March 10, 2011 (Lakeside) --After a courageous battle with cancer complicated by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Richard “Rick” Allen Smith, 67, passed away peacefully at his home in Lakeside on February 18th.  He held leadership positions on Lakeside's fire and planning boards, as well as the Chamber of Commerce and other organizations. 

“His dedication to the community of Lakeside will have a lasting affect for many years to come and his experience and wisdom will be sorely missed by all who knew him," said his daughter-in-law, Michelle Dimsey. "He maintained his trademark sense of humor and “can do attitude” all the way to the end.”

March 10, 2011 (Lakeside) – San Diego River Park Foundation and Family Kayak Adventure Center invite you on a guided tour of East County’s El Capitan Reservoir, one of the only places where you can kayak on the San Diego River.

Cost is $50 for adults, $35 for children and includes kayak, paddles, life vest, basic instruction, lake entrance fee, guide and a light lunch. The event launches on Sunday, March 13 from 9-11 a.m., with lunch to follow.

By: Jeremy Los

School was in session Saturday morning at Granite Hills High School, as over 300 middle school students and around 100 Granite Hills students took part in S.T.I.N.G. (Student Teachers Igniting The Next Generation), where classes were created and instructed by the participating Granite Hills juniors and seniors.

The brainchild of Granite Hills senior, Andy Keller- who modeled the event after the SPLASH programs at MIT, Stanford, and University of Chicago (where college students teach high school students),  S.T.I.N.G. aimed to “instill a love of learning for a lifetime.”

March 10, 2011 (Lemon Grove) –Three people were stabbed at the Sportsman’s Pub in Lemon Grove last night at 11:22 p.m. According to Sgt. William Hout with the San Diego Sheriff’s substation in Lemon Grove, two are in critical condition and the third victim is in serious condition.

March 9, 2011 (San Diego) – San Diego-based Sempra Generation’s Copper Mountain Solar project, currently the largest photovoltaic solar plant in the U.S., has been awarded “Solar Project of the Year” by Renewable Energy World as part of the 2011 Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards.

By Dawn Celapino

March 9, 2011 (San Diego's East County)--Do you do any upper body exercises on your dog walk? If you are like most people, you either run or walk with your dog,which is a great lower body workout but what about the upper body?

Story and photos by Miriam Raftery
 

March 7, 2011 (Santee) –Golden lights glowed from the interiors of floating and waterfront cabins at Santee Lakes--cozy havens which will soon be accommodating overnight guests. I took a sneak-preview stroll along Lake 7 at twilight—witnessing the transformation from daytime to nightfall in the campground.

March 8, 2011 (San Diego)—Young actors ages 6 to 18 are invited to audition for an upcoming musical production of The Sound of Music. Young actors will find plenty of opportunities to learn their craft and dazzle onstage,” a press release on the auditions states. Scholarships are available. Everyone who auditions will be in the show!

Auditions will be held Thursday, March 17 from 4-8 p.m. at the Joan B. Kroc Theatre, 6611 University Ave., San Diego. Scroll down for details on the show and auditions.

Mother says Madrid police indicate son may have been drugged, Sacramento Bee reports

March 8, 2011 (San Diego) – The body of Austin Taylor Bice, a San Diego State University exchange student studying abroad in Spain, has been found in the Manzaneres River near the Spanish nightclub where he was last seen February 25th, SDSU’s news center announced today.

“The San Diego State campus is saddened byt his tragic news which confirms our worst fears,” SDSU president Stephen Weber said in a prepared statement. “Our thoughts this morning are with Austin’s family and friends who have our deepest sympathies.”

March 8, 2011 (San Diego) – Ignacio Manriques Sanchez, 73, was struck and killed while riding his bicycle Sunday at 7:31 a.m. The victim was pedaling westbound in the 8200 block of Skyline Drive in the Jamacha/Lomita area when a woman driving a Dodge Caravan in the same direction struck the cyclist, according to San Diego Police Officer J. Jacobsen.

Safe Start Conference to Take Place March 18

March 7, 2011 (San Diego)--Given that a high number of domestic violence victims are children, the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) and its many partners are sponsoring the Safe Start San Diego 2011 Conference. The event, titled “Working with Children and Families Impacted by Violence”, will take place Friday, March 18  from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Marina Village Conference Center, 1936 Quivira Way, San Diego.

The conference is free and designed for professionals from any organization that serves children, youth and families; however, the general public is also welcome.

By Mason Herron
 

March 7, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon) recently introduced legislation aimed at curtailing what he views as frivolous lawsuits against small businesses that are allegedly in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The bill, entitled the ADA Notification Act, would provide businesses accused of an ADA violation with a 90-day grace period to make necessary modifications.

March 7, 2011 (San Diego) – A federal judge has cancelled a public hearing challenging Sunrise Powerlink. The trial was slated to begin today in downtown San Diego, but instead the judge has notified plaintiffs that he will be ruling based on the record.  The decision comes as a disappointment to Powerlink opponents, who say they looked forward to having their day in court.

Organizers of a “stop Powerlink” march to the courthouse have announced they will still hold a rally outside SDG&E headquarters today at 12:30 at 101 Ash Street, where speakers will include Supervisor Dianne Jacob, Michael Shamas, executive director of the Utility Consumers Action Network (UCAN), and. Dave Elliot, tribal member of the Manzanita Band of Kumeyaay.