November 24, 2012 (San Diego's East County) -- The National Weather Service has issued an advisory warning of dense fog tonight in coastal and inland regions.  Fog is also forecast for tomorrow and Tuesday nights, clearing by Wednesday. 

Use caution on roadways and rely on low beams, not high beams in heavy fog. Flight delays are possible at Lindbergh Field.

November 27, 2012 (Chula Vista) –Arlene Anna Hernandez will stand trial for causing an accident that killed two children, a judge determined today.  Hernandez had a blood alcohol level of .13 when her Kia Sedona minivan landed in an Otay lake on August 5, drowning her daughter, Lesette Hernandez Silva, and a 5-year-old La Mesa child, Giuliana Figueroa.

Grief experts provide tips on coping with the holidays after the loss of a loved one

November 25, 2012 (San Diego) -- Signs of the approaching holiday season have descended upon the general public through vibrant store displays, jingling television and radio commercials, and a rush of decorative party invitations from employers, friends and family.  

November 24, 2012 (El Cajon)--Firefighters with Heartland Fire & Rescue in El Cajon responded to reports of fire at the "Turn In" Trailer Park in the 200 block of South Second Street at 1:25 a.m. Upon arriva,l firefighters found a trailer home in space 15 fully involved and threatening other nearby trailers. 

November 23, 2012 (La Mesa)—At 4:07 a..m. Grossmont Center’s mall security observed a suspicious vehicle in the mall parking lot. Two male subjects were observed tampering with a vehicle before leaving in a silver two--door sedan. Grossmont Security relayed the information to La Mesa Police and officers searched the area and surrounding streets but were initially unable to locate the suspect vehicle.

November 23, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—Chula Vista Police seek public help to locate a missing mentally disabled man who had written “El Cajon” on a notepad shortly before he was last seen at 7:18 a.m. this morning at the H Street trolley station. 

Heriberto Tari, 48, was last seen wearing a burnt-orange dress shirt, black dress pants and black shoes.  He has a hunched-over posture and communicates by writing on a notepad that he carries.

By Miriam Raftery

November 22, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—The first Thanksgiving was held in 1621 in Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts. But it wasn’t until 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday amid the Civil War, with a proclamation in which he asked "the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation" and restore "peace, harmony, tranquility and union."

President Franklin D. Roosevelt, during the Depression in 1933 issued a Thanksgiving proclamation in which he urged, "May we seek guidance in more surely learning the ancient truth that greed and selfishness and striving for undue riches can never bring lasting happiness or good to the individual or to his neighbors. May we be grateful for the passing of dark days ... for the brighter day to which we can win through by seeking the help of God in a more unselfish striving for the common bettering of mankind."

By Juan Velasco

November 22, 2012 (San Diego) -- With the cold weather setting in, consumers should be aware of certain safety measures and energy-efficient tips to keep their home comfortable throughout the winter months.

1.       One of the easiest heating tips: On sunny days, take advantage of the sun to bring in heat. Adjust blinds so they are open and tilted toward the ceiling—but be sure to close the blinds at sundown.

The California Public Utilities Commission has announced that its November 29 meeting agenda in San Francisco will include SDG&E’s proposed Wildfire Expense Balancing Account (WEBA), the utility’s proposal to charge ratepayers for uninsured costs of wildfires. 

But the Mussey Grade Road Alliance, a Ramona citizens group, has filed a request asking the commission to move the meeting to San Diego.

November 21, 2012 (El Cajon) – ECM videographer Paul Kruze captured video highlights from the 2012 Mother Goose Parade, celebrating 100 years of El Cajon history in the city’s centennial year. 

This year’s parade featured fewer Hollywood celebrities than in the recent past, drawing on hometown heroes, Western equestrian groups, high school marching bands and a city centennial float for this once-in-a-century celebration. In keeping with tradition, the parade's finale featured Santa Claus and his reindeer-drawn sleigh, ushering in the start of the holiday season.

View videos:  Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV

November 20, 2012 (Warner Springs) – Hawk Watch Winery will be holding its Holiday Harvest Fair on November 24 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 27054 Chihuahua Valley Rd., Warner Springs. 

Wingshadows Hacienda farms will be offering up homemade, home grown holiday fare including fresh jams, jellies, sauces, marinated feta cheeses, infused balsamic vinegars and fresh bread.  Also featured will be goats milk soaps, bath oils and bath gels.  Hawk Watch will introduce their own Hawk Watch Hand Roasted coffees.

Visit www.hawkwatchwinery.com for more information.

