HORSES HIT IN ALPINE
East County News Service Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News March 11, 2015 (Alpine) – Two horses running loose in Alpine early this morning were hit by vehicles, and one horse is dead. The California Highway Patrol is trying to find out who owns the horses; if you have information please call Animal Control at 619-498-2305. CHP dispatchers received calls starting at 1:15 a.m. about several horses running wild on eastbound I-8 at Willows Road. A rental car struck and killed one of the horses, which caved in the roof, went through the windshield and rolled on top of the vehicle, smashing in the roof, 10 News reports. Fortunately the driver was able to escape and was not seriously injured. A second horse was struck by a pickup truck on Alpine Boulevard west of Willows Road. The animal suffered injuries to a rear leg and was stitched up, but is expected to recover. It was taken to the County Animal shelter in Bonita. The driver was not seriously injured.
BLOOD BANK DONATIONS SOUGHT: MARCH 24 AND 28 IN EAST COUNTY
March 10, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego Blood Bank will be accepting donations this month at two locations in East County. The first blood drive will be held at El Cajon Valley High School on March 24 from 8:30 to 2 p.m.in the dance room. The second is at Souplantation’s parking lot in La Mesa on Saturday, March 28 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All donors awarded a FREE Meal Pass coupon, courtesy of Souplantation. Donors must be 17 or older, weigh at least 114 pounds and be in good health. A good meal and plenty of fluids are recommended prior to blood donation. All donors must show photo identification. Donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment, by calling 1-800-4MY-SDBB (469-7322) or visit www.sandiegobloodbank.org.
HEAT WAVE!
March 11, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – An unseasonable heat wave is forecast for Friday through Monday, sending daytime temperatures to record levels west of the mountains with very low humidity, according to Alexander Tardy at the National Weather Service. Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-90s in San Diego County’s inland areas and well into the 80s for several hours each of these days, though the peak of the hot weather should occur Saturday and Sunday. Heat stress is a concern in such warm weather, so organizers of outdoor events this weekend should be prepared to provide shade and water for hydration. Those planning strenuous work or high intensity physical activities should dress accordingly, drink plenty of fluids, or try and schedule these activities during cooler parts of the day.
EL CAJON COUNCIL APPROVES BID PROCESS FOR UPGRADES TO REOPEN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
By Miriam Raftery March 10, 2015 El Cajon)–El Cajon’s City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to start the bidding process for long-awaited repairs needed to reopen the East County Performing Arts Center,, which has been closed for over five years. Staff estimates the repairs will cost $2.92 million dollars. Ray Lutz, founder of the Save ECPAC group that has been striving for years to see the theater reopened, asked during the public comment period what renovations would entail. “No one’s really been able to review this,” he said, asking if the city had negotiated any improvements to accommodate the Rock Church, which is slated to lease the theater on Sundays and designated other times. City Manager Douglas Williford assured that the renovations were “fully vetted” 18 months ago and include roofing, Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, lighting, stage improvements, concession stands and entry area upgrades. He assured that the repairs are needed regardless of who will use the facility and that no special requests were made by the church. The public will have an opportunity to weigh in when the bids are received, he added. After the vote, even Lutz, long a vocal critic of the city’s policies regarding the theater, applauded the action.
FUGITIVE TASK FORCE AGENTS SHOT FELONY SUSPECT IN ALPINE
East County News Service March 11, 2015 (Alpine)–Agents from the San Diego Regional Fugitive Task Force were involved in a shooting Wednesday morning in Alpine. The agents were looking for a felony warrant suspect at 2157 Arnold Way. The warrant suspect entered a 2004 Ford Excursion and tried to flee, according to Lieutenant John Maryon with the Sheriff’s Homicide detail. “Fearing for their safety, the agents bailed out of their unmarked vehicle and four agents shot at the suspect, striking him several times in the upper body,” Lt. Maryon said. The suspect was taken into custody and transported, via ambulance, to Sharp Memorial Hospital where he was undergoing surgery. None of the agents were injured. UT San Diego reports that the agents who fired the shots were with state and federal agencies; Sheriff’s deputies did not discharge their weapons. According to 10 News, witnesses reported hearing 10 to 15 gunshots. The suspect is a 25-year-old white male who had an active felony warrant for his arrest as well as an open criminal investigation with the San Diego Police Department. The suspect was considered armed and dangerous. His name has not been released, nor have the names of the officers been made public. This incident will be investigated by detectives from the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail. 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.
