AUTOPSY CONFIRMS HOMICIDE, VICTIM IDENTIFIED IN LEMON GROVE
East County News Service November 27, 2014 (Lemon Grove)—An autopsy by the County Medical Examiner has confirmed that a man found dead near railroad tracks in Lemon Grove was a homicide victim. He has been identified as Dale Robert Wheeler, 55, the Sheriff’s homicide unit announced on November 25th. A suspect has not yet been identified. The Sheriff’s Homicide detail is investigating the death of Wheeler, whose body was found at the intersection of Lemon Grove Avenue and Palm Street around 7:23 a.m. on November 16th. The man has visible signs of traumatic injury, said Lieutenant Kevin Nelson. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Detail at (858) 974-2321/after hours at (858) 565-5200. You can remain anonymous and be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Call Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
CAN CORPORATIONS SUFFER “MENTAL ANGUISH AND EMOTIONAL DISTRESS?”
By Miriam Raftery Photo: Black lung disease, a condition caused by coal mining, was the topic of a radio ad by Public Citizen that promoted Murray Energy to sue, claiming rights until now reserved for people November 27, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – An energy corporation is suing Public Citizen, a nonprofit citizens’ watchdog group, claiming that radio ads run by the group caused the company to suffer “mental anguish and emotional distress.” Murray Energy, a major coal mining corporation is now claiming that Citizens United — the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that has allowed unlimited election spending by billionaires and big business, may also give corporations privacy rights previously belonging only to people. Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen, calls the claim a “bizarre twist” in Murray Energy’s lawsuit. Public Citizen’s radio ads drew attention to the company’s efforts to block new rules that are intended to help protect workers including preventing black lung disease and air pollution. In May, Murray sued The U.S. Department of Labor seeking to block the new worker safety rules for protecting coal miners and clean air protections. When Public Citizen aired hard-hitting radio ads (view text and hear audio here) showing the plight of a miner stricken with black lung disease, Murray then sued Public Citizen as well. After Public Citizen filed a motion seeking to dismiss the lawsuit, the company argued that the ads“invaded its privacy” and caused it “mental anguish and emotional distress.” Remember, Murray Energy is a company,” Weissman states in a letter sent to supporters seeking donations to fund fighting back against Murray’s lawsuit. “But in this post-Citizens United, “corporations are people” world, companies claim to have human privacy that can be invaded and human feelings that can be hurt…As if invoking Citizens United to claim a right intended for living, breathing human beings isn’t radical enough, Murray Energy goes even further, suggesting that it is willing to make this lawsuit about the truth of climate science itself.” He adds, “It could be the Scopes Monkey Trial all over again.” A hearing in the case is scheduled for December 9.
IRS PHONE SCAM REPORTED IN EAST COUNTY
East County News Service November 26, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – East County resident Tom Lemon reports that he has received three scam phone calls from callers claiming to be with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The caller claimed Lemon owed money to the IRS and asked him to send it to a P.O. Box. “The caller spoke with a European accent and I knew something was wrong,” Lemon told East County Magazine. “The caller ID was spoofed, another dead give away, and I hung up.” The IRS sent out an alert in April warning taxpayers to be wary of similar scams in which identity thieves pretending to be from the IRS tried to con unwary people into giving out personal information or credit card numbers. Below is the press release issued by the IRS last April. IRS Reiterates Warning of Pervasive Telephone Scam IR-2014-53, April 14, 2014 WASHINGTON — As the 2014 filing season nears an end, the Internal Revenue Service today issued another strong warning for consumers to guard against sophisticated and aggressive phone scams targeting taxpayers, including recent immigrants, as reported incidents of this crime continue to rise nationwide. These scams won’t likely end with the filing season so the IRS urges everyone to remain on guard. The IRS will always send taxpayers a written notification of any tax due via the U.S. mail. The IRS never asks for credit card, debit card or prepaid card information over the telephone. For more information or to report a scam, go to www.irs.gov and type “scam” in the search box. People have reported a particularly aggressive