KITCHEN FIRE DAMAGES EL CAJON APARTMENT
August 18, 2013 (El Cajon) – At 11:51 p.m. Saturday night, Heartland Fire & Rescue crews in El Cajon, with assistance from Cal Fire, responded to reports of a fire in the 3-hundred block of Wisconsin Avenue. As fire crews arrived on scene, smoke was seen coming from apartment #3, at 314 Wisconsin Avenue. As fire crews gained access to the apartment, they found the fire was coming from the kitchen and had the fire out in less than five minutes. Quick action by firefighters kept the fire from reaching other apartments. No one was home at the time of the fire and there were no injuries. Damage has been estimated at $5,000. Food left cooking on the stove was determined to be the cause of the fire. The family of three did return home during the fire incident. Due to the fire damage, they were displaced and are now staying with friends.
PASSION PIT TO PERFORM AT SDSU ON OCTOBER 22
August 18, 2013 (San Diego) – A year after the release of their critically-acclaimed sophomore album Gossamer, Passion Pit have announced a massive fall headling tour across North America, including an appearance at the Open Air Theater at SDSU, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego. The tour will feature special guests The Joy Formidable. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or at the Viejas Arena Ticket Office (619)594-0429.
THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE SUNDAY IN EAST COUNTY
August 17, 2013 (San Diego’s East County ) — Monsoonal moisture will create a slight chance of thunderstorms over San Diego County mountains and deserts Sunday afternoon and evening, the National Weather Service reports. Any thunderstorms that occur will be capable of producing dry lightning, gusty winds, and locally heavy downpours. Areas west of the mountains will remain dry, with highs in the mid to upper 70s along the coast and the mid 80s to around 100 in the valleys. An excessive heat warning is in effect for desert areas in neighboring Imperial County.
TOYOTA PROPOSAL FOR ELECTRONIC BILLBOARD IN SANTEE RAISES OBJECTIONS
By Miriam Raftery August 17, 2013 (Santee) – An environmental group has lodged a formal complaint over a proposed electronic billboard in Santee, contending that the sign violates city laws and further, should require an environmental review. The LEC-powered video billboard proposed by a Toyota dealership would stand 70 feet tall and be 321 square feet in size. It would tower above the junction of highways 125 and 52. The city found that no environmental review is required. But now Scenic San Diego, a nonprofit group dedicated to preserving scenic views, has filed a formal objection. The group says the project directly violates city municipal codes, which specifically prohibit flashing signs, except for time and temperature information. The sign is also 26 feet taller than allowed by current law and nearly four times the square footage. The group says that studies have found digital billboards contribute to driver distraction and could endanger motorists. The location includes views over the San Diego River Park and Mission Trails, with distant views of Cuyamaca and the Laguna Mountains. Van Collinsworth with Preserve Wild Santee voiced this concern in a comment posted at Santee Patch. “The billboard would get quite a setting to stick up its sore thumb,” he said, then asked, “and how many more would follow?”
PEDESTRIANS ROBBED AT GUNPOINT IN LA MESA
August 17, 2013 (La Mesa) – Two pedestrians were robbed of their purses in the 8100 block of La Mesa Boulevard on August 14 at 10:05 p.m. Two suspects approached the victims from behind, and one of the suspects displayed a black handgun. The other suspect was armed with a crowbar. One of the suspects demanded the victims’ purses. After the victims complied, the suspects fled eastbound La Mesa Boulevard on foot. The victims ran to a nearby residence and called La Mesa Police. Officers searched the surrounding areas with assistance from the Sheriff’s helicopter ASTREA, but were unable to locate the suspects. The suspects were described as: Suspect #1: Black male adult in his 20s, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and baggy jeans or pants. The sweatshirt had a red California logo on the front. He had a mustache or goatee and was armed with a black handgun. Suspect #2: Black male adult in his 20s, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and pants. He was armed with a crowbar. This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the La Mesa Police Department. 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 in this case.