Newsom signs laws to resist Trump's immigration crackdown; including ban on masks for ICE agents

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East County Eater: Happy Hour at Casa Gabriela features authentic Mexican cuisine, elevated

Destination East County: October outings

Need money for college? Here are scholarship opportunities.

Top hat and tails is theme of La Mesa Chamber's Salute to Local Heroes Oct. 8

ECM World Watch: National and global news

Find your home's hazard risks to prepare for an emergency

Incompetence and cruelty are expensive: Trump’s actions may bankrupt U.S. treasury

Health and science highlights

HauntFest Headed to El Cajon in October

Adams Avenue Street Fair is this weekend

ADVICE TO COLLEGE STUDENTS: HOW TO SAFEGUARD PERSONAL & FINANCIAL INFORMATION



Wells Fargo offers 10 tips and resources to help young adults prevent fraud and identity theft



San Diego – July 27, 2011 – When heading back to school this fall, college students will be thinking about scheduling classes, buying books and meeting friends. Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) advises students to add one more important activity to their back-to-school list: safeguarding personal and financial information to reduce their risk of fraud and identify theft.



Research conducted by Javelin Strategy & Research (2010) revealed it takes people ages 18 to 24 nearly twice as many days to detect fraud compared to other age groups, making them fraud victims for longer periods of time.

FLASH FLOODS, MUDSLIDES POSSIBLE TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY IN EAGLE FIRE AREA

 

July 29, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Cal Fire warns of a high risk of flash floods and debris flow in areas burned by the Eagle Fire tonight through Sunday. Rob Balfour, National Weather Service Incident Meteorologist assigned to the Eagle Fire, forecasts a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms over the burned area. An estimated 0.15 to 0.68 inches of rain could occur all at once, or in several episodes. Intense rainfall is most likely late Saturday afternoon/evening and again on Sunday.

 

Rainfall rates as low as 0.15 inches in a 20 minute period are capable of producing debris flows and flash floods in recently burned drainage basins, which include popular camping areas in Anza-Borrego.

 

Areas at risk of flooding or debris flows include:

9TH CIRCUIT COURT DENIES SDG&E MOTION TO DISMISS REQUEST FOR STAY IN POWERLINK CASE, PENDING APPEAL

July 29, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) –California’s Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has denied a motion by San Diego Gas & Electric Company seeking to dismiss a lawsuit filed by three East County organizations. The groups have asked the court to issue an injunction halting construction on the Sunrise Powerlink on federal Bureau of Land Management property.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: SPLISH-SPLASH, I WAS TAKING A BATH….

July 29, 2011 (Lakeside) –Thanks to Mike and Cathy Sears for sending in this photo of a surprising visitor in the birdbath outside their home on Wildcat Canyon Road in Lakeside.

 

“It’s one of two red shouldered hawks in the area,” Mike said. “The hawks will even in get in and splash around in the bird bath.”

 

THEY’RE BAAAAAAACK! RUNNING OF THE GOATS SATURDAY A.M. IN LEMON GROVE

Update: View a video of the goat-run.

July 29, 2011 (Lemon Grove) -- The City of Lemon Grove, along with its fire department, Heartland Fire & Rescue, will be taking steps to clear brush from eight and one-half acres of land near Lawton Drive and Camino De Las Palmas. Goats will be used as part of the process in clearing heavy brush and creating defensible space for homes in this area.

ELM will begin work Saturday morning, creating a staging area and paddock at the end of Lawton Drive. The public is welcome to come by between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m. There will be a small nursery of baby goats for children to see, and ELM Operations Manager Johnny Gonzales will prepare his goats for the traditional “running of the goats” starting at 9:00 a.m.

THREE SUSPECTS CHARGED IN MURDER OF OFFICER CHRIS WILSON

By Miriam Raftery

 

July 29, 2011 (San Diego)—District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis announced this week that Alex Charfauros, 26, Melissa Ortiz, 21, and Patrick Luangrath, 19, will face 13 charges including murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to obstruct justice. The three were inside the apartment when Officer Wilson was shot on Oct. 27, 2010 while trying to arrest a suspect wanted for assault with a deadly weapon. Officer Wilson later succumbed to his wounds.

NEW LAW HELPS UNEMPLOYED WORKERS GET TRAINING OR EDUCATION


July 29, 2011 (Sacramento) – Implementation began July 1st for AB 2058, legislation authored by Assemblyman Marty Block (D-Lemon Grove) and recently signed into law. The bill expands training and education options that unemployed workers can receive without losing their unemployment insurance benefits.

EAGLE FIRE 90% CONTAINED; SOME CAMPGROUNDS TO REOPEN TODAY

 

 Photos by Daren Sefcik

  

New:  View videos by Daren Sefcik

 

July 29, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) –Full containment is expected tomorrow on the Eagle Fire, which has now charred 14,100 acres. Cal Fire has determined that arson caused the fire, but has not disclosed details pending completion of an investigation.

 

 

 

The Borrego Palm Canyon Campground in Anza Borrego Des ert State Park and the Lost Valley Boy Scout Camp re-open today.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: WILDCAT!

