October 27, 2011
VOL. 125, ISSUE 41
Ramona Sentinel
50¢
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2011
Inside
20
For the Holidays
Lunar Eclipse Residents can witness a total lunar eclipse on Saturday, Dec. 10. For an indepth review of what to expect and for graphics, see page 15.
Index
Presorted Standard US Postage PAID Ramona CA Permit No 136
Opinion......................8 Our Town..................12 Wine Guide..............26 Country Living..........27 Classifieds.................31 Obituaries.................41 Coupons....................43
State designates OPMS a model middle school
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n an email Monday morning to all Ramona Unified School District employees, Supt. Robert Graeff sent “a royal congratulations” to the staff, parents and students at Olive Peirce Middle School for being one of only four
for the school and for the entire district,” said Graeff. “To achieve the status of a ‘School to Watch,’ a school is expected to establish norms, structures and organizational arrangements to support and sustain their trajectory toward
excellence. How proud we all are of the tremendous work at our comprehensive middle school. Congratulations on receiving this tremendous honor!”
By KAREN BRAINARD A 6-year-old special needs child who lived in the 1000 block of Olive St. died in his sleep early Tuesday morning from complications as a victim of child abuse, according to an adoptive family member. The boy, identified as Sam, was one of four special needs children adopted by Chris Dahlke, said Dahlke’s daughter, Barbara Smith. “He was a shaken baby and he had severe trauma from that initial injury,” said Smith. Those injuries caused him to be blind, non-communicative and have heart problems, she said. The boy was hooked to monitors, she added. Paramedics from the Ramona Fire Department were unable to perform any life-saving measures, said Smith. After detectives from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department were called about 12:28 a.m, they
See MODEL MIDDLE SCHOOL on page 16
Tree Lighting Saturday
Dead boy, 6, was abused when a baby
See BOY’S DEATH on page 2
P.O. Box 367 Ramona, CA 92065
middle school in the state to be designated a “School to Watch.” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson made the announcement in a news release Monday morning. “This distinction is a huge honor
Photo/Kevin Buckley
In what Ramona Rodeo Queen Pageant Director Joani Georgeson believes is a first for Ramona, the town’s reigning rodeo queen, Sarah Baughman, right, and junior queen, Megan Buckley, ride in the 65th annual Mother Goose Parade in El Cajon the Sunday before Thanksgiving. The Ramona Rodeo royalty wore their new matching Breast Cancer Awareness outfits, and their horses sported matching breast collars and tail ribbons.
Ramona’s 19th Annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting, presented by Ramona Chamber of Commerce, promises lots of old-fashioned fun — including an opportunity to sit on Santa’s lap — in Collier Park in the 600 block of E Street from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. Music, entertainment, Christmas craft centers, face painting, cookie decorating, a live nativity, and food and vendors are among festivities planned. Santa will arrive about 5:15 p.m., and children will have the opportunity to have their picture taken as they share their Christmas wishes with him. Photos by Jeanne Wood Photography will be $5 each. Chamber President Jason DeLeo will light the Christmas tree and it will remain lighted through Dec. 26. “Please bring a lawn chair or a blanket to sit and watch the show,” said Honorary Mayor Sharon Davis. “We have almost two hours of entertainment lined up.”