December 12, 2012 -- (San Diego’s East County) – ECM 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.

• Bracing for fiscal cliff, investors move assets (Washington Post)
• Public backs fiscal cliff compromise; will Washington listen? (CBS)
• USDA chief: Rural American becoming less relevant (Associated Press)
• Washington state lights up as smoking marijuana becomes legal (UK Telegraph)

WORLD

• Egypt president scraps decree that sparked protests (Reuters)
• Protest at Egypt president's palace turns violent (UT San Diego)
• NATO warns Syria not to use chemical weapons (Reuters)
• Thousands accept postal service buyout deal  (cbsnews)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

December 12, 2012 (Alpine)—Major injuries are reported at a collision on I-8 east at Tavern Road in Alpine.  According to the CHP website, a  black Lexus struck a semi-truck from behind, then plummeted off the roadway. 

The truck, which lost an axle, was hauling fertilizer.  A major gouge in the roadway is reported at the CHP website and the right lane is blocked. A helicopter has been called to the scene and SDG&E has also been dispatched due to damage to a power pole.

By Miriam Raftery, videos by Jim Pelley

View video of shadow flicker.

View video of  flashing lights. 

View lights as seen through photographer's home windows.

December 9, 2012 (Ocotillo) –Ocotillo Express Wind,  built on 12,500 acres of public, formerly protected federal Bureau of Land Management property, is now filled by dozens of towering wind turbines. Each massive turbine flashes red lights all night long. During the day, long blade shadows whirl across the desert sands, so there is no time when beleaguered Ocotillo residents or campers may escape the industrial impacts.

By Nadin Abbott

December 10, 2012 (San Diego)-- The mood was defiant as workers from throughout San Diego County converged at 750 B Street in downtown San Diego for a rally to protect Social Security and the rest of the social safety. This event was one of a hundred rallies held today around the nation urging Congress not to slash benefits as the "fiscal cliff" deadline approaches. Several rallies were held locally, including protests at San Diego’s Congressional members offices as well as downtown.

Moonshot for Green Job Creation Within Reach of New San Diego Leaders, Community

By Kathleen Connell

December 8, 2012 (San Diego)--As the post-election celebrations end and 2013 approaches, new leaders have been elected in San Diego in what many consider a historic moment in the region. At the same time, San Diegans, the nation, and the globe are struggling to come out of a recession so deep, it is often referred to as the second Great Depression. Meanwhile profound challenges - climate change and Hurricane Sandy - have swept through the East Coast and the consciousness of Americans as Sandy pushed the detritus of climate denial aside in its terrible force, damage and cost. 

December 7, 2012 (San Diego)--In a stunning unanimous vote Tuesday, the San Diego City Council supported a Constitutional amendment to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, which allowed virtually unlimited corporate donations to political campaigns. The vote was 8-0 to limit the power of money in politics, with one absent councilmember not voting.

The resolution asks Congress to begin the process to amend the U.S. Constitution to overturn the Supreme Court’s 2010 decision Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission “so that the expenditure of corporate money to influence the electoral process is no longer a form of constitutionally protected speech.”

By Miriam Raftery

December 8, 2012 (Bonita) – Today Sheriff’s deputies, with help from Alcoholic Beverage Control agents, conducted drunk decoy operations in Imperial Beach and Bonita.  Of 11 retail outlets visited, six sold alcohol to individuals who appeared to be intoxicated.

An undercover Deputy Sheriff was sprayed with alcohol for the operation, then entered the establishments acting intoxicated and reeking of alcohol.  Where alcohol was sold to the decoy, plainclothes deputies entered and provided informational handouts to the persons who made the sales; no enforcement actions were taken.

December 8, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning  starting tonight at 6 p.m. through Tuesday at 2 p.m. for San Diego’s inland valleys.  A red flag alert means conditions for wildfire danger are high.

In addition, a high wind warning has been issued from now through 4 p.m. Monday by the National Weather Service in San Diego.  A dense fog advisory has also been issued for tonight and tomorrow morning.  Use caution if you must drive during these conditons.

