November 2016

Aldi set to open Escondido store Dec. 16

If ALDI is all but unknown west of the Mississippi River, Chicago and Germany, the unique, and much-beloved, high-quality, low-cost supermarket is planting its flag next month at Escondido. An ALDI was springing up at  1330 E. Valley Pkwy. #M, Escondido, CA 92027 with a grand opening open house scheduled for 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15. The first North County Aldi opened in May…


Navigating the ‘Bermuda Triangle of Price Overcharging’ at Westfield North County

“Bermuda Triangle of Price Overcharging?” That’s how one store manager characterized navigating through a well-traveled, but consumer challenged, section of Westfield North County regional mall. Three of what inspectors called the top 10 overcharging outlets in San Diego County reside within plain sight of each other in a 50-yard stretch at the Escondido mall. A fourth store whose Oceanside branch is number one in the…


Scott Peters, helped and hindered by Citizens United, decries its impact

At a Clairemont community park Congressman Scott Peters marked the sixth anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling by speaking plainly about the deleterious effects it’s had on politics. “There’s way too much attention on this big money, secret money and raising money for this government to work very well,” Peters said, flanked by a handful of UC San Diego students. It’s something the San…


What? Me Worry? Believe it or not…

Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, is one of only 30 persons undergoing the highest U.S. security rating reviews for a top national security or defense department job, NBC News said Thursday evening. Two published reports said Hunter might even be named National Security Advisor. “Early endorsers, like Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), could be in line for top posts as well,” at the Department of Defense or as National Security…


CSUSM student finishes 100-appearance reign as Miss Kumeyaay Nation

Autumn Brown, 19, who grew up on the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians’ reservation in Alpine,California, recently finished her year representing her culture as Miss Kumeyaay Nation. According to Brown, the elected position of Miss Kumeyaay Nation is a great example of empowerment of Native women. In order to be considered for Miss Kumeyaay, a female tribal member must submit a YouTube video, do a…


Election 2016: None came running

ESCONDIDO, CA. — Voting was brisk around Escondido, San Marcos and Valley Center polling stations in Tuesday’s general election, but with a caveat: Many voters weren’t happy to be there. “I don’t know what will happen,” Do-Art  Shoe Repair Owner Lucia Capuano said of the presidential election, “but I wasn’t happy with both of them. We’ll just see how it goes.” Capuano proudly wore her “I Voted”…


Election 2016: That’s the way it was

San Diego County Registrar of Voters related these vote totals Tuesda morning for local candidates and measures. In the Carlsbad City Council race, challenger Cori Schumacher has taken a slight lead over incumbent Lorraine Wood. Schumacher has 20.15 percent (10,471) of the vote, while Wood follows closely with 20.01 percent (10,398), for a 73 vote difference. Incumbent Keith Blackburn leads by nearly 2,000 votes and…


Go time for Election 2016

San Diego County is one of only 127 in the nation, according to the Washington Post, that has voted for the winner in the last four presidential elections. Headed out to vote Tuesday? Well if so, you may end up at one of these spots. Here are some of the most unusual polling stations in San Diego County: Ranch House at Del Sur in Black…


Hunter mortgages home third time to repay $49K illegal campaign spending bill

Rep. Duncan Hunter is betting his Alpine home on being re-elected to Congress. Or at least for repaying money spent from his election campaign fund on personal expenses like Disneyland trips, hotels and travel, 16 trips to Jack-in-the-Box, online video games, and more, much more. Hunter apparently is hoping that the third home mortgage is the charm as it was reported he took out a third…


First Lady weighs in on San Diego elections

First Lady Michelle Obama is the star of new television and radio advertisements airing in San Diego. While she doesn’t mention a specific candidate or race, the ads appear aimed at getting out the vote against Rep. Darrell Issa and Rep. Duncan Hunter and ensuring that Rep. Scott Peters is reelected. The San Diego ad is being paid for by the California Democratic Party, and comes…