This week in The Alpine Sun

Lead Stories

Alpine residents want answers about SRPL underground project  
     More than 400 residents filled the Alpine Community Center last Thursday night, Jan. 14, to take part in a town hall meeting hosted by Second District Supervisor Dianne Jacob. The purpose; to discuss the impending Sand Diego Gas & Electric Sunrise Powerlink project, and specifically the underground portion that will run through the heart of Alpine.  

AUSD and Viejas team up to improve students’ math and music skills
     The Alpine School District and Viejas unveiled their new Alpine Music and Math Program to elementary schools to improve the students’ math and music skills, at Boulder Oaks Elementary School. Budget cuts for California schools were drastic in 2009, however the new program was sponsored by concerts and many other events that Viejas held on its grounds, including the Viejas Outlet Center. 

Storms cause outages, accidents and flooding  
     With the winds blowing steadily all morning, ebbing only slightly before reaching a steady 45 mph around 3 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon, the rain began to pelt the Back Country. Downed trees stretching power lines and phone lines caused havoc, and visibility on Interstate 8 was drearily low. This winter storm is expected to continue in full force until Friday evening.   

Kaplan College honors fallen Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas
On Jan. 13, in a moving and compassionate ceremony at the Kaplan College campus, the college’s newest Criminal Justice Training Lab was dedicated and named in honor of fallen Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas.  

District Attorney chief outlines East County crime, prosecution
 There might not be as much crime in rural East San Diego County as in the urban areas, but the region often poses challenges for the San Diego County District Attorney’s office. 
 
"Hard Hat bandit" gets 84 months for Alpine bank robbery and others  
The "Hard Hat Bandit" who robbed an Alpine bank and other banks while wearing a construction-style hard hat was sentenced Friday, Jan. 15 to seven years in federal prison. His attorney said he was addicted to methamphetamine.

Jacumba crash nets guilty plea
A 57-year-old driver has pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated involving the death of his passenger while he crashed his car near Jacumba off Interstate 8.

GUHSD reports progress on Prop. H and U construction programs
Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) reported that major progress was made in 2009 in its efforts to “build a new Grossmont” with critically needed repairs, upgrades and new facilities at each of its East County campuses. The projects are funded by the Proposition H and Proposition U bonds passed by voters in 2004 and 2008.

Planning Commission recommends Zoning Ordinance changes
The latest round of proposed amendments to the county's Zoning Ordinance was recommended for approval by the county's Planning Commission on a 6-0 vote Dec. 18 with Commissioner Adam Day not present.
 
Local youth test their mettle at Kiwanis Olympics
More than 80 local children participated in this year’s Kiwanis Youth Olympics held last Saturday, Jan. 16.


Columns/Opinion

My Turn with Nina Gould: Sunrise Powerlink project will decimate Alpine

My Turn with Lori Tibbett: Underground project will destroy Boulevard businesses

Spiritual Sunrise with Merry Murray: The necessity of daily prayer

School Rules with Superintendent Greg Ryan: School board seeks to upgrade schools with bond

Happy Tails with Rachel Amado: Is your puppy perfect?

Laura on Life with Laura Snyder: Learning by example — I hope


Sports

Steele Canyon mat men medal at prestigious tournament