December 2009 Articles

CHRISTMAS MORNING CRASH KILLS DRIVER ON I-15

 

December 25, 2009 (San Diego) –The driver of a Ford Focus sedan at a high rate of speed on southbound I-15, just sound of the I-805 connector, ran off the highway and struck a tree shortly after 3 a.m. this morning. He was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later. The victim, described by the Coroner’s office as a Hispanic male, has not yet been named pending notification of kin. No other details are available at this time.
 


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KWANZAA! ACTIVITIES & FESTIVITIES DEC. 26-JAN. 2

December 25, 2009 (San Diego) – Now that the 12 days of Christmas and the eight days of Hanukkah are over, if you're ready for some more celebrations, check out the Kwanzaa activities which begin tomorrow at the Malcolm X Library in East San Diego, followed by more events Sunday at the World Beat Center in Balboa Park and on Monday at the Black Contractors Association in San Diego. In addition, the Pan-African Association is holding a food drive from December 26-January 2.

 

All events are free, open to the public and children are welcome.


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FORKLIFT ACCIDENT KILLS WORKER IN OTAY MESA

December 25, 2009 (Otay) – Alberto Herrera-Garcia was picking up a load of wood planks at a lumber storage company at 9960 Marconi Drive in Otay Mesa on Christmas Eve morning when the load shifted. The forklift fell onto him, crushing him.


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KIDS PITCH IN TO PLANT TREES FOR CUYAMACA REFORESTATION EFFORTS

 

December 24, 2009 (Cuyamaca) – A team of 62 sixth and seventh graders marched out to Cuayamaca State Park on December 16th armed with shovels, tubex tree shelters, weed mats and acorns. Their mission? Plant 100 sheltered trees (complete with gopher guards) in areas burned by wildfires. The effort was part of an oak woodland restoration project led by Maureen Anderson of the Cleveland National Forest Descanso Ranger District.


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HOLIDAY GIFTS STOLEN FROM AGENT RAMOS’ FAMILY ON CHRISTMAS EVE

 

 

December 24, 2009 – Local groups are pitching in to help the family of a Border Patrol Agent involved in a shooting that made international news. Early this morning, holiday gifts for the Ramos family, including four children, were stolen out of their vehicle at a La Quinta Inn during a stopover en route to El Paso. Several other vehicles were reportedly burglarized as well.


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LEGISLATURE GRAPPLES TO QUALIFY FOR FEDERAL “RACE TO THE TOP” FUNDS FOR EDUCATION

 

State's schools, once top in nation, now rank at bottom as budget cuts ravage K-12 and higher education

By Miriam Raftery

December 23, 2009 (Sacramento) – The Obama administration has challenged states to compete for federal “Race to the Top” (RTT) education funds aimed at improving under-performing K-12 schools. California is eligible for $300-$700 million of those funds—provided the Legislature and Governor can agree on changing state laws by January 19, 2010 to qualify for the funding.


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CRAFTING WITH MARY: FESTIVE FABRIC PROJECTS TO DRESS UP YOUR HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

By Mary Genser

December 20, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Looking for some quick ways to deck your halls and dress up your holiday dinner table? Here are some simple yet elegant holiday crafts that are inexpensive and easy –even if you lack artistic talent. The secret ingredients in all? Fabric, permanent glue sticks, and glitter paint!

 


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BEST LAST-MINUTE GIFT IDEAS IN EAST COUNTY

By Miriam Raftery

December 18, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Waited too late to order online? Hate battling crowds at the malls? Or perhaps you’ve been holding out for gifts that are unique and locally made.

 


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SAN DIEGO COUNTY AWARDED $5.1 MILLION IN FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDS FOR ENERGY PROJECTS


El Cajon Library among county buildings slated for solar panel installation

December 22, 2009 (San Diego)--The County of San Diego announced today that it has been awarded $5.1 million for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant.

