January 2013 Articles

VEHICLE BURGLARY SUSPECTS NABBED IN LA MESA

January 16, 2013 (La Mesa) – Two men are in custody after attempting to break into a vehicle at the La Mesa Indoor Soccer Park yesterday evening.  According to Police, the suspects fled the scene but were apprehended with help from the Sheriff’s ASTREA helicopter. 

Officers found the suspects’ vehicle in the parking lot at the Soccer Park, 9586 Murray Drive, and discovered additional stolen property inside. 


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JAMUL LITTLE LEAGUE TO HAVE TRYOUTS AND REGISTRATION ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 26TH

January 16, 2012 (Jamul)--The League will have tryouts on Saturday, January 26th starting at 9am for players ages 7-14.  There will also be registration for boys and girls ages 5-14. 

The location is at the Jamul Little League Fields at 14545 Lyons Valley Rd, Jamul, CA.  The fields are between Jamul Primary and Jamul Intermediate School.


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WRITING RESOLUTIONS

By Ray M. Wong

Okay, so it’s New Years, a time for resolutions. Since the independent press that was going to publish my memoir in 2013 has closed its doors due to the owner’s health, I need to find another publisher for my book. The state of the industry, large publishers merging in order to survive and the prohibitive cost of paper dictating major print publication decisions, makes this a challenging time for authors. The saving grace is we’re living in a digital age and there are multiple avenues available to writers through digital publication. Also, small to medium-size independent publishers are putting out excellent books.


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CONGRESSMAN PETERS TO SERVE ON HOUSE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE AND TECHNOLOGY

January 16, 2013 (Washington, D.C.)--The Democratic Caucus earlier this month approved additional committee assignments for Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) has been assigned to serve on the House Science, Space and Technology committee.


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LAKESIDE RESIDENT WINS TOP ART AWARD

January 16, 2013 (Lakeside)--Sandra (Sandie) Seckington of Lakeside won a First Place award for miniatures at the San Diego Watercolor Society’s January show, “New Beginnings”.  Sandie’s painting, “Uncertain Future”, was picked by juror Carol Mansfield because of its painterly but realistic depiction of a cheetah.  Mansfield said that the cheetah had “such presence”.  

Asked about her painting, Sandie said, “As a lifelong animal lover and currently doting "Mom" to two horses, two cats, a parrot and a dog, paintings of animals are a special pleasure for me. I try to really get to the soul of the animal through its eyes and imbue it with fanciful colors to express my delight in the creature.


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WIND INDUSTRY BREEZES INTO SAN DIEGO FOR CONFERENCE

By Miriam Raftery

January 16, 2013 (San Diego) – Wind industry professionals and government leaders gathered at the Hilton in  La Jolla-Torrey Pines for a four-day conference sponsored by the American Wind Energy Association January 14-17.

On opening day, a Regional Wind Energy Summit-West was held focusing on on demand and challenges in the region, as well as new opportunities for wind energy developers in the western United States ranging from corporate clients and point-of-use projects to repowering older wind farms. 


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EAST COUNTY WOMEN WIN TOP TWO ART AWARDS

September 15, 2013 (San Diego) -- 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.


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JANUARY HAPPENINGS AT EAST COUNTY PARKS

January 15, 2013 (San Diego) – San Diego County Parks have many activities scheduled throughout the month of January—including everything from ranger-led hikes to star parties.  Scroll down for activities in our inland regions, or visit www.sdparks.org for a full listing.


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OPEN HOUSE AT DESCANSO LIBRARY ON JANUARY 17

January 15, 2013 (Descanso) – The Descanso Branch Library will be holding a Customer Appreciation Open House on January 17 from 12 – 2 p.m.  Meet the Library Director, Jose Aponte, enjoy lunch provided by the Friends of the Descanso Library and listen to bilingual storytime.


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FOUR MORE INFLUENZA DEATHS REPORTED IN SAN DIEGO

 

It’s Not Too Late to Vaccinate; Plenty of Flu Vaccine Available

January 15, 2013 (San Diego)--Another four county residents have died from influenza, bringing the number of deaths reported this flu season to six, the County Health and Human Services Agency announced today.

