By Miriam Raftery

February 27, 2014 (San Diego) -- A San Diego State University staff member who lost a leg in Afghanistan has been honored by the San Diego Hall of Champions.  Erick McElvenny was named Challenged Athlete of the Year at the 68^th annual Salute to the Champions awards ceremony on February 13 after a year that’s included accomplishments that would be daunting for many able-bodied athletes.

County News Service

February 26, 2014 (Ramona)--County Supervisors moved to make a stretch of road in Ramona safer Wednesday, voting unanimously to seek bids and authorize building the long-discussed San Vicente Road Improvement project.

February 27, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)-- Here’s some good news for the directionally challenged:  California’s 5^th District Court of Appeal has ruled that it is legal for a driver to check a map application on a cell phone.

February 28, 2014 (San Diego)--By an 8 to 1 vote, the San Diego City Council has voted to create new zoning laws allowing up to 30 medical marijuana dispensaries within the city limits – up to four in  each council district.

San Diego Office of Education to act on unification petition at March 12 meeting

February 26, 2014 (Alpine) – The San Diego Office of Education has formally recognized the Alpine Unification petition as complete, according to a press release issued by the Alpine High School Citizens Com

February 27, 2014 (San Diego) -- Sempra Energy, parent company of SDG&E and SoCal Gas, reports a billion dollars in earnings for 2013, up from $813 million the prior year. For shareholders, that means earnings of $4.01 per diluted share.

February 26, 2014 (Spring Valley ) – A 15 year old boy running in a crosswalk at Jamacha Boulevard and La Presa Avenue in Spring Valley was struck and killed yesterday at 4:32 p.m.  According to the California Highway Patrol, the 20-year-old driver of a Toyota Prius had a green light and was unable to take evasive action.

February 27, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)-- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

• New cancer immunotherapy treatment already shows promise (Jewish World Review)
• Stem-cell firm cleared for ovarian cancer trial (Sacramento Bee)
• Sit More, And You're More Likely To Be Disabled After Age 60 (NPR)
• Bumblebees catching diseases from honeybees, say scientists (CS Monitor)
• Study: MERS virus infecting camels since 1992 (UT San Diego)

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

File photo by Dennis Richardson, Lakeside

February 27, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – A severe storm front moving across Southern California is forecast to bring heavy rains and flooding to San Diego County including coastal and inland regions.  Waves up to 15 feet high are forecast along San Diego beaches this weekend.  The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch, forecasting over an inch an hour and a high wind watch is now in effect.

The greatest threat for flash flooding will be over mountains and recent burn areas with debris flow possible, as well as in urban areas with poor drainage.  In addition, possible major coastal flooding may occur during high tides on Saturday.  Rough surf and storm rip currents are forecast from Friday through early Sunday.

February 26, 2014 (El Cajon)--The El Cajon Singing Hills Lions Club is seeking contestants to participate in the 3rd annual Miss Singing Hills and Miss Teen Singing Hills Scholarship Pageant.  This pageant is open to all zip code areas.

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

February 27, 2014 (San Diego) – San Diego Police Department will soon be headed up by its first female Chief.  Assistant Chief Shelley Zimmerman will replace retiring Chief William Lansdowne, who steps down March 3.  Lansdowne leaves office following a series of scandals including allegations of sexual misconduct by officers, so the choice of a woman to head up the department can be viewed as sending a strong signal that the city is serious about cleaning up the department's tarnished image.

Zimmerman has the support of Mayor-Elect Kevin Faulconer as well as the San Diego Police Officers Association.

February 25, 2014 (Sacramento)--The California State Board of Equalization (BOE) today voted unanimously to adjust the Fiscal Year 2014-15 excise tax rate on gasoline downward by $0.035 during its monthly Board Meeting in Culver City.

By Miriam Raftery

Updated February 27, 2014 (San Diego) – A powerful storm is set to sweep into the region Thursday through Sunday, bringing some of the most severe weather seen in decades, weather experts predict.

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning and a flash flood watch from late Thursday through Saturday night.  Thunderstorms may bring waterspouts or even tornadoes, most likely in coastal areas.

 Sustained winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour with gusts of 60 miles per hour or higher are forecast for mountain and desert areas in East County.   Blowing sand and dust may reduce visibility.

February 26, 2014 (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.

• IRS: Renewables Companies May Be Double-Dipping Federal Subsidies (KCET)
• Obama to propose shift in wildfire funding (New York Times)
• Obama to drop less generous retiree payments from budget (McClatchy News)
• Budget cuts to slash U.S. Army to smallest since before World War Two (Reuters)
• Native Americans prepare a “last stand” against Keystone XL (RawStory)
• Doctors' Offices Get Put On Hold Trying to Find Out Who's Insured (NPR)
• Supreme Court Opens Door To Easier Police Searches (NPR)
• Department of Homeland Security cancels national license-plate tracking plan (Washington Post)
• U.S. Government Will Back Loans For Nuclear Power (NPR)
• Nebraska court invalidates state's Keystone pipeline approval (Reuters)
• Ranking cities from Miami to Boston to Wichita on inequality (Marketplace.org)

WORLD

• Ukraine wants fugitive president to face Hague court (Reuters)
• Is Putin pushing for a crackdown in Ukraine?(CS Monitor)
• Uganda's anti-gay bill refocuses attention on US evangelical influence
• Exclusive: Iraq signs deal to buy arms, ammunition from Iran - documents (Reuters)
• Nigerian Islamists kill 59 pupils in boarding school attack (Reuters)
•  Turkish protesters denounce Internet restrictions (UT San Diego)
• Pakistani Taliban say government must embrace Islamic law (Reuters)
• Somalia's al Shabaab say attack meant to get president 'dead or alive' (Reuters)

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