NATURE GUIDE TO THE SAN DIEGO RIVER PUBLISHED BY LOCAL STUDENT
Caption: Head of School Kevin Yaley (left) and San Diego River Park Foundation Trustee Jim Dawe with Parker graduate Marly Isler, signing her booklets. Photo Courtesy of Francis Parker School / Ken Stone August 27, 2014 (San Diego)– The San Diego River has stories to tell — if you know where to find them. A booklet by Francis Parker School graduate Marly Isler fills the bill. And it’s easy to find. As a junior at Parker, Marly combined her volunteerism at the San Diego River Park Foundation with her School community service project — producing a booklet for river visitors. Today Marly is a student at Yale University and the booklet, “A Brief Walk Along the San Diego River,” is available on the San Diego River Park Foundation website, www.sandiegoriver.org “When Joan Embery first told me about her goal of seeing a field guide to the San Diego River, I was hooked on the project. I have grown up in San Diego my whole life, so this was a great way for me to learn a lot more about the animals and plants of my native city. I am incredibly happy with how it turned out and I hope you are too!” Marly says. “At the San Diego River Park Foundation, we work to create opportunities for the emotional connections to our historic River that allows the sense of wonder to come alive, forge lifelong love of the outdoors, and foster stewardship of the San Diego River. Marly’s booklet will certainly enrich the experiences for the many families who will visit our historic River,” said Rob Hutsel, Executive Director and Co-Founder, San Diego River Park Foundation. “The ideals of community service, leadership and civic responsibility have deep roots in Parker history,” said Kevin Yaley, Head of School. “Marly has brought those ideals to life by creating a great resource for those seeking to enjoy the amazing habitat of the San Diego River.” Established in 1912, Francis Parker School offers a rigorous, college-preparatory education for students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 at campuses in Mission Hills and Linda Vista. Parker’s mission is to create and inspire a diverse community of independent thinkers whose academic excellence, global perspective and strength of character prepare them to make a meaningful difference in the world.
BICYCLIST STRUCK BY TROLLEY
East County News Service August 26, 2014 (La Mesa)—A bicyclist was struck by a trolley Tuesday in La Mesa, suffering a serious injury to his leg. Witnesses told La Mesa police that the cyclist was riding westbound on University Avenue at 12:42 p.m. when he rode between trolley arms that were lowered and ignored warning lights. The collision occurred at University and Spring Street. The man was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital with a serious leg injury. Trolley service was stopped for about 90 minutes due to the accident.
THIEF FOILED AT CARL’S JUNIOR
August 27, 2014 (La Mesa) – A thief hungry for cash was foiled from robbing a Carl’s Junior on Parkway Drive in La Mesa, thanks to the actions of the fast food outlet’s assistant manager. La Mesa Police seek public help to locate the suspect. The crime occurred shortly after midnight on August 18th. An employee called 911 to report that a robber had walked up to the drive-through window at closing time, brandishing a black semi-automatic handgun. The would-be robber demanded money, but the assistant manager fled and told other employees to go into the freezer and call police. The suspect ran away and was not found, despite a search of the area by the Sheriff’s helicopter and La Mesa Police officers. The suspect is described as a black male of unknown age. He wore a black mask and a black hooded sweatshirt with grey horizontal lines. He was thin and stood about 5 feet 10 inches tall. 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.
