July 18, 2010 (San Diego) – A 65-year-old man was found lying in the street in the 6300 block of Alvarado Road at midnight, after being run over by a car. The 57-year old driver later returned to the scene and told officers she may have struck something. Investigation confirmed she had hit the pedestrian. Police report that the accident was alcohol-related.
Updated July 18, 2010 July 17, 2010 (Spring Valley) -- 100 degree heat in Spring Valley today did not slow the attack of San Miguel firefighters on a house fire in the 8600 block of Sandy Bev Lane. A mother and seven of her eight children were home when the blaze was reported. The mother told investigators she was in the kitchen preparing a meal when she heard the smoke alarm sound. She went down a hallway to investigate and found one of the children’s bedrooms on fire.
Seven family members evacuated safely, but once outside realized that a four-year-old child was missing. The girls brothers, 14 and 18, ran back inside and found her hiding in her bedroom closet and rescued her.
July 17, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego County Coroner has released the names of victims who died as the result of three accidents on roadways in East County and San Diego’s eastern regions this week, including two motor vehicle crashes and a hit-and-run accident that killed a bicyclist.
"The policy of the GUHSD in thunder/lightning storm conditions would be to immediately seek safe shelter at the first sound of thunder." -- Larry Pear, Grossmont Union High School District
ECM Special Report
Story by Miriam Raftery, photos by Dennis Richardson
July 16, 2010 (Lakeside)—While lightning strikes caused multiple fires in East County including Lakeside, El Capitan’s football team continued practicing on an open field during a thunderstorm in direct violation of district rules.
“There was thunder and lightning in the immediate area striking the ground...during the time the kids were practicing,” ECM photographer Dennis Richardson reports. “As I was shooting pictures of the players [from a hill nearby], a man who was watching the lightning storm from the safety of his home near me told me he had just seen a bolt of lightning hit a power pole near Wildcat Canyon and Willow Road.” That’s about half a mile from the football practice, he estimated.
Playing sports during a thunderstorm can be deadly. In 2008, all eleven players on a football team in the Democratic Republic of the Congo were killed when lightning struck the field.
July 17, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Thirsty for ideas to use less water yet still have attractive landscaping?
Water-Wise Plants for the Southwest (Cool Springs Press, 2010) offers a wealth of practical solutions ideal for homeowners in San Diego County, where drought, cutbacks in water supplies and rising water rates have become a way of life. Editor Diana Maranhao sought advice from four experts: Nan Sterman, Mary Irish, Judith Phillips, and Joe Lamp’l. All are garden writers; the first three have expertise in specific geographic areas (California, Arizona, New Mexico) while Lamp’l provides green gardening tips.
July 17, 2010 (San Diego) – Looking for some summertime family fun? San Diego County has announced “Movies in the Park” at parks and pools countywide. Grab your beach chairs, beat the heat, and head out to a park near you—including numerous locations in East County.
SAN DIEGO, CA July 23, 2010 Meet author Gary Winters, of The Deer Dancer, Friday evening as he gives a presentation and signing for his powerful novel, The Deer Dancer, at Borders Books and Music in El Cajon. The author will speak briefly about the process of writing this novel, read from his book, and take questions. This is part of an ongoing commitment between the El Cajon Borders and local publisher, Sunbelt Books, to provide East County with local author readings to encourage literacy and a sense of community.
July 16, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Cal-Fire is on the scene of two small fires, both caused by lightning. The Henderson Fire, on Indian Head Peak in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is two to three acres. Firefighters and a helitack crew have cut a containment line around the blaze. A second blaze, the Cougar Fire, is burning on the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation and is less than an acre in an area with heavy fuel.
July 16, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – A special weather statement has been issued by the National Weather Service for San Diego’s inland valleys, mountain and desert regions due to extremely high temperatures that today reached 112 in Borrego, 102 in La Mesa, and 101 in Ramona. More hot weather is forecast this weekend, with a chance of thunderstorms.
Scroll down for tips from the NWS to avoid heat related health problems, as well as a link for "cool zones" in San Diego County:
July 16, 2010 (San Diego) – Today, Sacramento County Superior Court Patrick Marlette denied a request by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to force State Controller John Chiang to reduce state workers’ pay to the federal minimum wage. The ruling could affect 200,000 California state employees.
