Update: This fire is contained. Cal-Fire's Kendal Bortisser also confirms that firefighting planes were able to draw water from Lake Morena despite draining of the lake by the City of San Diego to about 3% capacity prior to the recent rains.
July 24, 2015 (Lake Morena) - A 30-acre brush fire is burning near Lake Morena County Park at Lake Morena and Lakeview. Cal Fire Captain Kendal Bortisser informed ECM at 1:40 p.m. that there are no structure threats but voluntary evacuations are occurring at Lake Morena Village.
The fire is burning in medium to heavy vegetation with a moderate rate of spread. Brush Fire Partyline on Facebook reports scanner traffic indicates power lines are down.
Gustave Whitehead: First in Flight, by Susan O’Dwyer Brinchman (Apex Educational Media, La Mesa, CA, 2015, 432 pages).
Book Review by Dennis Moore
July 23, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - I was absolutely astounded and flabbergasted after reading Susan Brinchman’s Gustave Whitehead: First in Flight, for all my life and throughout elementary school and into college I had been taught that the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, were the pioneers of modern aviation. In this fascinating and well documented and researched book, Brinchman states: “Paul Jackson, Editor-in-Chief of the century-old Jane’s All the World Aircraft (2013), often referred to as ‘the bible of aviation history’, announced in its Centennial Issue, in March, 2013, that Whitehead was ‘first to fly’, ahead of the Wrights, and was the inventor of the airplane, based on the mountainous evidence accumulated over the previous eight decades.”
July 22, 2015 (El Cajon) – San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce invites you to “Dine and Dialogue with Congresswoman Susan Davis” on July 31 from 12 .m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost is $10 and lunch is provided.
Proceeds will send San Diego’s WWII Veterans to Washington, D.C. memorials
July 23, 2015 (San Diego)--On Aug. 15 at 5:30 p.m., Honor Flight San Diego will host “Comedy for a Cause,” a fundraiser at the San Diego Yacht Club. The fundraiser aims to raise monies to send World War II veterans on the organization’s October 2015 honor flight to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials dedicated to their sacrifice.
July 23, 2015 (Oak Flat Campground, Tonto National forest, Superior, Arizona) - Recently we reported on the controversy over Congress giving Apache sacred land to a foreign mining company; now there is a petition you can sign on CREDO asking Congress to protect Apache sacred land and halt the sale, which was slipped into a Defense bill.
July 23, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County features hikes and hops,Pine Valley Days, Music in the Garden and more. Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a Sip of Julian and Watermelon Days at the Oasis Camel Dairy. So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!
July 23, 2015 (San Diego ) – While thousands of people protested yesterday outside the American Legislative Exchange Council’s national convention in San Diego, State Senator Joel Anderson (R-San Diego), California chair of ALEC, told Times of San Diego that is “proud” to have San Diego post ALEC’s national convention where legislators exchange ideas, adding, “ALEC takes on difficult, complicated issues and takes on free market solutions.” (View video, top of story)
As for the thousands of protesters, he said derisively, “There’s a naysayer in every crowd,” adding that the protesters “don’t like the free market.” As for criticisms of secret dealings behind closed doors, Anderson retorted, “We can’t respond to every wack-job” and insisted the process is not secretive, as critics claim. Reporter Ken Stone with Times of San Diego pressed Anderson, pointing out that he had been denied access to cover some key sessions.
The protesters included a prominent local business organization as well as labor, environmental, human rights and political reform organizations. They contend that secretive actions conducted behind closed doors by ALEC result in laws that hurt small businesses in America and weaken protections for workers, the environment, and civil rights.
July 22, 2015 (Lemon Grove)—Looking for some hot summer nights’ entertainment? Lemon Grove’s Concerts in the Park continue each Thursday night from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Berry Street Park. Here’s the line-up of bands for the rest of the summer season, which ends August 13:
July 22, 2015 (Lakeside) - Save El Monte Valley, a citizens group opposed to a proposed sand mining project, invites concerned citizens to a community meeting on July 28 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Lakeside Christian Church, 13739 El Monte Road in Lakeside.
