By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Spark Photography / Provided by KPBS

October 6, 2012 (San Diego) – Broadcast journalist Gloria Penner, a pioneer in local broadcasting and a leading voice at KPBS radio/TV station on the San Diego State University campus for more than half a century, died today of pancreatic cancer. She was 81. 

Her death comes just days before the Women’s History Museum was slated to hold a special tribute to Penner at an October 13 “Broads in Broadcasting” celebration of women who broke through the barriers in the broadcast world.

October 5, 2012 (San Diego) – The California Public Utilities Commission will hold a public hearing on SDG&E profits on October 5 at 7 p.m. in the Al Bahr Shriners Hall, 5440 Kearny Mesa Road.

The utility has repeatedly sought rate hikes. But SDG&E already has among the highest profit rates in the United States at 11.1%. Further, a recent study by The Utility Reform Network (TURN) indicates a 9.4% profit would be a fairer rate that would enable energy bills to be reduced by $50 a year for the average family. The public is invited to testify at the hearing.

Richard K. Smith elected vice chair; Michael T. Hogan elected secretary



October 4, 2012 (San Diego) -- The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on Thursday, September 27 elected new officers to lead the agency’s board for the next two years.

October 3, 2012 (Alpine)—The Alpine Planning Group will hold a special meeting on Monday, October 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Boulevard.  County of San Diego representative Michael Long will be making a presentation on why the County seeks to repave Alpine Boulevard between Tavern and South Grade Roads now rather than later.  Drainage issues will also be discussed.

“Alpine Boulevard will be torn up again, by the County, to an even greater degree than Sunrise Powerlink,” says planner Lou Russo, who urges the public to attend.  “There are options as to when and input is needed.”

October 2, 2012  (Carlsbad) -- The San Diego County Water Authority released a proposed Water Purchase Agreement with Poseidon Resources, the private developer of the planned seawater desalination plant in Carlsbad. The release opens a public review period that includes two special evening public meetings to share information on the agreement and to receive public comment.

The agreement specifies the proposed commercial and financial terms for the production and delivery of water from the planned desalination plant to the Water Authority’s regional water delivery and treatment system.  It also includes terms for the potential purchase of the plant by the Water Authority. 

By Miriam Raftery

September 30, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – A 27-year-old Coronado man collapsed and died yesterday on the return hike from Three Sisters Falls.  According to the San Diego Medical Examiner’s office, the man was hiking with three friends on the trail in the Descanso/Julian area when he collapsed.

“It was a hot day and the falls apparently were dried up,” the Medical Examiner’s website reports.  Temperatures were in the 80s, with an excessive heat warning from the National Weather Service in effect.

September 27, 2012 (La Mesa) – A resident sleeping in an apartment at 5300 Marengo Avenue was awakened this afternoon by smoke. Seeing flames coming from her stove, she tried to douse the fire with water, which caused the fire to spread. She then evacuated the apartment, which suffered $50,000 in damages to the structure and contents.

September 27, 2012 (Ocotillo)– The public is invited to a funeral procession mourning the loss of the Ocotillo Desert in Imperial County on Saturday, September 29. Organizers of the funeral procession note that the Bureau of  Land Management (BLM) was established to protect and preserve precious public lands. The BLM’s stated mission is to sustain the health of public lands for current and future generations by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.

September 25, 2012 -- California State Parks (CSP) invites you to the first public meeting for the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park General Plan.The primary purpose of the meeting is to provide an opportunity for the general public to voice their hopes and concerns about the future of this special park. In addition, CSP staff will introduce the general plan process, as well as summarize natural and cultural data gained through a resource inventory of the park.

Survivor Resource Center at Jacumba Library Will Be Open through Saturday

A Local Assistance Center (LAC) for residents who suffered losses in the Shockey Fire will be open starting Wednesday at the Jacumba Library, 44605 Old Highway 80, 91934.

The Assistance Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 26, 27, 28 and 29. It is open to anyone who lost a home, suffered property damage or is otherwise impacted by the Shockey Fire. The site will assist residents with information, basic needs, and referrals to programs and services.

September 25, 2012 (San Diego ‘s East County) –  With the fires in the East County all to recent, many emergency providers were called in to action. What about other sorts of emergencies? Who do you call to get help in an emergency? How can you report abuse, find road reports, file a noise complaint, or report a mountain lion sighting in your neighborhood? The Alpine Sheriff’s office  as provided this handy list of phone lines to help in these situations and many others.  Read more for the full list: 

Compliments of the Sheriff’s Alpine Deputies: 

September 24, 2012 (Valley Center) – Collin Barnes, a 21-year-old college student and church preschool teacher who lived with his parents in Valley Center, told his parents he was going for a run up Flat Top Mountain near their home to photograph the sunset on September 13.  When he failed to return, his family called the Sheriff’s Department.

September 22, 2012 (El Cajon)-- A power outage that left downtown El Cajon, including the courthouse, in the dark yesterday afternoon and evening was started by a transformer fire, ECM has learned.

According to a fire official, there was also an underground explosion and gas leak--a potentially dangerous situation that forced shut down of an adjacent gas station and blocking off a section of Main Street just west of downtown.

The outage began about 3 p.m. SDG&E's website indicated power restoration could take up until 11:59 p.m.  The website blamed a "suspected problem in the overhead electrical system" although there are no powerlines visible near the transformer in question.

September 21, 2012 (San Diego)-A coalition of local community groups announces that it will fill the San Diego City Council chambers on Monday, September 24 at 2 p.m.

They will call on the City Council to uphold a recent Planning Commission decision to deny a community plan amendment request that would have paved the way for a 100 megawatt gas-fired power plant on open space designated land adjacent to Mission Trails Regional Park.