This week in The Alpine Sun

Lead Stories

Planning group seats new members and gets right down to business  
New faces joined the table, and discussions, at the Alpine Planning Group meeting held last Thursday, Jan. 25; as new members were sworn in to serve. Re-elected members Brad Bailey, Jim Easterling and Jane Fitz were joined by new faces George Barnett, Linda Richards, Lou Russo and Chuck Taylor.  

Public has opportunity to weigh-in on Sunrise Powerlink  
Residents of Alpine and the Back Country will have the opportunity to weigh-in on a 500-kilovolt powerline that threatens to cut a swath of gigantic conduit towers along a route through the Back Country. The Sunrise Powerlink, proposed by San Diego Gas & Electric, would be a 150-mile, $1.3-billion transmission line that would link energy sources in the Imperial Valley to San Diego County. 

GUHSD to address Prop H funds and Alpine high school prospects
Two important meetings are coming up that could directly affect the outcome of a high school in the Alpine area. The first is a Grossmont Union High School District Strategic Planning meeting, to be held Feb. 3 and the second is the GUHSD Feb. 8 board meeting.   

Naked arsonist sentenced to 30 years to life for setting tree on fire
A naked arsonist has been sentenced to 30-years-to-life in state prison for setting a pepper tree on fire in Alpine while wearing only a wig and watching the fire through binoculars. The defendant got such a long term because he has three prior arson convictions under the three strikes law.  

Hamann wins Horace Mann award
Jack Hamann, spent three years doing the research needed to clear the names of 28 African-American soldiers, who had been wrongly convicted during World War II after a riot and lynching of an Italian prisoner of war had occurred at Fort Lawton, Wash. 
 
Supervisor Jacob won’t seek congressional seat  
Saying that there is “still work to be done” in her district, County Supervisor Dianne Jacob said Wednesday that she plans to seek a fifth term on the Board of Supervisors in 2008. The announcement puts an end to speculation about whether Jacob, 68, would vie for congressional Representative Duncan Hunter’s seat as he seeks a presidential nomination. It also offers a glimpse of how the Board of Supervisors may take shape in the coming years.

Mountain Health receives $100,000 from Grossmont district
The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD), a public agency that supports various health-related community programs and services in San Diego’s East County, has granted $100,000 to Mountain Health and Community Services, Inc. (MHCS) to cover operating costs.

Local student and amateur photographer wins Lions Club contest
Local ninth-grader Kevin Williams was honored last Thursday, Jan. 25, as the winner of a Lions Club International photography contest. The annual photo contest was a way for Lions to portray, through an original photo, their pride and commitment to improving, protecting and preserving an aspect of the environment in which they live.

Efforts to shut down local meth labs cause massive surge in international trafficking
Efforts at reducing the number of methamphetamine labs in the U.S. have been working, but the steady demand for the drug is being met now by foreign manufacturers.

A crash course in credit card basics for college students
College students have many sound reasons for getting a credit card: It’s a good way to start building a solid credit history, safer than carrying large amounts of cash and can be a lifesaver in an emergency. But inexperienced credit card users who don’t fully understand how they work, or the need for restraint and responsible spending, sometimes dig themselves into a deep hole.
 

Columns/Opinion

My Turn with Bill Weaver: High school committee will keep an eye on GUHSD board and Prop H funds

Spiritual Sunrise with Merry Murray: Letting go during the sunset years

Tattered Tidbits with Alpine Historical Society: Tracing lost routes throughout Alpine and the Back Country

Good Health Naturally with Dr. Darrel Crain: Building up your health is the best way to battle disease

Class Action with Chuck Taylor: Teaching to the test is cutting student education short

While You Were Sleeping with Nancy Slaff: San Diego’s East County; a war on drugs or a drug war?

Home Views with Rachell Lara: Unlock the power of 21 to help you make changes in your life

Habitat Chit-Chat with Maureen Austin: Alpine ready to celebrate its 10th anniversary as “WILD”


Sports

High School wrestling season is almost out for the count