March 16, 2011 (San Diego) -- Radiation levels on the the U.S. West Coast and Hawaii are not elevated overall above normal expectations as of early this morning, according to data on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency RadNet site.  Some West Coast cities showed levels below many locations in points farther east.

By Russell Buckley

March 16, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- Last month, the Little Hoover Commission issued a report about California's pension system: Public Pensions for Retirement Security. The Report is filled with information about where our pension finances stand, explanations about how we got here, and dire warnings about where we will be without an immediate change of course.

The Little Hoover Commission is an independent government oversight commission created in 1962. By statute, it is a bipartisan board consisting of five members appointed by the Governor and four named by the Legislature, as well four legislators. Here are a couple of examples of the Little Hoover Commission findings:

Radiation levels around the crippled reactors now high enough to cause “immediate harm to human health” Japanese authorities say, adding core containment may be breached.

“I wouldn’t be within 50 km right now. If I was not a Japanese national, I would be making plans to leave.” – Murray Jennex, nuclear expert at San Diego State University, tells ECM in exclusive interview

Updated March 15, 2011 1:40 a.m. - Russia, S. Korea on "high alert" for possible radiation poisoning

By Miriam Raftery

March 14, 2011 (San Diego) – NHK TV in Japan this evening has broadcast the latest grim twists in the nuclear crisis at plants in Fukushima. Radiation levels over 400 milisieverts--that's 1,000 times higher than the microsievert measurements earlier reported (the equivalent of 400,000 microsieverts)-- are now present following a third explosion-- this one at reactor #2 and considered more serious than two prior explosions at reactors #1 and #3.

According to a radiation expert interviewed on NHK, exposure at these levels can cause infertility. “Just in an instance you mean?” a reporter asked. “Yes,” the expert confirmed, adding that at 500 ML, lymphocytes (white cells) in blood will decrease. Anyone without protective clothing is at risk, he emphasized, adding that radiation at these levels “can affect your genes….It is very dangerous.”

 Update 6:30 p.m. - The suspect has been arrested after homicide investigators learned that he checked into Grossmont Hospital under an assumed name, Lorenzo Marcario.  He has been charged with murder.
 

March 14, 2011 (Jamul) – The San Diego Sheriff’s office has issued a special bulletin seeking public help to locate Miguel Medina Sanchez, 32, also known as Macario Lopez Merino.

He is wanted for the murder of Maria “Irma” Palos De Rubio, 44 at 15677 Lyons Valley Road on Saturday, March 12th.

By Alexander Nguyen

“Hamlet” is now playing at the Grossmont Stagehouse Theatre at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 16 through Thursday March 19. Matinee is on March 19 at 2 p.m.

“This plan to subordinate Community Plans would eventually harm every unincorporated community in this County.”

By Jack Phillips, Chair
Valle de Oro Planning Group

Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) recently introduced several bills, including measures to improve oversight of local government, allow all-mail elections in San Diego County, permit renters to display political signs, boost installation of solar power, expand demographic data, and emphasize transit before freeway expansion of I-5.

March 14, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Don’t want to fight crowds to head to downtown San Diego for the St. Patrick’s Day parade, or drive home after a night of partying? Sure ‘n’ we’ve got the answer!

Irish pubs in La Mesa, Rancho San Diego and Poway are hosting their own celebrations—complete with free cab rides home. For families, an Escondido park is offering a St. Patrick’s Day hike and crafts.  Plus a Scripps Ranch church is holding a special St. Patrick’s Day mass--in Gaelic.

Don’t forget to wear green!

March 13, 2011 (La Mesa) –A vehicle stolen in a violent carjacking in the Skyline area of San Diego last was recovered in La Mesa, San Diego Police report. The victim was invited to a party at a home on Shorewood Drive, but arrived to find no party. Instead, three black men in their early 20s approached the victim and one struck him in the back of the head with a handgun.

March 12, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- Don't forget!  Set your clocks forward an hour tonight for the start of daylight savings.

Disturbing videos document flights near nests, possible collision with a pair of eagles, plus an eagle now missing part of its wing and its mate

By Miriam Raftery

Video by Billy Ortiz
 

MASS EVACUATIONS UNDERWAY DUE TO NUCLEAR CRISIS;

80,000 MISSING, 1,300 CONFIRMED DEAD FROM QUAKE & TSUNAMI

Reservations Now Open for New Campground; Splash Park Invites Kids to Play

March 11, 2011 (Bonita)--County Supervisor Greg Cox joined County Parks and Recreation staff and community members Friday to celebrate the grand opening of over $10 million in additions to Sweetwater Regional Park’s Summit Campground and Eastview Park. Reservations opened Friday for the park’s new 63-spot Summit Campground.

“This has become the crown jewel in the County Parks system with something here for every San Diegan,” Supervisor Cox said. “If you want to get away and enjoy nature without traveling far, Sweetwater is perfect.”

March 11, 2011 (Otay Mesa) – A woman talking on her cell phone walked against a red light into the path of a tractor trailer on Paseo De Las America at Sempre Viva Road in Otay Mesa. The truck ran over the woman, 31, as the driver, 37, made a right turn.