By Miriam Raftery

May 21, 2014 (San Francisco) –“I’m not here today to answer any of your goddamn questions. Shut up, shut up!” California Public Utilities Chairman Michael Peevey shouted at former City Attorney Mike Aguirre during a videotaped evidentiary hearing on the $3.3 billion settlement over the closed San Onofre nuclear facility. Aguirre had asked Peevey to confirm secret meetings with Southern California Edison representatives, accusing Peevey and Mike Florio of “collusion.” 

Aguirre asked that SCE president Ronald Litzinger be required to confirm if his SCE stock rose $160,000 days after the settlement was allowed, but Administrative Law Judge Melanie Darling refused to require that the question be answered.

May 21, 2014 (Rancho San Diego)--The Rancho San Diego Sheriff's Station wants your help in finding a missing person at risk.

By Ariele Johannson

May 20, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s  Destination East County includes many outdoor activities from hiking and fishing to car shows, festivals and outdoor movies! Memorial Day activities are included and two local theatre groups have final weekend performances.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

May 17, 2014 (La Mesa) – A Kaiser Hospital nurse who rescued a baby and helped save the driver of a burning car in La Mesa has been honored for her actions at the Burn Institute’s Spirit of Courage Awards ceremony held on May 15^th.

By Roy L Hales

Reprinted with permission from:

http://www.theecoreport.com/green-blogs/technology/energy/utilities-energy-energy-articles/is-californias-monopoly-protection-act-a-resurrection-of-prop-16/

By Chief Sam DIGiovanna

May 19, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--While next Monday we will be remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces, Memorial Day can be thought of as one of the most important holidays in the U.S.  Observed annually every last Monday of May, people usually take some time off from their work and other activities to reflect on the significance of this all-important celebration and enjoy many outdoor activities and events.  Make this Memorial day memorable by following some of these safety tips.

By Miriam Raftery

May 17, 2014 (San Diego County) – The last fire still burning in San Diego County’s unincorporated areas is now 80% contained. The Cocos fire has taken a heavy toll, destroying 39 homes and 7 commercial buildings.  Another 35 structures remain threatened by the blaze.

Today, residents of Harmony Grove were allowed to return home. Evacuations remain in effect tonight for the San Marcos-Coronado hills Community.

May 16, 2014 (San Diego) - There has been much attention recently focusing on current and impending water shortages in the State of California, County of San Diego, and specifically the City of San Diego. But water shortage is only part of the problem, concludes a Grand Jury report titled “Don’t Give Me A Break—Water Problems in the City of San Diego.” There are continuing problems with pipeline distribution of the City’s existing water supplies—and the City has failed to alert citizens to the urgency of future water main replacement, the Grand Jury concluded.

May 17, 2014 (San Diego's East County) -- Having timely information on road conditions and closures can be crucial, particularly during evacuations during wildfires or other emergencies.  Now a new, free app called Waze gives motorists the ability to access real-time traffic and road information provided by thousands of drivers or "wazers" in the region--meaning you potentially could get info before announcements have been made by California Highway Patrol or Cal-Trans.

Update 10:15 a.m. - Forward spread of this fire has been stopped at 30 acres, CAl FIRE Captain Kendal Bortisser reports.  The fire burned to Friars and 163, per ECM reporter Nadin Abbott. This fire has been under unified command of CAL FIRE, Santee Fire and Miramar Fire.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Mike Schoonover

May 17, 2014 (Santee) 9:15 a.m. – A brush fire is burning in  the Sycamore Canyon/Santee area in rugged terrain accessible by hand crews and brush trucks; aerial resources have been dispatched.  The fire is now two to three acres. Smoke is visible from State Route 125. 

If you are in this area and have eyewitness information please share in the comments section below.  You can also send photos to editor@eastcountymagazine.org.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy Supervisor Dave Roberts

May 16, 2014 (San Diego) 8 p.m. –Firefighters have made major strides toward containing what is now known as the San Diego Complex fires across our region, thanks to major air power and reduced winds.

All told, the fires have required 1,323 firefighting personnel including 164 engines, 27 fire crews, 5 fixed-wing aircraft, 10 helicopters and more, CAL-FIRE reports this evening.  Multilpe agencies and the Sycuan Fire Department's Golden Eagles hotshot team from East County were also deployed to help battle the blaze.

But a new fire tonight, the Combat Fire on Camp Pendleton is burning on the northwest part of the base, prompting evacuations including the San Onofre Housing area and School of Infantry. In addition the Las Pulgas Fire is over 8,000 acres and is 5 percent contained on the base, where the Tomahawk Fire scorched another 6300 acres and is 23 percent contained.

For other fires, those within the CAL-FIRE service area, visit http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_current  or scroll down and click "read more."

May 16, 2014 (San Diego) – A Joint Arson Task Force has been established to determine the origin and cause of the many fires throughout San Diego County this week.  If you have any information regarding the fires, please call San Diego Crime Stoppers at 619-235-TIPS, that’s 619-235-8477.  You can remain anonymous and  reward may be offered if information leads to a conviction.

Update 12 p.m.  The Poinsettia Fire in Carlsbad is now 100% contained.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

May 16, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)  9 a.m. --Escondido Police have arrested  Isaiah Silva, 19, and a juvenile for arson, U-T San Diego reports.  The arrests came after a citizen reporting seeing two people start a fire in a field near South Escondido Boulevard and another citizen reporting seeing arsonists start a blaze at Kit Carson Park.  However, Lt. Mike Kearney has stated that the two suspects are not believed to have started any of the major wildfires currently burning in San Diego County.

Cause of the other fires countywide remain undetermined.  There has been speculation in some media outlets of arson but officials have indicated the causes remain under investigation.  An arson strike force has been assembled to investigate the fires.

Over 121,000 evacuation notices have been sent by officials and hundreds stayed in shelters overnight as numerous fires burned across the region.

Below are updates on the major fires.

By Colleen Murphy, RN

May 15, 2014 (La Mesa)--Vote Yes on Proposition H to continue one of San Diego’s and East County’s greatest success stories --Grossmont Hospital. This premier model of public/private partnership with Sharp HealthCare combines the public resources of a state-of-the-art community hospital with a nationally recognized nonprofit healthcare system.

May 14, 2014 (La Mesa) - Applications are now being accepted for positions on the City’s boards, commissions, and committees. The deadline for submission of applications is 5:30 p.m., Thursday, June 5, 2014, in the City Clerk’s office at La Mesa City Hall, 8130 Allison Avenue. Applications may be obtained at City Hall or by accessing the City of La Mesa website, www.cityoflamesa.com.