ECM WORLD WATCH: GLOBAL AND NATIONAL NEWS
July 26, 2012 — (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: WORLD Returning migrants boost Mexico’s middle class: net immigration to U.S. now zero (Washington Post) Pressure mounts to stop China’s forced abortions (USA Today) Syria says could use chemical arms against foreigners (Reuters) Tax havens: Super rich ‘hide’ 21 trillion (BBC) Murdoch resigns from his British papers’ boards (NY Times) U.S. Poverty issue missing on presidential campaign trail (OpEd News) Offshore jobs play role in campaign and economy (KPBS) Romney walks political tightrope on foreign policy (CNN) What happens to current nursing home residents if House Budget Resolution becomes law? (Medicare Advocacy) White House threatens to veto GOP drilling bill (The Hill) Solar trade war hurts Chinese imports (Technology Review) Read more for excerpts and links to full stories. WORLD Returning migrants boost Mexico’s middle class: net immigration to U.S. now zero (Washington Post) July 23, 2012 — For a generation, the men of this town have headed north to the land of the mighty dollar, breaking U.S. immigration laws to dig swimming pools in Memphis and grind meat in Chicago. In the United States, they were illegal aliens. Back home, they are new entrepreneurs using the billions of dollars earned “on the other side” to create a Mexican middle class. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/mexican-middle-class-booms-with-work-in-us/2012/07/23/gJQATo5R5W_story.html?hpid=z1 Pressure mounts to stop China’s forced abortions (USA Today) July 24, 2012 — As supervisor of family planning enforcement in Fujian province’s Daji township, Wang Jinding says he knows the best way to kill the unborn babies of parents who want to keep them. "The key point is to separate the pregnant woman from her family members," he said in an interview with USA TODAY. That is exactly what Wang did in a case in April, enforcing the Communist Party’s rules on family size. He had eight government workers kidnap a pregnant Pan Chunyan, 31, from her grocery store in Fujian city on the southern coast. http://www.usatoday.com/news/story/2012-07-25/China-forced-abortions/56465974/1 Syria says could use chemical arms against foreigners (Reuters) July 23, 2012 — Western states expressed alarm after Syria acknowledged for the first time that it has chemical and biological weapons and said it could use them if foreign countries intervene. A week of unprecedented fighting inside the capital Damascus, including a bomb attack that killed four of President Bashar al-Assad’s closest advisers, has transformed the 16-month uprising and dramatically escalated international pressure on Assad.http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/23/us-syria-crisis-idUSBRE8610SH20120723 Tax havens: Super rich ‘hide’ 21 trillion (BBC) July 22, 2012 — A global super-rich elite had at least $21 trillion (£13tn) hidden in secret tax havens by the end of 2010, according to a major study. The figure is equivalent to the size of the US and Japanese economies combined. The Price of Offshore Revisited was written by James Henry, a former chief economist at the consultancy McKinsey, for the Tax Justice Network. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18944097 Murdoch resigns from his British papers’ boards (NY Times) July 21, 2012 — After more than a year of scandal in his British newspaper empire, Rupert Murdoch has resigned his directorships in a string of companies that control titles that include The Sun tabloid, The Times and The Sunday Times, raising fresh speculation that he may be planning for an eventual sale of the newspapers that were a major steppingstone during the decades in which he built his global media empire. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/22/world/europe/murdoch-resigns-from-british-newspaper-boards.html?_r=1 U.S. Poverty issue missing on presidential campaign trail (OpEd News) July 23, 2012 — Two reports issued the same day told of two appalling realities. One report on poverty was based on an AP survey. It found that the poor are getting poorer, and more numerous than at any time in the last half century. The other report from the Tax Justice Network found that the super-rich are getting richer, and they are squirreling their money away to the tune of tens of trillions in offshore tax havens that are far outside the reaches of the US and other nation’s tax collectors. Wealthy Americans are amply represented among the off shore tax evaders. This money could bankroll business start ups, business expansion, fatten federal and state tax revenues, and create thousands of new jobs. This would do much to blunt the steady march upwards of those that slip into the poverty ranks. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Poverty-Issue-Missing-on-t-by-earl-ofari-hutchin-120723-997.html Offshore jobs play role in campaign and economy (KPBS) July 25, 2012 — President Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney have been trading attacks over the issue of American jobs being moved overseas. The president has pounded Romney for the investments made by his former firm Bain Capital in the 1990s. Not to be outdone, the Romney campaign has suggested most of the money from the president’s stimulus program went to create jobs overseas. Independent fact checkers have concluded the Romney charges are inaccurate and that Obama’s claims about Romney are misleading. Harvard economist Mihir Desai says the emphasis the candidates are placing on the offshoring of jobs is out of proportion to its effect on the economy. http://www.kpbs.org/news/2012/jul/25/offshore-jobs-play-role-campaigns-and-economy/ Romney walks political tightrope on foreign policy (CNN) July 25, 2012 — Mitt Romney’s political tightrope in his quest for the presidency has been especially evident on foreign policy, with the certain Republican nominee sounding conservative while also espousing more moderate approaches similar to his opponent, President Barack Obama. Facing opinion polls that show more public support for Obama on foreign policy, Romney has constantly criticized what he calls the president’s failure to lead on international issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Iran’s nuclear ambitions and Syria. http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/24/politics/pol-romney-foreign-policy/index.html What happens to current nursing home residents if House Budget Resolution becomes law? (Medicare Advocacy) July 26, 2012 — Under
EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: TOP LOCAL AND STATE NEWS
July 26, 2012 — (San Diego’s East County)–East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include: STATE Health insurance rebates due next week across California (Sacramento Bee) California Parks Director resigns amid scandal (Sacramento Bee) Prop 32 opponents blast measure as flawed, unfair (Sacramento Bee) 4th night of unrest in Anaheim as protesters confront police (San Diego Free Press) Will California’s controversial desalination plant get off the ground? Here’s the last hurdle it faces (Alternet) LOCAL Foreclosures plummet in San Diego County (UT San Diego) Council won’t sign PBID yet (La Mesa Today) San Diego: America’s Olympic capital (UT San Diego) Lakeside’s Long new face of Olympics (UT San Diego) Abuse of power allegations levied against Border Patrol (10 News) Video shows border agent destroying water for migrants (10 News) Read more for excerpts and links to full stories. STATE Health insurance rebates due next week across California (Sacramento Bee) July 25, 2012 — Consumers across California will be gettingrebate checks from their health insurers next week – one of the first tangible results of the federal health care overhaul. About 1.8 million Californians will be getting money back, either directly or through a reduction in their monthly premium. The average California rebate: about $65 a family. http://www.sacbee.com/2012/07/25/4657544/health-insurance-rebates-due-next.html California Parks Director resigns amid scandal (Sacramento Bee) July 20, 2012 — The director of California’s state parks resigned and a deputy was fired Friday after officials learned the department sat on nearly $54 million in surplus money for years while parks were threatened with closure over budget cuts. Ruth Coleman, director of the state Department of Parks and Recreation, stepped down, and chief deputy Michael Harris was let go amid questions about the underreported funds that date back 12 years, announced state Natural Resources Agency Secretary John Laird, whose agency oversees the parks department. http://www.sacbee.com/2012/07/20/4645409/california-parks-director-resigns.html#mi_rss=AP%20State%20News Prop 32 opponents blast measure as flawed, unfair (Sacramento Bee) July 23, 2012 — Leaders and activists representing good government advocates and labor organizations today officially lauched their fight against a campaign finance reform measure on the November ballot, depicting it as unfair and fatally flawed. The measure, Proposition 32, eliminates payroll-deducted monies from use for political purposes by unions and corporations. It also bans campaign contributions by either interest group, although both could continue spending unlimited sums on independent expenditure efforts. http://blogs.sacbee.com/the_state_worker/2012/07/no-on-proposition-32-campaign-official-kicks-off.html 4th night of unrest in Anaheim as protesters confront police (San Diego Free Press) July 25, 2012 — Unrest continued last night – Tuesday, July 24th – in Anaheim, the fourth night in a row – between community residents protesting recent police lethal shootings and law enforcement. 24 arrests were made yesterday and overnight, near a half dozen injuries occurred during the seven hours of conflict Tuesday that ended around 2 a.m. Anaheim police remained on alert Wednesday. The family of the man fatally shot on Saturday are suing the City and police and a support caravan from San Diego is going up to Anaheim on Sunday, July 29th. http://sandiegofreepress.org/2012/07/4th-night-of-unrest-in-anaheim-as-protesters-confront-police-support-caravan-planned-from-san-diego/ Will California’s controversial desalination plant get off the ground? Here’s the last hurdle it faces (Alternet) July 17, 2012 — After more than a decade spent talking about building a large-scale ocean desalination plant in Carlsbad, California, the private equity firm proposing to finance the project has one last hurdle to overcome: It needs someone to agree to buy the water. Poseidon Resources has put forth several iterations over the years of its proposed plant in San Diego County, expected to produce up to 50 million gallons of freshwater daily. In one attempt , Poseidon inked agreements with local water agencies claiming it could sell water at no greater cost than imported water supplies. http://www.alternet.org/water/156350/will_southern%27s_california_controversial_desalination_plant_get_off_the_ground_here%27s_the_last_hurdle_it_faces LOCAL Foreclosures plummet in San Diego County (UT San Diego) July 23, 2012 — More San Diego County homeowners turned to short sales to avert foreclosure in the second quarter as the local market continued to gain momentum. Those were key factors that pushed down distress to lower-than-normal levels, based on a report from DataQuick on Monday. The number of San Diegans who received default notices, the first step in the formal foreclosure process, fell 1.4 percent in the second quarter of this year (April to June) to 4,099 compared to the same period in 2011. This marks the lowest level of