This week in The Alpine Sun

Lead Stories

APG appointment raises more hackles
It was new faces and déjà vu at the Alpine Planning Group meeting held last Thursday, Oct. 27, as the board was charged with filling the seat vacated in September by the departure of Scott Lamb. The group once again passed over former planning group candidate Linda Richards in favor of a relatively unknown appointment, Jim Easterling, prompting vigorous public comment both at the meeting and on the op-ed page of The Alpine Sun.

Future is dismal for new off-ramp, bright for updated overpass
Also at the Oct. 27 APG meeting, Chairman Mark Price announced that fans of getting a new off-ramp from Alpine Boulevard to I-8 may be in for a disappointment. Caltrans project manager Richard Estrada also reported that the Tavern Road overpass will receive some updating to make it safer. A survey revealed that the eastbound off-ramp is a particular trouble spot, and is eligible for repairs funded by the state's accident prevention grant program. The intersection will get a traffic control signal and the off-ramp will be widened to two lanes. 

Local business owners jailed!
Twenty-one stalwart Alpine citizens were picked up in handcuffs on Oct. 27, stuffed into “paddy wagons,” and hauled off to serve time behind bars. Fortunately, jail didn’t turn out to be half bad. It was located in the Viejas Harvest Buffet and the prisoners were temporarily turned loose to graze at will and make calls to raise their "bail" of $1,200 apiece. The event raised over $15,000 to send children with muscular dystrophy to summer camp. A full list of arrestees may be found in The Alpine Sun. 

Anderson sentenced to death in Brucker slaying
Eric “Stressed Eric” Anderson said nothing in court Friday, Oct. 28, either before or after he was sentenced to death for being the triggerman who killed Cajon Speedway owner Stephen Brucker in 2003.

Hirt to serve 4 years in hit and run 
A Descanso woman who struck and killed a bicyclist on Japatul Road in the Cleveland National Forest was sentenced Friday, Oct. 28, to four years in state prison for hit and run.
 
MHCS celebrates with annual holiday event 
Mountain Health and Community Services invites the rural East County communities to celebrate the holiday season at the 10th Annual “Tis the Season to be Healthy” Holiday Dinner in Jacumba at the Highland Senior Center on Friday, Dec. 2 and again in Campo at the Mountain Empire Community Center on Saturday, Dec. 3. 

Glamorous afternoon tea raises funds for local programs 
It was pretty party time last Saturday noon when the Community Center Auxiliary staged the Silver Tea. Lovely ladies fashionably dressed for the occasion, some even wearing hats, strolled the boutique admiring and buying the original items offered by local women. They sipped mimosas served on the lawn by Neville Connell and Al Haven, stalwart supporters of the center. 

News in photos: Halloween celebrations around Alpine


Columns/Opinion

Forlenza's Forum with Joe Forlenza: Unbalanced APG is bad news for Alpine  

Spiritual Sunrise with Merry Murray: In the beginning...God created all 

My Turn with Dianne Jacob: County agrees to spend $5 million to stoke fire protection services

While You Were Sleeping with Nancy Slaff: Border issue is America’s next Alamo

Good Health Naturally with Dr. Darrel Crane: Optimal health is more than mere absence of symptoms

School Rules with Moana Miller: Creekside students learn fire safety

Low Flow Pro with Mike Urhammer: Saving money can be beautiful in the garden

Sports Talk with Joe Naiman: Game 3 of 2005 World Series could have impact on television ratings


Sports

Eagles feel the ‘love’ as league tennis champions 
The Granite Hills High School girls varsity and junior varsity tennis teams are Grossmont South League champions. Just go to the team’s Web site and you can hear proof: Queen’s venerated “We Are the Champions!” can be heard playing in the background. 

League title showdowns set in Grossmont Conference 
They are the new kids on the block but could come away with a history-making season. They are the Steele Canyon football team that suddenly finds itself playing for the rights to this year’s Grossmont South League championship. 
 
Monte Vista, West Hills run to titles 
The Monte Vista and West Hills boys cross country teams appear to be peaking at the right time of the season after running to team titles at the Jaguar Invitational Oct. 21 at Kit Carson Park in Escondido. Monte Vista won the large schools division and West Hills won the small schools division.