May 21, 2010 --The deadline to register to vote in time for the June 8 statewide primary election is this Monday, May 24. Remember, voters who have moved, changed their name, or would like to change their party affiliation must re-register to vote!

Lakeside’s EcoTectura designer Michael Monterey teams up with eco-planner Jim Bell

May 21, 2010 (San Diego) -- Need a green career upgrade or an affordable green dream home? Want near zero or net zero energy bills, super low maintenance, and millennial durability?

Jim Bell and Michael Monterey, two of our region’s top experts on green design, have teamed up to offer information on their innovative new materials and designs for natural heating and cooling as well as ultragreen sustainability in areas with high temperature fires, earthquakes, high winds, mold, and termites. In other words, design elements ideal for East County!

May 21, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- Due to the extreme danger of fire, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal-Fire) San Diego division chief David Nissen has issued a no-burn proclamation.  The order suspends burning permits, campfires and other uses of open fire in all areas within San Diego and Imperial Counties for which Cal-Fire is responsible (with the exception of incorporated cities).  The order takes effect today.

May 21, 2010 (Bonita) – Alan Ridley, former Clean Cities Coordinator, San Diego Regional Clean Fuels Coalition, will give a presentation based on the book The Party’s Over by Richard Heinberg. The free program will be held Monday, May 24 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Bonita-Sunnywide Branch Library, 4375 Bonita Road in Bonita. Learn about clean fuel lternatives to our oil addiction.

May 25, 2010 (San Diego) -- The nonpartisan League of Women Voters of San Diego County has issued recommendations on several propositions on the June 8th statewide primary election ballot.  They include Prop 15 (Fair Elections), Prop 16 (2/3 requirement for local public utility providers), Prop B (term limits for Supervisors), and Prop D (strong mayor form of government). Positions and rationales are as follows:

Nothing but the Truth!

May 20, 2010 (San Diego) -- The Annual California Budget Mess has started -again! Arnold "Terminator" Swartzenegger has proposed a budget which guts welfare, healthcare. and schools, and aid to the mentally ill. Swartzenegger refuses to tax Big Oil, while California Republicans continue to block a Democratic budget reform which might actually tax businesses. A 10% oil severance tax, which California refuses (unlike all other US states), would easily pay for many of these cuts in state service.

California has been unable to pass a budget for years, thanks to a "Minority Rules" quirk in the State Constitution. Under current rules, a small minority of Republicans is able to block a budget which needs a 2/3 vote to pass new taxes or reform the Governor's Budget.

May 20, 2010 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police seek a red Chevrolet El Camino with silver hubcabs and two men accused of grabbing and trying to kidnap a 12-year-old boy at 8 p.m. tonight in the 99 Cents store at 1766 East Main Street. The same men also allegedly approached a group of boys outside earlier.

One suspect is described as a 55-60 year old white man with white hair, bushy eye brows, and a pot belly. He is approximately 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighs 230 pounds, and was wearing a Blue Chargers shirt and tan cargo pants. The other suspect is a white man age 45-50 with brown hair and a mustache. He wore a black T-shirt, blue jeans, brown shoes and a black ball cap.

By Rick L. Powell, Republican Candidate, 78th Assembly District

May  20, 2010 (San Carlos) – While the citizens and businesses of California continue to suffer economic hardship, Sacramento’s politicians are on an unsustainable and reckless spending spree with our money. This behavior is irresponsible and dangerous, and we must stop the fiscal insanity now.

May 19, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – One week after signing a controversial immigration bill that opponents fear will lead to racial profiling by allowing police to question anyone believed to be in the U.S. illegally, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has signed a new bill that outlaws ethnic-studies programs in public schools. The move has sparked outrage among some educators and students, while drawing praise from other quarters.

May 19, 2010 (Camp Pendleton) -- A 50-acre brush fire is burning this evening at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base n Oceanside, Incident Page Network reported at 6:40 p.m.  San Diego County Sheriff's Astrea chopper 10 and chopper 12 are assisting in battling the blaze, which is presently confined to the base. No further details are available at this time. 

In a separate incident, smoke has also been widely visible today from a controlled burn at Miramar Marine Corps Air Base.

May 19, 2010 (El Cajon)—After advancing through two phases of competition, the Mount Miguel High School JROTC leadership team  will participate in the final Championship round of the 2010 Army JROTC Leadership Symposium in Washington, D.C. at George Mason University, June 25-29, 2010. This event is sponsored by the Army JROTC and conducted by College Options Foundation.

May 21, 2010 (La Mesa) -- Clayton M. Anderson, Senior Partner of the law firm of Anderson & Kriger headquartered in La Mesa, is pleased to announce two new attorneys have joined the firm. Bradley A. Schuber (San Diego Office) and Jake J. Fathy (Sacramento Office) will be assisting homeowners of single‐family residences or condominium conversions whose homes suffer from construction defects.

May 18, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- An earthquake centered 12 miles southeast of Ocotilllo in Imperial County was felt throughout San Diego's East County and the region.

The quake hit around 5:39 this evening and was first reported as a 5.1 magnitude, however the U.S. Geological Service later downgraded it to a 4.5. 

No damage has been reported. The quake is likely an aftershock from the powerful 7.2 earthquake centered in Mexico on Easter Sunday.

May 18, 2010 (El Cajon) – Police are seeking a suspect who shot and wounded a man last night around 8:40 p.m. Officers responded to a 911 call in the vicinity of 500 North Mollison in El Cajon. One man had been shot in the abdomen and was transported to a hospital. His injury is not considered life-threatening