mortgage defaults seen in a single quarter in more than five years. In the first quarter of 2007 3,931 default notices were filed. http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jul/23/foreclosure-level-falling-san-diego-county/ Council won’t sign PBID yet (La Mesa Today) July 25, 2012 — This city is in its Centennial year and, well, its politics is showing its age. Some may interpret that judgment as respect for the complexity of its issues and the measured ways it resolves its differences. Others who sat through Tuesday night’s council meeting might see a touch of dementia in this aging. For nearly two hours, the council listened as various factions of the community adamantly expressed their views of plans to establish a professional management for the city’s historic Village downtown. This was not the confusing part of the meeting. The lines in these speaker sands were as clear as lines on a map. http://www.lamesatoday.com/profiles/blogs/la-mesa-city-council-18 San Diego: America’s Olympic capital (UT San Diego) July 21, 2012 — Everyone just assumes 800-meter runner Alice Schmidt moved here in 2005 for the weather, or the chance to play volleyball on weekends and take barefoot runs in Tidelands Park, or the vast resources of the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, or the expert coaching of Joaquim Cruz, a gold and silver medalist in her event. They assume wrong. Schmidt, who grew up in Nebraska and ran for the University of North Carolina, moved here because her husband got into California Western School of Law. http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jul/21/san-diego-americas-olympic-capital/?page=1#article Lakeside’s Long new face of Olympics (UT San Diego) July 24, 2102 — Nic Long tried out for the golf team as a
EARTHTALK®: AIR POLLUTION IN NATIONAL PARKS E – THE ENVIRONMENTAL MAGAZINE
Written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss July 26, 2012 (San Diego) — Dear EarthTalk: I was appalled by the pollution haze I saw on a recent visit to Acadia National Park in Maine, and was told by a ranger that it was from smokestacks and tailpipes hundreds of miles away. Is anything being done to clear the air in Acadia and other natural areas where people go to breathe fresh air and enjoy distant unobstructed views? — Betty Estason, via e-mail This pollution haze, which emanates from urban and industrial centers to the south and west, has been a problem at Acadia National Park and elsewhere (e.g. Great Smoky Mountains, Shenandoah and Voyageurs national parks) for decades despite a 1977 Congressional dictum calling for the nation’s greatest natural treasures—known as “Class 1” areas—to be free of the unhealthy air plaguing cities. The haze is caused when tiny pollution particles absorb and/or scatter sunlight before it reaches the ground, reducing the clarity of what we see. According to the National Park Service (NPS), which is working with other agencies and state governments to help remedy the situation, “Some types of particles, such as sulfates, scatter more light than others, particularly during humid conditions,” reports the NPS. Of course, the pollution in the air causing the haze is also not good for our health or the environment. “Exposure to very small particles in the air has been linked with increased respiratory illness, decreased lung function, and even premature death,” reports the NPS. Also, the most common particles, nitrates and sulfates, contribute to acid rain, which renders some water bodies unsuitable to support aquatic life. Analysts with the Mid-Atlantic/North East Visibility Union (MANE-VU), a regional planning agency with representation from all Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states as well as two tribes and four federal agencies, calculated that 100 miles in visibility should be the norm throughout these regions but that 40-60 mile visibility is typical today because of pollution. They also warn that haze can reduce visibility to just a few miles at times. The fact that these problems exist in natural areas hundreds of miles from the sources of pollution is particularly troubling to environmentalists, park visitors and seekers of fresh air. In November 2011 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) agreed to finalize requirements for states to create haze pollution clean-up plans—those first called for in 1977. These plans will require the worst polluters to install “Best Available Retrofit Technology” (BART) to clean up particulate pollution. But a recently proposed addendum would allow 28 eastern U.S. states to avoid direct compliance, since they are already required to cut emissions through the Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR). “While the emission trading program created by CSAPR will result in significant air quality benefits for many eastern states, it will not require some of the most egregious polluters of iconic Class I national landscapes to clean up their pollution to the same level that would be required under BART,” reports the National Parks Conservation Association, which would like to see EPA drop its proposed BART rule exemption. Readers can do their part by using less energy and making sure some of the power offered by their utilities comes from renewable sources. And stay away from haze-prone locales on humid days when conditions are ripest for the formation of particulate pollution and the negative health effects that can come with it. CONTACTS: EPA, www.epa.gov/region1/topics/pollutants/haze.html; MANE-VU, www.otcair.org/manevu; National Parks Conservation Association, www.npca.org. EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E – The Environmental Magazine ( www.emagazine.com). Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe; Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.
