Email: eric.yates@patch.com
Phone: (619) 204-2985
Hometowns: Born in Roanoke, VA. Took a 15-year detour to Colorado Springs, CO, and returned to Roanoke when he was 16. Came to San Diego to attend Point Loma Nazarene University and has been here ever since.
Birthday: Dec. 12
Bio: Eric has been a working San Diego journalist for the past 11 years, for media outlets like the San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego News Network, San Diego Magazine, and the San Diego Community Newspaper Group. He began work as editor of Mount Helix Patch in August 2010 and became editor of the combined La Mesa-Mount Helix Patch in March 2012. He succeeded Ken Stone as editor of La Mesa Patch. Ken became associate regional editor for south San Diego County, overseeing six Patch sites.
Eric love sports - both as a participant and an observer, and enjoys playing basketball, golf, tennis and football. He is married and loves cooking with his beautiful wife (how's that for brownie points?) He has got a deadly jump shot, and a quick wit, and enjoys telling stories. He prays to the altar of Dean Edwards Smith and the North Carolina Tar Heels, and cried the day George Harrison died.
Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable.
This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.
Politics
How would you describe your political beliefs?
I am a moderate conservative, and believe in a free market, family values, conservation, and trying to help those who can't (not won't) help themselves. Also, if that makes me a libertarian, so be it!
Are you registered with a certain party?
Registered Republican, but rarely vote along party lines. I try to vote for whomever I believe can make the most impact in office in a given time frame.
Religion
How religious would you consider yourself? (casual, observant, devout, non religious)
I am a devout Christian and believe that the love of Jesus Christ changed the world. I also believe it is the responsibility of his followers to try and show that same love. I'm no radical, and believe that there are appropriate and responsible ways to share His truth, outside of Bible thumping.
Local Hot-Button Issues
What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?
Rising water rates, fire service and protection, challenges in public schools.
Where do you stand on each of these issues?
I'm for families, safety, and well-being, not necessarily issues. I support any measure that will imporve people's livelihood, whether it be financially, socially, physically, or security-wise.
32-year-old Eduardo Macias allegedly slashed defense attorney William Burgener across the lower cheek while the students looked on.
Media, coaches and other advisers to Balboa Park museum picked the cream of the crop.
Ruth Sterling and newest councilmember Kristine Alessio were also sworn in, starting their terms.
Roshawn Lamar Broadnax, 21, faces 30 years to life in prison if convicted of murder in the July death of 19-year-old Deazjnae Banks.
Videos showing houses for sale in La Mesa and Spring Valley, posted in the last week on YouTube.
John Petruescu, a local electrician, caught the behemoth fish on Dec. 3. It was weighed at Fisherman's Landing in Point Loma on Sunday morning.
Stanford Roy Johnson, 51, was found in a home in the 9000 block of Lemon Street about 6 a.m. Thursday. The San Diego County Medical Examiner has determined the cause of death to be multiple stab wounds.
These stories and more as we take a look at the Week in Review on La Mesa-Mount Helix Patch.
Deputies made the discovery about 6 a.m. while responding to a request to check on the welfare of a resident in the 9000 Block of Lemon Street.
After Highlands Elementary, Bikes For Kids had a similar assembly at La Presa Elementary School later in the day. This year, the group donated about 1,500 bikes to kids across San Diego County.
![‘Oprah’ Moment at School: ‘Everyone's Gonna Get a Bike!’ [Video]](https://patch.com/img/cdn/users/56305/2012/12/raw/95e09caa8ede52309154e0052c153200.jpg)
Police issued 59 speeding tickets on Friday, Nov. 23 and 32 "distracted driver" (cell phone use) tickets on Friday, Nov. 30.
La Mesa announces 70 businesses holding new licenses, the majority of which are specialty contractors.
Grossmont had its highest scoring output for the three tournament games on Monday, having previously lost 55-44 to Hoover on Nov. 29, and 58-40 to Mira Mesa on Saturday.
The annual event, which is a favorite of the holiday season, takes place Sunday, Dec. 16, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
These stories and more as we take a look at the Week in Review on La Mesa-Mount Helix Patch.
More than 80 Viejas Tribal Government staff workers donated over $2,000 to buy toys for the drive.
The library celebrated 50 years on Saturday.
Joshua Jett, 23, and Adam Donaldson, 17, were each ordered held on $250,000 bail. They are accused of breaking into a Lake Murray home and beating its 80-year-old resident over the head with a metal tool.
Cannon is the host of the the network's reality show "America's Got Talent." He will return as host of the show when it kicks off its next season in the summer.
Helix was one of nine schools selected for grants this year, totaling $250,000 from the San Diego Chargers.
