By Miriam Raftery

September 3, 2017 (San Diego) — The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory in effect now through 10 p.m. tonight do to remnants of Tropical Storm Lidia, now downgraded to a tropical depression. Thunderstorms and rain are also impacting the region with heaviest rainfall likely on Mt. Laguna, where an inch of rain may fall.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

September 3, 2017 (San Diego) -- Have you ever wondered how firefighters determine which homes to defend and which ones we don’t during a wildfire?

As firefighters, we lay out our plans for the tactical operations before a brush fire by pre-planning our districts. During a brush fire, it’s imperative that we make quick but well-thought-out decisions that reflect life safety issues for both responders and citizens first, followed by property conservation.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Billy Ortiz: El Capitan Dam in Lakeside, ranked “fair” for safety, has an “extremely high “downstream hazard status for potential loss of life and property damage.

September 2, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - The State of California on Friday released data on dam safety in California which found nine percent of dams statewide fall below satisfactory and could pose potential hazards in severe storms or earthquakes—including nine dams in San Diego County.

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Story by Liz Alper

Photo:  Rashaad Penny rushed for 197 yards.  Courtesy goaztecs.com

September 2, 2017 (San Diego) - College football is back and the San Diego State Aztecs are the only football team left in San Diego.  This season, they're stepping up to the plate and are ready to #Win22.  Tonight in week 1, they faced UC Davis.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Photos: Robert E. Younger

September 2, 2017 (Lakeside) – A vehicle fire on Wildcat Canyon Road  ignited dry brush, just north of Muth Valley Road and south of Pata Ranch Road. Named the Ranch Fire, it charred an estimated three-quarters of an acre this evening before forward spread was halted, Cal Fire reports. 

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  Firefighter Paramedic Brenton Rowell from the Mt. Laguna County Fire Station is completing his morning checks of the Advanced Life Support gear.

September 2, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- A person suffering cardiac arrest or going into anaphylactic shock will receive immediate treatment from responding firefighter paramedics who were recently added to existing fire engine service in five communities.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: Erik Prince, Blackwater founder

September 1, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Blackwater founder Erik Prince has been “implicated in murder,” the Nation reports. The article, written by journalist and author Jeremy Scahill, indicates that sworn statements filed in Federal Court on August 3rd allege that the private military company’s founder, Erik Prince launched a “crusade” to eliminate Muslims and Islam.Many East County residents will recall meeting Scahill, who visited Potrero and San Diego back in 2007.  Scahill came to warn local residents about serious ethical issues involving Blackwater, which was aiming to build a paramilitary training camp in a valley in Potrero. 

The Nation article reports that a former Blackwater employee and an ex-Marine who worked as a security operative for Blackwater both made explosive allegations in sworn statements claiming that Prince may have murdered or facilitated the murder of people who were cooperating with federal authorities investigating the company. Their identities are being kept secret for their own protection.

East County News Service

September 1, 2017 (Dulzura) – A Cal Fire helicopter assigned to firefighting on the Border Fire south of Dulzura today made a hard landing in a field adjacent to the brush fire.

The pilot was the sole occupant on board and did not suffer any injuries, Cal Fire reports.

Arnarsdottir scores twice to lead Aztecs

Source: goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

September 1, 2017 (San Diego) - San Diego State received three goals from two true freshman to down crosstown foe San Diego, 3-1, Friday night at SDSU Sports Deck. The Aztecs improved to 2-3 on the season, while the Toreros remained winless in four tries.

East County News Service

September 1, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – If you’re  planning a picnic, barbecue or other outdoor activity this Labor Day weekend, be aware there’s a possibility of widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms due to tropical storm Lidia.

Tropical Storm Lidia has already wreaked havoc in Baja, Mexico, bringing flooding in Cabo San Lucas and closing airports at Cabo and La Paz. Some 20,000 tourists and thousands of residents have been evacuated to shelters there.

WESTliving, a bronze sponsor at this year’s walk, partners with La Mesa community to help the fight against the disease

East County News Service

September 1, 2017 (La Mesa) - WESTliving, a senior living provider dedicated to inspired aging, is partnering up with their La Mesa community, The Montera to raise awareness and help in the fight against Alzheimer’s at the Alzheimer’s Association’s, Walk to End Alzheimer’s San Diego 5K on Saturday, Sept. 9.