February 21, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - The 2014 Activist People's Ball will be held on Saturday, March 15 at 7:00PM at the World Beat Center in Balboa Park. The extravaganza is a benefit for Activist San Diego and its newly-launched radio station KNSJ (Networking for Social Justice).

February 20, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--  Sheriff’s Deputies at the Rancho San Diego station ask public help to locate Henry Camarena, 38.  He has not been seen of heard from by family or friends since Sunday, February 16. 

Camarena has health issues and requires daily medication, said Detective Moore.  He may be driving a white 2013 Nissan Versa with California license late 6ZAF275.

February 19, 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.

• Banking barrier tumbles for legal sellers of marijuana (Washington Post)
• ‘Thug music’ killer dodges murder charge (Huffington Post)
• Possible radiation leak at New Mexico military nuclear waste site (Reuters)
• US Navy Ready To Deploy Laser For 1st Time (AP)
•  The 'Crime' of Having a Hidden Compartment in Your Car (Reason)
• Debate: Was Edward Snowden Justified? (NPR)

WORLD

• Tensions high in Kiev after at least 21 die in fiery clashes (CNN)
• Japan quake survivor wins skating gold (UT San Diego)
• More than 140 Brazilian cities ration water amid prolonged heat wave (Fox)
• A New Assault on Freedom of the Press (Reason)
• U.N. Report Details North Korea's 'Crimes Against Humanity' (NPR)
• Report: Egypt creating buffer zone on Gaza-Sinai border, destroys 10 tunnels (Jerusalem Post)

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

By Miriam Raftery

February 19, 2014 (La Mesa) –La Mesa residents may soon be able to raise chickens (though not roosters) in their backyards.  On Wednesday, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to allow one chicken for each 2,000 square feet, or three chickens for the average 6,000 square foot residential lot.  The proposed new ordinance must next be approved by the City Council, which is expected to hear the measure on March 25.

February 19, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - West Hills High School Foundation invites community members and friends to its 3rd Annual Gala & Dance, the IDES OF MARCH: Sumptuous hors d'oeuvres with a no-host bar, dancing to the ever-popular RAMSHACKLE, premium auction items, and a new venue at Mission Trails Regional Park Visitors Center.

February 19, 2014  (San Diego’s East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

SCIENCE

• Crocodiles can climb trees (alligators, too!) (Reuter)
• Science Confirms: Internet Trolls Really Are Narcissistic, Psychopathic, and Sadistic (Slate)
• Study: Arctic getting darker, making Earth warmer (UT San Diego)
• Trading water for fuel is fracking crazy (Eco Report)
• Jet stream may be changing (BBC)
• Snowy owls invade 'south'; cold affects waterfowl (UT San Diego)

HEALTH

• The Full-Fat Paradox: Whole Milk May Keep Us Lean (NPR)
• The genetics of being a daredevil (New York Times)
• Sexually Transmitted Food Poisoning? A Fish Toxin Could Be To Blame (NPR)
• IVF Baby Boom: Births From Fertility Procedures Hit New High (NPR)

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

Disturbing data suggests Golden Eagles appear on verge of extinction in our region

By Miriam Raftery

February 15, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) –A state inventory of California’ rarest animals, birds and plants reveals that Golden Eagle populations have suffered a precipitous decline statewide, including here in San Diego County.  Statewide, only 141 element occurrences (eagle nests and foraging habitat) are listed in all of California. Locally, the inventory lists just 14 “occurrences” countywide—with only one nest remaining in East County.

“So much for Bittner’s estimates,” wildlife biologist Jim Wiegand with Save the Eagles International told ECM.  David Bittner is the so-called eagle expert hired by major energy companies to justify wind projects locally. Bittner was convicted in federal court and sentenced in August to charges of failing to file data reports with the federal government and illegal taking of an eagle.

Wiegand has previously estimated local nesting sites at 10--a fraction of Bittner's recent estimates.

Updated February 24, 2014 with identities of agent and suspect

February 18, 2014 (Otay)—A U.S. Border Patrol agent who was struck by a thrown rock shot and killed Jesus Flores-Cruz, 43 , who died at the scene.  The shooting occurred at 6:40 this morning in the White Cross area of the Otay Mountain Range. The identity of the deceased, who sustained two gunshot wounds, was confirmed by comparing fingerprints from a 1996 arrest by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

According to San Diego Sheriff Homicide Lt. Glenn Giannatonio, the agents were attempting to detain a group of suspected illegal aliens.  “The two agents were out of sight of each when one of the agents was struck in the face by a rock thrown by one of the suspects. Fearing for his safety, the agent fired,” he said, adding that the agent suffered minor injuries.

By Miriam Raftery

February 17, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--As a journalist, I find it disturbing to see the high number of East County media outlets that have closed their doors, slashed content, or sold out to a corporate conglomerate in recent months.  Those remaining are struggling amid a culture of readers that increasing are failing to support the important job of news gathering that is so critical for our democracy—not to mention keeping you informed of breaking news, emergencies and events in your community.

By Sharon Penny

February 17, 2014 (El Cajon)--Ralf Swenson, Superintendent of the Grossmont Unified High School District (GUHSD) proudly discussed recent academic success rates throughout the district’s 11 high schools at last week’s board meeting.

February 17, 2014 (San Diego) – Below are highlights of events for readers and writers countywide for the last half of February. For complete Calendar including Authors Events, go to www.SDWriteWay.org

Anza Borrego Foundation calls for halt to fast-tracking of all major energy projects;

Cleveland National Forest Foundation says EIR violates CEQA, fails to examine less harmful alternatives such as rooftop solar

By Miriam Raftery

February 15, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)—The Anza Borrego Foundation (ABF) and a law firm representing  the Cleveland National Forest Foundation (CNFF) have submitted comments warning of dire consequences from Soitec Solar’s proposed massive solar projects in the  Boulevard community.  Both urge the County to put the brakes on the proposed projects, which they warn would cause irreparable harm to wildlife and ecosystems not only in rural Boulevard, but in Anza Borrego State Park and Cleveland National Forest.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

February 17, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--“On average 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits occur annually, reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. Firefighters and Paramedics respond to thousands of accidents every day.”

Follow some of these tips to help prevent accidents in your home:

February 14, 2014 (Ramona)—Matilda Abaez, 42, has been arrested after residents found her inside a neighbor’s garage and called  for help.  Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call of a burglary in progress shortly before 2 p.m. today in the 200 block of Kalbaught Street, Ramona.