April 11, 2013 (Poway) – A head-on collision in Poway on April 8 at 3:02 p.m. has caused serious injury. Sheriff’s deputies responded to the crash on Metate Lane at Alpine Drive.

According to the Sheriff, a preliminary investigation found that the driver of a sedan traveling westbound fell asleep at the wheel and drove into the eastbound lanes, colliding head-on with an oncoming sport utility vehicle (SUV).  Both drivers were taken to a hospital. The sedan driver suffered non-life-threatening but serious injuries. The SUV driver suffered minor injuries. Both were released from the hospital a short time later.

Metate Lane was closed for two hours. DUI is not suspected as a factor.

By Mark Gabrish Conlan

April 11, 2013 (San Diego) – I can remember the first time I experienced a Papal conclave. No, it wasn’t a real one; it was the one depicted in the 1969 film The Shoes of the Fisherman. It’s about a Ukrainian archbishop, Kiril (Anthony Quinn), who was tortured in the Gulag, gets summoned to Rome, is made a cardinal and suddenly finds himself in the middle of a conclave when the Pope who appointed him dies. The conclave deadlocks and Kiril is elected Pope as a compromise candidate, then uses his new-found powers to mediate an end to the Cold War and ward off a military threat to the West from China. It was based on a novel by Morris L. West, a potboiler author of religious books, and though it wasn’t much as a movie I found the depiction of the rituals of the conclave absolutely stunning — particularly the repeated puffs of black smoke signaling that the cardinals hadn’t yet reached the two-thirds majority for picking a Pope.

April 6, 2013 – (New York, NY) – Hot on the heels of sold-out shows at Radio City Music Hall and the Pantages Theatre, and as they come off a hugely successful Latin American run, the Jonas Brothers will embark on their first North American tour in three years this summer as they hit cities across the U.S. and Canada with what will prove to be an epic concert experience for their fans. The “Jonas Brothers Live Tour” will take the band to more than 25 stops across North America, including Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Toronto. The tour announcement comes on the same day the group debuts its hot new single, “Pom Poms,” a new anthem that redefines their sound with an upbeat mix of pop and rock.

By Nadin Abbott; photos by Tom Abbott

April 5, 2013(Lakeside)— The Border Patrol Search, Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) team has found 3-month-old Arisa Van Goerlitz safe tonight at 7:30 p.m. following a massive search in Lakeside. Searchers spent hours combing an area along the San Diego River bed including transient camps before locating the infant and her aunt, Deborah Ann Fowler, who has been arrested.

“The baby is okay,” Sergeant Greg Hampton of the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s station told media at the scene. “She is being evaluated by the Fire Department.” The baby was later transported to Grossmont Hospital for evaluation. The child is now in the hands of Child Protective Services and has been taken to the Polinsky’s Children Center.

The infant girl was reported missing this morning by her grandmother, Joyce Matyas, in Spring Valley at around 11:30.

By Nadin Abbott; photos Tom Abbott

April 5, 2013 (Julian) At this morning’s meeting of the Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District board held at the Women’s Club, the Board voted 2-2 (with one unexcused absence) on the proposal to join the County Fire Authority and dissolve the District. Chairman Jack Shelver and Alan Marvin voted yes; Aida Tucker and Janet Bragdon voted no.

This means, according to Shelver, that “a tie is no action, and therefore we have taken no action, on the motion we have set in motion. We are no longer talking to the County about a contract and we will continue as an independent district.” At this announcement,  the crowd, 50 strong, broke into cheers.

April 5, 2013 (El Cajon) – The ancient Babylonians celebrated the New Year during the spring equinox with an 11-day festival.  On Sunday, April 7, Iraqi Chaldeans—descendants of the Babylonians-- will host Akitu, a Chaldean New Year celebration.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place from 3-8 p.m. in Prescott Premenade Park. Chaldean live music and folkloric dance will be featured; food and beverages will also be available.

April 4, 2013 (Ramona) --The San Diego Sheriff's office has issued a safety reminder for hikers planning to visit Cedar Creek Falls, where the long-closed trail from Ramona will be reopened tomorrow and a new permit system will take effect.  Below is the Sheriff's statement:

The west access to Cedar Creek Falls in Ramona will reopen Friday, April 5th with new rules after being closed since July 2011. Hikers are now required to pay for a visitor permit. Only 75 permits for individuals and/or groups of up to five people are available each day by reservation. The permit costs six dollars. To reserve a permit, visit www.recreation.gov. This online permit system will be available starting April 5th.

Proposed resolution calls for pathway to citizenship and respect for human and civil rights in enforcement

April 4, 2013 (San Diego) --Following the lead of the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) and the San Diego City Council, the Board of Trustees of the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) may also add their voice to the immigration reform discussion taking place around the City and the nation.

