By Lori Abbott, Public News Service

December 16, 2014 (San Diego) -- It may be the season of giving, but it's unfortunately the season of taking too.



Whether it's an online shopping scam, gift card fraud or a fake charity asking for donations, AARP fraud expert Sally Hurme says always think twice before giving out personal information.

School districts generate returns for San Diego County’s health and economy

December 19, 2014 (San Diego)--Farm to school practices are on the rise in San Diego County school districts, according to the 2014 State of Farm to School in San Diego County (State of F2S) released today by Community Health Improvement Partners (CHIP). All 42 San Diego County school districts participated in this year’s survey providing a comprehensive assessment of school food procurement and F2S activities in San Diego County and perhaps the most comprehensive assessment of a county’s school food procurement in the United States. Among the 24 districts that participated in last year's survey, 20 reported engagement in farm to school compared to 15 in 2013. Overall, 31 San Diego County districts are engaged in at least one of 18 farm to school activities measured for in the report.

December 19, 2014 (El Cajon) – The city of El Cajon announces vacancies on five civic boards.  They are:

·         Gillespie Field Development Council - one vacancy for a four-year term expiring January 31,        2019, and one vacancy for a four-year term expiring March 18, 2019

·         Personnel Commission - one vacancy for a four-year term expiring January 31, 2019.

·         Planning Commission - two vacancies for four-year terms expiring January 31, 2019.

·         Public Safety Facility Financing Oversight Committee - four vacancies for four-year terms expiring January 31, 2019.

·         Veterans’ Commission - one vacancy for a four-year term expiring January 31, 2019.

Source: County News Service

December 18, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - The winter months can be more fire hazardous for most households, but the good news is that all of the hazards can be avoided if people are made aware of them and take precautions.

 “It can be a great time of year and you don’t want to see that turn tragic because someone wasn’t diligent,” says Kelly Gaffrey of the San Diego County Fire Authority.

Update:  Sony has cancelled release it The Interview on Christmas Day, after Homeland Security confirmed it had linked the hacks/threats to North Korea.

By Miriam Raftery

December 17, 2014 (San Diego)--Hackers have threatened 9/11-style attacks on movie theaters debuting “The Interview,” which is set for release on Christmas Day.  The threats follow hacks against Sony Pictures Entertainment over its film, a comedy depicting journalists recruited by the CIA to assassinate North Korean President Kim Jong-un.

Source: County News Service

December 14, 2014 (San Diego)--It’s the time of year when San Diego County gets most of its rainfall – and this winter it’s more important than ever to take advantage of every drop that Mother Nature delivers to us.

Source: EDCO

December 12, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - EDCO reminds customers to recycle this holiday season. During the holidays, Americans throw away 25 percent more trash than any other time of year. From Thanksgiving to New Year's Day, an additional 1 million tons of waste is thrown out each week. Much of what will be tossed out after the holidays is recyclable or can be reused and with a little bit of effort, residents can reduce the amount of waste generated throughout the yuletide season.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Beanbag round and projectiles similar to those used to subdue kidnap suspect

December 11, 2014 (El Cajon )—“There’s a good chance that our police officers saved the lives of four kids today,” Councilman Gary Kendrick told East County Magazine, reflecting on the dramatic rescue of the  children for whom an Amber Alert had been issued. The body of their mother had been found in another vehicle and their abductor was their father, who was believed to be armed and dangerous.

East County News Service

December 9, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - A Pacific storm is predicted to bring more rain and cooler temperatures late this week. The National Weather Service is forecasting up to three inches of rain in mountains, with lower levels in valleys, deserts and coastal areas.  In addition, winds up to 50 miles an hour are expected, along with up to several inches of snow at elevations over 5,500 feet.

By Miriam Raftery

December 7, 2014 (Alpine)—The Alpine Tavern & Grill hosts an “Injunction Function” last week, donating 20% of the evening’s proceeds to help fund a lawsuit against the Grossmont Union High School District over its failure to build an Alpine High School despite two bond measures approved by voters.

Coalition of local leaders call for changes to restore trust and accountability

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Ben Reid, Creative Commons image on FlickR

December 4, 2014 (San Diego)--For the second time in the past two weeks, a Grand Jury has failed to indict a white police officer for killing a black man.  The latest decision was in New York, where jurors declined to charge a police officer in the choking death of Eric Garner.

Unlike the now-famous case in Ferguson, Missouri where a Grand Jury acquitted a white police officer of shooting and killing an unarmed black man who some witnesses said had his hands up in a surrender position,  the case in New York was documented on videotape by a friend of Garner’s.

Yet jurors refused to prosecute the officer in New York, even though the video showed the officer using a chokehold to subdue Eric Garner,  who was accused of selling cigarettes without paying taxes, while several other officers surrounded him. The video shows Garner clearly stating “I can’t breathe” at least 11 times in a panicked voice before passing out.  A second video shows police standing by, making no effort to resuscitate Garner, before an ambulance arrived. The father of six, a large man who also suffered from asthma, was taken to a local hospital, where he died.

East County News Service

December 4, 2014 (San Diego's East County) -- California Highway Patrol reports the following hazards this rainy morning:

• Vehicle overturned on Wildcat Canyon Road, near the racetrack
• Dehesa Road is shut down between Sloan Canyon and Willow Glen due to 18 inches of mud across the road
• Roadway flooding at Campo Road and Kenwood in Spring Valley
• Harmony Grove Road is closed at Wilgen Drive due to a mudslide and flooding

December 2, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--So you thought there was nothing to know about turkeys except whether you liked drumsticks or white meat. Think again. Here are some fascinating facts provided by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

East County Magazine

December 3, 2014 (San Diego)--San Diego’s Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Council President Todd Gloria announced this week that the city of San Diego will be setting up a permanent shelter aimed at ending the cycle of homelessness.

December 1, 2014 (San Diego) – The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for Tuesday and early Wednesday in San Diego County’s mountain, valley and coastal areas.

Mountains and recent burn areas will have the greatest threat pontetial with up to five inches of rain forecast; be prepared for flooding and debris flows. Moderate to heavy rain in coastal and valley areas will produce urban flooding in flood-prone low-lying areas and streets with poor drainage.