“All individuals, regardless of their rank or position, will be held accountable for perpetuating half-truths or misrepresentations about matters materially important to the interest of our country's investors." -- Robert Khuzami, Director, SEC Enforcement Division

December 18, 2011 (Washington D.C.) --The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has charged six former top executives of the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) with securities fraud. 

December 18, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for mountain areas in San Diego County and other southern California mountain locations. Scattered snow showers are expected early this afternoon with the snow level falling to 4500 feet. Locations where snow is forecast include Cuyamaca, Mount Laguna, and Ranchita locally.

December 17, 2011 (La Mesa)—Tiffany Burney, 23, of San Diego was arrested this morning on Parkside Drive in La Mesa by San Diego Police homicide detectives. She is charged with the murder of her grandmother’s sister, Daisy Mae Hayes, 74.

By Miriam Raftery

December 17, 2011 (Sacramento)—The State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has withdrawn its proposed fire parcel fee for further revisions and will reexamine the fee level in January.

December 16, 2011 (La Mesa) -- The game for the state championship in Division II will be played in Carson, California on December 17. Helix will play Del Oro, Loomis at 4:00 p.m. The game will be covered live on Cox Channel 4 in the San Diego area. 

 By Vanessa Celia Winters, San Diego

By Miriam Raftery

December 16, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – Final votes are expected today in both houses on a compromise funding measure to avoid a government shut-down--just in time for the holiday adjounrment. 

December 16, 2011 (Alpine) - It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Viejas Outlet Centers and Viejas Casino. ECM editor Miriam Raftery snapped this shot of holiday lighting at Viejas, where you'll find San Diego's largest outdoor ice skating rink, a holiday fountain light show, national-brand shops and more this holiday season.  

By Miriam Raftery

December 15, 2011 (La Mesa) – Emotions ran high as advocates and opponents of a Planned Business Improvement District (PBID) presented their views before the La Mesa City Council last night.

The San Diego Bicycle Club’s 24th Annual Light up a Life Holiday Toy Drive

Dozens of toys, hundreds of dollars donated for East County Toy & Food Drive

December 15, 2011 (La Mesa)—Thanks to all of our generous guests , sponsors, and VIP visitors who made this year’s East County Magazine holiday party very merry indeed!  As always, we invited community leaders and officials in all parties, plus other  special guests. 

Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego), whose district will soon include much of East County, joined the festivities. Assemblyman Brian Jones (R-Santee) sent Assembly commendations for our award-winning writers and photographers. Santa and Mrs. Claus heard children’s Christmas wishes, while an elf handed out prizes. 

By Jeremy Los

Dec. 14, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--With a large budgetary gap on the horizon, Governor Brown announced $980 million in mid-year budget cuts on Tuesday. Colleges, libraries, and childcare facilities were hit with the hardest cuts, while K-12 education dodged the worst-case scenario that many districts had feared.

La Mesa smart meter opponent voices outrage over families left in the cold

By Miriam Raftery

December 14, 2011 (La Mesa)—“We have just learned of a very troubling situation,” Susan Brinchman, a La Mesa activist leading statewide efforts to oppose smart meters, has informed ECM.  “Power has been cut off for three families who changed out the smart meters on their homes for analogs.” 

The shut-offs were made by Pacific Gas & Electric Company in Santa Cruz. Like a growing number of Californians, the families left in the dark had complained of health problems that they believed were caused by smart meters installed on their residences. Now, Brinchman fears that the same thing could happen in San Diego County.