July 20, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)—The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch effective now through Sunday evening in burned areas of San Diego County’s mountains and deserts. Showers and isolated thunderstorms are also forecast.

Monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action if the flash flood watch is elevated to a flash flood warning.

Photo courtesy San Miguel Fire District/Cal Fire

July 18, 2013 (Rancho San Diego )–Firefighters from Cal Fire/San Miguel Fire District responded to a six vehicle incident at Jamacha Road and Cuyamaca College Drive in the Rancho San Diego Area shortly after 11 a.m. today.

According to witnesses, the driver of a silver van was traveling eastbound on Jamacha Road when her vehicle sped up and hit five other vehicles, plunging over an embankment.  The vehicle also knocked over  a tree and continued through a Mobile gas station parking lot, then up a slight embankment, crashing into a light pole at  Rancho San Diego Town Centre before bursting into flames.

By Miriam Raftery

July 18, 2013 (Pine Valley) – A 38-year-old Pine Valley resident died at the scene of a rollover accident that occurred July 17 at 10:18 p.m.   The driver, whose name has not yet been released by the Medical Examiner, was driving a 2001 Volkswagen GTI westbound on I-8 east of East Willows Road in Alpine at a high rate of speed, a witness told the California Highway Patrol.

"It was avery sad night indeed. It was a very dangerous scene to roll upon in the darkness."

 said Don Lumb, who sent the photo in this story. "He was still alive, but took almost 30 minutes before the first emergency vehicle even arrived. He passed away while at the scene just prior to advanced help."

ByNadin Abbott

July 5, 2013 (San Diego)—Planning on attending Comic Con International this year starting July 18?  Parking is challenging, so consider taking the trolley.

July 15, 2013 (San Diego)--The popular Miramar Air Show set for October 4-6 is at risk of cancellation, following Friday’s announcement that the Pentagon will not allow military flights in the annual air show at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar due to budget cuts caused by sequestration.  Marine officials have not yet confirmed if the show will be held, but if the show does go on, it will be with no military aircraft. Military planes such as the Blue Angels have comprised the majority of the show in the past.

“More than half a million visitors attend the Miramar event, which helps our local economy and showcases the skill of our armed forces. This is a tremendous disappointment across the region,” said State Senator Marty Block (D-39th District).  

Photo: ECM editor Miriam Raftery with emcee J.W. August of 10 News, ECM's news partner

July 11, 2013 (San Diego) –Miriam Raftery, editor of East County Magazine and East County news director for KNSJ 89.1 FM radio, was honored tonight with five awards from the Society of Professional Journalism’s San Diego Chapter including two of the organization’s top prizes with cash awards.

Raftery shared the Sol Price Prize for Responsible Journalism with photographers Jim Pelley and Parke Ewing, for their story titled “Residents Complain of Dust Bowl, Third World Conditions at Pattern Energy’s Ocotillo Wind Site.” 

Photo: Filner and Frye earlier this year joined in presenting open government award to Terry Francke at Californians Aware, an organization Frye now heads after leaving the Filner administration.

By Nadin Abbott

Miriam Raftery also contributed to this story

July 11, 2013 (San Diego) – At a press conference today, three former supporters of Mayor Bob Filner called for his resignation, claiming to have credible evidence of sexual harassment involving multiple women.  They declined to provide any details on the alleged acts of harassment, nor have any of the women been publicly identified. However, Mayor Filner has acknowledged failing to respect women in his workplace and admitted to needing help.

Donna Frye, formerly Filner’s Director of Open Government as well as a past Council member and former mayoral candidate, joined with attorneys Cory Briggs and Marco Gonzalez in asking the Mayor to step down.   Hear audio of today's press conference from KNSJ 89.1 FM news:  https://soundcloud.com/mikehancock/frye

LISTEN LIVE AT FIVE!

July 8, 2013 (San Diego's East County) -- Our first show debuts today at 5 p.m. on KNSJ 89.1 with top newsmakers and hot issues of the week. If you miss it you can catch a rerun tomorrow at 9 a.m. or listen to live streaming at www.knsj.org if you aren't able to hear the station.

