By Miriam Raftery
Former ECM intern Joseph Rocha gave key testimony at trial

September 10, 2010 (San Diego) – U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips ruled yesterday that the U.S. military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy banning openly gay soldiers from serving is unconstitutional, violating the First and Fifth Amendments. The judge found that the policy has a “direct and deleterious effect” on military readiness by hindering recruitment in wartime and requiring discharge of service members who have critical skills or training.

"I am overjoyed that so many veterans and active duty members have been honored with justice. The decision upholds the constitution proving that no patriots blood is any less valuable in the defense of our nation." Joseph Rocha, an award-winning ECM journalism intern who testified at the trial, told ECM in an e-mail this evening. A former Navy dog handler, Rocha underwent 93 counts of abuse at the hands of an officer while serving in Bahrain.

Read our prior coverage and interview with Rocha on his ordeal. View his testimony (pagse 27-34) here.
 

September 10, 2010 (El Cajon) -- A full freeway closure of eastbound Interstate 8 (I-8) is scheduled for Sunday night, according to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Highway construction crews will close all eastbound lanes between Second Street and Greenfield Drive in El Cajon. The closure will beginning with one lane closed at 7 p.m. then all lanes closed by 10 p.m.. The freeway will begin to reopen at 6 the following morning with all lanes open by 7 a.m.

September 9, 2010 (Lakeside) -- Lakeside's River Park will be hosting it's 4th annual signature fundraiser, Once in a Blue Moon Dinner & Auction on September 25th, 2010. Cocktails start at 5 p..m, dinner at 7 p.m. RSVPs are required by September 15 for this unique event.

Lakeside's River Trail is used by families, students, walkers and joggers as well as dogs and horses. But on September 25th the trail is transformed into a magical space along the San Diego River.

September 10, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Political wonks, mark your calendars! Three major political events are slated for September 16th.

La Mesa Chamber of Commerce hosts a forum for La Mesa mayoral and council candidates. East County Democratic Club has a forum on ballot initiatives plus state legislative and Congressional candidates. In addition, the Eastlake-Bonita Democratic Club has candidates for legislature, school boards, and more.

September 9, 2010 (El Cajon) – Native American dancers, drummers, and bird singers from across the nation will convene at the Sycuan reservation this weekend for the 21st annual Sycuan Pow-Wow. The three-day event (September 10, 11 and 12) will also feature Indian foods, Native American arts and crafts, and informational booths. The pow-wow is free and open to the public.

September 10, 2010 (Eastlake) –Aloha! EastLake Tavern and Bowl is hosting a luau to celebrate its first anniversary. A Hawaiian luau buffet includes whole roasted pig plate, lumpia, and mango ice cream. The event also features Hawaiian drink specials, contests, and more.

September 9, 2010 (San Diego) -- At a ceremony today in Balboa Park, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed AB 1844 into law. The bill, named for slain Poway high school student Chelsea King, provides life-without-parole sentences for California’s most dangerous sex offenders, including first-time offenders. It also lengthens parole terms for those who commit crimes against children under age 14, restricts sex offenders from entering public parks, and provides other  protections.

Update 2:35 p.m. Forward spread of this fire has been stopped.

September 9, 2010 (Valley Center) 2:15 p.m. – Cal-Fire is on the scene of a two- to three-acre brush fire off of Old Guejito Grade Road and North Lake Wohlford Road, near the community of Valley Center (Thomas Brothers Map page 1111 C-1). The fire was reported at 1:48 p.m. and the cause is under investigation. The fire is burning to the east and there is no immediate structure threat.

September 9, 2010 (San Diego)--Before the new school year gets even busier for your favorite high school junior or senior, the San Diego Better Business Bureau (BBB) is inviting all 11th and 12th graders to write and submit a 400-word essay on the importance of marketplace ethics and receive up to a $1,500 scholarship from the BBB.

Beyond Justice, By Joshua Graham (Dawn Treader Press, 2010, 430 pages.)

Book Review by Dennis Moore

September 8, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- San Diego author Joshua Graham has written a riveting and supernatural legal thriller, Beyond Justice, that at times has spiritual overtones. Beyond Justice is the story of Sam Hudson, a reputable San Diego attorney who descends into a hell not of his making after authorities wrongfully convict him of the brutal rape and murder of his wife and daughter.

On Death Row, he awaits execution by lethal injection while he agonizes over the fate of his young son Aaron, who was beaten into a coma during the attacks.

September 8, 2010 (Poway) – Want to meet mountain men and cowboys? Try your hand at panning for gold? See mock train robberies and gunfights? Come costumed in Old West attire?

Number of cases approaches 500 countywide as epidemic grows

September 8, 2010 (San Diego) -- County Health and Human Services Agency officials report  495 confirmed cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, in 2010—triple the number last year. Today, the County announced dozens of new cases, including three in East County.

"It was the biggest play of my life. We had a whole line of blockers and I went the whole way untouched." -- Zach Breidt, after scoring a 95-yard touchdown.

By Christopher Mohr

September 8, 2010 (Santee) - For years, the battle for the Mayor's Cup has been a tradition between Santana and West Hills, rival high schools both based in Santee.

Public urged to get vaccines, now available at clinics

September 8, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) updated 4 p.m.– A five-year-old at Boulder Oaks Elementary School in Alpine is among 11 new cases of whooping cough reported by the San Diego County Department of Health & Human Services last week.

The County urges people to get whooping cough vaccinations from their family physician.  "However, if an individual does not have a family doctor, the vaccine is also available at the County’s seven public health centers at minimal or no cost; one of them is located at 855 East Madison in El Cajon," County spokesman Jose Alvarez told East County Magazine.

by Christopher Mohr

September 7, 2010 (San Diego/Pacific Beach) - Friday afternoon's football season opener between the Valhalla High School Norsemen and the host Buccaneers of Mission Bay High School was a matchup between two playoff contenders from last season.  East County's Valhalla proved victorious in a crushing 38-0 blow-out.