East County News Service

January 1, 2017 (Guatay) – The holiday season just got brighter at Tir Na Nog, a horse rescue sanctuary in East County.

In mid-November, as we reported, two golf carts used to feed rescued horses were stolen from the facility in Guatay. But now one of those golf carts has been found on a property nearly five miles away and returned, thanks to an anonymous tipster.

Source: County of San Diego

December 30, 2016 (San Diego) -- The Department of Environmental Health has issued a General 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. 

Source: Caltrans

December 28, 2016 (San Diego) -- Crews will close multiple lanes on northbound Interstate 15 (I-15) from State Route 52 (SR-52) to Ammo Road and on northbound State Route 163 from SR-52 to I-15 tonight and Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., weather permitting. At least one northbound lane will remain open on each highway.

East County News Service

December 28, 2016 (Washington D.C.) – A growing number of senior citizens are discovering that their Social Security benefits have been slashed due to defaults on decades-old student loans.

By Miriam Raftery

December 24, 2016 (San Diego's East County ) --It’s been a tumultuous year across our nation and our world. East County has also seen many changes in 2016.  Here are the top stories locally that most impacted our local communities in San Diego's inland region this year--many of which may result in more changes in 2017 and beyond:

By Miriam Raftery

December 27, 2016 (Sacramento) — With reservoirs rising from December storms, the California Department of Water Resources on December 21^st announced that it will increase its early season estimate of water allocations for 2017.

By Logan Pollard, Public News Service

December 26, 2016 (Los Angeles) -- Some people in California are scrambling to get their identification and work documents in order by January. They are immigrants, concerned about President-elect Donald Trump's campaign promise to deport some 11 million undocumented people.

Not wearing seatbelt led to ejection of driver from vehicle

East County News Service

December 25, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) — Two women died yesterday morning  after they were ejected from a vehicle that rolled over on a rain-slicked section of S-2, the Great Southern Overland Stage Route, south of State Route 78 in rural East County.

East County News Service

December 24, 2016 (North Pole)—Kids and families who want to track Santa’s journey around the world can log onto http://www.noradsanta.org/ to view video live on locations this Christmas Eve.

For over 60 years, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has been tracking Santa Claus complete with secret Santa cameras , satellites and even jet fighter planes. Kids can click on locations to learn about places around the globe.

You can also download NORAD Tracks Santa apps for your smart phone through Windows, Apple and Google Play stores.

East County News Service

December 24, 2016 (Washington D.C.) -- President Obama and the First Lady just gave their annual holiday message from the White House for the last time. They talked about the values that bring Americans together over the holiday season:

Sheriff warns of snow jams

Readers, send us your snow photos! editor@eastcountymagazine.org

East County News Service

December 22, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – A winter storm in the region is dropping heavy rain across our region, with snow forecast to dip down to 3,500 feet by Saturday. That includes Pine Valley, Descanso,  and Julian,  with  six inches or more possible atop Mt Laguna.

Strong winds of 60 miles per hour or more are expected in some mountain areas.

The Sheriff offers this advice if you plan to visit these areas:

Source: City of El Cajon

December 21, 2016 (El Cajon) --Newly elected El Cajon City Councilmember Steve Goble and the El Cajon Police Department are hosting a “Free Christmas Tree” giveaway this Friday, December 23rd.

These free Christmas trees will be given out from 7:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at Cartwright Pest Control, located at 1376 Broadway in El Cajon.   There will be 150 trees, up to 8’ tall and some will include flocking.  The trees will be given out first come, first serve, while supplies last.

By Miriam Raftery

December 20, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) - If you’re a patient admitted to a hospital in the U.S., there is one factor that dramatically increases your odds of survival:  having a woman doctor.  Of 1.5 million hospitalized Medicare patients studied, those with women doctors were 4% more likely to survive at least 30 days.  

East County News Service

December 20, 2016 (San Francisco) — California’s Supreme Court has temporarily blocked implementation of Proposition 66, a measure approved by voters in November that would speed up death penalty cases.  The high court issued the stay to allow time to hear arguments in a lawsuit filed by opponents of the measure.

By Miriam Raftery

December 17, 2016 (San Diego) – During yesterday’s stormy weather, 546 collisions were reported from midnight to 8 p.m. on freeways and streets in unincorporated areas of San Diego County, according to the California Highway Patrol.