Tips to keep pets safe and secure on Halloween

October 31, 2010 (San Diego) -- Halloween is a fun and spooky time for “ghouls” and boys, but County animal officials want you to know that the event can be scary for your pets.

Your pet is not used to costumed characters approaching the door and yelling “trick or treat!” Your cat may become spooked and run, not to be seen for several days. Your dog, the guardian of the household, may lunge or bite the costumed creatures. This is never what is intended to happen during Halloween, but it is a reality faced every year.

Community grieves for officer who chose to work in one of San Diego's toughest neighborhoods

By Miriam Raftery

October 31, 2010 (San Diego) – Community members are invited to a candlelight vigil to honor the memory of San Diego Police Officer Chris Wilson, who died in a gun battle on Wednesday night while trying to arrest an assault suspect. The event will be held on Monday November 1st at 6 p.m. in Skyview Park, 7222 Skyline Drive, next to the police station in the Southeast San Diego neighborhood where Wilson worked for 17 years.

Update October 31, 10:20 a.m. -- The SWAT action has ended and a second suspect was taken into custody half an hour ago, Sgt. Randy Levitt has informed East County Magazine. The suspect's name and details of the arrest have not yet been released.

Exclusive! View our video of the SWAT team arriving on scene.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Dennis Richardson

October 30, 2010 8:35 p.m.  (La Mesa) -- A stand-off continues tonight as police continue searching for a bank robbery suspect believed to be hiding in the Rolando neighborhood.  A second suspect, Davan Darden, 23, was arrested at 5:45 this evening.  The area remains evacuated, according to Officer Stafford, San Diego Police.

Two robbers conducted a takeover-style robbery at the California Coast Credit Union in the Vons Center on La Mesa Boulevard around 2 p.m., San Diego Police report, prompting a chase through San Diego, La Mesa and El Cajon.

October 30, 2010 (Lemon Grove) – The San Diego Medical Examiner’s office has identified Guy Edward Halac, 51, of Lemon Grove, as the victim of a fatal accident on October 26. Halac’s his Ninja motorcycle plunged over a ramp from State Route 125 at I-8 in La Mesa, landing on a roadway below.

Part of $50 million water infrastructure investment in East County

By Brian Lafferty

WARNING: If you have epilepsy or are prone to seizures, do not see this film, as it contains frequent strobe effects.

October 30, 2010 (San Diego)--After seeing Enter the Void, it became clear to me that the newest film by Gaspar Noe is shaping up to be a very divisive movie. It is not for those even remotely squeamish. People either love it or hate it. I went to the screening with three to five other critics and they thought they had seen one of, if not the, worst movies of the year. I felt I saw one of the year’s best.

Editor's note: Although UCSD is not in East County, since many East County students attend the university we are publishing this information for our readers.

October 30, 2010 (La Mesa) – Helix Water District’s Board of Directors has faced challenges amid an era of water shortages caused by drought and court decisions limiting our region’s water supplies from Northern California. Water rate hikes, budget cuts and development of new water sources for our region are all key issues the Board must contend with in the future.

By Dawn Celapino
 

October 30, 2010 (San Diego) -- Most dogs don't care if it is raining, but some do. Most people do care if it’s, raining but some don't!

Exercising in the rain can be fun and can feel good-- but there are some things you may want to do to make your session safe and enjoyable for you and your dog.

Update November 1, 2010:  The San Diego Medical Examiner's office has found that the baby was stillborn and that no homicide occured.  The mother, who is mentally disabled, may not have been aware that she was pregnant and her family attempted to hide the body of the baby after she gave birth, authorities report.

October 29, 2010 (El Cajon) – The body of a full-term baby boy was found in a plastic bag in a backyard storage shed last night at 6:30 p.m. A woman resident found the bag while walking her dog in the backyard of her home in the 1100 block of Flamingo Avenue in rural El Cajon, ECM news partner 10 News reports.

By Miriam Raftery

By Miriam Raftery

October 28, 2010 (San Diego) – Christopher Wilson, a veteran police officer was shot last night and died early this morning, San Diego Police report. “Officers were assisting U.S. marshals and probation units in doing a compliance check, when there was an exchange of gunshots,” Lt. Andra Brown told East County Magazine. “The officer was fatally wounded and a police canine was injured as well.” The shooting occurred at the Canyon View Apartments at 479 S. Meadowbrook Drive in the Skyline area of southeast San Diego, near Paradise Valley Road.

October 28, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery is among the nominees for a Women in Leadership Award. Winners will be announced Friday, October 29 at the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Women in Leadership luncheon at the Doubletree Hotel in Mission Valley.

Former Mountain Empire teacher:  `Misspent or reshuffled' monies should go back to the classroom