By Millicent Arko 

October 13, 2011 (Spring Valley)-- Cali Comfort Restaurant and Sports Bar, along with the Spring Valley Chamber of Commerce, will host  the second annual Spring Valley Tailgate and BBQ Festival on Sunday, October 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Troy Street between Bancroft Avenue and Central Avenue.  

 

 

You’re invited to enjoy a fall day complete with a barbecue cook-off, tastings, live local music, games and family activities. The festival aims to raise money for youth in Spring Valley; this year’s beneficiary is the Spring Valley Sports Council Scholarship Fund. 

 

October 13, 2011 (El Cajon)—A woman was struck by a pickup truck and killed in the 600 block of East Washington this evening at 7:50 p.m. According to El Cajon Police, she was wearing dark clothes while crossing the street with a companion. The victim is believed to be a Middle Eastern woman in her 40’s, according to Lt. Frank La Haye.

By Anna Crowe

 October 13, 2011 (San Diego) -- Over the years, Halloween observance has evolved into a light-hearted celebration associated with candy and fun-spirited pranks. With an estimated 41 million trick-or-treaters roaming the streets nationwide in 2010,  it is important to have fun and stay safe. Fortunately, technology that can help families--and won't get you spooked.

Text4Baby Provides Health Tips to Thousands of New Moms in San Diego

October 13, 2011 (La Mesa) – University Avenue in La Mesa has been reopened after authorities found no explosives in an abandoned U-Haul truck. Damian Payne, a 35-year-old transient, has been arrested and charged with auto theft and possession of stolen property.

The U-Haul had been stolen on October 8 in Santee, according to a press release issued by La Mesa Police.

By Kristin Kjaero

October 13, 2011 (La Mesa) -- Re: "Reader’s Editorial: The Shame of La Mesa -- Council Votes Against Fair Trade, Bows to Corporate Interests Over Helping People," in which Meg Jensen expressed her disappointment at their decision to decline a proposal by the Fair Trade Towns USA ("FTT").

October 13, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The California Highway Patrol website indicates a brush fire that began at 7:50 a.m. on Old Highway 80 (I-8 business route) at Aurora in Lakeside was arson.A subject is in custody. 

A SIG ALERT issued earlier for lane closures has been canceled.

October 13, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflecting all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. 

Top world and U.S. headlines include: 

U.S.

·         Senate GOP votes to kill jobs bill (Washington Post)

·         Obama’s $447 billion jobs plan blocked with 50-49 Senate vote (The Hill)

·         Iranians charged in U.S. over assassination plot (Reuters)

·         Editor admits to infiltrating DC protest to undermine Occupy movement (RawStory)

·         Cain’s 9-9-9 tax plan under fire from both left and right (The Hill)

·         Census: Housing bust worst since great depression (San Diego Union-Tribune)

WORLD

·         Coptic Christians in Egyt battle state’s version of deadly protest (Christian Science Monitor)

·         Japan quake: Fukushima children undergo thyroid tests (BBC)

·         Palestinians win a vote on bid to join Unesco (New York Times)

Click on "read more" to see links and stories.

By Assemblyman Brian Jones

"In this realignment, which I strongly opposed, inmates convicted of certain crimes that would have sent them to state prison will instead be housed in county correctional facilities. What the Governor and those who voted for his plan failed to realize is the fact that many of the county facilities are already dangerously over-crowded, thus many of these “low-level” offenders will be receiving a “get out of jail free” card. "

October 13, 2011 (Sacramento) -- There are many reasons people enter into public service. For some, it is to gain power and influence. For others it is to make a profound difference for their community. As a lifelong resident of Santee, I put myself firmly into the second category. And since my early days on the Santee City Council, public safety has been a top priority.

The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued a Boil Water Order and Public Notification for Wynola Farms Water District located at 4470 Highway 78, Julian, CA 92036 effective immediately.

October 12, 2011 (Otay) – A three-acre fire off Highway 94 near the Otay Lakes area Border Patrol checkpoint was caused by target shooting, Cakl Fire reports. The fire was held to three acres, with no injuries or property damage.

San Diego GOP Linked to Attempt to Impersonate Democrats

October 12, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal-Fire) has issued a no-burn proclamation due to the extreme risk of fire caused by critical fire weather and acute dryness of vegetation. The order suspends burning permits and other uses of open fire in all state responsibility area lands within San Diego and Imperial Counties.

October 12, 2011 (El Cajon) -- You can be a part of the party – and history.  Excitement is growing as plans continue for the City of El Cajon's Centennial Celebration in 2012, organizers report.  The exact date of the City's 100th Birthday is Monday, November 12, 2012, but events are in the planning stages for the months leading up to that date. 

The Centennial Celebration Committee, led by Councilmember Jillian Hanson-Cox, is now accepting volunteers.