This week in The Alpine Sun

Lead Stories

Alpine’s Urdahl named as Grossmont president  
     A very information heavy board meeting took place on Dec. 13, for the Grossmont Union High School District. Community members stood up to let their voices be heard, an election for board offices, which ultimately resulted in local Alpine resident Larry Urdahl being named as president of the GUHSD board or trustees.  

Developers face criminal charges of grand theft     
     Paul Gonya, 63, Kenneth Stroud, 52, and David Waitley, 44, have been charged with conspiracy and 113 counts of grand theft that allege they embezzled more than $1.4 million from their companies, Real Estate International, Inc., for their own use. Marie Frever, 38, worked for one of the companies, and is charged with three counts of grand theft. 

Supervisors approve Queen of Angels expansion  
     The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved a Major Use Permit modification, which will allow for the expansion of Queen of Angels Church in Alpine. The supervisors' 5-0 vote Dec. 5 included amended conditions from the Sept. 21 approval of the county's Planning Commission.   

Whistleblower blames supervisors for recent fire woes  
     Before the 2003 Cedar Fire, San Diego County’s Board of Supervisors voted to close down five honor camps that once housed prisoners who cut firebreaks and cleared brush. Since then, supervisors have failed to heed a series of warnings and recommendations made to prevent future devastating fires, whistleblowers reveal.  

Special circumstance added in Buckman Springs body case
A special circumstance charge was added Dec. 12 to the murder case against Robert Steven Carson, who is accused of killing Brittany Hart, whose body was found in a recycling container in the Buckman Springs area. 
 
Chilly weather set the stage for annual winter wonderland  
Though delayed for two weeks, the annual Alpine Light Parade that flowed down Alpine Boulevard last Friday night, Dec. 14, was triumphant. Alpinians came out in the chilly weather to witness fire engines, golf carts, quads, tractors, customized motor homes, and even dogs behind a miniaturized Waste Management truck strut their stuff draped in twinkling lights through our little town.

‘Tis the season to be fire conscious
The holiday season is here. For most, it is a joyous time of year when we gather to celebrate with friends and family. However, the potential for burn and fire hazards in the home increases during this season.

Civic Report: Pine Valley — A year in review

True Value Hardware expansion
Some exciting changes are taking place at Alpine True Value Hardware. In the month of November, store owners Jerry and Georgia Hines undertook the challenge to add 1,300 square feet of space to Alpine True Value Hardware located in the Alpine Creekside Shopping Center.

23 years styling Alpine residents
Stop by for some pampering just in time for the holidays, to Marlene’s Carriage Trade and Hair Design, located on Marshall Road, next to Alpine Saw and Lawnmower.
 

Columns/Opinion

My Turn with Dr. Leonard Peikoff: Why Christmas should be more commercial

My Turn with Margaret Stahlheber: Representing the community, not personal agendas

Spiritual Sunrise with Merry Murray: God’s peace in a world at war

Just The Fact's Ma'am with Carol Lovejoy: Village supports local artists