July 16, 2010 (La Mesa) – A suspect accused of robbing a cab driver at knifepoint in La Mesa has been arrested, La Mesa Police report. The cab driver became suspicious after the suspect directed him to pull over several times in areas that were dark and remote. Instead, the driver stopped his cab in the 7900 block of La Mesa Boulevard at 1:30 a.m. and asked for his fare.
July 15, 2010 (San Diego's East County) - Rainfall aided firefighters in battling numerous fires in backcountry areas late today. Most were started by lightning strikes from thunderstorms. The largest blaze in San Felipe along the Banner Grade near Julian had reached over 100 acres by early evening and is burning toward the desert.
Smaller fires were swiftly controlled in other communities including Warner Springs, Campo, and Lakeside. Fast action by Lakeside resident Charley Barranco helped extinguish a brush fire in a on the Levy water pump station at Lake Jennnings Park.
July 16, 2010 (Pine Valley) – San Diego Sheriff’s office today announced a search for a Rancho San Diego man who was last seen on June 30th. Steve Smith, 47, was reported missing on July 12; his vehicle was towed by California Highway Patrol on July 8 at 2:30 a.m. from the Pine Valley bridge. Smith may be suicidal and in possession of a firearm, according to an investigation by detectives with the Lemon Grove Sheriff substation.
July 1, 2010 (San Diego)—San Diego Police report that homicide detectives are investigating after a dead body was found inside a burned car in the 14200 block of Highland Valley Road, San Pasqual at 1:10 a.m.
Consumer and retail industry leaders praise bill’s passage; San Diego’s Congressional delegation’s votes split down party lines
By Miriam Raftery
July 15, 2010 (Washington D.C.) – Moments ago, the U.S. Senate passed HR 4175, a landmark reform measure that “cracks down on corporate fraud and holds big banks accountable for reckless, risky behavior,” said Senator Patrick Leavy (D-Vermont), author of the bill which is expected to be signed into law by President Barack Obama later today.
Business Wire reports that National Retail Federation senior vice president Mallory Duncan praised passage of the bill, titled the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. “This is a landmark step forward in protecting Main Street against the excesses of the banking industry,” he said.
The Felipe Fire at Banner grade is now 50 acres on the east side of S-2 near Julian, spreading rapidly, Cal-Fire reports. The Mission Valley Fire's spread has been slowed. The fire near Lakeside is now contained and was confined to a drainage ditch. New fires are burning near Campo Railroad in Campo and east of Shelter Valley, but both are lightning fires that should be contained soon, Cal-Fire batallion chief Nick Schuler informed ECM.
July 15, 2010 3:05 p.m. -- Major brush fires are burning in Mission Valley and across multiple backcountry communities, including several sparked by wildfires. Scroll down for details and please post any updates you may have in our comments section below.
East County Officials, Residents Reduce Alcohol and Drug Impact on Neighborhoods
July 15, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- The East County Community Change Project recently honored more than a dozen outstanding East County community leaders for their efforts to fight crime and increase safety in the east region. The awards were presented at the East County CommunityChange Project’s Second Annual Progress Report to the Community at the First United Methodist Church in El Cajon.
County Urges Residents To Use Caution When Cleaning Up Rodent Droppings
July 15, 2010 (Otay) -- San Diego County Vector Control officials confirmed today that one wild Northern Baja mouse trapped in the Otay River Valley during routine monitoring tested positive for Hantavirus. This brings the total to 16 mice that have tested positive for Hantavirus this year.
“Hantavirus is preventable and can be fatal. The wet winter has provided plenty of food and shelter for mice, helping to increase the wild mouse population. It is extremely important to keep mice out of houses, garages and sheds to prevent infection,” said Jack Miller, Director of the County Department of Environmental Health. “People contract Hantavirus by inhaling the virus, often when they are cleaning up rodent droppings and nesting materials. Wet cleaning methods should be used to prevent inhaling the virus.”
July 15, 2010 (San Diego’s East County)--The Jamacha Road Pipeline Project is nearing completion. When finished, the 5.1-mile water pipeline will run from Rancho San Diego to El Cajon.
