This week in The Alpine Sun

Lead Stories

Supes authorize RFP for Campo equestrian center  
     The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved the issuance of a request for proposals to develop and operate an equestrian center in Campo. The supervisors’ Aug. 5 approval will solicit interest from qualified equestrian operators and groups to develop and operate a facility on county-owned property south of the juvenile ranch facility.  

Court upholds rights of home schooling parents     
     On Aug. 8, the California Court of Appeal upheld the fundamental right for parents to home school their children. This decision followed the earlier ruling that the Court of Appeal made that stated that parents who do not hold a valid teaching credential were not qualified and do not have the right to school their children at home. 

PC to discuss county vegetation management plan  
     The August 22 meeting of the county’s Planning Commission will likely see the commission make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on a proposed vegetation management plan for the county.   

Border Log: Suspected smuggler intentionally crashes into Border Patrol vehicle;
Smuggling vehicle disguised as SDG&E  

Wild times at Vacation Bible School
A barnyard sprouted in a church patio last Friday night complete with a magnificent tom turkey raucously shouting and showing off his handsome tail feathers and ruff for the benefit of a shy hen turkey. Adding to the fun of the County Fair windup for Vacation Bible School at the Alpine Community Church, were a cuddly white bunny, just born guinea hen chicks, two pygmy goats, geckos, turtles, and of course, children dashing madly from one animal to another.
 
New GUHSD bond tax assessment based on district property values  
The tax rate statement that was assessed for the upcoming Grossmont Union High School District bond that will be placed on the Nov. 4, 2008 election has been released, and can be found on the GUHSD web site under Governing Board Resolution Ordering School Bond Election 8/4/2008, on page 17 at http://portal.guhsd.net/GUHSD/.

Back Country residents take planning into their own hands
On Aug. 4, the Campo/Lake Morena Planning Group established a new Ad-hoc Subcommittee to develop a new Community Plan for their area. This Community Plan will become a part of the new General Plan Update that San Diego County has been working on for several years.

BOS approves limits for GP amendment initiations and appeals
Requests to initiate General Plan Amendments or to appeal a decision denying the authorization to proceed with such an initiation will now have time limits.

Free GAFSC chipping program in Alpine sets county record
As over one million acres burn in record-setting fires in northern California, more and more stories are surfacing about homes that were saved due to residents creating defensible space.

News in photos: Local teens go Hollywood

Civic Report: Is county proposed general plan update in limbo?

Human West Nile Virus case reported
The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) reports one more confirmed locally-acquired human case of West Nile virus (WNV). The additional case brings the year to date total cases to four.
 

Columns/Opinion

My Turn with Lou Russo: Teaching Mr. Taylor

My Turn with Dianne Casey: Defending PLAY

Spiritual Sunrise with Merry Murray: You were born to live eternally

Fitness Facts with Aaron Hodges: Make your own weight loss plan

Community Cruising with Linda Holt: Now could be best time for holiday travel deals