January 22, 2013 (Alpine) -- Dream Dogs has a 4 month-old, cuddly Maltipoo female puppy (pictured at left). We also have a 1.5 year-old, 6 lb. Yorkie/Cairn Terrier that would make a wonderful friend to a loving owner (see picture on website and Facebook). 

January 22, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Leash Your Fitness, announces a six-week series of fitness challenges to help you get in shape after the holidays—while getting a workout for your dog, too.

“Our first three challenges were very successful for all of the participants,” said founder Dawn Celapino, whose motto is “Life is short! Exercise with your dog.”  The kick-off to the Fitness Challenge will be held at Marking Pet Resort on Sunday, January 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  The program runs for 6 weeks and is an online program open to anyone who wants to participate.

Board directs action to plan long-term for the ground water’s sustainability

By Janis Mork

January 21, 2013 (San Diego)- At the January 9th meeting of the San Diego Board of Supervisors, all five Supervisors voted to direct the chief administrative officer to work with Borrego Water District to design a plan to address the long-term sustainability of  groundwater in the Borrego Valley and to report back with a potential recommendation.

January 22, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Joan McKasson and Joan Merrick were awarded first and second places respectively in the San Diego Watercolor Society’s January show “New Beginnings”. The juror, Carol Mansfield, complimented both paintings for their expert use of watercolor along with their strong colors and designs.

By Janis Mork

January 11, 2013 (San Diego)- On January 9, San Diego Supervisors unanimously agreed to direct the chief administrative officer to work with Borrego Water District to design a plan to address long-term sustainability of groundwater in the Borrego Valley and to report back with potential recommendations.

The ordinance states that “groundwater is being pumped at rates that exceed natural replenishment. This situation referred to as an ‘overdraft condition’ has existed for several decades…. It is the cumulative impact of all users that has resulted in this condition.” An amendment has been proposed to the Groundwater Ordinance to require that private projects fully offset their water use.

At the meeting, a first reading of the groundwater ordinance amendment was read. On January 30, it will be read for a second time and be considered for adoption for the board.

Update January 23: The board passed this resolution, joining several Coastal City Councils in calling for an adjudicated license amendment hearing by the NRC

January 21, 2013 (San Diego) – San Diego Unified School District Board Vice President, Kevin Beiser and Board Member Richard Barrera are introducing a Resolution (Agenda Item H.1) similar to that passed by the Del Mar City Council last fall, calling for an adjudicated license amendment process by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission on the restart of the defective San Onofre nuclear reactor proposed by Southern California Edison. Eight and half million people live within the 50-mile potential evacuation radius around San Onofre. The action will be considered Tuesday January 22 at 5 p.m.; a press conference will be held at 4 p.m. Details below.

According to SDUSD Board Vice President Beiser, “The Board of Education of the San Diego Unified School District is considering this Resolution because restarting the defective Unit 2 nuclear reactor at San Onofre will have profound impacts on our children in San Diego Unified and the surrounding communities in the event of a nuclear accident regarding radiation contamination of air, water and food, evacuation plans, and long term viability of life in Southern California.”

January 21, 2013 (Washington D.C.) – President Barack Obama has signed into aw S. 3302, federal legislation requiring the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to create a registry for military service members who lived and worked near burn pits in Afghanistan, Iraq and other locations. 

Detailed descriptions of suspects and vehicles including partial license plate

January 20, 2013 (San Diego) – San Diego State University Police have issued a crime alert to warn students of an armed robbery that occurred at 6:30 p.m. tonight in the 5400 block of 55th Street.  According to campus police, the victim was approached by six suspects armed with handguns who demanded the victim’s property.

Five suspects were African-American adults, four wearing ski masks. They left the scene in a Grey Dodge Challenger with partial CA license plate of X354.  The sixth suspect was a white male adult, six feet four inches tall, wearing a white baseball cap and grey basketball shorts. He left in a silver Chrysler 300.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Jim Pelley (red-tailed hawk at Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility)

January 20, 2013 (San Diego) – Wind power is now the second largest contributor to “green” energy generation in California, with 75,000 Gigawatts produced to date.  California is on track to meet its ambitious target for a 33% renewable portfolio by 2020, according to Karen Douglas, Chairman of the California Energy Commission. (CEC).   But at what cost to wildlife and the environment? 

Balancing environmental concerns vs. the quest to build mega-energy projects to address climate change is a key challenge facing the wind industry--and a hot topic during a panel titled "Building WInd in the West: Overcoming Siting Issues" at the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) conference in San Diego last week.

Douglas’ statement was read by a moderator, due to a last-minute conflict in Sacramento that prevented her attendance. Douglas also addressed the Desert  Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) covering 22 million acres, calling for streamlining of permits to enable development of energy projects including 200,000 to 350,000 acres in San Diego and Imperial Counties.   

January 20, 2013 (La Mesa) – La Mesa City Council will hear a presentation Tuesday regarding the San Diego Grantmakers’ Homelessness Working Group’s “Keys to Housing: Ending Family Homelessness Initiative.”  In addition, a status update on construction of the downtown streetscape will be presented.

Also on the agenda are interviews of applicants for city board and commission vacancies, council committee reports, and discussion of council travel policy, among other items.

January 19, 2013 (Alpine) – Jeremiah Smith, 38, of Alpine has been arrested for suspected drunk driving after striking and killing a man beside I-8 in Lakeside. He is the owner of Gym Trix  and Rocket Cheerleading in Alpine, ECM has learned.

The victim, a Mexicali resident, was driving a Chevy Astro minivan towing a Toyota west of Lake Jennings Park Road with his wife following in a Toyota at 4:10 a.m.  One of the vehicles had mechanical trouble. Both pulled over and the man exited his vehicle.  He was standing by his wife’s car when the GMC 2500 driven by Smith struck the Toyota, pushing it into the victim.

By Lou Russo

January 19, 2013 (Alpine)--Thursday night, January 17th, I attended the Alpine Union School Board meeting.  At that meeting I spoke regarding this article (which I had sent to the superintendent and board members a number of days ago):

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-north/retired-state-troopers-hired-to-guard-butler-area-schools-670073/

 

January 19, 2013 (Lakeside) -- IPN reports a propane leak in Lakeside at  15289 Olde Highway 80. The roadway is benig shut down and a County Hazmat team has been requested; avoid this area.  View map.

January 18, 2013 (El Cajon) - The Heritage of the Americas Museum at Cuyamaca College is celebrating its 20th anniversary on January 23 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Museum, 12110 Cuyamaca College Drive W., El Cajon.  The celebration of 20 years of educating learners of all ages will honor those who made it possible and invest in the future.