County News Service

February 28, 2015 (San Diego County) - The number of pertussis, or whooping cough, cases reported in San Diego County last year reached a new high, surpassing the previous record by nearly 900 cases, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency has announced.

East County News Service

February 28, 2015 (Washington D.C.)—President Barack Obama has vetoed the Keystone XL pipeline bill passed by the Republican-controlled Congress. In his veto message, he criticized the Congressional attempt to bypass his administration’s environmental review of the project and ““circumvent longstanding and proven processes for determining whether or not building and operating a cross-border pipeline serves the national interest.”

February 28, 2015 (San Diego)--There could be some unfamiliar stuff falling out of the sky over the next few days in San Diego County.  That’s right — rain, and potentially, lots of it.

February 25, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• Dissolving Contact Lenses Could Make Eye Drops Disappear (NPR)
•  Decoy protein stops all tested HIV strains (UT San Diego)
• UK approves 3-person babies (BBC)
• Sunbathers take heed: skin damage continues hours after exposure  (Reuters)
•  Cancer gene therapy advances (U-T)
• AIDS has become top killer of adolescents in Africa (CS Monitor)
• Feeding Babies Foods With Peanuts Appears To Prevent Allergies (NPR)
• When Kids Think Parents Play Favorites, It Can Spell Trouble

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

• Now cleared for landing at airports: bees (NY Times)
• With Quakes Spiking, Oil Industry Is Under The Microscope In Oklahoma (NPR)
• We have some catching up to do on cyber-security (APM Marketplace)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

By Miriam Raftery

February 27, 2015 (San Diego)—Ancient treasures seized in seven U.S. cities, including San Diego, have been returned to the Italian government this week, Homeland Security has announced.

East County News Service

February 27, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – A class action lawsuit claims that dry kilbble dog foods  sold under the Purina Beneful brand have killed and caused serious illness to thousands of dogs.  More than 3,000 online complaints have been filed with the federal government over the products.

East County News Service

February 27, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – A winter storm is due to hit our region tonight through Monday, bringing strong gusty winds to mountains and deserts.  Possible thunderstorms are possible starting Sunday night, bringing rain and potentially heavy snowfall down to levels that may include Julian, Descanso and Pine Valley.

The Sheriff offered this reminder to motorists traveling in the mountains: Have a full tank of gas, water and food supplies in case you are stranded in traffic for several hours. Have snow chains for areas where they will be required. Public restroom facilities are limited...Be mindful of areas that are private property which are marked by signs and fences. Private property is off limits to the public for recreational snow activities.

Parking violations will be enforced and citations will be issued. Vehicles blocking roadways and private property will be towed. Be aware of increased law enforcement activity to handle the large crowds.

 

By Leon Thompson

February 27, 2015 (San Diego)--Researchers at the University of California San Diego believe they have discovered the "root cause" of Type 2 diabetes, a molecular link between obesity and diabetes that may lead to new treatment.

February 27, 2015 (El Cajon) – Angel Cruz, a 7-year-old boy struck by a car yesterday afternoon, has died  of his injuries as 12:40 this morning. The boy was struck by a car 3:45 p.m.yesterday  while crossing the 900 block of Peach Avenue in El Cajon.

Mark Isak, the 18-year-old driver of the silver Hyundai that struck the child, stopped immediately after the collision and is cooperating fully with traffic investigators, said Lieutenant Randy Soulard with El Cajon Police. He has not been charged or cited. Neither speed nor alcohol appear to be factors in the collision.

Lori Abbott, California News Service

February 25, 2015 (San Diego)--Part-time college instructors across the state are uniting for better pay and greater job security. The rallies held on this first National Adjunct Walkout Day are designed to bring attention to the growing number of temporary, part-time instructors, often called adjuncts.

East County News Service

March 4 meeting planned for Fletcher Hills residents with attorneys

February 25, 2015 (El Cajon) – Fletcher Hills residents are planning a lawsuit over loss of property values, quality of life and lead pollution associated with increased air traffic at Gillespie Field Airport.

Public comments due by March 25

By Miriam Raftery

February 25, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--Three Sisters Falls is one of the most beautiful natural attractions in East County – a trio of waterfalls and natural swimming holes in a wilderness area within Cleveland National Forest.  But the falls are also among the most difficult scenic sites to access.

Now Cleveland National Forest’s Palomar Ranger District is planning a major recreation management   project at Three Sisters Falls, located near Boulder Creek Road between Santa Ysabel  and Descanso. The proposed action is to adopt and/or construct a Level 2 System Trail to Three Sisters Falls, to decommission and restore existing user-created trails, and to clear and construct  a primitive dirt or gravel parking area off of Boulder Creek Road, also adding a kiosk with educational materials.

The purpose of this project is to  address concerns related to public health and safety, resource impacts from unmanaged recreation use, and compromised access along Boulder Creek Road for area residents and emergency vehicles during high-use periods at Three Sisters Falls, says district ranger Joan Friedlander.

By Miriam Raftery

February 26, 2015 (La Mesa)—The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce celebrated the accomplishments of local police, fire, medical response and senior volunteers at its annual “Salute to Heroes” banquet on February 18^th at the Town and Country Hotel’s Golden Ballroom. 

The event also featured installation of officers and a “Come to the Cabaret” theme complete with New York cabaret singer Devlin, pianist Chris Drury, and a cabaret cake cooked up by Grove Pastry Shop.

This year’s honorees were:

By Miriam Raftery

February 25,2015 (San Diego’s East County)--While San Diegans are enjoying the sunshine lately, the Northeastern U.S. has been gripped by record cold temperatures and snow – a LOT of snow.  Just how deep is it?

By Leon Thompson, Tribal Beat

February 26, 2015 (Rancho San Diego) The new Native American Student Alliance (NASA) at Cuyamaca College hosted the first annual Cuyamaca Pow Wow earlier this month.

“Our goal is to share the rich heritage of our region’s Native culture” said Teka Tsosie, vice president of the student organization, and coordinator of the event.