July 22, 2015 (San Diego)—A class action lawsuit has been filed against the Otay Water District, San Diego County Water Authority and Metropolitan Water District. Mark Coziahr filed the suit July 14 in Superior Court seeking an injunction to stop enforcement of tiered water rates. A similar suit has also been filed by ratepayers in Marin County.
July 22, 2015 (San Diego's East County) -- Stay safe and informed! East County Magazine's free wildfire and emergency alert service has been busy lately warning people here about flash floods, wildfires, roadway hazards and severe weather.
Our regional emergency alerts come via email, so you can get them even if phone lines burn down. You can also get alerts on your cell phone. Plus you can receive our free weekly newsletter with top news stories in our region.
July 22, 2015 (San Diego)--Seeing summer rain in San Diego County is more than a shock — it’s also a good time to remind people to protect themselves against West Nile virus by making sure to mosquito-proof or dump out standing water around their homes.
While no one has been diagnosed with West Nile virus in the county this year, the disease has been more apparent than it has in many years. Midway through 2015, the County’s Department of Environmental Health has already collected more infected dead birds, 61, and mosquito batches, nine, than it did all last year when 11 San Diego County residents were diagnosed with the disease and two people died.
Test Result Shows Total Coliform Bacteria Present in Drinking Water Supply
July 22, 2015 (Jamul)--The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued a Boil Water Order and Public Notification for the Indian Hills Camp located at 15763 Lyons Valley Road, Jamul, CA 91935, effective immediately. The water system serves 9 mobile homes, 15 recreational vehicle spaces, 2 dorms, 15 camp sites, 4 public restrooms with showers, 2 swimming pools, a kitchen and office building.
July 23, 2015 (San Diego's East County)-- East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:
July 22, 2015 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:
July 9, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – If you’re looking for a stirring summertime musical experience, the San Diego Concert Band will be performing at the Water Conservation Garden on the campus of Cuyamaca College on July 26th at 6 p.m. “An Evening of Music at the Garden” will benefit both of these nonprofit organizations. (Guests are welcome to come early for a stroll through the gardens to learn some tips on how to have beautiful low-water gardens.)
Recently, the East County Magazine Show sat down with Chuck Brown, President of the San Diego Concert Band, and John Bolthouse, Director of the Water Conservation Garden, for an interview on the East County Magazine Show on KNSJ radio.
July 21, 2015 (Washington D.C.) – Last week, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced finalization of a new rule, “Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, that requires communities to remove zoning laws and other barriers to integration in neighborhoods at all income levels, or lose federal HUD funds.
July 21, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - Going away on a summer break? An empty house is a tempting target for burglars. Don't let your vacation be ruined by a crime. Sign up for free vacation checks with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
Participants include Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Helix Water District, the San Diego County Water Authority, Building Industry Association of San Diego, and the Water Reliability Coalition
July 21, 2015 (El Cajon) -- On Thursday, August 13th, 2015 Assemblyman Brian Jones (R-Santee) will be hosting a Drought Town Hall to educate constituents about the ongoing California drought, legislative solutions, and efforts to provide relief to the community.
July 21, 2015 (Santee)--On Sunday, July 26, Barnes & Noble in Santee welcomes five local authors for meet & greets as well as offers fifty percent off all of best-selling author James Patterson's books for James Patterson Day. July is pop-cultured month, offering numerous pop-culture related giveaways for items such as posters, comics, pins, and more at San Diego locations.
July 21, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)—Over 300 million people worldwide are color-blind. But now, scientific advances have made it possible for the vast majority of those to see vibrant colors using special glasses—and a cure is also in the works for even the most severe forms or color blindness.
July 20, 2015 (Jacumba Hot Springs) -- Gary Gene Snavely, a sexually violent predator, has violated the terms of his release and has been removed from Jacumba Hot Springs. He is now in the Sheriff’s Department custody and may be returned to a state hospital.
