March 26, 2015 (San Diego)--If you think San Diego is having some growing pains, you may be right.  The Census Bureau’s numbers are in, and San Diego County is now the fifth most populous county in the nation.

By Miriam Raftery

March 27, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - The warm is warming up, and snakes are coming out of hibernation.

East County News Service

March 25, 2015 (La Mesa)—In this era of tight budgets, the City of La Mesa has launched a “Go Fund Me” online drive to raise money to help defray costs of the 19^th annual Flag Day Parade.  The annual salute to Old Glory will be held on Saturday, May 30^th down La Mesa Boulevard, with pre-parade concerts by the La Mesa Middle School and Parkway Middle School bands.

Ambulance responses in our region raise alarms:  Part II in a series

By Miriam Raftery

March 23, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)—Earlier we reported on a new contract for ambulance service that the County has signed, effective April 1st.  That contract required only four ambulances for an entire district stretching from the border north to Mount Laguna, and from Jamul east to the Imperial County line.

Ambulance responses in our region raise alarms:  Part I in a series

By Miriam Raftery

March 22, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – What if you had a medical emergency and the nearest ambulance had to come from Imperial County or other distant places up to an hour away?  That’s the very real prospect facing rural East County residents under a stealth change in ambulance service approved by a county bureaucrat with no public notice, no hearing, and no vote by the Supervisors.

While some aspects of coverage stand to improve under the contract, adding more in-district ambulances and newer equipment, there are some major concerns raised by local safety advocates with regard to mutual aid and staffing.

Update March 21: Linda Adene Snow-Biggers has been found safe and unhramed, the Sheriff reports.

East County News Service

March 20, 2015 (Spring Valley) – The Sheriff seeks public help to locate a missing Spring Valley woman.  On Wednesday, March 18^th,  Linda Adene Snow-Biggers walked away from her home at 2601 Sweetwater Road, where she lives with her husband.  She was last seen walking barefoot by a neighbor, wearing a white sun dress.  She is 53 years old, six feet tall, weighs 160 pounds, and has brown hair and green eyes.

East County News Service

March 16, 2015 (La Mesa)--Heartland Fire & Rescue crews from La Mesa, with assistance from San Diego Fire, were dispatched to reports of a car fire in the 7900 block of La Mesa Blvd Saturday night.  The call was quickly upgraded to a residential structure fire after dispatch received multiple cars of a fire.

March 16, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - After the weekend’s record-breaking temperatures, a high pressure system is forecast to bring cooler weather for the rest of this week.

By Miriam Raftery

March 14, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - If you’re heading to the beach to escape this unseasonable heat wave, there’s something more you should worry about besides slathering on sunscreen.

March 14, 2015 (Alpine)--A horse hit by a vehicle is back with his owner after being rescued by County Animal Services early Wednesday morning.

East County News Service

March 16, 2015 (Borrego) – A motorcyclist lost control on a curve and veered into oncoming traffic on State Route 78 near Scissors Crossing Sunday, striking a Toyota Prius head-on, according to the California Highway Patrol.

East County News Service

March 14, 2015 (San Diego) – East County Magazine Editor Miriam Raftery is among the nominees for the  Women of Influence Awards set to honor women business leaders as well as organizations and individuals championing women in leadership. 

More than 250 nominations were submitted and 137 final nominees will be honored by ConnectedWomenofInfluence.com at the event on March 25th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mission Valley Hilton.  For tickets and details, visit www.womenofinfluenceawards.com.

March 13, 2015 (San Diego)  – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is alerting customers to be aware of a person or persons who have recently posed as utility employees asking to enter a customer’s home. It has been reported that the imposter will distract unsuspecting customers while performing “routine inspections,” while another imposter burglarizes the home.

East County News Service

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

March 11, 2015 (Alpine) – Two horses running loose in Alpine early this morning were hit by vehicles, and one horse is dead. The California Highway Patrol is trying to find out who owns the horses; if you have information please call Animal Control at 619-498-2305.

March 9, 2015 (Lemon Grove) – Firefighters helped a wheelchair-bound resident out of home in Lemon Grove after finding the garage in flames Monday morning.