May 8, 2012 (Eastlake) – KIFM / 98.1 Smooth FM is set to host an “American Idol Viewing Party” this Wednesday night (May 9) at The Brewhouse at Eastlake and cheer on hometown “idol” contestant Jessica Sanchez of Chula Vista.

May 6, 2012 (San Diego's East County) -- ECM editor Miriam Raftery snapped this image of last night's "super moon" -- the closest that the moon comes to earth in its orbit this year. 

This full moon shot was taken off Highway 79, between Santa Ysabel and Ramona, casting a golden halo as it rose.

May 4, 2012 (Ramona) – Sheriff’s deputies have arrested Jimmy Dean Freeman, 53, and Mark Pinales, 51.  Both are transients accused of beating and robbing another transient man, 65. 

The victim told deputies that he crawled to the AM/PM Market in the 1000 block of Main Street after being beaten by two men behind the store and robbed of several $20 bills at 2:27 p.m. today. Deputies found the suspects based on descriptions provided by the victim.

May 4, 2012 (San Diego's East County) -- Planning a picnic or a hike?  Checkout YourOnlineWeather.com with Gary Kelley:

April 25, 2012 (Alpine) – The Center to Help Instill Respect & Preservation for Garden Wildlife, Inc. (CHIRP) is hosting the 15th Annual Alpine Sage & Songbirds Festival & Garden Tour May 4-6 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m at the Show Court at Viejas Outlets, 5000 Willows Road, Alpine.  This year’s theme is Waterwise & Butterflies and the garden tour will include 6 bird and butterfly friendly gardens, a place of worship habitat garden and a raptor rehabilitation facility.

May 2, 2012 (San Diego) – In the hotly contested 52nd Congressional district, incumbent Brian Bilbray is weathering attacks from opponents on both sides of the political aisle for his votes on women’s issues.  With the Supreme Court just one vote away from overturning Roe vs. Wade (the decision legalizing abortion) and numerous bills assailing women's access to birth control and equal pay in Congress, women are expected to play a key role at the polls lin June.

Today, Democrat Lori Saldaña received endorsement from the National Organization for Women (NOW)--and assailed Bilbray's record.

By Miriam Raftery

May 2, 2012 (San Diego) – The newly drawn 52^nd Congressional district seat (formerly the 50th) currently held by Republican Brian Bilbray has attracted 10 candidates.  Among those is Tea Party stalwart John Stahl, who is challenging Rep. Bilbray’s ethics and conservative credentials. 

Host of the conservative talk show “Solutions for America” on KCBQ radio, Stahl has poured $300,000 of his own money into the race. A businessman with an MBA and a former Naval aviator, he pledges to offer “common sense solutions.” In an exclusive interview with ECM, Stahl shares his perspectives on a wide range of issues.

His views are not cookie-cutter political talking points—and some of his stances may surprise you.

May 2, 2012 (Sacramento)--A measure by Senator Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) to establish a landmark pay cap on the annual salary of state employees was defeated last week the Senate Government Organization Committee. Current law places no limit on state employee salaries; SB 1368 would have set the limit at no more than the Governor makes ($173, 987) annually.

Update:  May 4, 2012 -- The Sheriff’s Department announced on Wednesday night that a suspect had been arrested in the death of a 94-year-old Ramona woman.

Gary Allen Thomas, 63, a resident of the mobile home park where the victim lived, was arrested Wednesday afternoon, sheriff’s homicide Lt. Larry Nesbit said at a news conference at department headquarters.
 

May 1, 2012 (Ramona)—The body of a 94-year-old woman was found inside her mobile home at 1212 H Street in Ramona this morning after paramedics responded to a medical assist call.  Due to obvious signs of trauma, Sheriff’s deputies and Homicide Detail were called in, Lt. Larry Nesbitt said.

According to ECM news partner 10 News, the victim was Jean Eskridge, former owner of Jean’s Dance Studio in Spring Valley. 

The “Water Talks” Meeting at the Ronald Reagan Community Center is being held to address challenges facing the Colorado River

April 30, 2012 (El Cajon) – The “Water Talks” Meeting will be held at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 E. Douglas Ave., El Cajon on May 1 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  The San Diego County Water Authority and San Diego County residents will discuss the Water Authority’s efforts to ensure a reliable supply of water from the Colorado River, which is the single largest supplier of water to residents of the county.

April 30, 2012 (Lemon Grove) – A Hazmat team has been dispatched to 6800 Federal in El Cajon, where a contractor ruptured a natural gas line, Incident Page Network reported at 1:47 p.m.  Local businesses have been asked to shelter in place.

April 28, 2012 (Valley Center) – A Sheriff’s pursuit of a stolen vehicle in Valley Center ended in a head-on crash resulting in multiple injuries and death of a man who has not yet been identified.

April 28, 2012 (San Diego) – The Department of Parks and Recreation announced the May 4 kick-off of their Summer 2012 Teen Nite Program that will run through September 14.  The recreation centers will have extended Friday hours from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. all summer long with lots of free activities for boys and girls ages 12 to 17.

April 28, 2012 (La Mesa) – Labor Council Leader, Lorena Gonzalez, will be speaking at the La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club's May 2 General Meeting on labor's increasingly important role in the 2012 election. The program will be held at the La Mesa Community Center at 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa, from 7 to 8:30 pm.

She will discuss how Citizen's United has pushed labor into an ever more important role in many races across the country. The Citizen's United ruling opened the floodgates for unfettered and unaccountable corporate campaign-giving. As a result, labor and working people have been required to raise funds to counter the influence of the enormous funds corporations raise.

April 28, 2012 (San Diego) – Run Women Run is offering a Running for School Board workshop on May 15 from  6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Hera Hub Workspace for Women, 9710 Scranton Road, Suite 160, San Diego.  Many women begin political careers by running for a school board.  The workshop panelists will provide behind the scenes information about what it takes to run and win, the different types of school boards, the responsibilities and time commitment and the lessons they’ve learned.

April 28, 2012 After more than 60 years of service, the Warner Springs Fire Station has been replaced by a state of the art facility. The $2.7 million dollar facility was funded by a state bond.

By Miriam Raftery

April 27, 2012 (Santee)—The San Diego Planning Commission voted 4-2 to grant a 60-day continuance to Quail Brush Genco (Cogentrix), delaying a decision on whether to rezone property near Mission Trails Regional Park as industrial space in order to allow construction of a gas-fired power plant. 

Congressman and Mayoral candidate Bob Filner called the continuance request “a chance to propagandize" as the project developer seeks to allay widespread community opposition. Filner has said the power plant would “harm the surrounding air quality and degrade Mission Trails Park – plus, installing a gas-powered plant in an area ravaged by the 2003 wildfires makes little sense.”

April 27, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Wieghorst Museum Auxillary presents “A Spring Fling Fashion Show” April 28 at the Elks Club, 1400 E. Washington Ave., El Cajon at 11:00 a.m.  The fashions will be from Peggy Harris’ Glamour Girlz with hair and makeup by Marinello School of Beauty.

The event includes a no host bar, boutique, Chinese auction and consulting.  The luncheon will begin at 12:15 p.m.

April 27, 2012 (El Cajon) – Chuck McPherson, of the San Diego Watercolor Society (SDWS), will be doing a live watercolor demonstration at the Cuyamaca College Spring Garden Festival on April 28.  Attendees can create their own watercolor painting and join SDWS Paint-out at 12:30 p.m. for a critique of the day’s paintings.