By Miriam Raftery

file photo: Calif. Dept. Fish & Game

July 13, 2015 (San Diego) – A mountain lion apparently protecting her cubs startled a pair of hikers Thursday night at Mission Trails Regional Park.

Mike Smith told ECM news partner 10 News that he was wearing a head lamp on the trail when he spotted a reflection and then heard a sound like “kittens, kind of like a meowing, but loud.”

He and his friend walked toward their car, when they saw eyes  staring at them. Next, a full-grown mountain lion walked out of the bushes and across the road less than 30 feet from the hikers, before heading up to high ground.

CDC warns against snuggling chickens or ducks, bringing poultry inside home

Photo credit: USDA FlickR.com, Creative Commons image by Alice Popkorn

July 10, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Across the nation, people have flocked to owning backyard chickens and other poultry.  But now the Centers for Disease Control  has issued a warning not to cozy up to your backyard birds.  That’s because four separate Salmonella outbreaks linked to backyard flocks have sickened 181 people in 40 states, including several cases  in California.

In  one outbreak, CDC conducted interviews and found that 86% of the ill people had conducted with chiceks, chickens, ducks or ducklings before falling ill. Moreover, the CDC reports, “Many ill people in these outbreaks reported bringing the live poultry into their homes, and others reported kissing or cuddling with the live poultry. These behaviors increase a person’s risk of a Salmonella infection.”

Who knew that chicken snuggling was so popular?

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: 2011 City of San Diego

July 10, 2015 (San Diego) – In an interview with KPBS, retiring San Diego Councilmember Marti Emerald said she plans one final major action.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Miriam Raftery: Trestle over Carrizo Gorge

July 8, 2015 (Campo) – Plans to revive the long-closed Desert Line freight railway from Campo to Imperial County appeared to be in danger of derailing after the Pacific Imperial Railroad fell behind in payments to the Metropolitan Transit System. But now the company has made its latest  half-million dollar payment to the Metropolitan Transit, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.The 99-year-lease requires two such payments annually.

East County News Service

July 6, 2015 (El Cajon)—East County will soon have its first four-star hotel.  In its last meeting in June, the El Cajon Council approved final plans for a Marriott Courtyard hotel to be built at Magnolia and Rea Avenues.

East County News Service

July 7, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Warning: Your future utility bills may provide a shock.

Electric utility bills will soon be going up for most San Diegans, though some heavy energy users’ bills will go down.   Instead of four tiers for energy use and payments, there will now be just two.  Not only will low energy users and low-income people be paying more,  they will also be charged more for energy use during peak periods such as mid-afternoon. Those hikes come despite the fact that San Diego already has among the highest electricity rates in the United States.

East County News Service

July 7, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - Dave Patterson, a Ramona resident and member of Veterans for Peace, has brought a fascinating story to our attention. The San Diego Maritime Museum has refused to allow Veterans for Peace to dock its ship, the Golden Rule, at the museum of maritime history. The ban is due to political reasons and a claim that the ship is not historic—despite the vessel’s success in helping bring about a ban on nuclear testing and inspiring generations of activism among peace and environmental groups through the daring actions of the Golden Rule’s crew on the high seas.

Update: The spill was  at Abacana Industries, a pool manufactoring and supply company.  Approximately 2,000 gallons from a 4,000 gallon storage tank leaked out. A secondary containment area in place to contain potential runoff from spills also failed, leading to a spill in the parking lot and storm drain. A private environmental company is now also assisting with cleanup.  Photo courtesy of Heartland Fire & Rescue. 

July 6, 2015 (El Cajon)--Heartland Fire & Rescue is on the scene of a hazardous materials spill at 545 W. Bradley Ave. in El Cajon. San Diego County and City Haz Mat crews are on scene assisting, and the spill is currently contained.

There are no road closures, as measurements on gas monitors are within normal range, however the public is advised to avoid the area until approximately 1:15 p.m.

East County News Service

July 4, 2015 (La Mesa) – A two-alarm fire 8420 Buckland Street in La Mesa on Friday morning started in a kitchen and caused $325,000 in damages to three apartment units and the contents, Heartland Fire reports.

July 4, 2015 (San Diego)--As part of the San Diego Animal Welfare Coalition, County Animal Services and six other animal sheltering organizations in the region launched a “Getting to Zero” campaign Wednesday. The effort includes animal shelters in East County.

July 2, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued a Boil Water Order and Public Notification for Outdoor World RV Park located at 1331 Shasta Way, Boulevard, CA 91905 effective immediately.  The water system serves a recreational vehicle park with a swimming pool, office, gift-shop and camp sites.

June 28, 2015 (San Diego)--Bill Burke, the chief of police for the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), passed away today of unknown causes. He was 68 years old. Burke started with MTS in 2001, was promoted to director of security in 2004 and became its first chief of police in 2011. Prior to working with MTS, Burke was the chief of police for the Cook County Sheriff’s Department in Chicago, Ill.

By Miriam Raftery

June 29, 2015 (San Diego) --  San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis in Washington D.C. for a talk on police body cameras, was also present with her spouse in the Supreme Court when the  historic decision legalizing gay marriage in all 50 states was announced.

Never leave pets or kids alone in a vehicle on a warm day, even for a short time

June 27, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – The inside of your car heats up rapidly, even when it’s not scorching hot outside.  In just ten minutes on  70 degree day, the car’s interior can reach 104 degrees—and with 95 degree heat outside, your car’s interior can hit 129 degrees in that same short time.  Never leave your pet, child or any person alone in a car on a warm day, even for a few minutes.