that have a beneficial effect on diabetes.

If you are considering surgical weight loss, gastric bypass is a popular procedure because of its success rate. Even better, it can now be performed minimally invasively, which makes it much safer with quicker recovery.

The Atlantian: The Vision Quest, Book One, by Deborah M. Pratt (VGM Publishing, Beverly Hills CA, 2015, 287 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

September 10, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - Deborah Pratt, a master storyteller with a vivid and imaginative mind for science fiction, the former co-executive producer and head writer on the iconic NBC series Quantum Leap, has followed this up with her latest book of a similar genre; The Atlantian: The Vision Quest, Book One. The Atlantian is a classic adventure that confronts the loss of innocence and the tender heartbeats of first love, held in secret while the whole of human existence hangs in the balance.

New public discussion series considers water, public safety, downtown redevelopment and urban issues central to city’s future ; first meeting Sept. 23

September 8, 2015 (La Mesa – La Mesa Conversations, a new civic group organized as a volunteer committee, announced a new series of public programs and social events today. The Committee’s objective is to broaden, enrich and invigorate La Mesa’s civic dialogue on issues of enduring importance to residents citywide.

September 8, 2015 (El Cajon)--A 9/11 commemoration organized by State Sen. Joel Anderson’s staff is set for 10:30-11:30 a.m. Friday at Grossmont College’s Main Quad. Speaking will be Grossmont College President Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh, Cal Fire Battalion Chief Jeff Lannon, El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, El Cajon Councilman Bob McClellan, MCAS Miramar Chaplain Wayne (Bob) Freiberg, and Steele Canyon High School’s ASB President Trevor Krantz.