This week in The Alpine Sun

Lead Stories

Powerlink project environmental report released  
     The Sunrise Powerlink project has reached a new milestone with the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Report, last Thursday, Jan. 3. The California Public Utilities Commission and U.S. Bureau of Land Management report points to various southern alternatives as the best option for the 500-kilovolt transmission line.  

Prop H to-do list costs exceed bond funds     
     The Grossmont Union High School District is making slow progress on their Proposition H Bond projects. The completion of the first major phase has been logged and students are beginning to move back into their now new and improved classrooms. The updated progress reports appear on the GUHSD web site. 

MTS Transit fares rise; some local routes cut  
     Rate increases voted for by the board of directors of the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) went into effect at the start of the New Year on bus routes throughout the county. The board considered several measures before approving the new rate structure back on Aug. 16.

Alpine developers appear in court
Three Alpine developers who have been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud and 110 counts of grand theft appeared in court Tuesday, Jan. 8, and an April 30 preliminary hearing was set. Paul Gonya, 63, Kenneth Stroud, 52, and David Waitley, 44, appeared before San Diego Superior Court Judge David Szumowski. The three waived their right to a speedy hearing. Marie Frever, 38, who worked for one of the developers and is only charged with three grand theft counts, also appeared in court.

Grief, Gold and Giving: One Alpine family’s legacy of sacrifice and commitment  
     Silver, bronze, purple and gold. These are the somber colors of a Gold Star Parent’s rainbow. While other mothers celebrate Mother’s Day with a “World’s Best Mom” card and a fancy Sunday brunch, or Christmas mornings and dinners surrounded by their whole family; Gold Star Moms spend these days in quiet reflection of their deceased military son or daughter. 
 
MHCS distributes toys throughout the Back Country  
Christmas came to the Back Country of East County during the past few weeks. With bad weather delaying a 13-year tradition of Mountain Health and Community Services, Santa, played by MHCS Dental Care Coordinator & Outreach Representative Carol Lewis, arrived in Jacumba and Campo a week late but with his bag filled with toys.

GUHSD reaches tentative labor agreement with teachers
The Grossmont Education Association and the Grossmont Union High School District are pleased to announce a tentative labor agreement for the 2007-2008 school year that includes a 4 percent salary increase and 0.5 percent increase to health benefits (as well as some adjustments to coaching and academic stipends for teachers). The agreement is subject to ratification by union members, and is anticipated to be approved by the Board of Education at the Jan. 17, 2008, Governing Board meeting.
 

Columns/Opinion

My Turn with Miriam Raftery: Light in the darkness: A miracle in Memphis

My Turn with Nina Gould: Old and new Alpine

Spiritual Sunrise with Merry Murray: It’s back to basics for the local church

Just The Fact's Ma'am with Carol Lovejoy: 2008 can be the year for you and a healthy lifestyle

Good Health Naturally with Dr. Darrel Crain: Is water fluoridation doing more harm than good?

Rural Advocate with Donna Tisdale: Lansing Companies — friend or foe

Hyp Talk with Judy Callihan Warfield: Hypnotherapy to stop smoking


Sports

Steele Canyon Cougars wrestling tough to start 2007-08 season