 

July 29, 2011 (Anza Borrego) -- Daren Sefcik captured this rare image of a bobcat peering out of a rocky cave at Potrero Canyon in Anza-Borrego, a remote location accessible only by foot or by horse. 

 

 

"I went out hiking the canyon to try and reach the base of Stephenson Peak," Sefcik said. "About a mile from the base on the mountain, I stopped to eat some lunch and I noticed a black silhouette of what looked like a Batman head in some rocks. With a 300mm zoom on my lens I was able to see a bobcat."

FORMER PINE VALLEY CAL-FIRE CAPTAIN PLEADS GUILTY TO MISAPPROPRIATION OF FUNDS

July 28, 2011 (Pine Valley) - Former Cal Fire Captain Scott Mackellar pled guilty on July 26 to fraudulent appropriation by a public officer of public funds. A Cal Fire internal investigation found that Mackellar misappropriated $7099.36 worth of purchases on fuel and credit cards belonging to Cal Fire while employed in the community of Pine Valley.

AUGUST 22 DEADLINE LOOMS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON STATE FIRE FEE

 

Supervisors to vote on legal challenge of $150 assessment on rural properties

 

By Billie Jo Jannen
For East County Magazine

 

July 29, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--As County supervisors mull a possible lawsuit over a state plan to bill rural property owners $150 per dwelling, CalFire officials say the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection will take public input through Aug. 22 on how and which rural residents will be charged the new fee.

FREE FAMILY FUN AT THE RAMONA COUNTRY FAIR JULY 28-31


July 28, 2011 (Ramona) – It’s opening day at the Ramona Country Fair, where admission is free! This four-day event includes live entertainment including musical bands and the Ramona Idol contest, animals, livestock auction, crafts, food, and carnival rides.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS


Thursday, July 28th, 2011

CPUC HEARING IN SAN DIEGO ON PROPOSED MERGER OF AT&T & T-MOBILE DRAWS BIG CROWD

By Miriam Raftery

July 28, 2011 (San Diego) – Hundreds of local residents spoke out at a hearing held by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Monday evening at the Al Bahr Shriners auditorium in San Diego.
 

The majority voiced support for a proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile. Supporters said the merger could create a more reliable network for cell phone service and create good-paying union jobs; many also praised AT&T’s record of community service. Opponents, by contrast, voiced concerns over creating a monopoly and feared the merger would lead to higher rates, decreased incentive for innovation, and job lay-offs.

 

The public can still submit comments to the CPUC by e-mailing public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov and referencing proceeding #I1106009 – AT&T/T-Mobile Merger.

 

A DREAM DESTROYED: DEAD PHONE LINE LEADS TO LLAMA DEATH


Tragedy elicits sharp criticism of AT&T from backcountry residents who share horror stories of outages, poorly maintained lines, and service hassles


CPUC encourages residents with phone land-line complaints to email public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov

 

By Miriam Raftery
 

July 27, 2011 (Lyons Valley) – Llama rancher John Klacka knew he had to get help fast when he found his prized stud llama, Muneco, had been bitten by a rattlesnake on July 7. “He was foaming at the mouth and having trouble breathing,” he recalled. “I ran into the house and tried to call the vet—and my phone was dead. I thought `This can’t be happening.’”

ECM WORLD WATCH: GLOBAL AND NATIONAL NEWS

 

July 28, 2011 (San Diego's East County)--ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflecting all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views.  

 

FUGITIVE EXTRADITED FROM MEXICO FOR MURDER OF WIFE, A TECATE BORDER CROSSING OFFICER

 

July 28, 2011 (Tecate)—Yesterday, Jesus Arteaga Garcia was extradited to San Diego from Mexico to face murder charges stemming from the fatal stabbing of his estranged wife, Maribel Arteaga, who was two months pregnant.She was stabbed to death in front of her children on December 9, 2009, at her apartment in Chula Vista. She was a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer who served at the Tecate Port of Entry.

MAN ARRESTED FOR STABBING IN LEMON GROVE

 

July 28, 2011 (Lemon Grove)—Lemon Grove Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a stabbing at 1621 Drexel Drive in Lemon Grove last night around 7:30 p.m. Upon arrival, they found John Thomas, 41, on the porch bleeding heavily from multiple stab wounds. He was transported by emergency medical services to Scripps Hospital for emergency surgery.

 

The suspect, who lived with the vicitim, was identified as Curtis Bennett, 35. Witness said the two were in a physical dispute before the stabbing.

TORCHED: ARSON CAUSED EAGLE FIRE, CAL FIRE REVEALS

 

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.

TEENS REQUIRED TO SHOW PROOF OF TDAP BOOSTER SHOT FOR SCHOOL

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.

 

READER’S EDITORIAL: BEYOND THE DEBT CEILING CRISIS

 

By Russell Buckley

 

July 29, 2011 (La Mesa)--Our nation is in a tough spot. Our government has run up an unprecedented level of debt that many Americans now realize will become unsustainable in the very near future. Too, the interest on Government debt precludes more spending on progressive social programs.

READER'S EDITORIAL: DEBT CEILING PROPAGANDA

 

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.

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