DRIVER KILLED AS PICKUP PLUNGES 150 FEET IN SAN CARLOS
Printer-friendly version February 12, 2011 (San Carlos) – The driver, 33, of a 1993 Chevy truck is dead after rolling 150 feet down a steep cliff. He was traveling northbound on Golfcrest and went straight through the intersection at Mission Gorge Road, crashing through a guardrail around 10:30 a.m., according to San Diego Police. Rangers at Mission Trails Regional Park assisted in the body recovery, along with a helicopter, firefighters and paramedics, Incident Page Network reports. The identity of the victim has not been identified pending notification of kin. Printer-friendly version
SWAT STANDOFF ENDS IN RAMONA
Printer-friendly version February 12, 2011 (Ramona) – Carl Jones, 43, of Ramona has been arrested following an all-night stand-off with the San Diego Sheriff’s SWAT team. Jones had barricaded himself inside his residence at 23610 Galeria Circle following a domestic violence dispute. Jones also threatened suicide, Lt. Jim Duffy said. Although several shots were fired, no one was harmed and Jones was arrested on weapons and domestic violence charges. According to Sergeant Jason Rothlein, the Sheriff’s communications center received a call from a child last night at 9:30, reporting that his parents were arguing. When deputies arrived, they found several neighbors in the residence trying to calm Jones, who had locked himself in the bathroom. As deputies approached, they heard a blast from a firearm behind the closed door. The residence was evacuated. Jones refused to surrender initially and was seen pacing through the home holding weapons. Sheriff’s crisis negotiators and the SWAT team were called in. Crisis negotiators spoke with Jones for almost eight hours before chemical agents were finally used to encourage Jones to surrender. At 8:49 a.m., he emerged unarmed and surrendered. An investigation found that several rounds were fired inside the residence by Jones prior to the Sheriff’s deputies arrival. Multiple firearms were taken from the residence and the investigation is continuing by deputies at the Ramona Sheriff’s station. Printer-friendly version
CRIME VICTIM HOPES TO GET BACK IN THE SADDLE
Printer-friendly version 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: – Tex Tan show saddle, black seat, lots of silver – Custom made double-ferrule silver headstall with a Martha Josey Prime Time bit, with leather roping reins attached. – 2 barrel saddles, 1 black, 1 tan. – 1 heirloom Aussie Stock saddle with horn. – 3 endurance bridles, complete with crouper, breastcollar – purple If you have information on this crime, or observe suspicious activity, call the San Diego County Sheriff at (858)565-5200. Printer-friendly version
CONTROLLED BURN IN PINE VALLEY
Printer-friendly version February 14, 2011 (Pine Valley) – Cal-Fire is conducted a controlled burn today and tomorrow in Corte Madera Ranch near Pine Valley. Smoke may be highly visible throughout much of East County. The Alpine Community Network reports a controlled burn is also underway today in the Japatul Valley area. Printer-friendly version
TEACHERS URGE PUBLIC: WEAR A PINK HEART TODAY TO SHOW SOME LOVE FOR EDUCATION
Printer-friendly version Teachers call for "pink hearts, not pink slips" February 14, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) — The American Federation of Teachers is asking people to wear a pink heart today, Valentine’s Day, to show support for public education. “As lawmakers across the country prepare their state budgets, they need to recognize that teachers, school support staff, higher education faculty, government employees and healthcare workers make a difference every day in the lives of our children and in our communities,” a press release issued by the AFT states. Locally, many school districts have announced lay-offs of teachers to address the state funding shortfall, including the Grossmont Union-High School and La Mesa-Spring Valley districts in East County. Class sizes have been increased and other deep budget cuts have also been made. Many teachers choose this work because they believe in public service, even though they could earn more in other fields, the teacher’s organization notes. “As lawmakers develop their state budgets for the coming year, we need to remind them to have a heart and not shortchange the services our children and communities rely on.” Printer-friendly version
DISASTER LOAN OUTREACH CENTER OPENS MONDAY, FEB. 14, TO HELP STORM VICTIMS
Printer-friendly version February 12, 2011 (San Diego)–The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center in San Diego to help residents and businesses impacted by severe winter storms which slammed our region December 18 through January 4.The SBA is making low-interest loans available to San Diego and 10 other counties. Just in time for local storm victims to get some tender loving care on Valentine’s Day, the Disaster Loan Outreach Center will open Monday, February 14 at the Serra Mesa Recreation Center, 9020 Village Glen Drive in San Diego. A federal disaster declaration for our region makes this assistance available. Over 200 San Diego homeowners and businesses have already contacted the County Office of Emergency Services regarding storm-related damage and economic losses. The new center will make it easier for disaster victims to obtain assistance. The center will be open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The office will be closed February 21 in observance of President’s Day. Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged personal property. Businesses of any size and private, non-profit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. In addition, the SBA can also lend funds to homeowners and businesses to make improvements that protect, prevent or minimize future damage during the same type of disaster. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA based upon each applicant’s financial condition. For additional details, contact SBA by phone at (800) 659-2955 or for the hearing impaired at (800) 877-8339. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. You can also get information at www.ReadySanDiego.com. Filing deadlines are: April 4, 2011 for property damage; November 2, 2011 for economic injury. Printer-friendly version
