March 27, 2012 (Lemon Grove) -- At 9:11 a.m., Tuesday morning, Heartland Fire & Rescue crews from Lemon Grove, La Mesa, and El Cajon were dispatched to reports of a residential structure fire in the 1500 block of Skyline Drive.  A 911 call reported  a room on fire.  Fire crews arrived within 6 minutes to discover dark smoke coming from the front door and side bedroom window of a single story, single family residence. 

March 26, 2012 (La Mesa) – Helix Charter High School is now enrolling for the 2012-13 school year.  It is a tuition-free public school that all California residents are eligible to attend.  The school focuses on preparing all students for the opportunity to attend college.

March 26, 2012 (El Cajon) – The San Diego County Library at 201 E. Douglas Avenue, El Cajon is hosting a Persian New Year celebration on March 31 at 2:00 p.m.  Attendees will enjoy free entertainment, including a performance by the Dornob Music Ensemble, and learn about ancient traditions and culture.  Known as Nowruz, the Persian New Year festival typically lasts for thirteen days.

By Miriam Raftery

March 25, 2012 (El Cajon ) – The body of Shaima Alawadi, the 32-year-old Iraqi mother of five who died following a brutal attack in El Cajon last week, will be flown to Iraq for burial. The Detroit Free Press reports that her father, Sayed Nabeel Alawadi, a Shia cleric, confirmed that the Iraqi government will pay for the shipping expense.

Her murder has sparked outrage around the globe--and a show of solidarity among students in distant places.

March 25, 2012 (Otay) A brush fire that began in a canyon at 5353 Airway Road in the Otay area is being fed by heavy winds, Incident Page Network reports.  A helicopter has been requested to aid with water drops at 4:56 p.m.

Santee Council to weigh resolution opposing power plant March 28;  San Diego Council to consider zoning change to allow facility on April 26

By Miriam Raftery

March 25, 2012 (San Diego/Santee) – Seventeen staffers from the California Energy Commission heard from concerned residents at a standing-room-only workshop on a proposed gas-fired power plant this week at Mission Trails Regional Park.  Over 60 residents filled out speaker cards to oppose the controversial project and dozens more packed the room.  

In emotionally charged testimony, residents pleaded for the project to be withdrawn or approval denied.  They voiced concerns over the dangers pose by wildfire and explosions as well as worries over noise, traffic, air pollution, visual blight, and impacts on wildlife, homes, schools, and Mission Trails Regional Park.