CHARGERS SIGN CONTRACTS WITH ROBINSON AND MATHEWS
March 10, 2015 (San Diego)–The San Diego Chargers agreed to contract terms with restricted free agent center Trevor Robinson on a two-year contract and defensive end Ricardo Mathews on a one-year contract, the team announced Tuesday. The 6-5, 300-pound Robinson is a fourth-year center who originally signed with the Chargers last October. He proved to be a dependable reserve, taking over at center as an injury replacement during late-season, come-from-behind wins in Baltimore and San Francisco. He started the Chargers’ regular-season finale in Kansas City, becoming the team’s fifth different starting center during the season. No other NFL team since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 had ever started five different centers in a season. A native of Elkhorn, Nebraska, Robinson attended Notre Dame. He signed with Cincinnati as an undrafted rookie in 2012 and over the course of the 2012-13 seasons, he started seven of 19 games played for the Bengals. Mathews, 6-3, 300 pounds, signed with the Chargers last September and played in 12 games with two starts. He recorded 25 tackles, 1.5 sacks, six tackles for loss and two forced fumbles, tied for most on the team. One of Mathews’ forced fumbles was recovered for a touchdown by teammate Corey Liuget in the Chargers’ 38-35 overtime win in San Francisco in December. Mathews totaled six quarterback hits during the season as well, including a team-leading three during the Chargers win over St. Louis in late November. Mathews spent his first four seasons (2010-13) with Indianapolis. A seventh-round pick by the Colts, Mathews played in 52 games in Indianapolis with six starts, compiling 60 tackles and 1.5 sacks. A native of Jacksonville, Florida, he played collegiately at the University of Cincinnati. Since just prior to the recent start of free agency, the Chargers have added guard Orlando Franklin (formerly with Denver), return specialist Jacoby Jones (Baltimore), and retained left tackle King Dunlap, cornerback Brandon Flowers, Robinson and Mathews. The Chargers also released guard Chad Rinehart on Tuesday.
WOMEN ASK EL CAJON COUNCIL FOR INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO POLICE SERGEANT ACCUSED OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT
In lively meeting, Council also hears ideas from the public ranging from creating a city-owned utility district to bringing the Chargers to East County By Miriam Raftery March 10, 2015 (El Cajon ) – At Tuesday’s El Cajon Council meeting, two women spoke out to voice outrage that an El Cajon Police sergeant accused of sending naked photos of himself to women officers remains on the force. The Sergeant. Richard Gonsalves, was demoted to officer and the city now faces a lawsuit filed by a female officer who alleges sexual harassment and discrimination. Bonnie Price with the East County Democratic Club told Council she was “astonished and outraged” to hear a 10 News report on the scandal. Noting that March is a month designated to celebrate women’s history, she added, ”This is not how we should celebrate women’s history!” She asked why the alleged perpetrator is still on the police force, after reportedly texting photos of his genitalia to multiple women and according to the lawsuit filing, propositioning a female officer and her gay partner for a sexual threesome. “Sexual harassment is a crime,” Price stated. “He should not remain on the police force.” She added that allowing him to remain on the force is “an insult to women of this community….How can any woman in this community expect to call the police and be treated with respect?” A second speaker, Gloria Martes, mother of two daughters in El Cajon, also called for action. “There needs to be an independent investigation,” she stated, noting that if the lawsuit is successful, taxpayers will pay and the city is assuming liability for any future actions by keeping the former sergeant on the force. “Harassment in the work place should not be tolerated,” she said. City Attorney Morgan Foley told Council that “all proper procedures were followed” adding that the city cannot comment further due to the pending litigation. Other speakers offered some positive and creative ideas for the city to consider. Robert Germann with Citizens Against Gillespie Expansion (CAGE) submitted a proposal to build a Chargers Stadium on a portion of the land at Gillespie Field. His plan would allow one runway to remain but would create an entertainment-sports complex. Instead of an Aerotropolis proposed by others, he suggested a “Chargers-tropolis” that could potentially bring a Super Bowl or World Cup Soccer match to East County. “El Cajon is still the poorest city in the county,” he said. We have an opportunity here.” Councilman Ambrose noted that El Cajon doesn’t own the airport, which is owned by the County. But Germann noted that Council has been influential with Supervisors in the past on another airport issue, successfully getting a measure passed to require background checks of foreign flight students. Mayor Wells asked city staff to analyze the proposal and promised to get back to Germann and “tell you what we can and can’t do,” adding, “I know that everyone here would love to see the Chargers stay in the San Diego area.” Ray Lutz with Citizens Oversight suggested that the city could make a lot of money if it would