Wednesday - Quick Hits

Higher education, 96 SDSU students arrested in drug raid. UT NCTimes

Board of Supervisors votes unanimously to lease 3 firefighting planes. UT

One of Aguirre's top lieutenants is leaving office for another job that pays $25K less. UT

City of Oceanside begins looking at $120 million city budget. UT

For the department of the ridiculous, Riverside DA files 47-page appeal to a $5.00 fine! UT

Monday - Quick Hits

Pipe bomb damages Federal Courthouse early Sunday morning. UT

Southbay toll road is meeting its expectations since opening. UT

County Board of Supervisors set to debate the leasing of three firefighting aircraft tomorrow. Debate more lead to broader firefighting policy? UT

City of Carlsbad to consider a smoking ban at all city parks and beaches. NCTimes

Friday - Quick Hits

Class act they are running over there at city hall. City finally releases e-mail from mayor's office containing swears in it. UT

Airport Board approves master plan from Lindbergh Field that includes the building of a 5-story parking garage. UT

Mayoral candidate in Oceanside has an inaccurate list of supporters on his website. UT

Panel endorse county plan to lease three firefighting plans. NCTimes

Tuesday - Quick Hits

Gun range owner cuts his ties to Blackwater. UT

New ROV web site tool, allows voters to check their registration party affiliation. UT

UT begins profiles of candidates in City Attorney's race. Today it is incumbent Mike Aguirre. UT

Officials are concerned with the upcoming fire season. UT

Corporate welfare at its finest. City of Escondido agrees to pay an additional $2 million to developer for Marriott Hotel project. NCTimes

Monday - Quick Hits

County planning on leasing three planes for firefighting. UT

Mayoral candidate Steve Francis is spending very generously on television ads. UT

All candidates for City Attorney agree on the role and functions for the office. UT

Thousands showed up to Balboa Park yesterday to celebrate Earth Day. UT

Day laborers are finding a harder time getting hired. NCTimes

Wednesday - Quick Hits

Just as long as it is not a Wal-Mart. Developer proposes a 5-story vertical big box development on the edge of downtown. UT

Metropolitan Water District voted to raise water rates by 14.3 percent. UT

County had no voice in the regional meeting during the wildfires to allocation of resources. UT

City attorney candidates lock horns at debate. UT VOSD

Valley Center planning group has say on proposed casino hotel, now public will have their say. UT

City of Vista rolls over and approves expansion of Wal-Mart into a Supercenter. UT NCTimes

Union workers rally in Riverside County administration complex for temp workers to be allowed to organize. UT

Tuesday - Quick Hits

Another gun battle in Tijuana, this time between the army and members of a kidnapping ring. UT

Sanders begins radio ad push for re-election. UT

Peters presently is an "inactive" member of State Bar. VOSD

Questions being raised on how Red Cross spent donation money during wildfires. UT

Council votes to put measure on ballot, that would allow the mayor to continue selecting the city auditor. UT VOSD

National City may join plan to zone waterfront between residents and industry. UT

Carlsbad set to vote on pay raise for city workers. NCTimes

Thursday - Quick Hits

Art you should have called yourself a taxi. More questions being asked regarding special treatment by police for a drunken mayor of La Mesa. UT

Recruiting is up and attrition is down for San Diego Police since the pay raise last year. UT

State Sen. Christine Kehoe taking the lead on making it easier for communities to raise the revenue necessary for more fire protection. NCTimes

Noticeable positive effects since alcohol ban has gone into affect in beach area. UT

Three days of marathon hearing by the PUC over Sunrise Powerlink, vast overwhelming majority opposed to it. UT

City of Santee votes to become a charter city. Will place measure on November ballot. UT

Tuesday - Quick Hits

City council decides to postpone pay raise recommendations. UT

In La Mesa, police provided taxi service for drunken mayor to get home. UT

City council to hear appeal on Broadway Complex proposal today. UT

Another day, another report on last October's wildfires. This one avoids criticism of Cal Fire. UT

Federal agency in their infinite wisdom has decided to relocate 25,000 lbs of emergency medical supplies from San Diego County to Los Angeles County in order to save a few dollars. NCTimes

Tuesday - Quick Hits

Lets the games begin! Scott Peters joins race for city attorney and he is already exchanging barbs with Aguirre. UT VOSD

City's expanded mandatory recycling program began yesterday. UT

Regional Fire Safety Forum to release report today regarding last October wildfires, here's a hint NEED MORE FIREFIGHTERS! UT

State Bar wants more details about meetings Aguirre held in 2005. UT

Fighting the good fight, the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter in Vista challenged by attorney. NCTimes

Friday - Quick Hits

Mayor lays out an ambitious agenda for city in his state of the city address. UT

State Utilities Commission approves security plan for NCTD Sprinter rail service. UT

Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District to weigh closing the last one-room schoolhouse in the county. UT

Robert J. Watkins was re-elected as president of the San Diego County Board of Education. UT

Potero Planning Board delayed vote on Blackwater. UT

City Council in Encinitas approves a 10% raise for council to take effect in December. UT

Tri-city Hospital Board approves master board. NC Times

Typical conservatives condemning proposed firefighting fee as a new tax. NC Times

Monday - Quick Hits

For the first time in 60 years, and after spending $442 million North County residents will be able to travel between Oceanside and Escondido by rail. UT

