“Articles Concerning Trusts, Wills, Probate, Family Law & more”

By Stephen C. Ross, Esq.

October 10, 2014 (San Diego County) – The primary benefit of a revocable trust is often considered to be avoidance of probate. Although it is true assets held in trust avoid probate, there are several other benefits of a revocable trust to consider. The following are trust benefits that may, or may not, be important to you.

Consumer urged to take immediate action 

October 22, 2014 (Washington D.C.) -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration urges owners of certain Toyota, Honda, Mazda, BMW, Nissan, and General Motors vehicles to act immediately on recall notices to replace defective Takata airbags. This is the latest in a series of recalls that now span from 2001 to 2013.

East County News Service

October 20, 2014 (San Diego)--If you’re a minimum wage worker in San Diego, the raise that the City Council voted for won’t be taking effect after all – at least, not until voters weigh in on the June 2016 ballot.

A joint report by East County Magazine and Reporting San Diego

By Miriam Raftery and Nadin Abbott

October 21, 2014 (La Mesa) – How prepared is East County's major hospital to handle an Ebola patient?

We contacted Grossmont Hospital to find out.  Although the risk of this occurring here is considered low by experts, errors in a Dallas hospital's handling of an Ebola patient pointed out the importance of proper planning.  Moreover, a survey published last week by National Nurses United revealed that 85 percent of hospitals had reportedly not provided any training for nurses on Ebola and most are short on equipment for handling a patient with the infectious disease that kills 70% of victims.

We sent a detailed list of questions to Sharp Grossmont Hospital’s director of marketing and communications, Bruce Hartman, on topics such as training and protective equipment for healthcare workers, whether patients are asked about their travel histories, and plans for sanitizing areas where an Ebola patient might have been waiting or treated. He responded with this detailed statement, followed by answers to our questions below.

The Hospital's responses include changes in procedures being made to reflect new guidelines just issued by the federal government, such as providing full protective suits with no skin exposed and training in how to safely remove such gear. Below is the full text of Hartman's response:

Updated October 22, 2014 - CAL FIRE Chief Tony Meacham, head of the County Fire Authority, has written to dispute statements made by two candidates in this race, which he says are "factually false."  You can read details of the Chief's statements here. 

By Nadin Abbott

October 18, 2014 (San Diego)--In 2012, the San Miguel Fire Board voted for CAL FIRE to take over firefighting operations. The board voted unanimously for the five-year contract because the agency was deep in a hole economically and had already closed a fire station. Those in favor argued that this decision would allow the board to continue operations, recover financially, reopen the closed station and keep service at comparable levels. But critics including at least one challenger running for the board have sharply criticized the deal with Cal-Fire,  citing loss of local control and potential delays in response times, also faulting other board actions.

East County Magazine e-mailed questions to all candidates, including inquiries about the CAL FIRE arrangement and a letter the district received from the State Comptroller raising questions over the board’s finances.

The six candidates include two incumbents (Chris Winter and Rick Augustine) seeking reelection and four challengers. Three of the challengers are running together as a slate (Theresa McKenna, Jim Ek, and Mike Vacio). The other challenger is Cindy Croucher. Bios for incumbents Winter and Augustine are available on the San Miguel Fire district website. 

Three candidates, challengers Theresa McKenna and Jim Ek, along with incumbent Chris Winter, have responded.  Below are the questions, and their answers, posted in full in the order received.

East County News Service

October 17, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)—The most controversial project in memory in East County was the construction of the 500kV Sunrise Powerlink, which was built despite objections of a coalition representing 79,000 people--though the route was changed amid public outcry. 

Now, a new set of 500 kV power lines are proposed through San Diego’s East County and Imperial County as part of the draft Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) which is currently available for public review and comment at www.drecp.org. The plan aims to open 22 million acres up for energy development including vast swaths in our region.

Correction:  An SDSU press release Friday incorrectly stated that Stelzer had died.  The university later clarified that she was brain dead and being kept on life support pending possible donation of her organs. She has since been removed from life support and her organs were donated to help save several lives.

East County News Service

October 17, 2014 (San Diego) – An 18-year-old freshman at San Diego State University has died of meningococcal meningitis.  Sara Stelzer from Moorpark, who was studying pre-communications, passed away at a local hospital after flu-like symptoms, SDSU announced today.

According to CBS News in Los Angeles, Stelzer was a member of a sorority at SDSU and had recently attended two fraternity parties and her sister’s 21st birthday party. She was also in Moorpark over the weekend for homecoming at Moorpark High School.  County health officials are seeking those who have been in close contact with Stelzer and may have been exposed.

October 17, 2014 (San Diego) - A San Diego State Student has been diagnosed with meningitis, a potentially fatal bacterial infection that causes inflammation in the brain and spinal cord.

Here our interview with Vickie Butcher, Water for Children Africa: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

Water for Children Africa launches pilot program in Africa that could be applied here, too

October 6, 2014 (San Diego) – What if we could create pure alkaline water from the air?  This futuristic technology will be explored as pilot projects for rural villages in Africa next summer, says Vickie Butcher, executive director of Water for Children Africa.

Hear our interview with La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid, originally broadcast on KNSJ radio:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

By Miriam Raftery

October 16, 2014 (La Mesa)—La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid has been serving the city for the past 33 years, as Mayor since 1990 and on the Council before that since 1981. He led the city through its centennial celebration and has held numerous other leadership positions including chair of the San Diego Association of Governments, president of the League of California Cities San Diego Division, and as a member of 125 different boards and commissions.

In an in-depth radio interview on the East County Magazine Show on KSNJ, Mayor Madrid discussed his history of accomplishments, his views on leaderships, and his vision for La Mesa for the future if reelected.  To read highlights of our interview, click "read more" and scroll down.

October 15, 2014 (Alpine) - Alpine is southern California’s home to a very small group of didgeridoo players who gather to hear music played by top talents from around the world. http://www.ididge.com – check out past events- very colorful.  Next up is a concert, workshop and potluck on Friday, October 17.

By: Ernie Susi, President, San Diego County Probation Officers Association;

Ben Kelso, President, San Diego Black Police Officers Association;

Alan R. Alvarez, President, National Non-Partisan Latino Peace Officers Association for Law and Order; and

Kevin McQuillen, President Fraternal Order of Police (San Diego Lodge #10)

October 11, 2014 (San Diego)--We expect judges to understand public safety issues.  We hope they come to the bench with a track record of experience and supporting law enforcement and the community.  In the November election there’s only one contested Superior Court Judge race, seat #25.  The obvious choice is clear: Deputy Attorney General Brad Weinreb.

By Miriam Raftery

October 13, 2014 (San Diego)--One of the more colorful election contests locally this year is a race for a seat on the San Diego Community College Board of Trustees between Donna Woodrum, a religious conservative, and  Maria Neito Senour, a professor with a commitment to social justice and diversity.

By Miriam Raftery

October 15, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - The California Highway Patrol has received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to fund more CHP patrols on East County highways and roadways.

The number of CHP officers will be increased on Interstate 8, State Routes 54, 95 and 125, as well as Jamacha Road, Dehesa Road, and Winter Gardens Boulevard.