JAMUL CHAPARROS 4-H KICKS OFF NEW PROGRAMS SEPT. 2
August 27, 2014 (Jamul) – The Jamul Chaparros 4-H Club kicks off its new year on Tuesday, September 2nd at 6:30 p.m. If you are 5 years to 19 years old and want to learn more about camping, arts and crafts, pygmy goats, rabbits, or poultry, you’re invited to stop by. Or perhaps you are into cavys, computers, or dog training? The Chaparros have projects for all interests and age levels. “Come join a wonderful group of kids and learn how to be a future leader in this club, this community, our country, and our great world,” says Wendy Teasdale, co-community leader. We love new members and are kicking off some fun new programs this year.” The unit meetings are the first Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Jamul Primary School, 14567 Lyons Valley Rd, Jamul, CA 91935. For questions, contact webmasters@jamul4h.org
SAN DIEGO JIHADIST KILLED IN SYRIA
By Miriam Raftery Multiple media outlets are reporting that a San Diego man is believed to be the first American killed fighting with ISIS terrorist forces in Syria. The body of 33-year-old Douglas McAuthur McCain was found with a U.S. passport and cash. He had attended City College in San Diego and worked at the African Spice restaurant, 10 News reports. About a decade ago, he converted to Islam and began calling himself “Duale, The Slave of Allah” and Duale Khalid, though his family has said they were shocked to learn of his jihadist involvement. He had a past arrest record for minor drug possession, theft and disorderly conduct in Minnesota, where he previously lived. He worked for the nonprofit Dawah-Calling to Allah, according to his Facebook page, which has since been removed, though his Twitter was still active as of Tuesday afternoon. One recent tweet reads, “Ya Allah when it’s my time to go have mercy on my soul have mercy on my bros.” Mark Arabo, national spokesman for the Iraqi Christian community, said, “It has become overwhelmingly clear that ISIS poses a threat not simply to the Middle East, but to America. We can only assume that this San Diego man has not worked alone in the radicalization of his ideas. While the United States can work towards eliminating members of ISIS from the Middle East, it is much more difficult to kill an idea. Therefore, the Iraqi Christian community is calling upon the United States to take a constructive role in stopping the flood of radicalized Islam from within our own nation. ISIS is no longer contained to the Middle East. We must ensure that these terrorists do not attain a hold of the minds and hearts of our countries Muslims.” ISIS, short for the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, has imposed Islamic Sharia law across the regions it has seized in Syria and Iraq, murdering those who refuse to convert to their faith.
HEWLETT PACKARD POWER CORDS FOR NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS RECALLED DUE TO FIRES
August 26, 2014 (San Diego) – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced that Hewlett-Packard (HP) is recalling AC power cords for HP and Compaq notebook computers. The AC power cord can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards. HP has received 29 reports of power cords overheating and melting or charring, resulting in two claims of minor burns and 13 claims of property damage. Description: This recall involves Hewlett-Packard’s LS-15 AC power cord. The power cords were distributed with HP and Compaq notebook and mini notebook computers and with AC adapter-powered accessories such as docking stations. The power cords are black in color and have an “LS-15” molded mark on the AC adapter end of the power cord. Over five million of the products were sold in the U.S. and another half million in Canada, approximately. The power cords were sold with notebook and mini-notebook computers at computer and electronic stores, authorized dealers and online at www.hp.com worldwide from September 2010 to June 2012 at prices ranging from about $500 to $1,500. Customers should immediately stop using and unplug the recalled power cords and contact Hewlett-Packard to order a free replacement. Consumers can continue to use the computer on battery power. You can contact Hewlett-Packard toll-free at (877) 219-6676 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT Monday through Friday or online at www.hp.com and select “Recalls” at the bottom of the page, then select Power Cord Recall. Using after-market cords are not advised, due to numerous complaints of fires and over-heating involving off-brand power cords and chargers. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. Hewlett-Packard is based in Palo Alto, California, however the power cords in this recall were manufactured in China. For details, see http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Hewlett-Packard-Recalls-Notebook-Computer-AC-Power-Cords/
HELIX SETTLES SUIT OVER EL MONTE VALLEY LAND
