This week in The Alpine Sun

Lead Stories

AHSCC proactive in face of rumors 
With rumors flying around that Terry Ryan, Superintendent of Grossmont Union High School District is saying now that there will be no high school in Alpine, the Alpine High School Citizen’s Committee addressed the GUHSD board members at their monthly meeting last Thursday night.  

Video Amber gives parents peace of mind  
In the world of cell phones, laptops and gigantic web networks like myspace.com, today’s children are gaining more access to the world than ever before. However, these new technologies also mean that today’s children are increasingly accessible to others. 

Wolcott remembered as friendly face and smiling salesman
Henry Wolcott, one of Alpine’s richest characters, had a great love of unusual and beautiful things. As a result, his business, The Frontier Gallery, was a treasure chest of wonderful items available for sale right in the heart of Alpine.   

Infectious TB cases hit close to home
The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) is taking steps to notify clients of a San Diego-area hair salon worker who was diagnosed with infectious TB.  

Commercial chain reaction hits Alpine
The domino effect continues as one local business’ move sets the stage for a wave of relocations among other Alpine businesses. 
 
Supervisors authorize updated Reverse 911 emergency notification  
In March 2005 the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved the solicitation of proposals for a community emergency notification system, sometimes known as “Reverse 911.” In November the supervisors voted 5-0 to issue a solicitation for an upgraded system.

Buckman Springs borrow pit hearing continued to Jan. 26
The county’s Planning Commission has continued a hearing on extending the major use permit for the Buckman Springs borrow pit.

Viejas council sees new chairman after 24 years
In elections that took place Saturday, Jan. 6, Viejas tribal members elected a new Chairman, and five other to the band’s Tribal Council. Bobby L. Barrett was elected to a two-year term as chairman, replacing longtime Chairman Anthony Pico, who is currently finishing his 24th year as Chairman.

Civic Report: Pine Valley group elects board officers, discusses sea-going containers

Civic Report: Padre Dam board names new 2007 directors and one seat vacancy

Cold snap has residents shivering and local growers shuddering
The winter weather of late is bringing some unpleasant near arctic side effects for local growers. The citrus this year is taking an icy hit with the current rapid freezes that are occurring nightly. We are on the forth night in a row where winter temperatures have dropped into the 20s triggering a cold snap that is damaging citrus crops.

Keeping warm for less: A few tips to cut down big bills 
If you feel a shiver each time you open your utility bill, your house may be too cold. More likely, however, you’re paying more than you should to heat it. In either case, you can make changes now that will make your home more comfortable and save you money.

Putting your teen’s cell to good use
Many American teenagers seem to have a cell phone permanently glued to their ear. With more than 200 million U.S. cell phones now in use, they’re clearly not going away, especially as cell phone manufacturers and service operators target younger audiences with ever-increasing features, including games. According to a recent survey, parents said of their kids with cell phones, that 38 percent use them to play games more than once a week.

If owning a home is your ‘American dream,’ get the facts first
When my wife and I signed our first mortgage in 1999, we had to keep convincing ourselves we were doing the right thing. Renting was safe, but buying a home was a major commitment with many big risks. We had long weighed the pros and cons of buying a home and ultimately decided to take the plunge.  
 

Columns/Opinion

My Turn with Lee Hamilton: Congressional debates need facts, not spin

Spiritual Sunrise with Merry Murray: Who God blames for your wrongdoing?

Mountain Empire Musings: Mountain Empire Unified School District: A district in distress

Good Health Naturally with Dr. Darrel Crain: Clearing up some of the bugs in the Germ Theory of Disease

Class Action with Chuck Taylor: Rumors of no Alpine high school echo from GUHSD board


Sports

Alpine girls brave wind and snow-flakes at softball tryouts

Cougars advance to semifinals at holiday soccer tournament