Concerns raised in San Diego, where 1,462 new homeless veterans were on the streets last year

By Richard Darvas
 

July 21, 2011 (San Diego)--In the second in a series of regional stops which include Sacramento and Los Angeles, the California Assembly’s Select Committee on Homelessness convened in San Diego on July 20.

According to a January 2011 report by the national Alliance to End Homelessness, the state’s total estimated homeless population has climbed to 133,129. The mission of these statewide forums, collectively known as “The Road Home,” is to engage the public and policymakers in developing strategies to address the diverse needs of California’s homeless--including a growing homeless population in San Diego and East County.

July 18, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The California Redevelopment Association and the League of California Cities today filed suit in California's Supreme Court. They seek to block implementation of state budget measures that would force redevelopment agencies to either dissolve or fork over hefty sums to the state coffers.

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders held a press conference to support the law suit today, joined by La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid, National City Mayor Ron Morrison, and other local leaders.

July 16, 2011 (San Diego) -- Home foreclosures in the City of San Diego are costing local governments hundreds of millions of dollars, in addition to billions lost by neighboring homeowners, a study by the Center on Policy Initiatives shows.  

The report, Foreclosure: the Cost Communities Pay, projects almost 57,000 foreclosures in San Diego over five years, and recommends the City take action to hold banks accountable for the resulting costs.

July 16, 2011 (Spring Valley) –The Medical Examiner has identified the body of a man who drowned in the Sweetwater Reservoir on July 12th. Ebon Brandt Taylor, 31, reportedly broke into a home and assaulted a resident, who called 911.
 

According to the San Diego Sheriff’s office, the suspect was later seen walking into the Sweetwater Reservoir; his behavior was described as “odd” by witnesses.

July 14, 2011 (El Cajon)—A 75-year-old woman hit the gas pedal instead of the brake while turning into a parking space at the Villa Embasadora Inn, a motel at 1556 East Main Street in El Cajon, early this afternoon. 

Her vehicle sped forward, striking a housekeeper, 67, who was pinned against a wall.

July 13, 2011 (San Diego) – Colby Shigley, 26, a Cal-Fire firefighter stationed at the Lyons Valley station in East County, has died of injuries sustained in an accident July 8th. Shigley was driving a 2000 Cadillac while visiting his terminally ill father in Munro Township, Michigan, when he struck trees and was killed.

Shigley, who lived in Alpine, leaves behind a wife, Justine, and their three children, Jaylynn, 4, Wyatt, 3, and Dylan, 8 months. A fund to help the family, the Firefighter Colby Shigley Memorial Fund, has been established at Navy Federal Credit Union in Santee.

July 12, 2011 (Santee)--The Santee Fire Department along with units from Lakeside and La Mesa responded to the report of a residential structure fire at 9117 Fonteyn Ct. in Santee this afternoon. The first fire unit arrived just over eightminutes after the time of dispatch; 19 firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control and restricted the damage to the garage area.

By Miriam Raftery

July 9, 2011 (La Mesa) – Fire investigators remain on the scene this morning of a fire that started in an apartment building late yesterday and spread to a nearby home t 4759 70th Street.
 

“The home and rear apartments are considered a total loss,” said Monica Zech, public information officer for Heartland Fire & Rescue. In addition, Zech informed East County Magazine, “The exact cause of the fire is still not determined—but the fire appears to be suspicious in nature.”

 Update:  Shyla Goldborg has been found safely by a volunteer, wandering in an apartment complex near the complex where her relatives live.  

July 7, 2011 (San Diego) – Authorities seek the public’s help to locate Shyla Goldborg, 15, who was visiting San Diego from Montana. She was staying with relatives at 10343 San Diego Mission Road; they reported her missing this morning at 9:11 a.m; she was last seen at 11 p.m. last night.  Sheriff’s Search and Rescue volunteers are searching Mission Valley east of the stadium and in the river bed. San Diego Police officers are also helping in the search.
 

Shyla Goldborg was last seen wearing a gray Aeropostale hoodie, blue jeans, black and hot pink flip flops. She is Native American, 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighs 110 pounds, has long black hair and brown eyes. She has a rose tattoo on her ankle and was wearing bright orange nail polish.
 

If you have any information concerning Shyla Goldborg or if you see her, please call the San Diego Police Department at (619) 531-2000.

Updates to this story have now been posted on the victim, as well as on a new ban on jumping, alcohol, and other activities at the falls. Get the latest details at: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/6613

July 6, 2011 (Ramona) – The U.S. Forest Service has closed Cedar Creek Falls for an investigation into a deadly fall today that killed one visitor and injured another.

The fatal accident is at least the fourth serious injury incident during the holiday weekend at Cedar Creek Falls, according to Incident Page Network. The Forest Service recently opened a new trail to make the popular destination accessible to more people.

Story and photos by Miriam Raftery

July 6, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Thunderstorms brought lightning strikes and spectacular skies over much of East County yesterday.

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather warning today, indicating a chance of more thunderstorms this afternoon and evening over the mountain and desert areas. Storms may produce gusty winds, dangerous lightning, hail and potentially, isolated flash flooding.

July 4, 2011 (Lakeside) – Brian Persson, 47, lost control of his motorcycle while driving around curve on northbound Highway 67, 1.5 miles of Slaughterhouse Canyon in Lakeside at 2:10 p.m. yesterday, the San Diego Medical Examiner reports. Witnesses called 911.

California Highway Patrol and medics responded and found the victim unresponsive and not breathing with extensive traumatic injuries.

July 4, 2011 (Bonsall) – Cal-Fire is on the scene of a fire that is now 4 to 5 acres. A motorhome fire reported at 3:05 p.m. at Gopher Canyon Road and I-15 north of Escondido, near the community of Bonsall spread into the brush. No structures are threatened, however a SIG ALERT has been issued for traffic on I-15.

July 3, 2011 (Lemon Grove) – Lon Scully, 74, was struck and killed around 2 a.m. Friday morning while attempting to cross the southbound lanes of State Route 125 north of Spring Street in La Mesa when he was struck by a silver Hyundai sedan, the San Diego Medical Examiner’s office reports.

The accident severed the victim’s legs and hurled his torso through the windshield, where it became lodged in the front seat, CHP spokesman Brian Pennings said, La Mesa’s Patch.com reported.