September 13, 2010 (Ramona) – David Bruce Menea, 54, was struck and killed on Main Street Saturday night while illegally crossing the road, CHP reports. He was struck by a 4-Runner SUV, which went on to strike a parked Volkswagen, pushing the VW into Mike’s Liquor Store. Three other people were injured from the collision and flying glass.

ECM news partner Channel 10 News has dramatic video of the crash viewed from inside and outside the store, as well as an interview with eyewitness Terri Linnell. Linnell, who ran for Congress on a T.E.A. party platform during the June primary, tried to assist the fatally wounded bicyclist. “He died in my arms,” she told 10 news.

September 13, 2010 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police officers talked down a suicidal man off a trolley bridge over Baltimore Drive and I-8 yesterday afternoon. The man called police at 3:06 p.m. and told them he intended to jump off the bridge.

East County News Service
September 13, 2010 (Mt. Helix) – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency is conducting an enforcement operation in the Mt. Helix area of La Mesa, East County Magazine has learned.

“We have served four search warrants and seized approximately 500 marijuana plants and two rifles,” Amy Roderick, public information officer with the DEA’s San Diego field division, informed ECM at 10:55 a.m.

By Brian Lafferty

September 13, 2010 (San Diego)--“I don’t want to play the character of Joaquin Phoenix anymore,” says Phoenix, the subject of this documentary. “I want to be whatever I am.” That is his explanation for why he chose to give up acting in favor of a rap music career. I’m Still Here, helmed by Phoenix’s brother-in-law Casey Affleck, is a film that you simply cannot prepare for. There are many images you will never unthink. These are not criticisms; as hard as it was to watch, I liked it. I didn’t necessarily enjoy it as I normally would. The documentary sets out and accomplishes what it wants to do and conveys what it wants to communicate. It doesn’t work as entertainment but then maybe that wasn’t the point.

September 13, 2010 (Lakeside) -- San Diego Sheriff’s deputies rescued three hikers on El Cajon Mountain (El Capitan) in Lakeside’s El Monte Valley last night.  The rescued proved challenging due to rugged terrain and conditions.

September 12, 2010 (Lakeside) – Joseph Cantorna, 54, was arrested today in the 8800 block of Cherry Road in Lakeside for lewd acts involving a child. According to Sgt. Brent Strahm with the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, a witness intervened and called Sheriff’s deputies after observing the man inappropriately touching a 9-year-old boy and attempting to expose himself.

September 12, 2010 (Spring Valley) – A brush fire reported around noon today charred approximately three acres at the junction of Highway 94 and Highway 125, Heartland Fire confirms.

By Miriam Raftery
 

September 12, 2010 (Sycuan) – Tina Santiago, a member of the Conshatta tribe from Louisiana, weaves a basket of willow reeds while onlookers browse her wares at the Sycuan Pow-Wow in El Cajon. “It takes about 25 hours to make this basket,” she said of a finely-crafted, finished basket priced at $250.

September 11, 2010 (El Cajon) -- The El Cajon branch of the San Diego County Library will be hosting a program called "Winter Gardening" on Sunday, September 12 at  2:00 p.m.. Master Gardener Joyce Gemmell will give a presentation on what to plant and where to plant it so you can have fresh produce all winter long from your home garden. The program is free, and all are welcome.

September 12, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) - A 63-year-old man was found by a fisherman on Friday, September 10 floating face down about 200-300 yards offshore near Point Loma Nazarene University. The County Medical Examiner’s report states that the man was a resident of El Cajon, but also states that he was “unemployed and lived with a roommate in Santee.”

September 11, 2010 (Ramona) – Mercy Air is en route to Ramona, where a major accident has left three injured including one in CPR status, Incident Page Network reports.

By Miriam Raftery

September 11, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – The Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce hosting a ribbon-cutting today for its newest member, Vienna Flowers.

Crop Report Hints Growers May be Moving From Greenhouses to Outdoor Nurseries

September 11, 2010 (San Diego) -- There’s a new king --- crop-wise --- in San Diego County, “Ornamental Trees and Shrubs,” according to the annual crop report put out by the San Diego County Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures.

September 11, 2010 (San Pasqual) – Highway 78 is closed in both directions on the east side of the San Diego Wild Animal Park and is expected to remain closed until at last 12:30 p.m. , according to the California Highway Patrol. Traffic is being diverted to Bandy Canyon and Haverford while emergency crews search for the driver of a vehicle involved in a serious accident who left a trail of blood leading into a nearby canyon, the Union-Tribune reports.