phone scam in the last several months. Immigrants are frequently targeted. Potential victims are threatened with deportation, arrest, having their utilities shut off, or having their driver’s licenses revoked. Callers are frequently insulting or hostile – apparently to scare their potential victims. Potential victims may be told they are entitled to big refunds, or that they owe money that must be paid immediately to the IRS. When unsuccessful the first time, sometimes phone scammers call back trying a new strategy. Other characteristics of this scam include: Scammers use fake names and IRS badge numbers. They generally use common names and surnames to identify themselves. Scammers may be able to recite the last four digits of a victim’s Social Security number. Scammers spoof the IRS toll-free number on caller ID to make it appear that it’s the IRS calling. Scammers sometimes send bogus IRS emails to some victims to support their bogus calls. Victims hear background noise of other calls being conducted to mimic a call site. After threatening victims with jail time or driver’s license revocation, scammers hang up and others soon call back pretending to be from the local police or DMV, and the caller ID supports their claim. If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, here’s what you should do: If you know you owe taxes or you think you might owe taxes, call the IRS at 1.800.829.1040. The IRS employees at that line can help you with a payment issue, if there really is such an issue. If you know you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to think that you owe any taxes (for example, you’ve never received a bill or the caller made some bogus threats as described above), then call and report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1.800.366.4484. You can file a complaint using the FTC Complaint Assistant; choose “Other” and then “Imposter Scams.” If the complaint involves someone impersonating the IRS, include the words “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes. Taxpayers should be aware that there are other unrelated scams (such as a lottery sweepstakes) and solicitations (such as debt relief) that fraudulently claim to be from the IRS. The IRS encourages taxpayers to be vigilant against phone and email scams that use the IRS as a lure. The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as text messages and social media channels. The IRS also does not ask for PINs, passwords or similar confidential access information for credit card, bank or other financial accounts. Recipients should not open any attachments or click on any links contained in the message. Instead, forward the e-mail to phishing@irs.gov. More information on how to report phishing scams involving the IRS is available on the genuine IRS website, IRS.gov.
OUR OCTOBER RADIO SHOWS ARE NOW ONLINE
November 27, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – Our October radio shows are now online! You can listen online now (note sound files may take a minute to load). For links to listen to the shows plus a full list of topics and interviews in October, click here and scroll down. We spoke with top newsmakers including Congresswoman Susan Davis, many candidates for local offices (note: we invited ALL candidates in races we covered to be interviewed), authors, a theater producer, a mother who started the EP Save-a-Life foundation after losing her own son, the founder of Angels for Haiti, a Water for Children Africa spokeswoman on a new technique to derive drinking water from air, an executive from the East County Boys and Girls Clubs, and a Comic Fest organizer, among others. We also went on location–covering events from the Jacumba Hot Springs Centennial to a Ramona benefit to save wild cheetahs. Plus we had news stories on many more hot topics. You can listen to the East County Magazine Radio Show live on KNSJ 89.1 FM on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 5 p.m. and reruns airing Tuesday and Thursday at 9.a.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Audio links to listen to shows are at the bottom of this page, below the index of shows. Wednesday, October 1, 2014 Introduction Candidate forums announced Park Station returns to La Mesa planners Power lines in Cleveland National Forest: hearing Tax return info for wildfire survivors Apple crop down in Julian Chickens recalled due to listeria Alleged wife killer arrested Station ID Calif. Public Utilities Commission hearing on rate hikes: sound bytes Destination East County: Top festivals and events this week Station ID, East County Magazine and Viejas Wildfire/Emergency Alerts public service announcement Newsmaker: Frank Tsimboukakis, candidate, State Senate Closing credits Friday, October 3, 2014 Introduction Heat warning Mayors’ Climate change report Destination East County – Top festivals and events