AWASH IN COMPLAINTS, OCOTILLO RESIDENTS SEEK PROTECTION FROM WIND DEVELOPER’S ACTIONS
By Miriam Raftery July 24, 2012 (Ocotillo) – On Friday the 13th of July, foaming floodwaters rushed through the town of Ocotillo, leaving a white chemical residue behind on lawns, streets, and the surrounding desert floor. Despite numerous complaints to federal, state and local officials, however, nothing has been done to test the residue or correct a drainage pattern altered by Pattern Energy’s construction at the adjacent Ocotillo Express industrial wind site on Bureau of Land Management property. The flooding is the latest in a long string of problems tied to Pattern and its subcontractors, which residents say have exhibited a pattern of breaking rules that protect public health and safety, with seemingly no serious consequences. The company is building 42 miles of new roads—many of them far wider than the 20 feet (36 including construction phase) authorized by the federal government in official project documents. Some are over 100 feet wide. Far more of the desert is being disturbed than the one or two percent that Pattern claimed. So why has nothing been done? Pattern has been cited twice by Imperial County for violating dust mitigation requirements. Yet the abuse continues. (View a video of dust at the construction site.) Witnesses have sent ECM dozens of date-stamped photos documented repeated massive dust clouds emanating from the site in an area where deadly Valley Fever spores and already high asthma rates are serious concerns. Residents have also provided evidence of filthy water flooding turbine excavation holes after the recent storm. One hole, measuring 285 feet in diameter was filled with dark water and white foamy sludge floating on top , a tipped over bucket beside the water’s edge—all atop the only source of drinking water for the towns of Ocotillo, Coyote Wells, and Nomirage—a federally protected 82-square mile sole-source aquifer. ECM has contacted numerous official channels seeking answers. Most agencies did not respond. The Bureau of Land Management offered up a tepid response, explaining various drainage requirements, but failed to provide any remedies for Ocotillo residents who fear toxic contamination of their town and their drinking water, destruction of the desert they love, and potential long-term health problems from Pattern’s wind energy project. Jim Pelley, an award-winning ECM photographer, engineer and resident of Ocotillo, traced the July 13 flooding upstream from the town’s streets and found dirt coming from the project site, where berms creating during road-grading were “blocking water, streambeds, and this dirt is being carried downstream into our streets,” he told ECM. “Instead of being carried across the desert in a fan effect, an even load, it’s being channeled into areas where it is creating rivers,” said Pelley. “It definitely flowed down the street and into people’s yards…Some places it looked like a foam.” Pelley is angered that Pattern has refused to take responsibility. “The day after the flood, instead of mopping up and cleaning up their mess, they went out there and dug another turbine hole,” while the earth was soft from the rains, “just taking advantage of the situation.” Attorney William Pate, who owns property in Ocotillo, sent a complaint on July 16 asking for civil enforcement to revoke Pattern’s permits for the project. He contacted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board. Pate alleges violations of the Clean Water Act, Clean Drinking Water Act, and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System requirements. “In the face of multiple lawsuits in federal and state court, and insufficient wind to allow for wind energy development, the developer has proceeded to begin construction of over 40-plus miles of new `access’ roads across previously undisturbed desert in a `limited’ use desert conservation area,” Pate says of the 112-turbine project on 12,436 acres of Bureau of Land Management public property. Pate states that on July 13, “a moderate, one-year rain even occurred, which established overwhelming evidence of the hydrology issues caused by the developers’ work.” Pate states that in addition to unauthorized creation of berms from road grading, “water has also been improperly channeled into the holes dug for turbine foundations and illegally eroded excavated material was discharged into waters of the U.S. and caused mud and dirt sediment.” Undisturbed portions of the same drainage area further west had no flooding, however, clearly establishing that Pattern’s activities caused. Astoundingly, he observes that “a hydrologic assessment was not included as part of the Environmental Impact Statement.” David Player, who lives on Boundary Avenue in Ocotillo, also foiled a formal complaint to various agencies confirming that “the natural waterways hae been altered so that S-2 and our entire town was flooded.” Waters were “higher than they have been in the past” and a white powdery substance was deposited around homes and streets in large quantities. “My property almost didn’t make it through this—we had two feet of running water down the street,” said Player, who included photos of the damage. “Is it toxic? Is it safe for my kids to be around or any residents to come in contact with?” he asked. “how about our town’s sole source of drinking water? Has it been compromised by pollutants fromt his project? As residents, we are EXTREMELY concerned about our HEALTH, SAFETY and WELL-BEING,” he stressed. He further voiced anger that “it appeared there was NO plan in place for the immediate clean-up or mitigation of drainage that was happening on that storming day. What will be different next time,” he asked, “or are we in for it much next time?” ECM contacted numerous agencies to ask what the white chemical material is, whether it is toxic, and whether cleanup and/or a project shut-down will occur to protect the public health. We also inquired about pollution of the aquifer, excessive road widths and dust. Only two agencies responded. The EPA referred us to the Imperial County Department of Toxic Substances Control. ECM has contacted that department and is still awaiting a response. Steve Razo at the BLM responded on
JAMUL FIRE KNOCKED OFF BY A MULTI AGENCY FIRE RESPONSE
Story and photos by Nadin Abbott July 25, 2012 (Jamul)– A brush fire that began at or near 128480 Proctor Valley Road in Jamul shortly after 4 p.m. was knocked down by a massive, multiple agency response that included over 100 firefighters from at least a half dozen fire departments. The road at Proctor Valley Road and Echo Valley Road was hard- blocked, preventing access to the scene this evening. It is a narrow road, and heavy fire equipment needed the room to maneuver. Authorities indicated it was also shut down on the Chula Vista side. This reporter witnessed units from San Diego, La Mesa, Lakeside, Cal Fire and BLM, as well as Viejas. There were three helicopters doing water drops upon arrival at the scene, and a healthy wind coming from the mountain, at about 20 miles per hour. By 7 p.m. the road was still closed, but firefighters were in mop-up stage. According to a Sheriff’s deputy at the roadblock, the fire burned between 20 and 30 acres, but at no time were structures were in danger. Cal-Fire put the estimate at 20 acres. The blaze caused some nervous moments for neighbors in an area that has experienced several wildfires in the past few weeks. One called ECM to report that "the entire valley is dark with smoke." Residents congregated around to watch the show, but said they didn’t feel afraid. This reporter witnessed residents thanking the fire units, as they passed by. One even offered avocados to a fire crew–as long as they brought their ladder.
NIGHT AND MORNING LOW CLOUDS WITH A CHANCE OF MORE STORMS IN THE MOUNTAINS THIS WEEKEND
PROTEST PLANNED AT SDG&E’S SUNRISE POWERLINK SUBSTATION “CELEBRATION” THURSDAY IN EAST COUNTY
Governor Brown to be present at event July 25, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—Opponents of Sunrise Powerlink and massive industrial energy projects proposed to tie into the line are encouraging the public to join a protest on Thursday, July 26 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. While SDG&E’s invited dignitaries including Governor Jerry Brown celebrate completion of the new Suncrest Substation just east of Alpine, protesters will gather outside at Interstate 8 and Japatul Valley Road just east of Alpine. “SDG&E and their enablers need to be reminded at every opportunity that their unnecessary and destructive Sunrise Powerlink and Suncrest Substation and similar projects, are unnecessary and destroy our San Diego back county, rural communities and the desert,” states a message from groups opposing the project. The release continues, “There are far better options to120 mile-long transmission lines such as roof top solar in the already built environment. SDG&E’s Sunrise Powerlink is directly related to the destruction of 20 square miles of beautiful Ocotillo desert and the ruination of the small community of Ocotillo.” SDG&E calls the new 500 kV substation a “state-of-the-art electric facility that is a vital element of the Sunrise Powerlink.” Details & instructions: Park at the Park & Ride lot at the northwest corner of the I-8 and Japatul Valley Road (exit 40 coming from the east; also says Cuyamaca State Park, Highway 79) Walk south on Japatul Valley Road, under I-8, to the south side of the freeway where the off-ramp connects with Japatul Valley Road. The protest has been organized by the Protect Our Communities Foundation, Backcountry Against Dumps, and the Desert Protective Council. Organizers say they checked with the County and no permit is needed to exercise their First Amendment rights. The Sheriff’s Department will place cones at the location to keep protesters safe. Protesters are advised to stay out of traffic lanes. Protesters are encouraged to bring signs. Weather will be hot, so water is advised. You may also wish to bring hats, sunscreen, lawn chairs or umbrellas.