For complete Calendar including Authors Events, go to www.SDWriteWay.org

April 4 (Thursday, 6:30 pm) — Carolie Jean-Murat will be signing her new book, Voodoo in My Blood at Barns & Noble, 10775 Westview Parkway, San Diego. Call (858) 684-3166 for additional information.

April 6 (Saturday, 11:00 am) — Mark Carlson will be signing his new book, Confessions of a Guide Dog, the Blind Leading the Blind, at the Carmel Mountain Ranch Library, 12095 World Trade Drive, San Diego. Call (619) 538-8181 for additional information.

In wake of disaster, children on the west coast of U.S. almost one-third more likely to suffer from thyroid abnormalities; 39% in California

Originally published on April 2, 2013 at Common Dreams

By Lauren McCauley, staff writer

Infants on the West Coast of the United States are showing increased incidents of thyroid abnormalities, which researchers are attributing to radiation released following the March 2011 meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

According to a new study (.pdf) published in the Open Journal of Pediatrics, children born in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington between one week and 16 weeks after the meltdown began are an average of 28 percent more likely to suffer from congenital hypothyroidism (CH) than were kids born in those states during the same period one year earlier. In California, the number is a staggering 39 percent.

CH results from a build up of radioactive iodine in our thyroids and can result in stunted growth, lowered intelligence, deafness, and neurological abnormalities—though can be treated if detected early.

Residents are asked not to harm bears; hunting bears is illegal in San Diego County

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: California Fish & Game

April 2013 (San Diego) -- Today’s reported sightings of a bear in Kearny Mesa raise an intriguing question: are black bears back in San Diego County?   In 1999 and 2000, a dozen black bear sightings were reported  in Cuyamaca, Julian, Ramona, Palomar Mountain and other mountain areas. But none had been seen in the past 13 years—until now.

This February, a Border Patrol night-vision camera caught a surprising sight: a bear crossing a roadway between the In-Ko-Pah and Mountain Springs Road near the Imperial Valley and San Diego County line, U-T San Diego reported.  ECM received a report of possible bear tracks in the southeast portion of the county last year.

Then today, multiple witnesses reporting seeing a bear in the Kearny Mesa area of San Diego.  A city Enviornmental Services employee claimed to see the bear out the window of the Sheriff’s department south of Balboa Avenue and west of I-15.  She summoned others, including an Idaho man familiar with bears, who said the large brown animal was indeed a bear.

April 3, 2013 (Otay) – The Deerhorn Valley Antler reports that a contractor awarded a grant to restore a section of Jamul Creek was mowing vegetation yesterday when the mower hit a rock, sparking a flame that started a brush fire.

“The grass was still green, so it was a bit surprising that it would burn,” Tracie Nelson of California Fish & Game told the Antler. The fire was doused quickly thanks to the swift actions of the worker and responding fire crews, with no damage to property.

April 3, 2013 (San Diego) – It’s springtime so naturally people and snakes begin to share the outdoors and encounters with snakes become inevitable. Were all enjoying the nice weather at taking more hikes and outdoor activity increases says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. California has a variety of snakes, most of which are benign. The exception is California’s only native venomous snake - the rattlesnake.

Rattlesnakes generally strike when threatened or deliberately provoked, but given room they will retreat. The potential of running into a rattlesnake should not deter anyone from venturing outdoors, but there are several precautions that can be taken to lessen the chance of being bitten when out in snake country - which is just about anywhere in California says Chief DiGiovanna.

By Janis Mork

April 2, 2013 (El Cajon) - Driving is multitasking. When you’re distracted, driving goes to the back of your brain,’ CHP Officer Brian Penning said Tuesday, April 2 in a press conference held at Grossmont High School to kick off National Teen Driver Safety Week.

Border Division California Highway Patrol Chief Jim Abele shared some grim statistics. “In April 2012, CHP issued over 1000 citations in San Diego County. Texting and driving continues to be a problem in California. 22% of all crashes in California are caused by distracted drivers. We will continue to educate the public about the problems of distracted driving in 2013. There’s no reason to text when you’re driving.”

Residents take offense at board member’s essay  ridiculing citizens as “farm animals”

By Miriam Raftery

April 2, 2013 (Julian) – The Julian Fire-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District’s Board will hold a special meet this Thursday, April 4 at 9 a.m. to discuss the proposal to turn over firefighting services to the County Fire Authority. The meeting will be held at the Julian Women’s Club. 2607 C Street.

At the last meeting, numerous residents rose to voice opposition to the plan and concerns that dissolving the volunteer fire department could lead to longer response times and decreased public safety.