July 29, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Cal Fire warns of a high risk of flash floods and debris flow in areas burned by the Eagle Fire tonight through Sunday. Rob Balfour, National Weather Service Incident Meteorologist assigned to the Eagle Fire, forecasts a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms over the burned area. An estimated 0.15 to 0.68 inches of rain could occur all at once, or in several episodes. Intense rainfall is most likely late Saturday afternoon/evening and again on Sunday.

Rainfall rates as low as 0.15 inches in a 20 minute period are capable of producing debris flows and flash floods in recently burned drainage basins, which include popular camping areas in Anza-Borrego.

Areas at risk of flooding or debris flows include:

Supervisors to vote on legal challenge of $150 assessment on rural properties

By Billie Jo Jannen
For East County Magazine

July 29, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--As County supervisors mull a possible lawsuit over a state plan to bill rural property owners $150 per dwelling, CalFire officials say the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection will take public input through Aug. 22 on how and which rural residents will be charged the new fee.

By Jeremy Los

July 28, 2011 – A community information meeting held by Helix Water District last week turned into a discussion of employee benefits and pensions amid public outcry over raising water rates.

Update: This missing person has been located, San Diego Police reports.

July 27, 2011 (San Diego)—Ariana Khair, 19, was last seen on Saturday, July 23 in the area of 5400 El Cajon Blvd in San Diego, San Diego Police reported today.

July 26, 2011 (Bonita) – San Diego Sheriff’s office today notified media that 14-year-old Luke Roundy, aka Michael McWilliams, disappeared the night of July 15. The teen and his family are from Texas and were staying with relatives in the 3800 block of Alta Loma Drive in Bonita.

By Miriam Raftery

July 23, 2011 (Lakeside) – Back in February 2009, SDG&E officials met with a packed hall full of residents in Lakeside, including the town’s planning board. Residents were furious that SDG&E had changed its proposed route to march 40-story high voltage towers through El Monte Valley, a County-designated scenic view corridor.

After numerous residents objected to desecration of views, SDG&E representative Laura McDonald promised that towers would be “camouflaged” by painting them tan or green. This reporter was present and can vouch for that pledge made. Don Parent and at least two other SDG&E representatives were also present.

But now SDG&E has reneged on its promise to the people of Lakeside—and its representatives have apparently developed convenient cases of amnesia.

July 22, 2011 (Jamul) – The Deerhorn Valley Antler reports heavy Sheriff and Police presence throughout the Jamul area today due to a motorcycle gang rivalry.

“There are units from San Diego, La Mesa, El Cajon, Vista, Oceanside,” the Antler reported, adding that undercover units are also in the area.

Update July 22, 2011 5 p.m. - A fatality has been confirmed.  No further details are yet available.

July 22, 2011 (Pine Valley) 12:20 a.m. – More than an hour after a car plunged off an embankment, authorities on scene are still awaiting for a Life Flight helicopter to arrive. The accident is now being described as a possible fatality.

By news staff at www.GovTech.com

July 20, 2011 (Washington D.C.)--The full-body scanners used to screen passengers at airport security checkpoints will be getting new software that will discontinue “passenger-specific” images, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced Wednesday, July 20.

July 17, 2011 (La Mesa) – A fire has displaced seven residents at a triplex located at 5055 Thorne Drive in La Mesa. Heartland Fire & Rescue in La Mesa responded to a call at 3 p.m. and found smoke pouring from one of the units.

July 16, 2011 (San Diego) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa cargo facility discovered 1,420 pounds of marijuana in boxes of serrano chili peppers Wednesday evening. 

On July 13, a Mexican citizen, 27, entered the cargo port driving a 2000 International tractor and pulling a refrigerated trailer with cargo manifested as chili peppers. A CBP officer noticed the driver’s nervous demeanor and referred the conveyance for an intensive examination.

July 15, 2011 (Alpine) -- East Count Magazine editor Miriam Raftery will be a guest this evening on Billie Jo Jannen's "TGIF" radio news show from 6-7 p.m. Livestream at www.my1079.com wherever you are, or listen live at 107.9 on your FM radio dial (heard in parts of East County).

Hot topics include: the fire parcel tax, a lawsuit filed by Derek and Nancy Casady seeking return of bail-out funds for taxpayers, smart meters, closure of Cedar Creek Falls, redistricting in the Grossmont Union High School District, Alpine's proposed high school, and CSU trustees' decision to hike both tuitions and the salary of SDSU's new president. 

July 14, 2011 (El Cajon)--An experimental single-engine plane had to make an emergency landing at Gillespie Field airport this morning after the pilot noticed he had a fuel leak and his pilot began to fill with smoke. He made a hard landing on the runway, bringing the plane in nose down as it came to a stop.

By Miriam Raftery

July 13, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – As controversy burns around the new fire parcel fee signed into law by Governor Brown, many area residents have asked which communities and what types of structures are subject to the fees. East County Magazine spoke with Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant in Sacramento. We have answers--and a detailed map.