By Miriam Raftery

Congressman accuses Sempra and SDG&E of “monopolistic” practices

April 25, 2010 (Washington D.C.) – Congressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego) has sent a letter to Ken Salazar, U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary, asking for an independent environmental evaluation on impacts of Sunrise Powerlink proposed by San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) through Bureau of Land Management property along the California/Mexico border. 

Filner asks that Assistant Secretary of Interior David Hayes be excluded from any decision-making related to the Powerlink project because of his recent role as a lobbyist for Sempra/SDG&E. “Mr Hayes lobbied the Department of Energy (DOE) on behalf of Sempra/SDG&E in 2006 seeking National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) designed by DOE for the SDG&E Powerlink corridor,” Filner's letter points out.

April 24, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – It was a deadly week on local roadways, where accidents have resulted in five deaths of people who resided or lost their lives in San Diego’s eastern regions.

April 22, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – A surprise late-season storm didn’t stop firefighters county-wide from participating in a “Fill the Boot” campaign to collect donations for the Burn Institute—but did make for some chilly conditions.

“Firefighters at the Cal Fire Julian Station braved the freezing temperature for hours,” said Cal Fire Battalion Chief Nick Schuler.

April 19, 2010 (San Diego) - The County of San Diego Department of Animal Services is trying to locate the owners of two injured animals that have arrived at County shelters, including a Siamese cat in El Cajon and an apricot poodle in Logan Heights.

By Kristin Kjaero

April 17, 2010 (San Diego, California) -- In a surprised development, John Albert Gardner pled guilty to the murders of Chelsea King and Amber Dubois “with premeditation and deliberation,” special circumstances for both murders while engaged in the act of rape, and the attack and attempted rape of Candice Moncayo.

By Miriam Raftery

April 9, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – A relief effort is being mounted here to bring emergency aid to the Cucapa Indian nation, just ten miles from the epicenter of the 7.2 earthquake that devastated their homeland between Mexicali and San Felipe.

March through May is the fishing season for these indigenous people, who rely on fishing to sustain them throughout the year. But the Easter earthquake severely damaged roads that the Cucapa use to fish on the Colorado Delta, forcing them to end their season early, East County Magazine has learned. Tribal members have lost their livelihoods as well as their homes, roads, electricity and water.

By Miriam Raftery

April 12, 2010 (Lakeside) –Concerns bubbled up at a Saturday meeting between Helix Water District general manager Mark Weston and residents of Lakeside over a proposed El Monte Valley mining, reclamation, and groundwater recharge project.

April 11, 2010 (San Diego's East County) - Here are photos we received from readers, dramatically illustrating the damage in Baja California, Mexico from the Easter Sunday earthquake.

April 11, 2010 (San Diego) – The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for all of San Diego County this evening and tomorrow. A storm system which originated in Alaska is expected to bring rain to most of the region, with three to six inches of snow possible above 6,000 and snow levels dropping to 5,500 feet. In addition, gusty winds over 50 miles per hour are forecast for mountain and desert areas.

 Updated April 9, 8:50 a.m. 

Cleveland National Forest Director William Metz met with Powerlink opponents Tuesday; said presentation of alternative route provides “opportunities”

By Miriam Raftery

April 7, 2010 (Alpine) – Thus far, SDG&E has gained approval for its proposed high-voltage Sunrise Powerlink project from the California Public Utilities Commission and the Bureau of Land Management. But one major hurdle remains. Much of the proposed southern route runs through U.S. Forest Service lands--and requires approval of Cleveland National Forest director William Metz.

Yesterday, Metz met with citizens and leaders of groups representing over 79,000 local residents opposed to the controversial project. "I am keeping an open mind,” he told them,“and I'm still trying to figure out if it’s the right thing to do or not.”

April 7,2010 (San Diego's East County) -- The National Weather Service has issued a high winds warning for mountain passes in East County.  Santa Ana winds of 25-35 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph, are forecast for this afternoon.  Motorists are advised to use caution, particularly high-profile vehicles, on I-8 east of Alpine as well as along easter portions of Highways 78 and 79.  

By Miriam Raftery

April 6, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The governor of Baja California, Mexico estimates that 25,000 people have been left homeless by the 7.2 earthquake that struck Mexico on Easter Sunday.

Estimates of those injured range from 50,000 to 100,000 and at least three people have been killed. Damage is most severe in Mexicali, where some buildings have collapsed. In some areas, roadways have buckled and cracked, including these in La Rumorosa.  In Mexicali, fissures several feet deep have opened up in the shifting earth. 

By Miriam Raftery

April 5, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Many area residents were awakened by aftershocks during the night following yesterday’s 7.2 earthquake in Mexico. In neighboring Imperial County, Calexico was the hardest hit U.S. city, with historic buildings in several blocks of downtown cordoned off and 80% red-tagged by authorities, Channel 7 news reports. In San Diego and East County, officials continue taking stock of damage and residents tell their stories.

“It was pretty darn strong out here,” said Jan Hedlun, a planning board member and resident in Potrero, located just a couple of miles north of the Mexican border town of Tecate. Hedlund said she went outside and “could see the land rolling and the electrical poles weaving.”