The number of people sick with influenza is also on the rise in the region. In the week ending Jan. 12, a total of 311 local flu cases were reported, more than double the number of cases reported the prior week, which had 143 cases. A total of 670 flu cases have been reported so far this season. Emergency departments are also seeing more patients with flu-like illnesses. They make up six percent of all visits, which is the expected level during the flu season but still an increase of a two-to-three percent from prior weeks.


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SUSPECT FATALLY SHOT BY OFFICERS IN ENCANTO

January 15, 2013 (Encanto)--San Diego Police Department Homicide Unit detectives are investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred in the Encanto neighborhood of east San Diego.

According to police, on Saturday, January 12 around 1:17 a.m., a San Diego police officer patrolling the area saw a car speeding eastbound in the 5400 block of Imperial Avenue.  The officer attempted to stop the car for the speeding violation; however the driver failed to yield to the officer’s police lights and siren. Two other officers assisted in the pursuit, chasing the car to the 6500 block of Brooklyn Avenue. 


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READERS CALENDAR FOR JANUARY 15 THRU 21, 2013

For complete Calendar including Authors Events, go to www.SDWriteWay.org

January 15, 2013 (San Diego)--Children’s Book Drive: Adventures by the Book, in partnership with Yellow Book Road Children's Bookstore, is hosting a special book drive and fundraising event featuring 10 bestselling and popular children's authors and illustrators, some of the most talented children's authors and illustrators in Southern California.


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BURGLARY SUSPECT ARRESTED IN RAMONA AFTER FLEEING DEPUTIES, DOUSING SELF WITH GASOLINE

January 15, 2013 (Ramona) -- Sheriff’s deputies have arrested Oscar Torres, 32, of Chula Vista on suspicion of burglary and vehicle theft in Ramona. A bizarre string of events began when deputies responded to a call reporting a suspicious person in the 17000 block of Ridgeview Lane, Ramona yesterday shortly after 3 p.m.

“The suspect entered several residences in the area and was described as having black paint on his face and arms,” said Sergeant Ken Jones. “The suspect stole a Ford F-150 truck from one of the driveways and left the area.”  Deputies found the vehicle traveling east on Main Street toward Highway 78. The ASTREA helicopter and canine units were requested.

While being followed by deputies, Jones said, the suspect began to throw objects out of the vehicle and dowsed himself with gasoline. He then lit a towel on fire, throwing it onto the roadway.


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WILD HORSES IN RAMONA: THE COYOTE CANYON HERITAGE HERD

By Ariele Johannson

January 15, 2013 (Ramona)--On a warm spring morning in the Upper Borrego Valley in 2003, the last 29 wild horses in East County--were rounded up by helicopters and driven into pens. They were then removed from Coyote Canyon and trucked to a sanctuary in South Dakota through a snow storm with temperatures 4º below zero. 


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SHERIFF'S SEARCH AND RESCUE FIELD TRAINING JAN. 19

January 15, 2013 (San Diego County)--They answer the call anywhere in the county when someone goes missing and they do it for free. Volunteers are the driving force behind the Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) Division.

On Saturday, January 19, 25 new volunteers will join 80 other members of the SAR Division in a qualifying hike at the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, 12020 Black Mountain Road from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Base Camp is at the Ranch House.


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DRAFT PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PLAN FOR REGIONAL PLAN RELEASED FOR PUBLIC REVIEW

January 15, 2013 (San Diego)--SANDAG invites the public to review and comment on the draft Public Involvement Plan (PIP) that will be used to support the development of a consolidated regional plan. The review period ends February 7, 2013. Comments should be directed to David Hicks at david.hicks@sandag.org.


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17-YEAR-OLD INJURED AS FIRE CONSUMES TRAILER HOME IN EL CAJON

January 15, 2013 (El Cajon)--At 9:47 a.m. yesterday, Heartland Fire & Rescue crews in El Cajon responded to reports of fire in the 400 block of Van Houten Avenue in the City of El Cajon. As crews responded, heavy smoke could be seen rising from blocks away. The fire was located at the Evergreen Mobile Home & RV Park on Van Houten, where they found a trailer home in flames.