November 20, 2012 (Jacumba)--Cal-Fire will conduct a burn tomorrow, November 21 in McCain Valley near the community of Jacumba. The burn will be approximately 35 acres and smoke will be visible off Interstate 8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

By Billy Ortiz

View video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0EPuSgKJOY

November 20, 2012 (Lakeside) --Early in the morning on November 15 in El Monte Valley, I was driving slowly like always, hoping to see a cat. Today was my day--I spotted one close to the road, followed it up the mountain a bit and discovered that there was more than one. Much to my surprise, I saw a second and then a  third bobcat to my right. What I didn't realize was that I had gotten  between the mama and one of her young.

November 20, 2012 --  (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.

• Home prices rise in 81% of U.S. cities as markets recover (Bloomberg)
• How the U.S. mortgage settlement can help military members (U-T San Diego)
• BP settles with U.S. for $4.5 billion in Gulf spill (Sacramento Bee)
• 2 BP workers indicted on manslaughter counts (Sacramento Bee)
• Obama insists on tax hike in “fiscal cliff” deal (Reuters)
• Secession petitions now filed in all 50 states (Yahoo News)
• Rick Perry does not support secession (CNN)
• Federal Wildlife Services makes a killing in animal-control business(Sacramento Bee)
• Obama vows action on climate change for future generations (RawStory)
• Toxic flame retardant detected in popular soda (Rodale Press, publisher of Prevention Magazine)
• Judge approves FTC's $22.5M fine of Google  (Politico)
• Jindahl: End ‘dumbed down conservatism’ (Politico)
• Petraeus case shows ease of government email snooping (Reuters)

WORLD

Israel-Palestine conflict:

• Obama: Israel has ‘every right’ to defend itself from Gaza missile attacks (U.S. News)
• Israeli official:Truce to begin in hours; IDF drops warning leaflets in Gaza (Haaretz)
• After rockets hit Tel Aviv area, IDF renews aerial assault on Gaza   (Haaretz)
• US Senate expresses firm support of Israel (YNet news)
• Turkish PM in Cairo vows support for Gaza (U-T San Diego)
• Gunmen kill six alleged collaborators in Gaza  (Reuters)
• IAF strikes 4 terrorists hiding in media building (Jerusalem Post)
• Lebanese army dismantles rockets aimed at Israel (UT-San Diego)
• Israel assassinates Hamas military chief in Gaza (Sacramento Bee)

Other world news:

• Scandal in Ireland as woman dies in Galway ‘after being denied an abortion’ (The Guardian)    
• Egyptian jihadist urges demolition of Sphinx, pyramids  (Jerusalem Post)
• Iran ready to double nuclear work in bunker: IAEA (Reuters)

HEALTH

• Cells reverse paralysis in dogs (BBC)
• Vegetative patient: “I’m not in pain” – breakthrough research (BBC News)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

November 20, 2012  --  (San Diego’s East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

STATE

• California’s deficit shrinks to $1.9 billion (San Francisco Chronicle)
• California job growth drops jobless rate to 10.1% (Sacramento Bee)
• Proposed wind farm near Joshua Tree National Monument cancelled (Rewire)
• California moves full speed ahead with health care exchange  (Sacramento Bee)
• Study: California refineries operated during periods blamed for gas spikes (McClatchy News)
• New CSU Chancellor requests 10% pay cut (Sacramento Bee)
• Jerry Brown tells University of California to ‘get more grounded’ (Sacramento Bee)
• Cailfornia’s new parks director vows ‘absolute integrity’ (Sacramento Bee)

LOCAL

• El Cajon city councilman’s home is target of pre-election day shooting (East County Californian)
• San Diego County Sheriff refuses to release drone documents (MuckRock News)
• Lawsuit could threaten San Diego water supplies (U-T San Diego)
• Foreclosure registry measure passes in San Diego (U-T San Diego)
• An evening of pot and pot shots (La Mesa Today)
• Pot dispensaries headed for La Mesa ballot (U-T San Diego)
• City Council OKs 5-Story Apartment Complex at Town Center RiverView  (Santee Patch)
• Hospice threatened by Medicare audit (U-T San Diego)
• Dueling groups rally for Israelis, Palestinians (U-T San Diego)
• Where did Obama, Romney do best in the county? (U-T San Diego, interactive precinct map)
• Former Rep. Hunter supports work ethic of BP agent who killed woman (10 News)
• Lakeside youth goes from a coma onto the stage (UT-San Diego)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.