February 7, 2010 (10:10 p.m.) - A six-car crash including a head-on collision is blocking lanes on both east and westbound I-8 at Japatul Valley Road. CHP has issued a SIG ALERT and is turning around vehicles on eastbound 8 at Willows Road.

February 7, 2010 (Ramona) -- It's a good thing residents of this Ramona home weren't hosting a SuperBowl party this afternoon, when a massive tree scored an unforeseen touchdown. 

At 1:30 p.m. Cal Fire responded to a report of a tree fallen into the residence, located in the 13000 block of Fernbrook. When firefighters arrived, they found a giant oak tree had crashed down, completely destroying the entire structure.

 
 
February 7, 2010 (Spring Valley) – Cali Comfort Restaurant & Sports Bar in Spring Valley invites football fans to party hearty and watch today’s SuperBowl—while leaving the clean-up to their crew. To spice up the offer, Cali’s is offering $8 pitchers of beer, 50 cent wings, and a crowd-pleasing assortment of discounted appetizers.
 
To kick off the event, Cali’s is introducing a new $5 bar menu:

ISSA SALOMI BELIEVED TO BE CAPTIVE SHOWN IN VIDEO

Updated February 7, 2010 8 a.m.
February 6, 2010 – The U.S. military confirms that Issa Salomi, 60, of El Cajon has been kidnapped by a militant Islamic organization, the Washington Post reports. Salomi was working as a contractor in Bagdhad, but disappeared January 23. Now a video posted on a site owned by the militants, League of the Righteous, shows a man who appears to be Salomi, according to the Associated Press.  Salomi's wife, Muna, has confirmed that the man is her husband, the Union-Tribune reports.  View the video.

February 7, 2010 (San Diego) - Following a three-day manhunt, San Diego Police have arrested Torrance Jones, 33, and charged him with the murder of LaDonte Ellese Collins, 22. Collins and two friends had a flat tire and called for a taxi outside the Ace Budget Motel, according to authorities. When it arrived, Jones and a woman came out and tried to take the cab. An argument ensued and Jones allegedly stabbed Collins in the chest.

February 7, 2010 (La Mesa) James Robinson, 29, of La Mesa died of acute heroin and alcohol intoxication, the San Diego County Medical Examiner has found. Robinson was found slumped over his infant child at Gas Depot, a gas station on in San Diego on January 4.

By Miriam Raftery

February 6, 2010 (National City) -- A vehicle rolled over 100 feet off the freeway at 3:41 this morning at Highway 54 west of Highland, trapping one victim under the vehicle.  Emergency responders from multiple jurisdictions arrived, with National City Fire Department arriving first on the scene. 

February 6, 2010 (El Cajon) Updated 11:45 p.m.. - A serious accident involving several vehicles caused CHP to shut down all lanes on I-8 westbound at Murray Drive in El Cajon, diverting traffic onto 125.  CHP's website reports one vehicle flipped over and a person was trapped inside with fluid leaking.

February 6, 2010 – As snow fell on the nation’s capitol, Chula Vista’s Park View Little League players, coaches and family members received a warm welcome at the White House from President Barack Obama. Each player on the world champion team was greeted personally by the President.

“He said that he was proud of us for representing the United States,” said catcher Daniel Porras Jr., according to the Union-Tribune. Players presented the President with a team jersey imprinted with his name. 

 
LIONS, TIGERS & BEARS IS RAISING FUNDS TO CREATE A COUGAR CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION STATION

February 6, 2010 (Alpine) – Shrinking habitat in San Diego’s backcountry has led to inevitable clashes between mountain lions, humans and domesticated animals. But unlike some predatory animals, mountain lions can't be repatriated after capture due to their large, exclusive territory (up to 100 square miles), drastically reduced amount of remote habitat, and the growing number of lions being captured.

With few places to take captured cougars, authorities often must kill these carnivores whose ranges conflict with people. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that between 100 and 135 mountain lions are killed in California each year.

February 6, 2010 (Lakeside) - A high-speed, head-on traffic collision with entrapment on a rain-slicked road brought a multi-agency response to Lake Jennings Park Road in Lakeside.  Crews used hydraulic rescue tools to extricate the front seat passenger of one vehicle. Firefighter/paramedics provided advanced life support care and transported a total of three patients to the trauma centers at Sharp Memorial and Scripps Mercy hospitals.

GREEN LIGHT!  TWO NEW TRAFFIC SIGNALS TO BE INSTALLED

February 6, 2010 (San Diego)--San Diego City Councilmember Marti Emerald announces an important step in securing funds for the installation of two traffic lights on College Avenue, one at Arosa Street and one at Adams Avenue. The Crossroads Redevelopment Project Area Committee has voted to recommend funding for the lights. The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee, chaired by Emerald, is scheduled to hear this item on February 17th.

 
 
February 6, 2010 (El Cajon) – Police are seeking a suspect who is believed to have shot and wounded a man at the Ha’Penny Inn, 1529 East Main Street in El Cajon, early this morning. The suspect is described as a black male adult, clean shaven with neck-length braided hair. The shooter is in his early 20s, 5 ft. 8 to 5 ft. 9 inches, medium build, and was last seen wearing a black Versace leather jacket, white long T-shirt and jeans, according to witnesses.

by Christopher Mohr

February 7, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) - Whoever coined the phrase, 'a win is a win', never met the Grossmont Foothillers' basketball team. If you knew nothing about the outcome of Friday night's game and observed the Grossmont players' demeanor afterwards, you would have been surprised to find out that they won. Although it's a game they would rather not talk about, the Foothillers survived their lackluster play and a late run by the host Steele Canyon Cougars to pull out a 47-36 win.

