July 13, 2010 (Oceanside) -- A fire caused by training exercises this morning at Camp Pendleton has spread rapidly and is now more than 100 acres, Lance Corporal Michael Atchue told East County Magazine. "It should be contained within 24 hours," he said, adding that he expects an update soon will show the fire has grown significantly.
PACE programs are among the most promising ways that ordinary Americans can spur the economy, create jobs, save money and lessen the nation’s dependence on foreign oil…Challenging economic times like ours call for decisiveness and action, not the fear and disinterest exhibited by FHFA.” – Supervisors Dianne Jacob and Pam Slater-Price, in a letter to President Barack Obama
By Miriam Raftery
July 13, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Last week, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will not buy or sell mortgages for homes enrolled in municipal solar financing programs called PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy). The programs allow homeowners to spread the cost of rooftop solar and other energy efficiency measures over 20 years, paid as part of their property tax bills.
The decision casts a pall over the County of San Diego, which planned to launch its PACE program this summer.
July 11, 2010 (San Diego) Juan Vargas has declared victory in the tight race against Assemblymember Mary Salas for the Democratic nomination for the State Senate's 40th District seat.
It's been a long road, but we've reached the finished line tonight. I'm very proud to be the Democratic nominee for our State Senate seat. Tonight, I'll be celebrating with my family and friends. Tomorrow, we begin the fight to reform California government, promote job creation, and put public safety first,” Vargas said in a press release issued last night.
July 13, 2010 (Spring Valley) The County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) opened a 2,500 square-foot new preschool in Spring Valley in late June that will serve up to 40 children.
Only 22 Votes Out of 48,542 Separate Salas and Vargas
July 12, 2010 (San Diego) – Assemblymember Mary Salas, candidate for State Senate in the 40th District, has filed the necessary paperwork calling for a recount in the race for the 40th Senate District. A mere 22 votes, or less than one half of one percent, separates the two candidates.
Unlike other states, California does not have an automatic recount no matter how close the race. So costs of the recount will be born by the Salas campaign, not taxpayers. Costs of the count have not yet been determined. A campaign insider indicated that discussions are underway to determine how widespread the recount will be in the race, which spans portions of Riverside, Imperial and San Diego Counties.
July 10, 2010 (Pine Valley) – Donald Patterson, 57, of El Cajon has been identified by the San Diego Medical Examiner as the driver of a pickup that plummeted off I-8 near the Sunrise Highway exit in Pine Valley on Wednesday, sparking a brush fire.
July 12, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Shortly after 7:00 this morning, Heartland Fire Dispatch received calls of a structure fire in the 1000 block of Mollison Avenue in El Cajon. As crews arrived on scene, they found the attached garage of the home fully involved in flames and spreading into the home.
Raised in a jungle in war-torn Uganda, Nathanael now struggles to adapt to the American lifestyle in an urban jungle in City Heights
By Diana Barreto
July 12, 2010 (San Diego) -- A member of the Acholi tribe in northern Uganda and a resident in an African refugee camp for 12 years, James Nathanael came to the United States with high hopes and great expectations.
He left his home and tribe in Northern Uganda in 1986 because of ongoing wars in his area. “There was a lot of killing,” he recalls. “I had to leave the country due to fear.” He lived a fulfilling but simple life as a student and a farmer prior to these wars. But the danger that surrounded him drove him from the life he knew and loved.
"How many of our returning troops and civilians are suffering from environmentally induced cancers? Unfortunately, the VA stopped reporting cancer cases in some state registries including California..."
By Tracy Emblem
July 12, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- The Iraq and Afghanistan wars have created toxic environments. In April, the Department of Veterans Affairs reported in an environmental hazards training directive: "Exposure to open burn pits has created significant concern among veterans and their families."
July 11, 2010 (Lakeside) – Bull-riding has been called “the most dangerous sporting event in America” by Sports Writers of America. On July 16-17, the Lakeside Optimist Club will host the 12th annual Bulls Only Rodeo at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds. In addition to bull-riding, the event will also feature other rodeo events such as wild horse racing and mutton busting. All proceeds will benefit youth in the community.
