Brain injuries affect more than 11,000 local families each year; local foundation “struggling” for funds to continue helping patients and families, including wounded veterans

August 26, 2011 (San Diego)--"When a person suffers a traumatic brain injury, it’s like a bomb explodes in the middle of the family," a release from San Diego Brain Injury Foundation observes. "Everyone is thrown into an emotional crisis and immersed in a medical emergency. Their lives are changed forever." 

August 25, 2011 (San Diego County) -- The San Diego County region’s agriculture report offers a ray of sunshine in today’s cloudy economy.

The 2010 Crop Statistics and Annual Report released by the San Diego County Department of Agriculture, Weights & Measures (AWM) shows the value of agriculture increased 7 percent over 2009 figures.

 By contrast, 2009 figures were down slightly from the year before. While many local industries are struggling to stay afloat during these hard times, agriculture remains not only a steadying force in the economy but a growing one as well. 

Aug 24, 2011 – A call to action has been sent out to all East County and San Diego residents by the San Diego Foundation to preserve and improve our beautiful city throughout the foreseeable future. “Our Greater San Diego Vision,” is an ambitious initiative aimed at getting the community involved in preserving the San Diego way of life for the next generations.

August 24, 2011 (San Diego) – A bill making it easier for breweries to open tasting rooms has been signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. AB 1014, authored by local Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher (R-San Diego) is expected to boost business for California’s growing craft brewing industry.

By Brian Lafferty

August 25, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – If you receive a mailer offering to sell you a carbon monoxide detector in order to comply with a new state law, think twice.

August 24, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – A brush fire that started south of Highway 94 along the Bell Valley Truck Trail near Potrero this morning charred approximately 20 acres, Cal Fire reports.

A quick response that included 7 engines, 5 fire crews, 3 helicopters, 4 air tankers and 125 firefighters swiftly contained the blaze.

• Waiting list hits 23,000 seats in Grossmont College District (La Mesa Patch)
• Judge rules in favor of ex-principal in harassment case [against ex-Superintendent] (10 News)
• Local Iraqis receiving threats after drug bust (10 News)
• Construction blues and broken promises (KUSI-Turko Files)
• Santee crime report: Wire/metal thieves still an issue (Santee Patch)
• Two-wheelers make an impression in El Cajon (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• SD Unified to review public records policy following complain (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• PR gets half million in school bond money (Voice of San Diego)
• Romney to quadruple La Jolla home size (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Smoking opponents praise El Cajon law (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Online vehicle shoppers are being victimized by fraudulent vehicle sales and false claims of vehicle protection (VPP) programs

August 24, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)-- ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflecting all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views.

Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• Earthquake aftermath: National landmarks damaged (ABC News)
• White House issues new rules to cut bureaucratic red tape (Washington Post)
• A new era in foreign policy (CNN)
• Gold price drops sharply on U.S. economy hopes (BBC)
• Hurricane Irene marks 1st big U.S. threat in years (Yahoo News/AP)
• Report: Government probe of Standard & Poors (AP)
• Obama plan to review deportation cases stokes heated debate (Los Angeles Times)

WORLD

• Price put on Gadhafi’s head (Reuters)
• No Gadhafi kids in custody: Escapes and false reports (ABC News)
• Analysis: West looks to avoid Iraq errors in post-Gadhafi Libya (Reuters)
• Russian Progress space freighter lost (BBC)
• Large zone near nuclear reactors to be off limits (New York Times)
 

August 25, 2011 (San Diego) San Diego Women's History Museum invites you to grab your banners, your signs and your 1911 hats and join with women from all over San Diego and our state in the California Suffrage Parade today.

August 23, 2011 (San Diego County) -- The San Diego County Gourd Patch is presenting the 2011, 2nd annual GOURDSTOCK FESTIVAL on August 26th (for setup and classes), 27-28 (for Festival & classes)  from 9:00a.m. until 5:00 p.m.The festival will take place at Bates Nut Farm, which is located at 15954 Woods Valley Road in Valley Center,  California 92082.

Officer Faces a Difficult Recovery after Sustaining a Gunshot Wound to the Head

August 23, 2011 (El Cajon)--The El Cajon Police Officers’ Association (ECPOA) has opened a benefit account for wounded El Cajon Police Officer Jarred Slocum and his family. Officer Slocum is in critical but stable condition after receiving a gunshot wound to the head during a shootout on August 21st.  A press release issued by the ECPOA describes Slocum, 28, as a "loving father" of two young children and reveals that his wife is expecting a third child.

The ECPOA seeks community donations to assist the Slocum family during this tragic time.