August 11, 2012 (Sacramento, CA) – Tribal government gaming generates important benefits across California’s economy, according to a new study conducted by Beacon Economics, a leading independent economic research firm.

August 10, 2012 (San Diego)--Detectives from the San Diego Police Department’s Robbery Unit have arrested a man suspected of being the mastermind of a criminal enterprise that included a series of strong arm robberies throughout the county. Cedric Johnson, 33, was arrested on August 7 in Los Angeles at his parole agent’s office.

August 10, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego Police report today that the body of Brent MacNab has been found near his Jeep Wrangler, which was located 300 feet down a canyon in Cleveland National Forest.  California Highway Patrol made the discovery on  July 30, after responding to a report of a vehicle in the canyon at Sutherland Dam Road and Sutherland Drive, between San Pasqual and Julian.

By Tom and Nadin Abbott

Miriam Raftery also contributed to this report

August 10, 2012 (Chihuahua Valley) 3:30 a.m. – Hundreds of firefighters from across California have been called in to defend 60 homes in Chihuahua Valley, a box canyon northeast of Warner Springs. View a map.

The area contains stands of old-growth oak trees estimated at 400 years old, according to residents.

Residents, shut out of the area, fear for livestock trapped inside without access to water--and some people may be trapped, a property owner at the scene told ECM.

August 3, 2012 (El Cajon) – Rose & the Nightingale’s concert Spirit of the Garden will be held August 11, at 7 p.m. at the Water Conservation Garden Amphitheater,  12122 Cuyamaca College Dr. West, El Cajon.  Rose & the Nightingale is a New York City based quartet of world-class improvising vocalists and instrumentalists.  Spirit of the Garden blurs the boundaries of world music, folk and jazz improvisation for a unique sound.

By Assemblyman Brian Jones
 
 
August 10, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--Have you ever sat down with friends to enjoy a meal at a restaurant, only to be handed the bill before you have even taken your first bite? Maybe the server mentioned you could pay at your convenience, but still signaled that it was “time to go?”
 
In other words: “Here’s your hat, what’s your hurry?”

August 9, 2012 (Warner Springs)--Reverse 911/AlertSanDiego contacted residents in Chihuahua Valley at 10 p.m. to tell them sheriff's deputies would be conducting mandatory evacuations due to the Chihuahua Fire. Residents need to be prepared to evacuate when called upon by deputies to do so.

Update 9:05 p.m. - 6 airtankers and 6 helicopters have been ordered for first light in the morning.

Update 8:40 p.m. : The Chihuahua Fire is now 900 acres and 0% contained.  There are 31 engines, 12 fire crews, 4 water tenders, and 3 bulldozers and approximately 230 firefighters.  More resources have been ordered, says Cal Fire's Roxanne Provaznik.

 August 9, 2012 (Warner Springs) – The Chihuahua Fire near Warner Springs has swelled to 275 acres and may soon merge with another blaze, the West Branch Fire, near Santa Ysabel, ECM has learned. 

 Update 6 p.m. - The Chihuahua Fire is now in the Warner Springs area, threatening to jump firelines, Cal Fire reports. The blaze is 125 acres.

August 9, 2012 – A major brush fire at  Highway 79 and Chihuahua Valley Road in the Poway area is now more than 100 acres.  The likely cause was a lightning strike, Cal Fire reports.  Traffic control is in effect with access limited to residents only.

A second fire just south of the Chihuahua Fire is now 25 acres in size, spreading rapidly. Additional strike teams and crews have been dispatched to the scene.

In addition,  a brush fire at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside is burning in a heavy stand of trees, with smoke affecting traffic on I-5.

Six SDSU alumni are part of the Mars Science Laboratory team that landed the Mars Rover "Curiosity" on the planet.

By Gina Jacobs
 
August 9, 2012 (San Diego)--At approximately 10:31 p.m. PDT on Sunday, Aug. 5, the Mars Rover “Curiosity” touched down on Mars where it began a long-term exploration mission of the red planet.

• Sikh temple shooting to be probed as domestic terror (CNN)
• Sikh temple shooter tied to hate groups (Washington Post)
• Despite Supreme Court ruling, many minors may stay in prison for life (Pro Publica)
• CDC warns about reemergence of swine flu (NPR)
• Firefighters battling wildfires in Sequoia national forest (Los Angeles Times)
• At least 18 blazes scorch Oklahoma; one  nears record size (Los Angeles Times)

• Santorum, Jeb, Ron Paul get convention speaking spots (Politico)
• ‘Romneyhood’: Obama derides Mitt’s tax plan (RawStory)
• Romney campaign on fundraising winning streak (USA Today)
• Reid puts Romney in a bind over taxes (CNN)
• The massive policy gap between Obama and Romney (Washington Post)

• Syria’s prime minister leaves regime (CNN)
• Floods paralyze Philipine capitol, Manila (BBC)
• Suicide bombers attack as Somali delegates approve new constitution (ABC)
• Islamists kill 15 Egyptians, Israel strikes attackers (Reuters)
• Chemo may make cancer stronger (iScienceTimes and BBC) 

August 9, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – SDG&E has called a ‘Reduce Your Use’ event day today due to hotter-than-average temperatures.

While SDG&E has adequate electricity resources to meet the demand, customers can help reduce strain on the electric grid by reducing their electricity use today between 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. By doing so, they will be eligible to earn a bill credit of $0.75 per kilowatt hour saved.