this week Debate: Duncan Hunter vs. James Kimber, 50th Congressional District (Part 1) Closing credits Monday, October 6, 2014 Introduction Press Club awards: 7 East County Magazine team members among winners Ebola case in Dallas Privacy bills signed Wild parrot injured by BB gun Cooking fire in El Cajon Park Station rejected by La Mesa planning group Green Scene: bag ban Tribal beat: Native American college stats Gun bills signed Alleged wife killer pleads not guilty ECM and Viejas Wildfire/Emergency Alerts public service announcements, Station ID Debate: Duncan Hunter vs. James Kimber, 50th Congressional District (part 2) Closing Wednesday, October 8, 2014 Introduction Missing Julian woman Poll workers needed BLM helicopters stationed at Viejas for firefighting Polinsky Children’s Center: Judge rules searches of children are illegal Press Club Awards – 7 ECM members among winners Station ID Newsmaker: Jerry Fazio, East County Boys & Girls Club Station ID, Viejas Wildfire/Emergency Alerts PSA Green Scene: Wind turbines linked to hearing loss Scammers and schemers: Spark Energy scam Prop 45: Deceptive insurance industry ads Jacumba Centennial celebration: coverage on scene Station ID Green Scene: Yellow-billed cuckoo gains endangered status Viejas Wildfire/Emergency Alerts public service announcement Closing credits Friday, October 10, 2014 Introduction All Cal-Fire air tankers grounded after crash Mayor Faulconer proposes mandatory water limits in San Diego Supreme Court allows gay marriages in more states Early voting begins Horse auctions to be held by County FPPC fines GOP for money laundering in California races Station ID Newsmaker interview: James Kimber, 52nd Congressional district candidate Destination East County: top festivals and events this week Closing credits Monday, October 13, 2014 Introduction Calif. Public Utilities Commission under investigation by state and federal governments Aide to 50th Congressional District candidate Carl DeMaio claims harassment Rep. Hunter claims of ISIS at the border questioned Rabid bat found, County warns Weather report Empty the Boot campaign Viejas Alerts Public Service Announcement Free heart screenings for teens – Eric Paredes (EP Foundation) Newsmaker: Vickie Butcher, Water for Children Africa Station ID, East County Magazine and Viejas Wildfire/Emergency Alerts public service announcements Agricultural report: crackdown on volunteer winery workers Tribal Beat: Aztec warrior at SDSU draws controversy Station ID Bookshelf: Kirk Lee Aeder, author of Child of the Storm: How an Angry Young Man Formed a Bond with the Sea and Changed our Lives Forever Early voting Closing credits Wednesday, October 15, 2014 Introduction Phone-in Interview: Dave Mustaine, son-in-law of missing woman Sally Estabrook Covered California: no-bid contracts Ebola: nurses’ survey shows gaps in hospital preparedness Blood purifier product Props 1 and 2: deceptive ads Station ID Newsmaker: Larry Zinter, San Diego Comic Fest Brewery regulations proposed in San Diego Viejas Wildfire/Emergency Alerts and East County Magazine public service announcements, Station ID Newsmaker: La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid Green Scene: Wind turbines linked to hearing loss Rabid bat found, county warns Closing credits Friday, October 17, 2014 Introduction SD Police officer Arevallaos claims are costing city millions Arrest in Boulevard murder case SDSU teams up with county on disaster retweet program Rep. Hunter named number one “party animal” by Washingtonian Magazine survey of Congressional staffers San Diego Community College Board race West Nile Virus: State update Mounted patrol riders and horse owners needed Breweries regulations Station ID Newsmaker: Kathleen Hedberg, Helix Water District board member/candidate Station ID, East County Magazine and Viejas Wildfire/Emergency Alerts public service announcement Newsmaker: Rotsart, Helix Water District Steven candidate Destination East County: top festivals and events this week Halloween haunts in county parks CHP patrols for Halloween Viejas Wildfire and Emergency Alerts public service announcement Closing credits Monday, October 20, 2014 Introduction Descanso Water District Board accused of cover-ups Power lines in Cleveland National Forest hearing Alpine-GUHSD: lawsuits filed over high school Meningitis at San Diego State University Station ID Newsmaker: Congresswoman Susan Davis Station ID Arts and Music: Cygnet Theatre – Sam Sheppard plays Closing credits Wednesday, October 22, 2014 Introduction Minimum wage goes to ballot in San Diego Water restrictions now mandatory in San Diego Airbag
PHOTO OF THE WEEK: CRESCENT MOON
November 26, 2014 (El Cajon ) – Photographer Randy Jordan snapped this dramatic image, juxtapositioning a crescent moon as a brilliant backdrop against a U.S. flag and velvet black sky in El Cajon.