East County News Service --July 11, 2010 (Escondido) – Escondido police have arrested a 17-year-old juvenile who is suspected of raping and robbing a 16-year-old girl Friday morning on the flood control bike path near North Beech Street and East Valley Parkway.
July 10, 2010 (La Mesa)—La Mesa Police have arrested two juveniles for stealing a woman’s wallet in front of the Von’s store at 9011 University Avenue. A third suspect remains at large.
Police received a call reporting the robbery at 8:21 p.m. The 21 year-old victim was in the Vons parking lot when the three suspects approached her from behind. One grabbed the victim’s wallet and forcibly took it. All three suspects ran away while witnesses chased them.
July 10, 2010 (Julian) – The Creek Fire, a grass fire that began at Highway 78 and Old Julian Highway near the community of Witch Creek at 3:28 p.m. today has been contained. The fire’s spread was stopped at less than two acres and Cal Fire’s incident commander has released all firefighting aircraft.
July 10, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Fault lines in and near East County have become more active since the Easter earthquake in Mexico. Both the San Jacinto and Elsinore faults have potential for a quake measuring 7.0 or higher, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Fortunately, planning and identifying hazards ahead of time can reduce risk of serious harm before an earthquake hits.
For example, repairing deep plaster cracks in ceilings and foundations, anchoring overhead lights to the ceiling, and upgrading to meet local seismic building standards help reduce the impact of a quake. Creating an emergency supply kit and a family evacuation plan are also important. Below are earthquake safety tips providing by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that you can take now—before a major quake hits our region.
Beads of Courage Arts-in-Medicine Program Coming to San Diego
July 10, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Local area leaders have teamed up with Beads of Courage to host a 2nd Annual Journey to Fight Cancer Golf Tournament & Luau at the Cottonwood Golf Course in El Cajon on Friday, July 23 starting at 11:30 a.m. with a shotgun start and scramble.
Note: An earlier version of this story stated that two media outlets reported Salas the victor today. However one of those, the Riverside Press Enterprise, has since issued a correction and indicated that Vargas won. The Riverside Registrar's office is closed until Monday, when a certified count will be sent to the Secretary of State.
July 10, 2010 (San Diego) – This morning, Riverside County’s Registrar of Voters completed counting 12,563 previously uncounted mail-in ballots,including the 40th State Senate Democratic primary race which includes portions of Riverside, Imperial and San Diego Counties. The count was ordered to begin yesterday by superior Court Judge Mac R. Fisher.
July 10, 2010 (San Diego)--The family education department of the International Rescue Committee – San Diego will host a 2-hour workshop on July 26, 2010, from 9:00 a.m.to 11 a.m., on child abuse prevention (with an emphasis on sexual abuse prevention) for child care workers and any interested community members.
“Moms are uniting and leading the charge to end drug prohibition, just as they did with alcohol prohibition in the 1930s. It’s time to end the pointless and punitive criminalization of people who use drugs and the needless deaths caused by the illegal drug trade.” -- Gretchen Burns Bergman, Executive Director & Co-Founder A New PATH
By: Dennis Moore
July 10, 2010 (San Diego) –Family members of drug victims have joined forces with healthcare and others to forge a coalition calling for changes in failed drug policies. These policies have led to increased violence and mass incarceration, while failing to curb addiction and overdose deaths.
“This is going to be something special and everyone is invited and welcome to attend. I have some magic tricks up my sleeve from my recent internship at The Marine Room.”--Chef Jeremy Manley
July 9, 2010 (Julian) -- On Friday, July 16, at 7:00 p.m. Jeremy’s on the Hill California Style Bistro will host a four-course wine pairing dinner featuring wines from four back country wineries: Menghini Winery and J. Jenkins Winery from Julian as well as Shadow Mountain Vineyards and La Serenissima Vineyards from Warner Springs.
Your guide to financial planning & socially responsible investing
By: Judith L. Seid, CFP ®
President, Blue Summit Wealth Management
July 9, 2010 (La Mesa) -- We have just received notification that two of our top-rated carriers, John Hancock & Metlife, will be raising rates for new policies. If you have already secured your long term care policy, CONGRATULATIONS…you made a great decision! If you have been considering taking out a long term care insurance policy, please contact an independent Long Term Care Insurance (LTCI) agent right away for quotes. (See below for tips on what to look for.)
