SNAKEBITE VICTIM AIRLIFTED TO HOSPITAL
July 3, 2012 (Pine Valley) – A hiker bitten by a rattlesnake on the Corte Madera Ranch South of Interstate 8 in Pine Valley has been rescued. Cal Fire units responded to a call at 1:15 p.m. from a female who dialed 911 from a cell phone and provided her GPS location to the dispatcher, Cal Fire Battalion Chief Nick Schuler said. According to ECM news partner 10 News, the woman was hiking with a friend, who blew a whistle to help rescuers find the location. San Diego County Sheriff’s Department assisted with its ATREA helicopter. Mercy Air 6 was requested to transport the patient to a local hospital. “It took approximately an hour from the time of dispatch to locate her and transport her to the landing zone to meet with Mercy Air 6,” Schuler told ECM. He was not certain whether the helicopter crew had anti-venom, or whether treatment had to wait until the patient reached the hospital. 10 News reports that the patient was admitted to Grossmont Hospital. The hospital declined to release information on the victim’s status, citing medical privacy laws.
DEPUTIES ARREST SUICIDAL POWAY MAN WITH ARSENAL OF GUNS
July 3, 2012 (Poway) – Sheriff’s deputies from the Poway station responded to a report of an armed man trying to kill himself yesterday afternoon at his home in the 13700 block of Powers Road. The man, a convicted felon, told deputies he would not be taken into custody alive and that he had booby-trapped the inside of his home with explosives. The Sheriff’s Crisis Negotiations Team was called to the scene and persuaded the man to exit the residence. He was taken into custody. Inside the residence, authorities found numerous loaded firearms and ammunition, as well as a bullet-proof vest. Due to the threats made, the Sheriff’s Bomb Arson unit checked the interior, but no explosive devices were found, according to Sgt. Tim Matzkiw. The man was taken to Pomerado Hospital for a medical evaluation and once cleared, was booked into SanDiego County Jail for possession of weapons and ammunition.
ARRESTS MADE AFTER THIEVES DRAG VICTIM 50 FEET
July 3, 2012 (La Mesa) – Thanks to a witness who photographed a crime in progress, La Mesa Police have arrested two suspects who allegedly stole a laptop computer from a man, then dragged him 50 feet from a vehicle. Police received a call yesterday at 2:34 p.m. reporting that a man had been dragged by a vehicle near La Mesa Boulevard and Acacia Avenue. When police arrived, the victim told them that two black males stole his laptop computer and left in a small red vehicle. The victim grabbed onto the vehicle as it fled the scene, and was dragged approximately 50 feet. He was treated at the scene by paramedics and then transported to Grossmont Hospital for further evaluation. A witness to the robbery was able to photograph the license plate of the vehicle, a red 2009 Smart car. Police went to the registered owner’s address in the 9800 block of Ivanho Street in Spring Valley. After they arrived, the vehicle was seen leaving the garage. Police followed the vehicle as it entered Interstate 94 west. Just east of Bancroft Drive, officers initiated a traffic stop and both the driver and passenger fled the vehicle on foot. The vehicle crashed into a nearby ravine. The driver of the vehicle was subdued using a Taser and the passenger was located shortly after in the area of Kenwood Drive and Bancroft Street. A witness from the robbery positively identified both suspects in a curbstone line-up. The stolen laptop was recovered in the vehicle. One of the suspects was wanted in a previous La Mesa PD case for assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm. The suspects were transported to San Diego County Jail and booked on the following charges: 18 year old Nathaniel Gaines of Spring Valley- 211 PC- Robbery 18 year old Dontrez McCraney of La Mesa- 211 PC- Robbery and 245 PC- Assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm. The investigation in continuing. Anyone with information is urged to call the La Mesa Police Department at (619) 667-1400. You may also call Crime Stoppers’ anonymous toll-free tip line (888) 580-TIPS (or www.sdcrimestoppers.com). You can remain anonymous, and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case.