The fire was knocked down in less than ten minutes. A 17 year-old neighbor, who attempted to extinguish the blaze before fire crews arrived, was transported to the hospital with a non-life threatening arm injury. No one was home at the time of the fire and no other injuries were reported.


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MOUNTAIN BIKING ASSOCIATION TO HELP CONSTRUCT NEW TRAIL JAN. 20 at SAN DIEGO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

January 15, 2013 (San Diego)--On Sunday, January 20 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the San Diego Mountain Biking Association (SDMBA) will be constructing new sustainable shared-use trails on the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. The trail-head is located at the end of Par Four Dr., off of Steele Canyon Road. 

Planning for this event took over four years. Design, construction and maintenance will all be by volunteers. 


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SAN DIEGO’S RESIDENTIAL SOLAR INDUSTRY BOOMING

Much to the chagrin of California’s three public utilities companies, residential solar is booming

By Roy L. Hales

Reprinted with permission from San Diego Loves Green; original published at http://www.sandiegolovesgreen.com/articles/energy/residential-solar-industry-booming/

January 15, 2013 (San Diego)--According to the Vote Solar Initiative, 1,400 megawatts (MW) of PV installations are now operating on the homes or businesses of 134,000 Californians. In a recent study, they conclude that, the benefits to ratepayers in SCE, PG&E, and SDG&E territories will be around  $92.2 million a year “by the time the state’s net metering program is fully subscribed at 5% of peak demand.” Two thirds of these installations are in low and median income neighbourhoods.


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HACKER POSTS MUSLIM PROPAGANDA ON LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL WEBSITES

By Miriam Raftery

January 15, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Visitors to websites for several high schools in the Grossmont Union High School District on Saturday morning found material posted by a hacker.

“One of the District's web servers was compromised,” district spokesperson Catherine Martin told East County Magazine.  Several school home pages were “replaced with photos of Osama Bin Laden and some commentary,” she added.


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SAN DIEGO ENERGY DISTRICT MOVES CLOSER TOWARD FORMING POWER ALTERNATIVE PROVIDER FOR SAN DIEGANS

Prominent East County residents turn out in support

By Miriam Raftery

January 14, 2013 (San Diego) –In Marin County, 80% of utility customers now buy power from a local energy cooperative supported by their local government. Now a similar effort is making strides toward giving SDG&E customers an alternative option to purchase power from a  public utility backed by the City of San Diego.

 Elections have consequences---and Mayor Bob Filner has voiced strong support for creation of a San Diego Energy  District.  One of Mayor Filner’s first actions was to write a letter  of support for SDED’s plans to create a community choice aggregate (CCA) local energy district that aims to purchase power from locally produced clean and renewable resources, primarily rooftop and parking lot solar.

Last week,  a full house packed a meeting held by the San Diego Energy Foundation, the driving force behind the San Diego Energy District.   The Foundation recently received a $50,000 donation from the Protect Our Communities Foundation (an East County group that fought against Sunrise Powerlink) to conduct a feasibility study due out this summer. Leaders from other East County organizations were also among the attendees.


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ALL ABOARD! VINTAGE TRAIN RIDES EACH WEEKEND IN JANUARY

January 14, 2013 (Campo)--All aboard! Vintage Train Rides and museum tours are offered each weekend in January at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, Campo, one of the "eight great" railroad museums in California. 

Ride the museum's "Golden State" excursion train to Tunnel 4 and the Lower Campo Creek Bridge at 11 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. each day. Reservations not required, however reservations are required to ride with the engineer.


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PRESIDENT URGES CONGRESS TO RAISE DEBT CEILING

By Miriam Raftery

January 14, 2013 (Washington D.C. ) – In a press conference today President Barack Obama today urged Congress to raise the debt ceiling and made clear that his position is non-negotiable. (View video and read transcript.)

Republican House members have balked thus far. Speaker John Boehner said, "The American people do not support raising the debt ceiling without reducing government spending at the same time." (View full statement.)

The President called that position “irresponsible” and made clear that raising the debt ceiling does not increase spending, but instead authorizes the nation to pay its bills already incurred by Congress.  He likened House Republicans' stance to refusing to pay a restaurant bill after the food has been eaten, adding, “We are not a nation of deadbeats.”


