"So what we have here is a helicopter that is buildling a fire hazard, and if a fire breaks out, it will respond in two to four hours--and taxpayers will be charged $7,500 an hour." -- Steve Whitburn, candidate, 4th Supervisorial district

June 16, 2010 (San Diego) – By a 5-0 vote, San Diego’s Board of Supervisors voted to allow Sunbird, a San Diego Gas & Electric Company helicopter intended to construct Sunrise Powerlink, to also be utilized for firefighting. View video of hearing.

June 17, 2010 (Spring Valley) – The KinderCare preschool was evacuated today due to a brush fire that began shortly before 1 p.m. Firefighters From San Miguel Fire quickly got the blaze under control, which began near 10130 Rothgard Road in Spring Valley. Investigators say the fire was arson.

The fire, which also threatened several structures around a canyon area, was stopped as it moved onto the playground area. On another flank, the fire was stopped as it moved into a defensible space buffer created just yesterday by a resident.

June 20, 2010 (San Diego) – The All Saints’ Episcopal Church Choir will present a free classical/sacred choral concert today at 4 p.m. in the All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 625 Pennsylvania Avenue in San Diego. The event is dedicated to the memory of Harold G. Lutz, an East County choral conductor, composer and educator.

The Bracelet, By Charles A. Bonner (Verily Publishing Company, Sausalito, California, 2009)

Book Review by Dennis Moore

June 17, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- Several years ago, my then 11-year old daughter, Brandy, escaped the clutches of a would-be child molester in Chicago, right after she had gotten off the bus from school. Heaven forbid, my daughter could have just as well been one of the victims of a child sex slavery ring, such as Charles A. Bonner writes about in The Bracelet. This is a must-read book that I highly recommend.

San Diego Police Department’s Homicide Unit detectives are investigating a murder inside a residence at 4339 Winona Avenue just south of El Cajon Boulevard that ended with officers fatally shooting the suspected killer.

June 16, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Cal-Fire has issued a no-burn proclamation for all areas within San Diego County for which Cal-Fire is responsible. This includes all unincorporated areas of the County and parklands, but excludes incorporated cities.

June 15, 2010 (Rancho San Diego ) - Every summer the Heritage of the Americas Museum has week-long classes for students going into fifth through ninth grade. All classes are taught by retired school teachers. The cost for each five-day class is only $50. For more information, you can call the Museum at 619-670-5194 or visit the web site at www.cuyamaca.edu/museum. Scroll down for examples of the fun in store for kids -- from paleontology projects and "Survivor" skills to arts amd computer classes.

June 15, 2010 (McCain Valley) -- If you see smoke rising over East County's backcountry tomorrow and Thursday, don't panic.  Cal-Fire will be conducting a “live fire” training exercise in the McCain Valley area near Boulevard approximately one mile north of Interstate 8 on June 16th and 17th. Smoke may be visible from many areas of Boulevard and the Campo Reservation as well as to those traveling on Interstate 8.

Share creative ideas to assist people of all ages with tips to save money and improve their lifestyle!

By Nancy and Dawn Clement

June 16, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) –Love and marriage can be beautiful for all concerned, but there are some things to consider when thinking about getting married . We consulted an attorney, Jennifer Hughes, to share some ideas on the subject of prenuptial agreements.

By Miriam Raftery

June 14, 2010 (Lakeside) –It was a scene worthy of Elmer Fudd hunting down "wascally wabbits" -- only this time, the hunters were the rascals.

San Diego Sheriff’s ASTREA 3 helicopter was struck by a laser around 10:03 p.m. last night while flying over Lakeside.  The chopper crew located two boys, ages 15 and 12,  near Idyl Drive and Lakeview Grenada Drive and notified Sheriff's deputies.  Under questioning, the youths admitted that they had targeted the helicopter at least twenty times while hunting rabbits with bows and arrows. 

Electrical expert asks if same changes have been made along other

lines he identified as fire risks; SDG&E does not

respond to inquiries

June 14, 2010 (San Diego) – Back in February 2009, East County Magazine published claims by electrical transmission expert Ed Clark, who contended that faulty power line installations caused the Paradise, Witch and Cedar Fires. Clark and two other experts consulted by ECM contended that SDG&E installations of two down-guy wires connected by a single bolt were dangerous.

Clark, who has headed up power line installations for Southern California Edison and served as an expert witness for SDG&E, argued that SDG&E's installations were also illegal, violating a state rule requiring 12 inches of separation on poles. He provided evidence of arcing including charred, black marks on anchor bolts at the base of the pole where the 2003 Paradise fire began.

June 14, 2010 (El Cajon) – A frightening ordeal was experienced by party-goers at a home located in the 300 block of Sunnybrook Lane in El Cajon’s unincorporated area. Last night at 11:15 p.m., several men entered the residence armed with handguns and tasers. The host and guests were tied up with zip ties and duct tape; some victims were tasered when thieves demanded cash and jewelry.

June 13, 2010 (Otay Mesa) – David Victor William Ogison of Ontario, Canada died June 10th after his parasail apparently collapsed and he crashed into a ravine in the Otay Lakes/Jamul area, the San Diego Medical Examiner’s office reports.