Fire severely damages Mt. Helix home
July 3, 2012 (Mt. Helix) — As crews from the San Miguel Fire District responded to a 9-1-1 call late last night, flames were already shooting through the roof of the single family home located on the 9800 block of Ogram Drive. Once on scene, San Miguel Firefighters discovered the fire was running the attic of the 4200 square foot, single level home and called in a second alarm. “The two occupants of the home woke up at about 11:45 p.m. to see smoke coming from the attic. They quickly made the emergency call and promptly evacuated,” said Leonard Villareal, public information officer at San Miguel Fire. Given the extensive dollar loss, San Miguel Fire called in the Sheriff’s Bomb/Arson team to conduct the investigation. The home owner told Firefighters there had been smoke coming from a ceiling can light earlier in the day. The home owner indicated he had cut power to the fixtures and there was no additional indication of fire. The official investigation as to the cause is just getting underway. Crews from El Cajon, La Mesa, San Diego and Cal Fire joined San Miguel Fire Fighters as part of an automatic mutual aid response. In total about 45 people respond to the fire, including members of the American Red Cross. No other structures were damaged, and no injuries reported. A very preliminary estimate of property loss is set at $350,000. While the fire was considered “knocked down” at 12:29 a.m. on July 3rd, about 45 minutes after the initial call, fire crews remained on the scene throughout the night. Given the nature of the blaze it is necessary for crews to conducting an extensive overhaul of the structure, to insure there are no flare ups in the attic or walls.
CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE SCOTT PETERS REFLECTS ON 48TH ANNIVERSARY OF CIVIL RIGHTS ACT
July 3, 2012 (San Diego) – Yesterday, on the 48th Anniversary, of the Civil Rights Act, Scott Peters, candidate for the 52nd Congressional District, released the following statement: “During this campaign, I’ve talked a lot about my dad, Harvey Peters. I’m thinking about him today as our nation celebrates the 48th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, which outlawed discrimination on the basis of race and gender. It was an historic piece of legislation, but the work didn’t stop there; my dad helped continue the fight as a minister and civil rights leader who fought against housing desegregation in the Detroit suburbs in the late 1960s. From his work, he became friends with Martin Luther King, Sr., and they preached at each others’ churches to encourage tolerance and unity. He taught me and my sisters that civil rights and equality for all are paramount – there is no room for compromise. It is up to all of us to stand up for the rights of others. These are the values that drive my commitment to public service. “Today, I honor all the men and women who fought, and even died, fighting for these protections for all.”
WRITER’S CALENDAR
www.SDWriteWay.org LITERARY EVENTS News and Calendar Items for San Diego County Book Lovers July 1 thru July 8, 2012 July 5 (Thursday, 7:30 pm) – Warwick’s will host writer and photographer Mark Johnson who will discuss and sign his book Argyle Armada: Behind the Scenes of the Pro Cycling Life. This event is free and open to the public. In order to be signed the author’s most current title must be purchased from Warwick’s. Background: From winter training camp on the cobbled lanes of medieval Girona, Spain, to hard-earned stage victories in July’s Tour de France, to flesh-shredding crashes at the Tour of Spain in September, Argyle Armada: Behind the Scenes of the Pro Cycling Life delivers an unprecedented look at America’s most celebrated cycling team. Embedded with Garmin-Cervelo for its entire 2011 season, writer-photographer Mark Johnson brilliantly chronicles the team’s most intimate personal dramas and its public celebrations. More than a book about racing, Argyle Armada is a portrait of life as a member of a pro cycling team during a time of painful transition for the sport. Johnson unveils the dramatic forces that Garmin-Cervelo must navigate as team founder Jonathan Vaughters tries to push forward his vision of a reformed sport. Along the way, countless difficult decisions must be made to keep the team competitive in the chase for ProTour points, money, respect, and fame. With all-access insight and spectacular color images, Argyle Armada offers an unprecedented look inside a team battling for the future of professional cycling. Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Avenue | La Jolla, Ca | 92037 | Ph. (858) 454-0347 | www.warwicks.com. July 7 (Saturday, 7:00 pm) – Washington, D.C. poet Joseph Ross will read from his new book Meeting Bone Man at D.G.Wills Books, 7461 Girard Avenue, La Jolla, 858-456-1800, www.dgwillsbooks.com. Joseph Ross’ poems appear in many anthologies including Collective Brightness: LGBTIQ Poets on Faith, Religion and Spirituality, Come Together: Imagine Peace, Full Moon on K Street, and Poetic Voices 1 and 2. His work also appears in a variety of journals including Poet Lore, TidalBasin Review, Beltway Poetry Quarterly, Drumvoices Revue, and Sojourners. He has read at the Library of Congress and been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. An early member of D.C. Poets Against the War, he co-edited Cut Loose The Body: An Anthology of Poems on Torture and Fernando Botero’s Abu Ghraib. He founded and directs the Writing Center at Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C. and has taught writing at American University. “These poems by Joseph Ross in Meeting Bone Man read like translations – not from another language, but from a separate way of being, of understanding. Ross writes his way into the depths of the world in which we live, respecting and properly naming each similarity and difference for what it is – sometimes, for what it should be. This is a lovely book of poems.” July 7 (Saturday, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm) – Reading and Discussion (Free Event). Join us as we host debut writer Dominic Carrillo reading from his debut novel To Be Frank Diego. http://www.sandiegowriters.org/?p=3958. July 7 (Saturday, 4:00 pm) – Warwick’s will host author Michael Maloney and Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist Lee Phillip Bell, along with actors Heather Tom (The Bold and The Beautiful) and Christian LeBlanc (The Young and The Restless) who will be signing copies of The Young and Restless Life of William J. Bell. This is a ticketed signing. In order to be signed the book must be purchased from Warwick’s. A Complimentary ticket admitting two, will be given with the purchase of The Young and Restless Life of William J. Bell. Background: For the first time fans will be able to discover the true stories behind the creation and growth of the most popular and iconic soap operas of all time, and they’ll learn about the man behind their favorite storylines. Filled with dramatic turns, dangerous risks, and an overall devotion to bringing life to the show, this biography will offer fans a backstage pass to the fascinating world of soaps! Bill Bell worked from a love of his characters and his family, and was never afraid to fight for what he knew to be important to both. For any fans of Bill’s shows or anyone working on creating dramas, this is an unprecedented look into the life of one of the men who did it best. Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Avenue | La Jolla, Ca | 92037 | Ph. (858) 454-0347| www.warwicks.com. July 8 (Sun. 1:00 to 2:00 pm) – Free Open Air Poetry Reading, Poetry Grove Poets, in San Diego’s Balboa Park. Read/Hear Poems under Towering Trees. Enjoy the peaceful setting: no espresso machines! No fees, no sign-up, nothing to buy, no microphone. Lean your bike against a tree trunk; free parking close by for motorcycles& cars; near public transportation. All poets (first-time & seasoned), listeners, & kinds of poetry welcome, including rhyme, free verse, limericks, haiku, and more. Read your work and/or the work of others. Or, simply enjoy the variety of poets and styles. Each poet may have two to five turns, reading 1 or 2 poems per turn. Bring up to 10 poems. Sit on the hardened clay Poetry Bench or : bring a blanket or chair – and a jacket (it’s cooler under the trees). Find us 5 blocks north of Laurel Street, ¾ of a block east of Sixth Avenue, ¼ block west of Balboa Drive, 150 feet north of Quince. Search for 2 back-to-back garden sheds and the clay Poetry Bench beneath a grove of tall magnolia trees. For more detailed directions, location, a photo of the Bench where many of us sit, and more: http://www.PoetryGrove.weebly.com. Questions? Want to receive semi-monthly e-mailed reminders? Send first name & last initial to: Terra Lepore, PoetryGrove@att.net. * * * AUTHORS EVENTS July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (Mondays 7:00pm – 900: pm) — Fiction Workshop: Structure with Robin Tung. In this 5-week workshop we will focus primarily