Supervisor Dianne Jacob issued this strong statement at the news. “This monster never belonged in the community in the first place,” Jacob says. “Word that he violated the terms of his release comes as no surprise and is the latest proof that sexually violent predators have no place in Jacumba Hot Springs or any other community. What makes this even more outrageous is that it’s not the first time Snavely has broken the rules of his placement,” adds Jacob, who calls for Snavely to be “locked up for good.”
Photo, San Bernardino Fire Dept.: North Fire in its early stage
July 20, 2015 (Sacramento) -- After a series of serious incidents involving drones interfering with firefighting aircraft, state legislators have introduced bills that would allow firefighters and rescue personnel to damage or disable drones, also increasing penalties for drone operators who impede firefighting.
The latest and most devastating incident occurred Friday, when five drones forced firefighting planes to delay air drops in order to avoid mid-air collisions. The North Fire quickly spread out of control, crossing Interstate 15 in San Bernadino County and destroyed 20 vehicles on the freeway. The blaze swelled to thousands of acres, also destroying homes and other property.
Cal Fire photo: Cal Fire workers rescue motorist who plunged into rushing waters when bridge collapsed
July 20, 2015 (Riverside) – A bridge collapse Sunday that shut down Interstate 10 between Palm Springs and the Arizona border occurred during heavy rains. The cause of the failure, however, may well be outright neglect.
Built in 1967, the bridge was listed as “functionally obsolete” in the 2014 National Bridge Inventory—one of hundreds of bridges across California in need of replacement or major repair.
State Senator Jeff Stone (R-Riverside) has issued a press release stating that the incident “further illustrates the rapidly deteriorating state of California’s roads and highways and the urgent need to rebuild our state’s crumbling infrastructure.”
July 20, 2015 (La Mesa) -- Crystal Bowman of La Mesa planted milkweed to attract Monarch butterflies, then moved the larvae into a home-made butterfly house that she built using old screen doors and mesh. Behold the miraculous result, as a Monarch caterpillar transforms into a chrysalis in this video.
July 21, 2015 (San Diego's East County) -- After we published a reader's video showing a Monarch butterfly caterpillar creating a chrysalis, we received a second video from Honor Wall of Lakeside showing Monarch butterflies emerging from chrysalises to spread their wings. Enjoy this miracle of nature video!
Update July 21: Supervisors voted unanimously to ask the Obama administration to take action and allow USFS air tankers to land in Ramona.
July 20, 2015 (Ramona)—The U.S. Forest Service is refusing to fly its newest air tankers in and out of Ramona Air Attack Base – and the Board of Supervisors may turn to the White House for help.
On Tuesday, July 21 at 9 a.m. Supervisors will consider a proposal from Chairman Bill Horn and Supervisor Dianne Jacob to appeal the decision to the Obama Administration. With the high-risk fall fire season approaching, they say flying the next-gen tankers in and out of Ramona could help save lives and protect property.
July 20, 2015 (Julian) – From a film festival to guided hikes to a dinner in the meadow benefit and more, the Volcan Mountain Foundation is hosting an array of fascinating events coming up in August and September. Below are details on these activities, which all benefit conservation efforts to preserve Volcan Mountain in the scenic and historic Julian area.
Photo: County crews work to clean up mud flow on Rutherford Road in Ramona, where over 3 inches of rain fell on Sunday.
July 20, 2015 (San Diego) -- The remnants of Hurricane Dolores created record rainfall in San Diego County, taking residents by surprise over the weekend. If your property or small business sustained damage from the weekend’s heavy rains and flooding, the County would like your help to estimate rain damages in our region.
The County Office of Emergency Services is asking storm-affected residents to complete a short damage survey form that will assist the County in collecting damage information and associated costs from the weekend’s heavy rains and flooding.
The information gathered from the surveys will be used to estimate total damages countywide and will determine if enough damages occurred to qualify the region for federal disaster assistance, such as low interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration for those who are uninsured or underinsured.
The fire is burning in medium to heavy vegetation with a moderate rate of spread. Brush Fire Partyline on Facebook reports scanner traffic indicates power lines are down.
Hear our interview on KNSJ radio: 
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