By Miriam Raftery

June 24, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – This morning Cal-Fire reports that the Border Fire is 45% contained after scorching 7,483 acres.  Five homes and 11 outbuildings were destroyed. 

The evacuation shelter at Los Coches Creek Middle School in El Cajon is closing today. All evacuated areas are now reopened, however some road closures remain in effect.  View full details from Cal Fire at: https://twitter.com/CALFIRESANDIEGO/status/746347587112828928

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By Miriam Raftery

June 26, 2016 (San Diego)--President Barack Obama’s executive orders to protect an estimated 5 million immigrants, or nearly half the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., from deportation have been blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court. 

The actions puts many immigrants brought here as children and parents of undocumented immigrants at risk of eventual deportation; their fate now depends on the outcome of the next election. The high court ruling also takes away new healthcare coverage recently granted by California to certain undocumented people.

Here’s what you need to know:

By Suzanne Potter, California News Service

June 24, 2016 (Washington D.C.) --Latino rights supporters are regrouping after the Supreme Court split 4-4 on the constitutionality of President Obama's immigration policy.

The tie lets a lower court decision stand, blocking two of the president's executive orders. One program, Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA), would have given temporary work permits to parents of U.S. citizens and legal residents. The other is an expansion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which gave a reprieve to certain people brought to the U.S. as children.

"This is really sad for the immigrant community," said Antonio Bernabe, organizing director for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. "They are really disappointed, hoping for a real solution. Now they are still fearing for their families, fearing for themselves, living in terror every day."

Source: Cal Fire

June 23, 2016 (Potrero) – Tactical firing Operations are being conducted above the north east corner of the Border 3 Fire., Cal Fire advises.

These firing operations are one of the many tools used to stop and or slow down the spread of large fires. The firing operation, along with direct perimeter control efforts, will continue throughout the day and night until the objective has been met.

By Liz Alper

Photo:  red everywhere.  Courtesy @Padres on Twitter

June 23, 2016 (Cincinnati) - After failing to sweep (again), the Padres traveled west to the Great American Ballpark and back to the National League to face the Cincinnati Reds for the first time this season in a four-game weekend series.  Christian Friedrich started on the mound for San Diego against John Lamb for Cincinnati.

East County News Service

June 23, 2016 (San Diego) –Although more than 60% of Americans support limits on access to assault weapons, Republicans in the House and Senate refused to allow votes on such measures.  In the Senate last week, Democrats filibustered to force a vote, but the Republican majority defeated a measure authored by California Senator Dianne Feinstein.

Last night, House Democrats staged a sit-in seeking to prevent the House from adjourning without taking up a similar measure. Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan shut off cameras to prevent TV coverage on C-Span, so San Diego Democrat Scott Peters  live-streamed the action on his cell phone with a Periscope app.  Democratic Congresswoman Susan Davis, whose district includes San Diego and East County cmmunities, also spoke—and sat—on the House floor.

Hear Congresswoman Susan Davis’ floor speech here:  https://www.facebook.com/RepSusanDavis/videos/1183815441661009/

View video highlights from C-Span of the House Democratic sit-in here:

East County News Service

June 23, 2016 (Casa de Oro) -- On Saturday June 25th, Butler’s Coffee House invites you to celebrate their grand opening. The event includes coffee, food, and live music. The ribbon cutting will start at 10:30 a.m. and includes a flag ceremony at 11:00 a.m.

East County News Service

June 23, 2016 (La Mesa) – After 41 years, Sanfilippo Pizza in La Mesa will be closing permanently.

Source:  San Diego County Sheriff Press Release

June 23, 2016 (San Diego's East County) - It's a scenario that plays out hundreds of times a day across San Diego County.  People are calling 911 and hanging up.  It's most likely an accident, but it's taking time away from those who really need help.





