January 28, 2012 (East County) -- Owners of two East County businesses are hearing their voices on radio commercials this month as part of the San Diego Better Business Bureau’s “Famous Voices” radio advertising campaign. Mark McDonald of La Mesa Carpet & Linoleum and Brad Belus of Cable, Pipe and Leak Detection of El Cajon are among  several BBB accredited businesses touting the value of the BBB to their company and consumers in the community on about 2,000 30-second commercial spots airing in January on 19 English-language and nine Spanish-language stations.

 
January 23, (2012)--The County of San Diego is initiating a new agricultural conservation pilot program known as the Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement (PACE) program. The PACE program is intended to promote the long term preservation of agriculture in the County. The program is based on the framework of what is traditionally referred to as a Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program.

January 5, 2011 (Julian)--The San Diego County Department of Parks and Recreation will be conducting weekday pile burns in January through May, weather permitting, at Santa Ysabel East Preserve, Volcan Mountain Preserve and William Heise County Park.

The pile burns — in which piles of cleared brush and other cut vegetation are burned — will reduce the fire hazard of excess vegetation fuels.

 
The mission is to strengthen and enhance services to those with developmental disabilities in San Diego County

November 19, 2911 (El Cajon) -- The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) board of directors has unanimously voted to approve a $150,000 grant to Volunteers in Medicine – San Diego, Inc. (VIM), a non-profit that brings together medical professionals and patients who don’t have health insurance.

By Vince Wallgren

November 17, 2011 (La Mesa)--As the public education establishment’s quandary over shortfalls in funding reaches critical mass, the time may be ripe for introducing sweeping changes to the entire system. 

During a recent broadcast of the Ladona Harvey Show, a education establishment insider asserted (paraphrasing) that among the more important elements in revamping the education system is a higher degree of parent - teacher communication; and that parents must be more involved in the overall education experience.

July 31, 2011 (Sacramento) -- The Federal and State Renewable Energy Action Team (REAT) launched a joint environmental review for the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP or Plan) that seeks to streamline permitting of renewable energy facilities for seven counties in the California desert, including San Diego and Imperial Counties.

Public meetings are set for August 16 and 24, with written comments encouraged for those who cannot attend.

County urges vaccinations for children

June 2, 2011 (San Diego County) --Five new pertussis cases where others may have been exposed to the disease increased the local case total to 212 this year, the SAn Diego County Health and HUman Services said in Late May. The new confirmed cases occured in schools across the region, including Ramona, Poway, and San Diego schools. In 2010 , pertussis, also known as whooping cough, reached a record 1,144 cases for the county, including two infant deaths.

One Million Californians Still Not Buckling Up

May 21, 2011 (San Diego) -- As families across California plan for upcoming spring travel, there’s not much you can do to control the cost of filling up the gas tank, but you can avoid a costly ticket by making sure that everyone in the car wears their seat belt. Law enforcement throughout the state, including the San Diego Police Department will be looking for unbelted drivers and passengers as part of the 2011 Click It or Ticket mobilization, May 23 – June 5. 

The fines and fees for first time adult seat belt violations are a minimum of $142.  For children under 16, the fine is $445 for a first time offense. In cases where an adult passenger is not buckled up, both the passenger and the driver will be ticketed.

April 16, 2011 (San Diego) -- In times of intense personal crisis and community-wide disasters, Sheriff's Department dispatchers are always ready to respond to the call for help. They work under stressful conditions, yet must think clearly and send help to people in need of emergency services.

In honor of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, the County Board of Supervisors recognized these unsung heroes with a proclamation commending Sheriff’s Department dispatchers for outstanding service, leadership and commitment to keeping our communities safe.

By Buck N. Hamm

 

April 1, 2011 (Lakeside) – San Diego County officials today hosted a special event aimed at culling herds of wild pigs that are rampaging through the backcountry, destroying native habitat.

“Modeled after the Bureau of Land Management’s popular program for reducing surplus wild mustangs on public lands, our County has teamed up with Cleveland National Forest and local Harley Davidson clubs to sponsor the first annual Hog Wild pig roundup and run,” Supervisor Dianne Jacob announced, cutting a ribbon as a herd of stampeding pigs raced through the streets of Lakeside.