By Miriam Raftery August 25, 2014 (Lakeside)—Helix Water District’s Board of Directors voted 4-1 on August 20th to approve a settlement agreement with El Monte Canyon LLC and its successor, El Capitan Golf Club LLC. The settlement ends a six year dispute over plans for a water recharge project and wildlife habit in Lakeside’s El Monte Valley. It allows for sale of the property and some sand mining at the site, as well as habitat restoration. The district says the deal is beneficial to ratepayers. But critics, including dissenting board member Joel Scalzitti, says the settlement is a bad idea and that the land is worth more than the$9 million price tag agreed upon. Under the settlement, the golf club will make a $1 million deposit to Helix. In turn, Helix will declare the land “surplus” which opens a 60-day period for the San Diego River Conservancy to have first rights to purchase the land. If the conservancy doesn’t buy it, nor any other public agency, then both parties release all claims against each other, dismiss litigation, and the Golf Club gets an option to acquire the property during the next three and a half years by paying the remaining $8 million of the $9 million in appraised value. But Scalzitti believes the property is worth “a lot more than $9 million” and notes that the appraisal is a couple of years old, when the real estate market was lower. Moreover, he stated, “I believe that the group we’re dealing with doesn’t have the integrity to execute the deal. Deals were cut and made and never finished,” Scalzitti contends, the UT San Diego reports. Luis Tejada, a district employee who spoke as a ratepayer at the public meeting, also thinks the appraised value is too low, since the site has been identified as a valuable source for sand mining. Tejada says the appraisal couldn’t have included the value of the sand, which he estimates at $32 to $45 million – roughly four to five times more than what the district will receive once the land sells. But Carlos Lugo, general manager for Helix, says sale of the property will “reduce the district’s potential for liability and costs for maintenance, trash cleanup and security in the area” according to a statement that the district released to the media. The District has paid over over a million dollars so far in legal fees and had another $300 million budgeted. The dispute started back in 2008 for the 460-acre project. El Capitan claimed Helix breached agreements, but Helix cross-filed complaints claiming it was El Capitan that failed to fulfill its obligations under the agreements. The story begins in 1997, when the El Capitan Golf Club leased the property from Helix Water District to develop a golf course. But after concluding that wasn’t financially feasible, the golf club formed a plan to join with the Endangered Habitats League to restore the land and create a nature preserve with marches, wetlands and woodlands. Meanwhile Helix and Padre Dam municipal Water District were working to develop a wastewater recycling project to purify water for the district’s customers across East County, a process that would have included percolating water through the ground in El Monte Valley. That, too, fell through and both sides filed complaints against each other. The District had also planned to mine sand, a valuable commodity. Bill Adams represented both the golf group and the Endangered Habits League at the proceeding. If said that the group aims to buy and restore the land, also doing what he termed “a minimal amount of mining” at the site, which might be called the El Captain River Restoration Project. Residents of El Monte Valley have advised the board in past public meetings of their opposition to sand mining in the valley. William Ortiz, a Lakeside resident, testified on August 20th that he wants the valley conserved, like the Lakeside River Park Conservancy has done with the San Diego River elsewhere in Lakeside. Charlene Ayers reported in the Ranter’s Roost, a discussion forum for backcountry land use issues. Ortiz opposes any sand mining, pointing out that mining could stir up Valley Fever spores known to be in the soil in El Monte Valley. Director Kathleen Hedberg voted for the settlement, but asked that the $9 million be returned to the ratepayers. Dtaff and legal counsel looked stunned—and no one responded. According to Ayers. She calls the settlement a “lousy deal” because the district sold surplus property “for a pittance” and because El Monte Valley will now be sand-mined over the objections of residents. Ayers concludes, “Woe on the Helix Water District ratepayers.”
WARNING: HIGH SURF AND RIP TIDES FROM HURRICANE
August 26, 2014 (San Diego)–The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazards warning that Hurricane Marie is approaching San Diego’s coastline, where strong waves, coastal flooding and rip tide currents may occur now through Thursday night. The currents could result in dangerous swimming and surfing conditions, according to the weather service. Beachgoers should obey warning signs posted, use caution in and around the water and if you swim, stay near a lifeguard. In Baja California, winds from the hurricane reached more than 100 miles an hour, though the storm has weakened as it moves north. For updates visit the National Weather Service’s Hurricane Center (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPEP3+shtml/261435.shtml )
LAKESIDE TEEN REMAINS IN COMA
East County News Service August 26, 2014 (Lakeside)–A Lakeside teenager who tried to cross a busy intersection on a red light on July 23 was struck by a car. Now, over a month later, Jason Buss remains in a coma at Rady Children’s Hospital. His mother, Janette Buss, told 10 News that her 15-year-old son underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain and that she hopes to see him smile and talk again, but doesn’t know what his future holds. Jason was with a friend on their way to go fishing, when he became impatient and tried to cross the intersection at Woodside Avenue and Riverford Road in Lakeside, where he was struck. His mother said she does not blame the driver, and can imagine the devastation the driver must feel.