March 29, 2015 (San Diego)--San Diego County only requires that ambulances response within 30 minutes in rural areas, unlike urban areas where the limit is 10 minutes. The American Heart Association reports that brain death and permanent death start to occur in 4–6 minutes after someone experiences cardiac arrest.  The County's response time requirements are far too long for a heart attack patient to survive without brain damage. In addition, these times mean it sometimes takes more than the "golden hour" to reach a hospital following a trauma, stroke or other medical emergency, the time frame that medical experts recommend for saving lives. 

Take our Poll:  Should San Diego County require faster ambulance response than the 30 minutes currently required in rural areas?

Vote here: http://eastcountymagazine.org/poll/should-county-require-faster-ambulanc...

Honored for Long Record Supporting Immigrants and Working Families

East County News Service

March 29, 2015 (San Diego)--  Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, a San Diego Democrat, was honored Thursday night with the Cesar Chavez Foundation’s Legacy Award for her career supporting immigrants and working families. In commemoration of Cesar Chavez Day, the awards are presented to those who exemplify excellence and unparalleled commitment to community empowerment and advocacy.

March 29, 2015 (San Diego)--Connecting with Nature is the theme of the 2015 Explore Mission Trails Day at Mission Trails Regional Park on  Saturday, May 16^th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This popular event features free guided nature walks, talks and programs throughout the park, including live animals and special programs for children from pony rides to a climbing wall.

By Miriam Raftery

March 28, 2015 (Ramona)—A 4-year-old boy drowned in a swimming pool March 21^st at a neighbor’s home in Ramona.

East County News Service

March 27, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) --  A body believed to be that of a missing 18-year-old San Diego State University student has been found in Lake Murray.

East County News Service

March 28, 2015 (Washington D.C.) - The House of Representatives has passed broad changes to our nation’s Medicare system. The bill would raise premium costs for higher income earners and extend a health insurance program for children, also setting a new formula for paying doctors.

The bill passed by a 392 to 37 vote and now advances to the Senate.

Source: County News Service

March 27, 2015 (San Diego)--Looking to get away from the stress of everyday life? Or perhaps you have a new personal fitness goal for 2015? Maybe you just enjoy nature or have an adventurous spirit and want to get out and explore your surroundings. Spring is here- and it’s a great time to put down the electronic devices and participate in a sport you can do at your own pace.

No matter your motivation, the San Diego County Parks and Recreation Department has more than 300 miles of trails throughout the County.  The County has picked out ten trails for you to check out in 2015 with a wide variety of lengths, skill levels and sights.

By Miriam Raftery

March 27, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - As fish stories go, this one is a whopper.

A fisherman at Lake Cuyamaca this weekend has reeled in a rainbow trout weighing 17 pounds, 8 ounces—the biggest ever caught at the lake.

March 26, 2015 (San Diego)--If you think San Diego is having some growing pains, you may be right.  The Census Bureau’s numbers are in, and San Diego County is now the fifth most populous county in the nation.

By Miriam Raftery

March 25, 2015 (Washington D.C.) – The Supreme Court this week is hearing arguments in the case of San Francisco v. Sheehan to determine whether or not San Francisco police officers were justified in shooting and killing a mentally ill woman in her own home. The officers fired five rounds and the case centers on whether non-lethal force should be used first in such cases.

East County News Service

March 26, 2015 (La Mesa) -A bicyclist is in critical condition after being involved in a collision with an armored currency transport vehicle in La Mesa.

March 26, 2015 (Ramona) --Envision Color, creative artworks studio and supplies is now open for business at 733 Main Street.  Proud owners Carli Walsh and Donna Parsons have teamed up to provide Old Town Ramona with a much needed multimedia art studio offering artistic opportunities to all ages and abilities. No experience is required, just the passion for creating.

RESTAURANT TO OPEN ON APRIL 7 IN RAMONA

New Ramona restaurant to commemorate grand opening with ribbon cutting, giveaways and more

March 26, 2015 (Ramona) – Soon, Ramona residents will be able to dip and dunk in a single stop.

March 26, 2015 (San Diego's East County)-- East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect 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.

• House Passes Bill Changing Medicare Fee Formula and Extending Children’s Insurance (NY Times)
• What is driving a remarkable shift in US-Afghan relations? (+video) (CS Monitor)
• McCain: Pentagon wasting money training drug-sniffing elephants (The Hill)
• Government report finds U.S. Homeland Security deputy intervened in visa cases (Reuters)
• DEA agents held ‘sex parties’ with prostitutes paid for by drug cartels (The Hill)

WORLD

• U.S. offering tactical, intel support to Saudi airstrikes in Yemen (The Hill)
• U.S.-led coalition, Iraqis pound Islamic State in Tikrit (Reuters)
• Recording shows pilot locked out of Airbus cockpit before crash: NYT (Reuters)
• Boko Haram kidnaps hundreds of Nigerian civilians, official says (+video) (CS Monitor)
• Why the Nicaragua canal poses new challenge to Ortega's power (+video) (CS Monitor)
• 200 suspected jihadis prevented from leaving Australia (UT San Diego)
• Islamic State claims suicide bombing in Libya's Benghazi (Reuters)
• Jordan signs $10 billion nuclear power plant deal with Russia (Reuters)