SHERIFF OPENS STOREFRONT IN CASA DE ORO
Printer-friendly version December 27, 2009 (Spring Valley) – The San Diego County Sheriff’s office has opened up a new storefront at 9736 Campo Road in the Casa de Oro neighborhood in Spring Valley. The purpose of the storefront is to “enhance the partnership between the community and the Sheriff’s Department,” according to a release issued by Sheriff Bill Gore (photo, left). Sheriff Gore and Supervisor Dianne Jacob were on hand December 21st for the opening of the new storefront, which will be staffed seven days a week. Printer-friendly version
DOGGONE GOOD NEWS FOR MAN’S BEST FRIEND: SANTEE INCREASES OFF-LEASH HOURS AT 3 PARKS
Printer-friendly version December 26, 2009 (Santee) — The City of Santee is half way through a one-year trial program allowing dogs off leash in certain city parks. Now there’s tail-wagging good news for dogs and their owners: Santee has increased the hours allowed for dog owners to let their pets exercise in designated areas without being constricted by a leash. At Big Rock Park, off-leash hours are now Monday through Friday from dawn to 9:00 a.m. At Mast Park, off leash use is now permitted daily from dawn to 9:00 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to dusk. At Woodglen Vista Park, off-leash use is now permitted Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from dawn to 9:00 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to dusk. For location of parks, see http://www.ci.santee.ca.us/Index.aspx?page=174. Printer-friendly version
GOING TO THE HOLIDAY BOWL & BIG BAY BALLOON PARADE?
Printer-friendly version $5 DAY PASS GETS FANS TO PARADE AND GAME WED. ON TROLLEY December 30, 2009 (San Diego) – The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is expanding Trolley service for the Big Bay Balloon Parade and Holiday Bowl on Dec. 30. Fans can park for free, avoid downtown traffic and save money while enjoying the events. “With a $5 day pass, fans can go to the parade in the morning and the game at night – while exploring San Diego in between,” MTS Chief Executive Officer Paul Jablonski said. For people looking to avoid downtown traffic and parking for the parade, MTS will offer expanded Green Line service to the Parade route. Beginning at 8:10 a.m. from Old Town, Green Line trains will continue past their normal terminus at Old Town and continue through to the Convention Center and PETCO Park. The parade route runs on Harbor Drive, three blocks west of both Santa Fe Depot (via Blue Line and Special Green Line) and America Plaza (Blue and Orange lines) stations. The expanded Green Line service will help get fans to the Holiday Bowl, running between downtown San Diego and Santee, with a stop at Qualcomm Stadium. Trains will depart every 15-minutes until game time. Beginning at 11:25 a.m., Blue Line trains will also continue past their northern terminus at Old Town and operate through to Qualcomm Stadium, providing seamless service from South Bay communities as well as downtown hotels located near the city's core (four stations are located along C Street). Trolley service will return to a regular timetable after kickoff at 5 p.m. Expanded service on the Green Line toward the Convention Center and Blue Line toward Downtown San Diego and the South Bay will resume at 7:30 p.m. This expanded service will continue until at least 1 hour after the end of the game. At that point (once all waiting fans have departed), the regular timetable will be in effect. Free parking is available at the many MTS park-and-rides. On the Green Line, parking is available West of Qualcomm Stadium at the Old Town Transit Center and the Morena/Linda Vista Station. East of Qualcomm Stadium fans can park at the Grantville Station, 70th Street Station, Grossmont Transit Center, Amaya Drive Station, El Cajon Transit Center, Arnele Avenue Station, Gillespie Field Station and the Santee Town Center. Customers are strongly encouraged to buy $5 day passes before boarding the Trolley on their way to their event in order to save time and avoid ticket lines. Tickets may be purchased at all Trolley station ticket vending machines or ticket booths. An MTS day pass is good on the Trolley and most MTS bus routes. For further information on special event services or to purchase tickets visit www.sdmts.com or contact 511. MTS operates a 54.3-mile light rail transit network, 95 fixed bus routes, and ADA Complementary Public Paratransit Service in the San Diego region. In FY09 it set a system record by carrying more than 91 million passengers. Printer-friendly version
EL CAJON FIREFIGHTERS PUT IRAQ TROOPS IN THE “PINK”