WINTER MEANS ITS TIME TO JAM: WINTER WONDER JAM DEC. 12 AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE
November 26, 2014 (El Cajon)–Winter Wonder Jam — Cuyamaca College’s homegrown music fest put on by students in the Music Industry Studies program and featuring four local bands and musicians playing pop, rock and folk music – is set for 7-10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, in the performing arts theater. Open to the public, admission is $5 or a donation of three canned goods to the San Diego Food Bank. Ample free parking will be available at the college at 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in Rancho San Diego. The event will showcase four bands rocking one of the most acoustically sound venues in East County: § Mockingbird, an Americana, pop group consisting of a family trio of mother Tara Alvarado playing snare and hi hat drums; father Diego Alvarado on Telecaster guitar and vocals; and their son Diego on bass guitar. They give a unique spin to covers that span everything from Johnny Cash to the Violent Femmes, fusing them all together with their large collection of original tunes. They are currently working on their album, including the songs “Picture of You” and “Lover” that were recently played on the KPRI 102.1 Homegrown Hour. § Barrie Dempsey, an Americana folk musician and BMI member who has been involved in the music industry since the late ‘60s. He recorded in the same New York studio as John Lennon and Yoko Ono and music legend Lou Reed. He met Lennon and Ono in the studio while they were laying down tracks for the “Imagine” album. He also wrote a song called “Safe and Sound,” which earned him a semi-finalist spot in the 2014 Song of the Year contest. § Feelgood, an indie rock band whose vocalist and guitarist have been friends since they were 15. They moved to California from a small farming town in northern Illinois and recently performed at the Battle of the Bands at the House of Blues in September and October. They are now vying in the 2014 Guitar Center Singer/Songwriter of the Year competition for a chance to perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live. § Little Heroine is a three-–member rock band whose musicians Michael Shannon, Adam Sisco and Jonny Beamer have played venues all over San Diego for the past several years and hope to start traveling in the coming year. The band just released a 12-song record through Ursa Polaris Records. The fifth annual holiday bash is an all-ages event with food, refreshments, and always eclectic performances. The entirely student-produced event is designed to teach students what it takes to put on a large-scale production, said co-instructor Annie Zuckerman. The students handle every aspect of the concert from auditioning bands, developing a marketing plan, creating posters and fliers, promoting the concert via social media, setting up the event, managing the stage transitions from one band to the next, and running the live sound – all under the tutelage of the faculty and staff from the Performing Arts Department. “The aim of the class and the concert is to give the Music Industry Studies students hands-on experience working on skills in order to prepare them for careers in music and related industries,” Zuckerman said. “It is also a wonderful opportunity for the college to promote and support local artists.” Music Industry Studies is a transfer degree program unique locally to Cuyamaca College that combines classes in music theory, literature, and performance with studies in music technology and business. The festival is the product of one of the program’s classes, the Music Industry Seminar. The class is broken up into teams, with each group assigned a specific task. The seminar class has so much to offer that students take it for four semesters, each time learning a new skill. During the spring, the students put on the Coyote Music Festival, an even larger outdoor event. And it isn’t just music students, but graphic design, art and business students who are recruited to take the class. Zuckerman leads the seminar along with music instructor Taylor Smith. For more information, including links to bands performing at the festival, go to the student-created Facebook page. For further information about the Music Industry Studies program, go to www.cuyamaca.edu/performingarts/programs.asp#music or call (619) 660-4322 For more information about Cuyamaca and Grossmont colleges, go to www.gcccd.edu
NEW PROGRAM SEEKS GROWERS TO HELP CURB DECLINING BEE POPULATION
U.S. Bee Buffer Project is Providing Bee Forage Kits to California Land Owners November 27, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)–The U.S. Bee Buffer Project, a Pollinator Partnership (P2) initiative, is immediately seeking 300 farmers, ranchers and foresters in California to set aside small plots of land as bee buffer zones. The soon-to-be-established honey bee forage supports pollination-reliant crops, which represents one-third of the food we eat. “Honey bees play an integral role in the success of American agriculture,” says Laurie Adams, executive director for the Pollinator Partnership. “By fostering the health and growth of bee colonies, farmers are helping to enrich their crops and, ultimately, improve their bottom line.” WHAT IS A BEE BUFFER? A strip of land alongside crops full of pollinator plants – creating vital, nutritious bee habitats. The buffer allows bees to forage on the plentiful nutrition in the diverse buffer areas, while also pollinating adjacent crops. Research has shown a little Bee Buffer can go a long way—just one acre of pollinator-friendly plants is enough to impact 33 acres of farmland, together offering bees a broad expanse of diverse forage. Why Bees? Why Now? Honey bees are valuable to the nation’s crops and economics, contributing approximately $15 billion to the U.S. economy each year. Still, U.S. bees are having trouble finding