By Brian Lafferty

Last year I lost my mother to breast cancer. This column is the second of a four-part series about loss and grief from an Autistic’s perspective.

October 21, 2011 -- Curious about what new benefits Medicare has to offer?  Looking to change your health coverage?  Medicare’s annual open enrollment started October 15.  During open enrollment, anyone with Medicare can make changes to their health care coverage. All final selections for next year’s Medicare coverage must be made by December 7.  Please visit www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan or call 1-800-MEDICARE for more information. 

Protest planned Tues. Oct. 18 at Civic Center

By Jeremy Los

Oct. 16, 2011– A medical marijuana advocate  stricken with scoliosis threatened to jump off an overpass above State Route 163 on Friday night after the U.S. Department of Justice announced plans to raid and shut down hundreds of medical marijuana dispensaries throughout the state.

By Miriam Raftery

October 13, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments yesterday in Pasadena in a lawsuit that has sweeping implications for the state budget and thousands of low-income, disabled Californians and their families.

By Brian Lafferty

October 13, 2011 (San Diego) – When I was little I would have an occasional paralyzing fear that my mom and dad were going to die too soon. I don’t know why I had this fear. All I know is it would keep me up at night and it made me cry.

County Reports 379 Pertussis Cases for Region

October 7, 2011 (Ramona)--An East County elementary school student was diagnosed with pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency officials said today. The 9-year-old, who was up-to-date with immunizations, attends Mt. Woodson Elementary School in the Ramona Unified School District.

Medical Educator Offers Tips for an Easy and Harmonious Living Arrangement 

Deadliest food outbreak in over a decade; illness may occur weeks after consuming Listeria bacteria

September 28, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Federal authorities with the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration warn consumers not to eat cantaloupes unless you’re certain where they came from. If in doubt, throw it out.

Millions of cantaloupes are being recalled after sickening 72 people and leading to 16 deaths linked to Listeria in the deadliest food outbreak in a decade. The recall covers cantaloupes distributed to at least 25 states, with illnesses reported in 18 states, including California. 

September 27, 2011 (Washington D.C.) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to eat raw oysters harvested from an area in Washington State following an outbreak of illness caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria. The oysters were distributed in 23 states, including California.

Flu Vaccine Recommended for Everyone

September 25, 2011 (San Diego) -- Last season, there were 24 influenza-related deaths in San Diego County, the second highest total ever reported in our region. The record was established during the 2009-10 season—the height of H1N1—when 58 flu-related deaths were reported locally. Prior to that, the highest number of influenza deaths—22—was reported during the 2003-04 flu season.