Printer-friendly version December 28, 2009 (El Cajon) — A few months ago, El Cajon Fire Captain Dave Rickards sent a group of Army Rangers based in Iraq the department’s Breast Cancer Awareness shirts. Through a mutual friend, Captain Rickards was able to send this care package of shirts along with some other items in a gesture to show support for our troops fighting in the Middle East. According to Captain Rickards, “Members of the El Cajon Fire Department are proud to wear their department logos with the pink lettering, showing their support in the fight against breast cancer. Sharing that pride with our troops is an honor.” According to the troops pictured, they were really excited to get the T-shirts. The package contained the navy blue fire department t-shirts with pink lettering, and additional pink t-shirts. When they received the package some of the guys were a little uncomfortable wearing pink t-shirts but they finally warmed up to the idea and took the picture. The men featured in the attached photograph are all medics currently stationed in Iraq for a 15-month tour; attached to the 3rd Infantry. In photo: From left to right: SFC Belis, SGT Adams, SPC Vertullo, CPT Gonzalez, SPC Phillips, PFC Stafford, and SSG Bah. Printer-friendly version
DOLLAR-WISE DIVAS: SAVAE TIME & MONEY! CREATE A HOUSEHOLD BINDER
Printer-friendly version By Dawn and Nancy Clement Share creative ideas to assist people of all ages with tips to save money and improve their lifestyle! December 28, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)-Is getting more organized on your To Do List for 2010? If it is, then get a jump-start by creating a Household Binder. This will help everyone in your household find information quickly and make running a home easier and more stress-free. You can assemble one in just a few minutes if you have all the items gathered together before you start a three-ring binder that will hold standard 8 1/2 X 11’ paper, one with pockets to store items like pencils or stamps, and a list of items you want to include. Some ideas about what to include are: • Information and business cards for doctors, dentists, pharmacies and other medical information for each family member • Emergency contact info for police and fire • Phone numbers for friends, family and neighbors • Where and how to shut of the gas or water valve and where the circuit breakers are located • Information for the babysitter so she will know each child’s likes/dislikes, any dietary issues, allergies, discipline and house rule policies (pull this section out and make this available for the babysitter) • Menus and coupons to favorite restaurants • A travel checklist that you can pull out and easily customize for each trip • Project planner for any household projects, so you can be on the lookout for any coupons to save you money on your projects and you’ll have all your notes in one place • Birthday list to help you keep track of extended family’s special day • A “WISH LIST” so you’ll know what special items to get for birthdays and holidays, this is a big hit with kids and will save you lots of time and energy as you only shop for items they desire • Receipts for any returns, keep for about a month and then file in a monthly file so you are all ready for tax time • Take out menus from your favorite restaurants • Grocery lists so you easily replenish your pantry and a list of upcoming menus if you like to keep the meals planned in advance Begin your Household binder now and e-mail us with your creative ideas of ways you made your life simpler and more organized. Here is to a prosperous 2010 for you and your family from Dollar-Wi$e Divas! Nancy Clement is an east county Realtor®, mortgage broker and freelance writer and can be reached at 619-563-4184 or Dollar-wiseDivas@cox.net. Dawn Clement is a stay-at-home mother of three, a freelance writer, and creative shopper. Printer-friendly version
SHERIFF WARNS PUBLIC ON RELEASE OF VIOLENT SEXUAL OFFENDER IN OTAY AREA
Printer-friendly version December 28, 2009 (Otay Mesa) – The Sheriff’s office issued an advisory dated December 16 warning the public that Matthew Hedge, a sexually violent predator, has been granted conditional release to his court-approved residence at 480 Alta Road in the Otay Mesa area. Hedge served several years in prison and was later committed to Coalinga State Hospital as a sexually violent predator. His crimes included annoying or molesting a child, indecent exposure, and lewd acts with a child under 14. His victims included both male and female juveniles ranging in age from 6 to 13 years of age. Hedge petitioned the courts and was granted a conditional release into the community with the Department of Mental Health supervising his integration into the area. In November, he was taken back into custody for conditional release violations, however a court ordered Hedge released from custody at a hearing. He returned to his residence on December 16th. Law enforcement is authorized under Megan’s Law (www.meganslaw.ca.gov) to notify the public when a sex offender is released into a neighborhood. The purpose is to enable the public to protect themselves and their children from sex offenders. Threatening, intimidating or harassing the offender, however, is illegal and may result in prosecution, officials caution. Hedge is 5’7", weighs 167 pounds, and has brown hair and hazel eyes. If you have information about Hedge or any other offender, call (858)565-5200 or in case of emergency, dial 911. Printer-friendly version