East County News Service

August 15, 2010 (El Cajon) – Justin R. Pickett, 28, was found dead behind the wheel of a vehicle that flipped on its side at the connector ramp of northbound State Route 67 and westbound Interstate 8 in El Cajon. A canine police officer from El Cajon spotted the vehicle at 2:41 a.m. yesterday.

Driver previously guilty of crossing double-yellow line,  faced other charges in past, ECM investigation reveals

By Miriam Raftery
 

East County News Service

August 11, 2010 (Jamul) – San Miguel Fire and Sycuan firefighting crews responded to a structure fire off Highway 94 and Vista San Diego in Jamul this afternoon. Upon arrival, crews found the roof in flames and made an aggressive attack.

August 7, 2010 (San Diego) – A 27-year-old motorcyclist riding northbound in the 5100 block of College Avenue yesterday struck the media at 1:54 this morning. He sustained serious head trauma and is in critical condition at Mercy Hospital, San Diego Police report.

Update 11:30 a.m.  The gas line has been repaired and all roads are now open.
August 5, 2010 (El Cajon) – Road closures and evacuations are being ordered in El Cajon due to a damaged gas line at 613 Mundy Terrace.

Judge to hear arguments today on whether to issue a stay extending ban on gay marriages pending appeal; weddings could resume as early as tomorrow

East County News Network

August 4, 2010 (San Diego) – Over a thousand people celebrated in the streets of San Diego today after a federal judge declared Proposition 8, the initiative banning gay marriage, to be unconstitutional.  Same-sex marriages could resume as early as tomorrow--or not at all, depending on a judge's ruling on a request for a stay to extend the ban pending appeal.

"Yesterday when the ruiling came out, our phones starting ringing off the hook," San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/Clerk Dave Butler told East County Magazine.  Then word got out that the judge had issued a temporary stay until he hears arguments today and issues a decision on the stay.  "The phones have been quiet today," Butler said. 

WITNESS RECOUNTS HARROWING NEAR-MISS

By Miriam Raftery

August 2, 2010 (Tierrasanta) – A pilot who reported a door falling off in flight crashed onto the 11th hole at Admiral Baker Golf Course in Tierrasanta this afternoon, killing a woman passenger and injuring four others.  The plane was a single-engine Velocity Super XLRG5.
 

“Whoever was at the helm of that plane was a hero in my mind.  It could have been much worse,” Arrit McPherson told East County Magazine, before news of the fatality was known. “There are a lot of houses around here, as well as power lines.”  McPherson was working on his boat, Treasure Seeker, at San Diego Boat Movers, when he saw the pilot make an evasive move to avoid striking his boat, then head for an opening between trees at the golf course.

Update August 1:  County Animal Control officers have euthanized the dog, at the request of the family, which has other small children.

July 31, 2010 (Tierrasanta) – A family’s German shepherd fatally mauled a toddler in their home at 3529 Lofberg Street late this morning. “The baby, a boy, was taken to Children’s Hospital but did not survive,” San Diego Police officer Kevin McNamara confirmed.

Leaders propose options to address serious public safety crisis in City and County

By Miriam Raftery

July 28, 2010 (San Diego) – San Diego has the fewest firefighters per capita of any major city in the nation, a shocking new report by Center for Policy Initiatives revealed yesterday.

“Service quality has dropped below acceptable standards, most tragically in the fire-rescue department,” a CPI press release warned. “Without increased revenue, the city could face the closure of almost half of our fire stations and the firing of several hundred police officers, as the chief operating officer described to the Council yesterday.”

East County Roundup highlights stories of interest to East County residents, published in other media

July 29, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Roundup stories include:

•Fetal position: County Supervisor Bill Horn uses your money to promote pro-life education
• Schwarzenegger orders furloughs for state workers
• Judge blocks part of Arizona immigration law
• Q&A with Ralf Swenson, new superintendent of Grossmont Union High School District
• Fallbrook: Mountain lion believed shot
• San Diego’s refugee brain drain
• Governor orders National Guard to border
• Powerlink booster may have powered up too soon
• Economy threatens parks
 

East County News Service

July 28, 2010 (Julian) – A fire during the night destroyed a triple-wide mobile home on the property of Whispering Winds Catholic Camp and Conference Center at 17606 Harrison Park Road in Julian. Firefighters from Cal Fire and the Julian Volunteer Fire Department responded to the fully-involved blaze at 2:53 a.m.

July 26, 2010 (San Diego) – San Diego Police seek the public’s help to locate David Chan Mow, 56, who has been missing since 9 p.m. on July 21st. Mow, who suffers memory loss and may need medical attention, was driving a 2005 GMC Silver Envoy. He used an ATM machine at 2900 30th Street at 11 p.m. on July 21st and has not been seen or heard from since.

East County News Service

July 22, 2010 (Pine Valley) -- Sheriff Bill Gore announced that the body of a man has been located south of Interstate 8 and just west of the Pine Valley Bridge. The discovery was made this morning shortly after 9:00 a.m. by Sheriff’s Search and Rescue volunteers.

A video released late today by the Sheriff indicates the remains are those of a “previously missing person.” The video shows a cadaver-sniffing beagle apparently locating the body amid rubble and boulders at the base of a steep, rocky slope. View the video. www.youtube.com/watch

Warning: What you don't know can be deadly

July 21, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Most East County residents know safety steps to take during an earthquake or wildfire, which are common in our area. But many are misinformed about dangers posed by lightning, a less common peril in our region. When a thunderstorm does strike, however, risks are substantial—and relying on myths can be deadly.

Lightning has caused deaths in California and in San Diego County. In East County, a man in Rancho Cuyamaca State Park was killed by lightning. Another local resident suffered neurological damage.  Lightning strikes have caused many fires in East County. A Campo resident lost phone service due to lightning; in Alpine, a writer's computer was destroyed by a bolt.  

 
Test your knowledge on lightning—the answers may shock you!