News

PLANE WITH ENGINE OUT LANDS SAFELY

 

 

February 3, 2010 - An American Airlines MD-80 plane has just landed safely at San Diego's Lindbergh Field after failure of one of its two engines, ECM has learned. There 111 people on board and 22,000 pounds of fuel, Incident Page Network reports.  

 

Emergency responders were dispatched and ECM notified readers via our Viejas Emergency Alert during the distressed plane's approach into San Diego. If you are not not yet signed up to receive our emergency alerts, click the "subscribe" button above the Viejas Wildfire Alert logo at the top right side of our page.


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SHERIFF REMOVES SONIC WEAPON STATEMENT FROM HIS WEBSITE, RAISING QUESTIONS OVER STATUS OF DEVICE

 

Is the LRAD disabled, or not?

By Miriam Raftery

January 28, 2010 (San Diego) San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore drew sharp criticism from the public and his three political opponents following an article we published last fall, revealing that his office purchased a long-range acoustic device (LRAD) and rolled it out at Congressional healthcare forums and other events.  The Sheriff’s office held a press conference in September to announce that the sonic weapons feature had been “disabled.”

Now the Sheriff has removed a press release discussing the disabling of the sonic weapons feature from the homepage and from the archives at his website. We contacted the Sheriff’s spokeperson, Jan Caldwell, to ask why the release was removed and whether the sonic weapons feature has been reenabled.


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HOMELESS IN EAST COUNTY: ONE WOMAN’S STORY

This is the first in a series of interviews profiling people who are homeless in East County. If you know of a homeless person willing to be interviewed, please contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org
 

By Miriam Raftery

January 28, 2010 (El Cajon) – “I’m trying to get off the street,” says Dawn Marie (last name withheld), who has been homeless for three months and is currently sleeping in an abandoned building in El Cajon. “I’ve been to college, but I can’t get a job because I have no experience, and you can’t get experience if nobody will hire you.”

Complicating matters, Dawn Marie suffers from a genetic medical condition known as neurofibromatosis. “I get fibrous tumors wherever I have a nerve,” she said, rolling up a sleeve to reveal bumps on her arms. She also wears a brace on her knee, which  had previous surgery for a sciatic nerve tumor. She  needs more surgery, but has no insurance.  Waits for medical care through County Medical Services are long and coverage is limited.


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RAMONA MOTHER KILLED IN HIGHWAY 67 COLLISION

January 27, 2010 (Ramona) – Bridgette T. Hale, 36, was killed in a head-on collision on State Route 67 near Johnson Lake Road in Lakeside on Tuesday. Hale was driving southbound in her Chevy Astro Van when she was struck head-on by an Oldsmobile that had crossed a double-yellow line, according to the California Highway Patrol.


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ARE YOU COVERED? GET INFORMED BEFORE THE NEXT STORM


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MEMORIAL SUNDAY AT STEELE CANYON FOR DAVID REID; SCHOLARSHIP FUND ESTABLISHED IN HIS MEMORY

By Miriam Raftery

January 27, 2010 (Spring Valley) – A memorial service for David Norman Reid will be held on Sunday, January 31st at 2 p.m. at the Steele Canyon High School theater (see address below). Reid was killed last Friday when a car driven by Andrew Bellati, 18, crossed the center line at a high speed and crashed head-on into Reid’s van.


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“COFFEE HOUSE FOR HAITI” AT SALVATION ARMY KROC CENTER FRI. JAN. 29

 

January 21, 2009 – Over 700 Salvation Army relief workers are in Haiti, bringing food and medical attention to earthquake survivors. Amid the devastation, there are some tiny miracles –including three babies born at the Salvation Army clinic since the quake struck (photo, left).

 


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LET THERE BE LIGHT! SD'S RESCUE TASK FORCE TEAM TURNS ON POWER IN HAITI

 

January 25, 2010 (San Diego) –Rescue Task Force, the humanitarian organization established in East County that has since merged with World Emergency Relief, is now working to restore electricity in Haiti.

 
“Lack of power can cost lives,” RTF’s Andrea Stone observed.


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MORE RAIN: HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK ISSUED

 

January 25, 2010 (San Diego) – Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water or drive on our mountain highways, the National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather alert for all of southwestern California.


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WOMAN STRUCK AND KILLED BY CAR ON HIGHWAY 125 NEAR GROSSMONT COLLEGE

January 25, 2010 (El Cajon) – Rebecca Ann Phillips, 23, died after being hit by a red Chevrolet Metro on southbound Highway 125 shortly after 9:30 last night. According to witnesses, she was a passenger in a green Ford Taurus sedan that had pulled onto the shoulder just north of Grossmont College Drive. For unknown reasons, she stepped into traffic and was killed.


