$1.8 billion, the cost of the Powerlink, could fund 90,000 individual 5kW systems which would generate nearly a half million kW (450,000 kW) per hour, opponents say.

Story and photos by Ron Logan

March 1, 2011 (Alpine) – Tuesday morning, Sempra Energy and SDG&E encountered more pushback to their Sunrise Powerlink construction in downtown Alpine.

The Powerlink construction, which will take about two years to construct and is scheduled for completion in 2012, has drawn criticism at every step of the process, including hundreds of Alpine residents who have turned out at past hearings to voice overwhelming opposition to the project.

Historic adobe building may be torn down to replace parking lost to Powerlink

March 2, 2011 (Alpine) --Announcing closure yesterday of the Vine Restaurant and Wine Bar, one of Alpine’s most popular eating establishiments, owner Michele Little faulted construction of the high-voltage Sunrise Powerlink line as a major factor in her decision to go dark.

Already struggling in a tough economy since opening four years ago, Little noted, “Our lunchtime crowd had just started to get busy and we were just beginning to break even until the construction work began down Alpine Blvd. Business seemed to be cut in half as soon as it started.” 

March 1, 2011 (Alpine) – Marquin Anthony Hendrix, 61, a suspect wanted for the stabbing death of his wife yesterday, has been shot and killed in Alpine after advancing on Sheriff’s deputies with a shovel. The Sheriff’s office has not released the name of the suspect or the officers involved in the shooting last night. However San Diego Police have identified him as Hendrix, ECM news partner 10 News reports. ECM received independent confirmation of the victim’s identity from an Alpine resident close to the scene.
 

February 24, 2011 (Alpine)—The Alpine Sheriff’s substation seeks information on a peeping tom reported in the 8900 block of Hunter Pass in Alpineo n February 21st at 5:30 a.m.

February 18, 2011 (Alpine) – A solo vehicle spun out of control, rolling overall several times shortly before 10 p.m. tonight on eastbound I-8 just west of Willows Road in Alpine. According to the California Highway Patrol website, one patient is bleeding from the head.

In addition CHP has received a report of a mudslide or rockslide on Sunrise Highway near mile marker 17. A separate caller reported a boulder on the southbound side of Sunrise Highway near old Highway 80.

February 12, 2011 (Alpine) – Stephanie Moore seeks help to find thieves who stole all of her family’s horse show gear, including four show saddles and four show bridles, on Superbowl Sunday (February 6th) between 1 and 6 p.m. Items were taken from her garage at 3914 Viejas Creek Lane in Alpine.

“All of our horse tack was stolen,” said Moore in a message posted in the Alpine Community Forum. “I didn't have insurance. I live on Social Security and cannot afford to replace them...“Please, this was all I owned. If you see them, or know anything, please call. No questions asked! Return them to the property intact, and I would be most grateful.”

Description of stolen items:

GUHSD BOARD VOTES TO MOVE FORWARD WITH DESIGN PLANS AND AVOID DELAY….FOR NOW

By Miriam Raftery

February 11, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – “Please keep your promise and build the new High School for us,” 12-year-old Alpine student Dominique Markowitz implored the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) board during last night’s meeting, echoing the sentiments of nearly everyone in an overflow crowd that filled three rooms.

Trustee Priscilla Schreiber successfully fought to prevent the Board from approving a proposal by the Superintendent to delay construction bids indefinitely. She also pushed fellow Board members to unanimously authorize submitting site design plans to the state’s Division of State Architects review board. The Board voted 5-0 to approve several other components of the Superintendent’s proposal to keep the project moving forward, but language to delay construction bidding indefinitely was removed from the resolution adopted.

February 4, 2011 (Alpine) – Chinese New Year kicked off at Viejas Casino yesterday with the opening of Emerald Asian Cuisine.

Owned and operated by San Diegan Mike Lee and his family, Emerald Asian Cuisine is known for its award-winning Chinese and Vietnamese dishes, including authentic pho, Vietnamese coffee, Banh Mi, and much more.

We understand that there may be (again) a declared "delay" of the 12th GUHSD HS startup. This will effectively kill this project forever. -- Bill Weaver

By Bill Weaver

February 1, 2011 (Alpine)--How could the upcoming Feb 10th GUHSD Governing Board meeting’s discussions and decisions affect our future high school students, and impact our elementary school districts?

