The beat goes on, either in Sacramento or at home

—GUEST OPINION



The Legislature adjourned for the first half of the 2015-2016 ses­sion in September, allowing mem­bers to return home to work on is­sues vital to their districts. Specifically, the fall break is a time I use to reconnect with the real world outside of Sacramento, including family, friends, and the needs of my small business. Being home gives me the opportunity […]

Parade brings festivities to Escondido



Last Saturday’s Jaycee Christmas Parade brought mounted units, drill teams, flag twirlers, antique fire engines, politicians such as Mayor Sam Abed, Assemblywoman Marie Waldron, Councilmen Ed Gallo and John Masson, a Salvation Army Band on a trailer, guys in fezes driving vintage roadsters around, and at least one trailer-float that employed the theme of the parade: “A Superhero Christmas.” That […]

Professional baseball players teach clinic in VC



The Valley Center Baseball Club is offering a Pro Baseball Clinic at the Valley Center Little League fields, 28246 Lilac Road on Sun­day, Jan. 10, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Former Major League catcher Jeremy Rodriguez and pros from the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays will work with kids on pitching, catching and field­ing. The […]

Fire Chief Joe, horse trainer Julie are VC citizens of the year



The 2015 Male Citizen of the Year is Valley Center Fire Chief, Joe Napier, ac­cording to the Valley Center Chamber of Commerce. Chief Napier and his wife, Martie, have been residents of Valley Center for more than 20 years and raised both their children, Meghan Napier Fletcher and Jeremy Napier in Valley Center. Napier began his fire service career in […]

Methamphetamine takes its toll in Escondido too



Methamphetamine is becoming an increasing problem in San Diego County, and Escondido is no excep­tion. “That particular drug is on the rise and is becoming something that we are seeing both in larger quantity and in greater frequency throughout the county at large,” said Gregory Ko­gler, a lieutenant with the Escondido Police Department. Kogler also oversees the special investigations division, […]

Escondido Country Club meets with developer



Although residents of Escondido’s country club area are still fearful new housing will forever change the feel of their semi-rural community, there was a glimmer of hope on November 30 when members of the Escondido Country Club & Community Home­owners Organization (ECCHO) met with New Urban West Inc., a possible developer that is committed to work­ing with residents. “We liked […]

Students turn wood into good



Students in Nathan Boelhauf’s wood shop classes at Escondido High School have been spending class time learning about cross grains and grooves, while working with jigsaws, hand planes and a variety of other tools. But they have added another dimension. Throughout the semester, students have been designing, building and refin­ing child-sized tables and chairs to be delivered to one family […]

Around Escondido



Escondido Library looks to the stars— The Escondido Library is tun­ing into The Force and working to eliminate hunger this holiday season. The Library will unveil its Star Wars Collection of books, graphic novels and will provide light sa­bers, helmets and other gear for a library lobby picture booth. This will coincide with the release of Star Wars: Episode VII […]

Blight will turn into new shopping center



The Escondido City Council gave final approval of an Environmental Impact Re­port for a shopping center at terminus of the 78 Freeway at Broadway on Dec. 9. Building of a supermarket and restaurant are expected to start in spring of 2016. The 3.7 acre center to be known as Counterpoint 78 will have a 4,800 square foot supermarket and a […]

Medical marijuana collective gets VC building permit



A business called North County Natu­ral applied for a permit to begin setting up a Medical Marijuana Collective at 8530 Nelson Way in Valley Center earlier this month. Nelson Way runs east from Old Highway 395, near the I-15 Freeway. The permit allows the 1,700 square foot single family home at the property to be converted into a business. The […]