September 29, 2010 (Bonita) – Last night at about 9:05 p.m. Christina Green left on foot, without her shoes, from the 2900 Block Sylvia Street Bonita. The missing person is at risk, and her mindset fluctuates from that of a five-year-old child to her current age of 30, San Diego's Sheriff Department reports. She has disappeared three times in the last year, and the last time she was located on Briarwood Road, Bonita.

September 27, 2010 (San Diego) – The first of three televised debates between California gubernatorial candidates Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman will be aired Tuesday night at 6 p.m. on Channel 7/39 KNSD locally.

Whitman, former CEO of E-Bay, has spent over $119 million of her own money, breaking the nation’s record for most funds poured into a race by any candidate. Brown, California's former Governor and current Attorney General, has relied on grassroots support but has been outspent by his wealthy opponent.

Now voters will have an opportunity to hear directly from both candidates—without the filtering of political advisors or scripted TV ads. The Sacramento Bee has provided a pre-debate analysis of each candidate’s strengths and weaknesses.

September 29, 2010 (Poway) – Firefighters battling a fire at the home of Valentine Derkach in Poway on September 23rd found his body inside the residence. Following an autopsy, the San Diego County Coroner has concluded that gunshot wounds to Derkach’s head and chest were self-inflicted and ruled the death a suicide.

Update 4:30 p.m. The Mexico fire has crossed the border into the U.S. and has burned about a half acre. CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire Authority has moved resources to the Tecate point of entry. Air Attack 330 is now equipped with a camera and downlink system that the ground incident commander can view real time to see how the fire is burning across the border. “This is the first Air Attack to have this system and it has proved itself as a major tool in the firefighting arsenal,” Cal Fire’s Mike Mohler said. Smoke is visible across a broad swath of East County.

September 26, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) 8:30 a.m. – Three fires in Mexico that began yesterday are generating smoke visible from East County. “We are monitoring them and we have a lookout out there.,” Cal Fire spokesman Mike Mohler told East County Magazine this morning. The U.S. Forest Service is also keeping watch, he added.

September 24, 2010 (Sacramento) --Assemblymember Marty Block (D-Lemon Grove) announced that his AB 2314 has been signed by the Governor. A bipartisan measure overwhelmingly approved by the Legislature, this legislation makes it easier for disabled veterans to receive a special property tax exemption available to them by extending the time frame for filing a claim.

Supervisor Jacob accuses "so-called regulators" of "deliberately covering up the monumental fire danger posed by this line"

By Miriam Raftery

September 24, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) –The California Public Utilities Commission and the federal Bureau of Land Management have refused requests for additional environmental review from opponents of the controversial Sunrise Powerlink high-voltage transmission line.

September 23, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service predicts hot weather across Southern California this weekend and early next week. High pressure building over the west along with weak offshore air flow will result in mostly clear skies, low humidity and high temperatures:

Sullivan Solar has vision for Alpine “solar revolution”; hosts community meeting Sept. 25
Property owners can start saving money immediately, with no money down

September 23, 2010 (Alpine) – Sullivan Solar Power, a San Diego firm ranked among the fastest growing companies in America by Inc. Magazine, is offering group discounts to help Alpine homeowners and businesses create a solar-powered community. 

“When the powers-that-be such as the PUC, Sempra and SDG&E don’t respect the wishes of the constituents, it’s time for the constituents to declare independence,” Daniel Sullivan, president of Sullivan Solar Power, told East County Magazine. “What we are doing is setting the stage for them to declare independence at a cost that’s less than they would find anywhere else.” 

Mothers seek treatment options to incarceration for drug offenders

September 20, 2010 (Lakeside) – A San Diego Sheriff’’s deputy shot a 100-pound dog that reportedly charged at him, growling with teeth bared. The shooting occurred on a driveway of a residence across the street from Lakeview Elementary School at 7:40 a.m., about an hour before classes began.

 Updated 4 p.m.

By Miriam Raftery

September 16, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) 1:00 p.m.– A white van implicated in the assault on a teen jogger in Blossom Valley on September 5th may have been involved in multiple stalkings of women in East County neighborhoods during the past couple of weeks. Other women have reported that they were stalked by a white van in the Cottonwood, Monarch Ridge and Rancho San Diego areas, East County Magazine has learned. 

September 14, 2010 (San Diego's East County)--Motorists can expect lane and ramp closures along east and westbound Interstate 8 from the Viejas Creek Bridge in Alpine to the Horsethief Creek undercrossing Sundays through Thursdays between 7 p.m.and 5 a.m., beginning tonight and continuing through mid November. The on- and off-ramps at Willow Road and State Route-79 (Japatul Road) will also be subject to closure, but will not be closed at the same time.

September 14, 2010 (Campo) 12:35 p.m. Updated September 16th – A San Diego Sheriff’s deputy was attacked by a pit bull at 30031 Quail Road in Campo, sustaining moderate injuries. The deputy shot the dog in self defense, according to the Sheriff's Department.The deputy was attempting to serve a warrant on a juvenile when the dog attacked and bit his arm. The officer was knocked to the ground and fired one shot, striking the dog in the mouth.

East County News Service

September 13, 2010 (Bonita) – Congressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego) is urging  the public to join him in a massive demonstration against foreclosures.

September 13, 2010 (Ramona) – David Bruce Menea, 54, was struck and killed on Main Street Saturday night while illegally crossing the road, CHP reports. He was struck by a 4-Runner SUV, which went on to strike a parked Volkswagen, pushing the VW into Mike’s Liquor Store. Three other people were injured from the collision and flying glass.

ECM news partner Channel 10 News has dramatic video of the crash viewed from inside and outside the store, as well as an interview with eyewitness Terri Linnell. Linnell, who ran for Congress on a T.E.A. party platform during the June primary, tried to assist the fatally wounded bicyclist. “He died in my arms,” she told 10 news.