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.

Dear EarthTalk: What are “dirty fuels” and why are they so called?    -- Bill Green, Seattle, WA

February 25, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - The term “dirty fuels” refers to fuels derived from tar sands, oil shale or liquid coal. Just like their more conventional fossil fuel counterparts such as petroleum and coal, they can be turned into gasoline, diesel and other energy sources that can generate extreme amounts of particulate pollution, carbon emissions and ecosystem destruction during their lifecycles from production to consumption.

Legislation Introduced to Boost Medi-Cal Reimbursements

Lori Abbott, California News Service

February 25, 2014 (Sacramento)--An effort is under way to restore funding cuts to the California Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal. California has the lowest reimbursement rates in the nation, at just $18 a visit for primary care services - which makes it increasingly more difficult for people on Medicaid to find a doctor.

By Miriam Raftery

February 24, 2014 (Washington D.C.)--This week, the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments in a case that could determine whether or not the Environmental Protection Agency has the right to regulate greenhouse gas pollutants emitted by coal-fired power plants, oil refineries and chemical facilities.

February 24, 2014 (El Cajon ) – Heartland Lions Club invites the public to its 26h annual fashion show, champagne luncheon and silent auction on Saturday, March 22.  The show will feature limited edition ECCOCI collections.

February 24, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - On Tuesday, County Supervisors will consider acquiring land for a new Sheriff substation in Lakeside. That’s welcome news for Lakeside residents who complained of slow response times during a recent public meeting.

Descanso, Pine Valley and Potrero targeted next

By Sharon Penny

Photos: Proposed Descanco siting

February 23, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--The massive solar farm planned for the community of Boulevard has been documented in the East County Magazine, but what has been largely under the radar are several smaller-scale solar farms planned throughout the backcountry, including Descanso, Pine Valley, Potrero and others.

On Thursday, February 20, the Descanso Planning Group (DPG) heard a brief presentation on a proposed solar farm on the south side of Viejas Boulevard on the Merigan property. Carlos Valdivia from Ecoplexus, the firm that is proposing to develop both Descanso and Pine Valley solar farms, gave an informational overview to the DPG and about 25 residents in attendance.

February 21, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, will host a free senior discussion group presentation on “Top Health News Stories of 2013,” from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26. The public is invited to attend, and RSVP is not required. The speaker will be Kathy Quinn, Herrick Library director.