January 17, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – “No more uninterrupted horizons,” laments Wayne Brammer, who took this photo of wind turbines recently built in Mexico, viewed from I-8 eastbound in Boulevard.

Massive release of emails between CPUC and utilities also ordered by administrative law judge

By Miriam Raftery

January 18, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Taking the helm of the scandal-ridden California Public Utilities Commission, new president Michael Picker announced reforms aimed at ending back-door access by utilities to state regulators and improving transparency to the public.

For complete Calendar including Authors Events, go to www.SDWriteWay.org

By Miriam Raftery

January 17, 2015 (Washington D.C.) – Last September, East County Magazine reported on alleged abuses of a federal policy that allowed local law enforcement agencies to keep 80% of cash and other assets seized – even when no criminal charges were filed.  Critics contended the system led to corruption.

East County News Service

January 17, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) announced last week that the new East County (ECO) Substation project has been energized and is now operating as an integral part of SDG&E’s electric transmission system.

By Miriam Raftery

January 17, 2015 (Ocotillo) –A wind turbine at the Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility burst into flames on January 15^th.  East County Magazine photographer Jim Pelley, an Ocotillo resident, caught the incident on video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGYvHM5KlJs&feature=youtu.be. The Siemens 2.3-108 turbine was a 2.3 megawatt  model with 108 meter blades.  The turbine (#110) is located along a mining road.

“There were no injuries,” Jeff Grappone from Siemens told ECM.  An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire, he stated in an e-mail.  The equipment impacted (six turbines on one circuit) has been de-energized, a safe perimeter established and the tower is being monitored continuously, he indicated.

View video: http://www.justice.gov/opa/video/ag-holder-delivers-remarks-honoring-life-and-legacy-dr-martin-luther-king-jr

January 17, 2015 (Washington D.C.)--In a speech at a Justice Department ceremony Thursday, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder honored slain civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. on what would have been King's 80th birthday.  He praised King as  “a man who helped to lead a really sweeping movement that forever changed the face of America and inspired people around the world to reach for opportunity and to reach for inclusion.”

He hailed the Civil Rights movement’s achievements but noted, “Even today, in 2015, our journey remains incomplete” citing economic and education inequities and recent assaults on the Voting Rights Act. 

Holder also praised the “brave men and women of law enforcement,” but added that the nation must improve police officer safety at the same time that it confronts the sense of mistrust between law enforcement officials and the communities they serve.

By Hayden Parsley

Photo by White House photographer Pete Souza: President talks with workers at a café in Maryland about paid sick leave

January 16, 2015 (Washington D.C.) -- President Barack Obama is calling on Congress to pass the Healthy Families Act, which would require businesses to provide up to seven paid sick leave days each year for their employees. He also encourages state and local governments to do the same if Congress fails to act.

By Hayden Parsley and Miriam Raftery

January 17, 2015 (Washington D.C.) – A bill pushed forward by the Republican majority in the House of Representatives seeks to ban abortions after 20 weeks—five months-- except in cases of rape, incest, or a serious danger to the mother.

Update January 22, 2015: Welch has been released and charges dropped, though an investigation continues.

Update January 17, 2015:  The body of the missing child has been found in the freezer, underneath frozen food.  Elaina Rose Welch, 32, has been arrested and charged with two counts of murder. She has been booked into Las Colinas.  The causes of death will be determined by the medical examiner. The man killed has been identified as Julio Ricardo Monggiotti, 32.

By Miriam Rafery

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 New

January 16, 2015 (Lakeside) – A woman has been detained following the shooting death of a  man, 32, in the 1500 block of Quincy Canyon Road on the Barona reservation in Lakeside.  Sheriff’s deputies responded shortly after noon, after receiving a radio call from a woman who said her child was dead.

Soon after, Barona Tribal Enforcement got a call reporting an attempted suicide at the same address, said Lt. John Maryon with the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail.

By Jeffrey Meyer, San Diego 350 Volunteer,  #HighWaterLine#ChalkSD

“In 2050, if current trends continue, sea level will be 12-18 inches higher. Beaches will shrink and some will disappear completely. Fragile sea cliffs will collapse. Coastal properties will be flooded with increasing regularity. More frequent high waves and rough surf will increase the potential for significant damage…The military, port and airport may also be affected.” – San Diego’s Changing Climate: A Regional Wakeup Call (San Diego Foundation report)

January 17, 2015 (San Diego)--A few weeks ago, San Diego coastal cities were given a stark reminder of the threat to public safety and our $15 billion a year tourism industry by increasing tides and coastal flooding.  With this problem becoming more severe, year after year, the lack of substantive coastal infrastructure planning can become a countdown to disaster.

Scientists advise that communities prepare for possible ecological and human health risks

January 14, 2015 (Columbia, MO)--– When seeking clues about the future effects of possible climate change, sometimes scientists look to the past. Now, a paleobiologist from the University of Missouri has found indications of a greater risk of parasitic infection due to climate change in ancient mollusk fossils. His study of clams from the Holocene Epoch (that began 11,700 years ago) indicates that current sea level rise may mimic the same conditions that led to an upsurge in parasitic trematodes, or flatworms, he found from that time. He cautions that an outbreak in human infections from a related group of parasitic worms could occur and advises that communities use the information to prepare for possible human health risks.

East County News Service

January 15, 2015 (Washington D.C.)—The House of Representatives has unanimously passed HR 203, the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act. This bipartisan legislation – originally passed by the House in the 113th Congress, but blocked by a single U.S. Senator – addresses the epidemic of suicide among our nation’s veterans.

“This is the people’s postal service, it doesn’t belong to big corporations or politicians.” - Vice President Eddie B. Cooper Jr.

Update: Listen online now to our interview with the APWU representatives:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

January 16, 2015 (San Diego)--Hear our interview with Tom Wood and Eddie B. Cooper jr. of the San Diego American Postal Workers Union. Learn about major cuts to the postal service and how they may affect you, your business and your community.  We’ll also have information about a boycott of Staples organized by Postal workers and supported by teachers’ organizations over the out-sourcing of postal work to Staples and efforts to privatize the U.S. Postal Service established by Benjamin Franklin.