Have you shopped at a farmers’ market? Would you like to shop at one in El Cajon?  The City of El Cajon is considering bringing back a farmer's market--and wants to hear from you.

August 17, 2010 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police received a 911 call reporting a carjacking at 2:39 p.m. today. A driver and his passenger told police that they were parked in the lot at the Guitar Center, 8825 Murray Drive in La Mesa, when a man with a revolver forced them out of the victim’s car.  The suspect drove away in the victim's vehicle, a black1998 Honda Civic 4-door, CA license 4MDM901.

August 17, 2010 (Alpine) – Liberty, a yearling black bear brought to Lions Tigers & Bears (LTB) rescue facility in Alpine on July 4th, was examined by veterinarian Dr. Jane Meier and LTB owner Bobbi Brink last week and positively identified as a female.

Fish & Game officials brought the bear to LTB in hopes of savings its life.  The animal was causing problems at a Mt. Baldy campground in San Bernadino, where six to 12 young bears are killed each year. But LTB may only be a temporary haven for Liberty, who will soon outgrow her temporary home and require a much larger and secure habitat. Brink urgently seeks donations to construct an expanded enclosure.

Bans county and city officials from letting relatives use cars or credit cards
 

August 17, 2010 (Sacramento) – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed Assembly bill 1399 into law. The measure, authored by Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon), prohibits local elected officials from allowing family members to use publicly owned vehicles or credit cards.

East County News Service

August 17, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – A three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday announced an indefinite stay on same-sex marriages. The 9th Circuit also expedited scheduling to hear the appeal of Judge Walker’s decision to overturn Prop 8.

August 16, 2010 (La Mesa) – Five men beat and robbed a male victim who was walking near 7900 La Mesa Boulevard Saturday at 1:46 a.m. The assailants, all described as black male adults 18-20 years old, stole and victim’s skateboard and wallet. The victim was knocked to the ground, punched and kicked.

The suspects were last seen entering two white vehicles, one possibly a Toyota Camry, heading toward University Avenue.

By Patrick Riggs
 

County Urges Campers and area residents to Use Caution

August 16, 2010 (Palomar) -- A wild brush mouse trapped in Fry Creek Campground on Mt. Palomar tested positive for the potentially-deadly hantavirus during routine monitoring, San Diego County Vector Control officials said today. Nineteen mice have tested positive for Hantavirus this year countywide.

East County News Service

August 15, 2010 (El Cajon) – Justin R. Pickett, 28, was found dead behind the wheel of a vehicle that flipped on its side at the connector ramp of northbound State Route 67 and westbound Interstate 8 in El Cajon. A canine police officer from El Cajon spotted the vehicle at 2:41 a.m. yesterday.

August 14, 2010 (Washington D.C.) – President Barack Obama signed the Southwest Border Security Bill into law yesterday. The measure will significantly increase resources in the San Diego area.

“Today's action by Congress answers my call to bolster the essential work of federal law enforcement officials and improve their ability to partner with state, local, and tribal law enforcement,” the President said of the measure. "This new law will also strengthen our partnership with Mexico in targeting the gangs and criminal organizations that operate on both sides of our shared border.”

August 13, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Eric Protas, 38, of La Mesa was arrested yesterday on numerous counts of child molestation involving a 13-year-old karate student. Protas is the owner and a karate instructor at the Allied Gardens School of Martial Arts, 5154 Waring Road in San Diego.

by Christopher Mohr

August 13, 2010 (San Diego) - For every Peyton Manning or Chad Ochocinco in the National Football League, there exist hundreds of players whose opportunities to play professional football come with no guarantees. Not only do these players not get drafted in the early rounds, many do not get drafted at all and have only an outside chance of playing as undrafted free agents.

Chargers defensive tackle Ogemdi Nwagbuo (more commonly known as 'O.G.') is one such player. His path to the NFL is not typical of most players who play several years of youth and high school football before moving on to college and up to the pros.

By Miriam Raftery

August 13, 2010 (El Cajon) – The Center for Social Advocacy in El Cajon has been awarded the Organizational Leadership Award from the American Psychological Association’s Committee on Socioeconomic Status. The award recognizes CSA’s dedication and leadership on behalf of poverty and socioeconomic issues.

Challenger accuses Rep. Hunter of dodging early debates; Hunter wants to wait until Congress is in recess--after absentee ballots have been mailed

By Miriam Raftery