East County News Service

October 20, 2015 (Escondido) – The Sheriff’s Department asks public help to identify the decomposing remains of a woman found October 17^th on Lake Drive in the Del Dios area near Lake Hodges.

The County Medical Examiner’s office believes the woman died three to six weeks ago.  She was of Hispanic or African-American origin, 25 to 35 years old, and about 5 feet 3 or 5 feet 4 inches in height. She was wearing a very distinctive ring, shorts, and a unique athletic jersey, according to Lieutenant Kenn Nelson in the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail.

By Devoreo Bell

October 20, 2015 (Washington D.C.) -- Former Virginia Senator and Democratic Presidential Candidate Jim Webb has announced that he has dropped out of the running to be the next president.

Webb acknowledged that there is a disconnect between himself and other Democrats on key issues.

According to NBCNews.com, Webb stated, "I fully accept that my views on many issues are not compatible with the power structure and the nominating base of the Democratic Party.”

East County News Service

October 20, 2015 (Sacramento)--Opponents of California’s new Aid in Dying Law, also known as the Right to Die, have launched a signature gathering effort seeking to put a petition on the ballot to overturn the measure.

By Miriam Raftery

October 20, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) –  Increasingly, San Diegans are drawing power from large desert solar facilities built in Imperial County, with similar facilities slated for the farthest east portions of our County in Boulevard and Jacumba.  The projects are being pushed forward to help meet California’s ambitious goal to have 40% of electricity from renewables by 2030 under a new law approved by Governor Jerry Brown.

But now a new study by the University of California, Berkeley finds that reliance on remote solar projects creates environmental problems. 

By Miriam Raftery

October 20, 2015 (Washington D.C.)--Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert plans to enter a guilty plea to allegations that he paid out blackmail money to keep allegations of sexual misconduct quiet, his attorney told a federal judge, NBC news reports.  But a prominent FBI whistleblower is speaking out, claiming prosecutors are quick to reach a deal in order to cover-up far more serious crimes that involve Hastert and other high-level officials, including espionage and blackmail paid by foreign governments.

East County News Service

October 20, 2015 (El Cajon)--The Circle Players of El Cajon will be performing “Wrangle at Red Mountain Ranch” November 13th and 14th at 7:00pm and November 15th at 2:00pm.  This mystery dinner theatre is set at a dude ranch and we encourage all attendees to wear their western attire and have a rip-roarin’ good time!  Performances will be held at Richardson Hall, 551 Farragut Circle, El Cajon.

East County Magazine Editor and Founder Miriam Raftery is among those honored

Photo:  2015 WILL winners (from left to right): Elizabeth Smith Chavez, Erica Pinto, Wendy Urushima-Conn, Mara Fortin, Molly Nocon, Miriam Raftery. Not shown: Carey Guthrie, Shelly Zimmerman.

October 19, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) -- The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce has honored eight women with Women in Leadership Luncheon (WILL) awards.

Honorees included: Mara Fortin, Nothing Bundt Cakes; Carey Guthrie, Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors; Molly Nocon, Noah Homes; Erica Pinto, Jamul Indian Village; Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine; Elizabeth Smith Chavez, Smith Chavez Law; Wendy Urushima-Conn, Asian Business Association; Shelly Zimmerman, San Diego Police Department.

According to Leah McIvor, 2015 event chair, a record 41 nominees were considered by the committee for the awards program, now in its 13th year. She said the recipients were honored for their outstanding leadership, exemplary character and integrity in the community, as well as their efforts to empower women to succeed and prosper in life and business.

East County News Service

October 19, 2015 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon Police Department will host a community forum on traffic and pedestrian safety on Wednesday, October 21 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 East Douglas Avenue in El Cajon.

From 2011 through 2014, 17 people died in pedestrian traffic accidents in El Cajon and 61 were seriously injured, according to results of a public records request by East County Magazine.  View data.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Kern County Animal Rescue

Update: A body has been found in a vehicle buried since last Thursday under mud in Palmdale. Details: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/california/Firefighters-Dig-Out-Vehicle-...

October 18, 2015 (Los Angeles)-Torrential rains and flash flooding turned hillsides in Los Angeles and Kern Counties into mudflows last Thursday that cascaded over two freeways—Interstate 5’s grapevine area north of Los Angeles and  State Route 58 near Tehachapi.

