• Regional Chamber of Commerce paints hopeful picture of economic recovery (Ramona Patch)
• SD Unified bringing back all laid off teachers (Voice of San Diego)
• Switching on SDG&E’s Sunrise Powerlink (UTSanDiego)
• New initiative launches in San Diego to reclaim science’s role in policy decisions (KPBS)
• Helix leader Rani Goyal got $56,000 severance in settlement deal (La Mesa Patch)
• The Starting Line: SDG&E’s Trojan Horse (San Diego Free Press)
• UT CEO’s last media company sold interviews (CityBeat)
• Man fatally stabbed in unincorporated La Mesa (La Mesa Patch)

• California Dems resist Gov. Brown’s welfare plans (San Jose Mercury News)
• California schools facing shorter year (Sacramento Bee)
• Viewpoint: Voters have a right to know how much loopholes are costing state (Sacramento Bee)

June 21, 2012 (City Heights – Somali Family Service of San Diego, in partnership with the East African Collaborative, will host its fourth annual Health Fair in Honor of World Refugee Day on June 23 from 1- 6 p.m. at the City Heights Community Park, south of the City Heights Weingart Branch Library at 3795 Fairmount Ave., San Diego.

The event brings together East African communities in San Diego in a setting where residents can get health checkups and learn about health topics including mental health, how to access care, nutrition, exercise, preventive screening and care. Community groups will also provide educational information booths in the park.

Public urged to attend and support call to save the theater; plan will reopen venue before City’s Centennial celebration this fall and calls for phased renovation

June 21, 2012 (El Cajon) – After objecting to a proposal by the City of El Cajon to demolish East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) and build a hotel on the site, community members have united around a goal of saving the theater, forming the ECPAC Foundation.

At a recent meeting, Council voted to reject a developer’s proposal to tear down the theater, then invited ECPAC Foundation to submit a proposal to save the venue.

Today, the organization will hold a press conference at El Cajon City Hall, 200 Civic Center Way, at 3 p.m. to outline its proposal.  The group will submit an extensive plan for operating the theater to the City Manager at 3:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to come show support to save ECPAC.

Update June 22:  Joe Rodrigues is safe after walking into a medical clinic; he was hospitalized overnight for observation.

June 21, 2012 (Bonita) – The Sheriff seeks public help to find Joe Rodrigues, an 80-year-old Hispanic man who uses oxygen at night and walks with a cane. He walked away from his residence at 3709 Glen Verde Court in Bonita between 4 and 7:50 p.m. yesterday.

Although his destination is unknown, authorities say he may be heading toward his prior residence in downtown San Diego. He may have been wearing a dark baseball cap, long-sleeve blue shirt and glasses.  He is 5 feet 10 and weighs about 180 pounds.

By Miriam Raftery

June 17, 2012 (Lemon Grove)—It was a sweet victory for Lemon Grove Firefighters Saturday night, when driver Joe Lavigne climbed out of his smashed-up vehicle to claim his department’s trophy.  Lemon Grove entered two cars in the Firefighters’ Demolition Derby at the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar—and both made it into the final round.

 View our video of the final round by clicking above. 

 Update 4:05 p.m. - Forward spread of the fire has been halted, says Roxanne Provaznik at Cal Fire.

 Update 3:40 p.m. -- Firefighters are making good progress toward containment, Cal Fire reports.  Two air tankers have been dismissed.  

June 15, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Olaf Wieghorst Museum & Western Heritage Center, 131 Rea Ave, El Cajon will host an exhibition of nationally known local artists Grace Schlesier, Jack Jordan and Mark Martensen June 29 through August 29.  The opening night Meet the Artists Reception will be held on June 29 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Wine and light hors d’oeuvres will be served.

By Miriam Raftery

Government accused of illegally approving “ineligible” project that failed to meet minimum federal wind speed standards

Violations of other laws alleged, including discrimination against low-income residents

June 20, 2012 (Ocotillo) –A fourth lawsuit seeking to halt the Ocotillo Express wind facility has been filed in federal court.  The plaintiff in this case, Community Advocates for Renewable Energy Stewardship, filed suit yesterday against Pattern Energy, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management and top government officials.

The suit, which seeks a permanent enjoinment or halt to the project, differs from prior lawsuits filed by other groups on several fronts.

By Miriam Raftery

Updated June 21, 2012: The Old Fire is now 100% contained at a cost of approximately $2.3 million

June 20, 2012 (Campo) – The Old Fire has charred 995 acres and is now 90% contained.  One residence burned, as well as a recreational vehicle (RV).  Cause remains under investigation, however electrical and lighting have been ruled out. There are no electrical lines near the origin of the blaze on the Campo Indian Reservation, nor were there any reports of lightning, Cal Fire reports.

June 19, 2012 (Jamul)—The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled 8 to 1 that a lawsuit seeking to shut down a Michigan casino can go forward.

June 19, 2012 (Alpine) – The Alpine Education Foundation is offering Hogwarts Academy for grades K -8th beginning June 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

The program immerses the children in a world of wonder and imagination while the learn the science of astronomy, herbology, potions (science), riddles (language), chess (logic), care of magical creatures and ‘wizardry’ games.  A tour of Wright’s Field with a credentialed biologist/ornithologist is also on the agenda.