 


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LEFT HOOK: THE DUMBING DOWN OF AMERICA


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HENRY'S DONATES $10,000 WORTH OF FOOD FOR HOLIDAYS AS NEED TRIPLES

Still time for shoppers to donate food purchases for needy families in East County

December 22, 2009 (San Diego's East County)--Record numbers of shoppers are bagging hunger this season to match record numbers of the needy, with help from Henry's Farmers Market's annual Grab 'n' Give holiday food drive, which runs until January 4, 2010. Henry's  is on the way to top its 2008 donation amount of 7,000 pounds of food donations.


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GREEN JOBS GRANTS FOR SAN DIEGO AREA ANNOUNCED

December 22, 2009 (San Diego) – “I am pleased to announce the first green jobs grants awards authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the U.S. Department of Labor,” said Congressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego). “Californians continue to benefit from additional funding for job creation and training through the Recovery Act. These Green Jobs programs will take our industry in a direction that is better for the long-term preservation of the environment and our natural resources.”

Three green jobs grants have been awarded San Diego:


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EAST COUNTY’S JIMMIE JOHNSON NAMED AP MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

HOMETOWN HERO BECOMES FIRST RACE CAR DRIVER TO WIN PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

Story and photo by Miriam Raftery

 

December 22, 2009 (El Cajon) –Jimmie Johnson of El Cajon, the only driver ever to win four consecutive NASCAR championships, has been named Male Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press. The only race car driver ever to with the award since its inception 78 years ago, Johnson received 42 votes from editors of newspapers that are members of the AP, beating out golfer Tiger Woods, NBA star Kobe Bryant, tennis star Roger Federer, Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt and baseball slugger Albert Pujols for the honor.


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FREEBIE ALERT: IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH—TAKE A WALK WITH YOUR COMMUNITY DEC. 30

 

By Nancy Clement

December 22, 2009 (La Mesa and Spring Valley) -- Start the New Year off right by walking your way to health!

 

Live Well invites you to come and “Take a Walk with your Community” at a fun-filled event that features a 30 minute hosted walk, free entertainment, refreshments and a special guest. This special event will occur simultaneously at both Harry Griffen Park in La Mesa and Lamar Park in Spring Valley from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 30th.


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LEMON GROVE SHERIFF’S STATION JOINS EFFORT TO DEPLOY SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTS OVER THE HOLIDAYS

December 22, 2009 (Lemon Grove) -- The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department joins law enforcement across the state as part of California’s 18 Day Holiday DUI Crackdown Campaign with law enforcement agencies deploying 300 DUI/Drivers License Checkpoints statewide from December 18 through January 3. Funding for the special enforcement campaign is from a grant by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.


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BOY, 16, MISSING IN ANZA BORREGO DESERT SINCE LATE NOVEMBER

 

December 22, 2009 (Anza Borrego) – San Diego Sheriff reported on December 18 that Mickey Guidry, 16, has been missing since November 26th when he ran away from his parents’ home in San Marcos. Guidry reportedly took his parents’ 1995 Jeep Cherokee without permission. On November 30th, the Jeep was located unoccupied in an extremely remote area of the Anza Borrego Desert.


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TWO TEENS ARRESTED FOR ROBBING VENDOR AT SPRING VALLEY SWAP MEET

 

December 22, 2009 (Spring Valley) – Two teenage girls were arrested for armed robbery at the Spring Valley Swap Meet on Saturday, December 19.


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JACUMBA ACCIDENT CLAIMS LIFE OF MAN WITHOUT SEAT BELT

 

December 22, 2009 (Jacumba) – John Carl Bauld, 47, died from injuries sustained in an accident on eastbound I-8 west of Jacumba Road on December 20th. Bauld, a passenger, died after the driver lost control of the vehicle, which rolled down an embankment.


