Chinese imports suspected; FDA advises avoiding jerky treats

September 15, 2012 (Washington D.C)—The FDA has issued a report revealing that thousands of pet illnesses since 2007 have been linked to consumption of jerky pet treats.  Most complaints involve chicken jerky (treats, tenders, and strips), but others include duck, sweet potato, and treats where chicken or duck jerky is wrapped around dried fruits, sweet potatoes, or yams.

Merger highlights the decline of independent media

By Miriam Raftery, Editor, East County Magazine

September 19, 2012 (San Diego)—The U-T San Diego’s purchase of the North County Times for $11.95 million dollars has sent shudders across the journalism community locally and nationally.  The deal also includes acquisition of the Californian in Riverside County(no relation to the East County Californian), which was owned by North County Times. 

Demise of one of San Diego’s largest independent media outlets highlights two growing problems: fewer voices controlling the media due to consolidation and a decline in quality including slashing investigative/watchdog reporting and abandoning journalistic standards—most importantly, impartiality.

By Nadin Abbott

Miriam Raftery also contributed to this story

September 14, 2012 (San Diego)—Former El Cajon Councilwoman Jillian Hanson-Cox appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge William W. Gallo.  Her voice flat and without emotion, Hanson-Cox pled guilty to one count of mail fraud and one count of failing to report income on her tax returns.  

Charges filed against her state that “beginning no later than April 2004, and continuing through at least October 2008,” Hanson- Cox devised a plan to defraud her employer, Century Design, INC. (CDI).  The plea agreement states that Hanson-Cox embezzled  over $3.5 million from her employer, where she served as Comptroller.

September 18, 2012 (Santee) --  A man is dead after jumping off a bridge over westbound State Route 52 near Mast Boulevard in Santee, CHP's webpage confirms.  The freeway is closed and the Medical Examiner has been called to the scene.

By Lori Abbott, California News Service

September 13, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--California's efforts to control the light brown apple moth will not include aerial spraying, although environmental groups say that restriction isn't enough.

Erin Tobin, an attorney with Earthjustice, says there's very little evidence to prove the non-native species causes any real harm to agriculture in California.

September 15, 2012 (Palomar) – Assembly Bill 1478, now on Governor Jerry Brown’s desk awaiting signature, would issue a moratorium on state park closures until at least 2014. It also directs that a windfall of funds found within the Department of Parks and Recreation should be used in part to keep state parks open, with priority given to those parks where citizens have shown support by raising funds through foundations or nonprofits. (For details see http://www.friendsofpalomarsp.org/legislative_update_09_10.htm.) Now supporters of Palomar Mountain State Park are asking for public help to persuade Governor Brown to sign this legislation.

September 15, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The Naitonal Weather Service warns of elevated wildfire risk over San Diego County’s mountains and valleys, with gusts of 25-35  mph forecast for today.  Yesterday,  high temperature records were broken in several local communities, including El Cajon, where the high reached 103 degrees.

Scorching hot temperatures and low humidity will continue today, with highs up to 107 forecast for coastal mesas and inland areas expected to peak at up to 103 degrees.  “Hottest locations will be near 108 degrees along I-15,” the National Weather Service predicts.

September 13, 2012 (San Diego) – On Thursday, September 20 at 1 p.m., a motion to oppose Quail Brush power plant will be considered by the Mission Trails Task Force at the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center (www.mtrp.ort/directions.asp ) 

In addition, the San Diego City Council is tentatively slated to hear an appeal of the Quail Brush decision on Tuesday, September 24 at the City Administration Building , 202 C Street, 12th floor in downtown San Diego. 

September 13, 2012 (Sacramento)-- Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom called upon Attorney General Eric Holder and members of the Antitrust Division at the Office of the Attorney General to review the actions of some members of the mortgage industry, as well as federal agencies, who have coercively urged local governments to reject consideration of any proposal that would exercise the powers constitutionally granted local governments to use eminent domain to help stem the mortgage crisis.

September 13, 2012 (Campo)--The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued a Boil Water Order and Public Notification for the Campo Alternative School and Campo Library drinking water system located on 31360 Highway 94, Campo, CA 91906 effective immediately. 

The drinking water system has tested present for total coliform bacteria and absent for E.coli. 

September 8, 2012 (El Cajon) -- Witnesses told El Cajon Police that a 69-year-old man who stepped from behind a parked pickup truck into a roadway was struck by an oncoming white Toyota pickup. El Cajon Police responded at approximately 8:04 p.m. Friday night to the accident scene in the 1400 block of Sunnyland near Jamacha Road.

The pedestrian was transported to an area hospital where he is currently receiving treatment for his life threatening injuries.

September 5, 2012 (Poway)—A 17-year-old driver of a green Ford Escort with three teenage passengers swerved over the center line in Poway today, triggering a three-vehicle collision.  The crash occurred at 2:33 p.m. on Twin Peaks Road, west of Woodcreek Road.

The teen driver and a 15-year-old passengers were critically injured with major head trauma. They were flown to Scripps La Jolla Hospital by air ambulance. 

September 1, 2012 (San Diego) – Beginning September 2, all trolley lines end in the downtown area, providing single seat service to downtown from everywhere on the Trolley network. It’s all part of the Trolley Renewal project, designed to improve Blue Line and Orange Line stations and bring low-floor cars to the entire Trolley system.

Now, the Green Line will travel through Old Town and terminate at 12th & Imperial via Seaport Village, Convention Center and Gaslamp Quarter stations. Blue Line trains will travel between San Ysidro and America Plaza. Orange Line trains will travel between El Cajon and Santa Fe Depot. 

In addition to an improved Trolley network, the Metropolitan Transit System will add considerable bus services on September 2.

September 1, 2012 (Santa Ysabel) – A woman and two children, ages 7 and 9, were killed August 28 after the driver of a Pontiac Vibe  crossed the center line and struck their Honda Odyssey van head-on. The driver, Francisco Raul Higueros Perez, was also killed in the crash, the Medical Examiner's office reports.

Mary Helen Elizabeth Aguilar, 33, from San Diego was the driver of the Odyssey, traveling eastbound on State Route 78 just west of State Route 79 when the crash occurred at 3:15 p.m.  Two young girls, Jennifer Aguilar, 9, and Camryn Aguilar, 7, who were in the backseat, also died at the scene.

September 5, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for San Diego County’s mountains, valleys and deserts.

There is a chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms with heavy downpours, hail and gusty winds. Flash flood potential is low to moderate.