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SD RELIEF WORKERS DELIVER LIFE-SAVING CARE IN HAITI, PROVIDE EYE-WITNESS REPORTS ON TRAGEDIES & TRIUMPHS

 

 

“We do not rest much. Every minute is the difference between life and death.” – Darryl Hall, team leader, Rescue Task Force
 

By Miriam Raftery


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WATCH EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE EDITOR MIRIAM RAFTERY’S INTERVIEW ON PROGRESS SAN DIEGO TV!

 

 

Walter Davis, host of Progress for San Diego, interviewed East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery on January 22 about our online publication’s accomplishments and goals for the future. Our thanks to Walter for this in-depth interview, which covered many important issues in our region--and how you can get involved in being the media! Click  image to view the interview now online. This show will also be aired on COX Channel 18/23 on February 7, 2010 at 5 p.m.


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FIRED UP: EAST COUNTY FIREFIGHTING STUDENTS LEARN THE ROPES AT 20th ANNUAL HEARTLAND FIRE ACADEMY

 

 

By Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

originally published at Heartland Zone News

 

January 24, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- On January19th, the Tom Owen Training Facility, in cooperation with Miramar College, kicked off the 20th Heartland Fire Academy.


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HEAD-ON COLLISION NEAR STEELE CANYON HIGH SCHOOL KILLS DAVID NORMAN REID, 50, AND INJURES 3 TEENS


“In the fraction of a second, life’s changed for two families.” – Leonard Villareal, San Miguel Fire Dept.

January 23, 2010 (Spring Valley)—Andrew Bellati, 18, gained fame for his fast-ball pitches clocked at 88 mph. The Steele Canyon High School graduate recently signed with the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team.

 

But speed proved deadly in a head-on collision yesterday, when a red Mustang driven by Bellati crossed the center line and killed David Norman Reid, 50.  The collision also seriously injured Bellati and two other teens, both students at Steele Canyon.


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LOCAL HEROES HELP SAVE BOY, 5, FROM HAITI RUBBLE 8 DAYS AFTER QUAKE

 

 

IRT leader shares details in exclusive interview

 

By Marisa Kezirian and Miriam Raftery

 


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LUCKY DOGS: 2 PETS SAVED FROM FLOODED VEHICLE BY CAL-FIRE RESCUERS

 

December 21, 2010 (Valley Center) – A truck attempting to cross a flooded creek stalled and was swept sideways downstream in swift-flowing water at the same spot where an earlier rescue was made yesterday. At 3:37 p.m. today, Cal Fire and the Valley Center Fire Department responded and found two dogs trapped in the vehicle.


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STORM BATTERS COUNTY; SUNNY SKIES FORECAST BY SUNDAY

More rain, snow, and flooding possible tonight; free sandbags available throughout East County for residents

 

January 21, 2010 (San Diego County) 5 p.m. -- High winds and heavy rain ravaged San Diego County today, prompting disruptions in transit service, flights, and closure of numerous roads, schools and businesses in East County and throughout our region.


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SDG&E GEARS UP FOR NEXT WAVE OF STORM, OFFERS SAFETY TIPS

 

 

January 21, 2010– Heavy rain and high winds are expected to keep San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) crews busy as forecasters predict the worst of this week’s series of storms will sweep through the region today. Utility crews are being staged at operations centers for staffing around-the-clock to coordinate service restoration, communications and logistical support throughout the storms.

 


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WINTER STORM WARNING: HEAVY SNOW IN MOUNTAINS, COASTAL FLOODING

 

January 21, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued an urgent alert for a winter storm warning in San Diego County mountains from 6 p.m. tonight through 6 p.m. Friday evening. Heavy snow measuring 8 to 16 inches is possible above 4,000 feet with greater amounts in some areas. Winds with gusts up to 45 mph, will cause near zero visibility in blowing and drifting snow.


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FIREFIGHTERS RESCUE 2 TRAPPED IN STREAM

 

January 21, 2010 (Valley Center) – Two people have been rescued from a Toyota four runner that became stuck after the driver attempted to cross a stream and water began flowing inside the vehicle.

 


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MAN FOUND DEAD ON MT. WOODSON

January 20, 2010 (Poway) – Donald Allen Forbes, 60, of Oceanside was found dead on the Mt. Woodson hiking trail yesterday morning in Poway. A hiker discovered him lying unresponsive on the trail and notified authorities.


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NEW HAZARDS TONIGHT: BOULDERS BLOCK ROADWAYS, FREEWAY RAMPS FLOOD

 

January 20, 2010 (San Diego County) 9:10 p.m. – Shortly after we issued an earlier alert about hazardous traffic conditions, CHP posted updates of several new hazards.