become its own municipal power network. The city could get its power at cost and make money offering power to others. Lutz said that in Anaheim, which has its own power network, electricity costs $165 per megawatt hour, while San Diego’s pay more than double that rate at $374 per megawatt hour, with SDG&E reaping the profits. Mayor Wells asked the City Manager to brief him on the idea, adding, “If there is a way we can save money, I’m all for that.” Earlier in the meeting, Lutz criticized the city however for approving community block grants for the East County Transitional Living Center’s homeless programs because the organizations primary goal is “to convert people to Christianity.” But Mayor Wells and other Council members praised the program for successfully helping many homeless people to transition off the streets and into jobs, noting that the center does offer some non-religious options to help the homeless get off the streets, though those options are only short-term. Councilman Kendrick announced that a court ruling has upheld the city’s deemed approve ordinance to restrict alcohol sales off-site. Groups from the alcohol industry that filed the suits have opted not to appeal, so the ruling stands. Council approved 5-0 to accept bids for renovations on the East County Performing Arts Center, moving forward on long-awaited plans to reopening the theater closed for more than five years. Hilde Krauss with the El Cajon Library announced a multi-cultural family festival April 11 that will have music, food, a K-9 demonstration, fire engine tours and more. Other upcoming events planned include a Persian New Year celebration and a small business workshop. Council also recognized the achievements of local students and praised two El Cajon high schools for making the CIF championship playoffs in basketball. Sunshine Horton invited everyone to participate in Sunday’s Saint Patrick’s Day mile run starting at 7:30 a.m. at Main and Magnolia streets downtown. It will benefit two nonprofits, St. Madeleine Sophie’s and Noah’s Homes. Mayor Wells concluded, “I’ll be there – and I’ll see you there.”
SPRING INTO HEALTHY LIVING MARCH 18 IN SANTEE
March 10, 2015 (Santee) – The County of San Diego HHSA and partner agencies are hosting a free community health fair “Spring into Healthy Living” in Santee on Wednesday March 18th from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Vendors and exhibitors will be offering free health screenings plus information on Senior Services, County Programs, Healthy Lifestyle, De-cluttering, Maximizing the Brain, Volunteer Opportunities, Breast Health, and much more. Attendees may RSVP by calling the AARP Reservation line at 1-877-926-8300. Held at Cameron Family YMCA at 10123 Riverwalk Drive, Santee 92071.
CATERPILLARS MUNCHING DOWN DESERT WILDFLOWERS
Photo: “Hummingbird Moth (9691010084)” by Larry Lamsa – Hummingbird MothUploaded by PDTillman. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons – March 10, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Anza Borrego’s desert wildflowers are both beautiful and fragile. Some of the best wildflower displays in years were reported just days ago along DiGiorgio Road. But now, a natural predator has moved in—in droves. Voracious caterpillars are chowing down those delicate blooms—and may next feast on blossoms along Henderson Canyon Road. The Anza Borrego Desert State Park website reported on Monday, “The advance of the caterpillars means that our big fields of flowers will not be around much longer. The flowers that existed on Giorgio Road a week ago are now entirely gone due to the caterpillars.” But it’s not all bad news. Those caterpillars will soon under a metamorphosis, turning into white-linked sphinx moths – commonly known as hummingbird moths–and the moths help pollinate the flower fields for future growth. The moths are also a favorite delicacy of migrating Swainson’s hawks, which have swooped into Anza Borrego and are now reportedly gorging on caterpillars. Fortunately you can still see desert wildflowers in some other nearby locations. For details you can visit the Anza Borrego Desert State Park website or call the State Park Wildflower hotline at 760-767-4684.
STABBING, SHOTS FIRED AT SPRING VALLEY TACO SHOP
March 10, 2015 (Spring Valley ) – An altercation outside Sarita’s Taco Shop on Campo Road in Spring Valley early Monday led to a stabbing and gunshots fired, Sergeant David Toner with the Sheriff’s Department in Rancho San Diego reports. Deputies responded to a disturbance shortly after 3 a.m. According to Sergeant Toner, a group of 10 to 15 males were dining outside the restaurant when a fight ensued and a man was stabbed in the abdomen. According to witnesses, the suspect, a Hispanic man, fled with a second Hispanic male on foot. They may have been picked up by a Hispanic female driving a silver or gray two-door vehicle. While deputies were on the scene, two to three gunshots were heard in the rear alley behind the business. The 32-year-old victim was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital, where he was admitted into surgery and is reported in stable condition. The investigation continues and anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department at 858-565-5200. You can also remain anonymous and be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest by calling Crime Stoppers at 888-580 8477.