Hundreds of terrified motorists swept up in the mud flow escaped their vehicles as the freeways became muddy rivers. Firefighters and swift-water rescue personnel made daring rescues, pulling passengers out of windows as cars bobbed past. One pregnant woman escaped out the sunroof of her vehicle. Others remained trapped in their cars overnight, some with mud up to the windshields. Even semi-trucks became mired in the muck.

East County News Service

Photo: ECM news partner 10 News

October 18, 2015 (Escondido) -- Skeletal remains have been discovered near the shoreline of Lake Hodges.  A woman walking her dog early yesterday morning in the 19900 block of Lake Drive in unincorporated Escondido found the human body parts, 10 News reports.

“The positive identity of the victim as well as the cause and manner of death are pending an autopsy by the Medical Examiner's Office,” said Lieutenant Kenn Nelson with the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail, which is investigating the death.

By Leon Thompson and Miriam Raftery

October 18, 2015 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the 50^th annual Borrego Days Desert Festival, Haunt Fest on Main Street, a trick or treat dog show, Lamplighters Theatre production of “Stage Fright,” and a melodrama in Julian titled “Keeping the Doctor Away.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including a Marshall Scary Scotty’s haunted amusement park trail, the Odeum guitar duo in concert, and much, much more!

East County News Service

October 17, 2015 (San Diego's East County) -- New, updated HVAC systems offer ways for homeowners to save energy, and therefor money in their wallets. But some homeowners may avoid updating their systems because they are afraid of what seems like a high cost to install.

Now with the new Home Energy Renovation Opportunity (HERO) program, that doesn’t have to be a concern. HERO offers financing for approved energy and water efficient products, as well as renewable energy products, for homeowners in San Diego. With the program, homeowners can get low, fixed-rate financing options and payment plans that can vary from five to 20 years, making it as easy as possible for homeowners to upgrade their heating and air conditioning units and better protect the environment.

By Miriam Raftery

October 17, 2015 (El Cajon) – Two suspects spotted cutting open and climbing through a fumigation tarp over an apartment complex are now behind bars, thanks to an alert citizen who called El Cajon Police. Officers concluded that several apartments were burglarized and recovered stolen property, including jewelry and computers, Lt. Steve Kirk reports.

But the accused thieves may be lucky to have lost only their liberty, not their lives. The El Cajon Police Department reminds citizens that entering structures being fumigated, without proper training and protective equipment, is “extremely dangerous and could result in serious illness or death from exposure to harmful chemicals,” a police press release states.

Photo, left to right:  Heartland & Rescue Firefighter/Paramedic Neil Carter, Captain Tom Brown, and Firefighter/Paramedic Sean Finley. 

By Miriam Raftery

October 16, 2015 (La Mesa) – A woman who recently moved into a rental home at 7000 Colony Drive in La Mesa with her children got a big surprise on Saturday. Walking out of the family’s bedroom, she found a huge snake in the kitchen.

The startled mother called 9-1-1 and barricaded herself in the bedroom with her children while waiting for help to arrive. Heartland Fire & Rescue in La Mesa, along with La Mesa Police and the El Cajon Animal Control soon came to the rescue.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Big-screen at debate-watching party hosted by the Sanders campaign in San Diego at a Hillcrest theatre, where a crowd of about 500 people turned out.

October 15, 2015 (San Diego)—The first Democratic Presidential  candidates’ debate held Wednesday differed sharply from two earlier  Republican candidate debates in both the range of topics discussed and the generally civil tone among competitors. While Republicans focused largely on plans to slash taxes and shrink government, Democrats emphasized issues facing working families, minorities, and income inequality. While Democratic candidates showed clear policy differences, they largely refrained from personal attacks.

CNN and Facebook hosted the debate held  in Las Vegas.  Five candidates participated: former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, ex-Massachusetts Governor Martin O’Malley, Virginia Senator Jim Webb, and ex-Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee. (Vice President Joe Biden did not appear, despite widespread speculation that he is considering entering the race.)

The spotlight and lion’s share of questions focused mainly on the two front-runners, Clinton and Sanders.  Major post-debate polls showed Sanders winning the debate, followed by Clinton, with the other three candidates trailing in single-digits, though many media pundits placed Clinton ahead. Moderator Anderson Cooper and other CNN journalists peppered candidates with questions challenging their perceived vulnerabilities as well as stances on key issues. CNN also posed questions from voters across the country. Here are highlights: