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.
Moses Mullen, 17, will be honored along with other local heroes at the Burn Institute's 40th Annual Spirit of Courage Awards Banquet.
The letter was specifically recognizing the service that the La Mesa Rotary Club rendered in conjunction with the Church on the "Mormon Helping Hands" day of service on April 28.
Declan Bardin, 9, of La Mesa, won the Stock division.
City Manager Dave Witt said that the current ordinance is somewhat archaic, and doesn't really reflect the state of the industry today.
The ceremony closed as the flag was lowered while "To the Colors" and "Taps" were played.
The suspects were 22-year-old Jose Mercado-Gonzales from Imperial Beach and 22-year-old Jeffrey Thomas from El Cajon. Both suspects were booked into San Diego County Jail on one charge of residential burglary, and two charges of conspiracy.
On Monday, May 21, at approximately 12:30 a.m., Alan McKenzie’s daughter found what appeared to be a suicide note from her father.
Jerome Spruille, 24, was arrested, cited and released for violating San Marcos' social host ordinance according to a San Diego County Sheriff’s Department news release.
The man's wife called from a neighbor's house, saying her husband suffers from PTSD and was throwing items into a swimming pool. The man was identified as 25-year-old Luis Macias.
These stories and more as we take a look at the Week in Review on La Mesa-Mount Helix Patch.
Organizers of the Fight 4 America super PAC plan to unveil television commercials that focus on defense budgets under President Barack Obama.
We want to see how the sky looked from your vantage point.
How do you know what City Council will discuss this week? Check in here.
Check out which local businesses realize the value of being part of the Patch community conversation.
Check out which local businesses realize the value of being part of the Patch community conversation.
Whatever your favorites, from rock to jazz, to rhythm and blues, to acoustic, we want to know where in La Mesa you go to hear live music.
The winners were chosen from 102 entries received from throughout the district’s 3rd Grade classes.
The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 22 years old, wearing a dark jacket and dark pants.
On Saturday, young children will discover the joys of nature during themed trail walks and hands-on activities at different “Explore Stations,” free pony rides and up-close encounters with raptors, reptiles and other live animals.
Daniel Hubbard of La Mesa, was arrested Friday and charged with attempted kidnapping, false imprisonment and child annoying.