The annual “Cops for Kids” Tournament Celebrates the Life of Luis “Frank” Romero  

July 14, 2012 (Escondido)  – The Escondido Police Officer’s Association has announced that their annual “Cops for Kids” golf tournament will be rededicated as the Cadet Luis Romero Memorial Golf Tournament, to be hosted at the Vineyard at Escondido Golf Course on Monday, July 16 at 1 p.m. The event celebrates Luis “Frank” Romero, an aspiring law enforcement officer who succumbed to a Glioblastoma Multiforme brain tumor earlier this year at the age of 18.

July 14, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Want to run for office?  There are many seats open for local candidates, from planning groups to school boards and city councils.

By Nadin Abbott

Photos by Tom Abbott and Nadin Abbott

July 13, 2012 (San Diego)--If you are going to attend Comic-Con this year, you should know there are many side events outside the Convention Center. One of them is Gam3r-Con, located on the 10th Ave Theater, which is on 930th, Ten Avenue.

By Brian Lafferty

Photos and Video by Billy Ortiz

July 12, 2012 (Lakeside) – A brush fire briefly threatened homes at I-8 and Los Coches Road near in Lakeside early this afternoon.  Thanks to a full wildland fire response, the blaze was extinguished in about 20 minutes. 

"As I traveled up Los Coches Road, I spotted flames and smoke near a housing track. I called 911 and they dispatched fire crews.  Within 5 minutes  fire engine crews were on the scene," said ECM photographer Billy Ortiz, who shot this dramatic video as firefighters battled the blaze and concerned residents looked on.

July 12, 2012 (Mission Trails) -- The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation and the California Art Club will present Treasures of the Mission Trails Regional Park Art Exhibit and Benefit on July 14 from 6-8:30 p.m.

Renowned Native American Flute Player Tim Romero will be performing and George Cowles, East County resident circa 1873-1883, will return in character. The event will also include fine art, fine wine, cheese and chocolate.

By Sam Giovanna

East County Magazine’s in-house fire chief

July 12, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) --Following proven safety guidelines can greatly reduce the risk of injury or death from lightning strikes.

Lightning safety tips

The following tips are provided by the American Meteorological Society and the National Lighting Safety Institution.

Excessive heat warning in effect; Sheriff issues safety tips for hikers

July 11, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for San Diego County’s desert areas, cautioning that conditions “could be deadly” for unprepared campers or hikers. 

That message comes too late for Lynn Thu Tran, 19, of Escondido.  She was found unconscious with signs of heat stroke on the Julian side of Cedar Creek Falls at 5:30 p.m. on July 9. She was airlifted to Palomar Hospital but did not survive.  According to the Medical Examiner, she died of hypethermia, conditions related to a heat stroke.

• Catching up with San Diego’s legislators (San Diego CityBeat)
• Report: Padres to be sold to group including local golf star (10 News)
• Survey: Islam is San Diego County’s fastest growing religion (UT San Diego)
• Could economics doom ailing California nuclear plant? (Sacramento Bee)
• Santee among cities getting park grants (UT San Diego)
• Padre dam board settles on five-year  plan (UT San Diego)  
  
• ‘Appalled’ at Costs, Residents Slam Helix Water District Rate Hike Plan

• California growers join greens to query frack safety (Reuters)
• Legislature approves high speed rail spending (SF Gate)
• Historic bridges of Yosemite Valley under siege (Sacramento Bee)
• Study: What makes Californians smile? (News Service .org)
• College tuition is political fodder, from the state Legislature to the presidential campaign trail (Sacramento Bee)
  
• Rising costs push California cities to fiscal brink

July 11, 2012 -- Marking a major milestone for Californians and all Americans, the Homeowners Bill of Rights, a package of bills sponsored by Attorney General Kamala D. Harris that gives homeowners important new protections and places restrictions on how aggressively banks can foreclose, was signed into law today by Governor Brown.