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POWAY CHAMBER LAUNCHES “BUSINESS OVER BREAKFAST” SERIES

Setting Strategic Goals in 2013

January 14, 2013 (Poway)--The Poway Chamber of Commerce with San Diego Gas & Electric will launch its first “Business Over Breakfast” seminar of the year.  This event will be held at The Broken Yolk Café, located at 11630 Carmel Mountain Road, San Diego, CA 92128 on Friday, January 25, 2013. Networking and registration will begin at 7:30 a.m., followed by the program at 8:00 a.m.


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MAN TRIES TO KILL WIFE, TURNS ASSAULT WEAPON ON SELF

January 14, 2013 (Tierrasanta) – San Diego Police officers responded to a call at 10700 Esmeraldas Drive in Tierrasasnta, where a witness reported a gunshot. After learning that the suspect owned multiple firearms, officers surrounded the house. Moments later, the suspect exit the rare of the home, armed with an assault-style rifle.

Officers ordered him several times to drop the weapon.  “Officers showed superior restraint as the suspect refused to comply,” said Sergeant E.J. Dayrit.  “Eventually the suspect turned the weapon upon himself and fired, in an attempt to kill himself.” The suspect inflicted wounds to his face and head area.


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GUN FIGHT IN WASHINGTON: NRA AIMS TO DO BATTLE WITH GUN CONTROL ADVOCATES

By Miriam Raftery

January 13, 2013 (Washington D.C.)—Vice President Joe Biden will meet today with representatives of Congress to discuss his task force’s proposals for reducing gun violence in the wake of the Sandy Hook elementary school massacre. Options may range from limiting access to assault weapons to improving diagnosis and treatment of the mentally ill.

One intriguing possibility for the future is the use of “smart gun” technology.  “A lot could change if, for example, every gun purchased could only be fired by the person who purchased it," Biden said Friday. "The technology exists, but it’s extremely expensive.”


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HIGH WIND WARNING

 

January 13, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for our region.  Strong and gusty north to northeasterly winds will develop over inland and coastal water areas Monday through Tuesday. Damaging winds gusts of 60 miles per hour or more will be possible through and below wind prone canyons and passes.

Frost and freeze warnings remain in effect for portions of the mountains and deserts tonight, though temperatures are expected to begin warming on Tuesday and Wednesday.


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84% OF FISH HAVE MERCURY CONTAMINATION, NEW STUDY FINDS; UNITED NATIONS SEEKS TREATY TO REDUCE MERCURY POISONING

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 13, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – A shocking new study  released January 8 by the Biodiversity Research Institute finds that 84% of fish worldwide are contaminated with mercury.  This week, the United Nations begins negotiations in Geneva on an international mercury treaty aimed at curbing the contamination.

Contamination findings were so high that based on health guidelines, only one fish per month should be eaten in the U.S.  In Japan and Uruguay, where levels were highest, no fish should be consumed.  In Japan, fish has traditionally been a dietary staple.


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MAN DIES IN PINE VALLEY MOBILEHOME FIRE

Cal Fire and East County Magazine offer heating safety reminders for cold weather

January 13, 2013 (Pine Valley) – Firefighters battling a blaze at a mobilehome park in the 27500 block of Old Highway 80 in Pine Valley last night discovered a man’s body inside after extinguishing the blaze. Sheriff’s Bomb/Arson detectives have ruled out foul play.

Cal Fire spokesman Mike Mohler told ECM that investigators are looking at several potential causes, including the possibility that the victim may have perished due to an old or improperly used heating device in last night’s sub-freezing temperatures.

Here are important safety tips to stay warm  and safe during cold weather:


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LA MESANS CELEBRATE IN STYLE AT PARTY OF THE CENTURY

By Miriam Raftery

January 13, 2013 (La Mesa) – Capping off a year of centennial celebrations, La Mesa hosted its “Party of the Century” last night.  Held at the La Mesa Community Center, the event featured music through the decades and areas decorated to reflect the many colorful eras in La Mesa’s past.

 

Dignitaries past and present turned out.  Many guests came in period attire, adding to the festive mood at this memorable occasion.


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