“I believe that the PACE program is critical to stimulating our local and statewide economy. I’m glad to see this lawsuit filed so that this novel program can continue.” --San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, joining Brown at today's press conference in San Diego
July 14, 2010 (San Diego) – California Attorney General Edmund G. “Jerry” Brown today filed a lawsuit against mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for blocking the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs nationwide. View a video of today's press conference in San Diego:
July 15, 2010 (Washington D.C.). - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Pottery Barn Kids, has announced a voluntary recall of 82,000 Pottery Barn Kids drop-side cribs sold from 1999 through 2010. The recall includes numerous different styles of cribs following seven reported injuries and dozens of malfunctions.
July 14, 2010 (San Diego) -- Assembly Bill 1660, which expands the definition of “emergency aircraft flights for medical purposes,” was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger on Friday. The bill clarifies that an air ambulance, flying under a Lifeguard call sign, is not subject to a fine or penalty when departing an airport after hours to return to headquarters.
“Our access to public safety is the issue in question,” said Assemblymember Mary Salas (D-Chula Vista), author of the bill. “It is important that emergency workers are not hindered in doing their job.”
July 14, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Over 1,000 Beanie Babies will be distributed through Spirit of America projects to bring smiles to children in war-torn Afghanistan, thanks to the efforts of Parkway Middle School children, Fletcher Hills Kiwanis Club, and local author Diana Lindsay. Lindsay, author of guide books on the Anza Borrego desert, is also the mother of Lt. Commander Jon Lindsay, a former Spirit of America volunteer.
July 14, 2010 (San Diego's East County) --A woman is distraught and threatening to jump off a bridge over Eastbound highway 54 near the 805 junction, Incident Page Network reported at 6:05 p.m.
Traffic is also slow on westbound I-8 due to two major accidents, including a rollover at Fairmont where a vehicle rolled down an embankment, forcing a road closure. A second accident has occured near College Avenue.
July 14, 2010 (Alpine) – Chelsea Marie Jenner, 19, was killed July 10 in an accident on Alpine Boulevard.
A resident of Jamul, Jenner graduated from Steele Canyon High School in 2008. She set numerous varsity all-time records as a player with the women’s soccer team at Steele Canyon and also played for the Presidio Soccer League.
July 14, 2010 (San Diego’s East County)--The Sorcerer's Apprentice takes a ten-minute animated segment and stretches it out to a nearly two hour live-action film but it works. It is visually dark yet lit up by the energetic performance of Dave by Jay Baruchel and Nicolas Cage’s dry, deadpan, and humorous portrayal of Balthazar. Some of the humor is predictable but I still laughed throughout. The film teems with special effects but they have a decent story to put them to use.
July 14, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The political scene in San Diego’s eastern regions runs the gamut from follies to jollies. Here are the latest juicy stories—starting with a watchdog who may need some watching, according to newshounds at a local newspaper who turned up a pungent trail involving a prominent elected official. Another media outlet found itself the target of criticism, however, after running a political cartoon portraying a one-eyed veteran running for Congress as a pirate. Plus a candidate in an East County council race has an illustrious resume that includes this jolly avocation: Santa Claus!
July 14, 2010 (Lemon Grove) -- Assemblymember Marty Block (D-Lemon Grove) and California State Controller John Chiang will host a Small Business Tax and Regional Opportunities Seminar to provide small business owners with the resources and tools they need to be successful as our economy recovers. Experts will provide small business owners with valuable information on tax preparation, tax compliance issues, current legislative issues and discuss regional opportunities to help businesses grow.
Representatives from the Office of the State Controller, State Board of Equalization, Franchise Tax Board, Internal Revenue Service, United States Small Business Administration, California Employment Development Department and the Small Business Development Corporation will participate.
July 18, 2010 (San Diego) – A 65-year-old man was found lying in the street in the 6300 block of Alvarado Road at midnight, after being run over by a car. The 57-year old driver later returned to the scene and told officers she may have struck something. Investigation confirmed she had hit the pedestrian. Police report that the accident was alcohol-related.
July 17, 2010 (Spring Valley) -- 100 degree heat in Spring Valley today did not slow the attack of San Miguel firefighters on a house fire in the 8600 block of Sandy Bev Lane. A mother and seven of her eight children were home when the blaze was reported. The mother told investigators she was in the kitchen preparing a meal when she heard the smoke alarm sound. She went down a hallway to investigate and found one of the children’s bedrooms on fire.
strict
Review by Miriam Raftery
July 17, 2010 (San Diego) – Looking for some summertime family fun? San Diego County has announced “Movies in the Park” at parks and pools countywide. Grab your beach chairs, beat the heat, and head out to a park near you—including numerous locations in East County.
