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 13, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The last 19-mile link of SDG&E’s controversial Sunrise Powerlink transmission line project has been approved by Cleveland National Forest director William Metz, the Union-Tribune reports.
July 14, 2010 (Jacumba) -- Martha Lidia Jimenez, 54, of Yuma, Arizona has been identified by the San Diego Medical Examiner's office as the driver of a Nissan Sentra that struck a Ford F150 on Interstate 8 near Carrizo Gorge Road on July 10. Her car rolled over multilple times landing on the center divide.
July 14, 2010 12:05 am. (Oceanside) - A brush fire at Camp Pendleton north of Oceanside has grown to over 2,700 acres, sending smoke up over much of North County. The fire is now 60% contained, with full containment forecast for tomorrow.
Creative East County Wedding Venues For Your Dream Ceremony
By Richard Darvas
May 9, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- How many childhood fantasies stretch into adulthood, relatively unchanged? For many, wedding day is the holy grail of making dreams come true. Yet how many couples opt for a trendy wedding replete with clichés and high-dollar kitsch, only to later regret not choosing to stroll down an unbeaten aisle?
Romance is not manufactured, nor delivered via assembly line. For memories you’ll treasure for a lifetime, why not select an idyllic setting that isn’t cookie cutter? Many betrothed couples are unaware of the serene mountain retreats, lush wineries, country ranches and exotic savannahs in San Diego’s eastern region. Whether your heart’s desire is a grand affair or an intimate occasion, you’ll find a wealth of unique venues for your dream ceremony in East County.
Here are our picks for East County's most romantic wedding venues:
July 13, 2010 (Alpine) –A Life-Flight helicopter has been called to transport a five-year-old boy struck by a vehicle to a local trauma center. The child is breathing and conscious, but may have broken bones, according to a Sheriff’s official.
The child was struck by a hit-and-run driver in the 2100 block of Alpine Glen Place in the Japatul Valley area around 5 p.m. and reportedly was crushed between the vehicle and a block wall. A search is on for the driver of the vehicle after law enforcement obtained the address at which the vehicle is registered, ECM has learned.
July 13, 2010 (Lemon Grove) – Two people have been transported to a hospital after being stung by a swarm of bees in the 7400 block of Mt. Vernon in Lemon Grove this afternoon, Lt. Munson of the San Diego Sheriff’s office confirms. “A bee removal service removed some of the bees and calmed them but, but will come back later for the rest,” he cautioned.
July 13, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- A pair of incidents have caused traffic delays on East County highways this afternoon in Dulzura and Jacumba.
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 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 (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. 
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.
July 13, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The last 19-mile link of SDG&E’s controversial Sunrise Powerlink transmission line project has been approved by Cleveland National Forest director William Metz, the Union-Tribune reports.
By Miriam Raftery
July 13, 2010 (Lemon Grove) – Two people have been transported to a hospital after being stung by a swarm of bees in the 7400 block of Mt. Vernon in Lemon Grove this afternoon, Lt. Munson of the San Diego Sheriff’s office confirms. “A bee removal service removed some of the bees and calmed them but, but will come back later for the rest,” he cautioned.
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..."
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