County urges vaccinations for children

June 2, 2011 (San Diego County) --Five new pertussis cases where others may have been exposed to the disease increased the local case total to 212 this year, the SAn Diego County Health and HUman Services said in Late May. The new confirmed cases occured in schools across the region, including Ramona, Poway, and San Diego schools. In 2010 , pertussis, also known as whooping cough, reached a record 1,144 cases for the county, including two infant deaths.

June 2, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) --The Honorable Thomas Graham Duffy, born July 18, 1927 in Racine, Wisconsin, passed away in his home on Monday, May 23, 2011.

“Known for his keen sense of wit, long time East County resident Thomas Duffy will be fondly remembered as an attorney, former El Cajon City Attorney, San Diego Municipal Court Judge, and later San Diego Superior Court Judge,” said Mark Raftery, former president of the Foothills Bar Association. “While on the bench, he was elected by all the Judges in San Diego County to be the Presiding Judge and was instrumental in unifying the Municipal and Superior Courts.”

June 1, 2011 (Spring Valley) – Following a suicide off the 125 bridge near State Route 54 in Spring Valley this morning, California Highway Patrol officers traced the victim’s car license plate—and made a gruesome discovery. The bodies of 41-year old Mary Alvarez, and her children, 12-year old Angelica Alvarez and 11 year old Ahmid Alvarez, were found inside a Chula Vista townhouse at 1746 Currant Way, said Chula Vista Police Department's public information officer Bernard Gonzales.

By Brian Lafferty

May 31, 2011 (San Diego) – I have a fear. This fear trumps snakes, spiders, heights, even death. It occurs at parties, especially of the birthday variety. It makes its presence known at the grocery store’s floral department. Despite their light and rubbery nature, they instill trepidation greater than public speaking. I’m talking about globophobia.

June 1, 2011 (El Cajon)--Andrew Woodruff, author of The First Comprehensive San Diego Banknote Census, will share his knowledge of the history of banking and local banknotes on Friday, June 3, from 6:00 to 7:30. This is the fifth in a “Salon Series” of open houses at the Knox House Museum, offered by the El Cajon Historical Society in cooperation with El Cajon’s Community Development Corporation’s “First Friday” program. The series features speakers and musicians with unique talents and expertise to encourage conversations and discussions with members of the community.

June 1, 2011 (Spring Valley ) – A man has jumped to his death off a bridge over northbound State Route 125 just south of Highway 54, CHP reports. The victim has not been identified, however the CHP website indicates he had left the home he shared with his wife and has been missing for two days.

June 3, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) last week introduced legislation to spark innovation within San Diego’s biotech and medical device industry. The Therapeutic Tax Credit Act would provide federal assistance through tax credits and grants to develop promising new lifesaving medications or medical devices.

Latest robbery in Morro Bay, California, Friday, May 27th

May 31, 2011 (San Diego) --The FBI and local law enforcement are seeking the public’s assistance to identify and arrest the individual dubbed the “Geezer Bandit.”  The “Geezer Bandit” is believed to be responsible for 14 bank robberies dating back to August 28, 2009.  The first robbery in this series was in Santee, California, with the latest believed to have occurred on Friday, May 27, 2011, in Morro Bay, California.

May 30, 2011 (Lemon Grove) -- The Avoid the 14 – San Diego County DUI Task Force conducted a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Sunday evening on Broadway in Lemon Grove in conjunction with the Memorial Day holiday period.  A total of 1165 vehicle drivers were contacted during the checkpoint. The operation resulted in two DUI arrests, one warrant arrest, one arrest for public intoxication and 10 for drivers operating vehicles while their driving privileges were suspended or revoked. In addition, 14 vehicles were impounded.

New police station, fire station rehab, University Ave. revitalization, Alison Ave. upgrades, storm drain and wastewater collection projects named

May 29, 2011 (La Mesa) - The City of La Mesa has received eight awards for capital improvement projects.

Honors include four merit awards from American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), three project of the year awards from American Public Works Association (APWA), and one special recognition award from American Planning Association (APA).

May 29, 2011 (La Mesa) – Friday night at 10:45, La Mesa Police Officers responded to a report of a robbery in the 4500 block of Maple Avenue.

Park Plans First Community Celebration, Opens Bayshore Bikeway Link

 May 28, 2011 (Otay Valley) --Otay Valley Regional Park will host its first-ever parkwide community event and open the long-awaited link between the park’s 8-mile trail system and the 26-mile Bayshore Bikeway on June 4th, National Trails Day.

The first-annual “Discover Otay Valley Regional Park,” will feature activities at seven different areas of Western Otay Valley Regional Park, a 2,000-acre open space in San Diego and Chula Vista with 8.2 miles of trails.

May 27, 2011 (San Diego) – A decomposed body of a white male was found Friday just off a pathway on Bernardo Bay Trail, San Diego Police report.

According to the San Diego Medical Examiner’s office, the body is believed to be a 46-year-old man who had been staying with his family and left without his medications. The family reported him missing. However identity has yet to be confirmed.

May 27, 2011 (El Cajon)-- The East County Art Association will hold its annual "Masters of the Moment" Art Show, at Sophie's Art Gallery, located at 109 Rea Street in El Cajon. This is a juried show and is open to all artists in San Diego County. The show is being held June 1 through July 1, 2011.