East County News Service

December 27, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – These are the people whose actions made headlines across our region this year—community leaders and ordinary citizens who worked tireless to help others, whose actions led to changes in our communities, or the promise of changes in the future.

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego

Reprinted with permission from Times of San Diego, a San Diego News Association member

December 28, 2016 (San Diego) -- Gov. Jerry Brown has announced that U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy will become a Superior Court judge in San Diego.

Duffy, a Democrat who was appointed by President Obama in 2010, was likely to be replaced by a Republican when President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

By Miriam Raftery

December 27, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – California has hundreds of new laws taking effect in on January 1, 2017, impacting employment, education, gun rights, health, housing, criminal justice, consumers, motor vehicle drivers, elections, youth sports, and more. Here are some of the most important new laws you should know about before ringing in the New Year:

East County News Service

December 26, 2016 (Dulzura) — A 44-year-old El Cajon woman has died of injuries in a head-on collision in Dulzura.

According to California Highway Patrol Officer Kevin Pearlstein, the victim was driving a 2011 Ford Fusion westbound on State Route 94 near Barrett School Road around 5:10 p.m. on December 23^rd when a 2003 Ford Explorer driven by a Dulzura woman, 28, crossed the double yellow lines, striking the Fusion head-on.

Source: Dept. of Motor Vehicles

December 24, 2016 (Sacramento)--With the New Year just around the corner, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) wants to inform the public of several new laws or changes to existing law that, unless otherwise noted, take effect on January 1, 2017.

These include new restrictions on handheld wireless phones and other devices, changes to child safety seat laws for children under age two,  and significant new laws. The following are summaries of some transportation-related laws taking effect:

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

December 24, 2016 (San Diego's East County)--Heavy snow is blanketing Mt. Laguna, with several inches reported in Boulevard.  Snow could dip to 3,000 feet tonight, with frost possible even in urban and suburban areas such as El Cajon and La Mesa tonight and tomorrow, according to forecaster Alex Tardy with the National Weather Service.

The storm, combined with accidents, has resulted in numerous accidents and other road hazards across our region.

Avoid holiday driving accidents by taking advantage of a free ride home

December 23, 2016 (San Diego) -- Far too many preventable vehicle accidents happen in San Diego and elsewhere around the country on New Year’s Eve alone. With holiday parties and a spirited atmosphere, it’s no surprise that drunk driving accidents reach an annual high as we transition from one year to another. Given the devastating toll that drunk driving accidents have for victims, the Law Offices of Robert Hamparyan is providing a complimentary cab ride to anyone in San Diego County who needs it.

The program will reimburse anyone who needs a safe trip home, up to a maximum of $30.00. Anyone who uses a cab, Uber, or Lyft is eligible to take advantage of the program. Head attorney Robert Hamparyan is hopeful that this program will help encourage calling in a ride and decreasing the number of drunk driving accidents on the San Diego roads on New Year’s Eve.

East County News Service

December 22, 2016 (Lakeside) – A 23-year-old San Diego woman driving a Toyota Solara eastbound on I-8 east of Los Coches Road last night at 11:50 p.m. lost control of her vehicle while changing lanes on the rain-slicked highway.  Her vehicle struck a metal guard rail, then overturned.

East County News Service

December 21, 2016 (San Diego's East County) --This holiday season, if you’re looking for some safe conversation topics to liven up your next gathering with friends and family,  here are some fascinating holiday trivia facts to share:

Beware of gift card scammers and fake WIFI

By Veronica Carter, Public News Service

Photo: Thieves are watching and waiting for a chance to be a Grinch during the holidays. (aarp.org)

December 20, 2016 (San Diego's East County) - At this time of year, most of us are getting our credit and debit cards out more often than normal. That means the chance that a cyber thief will try to steal your money or your identity increases as well. Shopping online can be a risk, but it's also easy to fall victim to scammers when using public WiFi.

By Miriam Raftery

December 19, 2016 (Sacramento) -- Scientists have voiced alarm that the Trump administration might discontinue scientific research into climate science or even destroy decades of data amassed by the government.   But now, scientists and California’s Governor Jerry Brown are pledging a fight to assure that climate science facts don’t disappear into a black hole.

By Miriam Raftery

December 16, 2016 (Descanso) — This morning, the body of a 23-year-old woman was found near a Lexus vehicle that had plummeted off I-8 east of State Route 79 in Descanso.  The woman had been ejected from the vehicle and died of her injuries at the scene.

By Miriam Raftery

Next up: Alpine General Plan amendments to be considered in 2017

December 16, 2016 (San Diego’s East County)—By a  4 to 1 vote with Supervisor Dave Roberts opposed,  San Diego Supervisors on Wednesday voted to approve a Forest Conservation Initiative Lands General Plan Amendment, along with community plan amendments, rezoning and  certification of a supplemental environmental review. The action paves the way for development of parcels  in the Alpine and Descanso areas that were formerly protected under the Forest Conservation Initiative passed by voters, but that has since expired due to a sunset provision in 2010.

Travis Lyon, chair of the Alpine Community Planning Group, reports that the Supervisors “took all the recommendations ACPG made at the last meeting.” 

Jack Shu, president of the Cleveland National Forest Foundation,  said after the hearing, “The bottom line is that the County has moved to do away with what the voters – two thirds of them—wanted in 1993 to protect our local Forest."

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office

December 15, 2016 (San Diego) - With heavy rains expected, the County Department of Public Works is once again offering free sand and bags to residents in the unincorporated areas to help protect homes, neighborhoods and streets from flooding and erosion.

East County News Service

December 13, 2016 (San Diego) — California Highway Patrol seeks public help to identify a pedestrian struck at 11:17 p.m. Saturday night while walking in lanes of Interstate northbound, south of Friars Road.  The victim suffered major head and chest trauma after being struck by a maroon Subaru station wagon.