January 31, 2011 (Alpine) – The Alpine Community Planning Group is accepting applications through February 7, 2011 for three vacancies (seats #10, 12 and 14). You can obtain an application from the County of San Diego web http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/dplu/CommunityGroups.html or at http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/dplu/docs/Planning-Sponsor_Group_Application.pdf.

By Miriam Raftery

January 29, 2011 (Alpine) -- Elected officials, tribal leaders, community members and veterans turned out this morning at a “Labor of Love” event to break ground for Alpine’s Wall of Honor.

Viejas tribal chairman Anthony Pico spoke movingly about his own military service in the Army and his memories of visiting the Viet Nam memorial in Washington D.C., where 13 of his friends’ names are inscribed. “For every friend who has fallen, there is someone who will remember them,” he said, expressing sorrow that his fallen comrades could not live into the autumn of their lives but instead, sacrificed their futures for our country. “They stayed forever young in my mind,” he said.

Viejas Chairman Pico, Congressman Duncan Hunter and Supervisor Jacob to speak at groundbreaking event honoring Alpine veterans

January 25, 2011 (Alpine)--What started as a dream is becoming a reality. The Wall of Honor is ready to start construction at the Alpine Community Center at 9 a.m. on January 29--and you can have a chance to be one of the first to move ground in honor of our veterans. A Labor of Love will start construction and give community members an opportunity to pitch in the effort to build a lasting memorial for area veterans.

January 25, 2011 (Alpine)--The Unity Group, a combination of concerned Alpine/Blossom Valley community members, organizations and businesses, is hosting a rally to inform citizens of the facts behind the building of the 12th high school in the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD). This high school is to serve students of the Alpine/Blossom Valley area with funds from Propositions H and U (passed in 2004 and 2008 respectively).

“Development of this high school and the definition of the community it serves are in jeopardy,” a press release issued by the Unity Group states.

County Urges Residents to Use Caution When Cleaning Up Rodent Droppings;

Video Provides Tips for Homeowners

January 20, 2011 (Alpine) -- A wild deer mouse trapped in Alpine during routine monitoring has tested positive for the potentially deadly hantavirus, San Diego County vector control officials said today.

“The cause for concern is that this mouse was found in a vacant lot near homes,” said Jack Miller, director of the Department of Environmental Health. “Infected mice rarely pose a health threat to people if they remain in the wild, but the disease can become dangerous if infected rodents get indoors and people come into contact with their droppings.”

By: Jeremy Los

January 19, 2011 (Alpine)--The proposed 12th high school in Alpine continues to face hurdles as the push for its groundbreaking soldiers on. The latest obstacles facing the potential campus are the potential missed enrollment trigger as well as the prospect that the school will not service all the students in the area.

January 1, 2011 (Alpine) – Hit by a double whammy of storm damage followed by thousands of dollars in veterinary bills, the Alpine-based big cat rescue facility Lions Tigers & Bears is seeking help from the public in both cash donations and a wish list of items needed.

December 20, 2010 (Alpine) - Santa dropped into Alpine with a Blackhawk helicopter on Saturday, as these provided by Craig Linden at Kamps Propane reveal.  Gearing up for his round-the-world Christmas Eve flight, Santa paused for photos with local kids and their pets in an event that was truly the cat's meow!

December 15, 2010 (Alpine) – Giving the reindeer a rest, Santa is bringing a helicopter to the Albertson’s store, 2955 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine.

Free Santa photos with your children and pets will be provided.  Free popcorn, candy, hot chocolate and hot cider will all be part of the festivities this Saturday, December 18 from 1-6 p.m.

December 9. 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is confirmed to appear with other dignitaries at a groundbreaking hosted by San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) for Sunrise Powerlink slated for 11 a.m. today (originally set for 9 a.m.)

In response, the Protect Our Communiities Foundation is organizing a protest, calling the groundbreaking “premature” since three active lawsuits against Sunrise Powerlink are currently in the courts—any one of which could potentially halt the project.

TOY DRIVE PARTY TONIGHT AT VIEJAS;

FIRE STATIONS ALSO ACCEPTING TOYS

“To date, we’ve hardly received any toys.” – Monica Zech
 

December 8, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Donations for the East County Toy & Food Drive are lagging far behind prior years, says Monica Zech, public information officer for the City of El Cajon. “To date, we’ve hardly received any toys,” she said. “I know times are tough, but we usually have individuals and civic groups donating toys by now…I hope you can help.”
 

