East County residents join protest movement

By Miriam Raftery
 

October 3, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Inspired by protests organized through social networking sites that led to toppling of Egypt’s government, thousands of protesters have been staging an occupation in New York City since September 17. They seek an end to Wall Street “greed and corruption” according to Www.OccupyWallStreet.org.

Their message has struck a chord with people across the nation who have lost jobs or homes, students, seniors and others who believe their troubles are not been addressed. Posts have spread over Twitter and Facebook, giving rise to occupations in Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and Denver. Labor unions including United Steelworkers have joined the cause. Now, a group called Occupy San Diego has announced it will peacefully occupy Civic Center Plaza in downtown San Diego starting Friday, October 7.

October 6, 2011 (El Cajon ) – A motorist involved in an accident at Bradley and Magnolia in El Cajon this morning was combative towards California Highway Patrol officers and medics, according to the CHP website.

A nurse suffered bruising and the suspect was arrested in restraints on all four extremities, CHP reports.
 

By Miriam Raftery

October 4, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Arocles Aguilar, Assistant General Counsel at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today sent a letter to Patrick T. Lee, vice president in charge of the Sunrise Powerlink project for SDG&E. The letter authorizes SDG&E to resume helicopter operations on the Powerlink project immediately.

October 5, 2011 (Potrero) – A PAR Electric employee working on a Sunrise Powerlink structure south of the Hauser Wilderness area injured after falling 12 feet from the structure, SDG&E spokesperson Jennifer Ramp has confirmed. “The employee was transported by ambulance to the hospital, and has been treated and released,” she said.

October 4, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – A cold front from Alaska will bring unseasonably chilly temperatures along with rain, possible thunderstorms and strong winds. A wind advisory has been issued for East County mountain and desert areas from 1 p.m. Wednesday to 4 a.m. Thursday, when sustained southwest winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour (mph) and gusts up to 55 mph are forecast. Snow is possible at higher elevations.

Update 2 a.m. - The highway is now reopened.

October 3, 2011 (La Mesa) – A SIG Alert has been issued in La Mesa, where a pedestrian was struck and killed on Highway 125 just north of I-8 near Fletcher Parkway. The driver of a Grey Honda accord notified authorities that she hit a pedestrian who was running across the freeway around 10:26 p.m. The individual was also struck by several other cars.

October 3, 2011 (San Diego) Update 4:50 p.m.  -- I-5 reopened moments ago after being closed from I-805 to Del Mar Heights Road, with traffic diverted onto Highway 56 for investigation into a series of shootings earlier today.

October 2, 2011 (Spring Valley) – Paul Swayze, 27, has died at Scripps Mercy hospital of injuries sustained at 3:45 this morning in a motorcycle accident.

September 30, 2011 (San Diego) -- The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) has been awarded a nationally competitive grant of nearly $900,000 to improve the processing time of CalFresh applications through increased use of technology. The grant is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s effort to support programs like CalFresh (formerly known as food stamps.)

"I have called on the CPUC to hold a public meeting in Alpine to look the community in the eye and prove that lives and property are not at risk."

By Miriam Raftery

By Miriam Raftery

Update Sept. 29 - The victim has been identified as Andre Duff Zollicoffer, age 48.

Update Sept. 28, 7 p.m. - Trolley service has been restored.