Gas-powered plant is pitched to provide backup for non-windy days at Ocotillo wind project—also owned by Carlyle

By Miriam Raftery

January 2, 2013 (San Diego’s East County ) –Cogentrix has sold a majority of its North American assets, including Quail Brush GENCO (applicant for the Quail Brush power plant near Mission Trails) to subsidiaries of Carlyle Entities, managed by the Carlyle Group.   View letter to  California Energy Commission with details.   

Cogentrix had argued that the Quail Brush gas-fired “peaker” power plant was necessary to meet energy needs when there is now enough wind or sunshine for large-scale wind and solar projects.

Carlyle's 2009 Annual Report confirms that Carlyle also founded Pattern Energy, developer of the Ocotillo Express Wind project, a site that has drawn criticism for minimal wind resources.  But now, if Quail Brush is built, Carlyle stands to profit whether the wind blows or not.

January 1, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) –Some area residents started their New Year in the dark due to power outages.  An outage that began at 1 a.m. is due to be restored at noon today in the Blossom Valley and Lakeside areas, where a vehicle caused a short in the electrical system that left 432 customers without power, SDG&E reports.

In Lemon Grove and Spring Valley, a vehicle also caused an outage to 28 customers at 11:18 p.m. last night that is due to be restored at 9 a.m. today, according to SDG&E’s website.

Update 11:15 p.m. - The Senate has approved the deal 89-8.  The House vote, up next, will not occur tonight.

Update January 2, 2013:  The House approved the Senate version Jan. 1 with no changes.  The President later signed the measure into law.

December 31, 2012 (San Diego's East County) -- It's now past midnight in Washington D.C., where Senate leaders in both parties and President Obama have reached a tentative agreement on a deal to avert the worst of the "fiscal cliff" impacts.  Though no vote was taken prior to the midnight year-end deadline, because tomorrow is a federal holiday, the worst of the impacts can yet be avoided if Congress takes action soon.  However the measure is expected to face opposition in the House, which Republicans control.

How will failure of Congress to halt fiscal cliff impact you?

By Miriam Raftery

December 30, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – If Congress fails to agree by the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, automatic spending cuts of 8-9% across the board will take place as required through sequestration in both domestic programs and Defense.  That could cut the deficit by half, but theCongressional Budget office warns this could trigger recession as steep  tax hikes take effect along with spending cuts. It’s not just the rich who will feel the pinch—in fact middle class and low income earners would face severe economic impacts.

San Diego's biotech industry, military and Border Patrol offices are all bracing for potential painful cuts.

The deficit currently stands at $1.1 trillion, the lowest since 2008 but still a daunting figure that both sides seek to reduce, but with vastly different approaches.

December 30, 2012 (San Diego) – Several lanes are blocked by a multi-vehicle accident on westbound I-8, just west of 805. 

In addition, a rollover accident has occurred on northbound 163 on the ramp to eastbound I-8.

A collision has also occurred on I-8 eastbound at East Main Street in El Cajon.

December 29, 2012 (San Diego)—A federal lawsuit has been filed by Celeste Deborah Cooney, who alleges that radiation from a bank of smart meters left her unable to reside in her home. Defendants in the suit include the SDG&E,  the State of California, Attorney General Kamala Harris, California Public Utilities chairman Mi chael Peevey, and Itron Inc., manufacturer of smart meters used in San Diego.

Cooney, a former bank vice president in Massachusetts, moved to San Diego to pursue a new career as a musician.  She performed at prominent locations including the Queen Mary and the Ritz Carlton.  But in April 2011, she developed a ringing in her ears, a “shock to her heart”, numbness, chest pain, heart palpitations and sleep problems that she attributes to a bank of smart meters at an apartment complex near her home in La Jolla.

Photo courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

December 29, 2012 (Santee)—Jayme Midland, 25, was killed when the Volkswagen Beetle he was driving on State Route 52 was struck head-on by a Chevy pickup truck driving on the wrong side of the highway. 

The woman driving the truck suffered moderate injuries.  After treatment at Sharp Memorial hospital, she was arrested for gross vehiclular manslaughter while intoxicated. She has been booked into the Las Colinas Detention Facility, according to the California Highway Patrol.

