August 1, 2013 (Lakeside) – Summertime, and the living is easy. Fish are jumpin’, as the song goes.  Now you can try your hand at some summertime fishing after dark at Lake Jennings. The park is open for night fishing every Friday and Saturday night now through Labor Day at the end of August.

The largest fish caught at the lake is a whopping 68-pound catfish back in October2004.  The record Largemouth Bass weighed in at 17 pounds, 2 ounches, caught at Siesta Point in 2005.

With temperatures soaring to triple digits this summer, night fishing offers a cool option for anglers of all ages.  The lake also has picnicking, hiking, boating and camping.

July 31, 2013 (Grantville) – A Grantville resident was struck by a car while crossing the street at the corner of Mission Gorge Road and Twain Avenue on Monday, July 8. Witness testimony is contradictory and eye-witnesses are being sought to help clarify the incident.

The pedestrian, a 42-year old woman and girlfriend of ECM reporter/photographer Ron Logan, was struck shortly before noon.

July 30, 2013 (El Cajon) – A fugitive who rammed a police car in El Cajon is under arrest, along with his companion.  The arrests followed a pursuit that resulted in a police officer opening fire and a K-9 dog biting the fleeing suspect.

At 2 p.m. on July 30, El Cajon Police offers spotted the wanted fugitive, Ali Alkafaji in the 1300 block of North Johnson. Officers in marked patrol units attempted to stop the vehicle, assisted by a California Highway Patrol officer. According to police, the suspect intentionally rammed a police sergeant’s vehicle and then accelerated toward the CHP officer, who was out of his car on foot.

According to Lieutenant Frank La Haye, “The suspect continued in the CHP officer’s direction, attempting to run him over. The CHP officer, fearing for his life, fired several rounds at the suspect’s vehicle.”

By Dave Jones, California Insurance Commissioner

July 30, 2013 (San Diego) – In case you missed it, last week I recommended that Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Cross of California should be excluded from California's Small Business Health Benefits Exchange.

On July 1, Anthem will increase rates on small employers 7.2%, the third unreasonable rate increase imposed on small employers this year alone.  The 12-month cumulative increase for these Anthem customers is 17.6%; had Anthem reduced its rate increase to a reasonable level as I requested, policyholders would have seen $37 million in savings.

July 30, 2013 (Rancho San Diego) – For those with a knack for sales interested in joining the emerging green workforce, Cuyamaca College is offering a free course on selling solar energy systems.

The 36-hour course is provided through the San Diego/Imperial County Environmental Training Center based at Cuyamaca College and will give students a working knowledge of one of the fastest-growing segments of the green-collar industry.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

July 30, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – We are in the monsoon season, where pop-up thunderstorms can quickly and unexpectedly bring flash floods no matter where you live, warns Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. Though part of natures beauty, these storms can be very dangerous.

July 29, 2013 (San Diego) -- Dear EarthTalk: Hurricane Sandy brought more sea water onto shorelines than I’d ever witnessed before and many communities near where I live are now being required to raise their homes up. What is the prognosis for sea level rise in the years immediately ahead?

-- Scott P., Fairfield, CT



Since sea level measurements were first recorded, in 1870, global averages have risen almost eight inches. The annual rate of rise has been 0.13 inches over the past 20 years, which is close to twice the average from the previous 80 years. Future estimates for sea levels vary according to region but most Earth scientists agree that sea levels are expected to rise at a greater pace than during the last 50 years.

July 29, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego County homeowners can now get rebates of up to $50 and businesses can get rebates of up to $200 for purchasing highly efficient toilets as part of extensive regional efforts to promote wise use of water.

While many homeowners and businesses have upgraded to more efficient toilets in recent years, manufacturers have continued to reduce the amount of water necessary for each flush as regulatory standards evolve.

July 29, 2013 (El Cajon) – At 12:43 a.m. on July 25, Heartland Fire & Rescue crews in the City of El Cajon responded to reports of a structure fire in the 1-thousand block of Broadway in El Cajon.  Upon arrival firefighters found smoke and flames coming from the Classic Tattoo business located at 1024 Broadway.  Quick action by fire crews had the fire knocked down in less than 25 minutes.  Two adjoining businesses of the one story structure sustained smoke and water damage.  Heartland crews were assisted by fire units from Cal Fire and Santee fire departments.

July 29, 2013 (El Cajon) – A contract with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department to provide law enforcement for the Grossmont and Cuyamaca college campuses has been unanimously approved by the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board.

Photo by Miriam Raftery

July 28, 2013 (La Mesa)--A brush fire came dangerously close to homes in La Mesa today, forcing shut-down of lanes on State Route 125.

The blaze started when a vehicle fire spread into the brush along the shoulder of southbound 125 near Lemon Avenue.  Heartland Fire crews found a hillside had caught fire and was swiftly spreading toward homes, fueled by windy conditions.

By Nadin Abbott

July 27, 2013 (San Diego)—One day after the County Democratic Party voted overwhelmingly to call for his resignation, Mayor Bob Filner announced today that he is not stepping down.

Instead Filner announced that he will enter therapy on starting on August 5.

“For our response, we will simply quote Benjamin Franklin: Nothing is certain except death and taxes.”  -- GUHSD, in its response to the Grand Jury report

By Miriam Raftery

July 27, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Yesterday, , the Grossmont Union High School District issued its response to the findings of a Grand Jury report, with attachments.  In May, the Grand Jury report, titled “Fool us once, Fool us twice” concluded that district residents deserve more clarity from the School Board regarding a proposed 12th high school in Alpine.

By Dave Patterson

July 26, 2013 (Ramona) – Beginning in 2012 the stories about the misuse of drone technology have been frightening.  Starting with the revelation that we have been killing hundreds of civilians and children in places that we are not at war, to the government using the border drones to surveil American citizens.  Worse yet, there appears to be an unholy alliance between our nation and Pakistan because there is now evidence that our drones are killing people that are not terrorists, but instead political enemies of the Pakistani regime.

July 26, 2013 (Ramona) – On July 25, 2013 at approximately 11:55 a.m. Sean Kelly Cullen, 22, of Ramona was riding a 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650.  The rider was traveling in the eastbound lane of SR-78 east of Magnolia Avenue at approximately 60 MPH when he lost control of the motorcycle.  The motorcycle crossed the parallel yellow lines, into the westbound traffic lane.