By Miriam Raftery
February 3, 2012 (San Diego) – On Tuesday, San Diego’s City Council voted unanimously to approve an “urban agriculture plan” that encourages city residents to grow their own food--and sell some items.

 
By Cynthia Wharton

February 2, 2012 (Jacumba)- - The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) held a public participation hearing at the Jacumba Highland Center on January 24.

Presided over by an administrative law judge, the honorable Hallie Yacknin, this hearing provided an opportunity for interested members of the public to express their views on San Diego Gas & Electric’s (SDG&E) application for a permit to construct the East County Substation Project (ECO Substation).

February 2, 2012 (Alpine) – A Sig Alert has been issued due to an accident blocking the left lanes on I-8 east just west of Dunbar Lane. An overturned vehicle is on its roof. The Sig Alert was issued at 10:09 a.m. Traffic has reportedly been backed up to Tavern Road. CHP is in process of reopening one of the blocked lanes, CHP website indicates.

 
By Serena Scaglione

Special early-bird rates for ECM members now available

January 28, 2012 (San Diego)--Environmental law professor Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will be the keynote speaker at UnitedGREEN’s second Forging a Sustainable Future Symposium March 3 and 4, 2012 at San Diego State University.

 
January 30, 2012 (El Cajon) – Help is needed a family with a child and two dogs, all displaced by an early morning fire at the home they were renting. The house, built in the early 1900s, may be a total loss and damage is estimated at $180,000 including contents.

 
January 30, 2012 (Santee) -- The Board of Directors of Padre Dam Municipal Water District appointed officers for 2012. The Board unanimously reappointed Bill Pommering as president, Augie Caires as vice president, and Doug Wilson as treasurer. Committee members were also appointed for 2012.

D.A. declines to prosecute felony conspiracy charge for protest at Mayor’s speech, following public pressure

By Miriam Raftery

January 29, 2012 (La Mesa) – First Amendment advocates expressed shock when San Diego Police arrested La Mesa resident Mike Garcia and three others on felony conspiracy charges--a tactic customarily reserved for grave offenses such as organized crime activities and drug trafficking.

Their purported crime? Interrupting Mayor Sanders’ state of the city speech with a brief “Mic-Check” protest over a free speech issue. 

January 29,2012 (San Diego’s East County) – If you’re driving in East County, please be aware of the following hazardous situations:

• A medical helicopter is en route to 1840 Buckman Springs Road in Cameron Corners, where a rollover accident has resulted in major injuries. The accident involves a van that went off the roadway near a fire station. The accident was reported at 11:08 a.m.
  
• A bicyclist, 17, has been hit head-on by a vehicle on Japatul Road at Hidden Glen. CHP is closing the roadway, CHP reported at 10:47 a.m. The victim was reportedly conscious and breathing.
  
• High wind warnings have been issued for I-8 from Alpine to the County line and CHP advises the area is unsafe for high-profile vehicles. A wind warning has also been issued in the Julian/mountain areas.
  
• In Alpine, Arnold remains closed at South Grade due to repairs from a water main break.

 
January 28, 2012 (La Mesa) -- Helix Water District Board President DeAna Verbeke has announced that Director of Engineering Carlos Lugo has been selected as the new general manager of the Helix Water District.

Feb. 29 meeting will allow public testimony on Red Tape Reduction Task Force recommendations, including developers’ proposal to eliminate community planning groups and Resource Protection Ordinance

By Miriam Raftery

January 27, 2012 (San Diego)—A lawsuit filed by Californians Aware has succeeded in persuading the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to vacate votes that approved key changes made by a developer-stacked Red Tape Reduction Task Force without public input. The lawsuit alleged that the Board violated the Brown Act by voting on items not listed as action items on the agenda.  Now, the County has announced it will hold a public hearing on February 29. 

President calls for trade reforms to bring jobs back to U.S., tax fairness and more

By Mia Myklebust and Miriam Raftery

January 26, 2012 (San Diego)—The State of the Union address traditionally reviews the condition of our nation and previews the President’s legislative plan for the future. This year, Barack Obama’s speech had added importance as his last State of the Union address before the 2012 election.  The incumbent presidents challenges were to address successes of his current term and his long-term goals for a potential five more years.    

The President provided evidence that economic recovery is underway. He touted his administration’s success in combating terrorism, eliminating Osama bin Ladin, ending the Iraq War and improving America’s relationships overseas. In addition, he laid out ambitious proposals for “an America built to last.”  He issued repeated calls to action, among them:

•   Trade reforms and tax credits for businesses that bring jobs back to America
•   Tax “fairness” to help middle class Americans
•   Invest savings from ending the Iraq war into reducing the deficit and creating jobs
•  Creation of a Veterans Jobs Corps
•  Prevent high school drop-outs and provide incentives to stop tuition hikes
•  End oil subsidies, increase U.S. oil production, and support clean energy  technologies
  

Council also approves program to promote composting by local gardeners

January 24, 2012 (La Mesa)—Gearing up for the city’s year-long centennial celebration, 2012 promises to be “a very busy, festive and memorable year,” said La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid during tonight’s State of the City address.

By Miriam Raftery

January 21, 2012 (Alpine) – The Alpine Community Planning Group (ACPG) is holding a series of public hearings on proposed land use changes that could impact about four percent (3,000 acres) of all lands in the APCG planning area.  The properties are among some 77,000 acres countywide of privately owned lands within Cleveland National Forest.