By Miriam Raftery

July 27, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Cal Fire investigators have determined that arson is the cause of the Eagle Fire, which has thus far burned 14,100 acres and injured 14 firefighters.

Who set the blaze, and what was the motive? Cal-Fire has not disclosed details on how the fire was started, or if there are any suspects. If caught, the perpetrator could face not only jail time, but a hefty bill--since firefighting costs now exceed $11.6 million.

Whooping Cough Cases On Track To Hit 300 for Region

July 27, 2011 (San Diego)—Under a new law, middle and high school students have to show proof they’ve received a booster shot for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis( also known as whooping cough) in order to enroll in school.

July 27, 211 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police seek witnesses to a violent assault which has left a 43-year-old man hospitalized with serious head injuries. The attack occurred Saturday, July 23rd around 1:55 a.m. in the 5500 hundred block of Jackson Drive, near Rigoberto’s Taco Shop.

Cutting government spending doesn't create jobs--it increases unemployment and is bad for our economy

By Carol Guerrero, Spring Valley

July 26, 2011 (Spring Valley)--As the debate on the debt ceiling continues, I am distressed to hear the Republicans continue to use propaganda techniques to obscure clear economic analysis. Although there are many possible examples, I will use one from the House Speaker’s response to President Obama’s address to the nation last night. He repeated, as have his Republican colleagues over and over again, that lowering government spending will create jobs and help the economy.

As any macroeconomic class teaches, this statement is false in the short run and probably in the long run as well.

“Reduce then Produce” part of San Diego Summer of Energy Independence

July 26, 2011 (San Diego) — San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders announced today a new citywide program that provides special savings on home energy efficiency upgrades and solar energy installations. It's all part of the San Diego Summer of Energy Independence. The program is now under way; to participate, homeowners must sign up by October 20, 2011.

July 26, 2011 (Bonita) – San Diego Sheriff’s office today notified media that 14-year-old Luke Roundy, aka Michael McWilliams, disappeared the night of July 15. The teen and his family are from Texas and were staying with relatives in the 3800 block of Alta Loma Drive in Bonita.

“Would you rather reduce deficits and interest rates by raising revenue from those who are not now paying their fair share, or would you rather accept larger budget deficits, higher interest rates, and higher unemployment? And I think I know your answer.” – Ronald Reagan

Protests planned nationwide at Congressional offices over deficit issue

View video and read full text of President Obama’s speech and full text of President Obama’s speech

View full text of Republican Speaker John Boehmer’s response

July 26, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – In a special address to the nation last night, President Barack Obama invoked the words of Ronald Reagan and urged the American people to let their representatives know if they support a balanced approach to resolving the deficit that would include a combination of deep spending cuts but also ask “millionaires and billionaires” to make some sacrifices to avoid cuts that would hurt senior citizens, students and working people.

Thus far, Republicans have insisted on a cuts-only plan as a condition of raising the debt ceiling to prevent the nation from defaulting  for the first time in history on its debts.  Republican Speaker John Boehmer insists Congress and the nation must "live within their means" as small businesses and families must do.

July 25, 2011 (San Diego)—An unidentified male driver of a 2003 Kia hatch back missed a turn and struck a tree on westbound State Route 94 at the Euclid offramp last night at 11:36 p.m., the San Diego Medical Examiner’s office reports.

July 25, 2011 (Scripps Ranch)—Each Fourth of July for the past 12 years, Sheriff’s Homicide Captain Tim Curran and his wife, Debby, have displayed a flag the size of a two-car garage at their Scripps Ranch home. But on July 5, the flag was stolen and Debby was injured as the thief made a getaway.

Update 7 p.m.:  The Eagle Fire is 12,700 acres and 45% contained. There have been 6 minor injuries to firefighters. 11 miles of containment line to be built, and firefighters continue to construct, hold and improve containment lines.

Cost to fight the fire $6.2 million.
 

July 24, 2011 (La Mesa) – "Last Light," the largest collection of artwork by Wade Cline will be on display at O’Dunn Fine Art in La Mesa from July 27 to August 28. In addition, the public is invited to meet the artist at a reception July 27 from 5-8 p.m.

Cline's oil paintings are mostly moody urban scenes of San Diego, with mid-century architecture, rainy streets, and that” low energy time right at dusk,” O’Dunn said.  Influenced by Wayne Thiebaud and Edward Hopper, Cline has exhibited at the Crocker and Barrios art galleries in Sacramento, the Pratt and La Jolla Artists' galleries in San Diego, and in "Art Alive" at the San Diego Museum of Art.  

July 24, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)—Cal-Fire is now battling the 11,000 acre Eagle Fire in a unified command with the Bureau of Indian affairs and the California Department of Parks and Recreation.

Community members voice concerns over military training center on reservation, seek answers as to cause of wildfire that now exceeds $2.5 million in firefighting costs

By Miriam Raftery

By Miriam Raftery

July 23, 2011 (Lakeside) – Back in February 2009, SDG&E officials met with a packed hall full of residents in Lakeside, including the town’s planning board. Residents were furious that SDG&E had changed its proposed route to march 40-story high voltage towers through El Monte Valley, a County-designated scenic view corridor.

After numerous residents objected to desecration of views, SDG&E representative Laura McDonald promised that towers would be “camouflaged” by painting them tan or green. This reporter was present and can vouch for that pledge made. Don Parent and at least two other SDG&E representatives were also present.

But now SDG&E has reneged on its promise to the people of Lakeside—and its representatives have apparently developed convenient cases of amnesia.