 

June 23, 2016 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL

• SDG&E nears OK for lobbying on public energy program (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Inside the Fight on the Left Over SANDAG’s Big Tax (Voice of San Diego)
• Lawsuit over gas plume under Qualcomm stadium settled (KPBS)
• U.S. Border Patrol ramps up presence in East County to catch smugglers (KPBS)
• San Diego Registrar of Voters faces lawsuit (CBS8)
• Rep. .Darrell Issa may face a strong challenge in November (Times of San Diego)
• District may be headed toward fiscal slowdown (Ramona Sentinel)
• Planners scrap park project (Ramona Sentinel)
• Inside The Deal That Shaped San Diego County’s Power Picture(KPBS)
• Imperial Beach Braces for Rising Sea Levels (Voice of San Diego)

STATE

• Twin fires in San Gabriel Mountains force hundreds of evacuations amid brutal conditions (Los Angeles Times)
• PG&E to close Diablo Canyon, California’s last nuclear plant (Los Angeles Times)
• Congress will not fund gun violence research, so California will do it on its own (Intellectualist)
• Q&A: What got done in California’s state budget and what didn’t (Los Angeles Times)
• Up to 700 gallons of oil spill in VenturaCounty (Los Angeles Times)
• What’s going on around the San Andreas fault? (CS Monitor)
• No Easy Path To Implementing California Groundwater Law (KPBS)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more”and scroll down.

5 homes lost

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Facebook post by Kerra Elizabeth McAhren

June 23, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – This morning, the Border Fire is now 20% contained and has scorched 6,8450 acres as over 1,900 firefighters battle the blaze.  Five homes (of which 3 were secondary homes on the same property) and eleven outbuildings were destroyed, while one other home was damaged, Cal Fire confirms. Residents on the Campo-Lake Morena Neighborhood Watch page on Facebook have been posting eyewitness accounts, photos and videos as well as thank you messages for firefighters at https://www.facebook.com/groups/345408365593244/.

There will be a community meeting at the Los Coches Creek Middle School located at 9669 Dunbar Ln., El Cajon, CA at 7:00 pm today hosted by the Cal Fire IncidentManagement Team with an update on the Border Fire.  Representatives from agencies managing and supporting the incident as well as local dignitaries will provide a briefing and answer questions.  Public inquiries regarding the Community Meeting or Fire Information, please call 2-1-1.

“The fire still remains a threat to the communities of Lake Morena Village, Campo as well as the outlying recreational assets as the fire continues to move north and northeast. This is still a dynamic and active fire, residents in the surrounding area of the fire should continue to be prepared to evacuate if need be,” Cal Fire’s latest update reads.

East County News Service

Updated June 24 with information from the CHP

June 22, 2016 (Alpine) — A 64-year-old woman walking her dog was struck and killed by a car this morning at South Grade and Calle de Compadres near Wright’s Field in Alpine.  The accident caused temporary closure of South Grade Road.

According to the California Highway Patrol spokesman Kevin Pearlstein, the driver, a 57 year old man from alpine was driving 2004 Honda Civic southbound at 35 to 40 miles per hour when he struck the pedestrian, who apepared to be crossing the road toward her parked vehicle

"Due to the change in elevation of the roadway,the drive of theHonda was unable to avoid the pedestrian who had appeared directly in his path of travel," Pearlstein said,adding that the driver did apply his brakes but could not avoid the collision. The driver was not injured and was not cited.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

June 22, 2016 (Potrero) --CAL FIRE reports that an evacuation order has been lifted for the following areas for some Potrero residents at 4 p.m. and for the general public at 6 p.m.:

• West of Potrero Valley Road at Potrero Valley
• West of Potrero General Store at 25125 State Route 94, including the north and south sides of State Route 94
• Potrero County Park

Residents who live in this area will be allowed back in with photo identification. ll other evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect.

CAL FIRE also reported the following road closures:

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy County Animal Services:  Dog rescued from Border Fire by reporter Joe Little from ECM news partner 10 News on Highway 94 in Potrero.  The County is seeking the owner of the dog, which suffered four burned paws.

June 22,2016 (Potrero) – A humanitarian crisis is occurring in Potrero, where fire and law enforcement authorities continue to deny access to residents seeking to bring in feed and water for pets and livestock that are dying  of neglect in triple-digit heat within the evacuation area for the Border Fire.

Within the past hour, Colin Richard posted this message on the Potrero Town Feed on Facebook:

By Miriam Raftery

June 22,2016 (San Diego’s East County) – If you’re evacuating from the Border Fire, be aware that the Circle T Ranch is filled to capacity. The County  advises that large animal shelters are available at the Boulevard Customs and Border Protection station on 2463 Ribbonwood Rd. in Boulevard and has provided contact numbers for help to evacuate pets and livestock.

In addition, several private ranch owners have notified East County Magazine that they have facilities to take in large animals.

The San Diego Humane Society has worked with the Red Cross to set up a pet-friendly shelter in conjunction with the family evacuation shelter at Los Coches Middle School on 9669 Dunbar Lane in El Cajon.