Memorial Service Saturday at Santee Fire Station #4

May 4, 2010 (Santee) – For nearly three decades, Johnny L. Terry served with the Santee Fire Department, rising from the ranks of pioneering volunteer firefighters to become Division Chief. Retired since 1986, he passed away on May 2, 2010. A memorial service is scheduled for noon on Saturday, May 8th at Santee Fire Station 4, 8950  Cottonwood Drive. A celebration of his life will follow at a separate location to be announced.

“He was a great, common sense guy and a good friend who would do anything for you,” recalled former Fire Chief and retired City Manager George Tockstein, who worked with Terry for 20 years. “He always cared for the other guy...He had a strong commitment to his family and he loved his kids.”

By Richard Darvas

$63,000 bill stemming from $25,000 weed abatement charge raises questions over fire district's use of private contractor

May 3, 2010 (Dehesa)--As World War II drew to its nuclear close, Joseph Diliberti was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Sicilian parents. From an early age, however, Diliberti discovered his perennial roots in nature. Whether crab fishing in Long Island or hunting in upstate New York, outdoor activities were a family affair.

“I love this ‘cause I feel like I’m home,” the retiree observes several decades later, as he traces his arm in a circular motion to indicate his present rural home in Dehesa.

May 3, 2010 (El Cajon) – Witnesses have told California Highway Patrol officers that a man drinking a beer beside Interstate 8 near the Greenfield exit intentionally stepped in front of a semi-truck, which swerved to avoid him. The man then ran into the path of the truck again and was struck.

April 25, 2010 (Lakeside) – An 11-year-old boy digging in the backyard of his home on Hillvale Lane in Lakeside Saturday evening unearthed a military shell measuring two and a half feet long and possibly live. Lakeside firefighters responded to the scene and evacuated the boy’s family and a neighboring family.

 
April 25, 2010 (San Diego's East County) - San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) has announced four community meetings on Sunrise Powerlink during May in Campo, Alpine, Scripps Ranch, and Boulevard. (Details below).  But conspicuously absent is a long-awaited second meeting in Lakeside that SDG&E officials promised area residents. 

At a contentious first meeting in Lakeside, SDG&E officials promised to respond to citizens' concerns in a follow-up meeting. Lakeside's new fire chief, Andy Parr, missed that meeting but pledged to attend the subsequent public meeting.  SDG&E has since cancelled two followup meetings in Lakeside, one due to weather and a second due to conflicts with the Lakeside Rodeo calendar.

April 22, 2010 (San Diego) – Assembly Bill 1844, known as Chelsea’s Law, passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee on Tuesday and now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The bill is authored by Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher (R-San Diego), who has worked closely with the family of slain teen Chelsea King to craft legislation aimed at protecting children from violent sexual predators.

April 20, 2010 (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Congressman Bob asked President Barack Obama today to grant California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s request for a Federal Disaster Declaration that would help make funds available for Imperial County to rebuild after the April 4 quake that shook the valley.

February 19, 2010 (El Cajon) -- A single engine Cessna made a crash landing on Johnson Avenue just north of Fletcher Parkway in El Cajon Friday evening shortly after 7 p.m. The two men onboard were able to crawl from the wreckage just before the plane burst into flames. Fire crews from Heartland Fire & Rescue in El Cajon quickly arrived on scene and had the fire out in less than five minutes.

April 19, 2010 (San Diego) – Authorities are asking the public’s help to locate Charles David (Dave) Peckenepaugh. The Fircrest, Washington man is believed to be in the San Diego area. He is despondent, traveling without his heart medications, and may attempt to cross the border into Mexico, according to a bulletin issued by San Diego Police.

By Miriam Raftery

April 11, 2010 (San Diego's East County) - These photos from readers dramatically illustrate damage in Baja California, Mexico from the Easter earthquake.

April 9, 2010 (Borrego Springs) – Vandell Ellis Snow, 58, died of injuries sustained when a plane he assembled crashed in Borrego Springs yesterday shortly after 1 p.m. Snow was reportedly practicing for the Borrego Hammerhead Roundup air show, an aerobatics competition slated for April 9 and10.

April 9, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- Marie Faustman, 15, a San Diego High School freshman and former Santana High student who was last seen in Santee on April 1st, has been found unharmed in Parker, Arizona this afternoon. She voluntarily went out of state to stay with friends without notifying her family.

Media attention and numerous tips from the public played a key role in solving this case, according to the San Diego Sheriff’s Department. (Editor’s note: our thanks to our many readers who forwarded our alert about this missing teen on to people all over the U.S.)

By Miriam Raftery
 

April 8, 2010 – How safe would giant wind turbines, power stations, high voltage lines, and a dump proposed for East County be during a powerful earthquake? Consumer advocates and area residents are raising those questions—and the answers in some cases are unsettling.

April 7, 2010 (San Diego) 11:30 p.m. -- Southbound I-15 is shut down due to a gas tanker on fire, CHP reports.  A SIG Alert has been issued.