By Robert Gehr

March 2, 2015 (El Cajon)--In this writers’ opinion - No!

The city where I live, El Cajon, adopted a ‘No Smoking policy’ effective since March of 2008.

March 1, 2015 (El Cajon )--After a career spanning three decades in the California community college system, Cuyamaca College President Mark J. Zacovic has announced his retirement, effective June 30. Zacovic has served as president of Cuyamaca College, with about 9,000 students in Rancho San Diego, since July 2011. He led the college through some of the toughest budgetary challenges in the institution’s 37-year history, ensuring that students continued to receive a quality education while dealing with dramatic spending cuts from Sacramento.

March 2, 2015 (El Cajon) – A dark Toyota Tercel occupied by two Hispanic men in their 20s that left Sycuan Casino shortly after 3:30 a.m. The Toyota reportedly followed a couple in a pickup truck, then opened fire just before the vehicle entered eastbound I-8 from the West Main Street onramp.  The driver of the pickup was struck by a bullet in his shoulder.

By Paul Kruze

March 1, 2015 (Spring Valley)--After a couple of months getting familiar with their responsibilities and getting used to a trio of newly-elected colleagues, the San Miguel Fire District Board began to get down to business at its regularly scheduled monthly meeting on February 11 at the district headquarters in Spring Valley.

March 3, 2015 (Poway)--The Poway Chamber of Commerce presents a new networking event, Morning Buzz, held on Wednesday, March 11 at 7:30am at the Hamburger Factory, 14122 Midland Road, Poway. Morning Buzz breakfast meetings will take place on the second Wednesday of every month. There is a $10.00 registration fee that includes breakfast. Breakfast selections must be made when guests register.

AB 1266 Would Force Utilities to Receive Public Approval for Bonuses After Ratepayers Hit With Billions in New Costs

March 1, 2015 (Sacramento)--California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) introduced Assembly Bill 1266 on Friday to require public utilities to justify executive bonus compensation at a public hearing of the California Public Utilities Commission following any federal safety violation that results in a cost of $5 million or more to ratepayers.

Trials by ISIS underway as some captives reportedly freed; local Chaldean leaders speak out on crisis

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Open Doors

March 1,2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Fears mount for hundreds of Assyrian Christians taken captive by ISIS last week, amid reports that the self-proclaimed Islamic State militants are putting hostages on trial, though some reports indicate that a handful have been freed. 

The hostages include at least 262 men, women and children taken from villages in northeastern Syria, CNN reports.  Open Doors USA, an organization serving persecuted Christians worldwide, reports the captives include 72 families.

New report finds over 500 important stories went unreported in last five years because of a squeeze on investigative reporters, and that freelance investigative journalists are an endangered species. 

Source: Project Word. The report can be downloaded here.

February 28, 2015 (San Diego's East County)--The report, which was conducted by Project Word, under the auspices of Investigative Reporters and Editors, shares the results of a 2014 survey that collected feedback from over 200 freelance investigative journalists. Based in 36 states and 26 countries the respondents represented all ages, media beats, and experience levels.

CPUC Chair Peevey complained his own bills went up after smart meter installed;  

Edison pushed higher fees to force smart meters on the poor

Consumer watchdog groups have analyzed 120,000 e-mails and attachments released by the California Public Utilities Commission. The emails suggest smart meter fees were deliberately set high to discourage opting out analog meters, even when those leading the CPUC admitted in e-mails that smart meters emitting pulsed microwave radiation were harming Californians.

By Josh Hart, Stop Smart Meters

February 28, 2015 (San Francisco) -- New e-mails brought to light between Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) reveal the extent of corruption and backroom dealing that have characterized the state’s smart meter program.