By Miriam Raftery

July 7, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – A controversial housing project that could include up to 430 residential units on 204 acres will be heard by the San Diego Planning Commission on Thursday, July 11 at 9 a.m.  The public can attend and testify at the hearing, which will be held at Council Chamber, 12^th Floor, City Administration Building, 202 C Street in downtown San Diego.

The project proposed by Pardee homes has sparked substantial opposition from environmentalists and residents.  A 925-page environmental impact report details significant negative impacts on wildlife and the environment.  ftp://ecity.ci.santee.ca.us/DDS/FinalEIRCastlerock062013.pdf

Preserve Wild Santee’s Facebook page describes Castlerock as “a monstrous housing development in San Diego and Santee” which “proposes to destroy four vernal pools and fairy shrimp, without examining the cumulative impact of these projects …”

By Nadin Abbott

July 5, 2013 (San Diego)—Several hundred people from across San Diego County, including East County residents, held a rally and march through Balboa Park to the National Security Agency  (NSA) surveillance of Americans’ phone and internet records.

What compelled San Diegans to protest in the park on July 4, rather than going to a picnic or barbecue?   The activists are calling for restoration of Fourth Amendment rights to freedom from unreasonable search and seizure—rights born out of our founding fathers' struggle to win independence against tyranny.

July 3, 2013 (San Diego) – As temperatures climb, it’s important to stay cool.  Seniors and those without air conditioning are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness.  The County has provided a list of “cool zones” where you can beat the heat, including places in East County, such as libraries and senior centers:  http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/hhsa/programs/ais/documents/coolzones.pdf.   All are free and open to the public during designated hours.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

June 30, 2013 (Jacumba) – Two men were killed shortly after noon yesterday in a glider crash in Jacumba.  The victims have been identified by the county Medical Examiner as Richard Riley Noble, 63, of La Jolla and Martin Gary Rothwell, 54, of San Diego. Noble was the pilot and Rothwell was a passenger, a Jacumba source has advised ECM.

According to the Medical Examiner’s report, the glider plane was towed and the towline released at about 100 feet. For unknown reasons, the glider lost control, rapidly decelerated and struck the ground.

“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures...”  U.S. Bill of Rights, Amendment IV

June 28, 2013 (San Diego)—A new nonpartisan movement called “Restore the Fourth” has been formed to seek restoration of Constitutional rights to privacy under the Fourth Amendment.  The effort is prompted by revelations that the federal government has secretly accessed phone and Internet records for millions of American citizens.

On July 4, Restore the Fourth is organizing protests in cities across America.  Restore the Fourth invites the public to join a rally and march to Senator Dianne Feinstein’s office.  Marchers will meet at 11 a.m. at the Balboa Park fountain near the Reuben H. Space Theater.

More fires are reported on July 4 than any other day of the year; fireworks also cause many serious injuries each July

With the Fourth of July approaching, the Sheriff's Bomb/Arson Unit reminds San Diegans that it's illegal to possess and use fireworks in the county. It's also illegal to transport fireworks from elsewhere into San Diego County or to make homemade fireworks or explosives.

Under California law, illegal fireworks include sky rockets, bottle rockets, roman candles, aerial shells, firecrackers and other items that explode, go up in the air, or move across the ground in an uncontrollable fashion. Those convicted can be fined up to $50,000 and sent to prison or jail for up to one year.

Governor Brown orders county clerks to begin same-sex marriages as soon as 9^th Circuit Court lifts stay

By Miriam Raftery

June 26, 2013 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Supreme court, in closely divided 5-4 rulings, handed down decisions today in two landmark same –sex marriage cases. The rulings are being hailed as victories for supporters of same-sex marriage, while opponents vow to continue the battle at the state level. In California, however, the high court's dismissal of the Proposition 8 case opens the door for weddings between same-sex couples to resume soon.

For Dayna Dunbar of Spring Valley, the news sparked an emotional chord.  She and her partner, Brenda, have been together since 2001 and have an adopted son, Jesse (photo, left). 

“We were just holding each other, in tears,” she told ECM today.  When their son heard news of the court decision, Dunbar added, “He was so excited, he hugged us about three times each.”