 
 
GROUP WILL SERENADE YOUR SWEETHEART FEB 12-14:  LIVE OR ON THE PHONE!
 
 
By Miriam Raftery
 
February 6, 2010 (La Mesa) – Looking for an inspired way to say “I love you” to that special someone? California Note Catchers is offering singing valentines February 12, 13 and 14. For $40, the women’s a capella singing group will deliver two love songs, a single rose and a valentine card in person. Or send a singing phone-gram to your valentine for just $10.

 
 
February 6, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The League of Conservation Voters’ San Diego chapter seeks new board members from the East County area.
 
“Our goal is electing and monitoring public officials relative to their positions on environmental issues,” says  Nikki Symington, board member of the nonpartisan organization. “We need more representation from the East County and meet monthly.”

February 6, 2010 (Lakeside) 9:25 a.m. -- Center lanes remain blocked on I-8 westbound at Lake Jennings Road in Lakeside due to a vehicle accident.  Emergency workers have now freed all people trapped in a vehicle and transported three patients to a hospital, according to Heartland Fire dispatch.

February 6, 2010 (San Diego) – Toyota announced it has identified the cause of a sticking accelerator problem believed to have caused the death of CHP officer Mark Saylor and three of his family members in a fiery Santee crash. The manufacturer has ordered recall of 2.3 million Toyotas.
 
This weekend, Toyota began sending letters to owners urging them to schedule appointments with Toyota dealers to fix the problems. Toyota also halted production on some new models at five North American plants.

 
February 5, 2010 (Lakeside) -- The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) reports that six students at Xara Garden School, a K-2 charter school sponsored by the Lakeside Union School District, have been diagnosed with chickenpox (varicella). None of the six students were vaccinated against chickenpox.

February 5, 2010 (Ramona)--Cal Fire and the Ramona Fire Department received a report of a structure fire in the 15000 block of Rosemont Lane in Ramona shortly after 7:30 this evening. When firefighters arrived, the 1500 square foot home was fully engulfed in flames.

 
February 5, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Cuyamaca College’s $28 million business and technology building has opened, just as students returned to campus for the start of the spring 2010 semester. Once relegated to temporary trailers, shared with a nest of skunks, the various disciplines in the business department are delighted to finally have a building to call their own.

February 5, 2010 (Palomar) -- From February 8 through February 15, Cal Fire will be conducting a prescribed burn to reduce dead and dying vegetation on Palomar Mountain near the Palomar Observatory. Firefighters expect the 200 piles to be burned within seven days.

February 5, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Faced with a budget crisis due to state funding cuts and declining revenues, Grossmont Union High School District’s governing board will consider seeking waivers from state requirements for hearing screenings and minimum attendance requirements for special education students in summer school programs.

February 5, 2010 (El Cajon) – On February 11, Grossmont Union High School District’s board will consider whether Helix Charter High School’s charter should be revoked, citing “continuing concerns by the GUHSD Board regarding the safety of Helix students,” board president Robert Shields wrote in an e-mail to media.

 
February 5, 2010 (San Diego’s East County)--People with dogs often struggle to find the time to exercise themselves and their dogs.However, at the newly expanded Leash Your Fitness (LYF) boot camp classes for humans and dogs, pet owners can accomplish exercise for both--all at one time.

February 4, 2010 (La Mesa) -- La Mesa Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the robbery of a woman at Grossmont Center on January 21st.   The victim suffered a cut on her hand when a suspect attempted to slice the strap of her purse to steal it.

 
February 1, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Looking for some creative ways to romance the sweetheart on Valentine’s Day weekend? San Diego’s eastern region has many unique options for romance, ranging from free hiking and picnic spots to gourmet dining, upscale resorts and sweetheart spa retreats.
 
For the adventurous at heart, thrill to your heart’s desire with options such as sky sailing, trail rides, a train trip, and overnight Jeep tours for two. There are also special events planned including a chocolate lover’s festival, winery parties, a romantic comedy musical, an exotic night at the Wild Animal Park and a “Cosby and Cupid” live comedy performance. Scroll down for 25 romantic ways to delight your Valentine!
 

 
February 4, 2010 (El Cajon) – Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) will host a community job fair in conjunction with the East County Career Center on February 19, 2010, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 E. Douglas Avenue in El Cajon next to the El Cajon Library).  Job applicants are urged to bring your resumes and dress for success.
 
New economic data released earlier this month shows that the national unemployment rate remains at 10 percent, Hunter observed.

“This is a major initiative about the future of East County,” -- G. Cole Davis, El Cajon Community Development Corporation

By Miriam Raftery

February 4, 2010 (El Cajon) – On Saturday, community leaders from throughout East County convened in El Cajon for “The Challenges and Opportunities of Imaging the Future of the Greater San Diego Region.” The event was the seventh such function held around the County by San Diego Foundation’s Civil Society. The goal?

To create a Regional Vision Initiative with a 50-to-100 year strategic plan that will encompass the shared values and priorities of residents.

February 4, 2010 (La Mesa) -- Mix it up with fun and networking at Hooleys Irish Pub & Grill, 5500 Grossmont Blvd. at Grossmont Center in La Mesa. The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce joins with the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce to help celebrate the popular pub's one-year anniversary at the La Mesa location on Monday, February 8th from 5:30-7:00 p.m.