East County News Service

October 8, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)—Amid peak fire season, a fatal crash has grounded all of California’s 22 S-2T air tankers, the Los Angeles Times Reports. That’s troubling news in San Diego, where the two worst wildfires in the state’s history both occurred in late October.

Yesterday, an air tanker battling the Dog Rock Fire in Yosemite National Park crashed, killing the pilot.  The cause is not yet known and the tankers will remain grounded until officials deem that they are safe, according to Daniel Berlant with CAL-FIRE.  

The tankers are capable of carrying up to 1,200 gallons of fire retardant each. Temporary grounding of the remaining 22 S-2T tankers leaves CAL-FIRE with 11 UH-1H Super Huey helicopters and 14 OV-10A airtactical aircraft. The aircraft can reach most fires within 20 minutes from 13 air attack and nie Helitack bases statewide, according to CAL FIRE’s website.

San Diego County News Service

October 7, 2014 (San Diego) -- More than two dozen neglected horses rescued by County Animal Services are now healthy enough to be put up for adoption on Saturday.

By Miriam Raftery

October 7, 2014 (Washington D.C.) – Wedding bells will soon be ringing for same-sex couples in many more states, after the U.S. Supreme Court denied hearings on all appeals pending.

American Civil Liberties Union attorney James Esseks called the decision “a watershed moment for the entire country.”

The high court refused to hear appeals of same-sex marriage rulings in five states where appellate courts ruled that bans on same-sex marriages are unconstitutional.  However,the decision is expected to expand same-sex marriage rights to a total of 11 states that are all under jurisdiction of the federal appeals courts that ruled same-sex marriage bans unconstitutional.  Add those to the number of states where same-sex marriage already is legal, including California, and the U.S. will likely soon have 30 states—a majority--where same-sex marriage is protected.

(Amazona Viridigenalis); also known as Green Cheeked Amazon, Mexican Red-Headed Parrot

By Robert Gehr

October 3, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--Native to Northeastern Mexico, and well established in San Diego’s East County, the Red Crowned Parrot is a gorgeous, yet extremely “vocal” bird. Sadly it is also on the endangered species list. Only an estimated 3,000 to 6,000 are left, and the population appears to be declining even further. Causes which contribute to this are mainly illegal trapping and export, combined with loss of native habitat, caused by forest destruction.

By Miriam Raftery

October 4, 2014 (Sacramento)—Governor Jerry Brown earlier pledged to sign a $100 million funding bill for the University of California and California State University systems ($50 mlilion each)—but only if property tax revenues met or exceeded projections.

The most competitive applicant pool in SDSU history has yielded its highest achieving freshman class

October 3, 2014 (San Diego)--The numbers are in and San Diego State University’s incoming class of freshmen is the highest-achieving in the history of the university.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

October 4, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - It’s hot outside, so make sure you stay hydrated.  Give the lawn a break, but don’t cut-back on yourself.  Dehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should.A.D.A.M. “Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how much of your body's fluid is lost or not replaced. Severe dehydration is a life-threatening emergency says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.”

By Janis Russell

October 5, 2014 (El Cajon)- At Thursday’s, September 25th round table at Hooleys Irish Pub, the public participated in a Q & A with Congressman Duncan D Hunter about anything they wanted to know. The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce organized this event.

Rescue Task Force, a nonprofit international rescue organization that started in East County, now has a team in Kurdistan/Iraq assisting the refugees there. It has been difficult even for major international media to get reports from inside this region, since many news organizations have pulled out their correspondents after the beheading of two journalists by ISIS terrorists (also known as ISIL or the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria). Today we received this report from Gary Becks, founder and president of RTF, on the situation he and his team have found there as they work to assist religious minorities forced to flee their homes.

By Gary Becks

October 5, 2014 (Kurdistan)--Less than one mile separated us from ISIS.  It was too close for comfort, but it was where comfort was needed the most.  One of our RTF mottos is: We Go To Where Others Will Not, To Do What Others Will Not’.

In the Nineveh region of Kurdistan (Iraq) there are formal refugee camps set up in proximity to major cities to help the one million two hundred thousand displaced people.

Out here in the hinterland, though, there are tens of thousands of refugees who fled from ISIS into these countryside areas where they had connections and/or to where they feel safer than in the large metropolitan camps.

October 4, 2014 (San Diego)-- Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) has been named a 2014 Defender of Children. First Focus Campaign for Children recognized Davis for her work in Congress to create policies that improve the well-being of children.

View video:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3c8rQTaZqUCa3pHNUZJaUdNQkk/view

Source: Viejas

October 5, 2014 (Alpine)--The Bureau of Indian Affairs (B.I.A) has moved two of its firefighting helicopters from northern California to the Viejas Indian Reservation in San Diego County to position them for quick response as the wildfire threat increases across Southern California.

The continued drought conditions, extreme heat and Santa Ana winds forecast over the weekend have made San Diego County, and Southern California, ripe for wildfires and have prompted multiple agencies to be on high alert.

Update: Jennifer Klos has been found and is safe. She was treated for dehydration at a hospital and released.

October 3, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – The Sheriff asked the public’s help to locate 27-year-old Jennifer Klos. She is developmentally challenged with the mental capacity of a seventh grader.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Wayne Brammer: project viewed from the In-Ko-Pah/Jacumba area in East County

October 4, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – Wind turbines are rising just south of the border as construction commences on the Sierra de Juarez wind energy facility in Baja California.  The 47 turbines in this phase of the Innova Energy project are projected to generate 157 megawatts of power that will be sold to San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) to meet our region’s energy needs.

Update October 4, 2014 - To view a full schedule of events, click here.

East County News Service

August 28, 2014 (Jacumba Hot Springs)-- Jacumba Hot Springs is gearing up for its Fall Centennial Festival set for Saturday, October 4, 2014 in Jacumba’s Community Park on Old Highway 80 in the heart of this historic town.  The hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

By Miriam Raftery

October 2, 2014 (Julian)--Apple farmers in Julian have not been able to savor the fruits of their labors.  The drought has hit apple orchards hard, along with a warmer than normal winter followed by a spring freeze.