July 29, 2012 (San Diego) --  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in co-operation with Peg Perego and Kolcraft has announced a voluntary recall of approximately 228,000 strollers.

The Peg Perego USA Inc. recall is of 223,000 strollers due to a risk of entrapment and strangulation.  A 6-month-old baby boy from Tarzana, Calif. died of strangulation after his head was trapped between the seat and the tray of his Peg Perego stroller in 2004. Another baby, a 7-month-old girl from New York, N.Y., nearly strangled when her head became trapped between the seat and the tray of her stroller in 2006.

July 27, 2012 (La Mesa) – The City of La Mesa will be participating in National Night Out on August 7 at the north Target parking lot at Grossmont Center, 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  The event will be an Emergency Preparedness Fair that is family friendly and an easy way to learn to prepare for disaster.

Explore emergency vehicles, get free child fingerprinting and receive free resources and information on putting together an emergency preparedness kit.  Target will provide free BBQ.  For more information call 667-7545.

By Miriam Raftery

July 22, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Revelations that six wildfires in the past six weeks have been caused by recreational shooting in East County has caused a firestorm of controversy.  

Cal-Fire, joined by residents of  Dulzura, Potrero and other areas bordering the Otay Wilderness area have asked the federal Bureau of Land Management to ban shooting on its properties within San Diego County for the duration of this year’s expected severe fire season.  

• Health insurance rebates due next week across California  (Sacramento Bee)
• California Parks Director resigns amid scandal (Sacramento Bee)
• Prop 32 opponents blast measure as flawed, unfair (Sacramento Bee)
• 4^th night of unrest in Anaheim as protesters confront police (San Diego Free Press)
• Will California’s controversial desalination plant get off the ground?  Here’s the last hurdle it faces (Alternet)

• Foreclosures plummet in San Diego County (UT San Diego)
• Council won’t sign PBID yet (La Mesa Today)
• San Diego: America’s Olympic capital (UT San Diego)
• Lakeside’s Long new face of Olympics (UT San Diego)
• Abuse of power allegations levied against Border Patrol (10 News)
• Video shows border agent destroying water for migrants (10 News)

By Miriam Raftery

July 24, 2012 (Ocotillo) – On Friday the 13th of July, foaming  floodwaters rushed through the town of Ocotillo, leaving a white chemical residue behind on lawns, streets, and the surrounding desert floor. 

Despite numerous complaints to federal, state and local officials, however, nothing has been done to test the residue or correct a drainage pattern altered by Pattern Energy’s construction at the adjacent Ocotillo Express industrial wind site on Bureau of Land Management property.

The flooding is the latest in a long string of problems tied to Pattern and its subcontractors, which residents say have exhibited a pattern of breaking rules that protect public health and safety, with seemingly no serious consequences. 

Update 5:20 p.m.: The fire's forward spread has been stopped at 20 acres, Cal Fire's Roxanne Provaznik reports. No structures were burned. Proctor Valley Road remains  closed between Chula Vista and Jamul. Echo Way is also closed but should be opened soon. 

July 25, 2012 (El Cajon) – Youth Theatre Conservatory (YTC) will be performing “Underground” July 23-28 at 7:00 p.m., with a 2:00 p.m. matinee on the July 28, at Granite Hills High School Little Theatre, 1719 East Madison Ave, El Cajon.  The show is centered around forgiveness and letting go of struggles.  It was previously named “A Room Full of Strangers”.

Your online weather with Gary Kelley

July 25, 2012 (San Diego)-- Warm weather is expected with low clouds along the coast today.  Later this week, a gradual cooling trend inland will bring relief from high temperatures--but watch for warmer weather on the horizon next week.

 Here are the latest conditions provided by the National Weather Service for today:

By Caleb Trainer

July 25, 2012 (Escondido) – Palomar Health is hosting a “community celebration” on Saturday afternoon at the new, 11-story Palomar Medical Center (PMC) here. The district serves north San Diego County, including inland mountain areas.

Solar Shines Bright To Help San Diego Fight Construction Of Gas Power Plant 

July 25, 2012 (Santee) – San Diego’s Planning Commission voted last week against rezoning open space near Mission Trails Regional Park to install a gas-fired power plant. But the decision can be appealed at City Council.  Residents in Santee and San Diego have voiced strong opposition to the Quail Brush power plant on the site  bordering both communities. 

“We have created the San Diego Solar Program to offer a reliable clean energy solution that benefits our local communities,” said Daniel Sullivan, founder and president of Sullivan Solar Power. “Not only are program participants saving money and helping our region meet our energy demands, they are getting paid to do so.”

To help with declaring energy independence, a free San Diego Solar Program informational solar luncheon is being hosted for East County residents on Saturday, August 4, at 11 a.m. at Santee City Hall, Civic Building #7 (10601 Magnolia Ave, Santee, CA 92071).

July 25, 2012 (Sacramento) – As ECM has reported, the state has suspended Brown Act provisions  that previously required public boards to notify the public about agenda items at least 72 hours before meetings. 

Now Californians Aware, a watchdog group that protects citizens’ right to open government, has created an online petition with Change.org to “Free the Brown Act from Budget Suspense.” You can urge Assembly speaker to support a constitutional amendment that would restore open government rights for the people by signing the petition here.