FIRE BURNING IN JAMUL NEAR MT. MIGUEL
Update 5:20 p.m.: The fire’s forward spread has been stopped at 20 acres, Cal Fire’s Roxanne Provaznik reports. No structures were burned. Proctor Valley Road remains closed between Chula Vista and Jamul. Echo Way is also closed but should be opened soon. Update 4:47 p.m.: 100 firefighters are battling the Proctor Fire in the Jamul area. First reported at 4:03 p.m., the blaze is now 20 acres. Cause is under investigation; there is no immediate structure threat. Cal Fire and the San Diego Fire Authority are on the scene with 15 engines, 5 fire crews, 1 bulldozer, 2 water tenders, 3 helicopters, 4 airtankers and 2 chief officers. San Miguel Fire has also been dispatched. "I was on the phone and had to get off because so many firetrucks were screaming past on Jamacha," said ECM videographer Paul Kruz in Granite Hills. Update 4:30 p.m.: The fire is now 10-15 acres, about 1.5 miles from Highway 94. July 25, 2012 (Jamul) – An eight-acre fire has been reported at 128480 Proctor Valley Road in Jamul. Cal Fire and Heartland Fire have been dispatched to the blaze. “It is burning near the base of Mt. Miguel, toward the mountain,” Cal Fire spokesman Mike Mohler told ECM at 4:10 p.m. “They are laying hoses.” There is no threat to structures at this time, he added. ECM reader Jeff Harrison advised that he can see three planes now circling over the fire, which is also near a campground. Sign up to receive free Viejas Wildfire & Emergency Alerts at the top right side of our homepage and also receive a free weekly copy of East County Magazine. You can also follow Viejas Alerts on Twitter. We recommend all of the above, since you don’t know what form of communications will work best in an actual emergency.
LUCKY LOTTERY TICKET SOLD IN LEMON GROVE: $590,000 WINNER
July 25, 2012 (Lemon Grove) – If you bought a Mega Millions California Lottery ticket at a gas station in Lemon Grove, you may be the lucky winner of over half a million dollars. The winning ticket matched five of six winning numbers in Tuesday’s draw (5, 9, 38, 46 and 51) but did not match the Mega number 5. The Lemon Grove ticket is worth $587,468, Lottery officials announced today. The ticket was sold at the ARCO AM/PM station at 8001 Broadway in Lemon Grove. The winner is advised to sign the back of the ticket, keep it in a safe place and contact California State Lottery officials as soon as possible. Winners have 180 days from the drawing date to claim their prizes. The Mega-Millions next drawing will be worth $52 million.
“UNDERGROUND” PERFORMED BY YOUTH THEATRE CONSERVATORY JULY 23-28
July 25, 2012 (El Cajon) – Youth Theatre Conservatory (YTC) will be performing “Underground” July 23-28 at 7:00 p.m., with a 2:00 p.m. matinee on the July 28, at Granite Hills High School Little Theatre, 1719 East Madison Ave, El Cajon. The show is centered around forgiveness and letting go of struggles. It was previously named “A Room Full of Strangers”. YTC is a summer educational theatre program designed to introduce and prepare students for professional theatre. Students have an opportunity to increase their theatre knowledge each year by attending and participating in master classes. This year the students have worked with Thomas Hodges, a nationally acclaimed composer and lyricist, a graduate of SDSU theatre. The Granite Hills High School students are ages 15-18 and under the artistic direction of professional actor and teacher, Mr. Jim Chatham. Tickets are $12.00 per person and can be purchased at www.youththeatreconservatory.com.