New unwrapped toys may be dropped off at all fire stations throughout East County. In addition, the public is invited to a Holiday Toy Drive Party tonight at the Viejas Dreamcatcher Lounge, 5000 Willow Road at Viejas Casinio in Alpine from 6-9 p.m. Admission is $20, or $10 with a new, unwrapped toy. The event includes a silent auction to benefit the East County Holiday Toy & Food Drive.

Breast cancer rehab center can now receive tax-deductible donations

December 7, 2010 (Alpine)--Just in time for the holiday giving season, Dream Rider Equestrian Therapy received approval this month from the IRS to operate as a non-profit. Newly established last summer, Dream Rider seeks donations to improve facilities and to provide therapy to more breast cancer patients and survivors. Those diagnosed with cancer often lose their ability to work and therefore, cannot afford the rehabilitation they sorely need.

December 2, 2010 (Alpine) – Alpine Boulevard transforms into a winter wonderland on December 3, when the town hosts its annual Alpine Village Christmas celebration.

Santa arrives at 6:30 p.m., riding in the 15th annual Parade of Lights.  Afterwards, Santa and his helpers will light a holiday tree at the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Blvd., and join in a holiday sing-along. Kids and the young in heart are also invited to stay and play in a free mountain of snow, complete with sledding.

Something new, different, and state-of-the-art

By Bill Weaver

December 1, 2010 (Alpine)--It is widely acknowledged by most experts that our classrooms of today are outdated. We are not offering a state-of-the-art education to our current young generation, nor meeting the technological needs of students. They say that we are sending our kids into the world under-educated and not well prepared. Experts argue that our system of education at the primary and secondary level is in dire need of reform.

By Miriam Raftery

November 26, 2010 (San Diego’s East County)—One of East County’s best-kept secrets is the cornucopia of unique shops and stores in our mountain towns. From downtown Ramona to the sleepy hamlets of Wynola and Santa Ysabel, to  historic Julian and rustic Alpine, you’ll find a wealth of treasures for those on your holiday gift list—including many hand-made items unique to our region.

Here’s our guide to some of the best buys that we found:

November 24, 2010 (Descanso) -- The Descanso Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest is conducting 300-500 acres of prescribed burning in the south eastern part of San Diego County. The projects are located near the communities of Alpine, Pine Valley, and Mt Laguna. Prescribed burning will be conducted from November of this year, through June of 2011 as weather and fuel conditions permit.

Tour and Fundraiser will get you in the holiday spirit!

November 24, 2010 (Alpine) -- The Alpine Woman's Club Christmas Home Tour will be held on Sunday, December 5th, 2010 from 10am to 4pm. This is your Chance to enjoy 5 beautifully decorated Alpine homes!

This fundraiser helps to provide scholarships for college bound Alpine high school seniors, and to maintain the historic Town Hall which was built in 1899.

By Miriam Raftery

November 22, 2010 (Alpine) – “Although we are a long way from having all the funding, it looks as though Liberty will be able to call Lions, Tigers and Bears her permanent home,” founder Bobbi Brink wrote in an e-mail to supporters. Liberty is a black bear cub that was rescued and brought to the rescue facility in Alpine on July 4th. “Her new three-acre habitat will be located adjacent to the lion habitat, and will feature an animal and people friendly design.

Construction is now underway on the facility, which is being set up to accommodate up to three more rescue bears, "so Liberty can have a friend,” Brinks said. 

I

By Paula H. Dickenson, USN, Retired Crime Prevention Specialist
Alpine & Rural Crime Prevention, San Diego Sheriff's Alpine substation

November 22, 2010 (San Diego's East County)--Travel safety and prevention tips have taken on a new meaning during tough economic times. Opportunistic thieves may be looking for unprotected homes or pre-occupied travelers.

The Alpine Sheriff's Deputies wish you a safe Thanksgiving Holiday with these following safety tips to avoid problems during the start of the busiest travel season of the year.

Story, photos and video by Billy Ortiz

November 17, 2010 (Alpine)—Far off the beaten path in the back country of east San Diego County, nestled in a hidden glen, is a special rehabilitation center for injured and orphaned birds of prey. Sky Hunters is a raptor education facility geared toward public information, preservation and rehabilitation of birds of prey. Scroll down for details and to view our video.