EAST COUNTY UPDATE:

Boulders are reported in the roadway at the junction of Sunrise Highway and Interstate 8. There are also large rocks in the roadway on Highway 78 near Sentenac Canyon in El Cajon, where a vehicle has struck the rocks and emergency responders are en route. I-15 northbound is flooded at the SR 75 offramp. The Carmel Mt. Road onramp to I-15 northbound is also flooded and now blocked. In Borrego Springs, boulders are in the road at SR 78 and Borrego Springs Road. In Santee, Gorge Road is flooded in the 9200 block after a flood channel overflowed.
 

OTHER SAN DIEGO COUNTY AREAS:


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FLOODED ROADS, SNOW, ROAD CLOSURES POSE HAZARDS FOR DRIVERS

 

January 20, 2010 (San Diego County, 7:45 p.m.) – Severe storms have left many roads flooded throughout the county, prompting road closures and rescue operations. CHP reports the following areas are flooded in East County:

• RAMONA: junction of Ramona St. and H St.
• EL CAJON: W. Bradley at N.. Magnolia
• LAKESIDE: Willows Rd. and Bobcat Lane, also Woodside Ave. and Riverford Rd.
 


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TORNADOS, THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE TODAY & TOMORROW

 

January 20, 2010 (San Diego County) –New storms today and tomorrow will bring thunderstorms with the potential to produce tornadoes , the National Weather Service advises. A flash flood watch is also in effect for San Diego County mountains, valleys and coastal areas.


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STORM UPROOTS TREES, KILLS 1 EAST COUNTY WOMAN; NEW STORM TO HIT THIS AFTERNOON

 

FLASH FLOOD WATCH ISSUED FOR LATE TODAY
 

January 20, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Yesterday’s severe storm prompted the National Weather Service to issue a tornado warning mid-afternoon. Countywide, the strongest wind gusts were reported on Mt. Woodson, where wind speeds reached 75 mph. In Julian, wind gusts of 61 mph were reported. Gale-force winds around the county uprooted numerous trees and caused power outages in multiple areas, also claiming at least one life.


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FUTURE OF EAST COUNTY PERFORMING ART CENTER AT STAKE IN THURSDAY MEETING; CITIZENS PLAN PROTEST OVER CLOSURE

 

 

Update Jan. 21:  Tonight's outdoor rally has been cancelled due to rain, however those who wish to protest closure of the theater will instead gather inside the Ronald Reagan Community Center at 6:30.

January 20, 2010 (El Cajon) The City of El Cajon hosts its second of two community meetings on the future of the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) on Thursday, January 21st. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 East Douglas St. in El Cajon (1/2 block east of Magnolia).

 

The City has announced plans to close the theater for up to two years for renovations. Citizen’s Oversight Project, a watchdog group, plans a rally at 5:30 to protest the two-year closure. The rally will be held on Main Street in front of the theater.(This rally has been moved indoors at 6:30 at the Ronald Reagan Community Center due to rain.)


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POWERLINK MEETINGS CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER

 

January 20, 2010 (San Diego's East County) SDG&E has just announced cancellation of this week's community council meetings in Campo and Lakeside due to stormy weather. Those meetings were set for tonight and tomorrow night, respectively. 

 

SDG&E plans to reschedule and will announce new dates soon, Jennifer Briscoe, spokesperson for the utility company, informed East County Magazine today.  A meeting in Alpine remains scheduled for Feb. 15. 


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TORNADO WARNING ISSUED FOR ALL OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY

 

January 19, 2010 (San Diego)- The National Weather Service issued a Tornado Warning for North West San Diego County and then extended the tornado warning for all of San Diego County until 3:15 pm. Check for further updates to come later. For additional weather updates check the NWS website http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=San+Diego&state=CA&sit...

 


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CAUSE AN ACCIDENT? SAN MIGUEL FIRE WANTS YOU TO PAY FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 19, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – San Miguel Fire Protection District voted Thursday to charge drivers who cause accidents for the costs of emergency services. Proposed fees range from $390 to $2,100. The plan has sparked heated debate among community members.

Chief August Ghio says similar measures have been imposed in other communities around the U.S., including North County Fire District locally. Fire districts in Lakeside and Chula Vista are considering similar moves, he added.


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A,G. ENCOURAGES DONATIONS TO HAITIAN RELIEF & OFFERS TIPS TO AVOID SCAMS

A.G. Office Has Searchable Database of Registered Charities

 

January 14, 2010 (Oakland)  - Attorney General Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown Jr. today is encouraging Californians to make charitable donations for victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, but warns citizens to avoid "scam artists" who may prey on the goodwill of California donors.

 


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