By Miriam Rafferty

April 13, 2014 (Escondido) – On May 1^st, a new  bilingual newspaper will launch.  The "Escondido Alliance/Alianza Escondido" aims to fill the news void left by closure of the North County Times, which folded after U-T San Diego publisher Doug Manchester purchased the publication.  The former Escondido Times-Advocate had previously been absorbed by the North County Times, so the series of acquisitions has left Escondido without a local press to cover politics, events and more –until now.

“People are so excited when we tell them we’re starting a newspaper,” said Nina Deerfield, co-publisher of the Alliance along with Marco Lopez.  “They’ve had no voice…There is so little coverage of what’s happening in Escondido.”

April 11, 2013 (Escondido) --  Firefighters are responding to a brush fire at Deer Springs and I-15 in the Escondido area. According to the Incident Page Network there are several spot fires, with a larger header farther south. One fire is now over an acre.

According to the CHP there is a second spot fire starting one to two miles from the original fire.

Update February 13:  The CPUC has postponed its decisions until February 28.  This is the fourth delay on the controversial projects.

February 12, 2013 (San Diego)—The California Public Utilities Commission is expected to decide this Wednesday, February 13 on whether or not to approve three gas-powered “peaker” plants in San Diego County, including Quail Brush near Mission Trails, as well as facilities in Otay and Escondido. The meeting will be held in San Francisco at 9 a.m. 

If you wish to send a letter to the CPUC, Save Mission Trails has information posted here.

November 13, 2012  --  (San Diego’s East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL/REGIONAL

• Filner’s priorities (U-T San Diego)
• Judge rejects gag order in SDG&E noose case (U-T San Diego)
• La Mesa Police warn of mall robbers (U-T San Diego)
• Girl bitten 6 times after stepping n rattler nest (KUSI)
• Escondido scrambling in wake of Prop P (North County Times)
• Jerry Sanders named CEO of regional chamber of commerce (Lemon Grove Patch)
• Suspects ID’d in Lakeside rock throwing ((U-T San Diego)

STATE

• ACLU asks courts t block part of Prop 35 on human trafficking  (Sacramento Bee)
• Jerry plan plans to restrain Democratic desires at capital (Sacramento Bee)
• Moody’s says  Prop 30 passage a boost to school credit (Sacramento Bee)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

November 1, 2012 (San Diego) –Responding to complaints from neighbors of two organic farms in Escondido and Jacumba, County Supervisors on October 30 approved a plan to order farmers to reduce eye gnat infestations. The plan adopted stops short of allowing the county to order pesticide use, but does give the county the right to order other abatement  measures if voluntary efforts don’t work.

For details, see ECM news partner 10 News’ article at http://www.10news.com/news/county-tentatively-approves-program-to-reduce...

Update January 29, 2012:  The San Diego Medical Examiner's office has identified the victim as Derek anthony Millsap, who lived with his family in Escondido.

January 24, 2012 (Escondido) – A 22-year-old Escondido driver was killed tonight after racing another vehicle, causing a shutdown of multiple lanes on I-15 south late this afternoon.

November 27, 2011 (Escondido) – Escondido Police are searching for a peeper caught on videotape rubbing up against female shoppers and taking photos up their skirts. The incidents occurred at the Westfield North County Fair in Escondido yesterday around 2:30 p.m. during the “Black Friday” shopping rush.

By Miriam Raftery

Update November 10, 2011--County Supervisors voted 4-0 yesterday to ask the Farm Bureau to craft a proposed solution within 90 days. Supervisor Bill Horn, an organic farmer, abstained.

By Bruce Sims

October 1, 2011 (Escondido)--In a workshop on September 28 regarding a proposed change from a general law city to a charter city, there were presentations made by various entities for and against the measure. Among some three dozen private citizens who spoke out, the voices were unanimously against the controversial proposal.

September 15, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Four breaking news incidents impacting traffic have occurred in Jacumba, Alpine, El Cajon and Escondido, including a fatality accident and another with serious injuries. Other road closures have occurred due to a gas line break and a small brush fire.

September 9, 2011 (Escondido) -- It's time to enjoy the fruits of the harvest--along with plenty of family fun at Escondido's annual Grape Day Parade and Festival this Saturday, September 10.

The public is invited to join in festivities that include a grape stomp, free grapes, a parade, entertainment, arts and crafts, kids' activities, and food.

By Jeremy Los

Aug. 28, 2011- Sweltering heat couldn’t keep East County wine lovers from kicking off this year’s grape harvest at San Diego’s award winning Orfila Vineyards and Winery’s 18th annual grape stomp in Escondido’s San Pasqual Valley yesterday.

Roughly 420 people channeled their inner vintner by stomping freshly picked grapes with their bare feet, leaving many astounded with the sheer gooey nature of the after product.

August 5, 2011(Escondido)-- The San Diego County Board of Supervisors this week unanimously approved the acquisition of four properties needed to complete the widening of Bear Valley Parkway in unincorporated Escondido, between Boyle Avenue and Highway 78.

To date, the County has negotiated real property contracts to acquire or use 31 of the 50 properties that will be needed to complete the project. This week's vote follows approvals given earlier this year to proceed with property acquisitions and relocation of homeowners displaced by the widening project.