Cal Fire continues to draw critcism for it fire policies. UT

Seeking mortgage relief may not be as easy, as homeowners try to find help with their mortgages. UT

As February 5th primary draws near, battle over the ability to organize workers comes to the forefront. UT

Rancho Santa Fe considering incorporation. NCTimes

Wednesday - Quick Hits

Where's the catch? Insurers voluntarily adopt reforms to speed up the paying of claims from the wildfires. UT

Hey Phil, how about putting a proposal together for a new stadium? Billionaire Philip Anschutz company AEG Live to build and host concerts at new venue on Qualcomm site. UT

The problem that never seems to end. Congress sets aside $66 million for Tijuana river sewage treatment. UT

Next time try an earmark! Congress doesn't approve $80 million for new downtown Federal courthouse. UT

Job opening at UCSD. Preuss school principal resigns amid grading scandal. UT VOSD

Citizens group submits petition for ballot iniative to place height and other land use restrictions on the ballot in Chula Vista. UT

Waste of taxpayers money, county to sue Secretary of State over restrictions placed on electronic voting machines. UT

Chula Vista grants permit for county's second High Tech High. UT

Volunteers Needed for Sandbagging

Wildfire Recovery - Sandbagging in the City of Escondido

Escondido City Yard
475 N. Spruce Street
Escondido, CA 92025 [Map]

City of Escondido, the San Diego Democrats, and Democrats Work

Contact: info@democratswork.org

The City of Escondido and Volunteer San Diego have put out a call for volunteers who can help with sandbagging this weekend. Sandbagging teams will assemble on Saturday, December 15th from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. in Escondido.

No special skills are specified for this project, just come ready to help. Water and snacks will be provided.

Please RSVP in the box above or send an email to rsvp@democratswork.org.

Tuesday - Quick Hits

UCSD hoax bomber has bail set at $100K. UT

As water crisis worsen, regional officials continue with half-hearted measures. UT

Supporters of new downtown library have riased only $18 million in private donations far short of their $50 million goal for this year. UT

Today is the final day to turn in ballots for Potero recall election. UT

Chula Vista Elementary School District has to pay $1 million to teacher who was dismissed after becoming pregnant. UT

City Fire Chief blasts the county at a hearing on Monday over the lack of fire equipment to deal with wildfires. NCTimes

Increase in human smuggling see off the coast of San Diego. VOSD

Thursday - Quick Hits

Airport baggage employee doesn't like Congressman Filner's apology. UT

Environmentalists not to happy with Chargers billion dollar bayfront stadium proposal. UT

Documents reveal that half of Cal Fire's spotters were unavailable when fires began. UT

Seaworld applies to becomes first business in San Diego to discharge fireworks over water. UT

More corporate welfare, Escondido to give $1.45 million over ten years to Marriot corporation to build hotel near North County Fair. NCTimes

Wednesday - Quick Hits

Labor Council secretary/treasurer Jerry Butkiewicz, who is leaving his post in December has accepted a position with Sempra Engery. VOSD

Department of Water Resorces expects to export on 25% of water requested by water suppliers. VOSD

Pointing out the obvious, Senator Feinstein says San Diego needs more firefighters and tougher building codes. NCTimes UT

The legendary Daily Double Saloon in Encinitas is scheduled to change ownership afte being owed by the same famly for 50 years. UT

Fight over transportation bonds, San Diego wins round one, Nunez complains that San Diego received more than it should have. UT

Tuesday - Quick Hits

Supreme Court refuses to hear challenge to San Diego County program that sends peace officers to homes of poor who apply for public assistance. I guess the poor don't have Fourth Admendment rights. UT

Another one to leave, Kyo Yamashiro who overseas charter schools for San Diego Unified will be stepping down. VOSD

Senator Dianne Feinstein will be bring her subcommittee roadshow here to town this morning, to hear about last month's wildfires. It will take place at 9:30 a.m. in the council chambers, located on the 12th floor of 202 C St. in downtown San Diego. VOSD UT

SANDAG updates its regional traffic plan. Their solution more toll roads!! UT

Once again proving the anti-immigrant nativists wrong, UCLA study finds that immigrants are 50% less likely compared to native born Latinos to use hospital emergency rooms. LATimes

Monday - Quick Hits

The Republican initiative to thart the popular will of California's voters is nearing enough signatures to qualify for June ballot. UT

Cal Fire report from October's fires strangely quiet on providing details to why the military aircraft were grounded. UT

Council to consider stricker "Mini-Dorm" ordiance today. UT

Home forclosures auction reveals the depth of housing crisis. NC Times

Former CV mayor Steve Padilla set the record straight regarding CV's budget mess. La Prensa

Frustrated Charger fans can go to this site to vent: FireNorv.net

Friday - Quick Hits

From the arena of continued bad planning, city's homeless shelter set to open next week at Tailgate Park near Petco Park. Will close one month earlier than normal so as not to interfere with Padres. So much for compassion! UT

FEMA to deliver trailers to La Jolla and Rincon Indains who lost their homes during the fires. I hope they are not the left over trailers from Katrina that have been sitting in the mud in Arkansas for two year. UT

Councilman Peters seeking third term as council president. VOSD

Raising their children to be model citizens, Poway school trustees confronted over klan costume and noose. UT

Chula Vista postpones decision regarding budget cuts until December. UT