This week in The Alpine Sun

Lead Stories

Supervisors happy with fire response  
Although the San Diego County Board of Supervisors members were not pleased with the fires, which destroyed significant parts of San Diego County, the supervisors gave positive remarks to the response during their Oct. 24 meeting.  

Cell phone and e-mail Reverse 911 registration  
One of the key factors in saving lives and property during last week’s fires was the mass notification system, known to most people as Reverse 911. The county would like to expand this service to cell phones and e-mail addresses.

Law enforcement goes back to school
For several days last week during the fire, Joan Mac Queen Middle School’s gym has been home to upwards of 50 law enforcement officers from all over the area.   

Fire rekindles Blackwater site controversy in Potrero: Flames scorched valley walls
“It won’t burn,” Blackwater West Vice President Brian Bonfiglio predicted in an interview published Friday, Oct. 26 in the Virginia Pilot when asked about the Harris wildfire that had already ravaged the town of Potrero and scorched more than 80,000 acres.  

New faces join high school debate: Don’t want homes displaced
The Grossmont Union High School District Scoping meeting to discuss the community’s input for the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the 12th high school project, held Oct. 30 in Alpine, was enlightening to many local residents. 
 
Mowry moves on after years of serving Alpine  
Pastor Jim Mowry has made a lot of friends in this town during the 15 or so years he has lived here. It’s is appropriate that all those people will have a chance to bid him farewell when he moves to north county the end of November.

Supes approve proclamation of emergency Bush declares disaster area for county
On Oct. 24 the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved a Proclamation of Local Emergency for the wildfires in San Diego County and also announced that President Bush has declared a major disaster situation in several California counties, including San Diego County.

Health risks from Firestorm 2007
The ash created by the various October 2007 fires may contain hazardous chemicals, and San Diego County's public health officer is urging caution when handling ash.

Alpine’s Historic Town Hall, Woman’s Club, needs your help
The Alpine Woman’s Club is undertaking a community fund raising drive to help maintain and preserve the Alpine Town Hall Building, at 2156 Alpine Blvd.
 

Columns/Opinion

Spiritual Sunrise with Merry Murray: God is our shelter in times of trouble

Just The Fact's Ma'am with Carol Lovejoy: As we see the dawn of a new day

Class Action with Chuck Taylor: Efforts to undo Senate Bill 777

While You Were Sleeping with Nancy Slaff: The Law of the Sea Treaty: Is America’s sovereignty lost?

The Grossmont Solution Report with Bill Weaver: Voters should reinstate bond and payments
for GUHSD facilities

Tattered Tidbits with The Alpine Historical Society: The Willows was Alpine’s refuge in the mountains


Sports

Alpine Pee Wee Cheer Squad rules

Shortened season sends football teams scrambling for playoff berths