DUI TASK FORCE CRACKING DOWN ON IMPAIRED DRIVERS THIS FOURTH OF JULY
July 3, 2012 (San Diego County) — Most Americans may not realize it, but the Fourth of July is one of the deadliest holidays of the year due to alcohol‐impaired driving crashes. That’s why this Fourth of July the Avoid the 14 DUI Task Force is stepping up enforcement efforts as part of the ongoing “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement crackdown to catch and arrest impaired drivers who put themselves and others at risk. “The Fourth of July is one of the deadliest holidays due to an increase in impaired‐driving fatalities,” said Sheriff Bill Gore. “Too many people die behind the wheel each year due to those who choose to drive after drinking, so we will be out in full force this Fourth of July showing zero tolerance for impaired drivers.” The DUI Task Force plans to deploy DUI Saturations Patrols starting Tuesday, July 3rd. With Independence Day falling on a Wednesday, many in our community will be taking the rest of the week off so DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols will be out in force throughout the weekend. A multi‐agency DUI/Driver License Checkpoint is also scheduled for Saturday, July 7th from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. in Coronado. Impaired‐driving crashes killed more than 10,000 people in 2010, accounting for 31 percent of all traffic‐related fatalities in the United States. That’s an average of one alcohol‐ impaired‐driving fatality every 51 minutes. Often Fourth of July celebrations start during the day, but last well into the night – making the dangers from impaired drivers even higher at night. The Avoid the 14 DUI Task Force reminds everyone that there are numerous consequences as a result of being caught driving impaired, such as the risk of killing or harming others, jail time, insurance hikes, potential loss of driver’s license, just to name a few. The Avoid the 14 DUI Task Force recommends these simple tips for a safe Fourth of July: Plan a safe way home before the fun begins; Before drinking, designate a sober driver; If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation; If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate, Report Drunk Drivers! Call 911; And remember, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely. Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
UPDATE ON FIREWORKS LITIGATION AND CANCELLATION OF LAKE MURRAY 4TH OF JULY ACTIVITIES
July 3, 2012 (Lake Murray) –Many of our readers have contacted us asking for more information on the Lake Murray fireworks situation. We received the following e-mail today from Navajo Events, confirmation cancellation and providing an update on the status of pending litigation: The Lake Murray July 4th Music Fest and Fireworks Committee has regretfully decided to not hold the fireworks display over Lake Murray this year. This difficult decision was made after careful consideration of the liability exposure which the event would produce and the possibility of litigation directly involving the Committee. It was based on the continuing litigation by the Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation (CERF) and its lead attorney, Marco Gonzalez against the City of San Diego and the La Jolla Fireworks Foundation. On June 14, 2012, CERF III and IV were heard by Judge Dato in SD Superior Court Dept. 67. His tentative ruling was for CERF. After hearing arguments from both sides, Judge Dato ruled in favor of CERF and Marco Gonzalez. His ruling was based on the City not completing a Programmed Environmental Impact Report prior to amending Muni Code Regulations for Special Events Permits. The City is appealing these two cases, in addition to CERF I, which they lost in August 2011. Given this new information, the Committee chose the prudent option of not proceeding with the event this year. We will consider the possibility of holding the event in 2013, if the courts rule in favor of the City and it becomes feasible to do so. If it is, we hope the community will provide early financial support for this historical event and help to keep it a free, fun, family event in our local park. For more updates about the Music Fest and Fireworks and other events in our area, please visit www.navajoevents.com. While you’re on the site, consider signing up for automatic e-mail updates about all the listed events in the Navajo Communities. The Music Fest Committee (Don, Jay and John) again thanks all who supported the event.