 Midland,  a resident of Clairemont, was declared dead at the scene. The accident occurred shortly before 1 a.m. on eastbound 52, just east of Mast Boulevard in Santee.

December 29, 2012 (San Diego’s East County ) -  A storm moving through our region today and tomorrow is expected to bring rain and in mountain areas, snow.  By tomorrow, snow is forecast to drop down to 4,000 feet—low enough to include Julian and  Lake Cuyamaca—popular destinations for families seeking to frolic in the snow.

Gusty winds are also forecast in mountains and on desert slopes late Sunday. The storm system is expected to move east and out of our county on Monday,  so if you’re planning a trip to the mountains it’s best to wait until after the weekend.

Update: Both 163 and 805 are now reopened, though traffic on 163 remains slow as of 5:55 p.m.

December 28, 2012 (San Diego) -- For the second time today, a suicidal person threatening to jump off a bridge has caused major traffic delays.  Late this afternoon, State Route 163 has been shut down in both directions at the Laurel Street Bridge in Balboa Park.  The I-5 connector to 163 is also closed due to the jumper.

Earlier today, a man threatening to jump off a bridge forced shut-down of I-805 at State Route 54. That individual has been taken into custody and 805 is now reopened. 

If you or someone you know is suffering from suicidal thoughts, please contact these resources: 

East County Magazine is now on Facebook!  You can follow us, be our friend, and "like" us here:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/East-County-Magazine/524328380924611.

This is a new page, separate from our editor, Miriam Raftery's Facebook page.  We will be transitioning our news site's information to the new page, so please be sure to "friend" us for the latest posts. 

By Nadin Abbott

Photos by Tom Abbott, video by Nadin Abbott

December 27, 2012 (San Diego)-- The New Car Dealers Association of San Diego brings once again the San Diego International Auto Show, among the largest in the nation and the second largest in Southern California, to the San Diego Convention Center now Thursday through Sunday. The show this year features some old stand bys such as the Jeep Experience, where you can ride in one of several Jeeps to highlight the abilities of these vehicles. This year I rode a Trail Hawk Special Edition and the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Limited, which is a four door model. 

View a video of the ride here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9pv9QI__bM&feature=youtu.be

By Miriam Raftery

December 27, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The power of social media has given rise to a new phenomenon seen across our region and around the world:  residents are taking to the streets, sending tweets, and discovering the power of the people.  They’re organizing online, launching petitions, posting viral videos on Youtube, promoting causes on Facebook.  A year aqo, in 2011, the world witnessed the power of citizen activism when the Egyptian government was overthrown.  Here at home, the rise in citizen activism in the past year has led to some remarkable achievements and some noteworthy upsets.

Here are some of the results of citizen activism in our region over the past year.

December 27, 2012 (La Mesa)—A fire that began in or near a wall heater yesterday morning swiftly engulfed a granny flat in the 8400 block of Sunrise Avenue.  After a neighbor reported the blaze, Heartland Fire & Rescue crews arrived within five minutes.  

Firefighters stretched hose lines inside the building to aggressively fight the fire, while other crews vented the structure to allow smoke and hot gases to escape.  The blaze was doused within 10 minutes and firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to neighboring buildings. 

By Miriam Raftery

December 27, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—East County lost some prominent residents in 2012, from celebrities and pioneers to lesser known individuals who achieved extraordinary accomplishments in their lives or touched our hearts in their passing. 

Scroll down to read about those lost in 2012; click on their names to read more about these remarkable individuals.

December 25, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – A wind advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service for mountains and deserts in East County from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, December 26.  Gusts up to 50 mph may occur near ridge tops.  Winds may make driving difficult, also producing blowing sand in desert areas. 

A hazardous weather outlook has also been issued for southwestern California.  Wednesday through Monday, a cold low-pressure system will bring light to moderate rain, with snow down to 4500 feet in mountain areas, along with strong winds.  Frost is possible in valleys and upper deserts Wednesday and Thursday nights.  Along coastal areas, a winds may create hazardous conditions for small crafts.