Backcountry residents concerned about potential proactive electricicty shutdowns due to high winds can monitor SDG&E's website for updates at http://www.sdge.com/tools/windspeed-dashboard

December 7, 2012 (San Diego) – East County makes a strong showing in the upcoming San Diego Pottery Tour on December  8 & 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The tour is a celebration of ceramics, city-wide with over 25 potters in 10 locations from Spring Valley to Point Loma.  Seven of the studios are located in East County with local artists David Cuzick, Mary Cuzick, Eric Rempe and Danae Dehne, to name just a few.

The tour is self-guided and free. Click here for a map of the studios along with which artists are located at them. 

December 7, 2012 (Alpine) -- A manhunt for a suspected human smuggler with a long criminal record has failed to locate the suspect, ECM news partner 10 News reports.  Martell Valencia-Cortez fled following a traffic stop near Viejas Casino this morning. Border Patrol offices tried to pull the vehicle over, but Valencia leaped out and fled on foot.

An intensive search via helicopter and agents scouring canyons and ravines failed to locate him.  Authorities have warned that the suspect may try to steal a vehicle and escape into Mexico.

Acorn-clogged heater, CO detector created grave danger

December 7, 2012 (Ramona)--Three people were taken by ambulance to UCSD to be treated for high levels of carbon monoxide yesterday. Fortunately, they were released later and are expected to recover. But their ordeal is a reminder of the importance of inspecting and maintaining furnaces, as well as having a working carbon monoxide detector, County officials warn.

At approximately 9:30 a.m. Thursday, a 911 call was made from the 24000 block of Highway 78 reporting a medical emergency of a patient that was possibly cardiac in nature. Shortly after a second person in the same household became ill, the person making the 911 call became unresponsive to dispatchers. 

By Staci Torgensen

December 7, 2012 (San Diego)--At the ripe age of two, Journey’s birthday party is making a difference in the lives of victims of Hurricane Sandy. This beautiful young girl is turning her second birthday party into an event to remember.

Journey’s family has chosen to ECHOage her upcoming birthday party.  Instead of receiving many smaller gifts, Journey has used a birthday service that allows guests to contribute online.  Half of the funds will go to Kids in Distressed Situations – helping the victims of Hurricane Sandy - and the other half will go to a pink vintage play kitchen - a fitting gift for a Cookies and Milk birthday party theme.

VIP guests include Congresswoman Davis, Mayor Art Madrid and many more!

This year's festivities will take place on Sunday, December 16 from 2-6 p.m.

Savor delicious foods prepared by Chef Patrick Dean and Grove Pastry Shop, enjoy wine tasting by La Serenissima and San Pasqual Winery as well as live jazz music by Chris Klich of Grossmont College Music Dept.  Plus we'll have prizes and surprises!

December 6, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—Grossmont College’s Symphony  Orchestra and Master Chorale will present a Baroque Christmas Concert on December 11 and 12 in East County and San Diego. The performances will feature beloved music from the Baroque masters: Monteverdi, Vivaldi, Biber and Charpentier, as well as violin solos by Michael Dvoskin and Luay Yousif.

On Tuesday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m., the program will be presented at St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Church, 1627 Jamacha Way in Rancho San Diego (the unincorporated portion of El Cajon).

By Walter Davis

December 8, 2012 (San Diego)--The proud grandparents had come to Italy to witness the birth of their granddaughter. Their sailor-son-in-law was Command Center Supervisor on a Navy admiral’s staff in Naples – Commander Fleet Air Mediterranean. While touring Naples, they visited a fabulous furniture store. Granny got her wish and Pop ordered a living room and dining room set. The ornate carvings on the chairs and tables were very beautiful. They picked a gold fabric to match the beautiful hardwood on their new custom made sofa and chairs. They enjoyed their beautiful new granddaughter. She was joined by a beautiful little sister the following year.

The sofa was delivered in Los Angeles just before the proud new Navy mom and dad arrived about a little more than year later. They were on their way to Japan; to a new assignment in USS MIDWAY CV-41 and new adventure.

They loved their two little girls, born in Germany and Italy during their tour with the Navy’s Sixth Fleet. The oldest, little Adria had been born at 37 weeks, she had been taken by air ambulance to Frankfurt, Germany to be born due to her premature birth. A massive earthquake had hit Italy and her mother went into labor.