This week in The Alpine Sun

Lead Stories

Hundreds of Alpine residents step out at first concert in the park  
The summer fun has officially begun. The Alpine Community Center’s Concert’s in the Park have kicked off with the Pine Creek Posse leading the line-up. Alpine turned out at to enjoy the music and the summery weather.  

Drunk driver pleads guilty in hit and run death of bicyclist  
A drunk driver who is charged with killing Edward Costa on his bicycle on Alpine Boulevard pleaded guilty May 26 to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and hit and run. 

New aerial fire protection agreement more flexible, cost-effective
In 2008 the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved a lease of two Superscooper firefighting fixed-wing aircraft along with a tactical aircraft. The $3 million lease covered the risky months of September, October, and November.   

Local teen wins scholarship
The San Diego Chapter of the California Special Districts Association (CSDA) awarded fifteen $1,000 scholarships at its annual scholarship award dinner on May 13. Jessica Fellows, a senior at Steele Canyon High School and Alpine resident, was selected as one of the fifteen recipients of this award.  

Grandson, friend arraigned in murder of grandmother in Alpine
Eunice Cothron was the last relative who helped her troubled grandson after other family members stopped because of his drug and other problems, but it may have cost her her own life. 
 
Volunteers make a trip to the mountains a great day  
Summer activities don’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Alpiners only have to look to the east for opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors and feel the freedom of the majestic Laguna Mountains. The Laguna Mountain Association is a not-for-profit group of volunteers that make visiting these beautiful mountains enjoyable for all.

Fountain cools down summer
As the weather begins to heat up and children get out of school, Viejas is the place to beat the heat with an array family-friendly events. The summer season officially kicks off this month with the opening night of the annual Power of Nightfire show, along with the start of the popular interactive fountain, both in the Viejas Outlet Center show court, for a nice way to cool down.

Local princesses take county titles
During the 2009 Miss San Diego County Princess Pageant, held May 17, contestants for Alpine captured three of the five pageant titles and two of the runner-up spots.

GUHSD 2009 graduation info

24 ways to save hundreds of gallons of water every week
Most people aren’t aware of how many gallons of water the average household uses each week. In San Diego, a typical household uses around 14 hundred cubic feet (HCF) of water a month (more in the summer, less in the winter.) One HCF of water is equal to 748 gallons, so a typical household uses about 10,472 gallons a month.
 

Columns/Opinion

My Turn with Congressman Bob Filner: Memorial Day: Putting our troops and veterans first

My Turn with Congressman Duncan D. Hunter: Healthcare costs continue to grow

Spiritual Sunrise with Merry Murray: Do you have spiritual discernment?

School Rules with Greg Ryan: AUSD board looking to fill seat

While You Were Sleeping with Nancy Slaff: Statutory rape; the silent crime that impacts everyone

The Grossmont Solution Report with Bill Weaver: Finally: It’s decision time for the Alpine High School

Fire Focus with The Alpine Fire Protection District: Rattlesnake season is here, again

Tattered Tidbits with The Alpine Historical Society: History of the Descanso, Alpine & Pacific Railway

Smart Money with Merv Banks: Understanding vehicle leases