May 25, 2012 (San Diego) – San Diego Police have issued a warning that on three occasions in the past two weeks, a man in a red vehicle has attempted to abduct children near Emerson Elementary School in the Mountain View neighborhood in southeast san Diego.

May 25, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The Banner Fire has now scorched 3,100 acres and cost $575,000 in fire suppression costs.

May 25, 2012 (San Diego)--A red flag warning has been issued for the desert, with high wind warnings and possible rain forecast for other areas across East County this weekend. Get the latest weather update from Your Online Weather with Gary Kelley.

May 25, 2012 (Shelter Valley)--The Banner Fire flared up at the eastern end this afternoon, prompting mandatory evacuation of the Stage Coach Trails RV Resort at the south end of the Shelter Valley community.

May 25, 2012 (La Mesa) -- O’Dunn Fine Art is hosting a first viewing of Paul Strahm’s new paintings on May 26 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the gallery, 8325 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa.  Strahm’s fresh-to the market pieces include paintings of Torrey Pines, the Del Mar Fair, The Gaslamp, Little Italy, Balboa Park and more.

Update:  Two people are dead and four injured victims have been transported to local hospitals. A long-term road closure is expected.

May 25, 2012 (Ramona) – A major automobile accident at State Route 67 and Rockhouse Road has claimed the life of one person and others remained trapped, Incident Page Network reports.

The highway is closed between Poway Road and Archie Moore for the investigation and a SIG alert has been issued. A medical helicopter was unable to reach the area due to stormy weather.

By Michael Benoit, Libertarian candidate for Congress, 50th District

May 25, 2012 (San Diego's East County)--Most Americans know we have to cut government spending, but how to do that is a difficult question. Some say we can’t cut any military spending, but is that true? Most ex-service men and women I know say there is more than ten percent waste in that budget.

Let’s start with the fundamentals. We must keep our citizens safe from external attacks. And we must have a military that fits the purpose of the USA.

By Miriam Raftery and Sierra Robinson

May 24, 2012 (La Mesa) – They make life or death decisions.  Superior Court judges may determine who goes to prison—and for how long.  They hear civil lawsuits,  juvenile and family court cases. Their decisions can bring  victims closure or tear families apart—and their rulings may set long-lasting precedents. 

Yesterday, three candidates vying for San Diego Superior Court Seat 25 presented their arguments why each contends he is the best qualified for the bench. The forum was presented by Foothills Bar Association at BJ’s restaurant in La Mesa. 

Update May 25, 2012-7:45 a.m. - The fire is now 2,500 acres and 20% contained.  There have been no reported injuries to firefighters and no structures were damaged or destroyed.  

Cal-Fire reports there are currently 36 engines, 17 fire crews, 3 bulldozers, 9 water tenders, 4 helicopters and 6 airtankers (393 firefighters).  Shelter Valley residents have been allowed to return home.