July 25, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—Padre Dam Municipal Water District are considering a rate hike on its 24,000 customers in East County.

On Thursday, July 26 at 6 p.m., the District will hold a workshop at its board room (9300 Fanita Parkway in Santee) to explain the proposal and answer questions. 

July 25, 2012 (Sacramento) – As ECM has reported, the state has suspended Brown Act provisions  that previously required public boards to notify the public about agenda items at least 72 hours before meetings. 

Now Californians Aware, a watchdog group that protects citizens’ right to open government, has created an online petition with Change.org to “Free the Brown Act from Budget Suspense.” You can urge Assembly speaker to support a constitutional amendment that would restore open government rights for the people by signing the petition here.

July 25, 2012 (La Mesa) – Patients, some in walkers and wheelchairs, were dismayed to learn that a power outage has forced evacuation of the five-story medical office building #3 at 5565 Grossmont Center Drive.  

A spokesperson at the property management company told ECM that power may not be restored until after 5 p.m. tonight.

July 23, 2012 (El Cajon) --All westbound lanes of I-8 are blocked at Johnson Ave. in El Cajon due to a crash involving  a van and another vehicle on the center divide. Traffic is also slow on eastbound I-8, an eyewitness at the scene told ECM at 9:45 p.m.  No emergency vehicles had arrived yet as of this report; avoid area if possible.

July 23, 2012 (San Diego)--Your Online Weather forecasts warm weather through Wednesday with isolated thunderstorms over the mountains and deserts Monday night.

On the coasts and in inland valleys, expect night morning low clouds with minor cooling and drier through the weekend.

2^nd plane to land on freeway in two days

July 23, 2012 (Escondido) – A 1968 Piper airplane made an emergency landing on I-15 just north of El Norte Road at 11:25 p.m. last night after running out of fuel. Moments later, it was struck by a pickup truck, the California Highway Patrol reports.

July 22, 2012 (San Diego's East County)--A multi-vehicle crash on Highway 125 south at State Route 94 in the Spring Valley area has resulted in injuries to several people.

"We have transported all patients to hospitals," a Heartland Fire dispatcher told ECM. 

County's sole legal medical marijuana dispensary to challenge U.S. Attorney for straight legal test of state law; 

El Cajon business to announce plans for defense of "legitimate medical marijuana operations"

July 20, 2012 (El Cajon) – Advocates, patients, and concerned citizens in support of the only state and county approved legal medical marijuana dispensary in California’s four-county southern border region announced plans to unveil strategy to defend one of the model medical marijuana dispensaries in the nation.

Representatives of Mother Earth’s Alternative Healing Cooperative said they would announce the plans and a specific challenge to U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy at the press conference on the steps of the U.S. federal court house in San Diego on Monday, July 23 at 11:00 a.m.

July 19, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Ford Motor Company today announced a voluntary recall of 2013 model year Ford Escape vehicles equipped with the 1.6-liter engine built through July 11, 2012. Ford estimates that there have been approximately 11,500 of these vehicles distributed for sale in North America, with most in the U.S.

Ford is voluntarily recalling the vehicles to replace an engine compartment fuel line, which could split and leak fuel, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. Three fires have occurred, including two by Ford employees testing vehicles. No injuries have been reported.

Story and photos by Nadin Abbott

July 19, 2012 (San Diego)--The San Diego Planning Commission voted not to green light the East Elliot Community Plan Amendment that would have allowed Cogentrix Energy LLC to go forward with the Quail Brush natural gas-fired power plant near Mission Trails Regional Park.

The City Council now has the opportunity to weigh in on the controversial project, which has generated near-unanimous community opposition.