I-8 TO CLOSE THURSDAY IN EL CAJON FROM 12:30-4 A.M.
Printer-friendly version January 4, 2009 (El Cajon) – Interstate 8 will be closed in both directions between Second and East Main streets in El Cajon, Monday through Thursday early mornings from 12:30 until 4, according to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The closures will allow crews to demolish the pedestrian overcrossing at Grape Street. The detour for eastbound motorists is to take the Second Street off-ramp, turn right onto Second Street then left on East Main Street and proceed to the East Main Street on-ramp to eastbound I-8. Westbound motorists will be detoured to exit at East Main Street, turn right onto East Main Street, left on Broadway, then left on Second Street and back onto westbound I-8. Crews will place detour signs to assist motorists around the closures. The work is part of the Reducing the Wait on Interstate 8 Project to widen I-8 between Second Street and Greenfield Avenue. Please see the Project Fact sheet www.dot.ca.gov/dist11/facts/8Greenfield_Oct09.pdf or contact the Caltrans Public Information Office at (619) 688-6670 for more information. Printer-friendly version
BE PREPARED FOR THE NEXT EARTHQUAKE
Printer-friendly version January 6, 2010 (El Cajon) – Two moderate earthquakes this week were felt in San Diego, reminding us of the importance of being prepared. One way to learn how to prepare for a disaster is to enroll in one of two upcoming East County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) academies. The dates for free 2010 (CERT) disaster preparedness classes are listed below, and on the El Cajon Fire Department website at www.elcajonfire.com. Academy – #1 – Space Available February 6 – Disaster preparedness/CERT organization February 20 – Disaster Medical/Triage March 6 – Fire Extinguishers/Light Search and Rescue classroom March 20 – Fire Extinguishers/Light Search and Rescue hands on – *At HTF April 3 – Disaster Psychology/Hazardous Materials/ Terrorism April 17 – All inclusive manipulative/review – *At HTF Academy – #2 – Space Available May 22 – Disaster preparedness/CERT organization June 5 – Disaster Medical/Triage June 19 – Extinguishers/Light Search and Rescue classroom – (two week break) July 10 – Fire Extinguishers/Light Search and Rescue hands on – *At HTF July 24 – Disaster Psychology/Hazardous Materials/Terrorism August 7 – All inclusive manipulative/review – *At HTF These classes are held on Saturday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Class location for registered CERT students is 8054 Allison Avenue, at Heartland Fire Station 11 in the City of La Mesa. If you would like to register please call (619) 441-1737. Please leave your name and best contact phone number. The Heartland Training Facility (HTF) location is 1301 N. Marshal Avenue in El Cajon for the hands on training. Classes are limited to 35 to 40 participants per academy, ages 16 and up. For safety concerns, we ask you do not bring babies or children to these classes. Any classes missed may be made up during the following academy. Members of the Heartland Fire and Rescue Department and Santee Fire Department teach these classes. Visit www.elcajonfire.com for more information about CERT. Printer-friendly version
LAWSUIT DISMISSED AGAINST SD UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Printer-friendly version Court upholds district’s right to assure that school construction jobs will employ local residents January 5, 2010 (San Diego)–San Diego’s Superior Court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) that sought to halt work performed under the project stabilization agreement (PSA) reached between San Diego Unified School District and construction unions. The AGC challenged provisions in the PSA that ensure the creation of apprenticeship job opportunities for local residents. Judge Judith Hayes’ ruling on December 11 found that the PSA’s provisions "are legal and do not violate state law," and that the PSA "does not discriminate against non-union contractors." The court’s decision permits the school district to proceed with building projects that will provide employment for local residents. "We need to create good jobs in our local communities," said Tom Lemmon, Business Manager of the San Diego Building Trades Council. "We don’t want contractors that hire low-paid workers from out-of-town to be able to outbid responsible companies that provide career opportunities for hard-working San Diegans." To call attention to San Diego’s need for local jobs, national AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka is coming to town Wednesday to speak about putting San Diegans back to work. A rally with Trumka, organized by the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council, will start at 10:30 a.m. on the San Diego Convention Center’s South Lawn, 111 Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101. Printer-friendly version
FILNER ASKS TOYOTA TO CORRECT DANGEROUS FEATURE ON LEXUS VEHICLES
Printer-friendly version January 5, 2009 (Washington D.C.)–Congressman Filner (D-Chula Vista) Urges Toyota to Improve Push-To-Start Feature on Lexus Vehicles! Recently, Congressman Filner contacted Christopher Tinto, Vice President for Technical and Regulatory Affairs, Safety for Toyota Motor Company regarding concerns stemming from Push-to-Start buttons on Lexus vehicles. In an emergency, these Push-to-Start buttons may also be used as Push-to-Stop buttons; however, many consumers are not aware of this feature. This has resulted in accidents and fatalities when drivers are unable to turn off their vehicle. “While this may be a convenient feature, these Push-to-Start buttons are causing accidents and deaths,” said Congressman Filner. “We must put security before convenience and ensure that these vehicles are safe for Americans to drive.” Congressman Filner’s letter asked Mr. Tinto what Toyota’s plans are to correct this dangerous error. Printer-friendly version