May 19, 2010 (Camp Pendleton) -- A 50-acre brush fire is burning this evening at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base n Oceanside, Incident Page Network reported at 6:40 p.m.  San Diego County Sheriff's Astrea chopper 10 and chopper 12 are assisting in battling the blaze, which is presently confined to the base. No further details are available at this time. 

In a separate incident, smoke has also been widely visible today from a controlled burn at Miramar Marine Corps Air Base.

May 19, 2010 (El Cajon)—After advancing through two phases of competition, the Mount Miguel High School JROTC leadership team  will participate in the final Championship round of the 2010 Army JROTC Leadership Symposium in Washington, D.C. at George Mason University, June 25-29, 2010. This event is sponsored by the Army JROTC and conducted by College Options Foundation.

May 21, 2010 (La Mesa) -- Clayton M. Anderson, Senior Partner of the law firm of Anderson & Kriger headquartered in La Mesa, is pleased to announce two new attorneys have joined the firm. Bradley A. Schuber (San Diego Office) and Jake J. Fathy (Sacramento Office) will be assisting homeowners of single‐family residences or condominium conversions whose homes suffer from construction defects.

May 18, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- An earthquake centered 12 miles southeast of Ocotilllo in Imperial County was felt throughout San Diego's East County and the region.

The quake hit around 5:39 this evening and was first reported as a 5.1 magnitude, however the U.S. Geological Service later downgraded it to a 4.5. 

No damage has been reported. The quake is likely an aftershock from the powerful 7.2 earthquake centered in Mexico on Easter Sunday.

May 18, 2010 (El Cajon) – Police are seeking a suspect who shot and wounded a man last night around 8:40 p.m. Officers responded to a 911 call in the vicinity of 500 North Mollison in El Cajon. One man had been shot in the abdomen and was transported to a hospital. His injury is not considered life-threatening

Opponents call move a “golden opportunity” for public to weigh in and potentially halt project

May 16, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Yesterday, Cleveland National Forest issued a request for public comments on SDG&’E’s proposed Sunrise Powerlink project.

The public has 45 days to submit comments on the planned high-voltage line. As part of a national energy corridor, the line could ultimately a 1,000 foot-wide swatch of clearance through Cleveland National Forest in East County. Forest Services officials are preparing a Supplemental Information Report (SIR) to include new information received. The Union-Tribune reports that the Forest Service said Saturday that the massive power line “threatens views, creeks and roadless areas in the forest.”

Story and photos by Rachel Wattson

May 18, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- Photographers are as plentiful as the sand on the beach. It can be overwhelming to begin your search when there are so many talented people to chose from. How do you know if you are getting the photographer right for you? What do you need to know? Don't give up! Here are a few tips to help you sift through the sand.

May 17, 2010 (Blossom Valley) – A woman, 44, became trapped after a vehicle struck a tree and caught fire on Blossom Valley Road near Red Pony around 6:10 p.m. this evening.

The roadway was shut down in both directions while rescuers extricated the woman, who was airlifted via Mercy Air to a trauma unit at Sharp Hospital, according to California Highway Patrol.

Oil and utility industry-backed measures seek to rollback global warming bill and restrict local governments' abilities to purchase clean energy

May 17, 2010 (San Diego) – Two energy measures drawing controversy this election season will be topics of discussion at an event Tuesday evening hosted by the Sustainability Alliance of Southern California.

California is the Only Top Ten Producing State Without a Tax
Texas Taxes = $14.33/barrel; California only gets $4.22/barrel

May 17,2010 (Sacramento) – Last week, as Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger released an updated California Budget with massive cuts in services, Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) called on the Governor to support his  Assembly Bill 1604, the Oil Industry Fair Share Act. The bill would create an 10 percent oil severance tax on each barrel of oil produced in California and generate over $1.5 billion in revenues to fund public safety, education, human services, and other vital programs.

“At a time when classrooms are becoming more crowded, when more and more people are losing their health insurance due to unemployment, and numerous programs affecting seniors, and the disabled are facing increased cuts, we cannot allow the oil industry to get a free ride in California,” said Nava, who is also a candidate for Attorney General. “These resources belong to the people of California and therefore should be used for the benefit of all our hardworking families.”

May 17, 2010 (El Cajon)--Sycuan Casino has made a $20,000 contribution to the El Cajon Community Development Corporation to further the organization’s economic development efforts in Downtown El Cajon. The firm’s donation will support two of the El Cajon CDC’s most popular community programs: the free weekly Cajon Classic Cruise car show which commences June 30, and the free weekly Concerts on the Green which commences June 25.

Diamond Sponsor Viejas also honored with special award

May 16, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – Huindreds turned out at the Cuyamaca College Foundation dinner last night to honor past presidents and raise money for student scholarships.

“This place has grown up. It’s a wonderful, beautiful campus that is fulfilling its role in our community,” said former Dr. Samuel Ciccati, one of four former presidents present at the event, titled “Shine On.”

May 16, 2010 (Spring Valley) – Shortly after midnight, Sheriff deputies from the Lemon Grove Station responded to a report of multiple gunshots fired during a fight involving up to 20 people outside Rallys Hamburgers at 8667 Jamacha Road in Spring Valley.

May 18, 2010 (Campo) – At least ten children have been injured in a collision this morning between a school bus and a light pole in the parking lot at Golden Acorn Casino on the Campo Indian reservation. Patients with injuries ranging from mild to moderate have been transported to Grossmont and Alvarado hospitals.

Majority Vote Budget Initiative qualifies for ballot

How would you balance the budget? Take the Next10 budget challenge

By Miriam Raftery

May 14, 2010 (Sacramento) – Facing a budget deficit of over $20 billion, today Governor Schwarzenegger proposed deep new budget cuts.  The Governor proposes the complete elimination of the CAL-Works program (which will impact over 80,000 low-income parents and their children in San Diego County), slash in-home care for seniors and the disabled (including 23,000 seniors and disabled persons in San Diego County), and sharply cut funds for the Healthy Families program, among other drastic measures.

Hoping to end budget gridlock, teachers, firefighters and nurses last week joined together to submit more than 1.1 million signatures and qualify a Majority Vote Budget Initiative for the November 2, 2010 election.  “Late budgets hurt all Californians and the budget crisis is continuing to be the top issue in the state,” said Kay McVay, President Emeritus of the California Nurses Association, “This initiative will not end all of the gridlock, but it is a step in the right direction.”