Update August 1:  The House has passed the compromise measure 269-161 late today. Rep. Hunter voted no.  His explanation may be found here:  http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/6852

August 1, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) –Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon) has served in combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. But now he’s facing fire from both sides of the political aisle as tomorrow’s deadline draws near to approve a plan to raise the debt ceiling, or see the U.S. default on its debts. 

Rep. Hunter has reportedly not yet made up his mind how he will vote on the high-stakes measure.

"...When this happens to elected officials and they choose to drive under the influence, that just shows the public how prevalent the problem is…” -- Eloisa Orocco, executive director, MADD San Diego County.

By Miriam Raftery

August 1, 2011 (Sacramento)—Assemblyman Republican Martin Garrick, whose name has been floated as a potential candidate in a redrawn State Senate District that includes much of San Diego’s East County, has been sentenced on drunk driving charges in Sacramento. Garrick pled no contest to driving with a blood alcohol content nearly twice the legal limit.

By Miriam Raftery

August 1, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – President Barack Obama and Congressional leaders from both parties reached a last-minute deal last night aimed at forestalling the U.S. from defaulting on the national debt by tomorrow’s deadline. But the agreement hinges on getting both sides of Congress to pass it swiftly.

July 31, 2011 (Cleveland National Forest) – On Saturday, August 13, the San Diego Archaeological Center will host a presentation on volunteer opportunities including the Cleveland National Forest heritage program, “Passport in Time.” The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road in Escondido.

July 31, 2011 (Spring Valley) Elisa Maria Osuna, 27, of Chula Vista was killed when her car swerved off Highway 94 eastbound in Spring Valley and plunged down an embankment, striking a building at 3:23 a.m. yesterday morning.

July 30, 2011 (San Pasqual) – A motorcyclist suffered a broken nose, broken hip and facial laceration in an accident yesterday at 3:43 p.m. on San Pasqual Valley Road near State Route 78. According to Officer David Stafford with San Diego Police, the man, who is in his late 20s to early 30s, lost control of his motorcycle and struck a guard rail.

By Doug Hunter

July 31, 2011 (San Diego)--The original (Boston) Tea Party was staged by area businessmen, who hired and organized a bunch of thugs and drifters to disguise themselves as Indians and destroy the cargos of East Indian Company ships. The parallels with today’s Tea Party are striking, but I fear the ultimate outcome will be less desirable.

A new direction—starting with Boehner debt reduction plan—is needed, says Hunter

July 30, 2011 (Washington D.C.) - Yesterday Congressman Duncan Hunter (CA-52) responded to release of the second quarter report on America’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), calling the report one more example of why “the country needs a new direction.” The GDP report shows the economy grew at a rate of 1.3% from April through June, which, according to the Los Angeles Times, is a “sign that the recovery has faltered dramatically.”

July 30, 2011 (Santee) – Santee’s Sheriff Station will be among law enforcement outlets nationwide to participate in National Night Out, America’s Night Out Against Crime on August 2 from 5-7 p.m. Activities include block parties, cookouts, a neighborhood walk, safety fairs, child fingerprinting, raffles, free shredding, free disposal of expired or unwanted prescription drugs, games, entertainment and more.

Wells Fargo offers 10 tips and resources to help young adults prevent fraud and identity theft



San Diego – July 27, 2011 – When heading back to school this fall, college students will be thinking about scheduling classes, buying books and meeting friends. Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) advises students to add one more important activity to their back-to-school list: safeguarding personal and financial information to reduce their risk of fraud and identify theft.



Research conducted by Javelin Strategy & Research (2010) revealed it takes people ages 18 to 24 nearly twice as many days to detect fraud compared to other age groups, making them fraud victims for longer periods of time.

July 29, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) –California’s Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has denied a motion by San Diego Gas & Electric Company seeking to dismiss a lawsuit filed by three East County organizations. The groups have asked the court to issue an injunction halting construction on the Sunrise Powerlink on federal Bureau of Land Management property.

Update: View a video of the goat-run.

July 29, 2011 (Lemon Grove) -- The City of Lemon Grove, along with its fire department, Heartland Fire & Rescue, will be taking steps to clear brush from eight and one-half acres of land near Lawton Drive and Camino De Las Palmas. Goats will be used as part of the process in clearing heavy brush and creating defensible space for homes in this area.

ELM will begin work Saturday morning, creating a staging area and paddock at the end of Lawton Drive. The public is welcome to come by between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m. There will be a small nursery of baby goats for children to see, and ELM Operations Manager Johnny Gonzales will prepare his goats for the traditional “running of the goats” starting at 9:00 a.m.

By Miriam Raftery

July 29, 2011 (San Diego)—District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis announced this week that Alex Charfauros, 26, Melissa Ortiz, 21, and Patrick Luangrath, 19, will face 13 charges including murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to obstruct justice. The three were inside the apartment when Officer Wilson was shot on Oct. 27, 2010 while trying to arrest a suspect wanted for assault with a deadly weapon. Officer Wilson later succumbed to his wounds.

July 29, 2011 (Lake Murray) – Two men wearing black masks robbed the Chevron gas station at 8780 Lake Murray Boulevard at 11:19 p.m. last night.