March 26, 2010 (Borrego Springs) – A hiker who broke her leg on a trail in Palm Canyon, a remote location in Borrego Springs, was hoisted to safety yesterday by San Diego's Copter 10, following a call for assistance from the Borrego Springs Fire Department.

Beyond the hype, snipes and myths, what will the landmark measure really do?

By Miriam Raftery

March 22, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – How will the landmark healthcare bill passed last night by the House of Representatives impact you, your family and your business?  The answers, detailed extensively below, may surprise you.

President Barack Obama is expected to sign the measure in the next couple of days, though the Senate has yet to vote on whether to accept House changes to a version of the bill that the Senate recently passed. While some changes may yet be made, major elements include provisions to take effect immediately, as well as many others that will be phased in over several years. These include:

By Miriam Raftery

March 23, 2010 – President Barack Obama today signed into law historic healthcare reform legislation. Locally, the measure drew sharp criticism from Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) but praise from Hunter’s Democratic opponent, Raymond Lutz.

March 22, 2010 (Escondido) – At 9:05 a.m., CAL FIRE-Deer Springs Fire Department responded to a report of an accident on I-15 at North Centre City Parkway, just north of Escondido. When firefighters arrived they encountered a passenger vehicle on it roof and two of the three occupants in the vehicle required extrication. The vehicle was traveling north bound on I-15 when it rear-ended another vehicle.

Friends of missing teen Mickey Guidry’s family are mounting a search this weekend in the Anza Borrego desert. Volunteers are needed to scour a massive area. To date some 200 have signed up to participate. Searches will begin Saturday, March 20 at 9 a.m. and end Sunday, March 21 at 5 p.m. Volunteers should meet northwest of the intersection of S2 and Highway 78. 

By Miriam Raftery

March 17, 2010 (La Mesa) – The body of Maria “Laura” Chavez Sandoval, of La Mesa was found today in the water off the coast of Rosarita Beach, Mexico. Sandoval, 55 was reported missing on Sunday by her husband. She reportedly took a taxi from La Mesa to San Ysidro and was last seen exiting the taxicab.

Sandoval left behind a “goodbye” note and was believed to be suicidal, according to a Sheriff’s missing person bulletin issued today shortly before the body was found.

March 16, 2010 (San Diego - A freight train derailment in Sorrento Mesa north of the I-5 and I-805 junction has shut down all Amtrak train travel in both directions. Passengers will be bussed. 

March 15, 2010 (San Diego) -- If you're planning to travel abroad or cross the Mexican border, you may want to apply now for your passport--since fees may go up substantially soon. Public comment on the fee increases ended March 9, and the County is awaiting the U.S. State Department’s decision to see if the increases will be implemented.

By Miriam Raftery

March 15, 2010 (San Diego) – After completing its own testing, Toyota concluded yesterday that it could find no evidence to support James Sikes’ claim that a sticking gas pedal caused his vehicle to accelerate to 94 mph in a widely-publicized incident on I-8 in East County last week. Toyota said its tests found that Sikes rapidly pressed the gas and brakes back and forth over 250 times and that the car’s gas pedal and backup safety system were working properly.

Saturday, March 13, 2010 (San Diego's East County)- Be sure to set your clocks ahead one hour, since Daylight Savings Time starts at midnight.

March 9, 2010 (Poway) – Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher (R-San Diego) is working with the parents of slain teen Chelsea King to enact legal reforms aimed at protecting children from violent sexual predators. Fletcher’s district includes Poway and Escondido, homes of Chelsea King and Amber Dubois, murdered teens whose bodies were both found in the past week.

In an exclusive interview with East County Magazine, driver says Toyota advised him 2 weeks ago that his 2008 Prius was not on the recall list

March 8, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – James Sikes, 61, considers himself lucky to be alive following a harrowing high-speed ordeal on a highway in San Diego's East County.

“I am still shaken up,” the local real estate agent told East County Magazine this evening, just hours after surviving a chilling 94-mph race against time after the accelerator on his car became jammed on I-8 east this afternoon. It took over half an hour to bring the runaway vehicle under control with help from California Highway Patrol, including a patrolman who bravely placed his car in front of Sikes to assure that the vehicle could be stopped before entering a perilous downhill stretch of freeway.

VIEW THE ONLINE REGISTRY AT THE MEGAN'S LAW WEBSITE

March 8, 2010 (San Diego's East County) - The tragic murders of Amber Dubois and Chelsea King highlight the need to protect ourselves and our children from known predators in our communities.  Many people are not aware that you can you view photos of sex offenders in your neighborhood, learn their addresses, and read descriptions of past crimes on the  Megan's Law website (http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/), named after slain child Megan Kanka.

March 6, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory from 6 p.m. tonight through 2 p.m. tomorrow. Four to six inches of snow have been forecast above 4500 feet tonight in higher elevations including Palomar Mountain, Cuyamaca, Mount Laguna, and Ranchita.

A hazardous weather outlook has also been issued for most of Southern California.