This week in The Alpine Sun

Lead Stories

Residents and protesters show at Sunrise open house  
     More than 100 residents from Alpine and surrounding areas filed through the Alpine Community Center last Tuesday evening, March 10, where dozens of representatives from San Diego Gas & Electric were on hand to answer questions about the utility’s proposed Sunrise Powerlink transmission line. Dozens of protesters and Sunrise Powerlink opponents also attended the open house event.  

Back Country fire, Community Center get CDBG funding
     The San Diego County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on the recommended 2009-10 annual funding plan for Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships, Emergency Shelter Grant, and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS programs, and the preliminary recommendations for CDBG funding include funding for the Boulevard and Lake Morena fire stations and for the Campo Community Center. 

Viejas gets naming rights to SDSU Arena  
     The on campus sports and entertainment venue at San Diego State University will be renamed Viejas Arena, under a new agreement between the university and the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, the two announced.

Watson lived very full life as media pioneer and local family man  
     Coy Watson – How to describe him? Child movie star, Eagle Scout, news photographer, Coast Guard chief photographer, television pioneer, inventor, author and more. James Caughey “Coy” Watson, Jr., who died Saturday, March 14 in Alpine from stomach cancer, lived 96 very full years.  

Travis Weber trial set for May 26
A trial date of May 26 was set March 10 for the motorist accused of running over Edward Costa as he was riding his bicycle on Alpine Boulevard.
 
Fire Safe council offers no-cost chipping  
Residents in 25 wildfire-prone communities throughout San Diego can take advantage of a free chipping service to reduce fire hazard around their homes. The service is being offered by the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County (FSCSDC), in cooperation with the Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County.

Alpine Arbor Day celebrations
Alpine Tree Town USA, an organization dedicated to further greening our town using native trees, will be having its first event on April 25, at the Alpine Women’s Club on Alpine Boulevard. The event will be an Arbor Day celebration and will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a bonus activity at Joan Mac Queen Middle School at 3:30 p.m. that same day.

Historic Old 80 group names new board of directors
Cliff Steimie, newly chosen president of the Historic Highway 80 Corporation, in his inauguration letter to the new Board of Directors, pointed out that people often need to slow down a bit.
 

Columns/Opinion

My Turn with Thomas Buffenbarger: American jobs are worth fighting for

My Turn with Duncan Hunter: Border fencing must be completed

Spiritual Sunrise with Merry Murray: Jesus took our punishment

Chamber Chatter with The Alpine Chamber of Commerce: Recipe contest cooks and cookie sales are hot

Smart Money with Merv Banks: The risky business of retirement