By Jeremy Los

July 28, 2011 – A community information meeting held by Helix Water District last week turned into a discussion of employee benefits and pensions amid public outcry over raising water rates.

Update: This missing person has been located, San Diego Police reports.

July 27, 2011 (San Diego)—Ariana Khair, 19, was last seen on Saturday, July 23 in the area of 5400 El Cajon Blvd in San Diego, San Diego Police reported today.

July 26, 2011 (Bonita) – San Diego Sheriff’s office today notified media that 14-year-old Luke Roundy, aka Michael McWilliams, disappeared the night of July 15. The teen and his family are from Texas and were staying with relatives in the 3800 block of Alta Loma Drive in Bonita.

By Miriam Raftery

July 23, 2011 (Lakeside) – Back in February 2009, SDG&E officials met with a packed hall full of residents in Lakeside, including the town’s planning board. Residents were furious that SDG&E had changed its proposed route to march 40-story high voltage towers through El Monte Valley, a County-designated scenic view corridor.

After numerous residents objected to desecration of views, SDG&E representative Laura McDonald promised that towers would be “camouflaged” by painting them tan or green. This reporter was present and can vouch for that pledge made. Don Parent and at least two other SDG&E representatives were also present.

But now SDG&E has reneged on its promise to the people of Lakeside—and its representatives have apparently developed convenient cases of amnesia.

July 22, 2011 (Jamul) – The Deerhorn Valley Antler reports heavy Sheriff and Police presence throughout the Jamul area today due to a motorcycle gang rivalry.

“There are units from San Diego, La Mesa, El Cajon, Vista, Oceanside,” the Antler reported, adding that undercover units are also in the area.

Update July 22, 2011 5 p.m. - A fatality has been confirmed.  No further details are yet available.

July 22, 2011 (Pine Valley) 12:20 a.m. – More than an hour after a car plunged off an embankment, authorities on scene are still awaiting for a Life Flight helicopter to arrive. The accident is now being described as a possible fatality.

By news staff at www.GovTech.com

July 20, 2011 (Washington D.C.)--The full-body scanners used to screen passengers at airport security checkpoints will be getting new software that will discontinue “passenger-specific” images, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced Wednesday, July 20.

July 17, 2011 (La Mesa) – A fire has displaced seven residents at a triplex located at 5055 Thorne Drive in La Mesa. Heartland Fire & Rescue in La Mesa responded to a call at 3 p.m. and found smoke pouring from one of the units.

July 16, 2011 (San Diego) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa cargo facility discovered 1,420 pounds of marijuana in boxes of serrano chili peppers Wednesday evening. 

On July 13, a Mexican citizen, 27, entered the cargo port driving a 2000 International tractor and pulling a refrigerated trailer with cargo manifested as chili peppers. A CBP officer noticed the driver’s nervous demeanor and referred the conveyance for an intensive examination.

July 15, 2011 (Alpine) -- East Count Magazine editor Miriam Raftery will be a guest this evening on Billie Jo Jannen's "TGIF" radio news show from 6-7 p.m. Livestream at www.my1079.com wherever you are, or listen live at 107.9 on your FM radio dial (heard in parts of East County).

Hot topics include: the fire parcel tax, a lawsuit filed by Derek and Nancy Casady seeking return of bail-out funds for taxpayers, smart meters, closure of Cedar Creek Falls, redistricting in the Grossmont Union High School District, Alpine's proposed high school, and CSU trustees' decision to hike both tuitions and the salary of SDSU's new president. 

July 14, 2011 (El Cajon)--An experimental single-engine plane had to make an emergency landing at Gillespie Field airport this morning after the pilot noticed he had a fuel leak and his pilot began to fill with smoke. He made a hard landing on the runway, bringing the plane in nose down as it came to a stop.

By Miriam Raftery

July 13, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – As controversy burns around the new fire parcel fee signed into law by Governor Brown, many area residents have asked which communities and what types of structures are subject to the fees. East County Magazine spoke with Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant in Sacramento. We have answers--and a detailed map.

“$40 billion has been stolen. Let’s get it back.” – Mike Aguirre

Plaintiffs ask public to urge Senators to press Dept. of Justice to join suit; say federal government should recover bailout funds to reduce deficit instead of slashing Medicare and Social Security

Story and photos by Miriam Raftery

July 7, 2011 (San Diego) – Derek Casady, former editor of the Daily Californian newspaper in East County and his wife, Nancy, have filed a lawsuit against several of the world’s biggest financial institutions alleging that AIG and others engaged in fraudulent practices and misled the federal government to get bail-outs. The suit documents fraudulent practices alleged in detail. It also seeks return of bailout monies paid for with taxpayers’ money—plus triple damages and a jury trial.

By Miriam Raftery

July 9, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Citing public safety concerns, Cleveland National Forest Supervisor William Metz has ordered closure of Cedar Creek Falls, the San Diego River Gorge Trail and adjacent areas through November 8. (The Forest Service may opt to reopen the area sooner if deemed appropriate, per a press release that accompanied the closure order.)

Closure follows a teen’s death Wednesday and a string of serious injuries at the falls which are revealed in the closure order.