Study to address potential contamination and cleanup of historic military site

East County News Service

March 18, 2016 (Camp Lockett) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has scheduled a public meeting to present information on the upcoming Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study at Camp Lockett. Camp Lockett is a Formerly Used Defense Site located in San Diego County. Its property boundary surrounds the town of Campo.

Camp Lockett was initially used by the U.S. Army for cavalry training and border defense, then for training of troops during World War II. After its use as a training range, portions of Camp Lockett were used for the Mitchell Convalescent Hospital and for a prisoner of war camp.

East County News Service

March 15, 2016 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police Department seeks public help to find a hit-and-run driver who struck and seriously injured a 12-year-old girl. The child was crossing the street on East Chase near Avocado with friends around 8:20 a.m. when she was hit. According to witness statements, she was crossing mid-block and was not in a crosswalk.

The suspect vehicle was caught on surveillance video. It appears to be a silver 2016 Honda Accord, two-door, or similar model. It was traveling east on Chase when the accident occurred. The driver did not stop, leaving the injured child in the street.

Nancy McFadden benefitted financially from her decisions through PG&E stocks she held, complaint contends

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Youtube screenshot

March 15, 2016 (Santa Monica) – Consumer Watchdog, a nonprofit organization, has filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission contending that Governor Jerry Brown’s top aide, Nancy McFadden, broke state law by owning up to $1 million in stock in her former employer, Pacific Gas & Electric, and using her official position for personal financial benefit by intervening to inflate the company’s stock price.  She also reportedly failed to appropriately disclose the timing of her PG&E stock sales.

East County News Service

March 14, 2016 (San Diego) — The County Medical Examiner and regional law enforcement will host the first annual “Identify the Missing” Day on March 19.

By Miriam Raftery

March 9, 2016 (Alpine) – The Alpine Union High School District(AUSD)  has turned down an offer by the Alpine Education Foundation to conduct independent testing of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) at the Alpine Elementary School campus, citing legal concerns. 

But Superintendent Bruce Cochrane suggests the door is open to a compromise to get the readings done.  “IF AEF were open to donating the necessary funds to the AUSD, the district would be open to contracting out to the firm they have recommended to do testing at AES,” the Superintendent told ECM.

Community group brings change to Casa de Oro

California citrus - both on farms and in home landscapes - face a very real threat from a disease that is spread by Asian citrus psyllid. Florida and Texas citrus is already suffering terribly. California may be able to avoid the same fate, if all residents and farmers do their part to combat the pest.  A video on YouTube has details. View more high-resolution photos

Photos: Asian citrus psyllids, malformed leaves and deformed fruits caused by the deadly disease carried by this pest

By Jeannette Warnert, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

March 7, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- A tell-tale sign of spring in California is a flush of new leaf growth on citrus trees. Because the feathery light green leaves are particularly attractive to Asian citrus psyllids (ACP), the leaves' emergence marks a critical time to determine whether the pest has infested trees.

Source:  County of San Diego DEH

March 6, 2016 (San Diego) -- The Department of Environmental Health has issued a General Rain Advisory for the coastal waters of San Diego County due to recent rainfall. Swimmers, surfers, and other ocean users are warned that levels of bacteria can rise significantly in ocean and bay waters, especially near storm drains, creeks, rivers, and lagoon outlets that discharge urban runoff. Urban runoff may contain large amounts of bacteria from a variety of sources such as animal waste, soil, and decomposing vegetation. While many coastal storm drains within San Diego County are permanently posted with white metal warning signs, additional temporary warning signs are not posted for General Advisories, activities such as swimming, surfing and diving should be avoided in all coastal waters for 72 hours following rain. This includes all coastal beaches and all of Mission Bay and San Diego Bay. Elevated bacteria levels can persist after a rainstorm depending upon the intensity of the storm, volume of runoff and ocean and current conditions. 

East County News Service

March 5, 2016 (La Mesa) –“Many of you have asked for a time to meet myself and the entire Depot Springs team,” says Aaron Dean, owner of the Depot Springs Beer Company restaurant, brewery and entertainment venue under construction at the corner of Fletcher Parkway and Dallas Street. 

Source: County News Service

March 4, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- It’s been a while, but El Niño rains are finally headed back to San Diego County this weekend. 

By Miriam Raftery

March 3, 2016 (El Cajon) — The Medical Examiner’s office has identified Drake Lou Pappas, 61, as the victim found dead after a fire at the Villa Embasadora motel in El Cajon early yesterday morning.

County News Service

March 3, 2016 (San Diego) -- If you are registered as a No Party Preference (or nonpartisan voter) and get your ballot by mail, the Registrar of Voters wants you to know presidential candidates will not be listed on your ballot. If you’d like to vote for a presidential candidate in the June primary, you must take action and request a party ballot.

By Liz Alper

Photo: Youtube screenshot

March 1, 2016 (Radford, Va.) - A Time Magazine photographer was physically attacked by Secret Service agents at a Donald Trump rally on Monday. The assault comes just two days after Trump issued a threat against media.

East County News Service

March 1, 2016 (El Cajon) – A new fire station on Pepper Drive in El Cajon will cost up to $1.8 million to build, including the land acquisition cost. The San Miguel Fire District approved the expenditure last week of $1.4 million for construction costs – more than double the original cost projection.

East County News Service

March 1, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – It’s official – last month was the hottest February ever I San Diego County since record-keeping began way back in 1875.