Update 6:45 p.m. - The fire destroyed one home and damaged a neighboring residence before fire officials were able to douse the blaze.  Authorities have not yet disclosed the fates of the homeowner and his wife, however the investigation has been turned over to the Homicide Unit.  Neighbors have told other media that the homeowner was despondent because he and his wife had lost their jobs, faced foreclosure, and because the wife had cancer.

December 31, 2010 (San Diego) – A free tow home is available for New Year’s party-goers who don’t want to take chances behind the wheel. The “tipsy tow” service is offered by the Automobile Club of Southern California, but is open to everyone, even if you are not a member. Free tows are available from 6 p.m. tonight to 6 a.m. tomorrow by calling 1-800-400-4AAA.

The Auto Club estimates that a first time conviction for driving under the influence can cost $13,468 or more in fines, penalties, restitution, legal fees and increased insurance costs.

December 31, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Diana Ellen Bialawski, who was last seen by her family on Christmas Day when she left a note saying she was heading to Julian, has been found and is safe. Detective Mo Parga with San Diego Police left a message at East County Magazine’s office advising our editor that Bialawski has been located and is unharmed. Parga could not be reached for details this evening.

December 30, 2010 (Rancho Penasquitos) – A tow truck driver turning onto eastbound Rancho Penasquitos Blvd. from Paseo Montril passed a woman, 58, who was crossing the street in a crosswalk. The driver’s side step caught the pedestrian’s foot, causing serious leg injuries.

December 30, 2010 (Lemon Grove) –Sheriff’s Deputy Seel shot and killed a pit bull at 6956 after the dog bit his thigh. The deputy was contacted by a citizen who reported a vicious pit bull dog at 9 a.m. near San Miguel Elementary School. The citizen claimed the pit bull charged him and bit him in the leg, although the reporting party had no visible injuries and did not request medical attention.

December 30, 2010 (San Diego) – Across the County, emergency crews are busy repairing roads and assessing other damage from the most recent storm.

Following on the heels of last week’s heavy storms which saturated soils and overflowed numerous waterways, the most recent downpour caused additional rock and mudslides, undermined roads and caused potholes and sinkholes.

December 29, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Some prominent East County residents passed on in 2010, but left their mark indelibly on our region. A few were famous, such as movie star Dennis Hopper, or tribal leader Anna Sandoval. Some were heroes--including a Pearl Harbor survivor. Others made news with the dramatic means of their passing—stories that touched our hearts or served as lessons learned.

Below are some of the most memorable individuals from San Diego's inland region to whom we bade final farewell in 2010.

December 28, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego Police ask the public’s help to locate Diana Ellen Bielawski, who may have driven to Julian in East County's mountains. She may also need medical attention. She was last seen Christmas day, December 25th at 1 p.m. in the 4100 block of Paseo Montanas in the Carmel Creek neighborhood of San Diego. View map.

She was driving a white 2001 Toyota Rav4 with California license 4TJK342. She is white, 26 years old, 120 pounds, 5 feet 6 inches tall, with brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a tan/brown/white belted sweater and black pants.

December 27, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- A winter storm is set to hit San Diego County Tuesday night and Wednesday, followed by chilly temperatures and up to two inches of snow down to 4000 feet in East County’s mountains and snow flurries in the high desert regions. Near zero visibility is forecast due to blowing snow and high wind gusts up to 60 mph.

Moderate to heavy rains are predicted. The National Weather Service warns that the added rainfall will cause rapid runoff and flooding due to ground saturation from recent storms.

By Miriam Raftery

Video by Ron Cook

December 26, 2010 (Lakeside) – Shortly after reporting about an injured hiker air-lifted off El Capitan Mountain this afternoon, I was dismayed to learn that the victim is East County Magazine’s own videographer Billy Ortiz, creator of our “Video Adventures in East County” series. He was taken to the emergency room at Sharp Memorial Hospital, where he spoke with me by phone moments ago about his harrowing ordeal.

December 26, 2010 (Lakeside) –The San Diego Sheriff’s Search and Rescue unit has rescued an injured hiker off El Cajon Mountain (known locally as El Capitan Mountain) early this afternoon. According to Incident Page Network, the hiker fell ten feet and had a rock fall on him, prompting a search to locate him by officials.

More rain likely to bring more flooding, debris slides, National Weather Service cautions

December 24, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – A light dusting of snow is forecast for San Diego County mountain peaks over 5500 feet on Christmas Day, the National Weather Service predicts. That includes Mt. Laguna and other high peaks in Rancho Cuyamaca State Park. If traveling in mountain areas, be prepared for winter storm conditions and carry tire chains in higher elevations.

San Diego Joins List of Counties Eligible for State Aid Because of Winter Storms

December 24, 2010 (San Diego)--Acting California Gov. Abel Maldonado proclaimed an official state of emergency in San Diego County Friday because of the recent winter storms, making the County eligible for state aid.

December 23, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Howie Hawver, former soccer coach at Grossmont College and Patrick Henry High School, died December 5th following a two-year battle with Amyotrphic Lateral Schlerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 27th at St. Andrew’s, 8350 Lake Murray Blvd.

 UPDATE: She's been found safe. See new story posted.

Evidence found in missing woman's beige Nissan Ultimata parked near Target store

December 23, 2010 (La Mesa)—La Mesa Police, with assistance from the San Diego Sheriff’s crime lab, have processed the vehicle of Sara Rafou, 19, whose vehicle was found in Grossmont Center’s parking lot after she disappeared last night. “Evidence in the vehicle leads us to believe that Sara is missing under suspicious circumstances,” a press release issued by Captain Ed Aceves with La Mesa Police late today states.

Co-workers from Bank America in Grossmont Center saw her exit the front doors at 6:30 last night at the end of her shift. Her unoccupied vehicle was found in the parking lot near the Target Store.  A Facebook page has been set up to help find her.