County urges public to have dogs and cats vaccinated; low-cost rabies shots offered at 3 County animal shelters

November 5, 2010 (Jamul) -- Rabies has been confirmed in a sick, adult grey fox which was found in a remote area of Jamul, officials announced today, adding that pet owners should ensure their animals’ rabies vaccinations are up-to-date.

There was no known human or domestic animal exposure to the sick fox. The last fox diagnosed with rabies was found in the Campo area in June 2000. In that case, three domestic dogs were exposed.

Story by Peter Diehl

Photo by Scott Bolle

November 3, 2010 (Santee)-- Fire crews from Santee, Lakeside, and El Cajon were dispatched at 12 noon today to the vicinity of Hartley Rd and Stevens Rd in Santee. Upon arrival, active smoke and fire was seen at Advanced Electromagnetics Incorporated (AEMI) at 9311 Stevens Rd.  Fire crews initiated a “fast attack” and the fire was quickly extinguished, but the smoldering contents turned out to be highly toxic materials.

Update November 4, 2010:  The San Diego Medical Examiner’s office has identified Sergio Chan Mora, 54, as the deceased. His place of residence is unknown. According to witnesses, the driver of a Ford Explorer made an illegal u-turn on eastbound I-8 and struck Mora, who was unable to avoid the collision.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Dennis Richardson

November 1, 2010 (Alpine) – I-8 east was shut down and a Sig Alert issued following a fatality accident on the freeway just west of Harbison Canyon late this afternoon, as ECM’s Viejas Wildfire & Emergency alerts informed subscribers earlier today. The rollover collision involved a white van and a second vehicle, with several parties trapped and requiring extrication. Smoke from one of the vehicles was doused with a fire extinguisher.

Tips to keep pets safe and secure on Halloween

October 31, 2010 (San Diego) -- Halloween is a fun and spooky time for “ghouls” and boys, but County animal officials want you to know that the event can be scary for your pets.

Your pet is not used to costumed characters approaching the door and yelling “trick or treat!” Your cat may become spooked and run, not to be seen for several days. Your dog, the guardian of the household, may lunge or bite the costumed creatures. This is never what is intended to happen during Halloween, but it is a reality faced every year.

October 30, 2010 (Lemon Grove) – The San Diego Medical Examiner’s office has identified Guy Edward Halac, 51, of Lemon Grove, as the victim of a fatal accident on October 26. Halac’s his Ninja motorcycle plunged over a ramp from State Route 125 at I-8 in La Mesa, landing on a roadway below.

By Miriam Raftery

October 26, 2010 (Spring Valley) Despite disapproval of two County agencies and community groups, the County’s Planning Commission gave the thumbs up for an Alcoholic Beverages commission (ABC) license allowing beer at Blue Flayme, a new Hookah lounge in Spring Valley. The Commission overturned a decision by the Department of Planning and Land Use (DPLU), which opposed the license.

Hookahs have been linked to serious health hazards.  Now, the new trend of combining Hookah smoking and alcohol consumption locally has many in the community up in arms.

By Miriam Raftery
 

October 24, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The U.S. Forest Service’s Regional Forester Randy Moore has upheld the Record of Decision (ROD) approving construction of Sunrise Powerlink, SDG&E's high-voltage transmission line slated to cross 19 miles of National Forest land in Cleveland National Forest as well as 49 miles of Bureau of Land Management land.

East County News Service

October 22, 2010 (San Diego) -- After three public hearings and hours of testimony from scores of people, including the homeless, the San Diego City Council has chosen a site in its own backyard to serve as a winter shelter: Golden Hall, the convention complex attached to City Hall.

“This is the best compromise available for this year’s winter shelter,” said Councilmember Emerald, a former TV newscaster who once went spent a week living on the streets for an undercover story on homelessness. 

Public turns out primarily in opposition, though majority of planning groups support

By Lola Sherman

October 21, 2010 (San Diego) - After listening to seven hours of testimony from dozens of speakers for and against a controversial General Plan Update affecting much of East County, the county Board of Supervisors yesterday put off a decision until Nov. 10.

On that date, the board expects to hear from 150 more speakers over another seven-hour period—and it plans to vote on the entire Update package.

 
By Miriam Raftery

By Miriam Raftery

October 19, 2010 (Alpine) – A SWAT team has been called to a home at 19515 Japatul Road in Alpine, where an armed suspect has barricaded himself in his home after firing shots at his wife.

October 17, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – California Highway Patrol has received reports that as many as 15 cars have collided on State Route 67.  The problem began with an accident around 6:30 p.m in a curve near Scripps Poway Parkway; additional vehicles have repeatedly struck the stopped cars. There is also a second accident approximately 1/4 mile away, north of Vigilante Road on Highway 67.

Swift death heightens concern over deadlier toxins in local snakes

October 16, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – A 67-year old fly fisherman from La Jolla stopped breathing minutes after being bitten by a rattlesnake while wading across a stream near Cuyamaca Reservoir.

October 15, 2010 (Campo) – A volunteer who lived on site at Lake Morena, a San Diego County campground facility in Campo, was found dead at 11:20 this morning with a gunshot wound to the head. According to Lt. Garmo with the San Diego Sheriff’s office, dispatch records indicate that homicide detectives were not dispatched and the death is being handled as a suicide.

October 15, 2010 (Rancho Bernardo) – San Diego Police seek a motorist who struck a bicyclist yesterday afternoon. The man was riding his bicycle in the bike lane on Pomerado Road near Caminito Vecinos when he was struck from behind by a car that fled the scene.