Update May 28, 2012 with a video news report by Paul Kruz, exclusive to East County Magazine, including interviews with the developer and Councilman Wells:

By Janis Mork and Miriam Raftery

May 23, 2012 (El Cajon)--El Cajon Council drew applause yesterday when by a unanimous decision, Council members rejected a proposal to tear down the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) and build a hotel on the site.

Instead, Council agreed to work with community members and a newly formed ECPAC Foundation to reopen the theater long heralded as a centerpiece of El Cajon's downtown revitalization. 

May 26, 2012 (Alpine) -- The public is invited to enter to win 4 tickets for a harbor or whale watching cruise aboard Hornblower Cruises & Events simply by stopping by the California Welcome Center-Alpine, 5005 Willows Rd., Ste. H110, Alpine. Visit on Memorial Day Weekend and enter for a chance to win a prize package valued at $148.00.

May 25, 2012 (San Diego) – San Diego Police have issued a warning that on three occasions in the past two weeks, a man in a red vehicle has attempted to abduct children near Emerson Elementary School in the Mountain View neighborhood in southeast san Diego.

Update:  Two people are dead and four injured victims have been transported to local hospitals. A long-term road closure is expected.

May 25, 2012 (Ramona) – A major automobile accident at State Route 67 and Rockhouse Road has claimed the life of one person and others remained trapped, Incident Page Network reports.

The highway is closed between Poway Road and Archie Moore for the investigation and a SIG alert has been issued. A medical helicopter was unable to reach the area due to stormy weather.

May 24, 2012 (Julian) – The “Banner Fire” which started at 2:14 p.m.  has burned four to five acres thus far east of Julian near the Banner Grade. 

“The fire is located in an area known as Cigarette Canyon close to the location of last year’s `Great Fire,’” Battalion Chief Nick Schuler say, adding that the blaze is spreading at a “moderate rate.”

Webcam image from Volcan Mountain:  http://hpwren.ucsd.edu/cameras/L/sy-av8185-1_3.jpg

Update:  Mr. McKenzie has been found safely, ECM has been informed by family.

May 22, 2012 (La Mesa) -- La Mesa Police seek public help to find A.McKenzie, last seen in a silver 2011 Honda Insight (license CA 6SCK316) heading west on I-8 at 2 a.m. on May 21 near Pine Valley.  His daughter found what appeared to be a suicide note at 12:30 a.m. yesterday.

May 21, 2012 (Julian) – Julie Faith Fortier, 39, of Irvine, lost her life in a motorcycle accident that occurred May 19 on State Route 78 at the Banner Grade near Julian.

According to the Medical Examiner’s office, Fortier was a passenger on a motorcycle driven by her husband when he lost control on a curve at a high rate of speed. 

May 21, 2012 (San Diego) – Five San Diego County transmission projects are among 30 identified transmission projects needed to maintain grid reliability that were approved by the California Independent System Operator Corporation Board of Governors in the 2011/2012 Transmission Plan. The local projects are:

 May 21, 2012 (Boulevard) – A medical helicopter is en route to an accident on I-8 east near State Route 94 in the Boulevard/McCain Valley area.  Three victims are trapped with extrication in process, Incident Page Network Reports.  A Sig Alert has been ordered, according to the CHP website.

A podcast tape is now available to listen, if you missed the show:  http://www.windwiseradio.org/2012/05/fighting-for-feathered-friends-sun-52012-7pm-et/ 

Staff recommends denial of Tule Wind turbines on County lands

By Miriam Raftery

May 21, 2012 (San Diego) – A decision on two controversial wind issues have been postponed by San Diego County’s Planning Commission. 

A proposed wind ordinance as well as changes to the Boulevard community plan have been delayed until July 20.  In addition, planners heard public comments on the Tule Wind project proposed for McCain Valley, but postponed a decision until June 8, due to the absence of two planners.

Without changes to the wind ordinance, any approval of industrial-scale turbines would violate county height requirements in rural areas. Thus approval of Tule Wind turbines on County lands June 9 appears unlikely.

By Miriam Raftery

May 19, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – A federal judge has ruled that section 1021 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 is unconstitutional, violating the First Amendment of the Constitution by having a chilling effect on free speech.

The clause allowed the U.S. military to arrest and indefinitely detain anyone—even U.S. citizens—for providing substantial support to terrorist groups.  Civil libertarians opposed the clause and journalists filed suit, arguing that the definition was so vague that reporters and political activists feared they could be indefinitely detained.