September 9, 2011 (San Diego) – Local residents are swapping stories of how they coped during the biggest blackout ever to hit our region. Their tales vary widely – and show that amid a crisis, attitude is everything! Neighbors helped neighbors—and some hosted impromptu blackout parties.

September 12, 2011 (San Diego) – Thunderstorms and rains are likely to strike San Diego County tomorrow, with the highest likelihood of storms in East County’s mountain and desert areas. These storms have the potential to produce hail, frequent lightning, locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds, the National Weather Service predicts.

September 12, 2011 (Ramona) –A semi-truck hauling a fully loaded grain trailer has overturned on Highway 78 and Rancho Sante Fe Court. A SIG alert has been issued. As of 3:31 p.m., the CHP website reports Highway 78 will be shut down for at least two hours between Julian Road and 3 Road to cleanup the roadway.

There are no reported injuries in the accident.

County Reminds Businesses of Important Measures for Food and Customer Safety

September 11, 2011 (San Diego)--Last week’s boil water advisory has been lifted, but the Department of Environmental Health is reminding restaurants and markets that were impacted by the advisory to follow food and water safety procedures before reusing tap water. These include guidelines for flushing and sanitizing, as well as assuring that food served is safe.

Tom Cantor, owner of Scantibodies and founder of Life and Light Foundation that runs museum, is accused by employee of providing “bad science” to public

September 11, 2011 (San Diego) – San Diego State University (SDSU) now offers text and e-mail emergency alerts for students, employees and their families, as well as community members in the College area. The alerts cover critical situations on campus.

September 10, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – We have received several inquiries from readers seeking more details on procedures to follow to stay safe during boil-water advisories issued for several communities.  The following advice is offered by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

This link has details for consumers as well as links for medical professionals and more:  http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/crypto/health_professionals/bwa/index.html . Below is the information for consumers including how long to boil water,  special instructions for children and those with immune-compromised health, and directions on how to flush pipes and appliances after the boil water order is lifted. 

Boil waters are in effect locally through Sunday at the following locations due to pump failures during the blackout:

Update 11:10 p.m.  SDG&E advises residents to turn off air conditioners to avoid overwhelming the system when power comes back on.  

BOIL WATER ORDERS are issued for several locations; scroll down for details. 

September 8, 2011 (San Diego) – A widespread power outage has left 5 million people in the dark across Southern California, Arizona and northern Mexico including all 1.4 million SDG&E customers in San Diego County. The outage occurred because a major power line between Arizona and California was tripped out of service. “Think of the system as linked by springs, when one part goes out the rest are affected," a Twitter message from SDG&E read. The San Onofre Power plant was also impacted and shut down as a precaution.

Tonight, power is beginning to be restored across portions of San Diego County including the South Bay, Rancho San Diego, Jamul and Mt. Helix areas. SDG&E blames the outage on “operator error.” FBI special agent Darrell Foxworth assures that there is no indication of terrorism.

September 7, 2011 (La Mesa) –Today the Helix Water District Board of Directors voted 5-0 to suspend the El Monte Valley Mining, Reclamation, and Groundwater Recharge Project in Lakeside.

September 7, 2011 (San Diego) –A man found dead this morning in Mission Trails Regional Park had “small puncture wounds on his lower extremities” that “may have been snake-related,” Lt. Andra Brown with the San Diego Police has informed East County Magazine. An autopsy is pending to determine cause of death.

By Miriam Raftery

September 5, 2011 (Lakeside) - A major accident has occurred at 12820 Wildcat Canyon Road, near Old Barona Road south of the Barona Casino in Lakeside.  According to Incident Page Network, a vehicle struck a tree and there are major injuries, with a person trapped inside.

Bill in Sacramento may save park from closure; public help sought

By Megan McGlamery

Miriam Raftery also contributed to this report

September 4, 2011 (San Diego)--Since their inception in 1864, Califonia’s state parks have served to enlighten citizens about nature, history and culture. Unfortunately, severe budget cuts have led to imminent closure of many of these beloved landmarks.

Located eight miles east of Escondido, the San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park is just one of many amazing pieces of living history slated to close forever next July, when 70 California state parks will be shut down.