Swarm may be Africanized “killer” bees

May 21, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – A 68-year-old man has been attacked by bees in the 500 block of Tecate Road. According to Cal-Fire firefighters at the scene, the aggressive swarm may be Africanized bees.

May 20, 2010 (Tierrasanta) – A 24-year-old active duty Navy enlisted man barricaded himself inside his garage yesterday at 4783 Gurke Street in Tierrasanta and committed suicide. San Diego Police SWAT team was summoned after the man, who had access to a handgun and rifle, told his wife he planned to kill himself. Neighbors were evacuated and emergency negotiators attempted unsuccessfully to communicate with the distraught man.

May 18, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- An earthquake centered 12 miles southeast of Ocotilllo in Imperial County was felt throughout San Diego's East County and the region.

The quake hit around 5:39 this evening and was first reported as a 5.1 magnitude, however the U.S. Geological Service later downgraded it to a 4.5. 

No damage has been reported. The quake is likely an aftershock from the powerful 7.2 earthquake centered in Mexico on Easter Sunday.

May 17, 2010 (Blossom Valley) – A woman, 44, became trapped after a vehicle struck a tree and caught fire on Blossom Valley Road near Red Pony around 6:10 p.m. this evening.

The roadway was shut down in both directions while rescuers extricated the woman, who was airlifted via Mercy Air to a trauma unit at Sharp Hospital, according to California Highway Patrol.

California is the Only Top Ten Producing State Without a Tax
Texas Taxes = $14.33/barrel; California only gets $4.22/barrel

May 17,2010 (Sacramento) – Last week, as Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger released an updated California Budget with massive cuts in services, Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) called on the Governor to support his  Assembly Bill 1604, the Oil Industry Fair Share Act. The bill would create an 10 percent oil severance tax on each barrel of oil produced in California and generate over $1.5 billion in revenues to fund public safety, education, human services, and other vital programs.

“At a time when classrooms are becoming more crowded, when more and more people are losing their health insurance due to unemployment, and numerous programs affecting seniors, and the disabled are facing increased cuts, we cannot allow the oil industry to get a free ride in California,” said Nava, who is also a candidate for Attorney General. “These resources belong to the people of California and therefore should be used for the benefit of all our hardworking families.”

May 16, 2010 (Washington, D.C). – U.S. Congressman Bob Filner has announced that San Diego and Imperial Counties will get more than $8.7 million for security preparedness. In San Diego, funds include protection of ports and public transit.

“It takes constant vigilance to be prepared and keep our country safe,” said Filner. “This money will go to keeping our critical infrastructure safe from terrorism, major disasters and other emergencies.”

Update May 20: Supervisors approved the Fuerte Ranch Estates project.
 

May 14, 2010 (Mt. Helix) – County Supervisors will vote Wednesday on whether or not to approve Reynolds Communities proposed Fuerte Ranch Estates development on the site of a former chicken ranch. Reynolds has scaled back initial plans from 76 to 36 homes on the 27-acre parcel adjacent to Damon Lane County Park at Fuerte Drive and Damon Lane.

The plan has ruffled feathers among many area residents, also raising hackles of East County planners.

Local stores pitch in to help with hair-raising project to make oil-soaking mats and booms

May 11, 2010 (Sacramento) – The Senate Education Committee has passed SB 1290 by a unanimous vote. The measure, authored by Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego), would allow self-defense training for middle and high school districts to provide self-defense training for boys and girls as part of the standard physical education curriculum.

Bills’ supporters say budget shortfalls will hurt economy, lead to crowded schools and disintegration of safety-net
 

May 10, 2010 (Sacramento) -- Legislators held a State Capitol News Conference to announce the introduction of a package of bills to close “fat cat tax” loopholes.

Story and photos by Miriam Raftery

May 10, 2010 (Spring Valley) – Fire gutted an apartment unit at 3613 S. Bonita in Spring Valley this evening, though a swift response by multiple fire agencies saved adjoining units.  Anxious residents, some in pajamas and one in a wheelchair, gathered outside as firefighters conducted a search of the building. No one was found inside and no injuries were reported.

“When I came home and opened the door, there was smoke,” said one occupant of the unit, who asked that his name not be published. “I broke open a fire extinguisher and saw a fire in a trashcan, then I called 911.” Four residents in his unit and a dog were displaced by the fire, he said.