November 1, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a red flag alert from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2 for San Diego’s mountain areas.

Warm temperatures, high winds and low humidity will create “explosive fire growth potential,” the NWS warns.

Moderate to strong Santa Ana winds of 40-50 mph are forecast, with gusts up to 60 mph in some areas. 

Update 6:45 p.m. --  San Onofre has cancelled the alert issued earlier and now reports that its onsite emergency response team has contained the release and cleaned up hazardous material at the unit following an ammonia leak. The leak had no impact on radioactive material or cooling units.  

Plumbing union expert involved with installation of piping and ammonia monitoring system at plant speaks with ECM

November 1, 2011 (La Mesa)—Gerry Bullard, 22, and Keith Davis, 26 have been arrested on charges of car jacking and armed robbery, La Mesa Police report.  The men may be responsible for multiple robberies in La Mesa and elsewhere in the County, according to La Mesa Police.

Sycuan may offer hope for restoring service in Dehesa; Mount Helix could be next to lose fire services

By Miriam Raftery

By Miriam Raftery

“This is a shame and an embarrassment.” – La Mesa Councilman David Allen, former San Miguel Firefighter

By Miriam Raftery

October 22, 2011 (San Diego) -- The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook  for San Diego County.  Dense fog is forecast starting late this evening, through tomorrow morning for San Diego County inland and mountain regions with particularly dense fog in coastal areas.  If driving, use caution.

President also rolls out jobs plan for returning veterans

October 21, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – It’s going to be a merry holiday season for the families of 39,000 U.S. service men and women in Iraq.

ECM Special Report
 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Pam Wilmers, Video by Billy Ortiz

Updated October 21, 2011

Cost-of-Living Adjustment is First Since 2009, but benefit may be offset by hike in Medicare premiums for some recipients

October 19, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 60 million Americans will increase 3.6 percent in 2012, the Social Security Administration announced today.

Half a million in Madrid sing Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" as peaceful protest

“Move Your Money” campaign urges transfer of money from big banks to local financial institutions by Nov. 5; “Solidarity” leader Lech Walesa joins forces with Occupy Wall Street

By Miriam Raftery

October 17, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement and similar demonstrations against financial institutions and corporate power in Spain and Germany, a “Global Day of Protest” on Saturday, October 15 brought millions of people into the streets in protests held in 950 cities worldwide.  The  largest occurred in Madrid, where an estimated half million Spaniards joined together to sing Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” and raise hands to show that theirs was a peaceful protest. (Click video to view).

The movement is attracting some strange bedfellows—drawing support this week from labor leaders, Solidarity's Lech Walesa, and even a co-founder of the conservative Tea Party movement. 

Additional Long-Term Closures also Announced 

Protest planned Tues. Oct. 18 at Civic Center

By Jeremy Los

Oct. 16, 2011– A medical marijuana advocate  stricken with scoliosis threatened to jump off an overpass above State Route 163 on Friday night after the U.S. Department of Justice announced plans to raid and shut down hundreds of medical marijuana dispensaries throughout the state.

 
By George J. Janczyn 

October 16, 2011 (San Diego) -- The following story is reprinted with permission from http://GrokSurfSanDiego.com. 

October 14, 2011 (San Diego) - A SIG alert has been issued and Highway 163 has been shut down at University Avenue.  According to the CHP website, a man is threatening to jump off a bridge at 10th Street.

ECM news partner 10 News reports the man is a mental patient with a bag next to him, on the outside of the guard rail.  A negotiator is at the scene.