MISSING MAN FOUND IN MEXICO
Printer-friendly version Update February 13, 2011 — San Diego Police report that Richard Johannis has been found safe in Mexico. February 12, 2011 (San Diego) – San Diego Police seek help to locate an elderly man who has medical issues from a recent stroke. Richard Johannis, 79, has been missing since Thursday night, Feb. 10 at 9 p.m. and has no coat or warm clothing with him. He was last seen at 7600 Alvarado Road in San Diego, near Alvarado Hospital. Johannis was driving his 1997 white, four-door Chevy Lumina, California license 5GJF330. He is 5’6” tall, weighs 135 lbs, has gray hair and brown eyes. He wears prescription glass. If you have any information concerning Johannis or if you see him, please call the San Diego Police Department at (619) 531-2000 or Detective Parga (619) 531-2277 and reference case #11-005753. Printer-friendly version
SWAT TEAM AT RAMONA HOME; SHOTS FIRED
Printer-friendly version Update 6 a.m. — The stand-off continues this morning, with the suspect still refusing to come out, Incident Page Network reports. February 12, 2011 (Ramona) –A suicidal man has barricaded himself inside his home at 23610 Galleria Circle in Ramona, where at least four shots have been fired, though no one is believed injured at this time. A SWAT team and crisis negotiation team have been called to the scene. “There was arguing with his family. He also said he was suicidal,” Lt. Jim Duffy with the San Diego Sheriff told East County Magazine. Deputies responded to a call at 9:30 p.m. Upon arrival, they heard three gunshots inside the home. The suspect’s wife and 10-year-old son came outside unharmed, leaving the suspect alone inside. He has multiple firearms, Duffy said. “They’ve contacted him on the phone,” Lt. Duffy said of negotiators. “One more shot has been fired.” However he added, “There are no injuries that we are aware of.” The SWAT team is setting up a perimeter to secure the area and negotiators will attempt to make contact and persuade the suspect to come out, Lt. Duffy added. Printer-friendly version
ROCK CLIMBER IDENTIFIED IN MILDRED FALLS TRAGEDY
Printer-friendly version Feb. 12, 2011 (11 p.m.) – The San Diego Medical Examiner has identified the victim in this accident as Matthew David Pack, 24, of San Juan Capistrano. Cause of death has not yet been determined. Update Feb. 12, 2011 9:30 a.m. – The rock climber has been confirmed as a fatality, San Diego Sheriff Lt.. David Brown said. "He was dangling halfway down the rock face, in the water underneath the waterfall," he confirmed. The body recovery effort continues in the rugged canyon area. No additional details on the identity or description of the man have been released at this time. Update 11:50 p.m. February 11, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Efforts to recover the body of a climber presumed dead at Mildred Falls have been called off for the night, San Diego Sheriff’s Lt. Jim Duffy informed ECM moments ago. The rock climber is believed to have died while awaiting a rescue helicopter this evening, East County Magazine has learned. Officials believe that the victim, a male, "was trying to rappel into the waterfall when he became entangled in ropes and was drawn into the water," Duffy said, adding that three different people reporting hearing the individual calling for help. Incident Page Network reported at 6:05 p.m. that San Diego Sheriff’s Copter 1 was en route for a technical rescue of the hiker, who was unconscious hiker halfway down the falls, possibly a rock climber who had been rapelling. Lt. Duffy said rescuers initially responded to a man yelling for help at mile marker 9 on Eagle Peak near Mildred Falls in the Julian area at 5:17 p.m. According to Lt. Duffy, ASTREA 3 was in the area at 5:28 p.m. and advised that the subject in need of rescue was semi-conscious. “ASTREA 3 doesn’t have lift capability,” said Duffy, who said ASTREA requested help from Copter 1, but that Copter 1 was not able to perform the rescue. He did not know the reason, but said that Copter 1 is a large HUEY helicopter. “Search and Rescue has been called,” said Duffy, “but it appears that the person is deceased. “ He added that lifeguards have also become involved at 6:35 p.m. , suggesting that at least one of the individuals is in the water. “ At 6:55 p.m., ASTREA was grounded and is currently awaiting the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue helicopter, Duffy stated. Several deaths have occurred at area waterfalls in the past from diving accidents. It is unclear whether the person who expired this evening had an accident or suffered some other medical emergency. Outdoor websites for hikers and climbers list varying heights for Mildred Falls. Some indicate the total drop is over 300 feet high, with two sections for climbers to tackle, one apprxoimately 100 feet, another 250 feet. This YouTube video shows the falls and remote terrain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sNabbaqVFI&feature=related Printer-friendly version
ATTENTION LOCAL LOVEBIRDS: GROSSMONT COLLEGE SEEKS COUPLES WHO MET SPOUSES ON CAMPUS
Printer-friendly version February 12, 2011 (El Cajon)–Grossmont College seeks former students, faculty and staff members who met their spouses at the campus. Couples who respond to college officials will be invited to a free pre-Valentine’s Day reception next year on Friday, Feb. 10, 2012 at the El Cajon community college. The event will be one of several that the college is planning as part of its year-long 50-year anniversary celebration from June 2011 to June 2012. The reception will feature live music–including love songs from the past five decades. According to President Sunny Cooke, one of every three adults currently living in East County has enrolled in a class at Grossmont College sometime during their life. “We will be diligent over the next year to identify couples whom we can recognize and honor for finding love at Grossmont College,” said Cooke. Interested persons are encouraged to contact Grossmont College’s Office of College and Community Relations at (619) 644-7840, or send an e-mail to grossmont50years@gcccd.edu. Printer-friendly version