Outside, protesters object to Powerlink and more power projects planned for region

By Miriam Raftery

July 27, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – “That snap, crackle and pop is the sound of success,’ SDG&E president and chief financial officer Michael Niggli declared, referring to the noises emanating from high voltage lines at the newly completed Suncrest Substation.

 Atop a former mountaintop blasted away for the project’s construction, Governor Jerry Brown  and former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger joined with energy industry executives to celebrate what they view as a milestone in meeting the state’s ambitious renewable energy goals.

By Miriam Raftery

July 24, 2012 (Ocotillo) – On Friday the 13th of July, foaming  floodwaters rushed through the town of Ocotillo, leaving a white chemical residue behind on lawns, streets, and the surrounding desert floor. 

Despite numerous complaints to federal, state and local officials, however, nothing has been done to test the residue or correct a drainage pattern altered by Pattern Energy’s construction at the adjacent Ocotillo Express industrial wind site on Bureau of Land Management property.

The flooding is the latest in a long string of problems tied to Pattern and its subcontractors, which residents say have exhibited a pattern of breaking rules that protect public health and safety, with seemingly no serious consequences. 

 Governor Brown to be present at event

July 25, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—Opponents of Sunrise Powerlink and massive industrial energy projects proposed to tie into the line are encouraging the public to join a protest on Thursday, July 26 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. 

July 25, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—Padre Dam Municipal Water District are considering a rate hike on its 24,000 customers in East County.

On Thursday, July 26 at 6 p.m., the District will hold a workshop at its board room (9300 Fanita Parkway in Santee) to explain the proposal and answer questions. 

July 25, 2012 (Sacramento) – As ECM has reported, the state has suspended Brown Act provisions  that previously required public boards to notify the public about agenda items at least 72 hours before meetings. 

Now Californians Aware, a watchdog group that protects citizens’ right to open government, has created an online petition with Change.org to “Free the Brown Act from Budget Suspense.” You can urge Assembly speaker to support a constitutional amendment that would restore open government rights for the people by signing the petition here.

July 25, 2012 (La Mesa) – Patients, some in walkers and wheelchairs, were dismayed to learn that a power outage has forced evacuation of the five-story medical office building #3 at 5565 Grossmont Center Drive.  

A spokesperson at the property management company told ECM that power may not be restored until after 5 p.m. tonight.

July 23, 2012 (El Cajon) --All westbound lanes of I-8 are blocked at Johnson Ave. in El Cajon due to a crash involving  a van and another vehicle on the center divide. Traffic is also slow on eastbound I-8, an eyewitness at the scene told ECM at 9:45 p.m.  No emergency vehicles had arrived yet as of this report; avoid area if possible.

July 23, 2012 (San Diego)--Your Online Weather forecasts warm weather through Wednesday with isolated thunderstorms over the mountains and deserts Monday night.

On the coasts and in inland valleys, expect night morning low clouds with minor cooling and drier through the weekend.

2^nd plane to land on freeway in two days

July 23, 2012 (Escondido) – A 1968 Piper airplane made an emergency landing on I-15 just north of El Norte Road at 11:25 p.m. last night after running out of fuel. Moments later, it was struck by a pickup truck, the California Highway Patrol reports.

July 22, 2012 (San Diego's East County)--A multi-vehicle crash on Highway 125 south at State Route 94 in the Spring Valley area has resulted in injuries to several people.

"We have transported all patients to hospitals," a Heartland Fire dispatcher told ECM. 

County's sole legal medical marijuana dispensary to challenge U.S. Attorney for straight legal test of state law; 

El Cajon business to announce plans for defense of "legitimate medical marijuana operations"

July 20, 2012 (El Cajon) – Advocates, patients, and concerned citizens in support of the only state and county approved legal medical marijuana dispensary in California’s four-county southern border region announced plans to unveil strategy to defend one of the model medical marijuana dispensaries in the nation.

Representatives of Mother Earth’s Alternative Healing Cooperative said they would announce the plans and a specific challenge to U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy at the press conference on the steps of the U.S. federal court house in San Diego on Monday, July 23 at 11:00 a.m.