June 13, 2012 (San Diego) - Looking for relief from coastal June gloom? Sunny skies are forecast inland, says Your Online Weather forecaster Gary Kelley.

Update: Alford was located near her home and has been arrested on a new charge of transporting a controlled substance. Click here for details.

June 12, 2012 (Spring Valley ) – San Diego Sheriff’s Department is investigating the whereabouts of Rebecca Faye Alford, also known as Fatima Garcia.  Reported missing, she was last seen Monday, June 11 at 10:30 p.m. at her residence in the Lamplighter Village Park, 10767 Jamacha Blvd. in Spring Valley.

Homicide detail is investigating the case.  The missing woman, 41, has red hair and hazel eyes. She is described as light-skinned, 5 feet 6 inches tall, weight 125 pounds. A 1999 black Ford F159 with license plate #67216A1 may also be involved.

June 12, 2012 (El Cajon) 9:35 a.m. – Power remains out in parts of El Cajon following a transformer fire this morning. Heartland Fire & Rescue crews in El Cajon responded to reports of a transformer fire in the 200 block of Lincoln Avenue in El Cajon. As crews arrived, they found not only the transformer fire, but downed power lines and a resulting vehicle fire. 

June 7, 2012 (El Cajon ) – Proposition D, which declares El Cajon to be a charter city independent of many state requirements, has been approved by voters. 

The measure passed by a 57%-43% margin. 

May 31, 2012 (Boston) – Today, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit found that Section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional.  

Passed by Congress in 1996, DOMA declared that a marriage is between a man and a woman, nullifying marriages of gay and lesbian couples for purposes of federal law.  

Judge Michael Boudin, who was appointed by President George H.W. Bush, authored the unanimous decision. He was joined by Judge Sandra Lynch,an appointee of President Bill Clinton, and Chief Judge Juan Torruella, a Ronald Reagan appointee. 

By Mia Myklebust

“Stop the drones.” – Mossaret Qadeem, Amn-o-nisa implores

May 30, 2012 (San Diego) -- Dressed in brightly colored robes and hijabs, the women of Amn-o-nisa make a powerful statement with their presence alone. These 11 Pakistani women have come to the United States for the second time to spread their message of peace and international cooperation.

The name Amn-o-nisa translates to “women for peace,” which is the message the group hoped to spread on their visit to the U.S. The group visited Washington D.C., San Diego and Los Angeles and met with political figures including Senators Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein.

May 28, 2012 (Spring Valley) – A head-on collision has occurred at 10850 Jamacha Blvd. in Spring Valley. Incident Page Network reports four people are injured, including at least two in serious status. 

One vehicle is a Toyota Camry, according to the CHP website. The other vehicle is not yet identified. 

Update May 28, 2012 with a video news report by Paul Kruz, exclusive to East County Magazine, including interviews with the developer and Councilman Wells:

By Janis Mork and Miriam Raftery

May 23, 2012 (El Cajon)--El Cajon Council drew applause yesterday when by a unanimous decision, Council members rejected a proposal to tear down the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) and build a hotel on the site.

Instead, Council agreed to work with community members and a newly formed ECPAC Foundation to reopen the theater long heralded as a centerpiece of El Cajon's downtown revitalization.