July 9, 2010 (East San Diego) – Samuel Metu has been arrested for felony hit-and-run. Metu was the driver of a 2000 Toyota Corolla that struck and killed a four-year-old boy in the 6700 block of Madrone Avenue in the Skyline neighborhood shortly before noon today.
July 9, 2010 (San Diego's East County) - What are the odds of a big quake striking your community? Now there's a website where you can type in your zip code and learn the probability of a major quake striking in the near or distant future.
I typed in my own zip code (91941 La Mesa) and was startled to learn that the odds of a 6.0 magnitude quake or greater striking within the next 10 years is 50%--and in some nearby towns the chances are even greater.
What should you do to stay safe when an earthquake strikes?
July 9, 2010 (Sacramento) --Assemblymember Marty Block (D-Lemon Grove) announced today that AB 2674 has been signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger. This legislation closes a loophole in state law that allowed a spouse convicted of soliciting the murder of a husband or wife to reap financial benefits such as community property in retirement and pension benefits from the injured spouse.
July 9, 2010 (Escondido) – Escondido Police seek the public’s help to find a man suspected of raping a 16-year-old girl. The suspect reportedly attacked the teen at gunpoint and raped her shortly before 8:30 this morning on the flood control bike path near North Beech Street and East Valley Parkway.
July 13, 2010 (Oceanside) -- A fire caused by training exercises this morning at Camp Pendleton has spread rapidly and is now more than 100 acres, Lance Corporal Michael Atchue told East County Magazine. "It should be contained within 24 hours," he said, adding that he expects an update soon will show the fire has grown significantly.
By Miriam Raftery
July 11, 2010 (San Diego) Juan Vargas has declared victory in the tight race against Assemblymember Mary Salas for the Democratic nomination for the State Senate's 40th District seat. 
New School to Serve Up to 40 Children
July 12, 2010 (San Diego) – Assemblymember Mary Salas, candidate for State Senate in the 40th District, has filed the necessary paperwork calling for a recount in the race for the 40th Senate District. A mere 22 votes, or less than one half of one percent, separates the two candidates.
East County News Service
July 12, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Shortly after 7:00 this morning, Heartland Fire Dispatch received calls of a structure fire in the 1000 block of Mollison Avenue in El Cajon. As crews arrived on scene, they found the attached garage of the home fully involved in flames and spreading into the home.
"How many of our returning troops and civilians are suffering from environmentally induced cancers? Unfortunately, the VA stopped reporting cancer cases in some state registries including California..."
July 10, 2010 (La Mesa)—La Mesa Police have arrested two juveniles for stealing a woman’s wallet in front of the Von’s store at 9011 University Avenue. A third suspect remains at large.
July 10, 2010 (Julian) – The Creek Fire, a grass fire that began at Highway 78 and Old Julian Highway near the community of Witch Creek at 3:28 p.m. today has been contained. The fire’s spread was stopped at less than two acres and Cal Fire’s incident commander has released all firefighting aircraft.
East County News Service
July 10, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Local area leaders have teamed up with Beads of Courage to host a 2nd Annual Journey to Fight Cancer Golf Tournament & Luau at the Cottonwood Golf Course in El Cajon on Friday, July 23 starting at 11:30 a.m. with a shotgun start and scramble. 
“This is going to be something special and everyone is invited and welcome to attend. I have some magic tricks up my sleeve from my recent internship at The Marine Room.”--Chef Jeremy Manley
Your guide to financial planning & socially responsible investing
By Miriam Raftery
July 9, 2010 (Sacramento) --Assemblymember Marty Block (D-Lemon Grove) announced today that AB 2674 has been signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger. This legislation closes a loophole in state law that allowed a spouse convicted of soliciting the murder of a husband or wife to reap financial benefits such as community property in retirement and pension benefits from the injured spouse.
July 9, 2010 (Escondido) – Escondido Police seek the public’s help to find a man suspected of raping a 16-year-old girl. The suspect reportedly attacked the teen at gunpoint and raped her shortly before 8:30 this morning on the flood control bike path near North Beech Street and East Valley Parkway.
Recent comments