Updated December 31, 2014 with link to 10 News story and response from the County Animal Control Department.
December 29, 2014 (Blossom Valley) –For the second time in three years, a pit bull running loose has viciously attacked a horse and rider outside the same Blossom Valley residence.
“Me and my horse were attacked yesterday,” Stacey Russell told East County Magazine. According to Russell, a bluish-gray pit bull dog seriously injured her horse outside 10937 Quail Canyon – the same address where a similar attack occurred in 2011.
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December 31, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – A thick blanket of snow has fallen across much of San Diego’s inland region, transforming the terrain into a winter wonderland this New Year’s Eve. Lindy Klengler sent photos taken at her Hidden Meadows home in Escondido at just 1700 feet elevation, showing snow around her swimming pool and atop palm trees. “Been here 22 years and never had this happen,” she says.
Melody Munoz and Donna Tisdale sent photos from Boulevard, where three to four inches of snow fell overnight and the temperature on New Year’s morning is a chilly 21 degrees. Snow has also blanketed Descanso and coated landmarks in Jacumba.
Julian received 9 inches of snow and on Mt. Palomar, 12 inches—a foot—has fallen, according to the National Weather Service. ECM news partner 10 News observes that level “beats Big Bear!”
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December 31, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--It’s been a turbulent year around the world and across the nation, when occurrences far away had an impact right here in East County. There were also many major statewide, regional and local issues that hit home right here--including some stories uncovered through our own investigative reporting team.
These are the hot topics of the year that most affected our readers:
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December 29, 2014 (San Diego)--The USS Sampson, a Navy ship homeported in San Diego, has joined the recovery effort for the AirAsia Flight 8501, the Pentagon has announced. The flight went missing Sunday and crashed into the Java Sea off Indonesia with 162 passengers and crew on board. Debris and bodies found are confirmed to be from the ill-fated flight.
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December 29, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning from 4 p.m. Tuesday night until 4 p.m. Wednesday for areas above 2,000 feet in elevation – though a dusting of snow could dip down to just 1,000 feet in some areas.
The storm, originating in Canada with very cold temperatures, could dump up to a foot of snow at elevations over 3,000 feet and 1 to 5 inches between 2,000 and 3,000 feet. Two to seven inches are forecast in high desert regions.
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December 28, 2014 (San Diego)--It’s official: the longest war in U.S. history is now over.
On Sunday, the U.S. and NATO held a ceremony at their headquarters in Kabul to mark the end of combat in Afghanistan.
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December 28, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – A cold Alaskan storm is set to strike our region Tuesday night, continuing through New Year’s Eve on Wednesday night, the National Weather Service predicts. The storm is forecast to bring two to four inches of snow on mountain peaks, with snow also accumulating as low as 2,000 feet –including communities such as Alpine, Descanso, Julian and Jacumba.
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December 28, 2014 (San Diego)--The U.S. State Department has broadened its warning for U.S. citizens regarding risks of traveling to parts of Mexico due to criminal activity that has resulted in deaths of 85 American citizens this year, including some who were innocent bystanders. Kidnappings are also on the rise; 130 American citizens were kidnapped during the first 11 months of this year.
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Photo: Left to right: Tony Gwynn, Michele Tarbet, Aubrey Dunne, Duane Stainston, Penny Halgren, Joe Drew
December 26, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--East County lost community leaders, a sports star, a former elected official, business owners and beloved volunteers in 2014. Some were well-known, such as Padres Hall of Famer and Aztecs coach Tony Gwynn, ex-school board member Penny Halgren, Drew Ford patriarch Joe Drew and Grossmont Hospital CEO Michele Tarbet. Others were active in nonprofits, politics, schools and other community endeavors, such as Council candidate and Save ECPAC volunteer Duane Swainstom or beloved teacher Aubrey Dunne. Some weren’t well known, but their deaths made headlines and pulled at our heartstrings, including as missing persons, a military pilot and young people lost in the prime of their lives due to tragic circumstances.
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December 27, 2014 (Washington D.C.)--The U.S. Senate passed a measure authorizing the nation’s defense programs and along with it, managed to give lands sacred to Native Americans to a foreign company that owns a uranium mine with Iran.
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December 26, 2014 (Ramona) – A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 10 at 11 a.m. at Hacienda de las Rosas Winery in Ramona to commemorate winemaker William Holzhauer. Holzhauer passed away earlier this month following a long battle with cancer. The celebration of his life will be held on his birthday.