food to store for winter months; 2012-2013 winter losses totaled more than 30 percent of honey bee colonies nation-wide[1]. Specific to California’s economy agribusiness community, the state’s high-value crops requiring extensive pollination include[2]: Almonds – annual state crop value 4,347,200,000 (U.S. dollars) Berries – annual state crop value 2,121,574,000 (U.S. dollars) Avocados – annual state crop value 386,449,000 (U.S. dollars) Bee buffer zones help to offset losses for the bee industry while improving the health of crops and orchards within four miles. “We are excited to work with California farmers to improve bee habitat across the state, says Bill Lewis, president of the California State Beekeepers Association and U.S. Bee Buffer beekeeper partner. “This initiative is vital to encouraging a healthy pollinator habitat that results in a vibrant and diverse forage base for bee pollinators throughout the state, which is critically important to sustaining healthy bee colonies.” Save bees. Protect crops. Help yourself. Land owners in California willing to dedicate and maintain .25 to 3 acres – collectively impacting 6,000 acres – for an official bee buffer zone, can apply for the U.S. Bee Buffer Project. Those selected will receive free flower seed kits to plant in their buffers. To learn more, reference the U.S. Bee Buffer Frequentkly Asked Questions. To review the eligibility requirements and complete participant application, visit http://beebuffer.com/. The U.S. Bee Buffer Project is sponsored in part by Burt’s Bees®– through its non-profit organization The Greater Good Foundation – formed to help create 10,000 acres of healthy pollinator forage in the United States by 2020. About the Pollinator Partnership The Pollinator Partnership is a non-profit 501©3 organization—the largest organization in the world dedicated exclusively to the protection and promotion of pollinators and their ecosystems. Birds, bats, bees, butterflies, beetles, and other small mammals that pollinate plants are responsible for bringing us one out of every three bites of food. They also sustain our ecosystems and produce our natural resources by helping plants reproduce. Without the actions of pollinators agricultural economies, our food supply, and surrounding landscapes would collapse. Learn more at www.pollinator.org.
HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR DEC. 13 IN LEMON GROVE
November 27, 2014 (Lemon Grove)—The Soroptimist International Of Lemon Grove will hold a Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, December 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to benefit local charities. The event will take place at the Lemon Grove Academy auditorium on School Lane in Lemon Grove. Admission is free to the holiday craft fair, which will feature original handmade gifts such as purses, jewelry, scarves and quilts. Proceeds will benefit the Soroptomist International Lemon Grove Holiday Giving and Lemon Grove Food Bank, as well as programs to improve the lives of women and girls. For more information, contact (619)-469-7350
BODY FOUND IN JULIAN CONFIRMED TO BE MISSING WOMAN SALLY ESTABROOK
East County News Service November 27, 2014 (Julian)—A body has been found about a half mile from Pinezanita Campground, where Sally Estabrook vanished on October 4th. Estabrook, who suffered from Alzheimer, triggered a massive search involving search and rescue teams from across Southern California. The Medical Examiner has confirmed that the deceased is Estabrook. Yesterday afternoon, deputies responded to a radio call of a deceased person found in heavy shrubbery just off the roadway in the 200 block of Coulter Ridge Road in Julian. Lieutenant John Maryon with the Sheriff’s homicide detail said, “It does not appear any foul play was involved.” Cause of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner. Estabrook was the mother-in-law of Dave Mustaine, lead singer in the band Megadeath. ECM interviewed Mustaine on our radio show shortly after Estabrook’s disappearance, when he expressed hope that she would be found safely.
TWO ALUMNI FROM EL CAPITAN IN LAKESIDE REACH NATIONAL FFA AWARDS COMPETITION IN KENTUCKY
By Tatiana Woliung, El Capitan FFA Reporter November 27, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)–The El Capitan Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter announces that two of our alumni competed at the National FFA Convention in Louisville Kentucky this past month. Gabriella Dodson was one of only four people chosen to compete for the national FFA Proficiency Award in Equine Science Placement. Austin Rogers was one of only four people chosen to compete for the National FFA Proficiency Award in Swine Production Entrepreneurship. The FFA Proficiency award is presented to members who have gone above and beyond in working on their Career Development Activities. These members have put in countless hours of labor, gained skills for their future careers, and showed a profit for each of their projects. The Proficiency Awards recognize outstanding student achievement of a new business, working for an existing company, or otherwise gaining hands-on career experience. The Equine Science Placement and Swine Production Entrepreneurship awards are two of the 45 program proficiency areas in which FFA members can participate. These areas help develop valuable experience and leadership skills at the local, state, and national levels. Rogers and Dodson became eligible for the national award after winning the California State FFA competition earlier this year. Dodson and Rogers are shown in the picture with Agriculture Advisor from El Capitan FFA, Donald Dyer, and Agriculture Advisor from Mountain Empire FFA, Kelly Tulloch, with their winning plaques. We are very proud of Dodson and Rogers for reaching this level of competition and hope to see them continue in their already successful careers in the agriculture industry.