Update August 8: In a meeting between SDG&E and Rural Fire Protection District representatives on Thursday, SDG&e indicated it wants a single set of rules such as for vegetation clearance and sought to be exempted from overhead water sprinklers over electrical equipment. The RFPD suggested an inert gas fire fighting agent. “In the end, what we believe will happen is that SDG&E will comply, although there will be modifications,” said member Lou Russo.

August 5, 2011 (Boulevard)—San Diego Police ask the public’s help to locate Jerry Perez, 53, who was last seen July 15 at 6:30 a.m. on Pacific Highway in San Diego. His car, a 1996 white Honda Accord (CA license 3TDT884) was found July 15 at 8 a.m. abandoned on Interstate 8 in Boulevard, a half mile east of the La Posta Creek Bridge.

"What about the complete loss of our lifestyle?" - Linda Hayes, Lakeside rancher

Update August 5, 2011:  John Williams was found safely last night and has been reunited with his family, Jan Caldwell with the Sheriff reports.

31 rescues since June; firefighting aircraft diverted to save hikers

By TJ Dunnivant

August 1, 2011 (San Diego)—The wife of Officer David Hall called San Diego Police today to report that her husband had shot and killed himself at their Linda Vista home. He was pronounced dead at the scene of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, said Lt. Andra Brown.

July 31, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for San Diego County’s mountains and deserts for this afternoon through 8 p.m. this evening. A flash flood warning was also issued for central portions of the County this afternoon including the recently burned areas near Warner Springs and Julian.

July 31, 2011 (Spring Valley) Elisa Maria Osuna, 27, of Chula Vista was killed when her car swerved off Highway 94 eastbound in Spring Valley and plunged down an embankment, striking a building at 3:23 a.m. yesterday morning.

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.