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December 27, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--Who’s been naughty and who’s been nice among this year’s headline makers? Our editorial staff has been making our list and checking it twice.
Here are our nominees for the naughtiest—and nicest—newsmakers of the year in 2014 who had an impact on our region. (Note: We don't include people charged with or convicted of felonies, as major crimes will be included in our "top news stories of 2014” that will be posted in a few days.)
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December 26, 2014 (San Diego)--At a Christmas Eve mass in Rome, Pope Francis made a plea for the many children who are suffering around the world. “Truly there are so many tears this Christmas," he said, asking for divine intervention to save children who are victims of violence, made objects of trade and trafficking, or forced to become child soldiers.
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December 26, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - Have you seen them? I saw my first one last week in La Mesa. They really do catch your eye. They are the billboards the San Diego Humane Society has put up all around town, and they are also an effective public relations tool.
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December 24, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--It’s going to be a sunny, warm and windy Christmas day, the national weather service predicts.
A wind watch has been issued for strong westerly winds developing Christmas Eve and forecast to continue through Christmas Day – when gusts up to 75 miles per hour are possible!
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Murders broaden discussion of race-relations to include senseless murders of officers
By Miriam Raftery
December 23, 2014 (San Diego)--Police departments across the nation have reportedly been put on alert following the cold-blooded murder of two New York Police officers. The gunman, who was black, posted Instragram messages indicating he planned to kill officers as revenge for the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Gardner, two black men who were killed by white police officers under controversial circumstances.
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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.
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December 22, 2014 (San Diego)—The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for our region from 10 p.m. night through 8 a.m. on Wednesday.
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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.
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December 19, 2014 (El Cajon)--For the 8th consecutive year, the El Cajon Police Department Holiday Storefront returns to Parkway Plaza in El Cajon during the month of December! This unique police storefront has been a popular place to visit during a hectic day of shopping. There’s nothing to buy, but much to see and learn about holiday and year-round safety from the Police, Fire, and Recreation Departments. See the Vintage 1942 El Cajon Police vehicle. McGruff the Crime Fighting Dog will be making special appearances as well.
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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.
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December 19, 2014 (San Diego)--Sony Pictures Entertainment has cancelled its Christmas day debut of the comedy film "The Interview" at theaters nationwide following cyberattacks that released personal data of Sony employees, followed by threats from the hackers of 9-11 style attacks on theaters. The film depicted journalists recruited by the CIA to assassinate North Korea's President Kim Jung-Un.
Today, the FBI issued a statement on its investigation which has confirmed that North Korea is behind the threats. Below is the full text of the FBI release, provided by Special Agent Darrell Foxworth:
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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.
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December 17, 2014 (Washington D.C.) – Two California Congressmen slipped language into the $1.1 trillion spending bill signed into law by the President, calling on the federal government to stop spending money enforcing marijuana laws in states where medical marijuana has been legalized. But the language is vague and lacks teeth, so it’s not yet clear whether marijuana patients, clinics and growers can breathe a sigh of relief.
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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.
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December 15, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--A dip in the jet stream along the West Coast is bringing more wet weather starting Monday night through early Thursday this week. The heaviest rain will be Tuesday morning and again Wednesday morning, with thunderstorms possible on Wednesday, the National Weather Service predicts.
Snow is forecast to fall in the mountains, with snow levels falling as low as 4500 feet by Wednesday. A total of 6-12 inches could pile up above 5500 feet by Wednesday night, which includes Mount Laguna here in East County.
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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.
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December 14, 2014 (Santee)--A call went out to the Santee Sheriff's Patrol Station at 3:54 p.m. on December 13, according to Deputy W. Price, regarding a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Carlton Oaks Boulevard and Willow Grove Avenue in Santee. Deputy Price said all the passengers in the blue Xterra vehicle were transported to the hospital and that included a 6-year-old minor.
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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.
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December 11, 2014 (San Diego) – A powerful storm is set to drench our region, bringing torrential downpours of up to a half inch of rain per hour. A flash flood watch has been issued through late Friday night, with highest risk in areas burned by recent wildfires including the Cocos Fire. Dangerous surf conditions will occur along the coast. Strong rip currents are forecast, with waves of 7 to 14 feet Friday and Saturday.
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