December 12, 2011 (La Mesa) – David Gonzalez, 16, and his grandmother, Celia Torres, 73, have been identified by family members as the victims who perished in a fiery collision Friday on Highway 125 just south of I-8.  Gonzalez was a sophomore at Grossmont High School and hoped to join the military.

December 12, 2011 (San Diego)--The Department of Environmental Health has issued a General Advisory for the coastal waters of San Diego County due to recent rainfall. Swimmers, surfers, and other ocean users are warned that the levels of bacteria can rise significantly in ocean and bay waters, especially near storm drains, creeks, rivers, and lagoon outlets that discharge urban runoff.

December 11, 2011 (Descanso) – Firefighters have found a body inside a residence in the 24000 block of Los Terrinitos Road, after dousing a fire that engulfed the structure.  According to the San Diego Medical Examiner’s office, the deceased man is believed to be the 53-year-old resident of the home.

December 9, 2011 (Santee) – West Hills High School in Santee was briefly locked down this morning after a caller reporting spotting a mountain lion nearby.  Fish & Wildlife officers, along with Sheriff deputies, searched the area with help from a Sheriff’s helicopter but could not locate the animal.

 Editor's note: I was driving home on I-15 the night Cara Knott was killed, passing the isolated exit at nearly the exact time she was murdered.  If Peyer were innocent, why would he refuse a DNA test that could exonerate him?  I find it chilling that a law enforcement officer who so violated the public trust could be set free.  Please post your comments below.

December 8, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)—Craig Peyer, the California Highway Patrol officer convicted in the 1986 strangling murder of 20-year-old motorist Cara Knott, is eligible for parole. The family of Knott, a student at San Diego State University when she was brutally murdered by Peyer, seeks public help to prevent him from being freed.

Proposals aim to sharply reduce communities’ input on major development projects

By Jeremy Los

Update Dec. 8, 2011 --After hearing a proposal yesterday to streamline the regulatory process for developers, Supervisors postponed a decision until Feb. 29, 2012.

Dec. 6, 2011- Local elected planning groups fear that their days are numbered, as the San Diego County Board of Supervisors will hear recommendations from the Red Tape Reduction Task Force on Wednesday.

Recommendations by the task force could greatly diminish community driven input on major developments in East County communities.

 
December 6, 2011 (Alpine) – The Alpine Community Network reports that two mountain lion cubs were spotted the night before last in the 3000 block of North Victoria Drive.  The sighting was reported by Bill Randall, who said he spotted the two lions in his driveway two nights ago. 

December 5, 2011 (Poway) – Two Poway schools, Stone Ranch Elementary and Oak Valley Middle School, were briefly locked down this afternoon following a report of a large mountain lion sighted in a canyon at 4S Ranch Parkway near Dove Creek Road. The big cat was close to a boys and girls club as well as the schools, the Union-Tribune reports.

December 4, 2011 (San Diego) –The driver of a Land Rover has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after causing a crash that sent a family of four to the hospital. The accident occurred about 10 a.m. on eastbound I-8 near Waring Road.

The Land Rover was traveling 80-90 mph when it struck two vehicles, including a Lexus SUV that spun out and crossed the center divide, then plummeted 120-150 feet down an embankment.

December 4, 2011 (Jamul)—Shawn Andrew Corrigan, 34, ignored orders to stop at a Border Patrol checkpoint in Campo on November 28. He fled the scene at a high rate of speed, traveling westbound on Highway 94, and lost control of the vehicle in Jamul. He collided with two vehicles traveling eastbound.

December 4, 2011 (Campo)--The Campo Sheriff’s Station and County Animal Services are investigating reports of animal neglect at a ranch owned by Raymond and Nennette Wyatt in Campo. This morning, authorities seized 58 animals including horses, goats, sheep and cattle from the ranch, located in the 1900 block of Buckman Springs Road this morning.

Lakeside residents mourn loss of pristine views as towers dominate face of mountain listed as county scenic view corridor. 

By Billy Ortiz and Miriam Raftery