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.
Even despite the planning commission's approval of the project, the future of Papparazzi is very much in doubt after the city council's appeal.
The fast food chain is offering the promotion as part of National Hot Dog Month.
Peder Norby was hired by the City of Encinitas as a consultant to help promote the Highway 101 corridor in 2007.
Peder Norby was hired by the City of Encinitas as a consultant to help promote the Highway 101 corridor in 2007.
The utility says Mitsubishi is liable for $2 billion, but Mitsubishi says it owes just $137 million.
Francisco Barajas, 21, Omar Alejandro Garcia, 18, Juan Zarita, 17, Jose Luis Zamora, 18, and Roberto Medina, 18, are charged in the Jan. 29 death of Javier Luna.
The DUI Saturation Patrols will deploy in and around the Del Mar Race Track, in the cities of Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, and San Diego, starting at approximately 4 p.m.
The woman, reported to be in her 50s, was flown to Scripps Memorial in La Jolla. Her injuries are not believed to be life threatening. The dogs were not injured.
Some prisoners who were convicted of a non-violent crime or a non-sex offense were shifted from state to county facilities and probation departments.
Some prisoners who were convicted of a non-violent crime or a non-sex offense were shifted from state to county facilities and probation departments.
Some prisoners who were convicted of a non-violent crime or a non-sex offense were shifted from state to county facilities and probation departments.
Taylor Clark, 17, won the National Scholastic Surfing Association National Championship, just weeks after also winning the Surfing America USA title.
The former No. 1-ranked player in the world has announced that she will play her first match since 2007 as part of a doubles team with Daniela Hantuchova.
For the second year in a row, the East coasters won bragging rights, and brand new boards, in the friendly contest sponsored by Red Bull.
The Vons in Encinitas and others across the region will offer fliers to help guide parents in introducing healthy eating options for children.
The Vons in Oceanside and others across the region will offer fliers to help guide parents in introducing healthy eating options for children.
The Vons in Oceanside and others across the region will offer fliers to help guide parents in introducing healthy eating options for children.
Matt Cerda, an Oceanside High School alum (08), had played for the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals organizations.
The crash, which occurred shorty after 1 p.m., involved a semi-truck and another work truck, police said. Mercy Air has been notified and a helicopter has been sent to the scene to airlift those injured.
The rink helps train up to 35 competitive dance skaters, 20 of whom will compete in the national championship next month.