ELEVATED FIRE RESTRICTIONS ENACTED ON THE CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST
July 3, 2012 (Cleveland National Forest) — Effective today at 6:00 a.m., fire restrictions on the Cleveland National Forest have been moved to the “Elevated” level. The increase in fire restrictions is due to dryer fuel conditions, higher temperatures, and the likelihood of small fires becoming larger fires. The purpose of fire restrictions is to reduce the risk of human-caused fires during high fire danger. Fire restrictions impose limitations on forest users and are implemented only as deemed necessary to help prevent wildfires. Under Elevated fire restrictions, the Forest Service restricts the conduct of activities that have historically caused wildfire starts on the Forest. See page three for a list of Elevated Fire Restrictions. Additionally, the Forest may close some areas within the Forest that are especially prone to the ignition of wildfires. The Cleveland National Forest fire restriction system works in conjunction with the daily Fire Danger Rating System, commonly referred to as the “Smokey Bear fire danger level.” The Fire Danger Rating System is a scientific calculation that takes into account several factors such as fuels conditions, expected weather effects on fuels, burning indices, live fuel moistures, and energy release component calculations, to establish the likelihood of a fire starting within a 24 hour period. The use of fireworks is NEVER allowed on the Cleveland National Forest! “When you see a Smokey Bear sign that states the “Fire Danger Today is Very High,” you need to know that the likelihood of a wildfire starting, and then quickly developing into a large fire is a strong possibility,” stated Carlton Joseph, Fire Chief for the Cleveland National Forest. “The public needs to be extremely careful when recreating within the Forest during periods of high, very high and extreme fire danger.” The daily Fire Danger Rating System and the fire restrictions level are posted and updated on the Cleveland National Forest web site at http://www.fs.usda.gov/cleveland. Contact your closest Forest Service office to find out the current information concerning fire danger across the Forest, and the level of fire restrictions currently in affect before you head into the Forest. “Know before you go!” Forest contacts for current information District offices are open Monday through Friday, from 8:00AM to 4:30PM. For the Cleveland National Forest Supervisor’s Office call (858) 673-6180. For Alpine, Descanso, and Laguna Mountain areas contact the Descanso Ranger District at (619) 445-6235. For Palomar Mountain, Henshaw, Ramona, Temecula Valley and Oak Grove areas contact the Palomar Ranger District at (760) 788-0250. For the Ortega Hwy area, San Mateo, Orange County and Corona areas contact the Trabuco Ranger District at (951) 736-1811. Elevated Fire Restrictions: 1. Fireworks are never allowed on the Cleveland National Forest. 2. Spark arrestors are required for all off-highway vehicles, chainsaws, and other internal combustion equipment. 3. Welding, grinding, cutting, the use of explosives, and other activities requiring a special use authorization may be restricted. 4. No wood or charcoal fires are allowed except in identified developed campgrounds and developed picnic areas with designated fire rings. a. Identified campground and picnic areas where wood or charcoal fires are allowed under Elevated Fire Restrictions: i. Descanso Ranger District 1. Burnt Rancheria Campground 2. El Prado Group Site 3. Horse Heaven Group Site 4. Laguna Campground 5. Wooded Hill Group Site 6. Boulder Oaks Campground 7. Cibbets Flats Campground ii. Palomar Ranger District 1. Crestline Group Site 2. Fry Creek Campground 3. Oak Grove Campground 4. Observatory Campground 5. Dripping Springs Campground 6. Indian Flats Campground 7. San Luis Rey Picnic Area 8. Inaja Memorial Picnic Area iii. Trabuco Ranger District 1. All campground and picnic areas are open except for the Wildomar Campground, when the Wildomar Off-road Vehicle (OHV) area is closed. 5. Gas, liquid, and jelly petroleum fueled stove are allowed in developed campgrounds, developed picnic areas, and other areas with a proper permit, except for remote camping areas on the Descanso and Palomar Ranger District, and the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness Area on the Trabuco Ranger District. Discharge of firearms is prohibited on the Forest except for the purpose of hunting during the designated hunting season as established by the California Department of Fish and Game. Target shooting is only allowed within designated areas on the Forest. Discharging a firearm using the following ammunition is never allowed on the Cleveland National Forest to include hunting seasons: Steel core ammunition; armor piercing ammunition; and, tracer ammunition. Smoking is prohibited within the Forest boundary, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or within a Developed Recreation Site.
ART SHOW AT THE WIEGHORST MUSEUM BEGINS JULY 3
July 3, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Wieghorst Museum Foundation is hosting an art show from July 3 through August 31, every Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The participating artists include Jack Jordan, James Kermott, Mark Martensen, Ross Provence and Grace Schlesier. The show is at the Olaf Wieghorst Musuem, 131 Rea Avenue, El Cajon. The event includes a red tag sale. For more information call 619-590-3431 or visit http://www.wieghorstmuseum.org/.