SAN DIEGO, CA July 23, 2010 Meet author Gary Winters, of The Deer Dancer, Friday evening as he gives a presentation and signing for his powerful novel, The Deer Dancer, at Borders Books and Music in El Cajon. The author will speak briefly about the process of writing this novel, read from his book, and take questions. This is part of an ongoing commitment between the El Cajon Borders and local publisher, Sunbelt Books, to provide East County with local author readings to encourage literacy and a sense of community.
July 16, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – A special weather statement has been issued by the National Weather Service for San Diego’s inland valleys, mountain and desert regions due to extremely high temperatures that today reached 112 in Borrego, 102 in La Mesa, and 101 in Ramona. More hot weather is forecast this weekend, with a chance of thunderstorms.
July 16, 2010 (San Diego) – Today, Sacramento County Superior Court Patrick Marlette denied a request by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to force State Controller John Chiang to reduce state workers’ pay to the federal minimum wage. The ruling could affect 200,000 California state employees. 
July 16, 2010 (La Mesa) – A suspect accused of robbing a cab driver at knifepoint in La Mesa has been arrested, La Mesa Police report. The cab driver became suspicious after the suspect directed him to pull over several times in areas that were dark and remote. Instead, the driver stopped his cab in the 7900 block of La Mesa Boulevard at 1:30 a.m. and asked for his fare. 
July 16, 2010 (Pine Valley) – San Diego Sheriff’s office today announced a search for a Rancho San Diego man who was last seen on June 30th. Steve Smith, 47, was reported missing on July 12; his vehicle was towed by California Highway Patrol on July 8 at 2:30 a.m. from the Pine Valley bridge. Smith may be suicidal and in possession of a firearm, according to an investigation by detectives with the Lemon Grove Sheriff substation.
July 1, 2010 (San Diego)—San Diego Police report that homicide detectives are investigating after a dead body was found inside a burned car in the 14200 block of Highland Valley Road, San Pasqual at 1:10 a.m..jpg)
By Miriam Raftery
July 15, 2010 3:05 p.m. -- Major brush fires are burning in Mission Valley and across multiple backcountry communities, including several sparked by wildfires. Scroll down for details and please post any updates you may have in our comments section below.
July 15, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- The East County Community Change Project recently honored more than a dozen outstanding East County community leaders for their efforts to fight crime and increase safety in the east region. The awards were presented at the East County CommunityChange Project’s Second Annual Progress Report to the Community at the First United Methodist Church in El Cajon.
July 15, 2010 (Otay) -- San Diego County Vector Control officials confirmed today that one wild Northern Baja mouse trapped in the Otay River Valley during routine monitoring tested positive for Hantavirus. This brings the total to 16 mice that have tested positive for Hantavirus this year.
July 15, 2010 (San Diego’s East County)--The Jamacha Road Pipeline Project is nearing completion. When finished, the 5.1-mile water pipeline will run from Rancho San Diego to El Cajon.
July 15, 2010 (Washington D.C.). - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Pottery Barn Kids, has announced a voluntary recall of 82,000 Pottery Barn Kids drop-side cribs sold from 1999 through 2010. The recall includes numerous different styles of cribs following seven reported injuries and dozens of malfunctions.
July 14, 2010 (San Diego) -- Assembly Bill 1660, which expands the definition of “emergency aircraft flights for medical purposes,” was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger on Friday. The bill clarifies that an air ambulance, flying under a Lifeguard call sign, is not subject to a fine or penalty when departing an airport after hours to return to headquarters. 
July 14, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Over 1,000 Beanie Babies will be distributed through 
July 14, 2010 (Alpine) – Chelsea Marie Jenner, 19, was killed July 10 in an accident on Alpine Boulevard.
By Brian Lafferty
July 14, 2010 (Lemon Grove) -- Assemblymember Marty Block (D-Lemon Grove) and California State Controller John Chiang will host a Small Business Tax and Regional Opportunities Seminar to provide small business owners with the resources and tools they need to be successful as our economy recovers. Experts will provide small business owners with valuable information on tax preparation, tax compliance issues, current legislative issues and discuss regional opportunities to help businesses grow.
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