July 13, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- A pair of incidents have caused traffic delays on East County highways this afternoon in Dulzura and Jacumba.

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PACE programs are among the most promising ways that ordinary Americans can spur the economy, create jobs, save money and lessen the nation’s dependence on foreign oil…Challenging economic times like ours call for decisiveness and action, not the fear and disinterest exhibited by FHFA.” – Supervisors Dianne Jacob and Pam Slater-Price, in a letter to President Barack Obama

By Miriam Raftery
 

July 13, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Last week, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will not buy or sell mortgages for homes enrolled in municipal solar financing programs called PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy). The programs allow homeowners to spread the cost of rooftop solar and other energy efficiency measures over 20 years, paid as part of their property tax bills.

The decision casts a pall over the County of San Diego, which planned to launch its PACE program this summer.

New School to Serve Up to 40 Children

 

July 13, 2010 (Spring Valley) The County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) opened a 2,500 square-foot new preschool in Spring Valley in late June that will serve up to 40 children.

July 10, 2010 (Pine Valley) – Donald Patterson, 57, of El Cajon has been identified by the San Diego Medical Examiner as the driver of a pickup that plummeted off I-8 near the Sunrise Highway exit in Pine Valley on Wednesday, sparking a brush fire.

July 12, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Shortly after 7:00 this morning, Heartland Fire Dispatch received calls of a structure fire in the 1000 block of Mollison Avenue in El Cajon. As crews arrived on scene, they found the attached garage of the home fully involved in flames and spreading into the home.

"How many of our returning troops and civilians are suffering from environmentally induced cancers? Unfortunately, the VA stopped reporting cancer cases in some state registries including California..."

By Tracy Emblem

July 12, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- The Iraq and Afghanistan wars have created toxic environments. In April, the Department of Veterans Affairs reported in an environmental hazards training directive: "Exposure to open burn pits has created significant concern among veterans and their families."

East County News Service --July 11, 2010 (Escondido) – Escondido police have arrested a 17-year-old juvenile who is suspected of raping and robbing a 16-year-old girl Friday morning on the flood control bike path near North Beech Street and East Valley Parkway.

July 10, 2010 (Julian) – The Creek Fire, a grass fire that began at Highway 78 and Old Julian Highway near the community of Witch Creek at 3:28 p.m. today has been contained. The fire’s spread was stopped at less than two acres and Cal Fire’s incident commander has released all firefighting aircraft.

East County News Service

July 10, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Fault lines in and near East County have become more active since the Easter earthquake in Mexico.  Both the San Jacinto and Elsinore faults have potential for a quake measuring 7.0 or higher, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.  Fortunately, planning and identifying  hazards ahead of time can reduce risk of serious harm before an earthquake hits.

For example, repairing deep plaster cracks in ceilings and foundations, anchoring overhead lights to the ceiling, and upgrading to meet local seismic building standards help reduce the impact of a quake. Creating an emergency supply kit and a family evacuation plan are also important.  Below are earthquake safety tips providing by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that you can take now—before a major quake hits our region.

Note: An earlier version of this story stated that two media outlets reported Salas the victor today. However one of those, the Riverside Press Enterprise, has since issued a correction and indicated that Vargas won.  The Riverside Registrar's office is closed until Monday, when a certified count will be sent to the Secretary of State.

July 10, 2010 (San Diego) – This morning, Riverside County’s Registrar of Voters completed counting 12,563 previously uncounted mail-in ballots,including the 40th State Senate Democratic primary race which includes portions of Riverside, Imperial and San Diego Counties. The count was ordered to begin yesterday by superior Court Judge Mac R. Fisher.

Jacob, Gore proposal would make safety program mandatory at troublesome spots; vote set July 13

Nobel Laureate to join historians and musicians honoring legendary So-Cal artist, a former San Diego Art Guild member

Your guide to financial planning & socially responsible investing

By: Judith L. Seid, CFP ®
 

President, Blue Summit Wealth Management

July 9, 2010 (La Mesa) -- We have just received notification that two of our top-rated carriers, John Hancock & Metlife, will be raising rates for new policies. If you have already secured your long term care policy, CONGRATULATIONS…you made a great decision! If you have been considering taking out a long term care insurance policy, please contact an independent Long Term Care Insurance (LTCI) agent right away for quotes. (See below for tips on what to look for.)

Update on Tax Deductible Premiums:

By Miriam Raftery

July 9, 2010 (San Diego's East County)  -  What are the odds of a big quake striking your community?  Now there's a website where you can type in your zip code and learn the probability of a major quake striking in the near or distant future.

I typed in my own zip code (91941 La Mesa) and was startled to learn that the odds of a 6.0 magnitude quake or greater striking within the next 10 years is 50%--and in some nearby towns the chances are even greater. 

What should you do to stay safe when an earthquake strikes?