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NORAD TO TRACK SANTA’S CHRISTMAS EVE JOURNEY ONLINE WITH RADAR & “SANTA CAMS” AROUND THE WORLD


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GROSSMONT WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM HOSTS HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT DEC. 28-30


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SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AND CALFIRE PROVIDE BIKES FOR NEEDY KIDS

 

December 22, 2009 (Ramona) -- Sheriff William D. Gore announced this year’s Christmas Bicycle Program, which provided pre-selected deserving children with a free bicycle, helmet and bike lock. The event was hosted by the Ramona Sheriff’s Substation and firefighters from the Ramona CalFire Fire Department.


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EDITORIAL: AFGHANISTAN—WHY MORE U.S. TROOPS?

By Tracy Emblem

December 23, 2009 (Escondido) -- The Afghanistan "war" began on October 7, 2001, when our military launched "Operation Enduring Freedom." We were told the military operation was necessary to "neutralize" and "destroy" Al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden. We have since acknowledged that the terrorism organization is constantly on the move connected by an intricate international web and cell phone links that do not reside permanently in any one country.


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ROBBERY TRAINING FOR BUSINESSES OFFERED BY FBI & LA MESA POLICE

The La Mesa Police Department, in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is hosting a training class for all commercial businesses. It is the goal of the La Mesa Police Department to provide training on the proper safety procedures to follow before, during, and after a robbery. Robbery prevention will also be discussed.


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DOCUMENT YOUR VALUABLES DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON

 

December 22, 2009 (La Mesa)--With the holidays rapidly approaching, many East County residents wille will be giving and receiving valuable items as gifts.  La Mesa Police offers tips to protect your valuables by keeping accurate records.


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YOGURT WORLD IN SANTEE SERVES UP TART & EXOTIC FLAVORS, NEW TRENDS IN FROZEN DESSERTS


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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: December 22, 2009


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BOOK REVIEWS: LOCAL AUTHOR OFFERS TREASURIES FOR DOG AND CAT LOVERS

 

 

Reviews by Dennis Moore

 

December 21, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) -- If you're looking for last-minute holiday gifts for the pet lovers on your list, I heartily recommend  Richard Lederer's newest books.

 

Most of us are either a cat lover or a dog lover--though Lederer, author of A Treasury for Cat Lovers and A Treasury for Dog Lovers, seems to be both. I have to confess that I am more of a dog lover, although cats have been a part of our household out of deference to my daughter. There seems to be something about the innate qualities of cats and dogs that have people attracted to one but not the other. Lederer, a San Diego author and host of the "A Way With Words" radio show,  explores these differences with humor and insight, helping readers understand  the motivations and behaviors of dogs, cats and their owners.


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PEÑASQUITOS BOY, 8, KILLED IN BOATING COLLISION DURING PARADE OF LIGHTS

 

December 21, 2009 (San Diego) – Eight-year-old Anthony Cole DeWeese of Rancho Penasquitos was killed last night when a Coast Guard vessel struck the ship on which he was a passenger during the Parade of Lights on San Diego Bay.


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H1N1 VACCINE AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE STARTING TOMORROW

 

Residents Encouraged to Get Vaccine from Their Doctor

December 21, 2009 (San Diego) -- With demand from high-risk groups declining and supply steadily increasing, the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency is announcing that the H1N1 vaccine will be available to everyone starting tomorrow.


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ON THE SILVER SCREEN: “INVICTUS” IS ROUSING, WELL-WRITTEN, AND WELL-ACTED

By Brian Lafferty

December 21, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)--Invictus is a movie that brought out a lot of the fan in me. It is a feel good film that had me cheering. It is one of the most rousing films of the year.

The movie begins with the release of Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) after decades of imprisonment. Through sometimes shocking and powerful real news footage, which includes riots, we see Mandela winning the South African presidency against all odds. This news footage is real from 1994, but in Forrest Gump style Morgan Freeman is digitally, and seamlessly, inserted in the real Mandela’s place. It wasn’t even five minutes in and I was starting to cheer for him to succeed.


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