August 16, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) –A Sig Alert has been issued for northbound 125 at Spring Street, where a vehicle rolled over, blocking lanes and a dog has reportedly been injured.

There is also a hazardous fuels spill on Highway 94 at Dulzura Café reported at 1:19 p.m.

 
Taxpayer group calls move “outrageous”; district defends action as "revenue neutral"

August 12, 2011 (Otay) – By a 4-1 vote, the Otay Water District Board of Directors on Wednesday approved free lifetime healthcare for retirees and their dependants. Director Mark Robak cast the sole “no” vote.

August 10, 2011 (Poway)--Thomas Cantrell, III, 30, of Poway died of injuries sustained August 7th at 2:41 a.m. in an automobile accident.  According to witnesses, he was traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound on Poway Road when he lost control of the Mercedes he was driving and skidded down an enbankment, striking trees.

Bystanders called 911.  Poway fire and San Diego Sheriff deputies responded, confirming death without resuscitation due to multiple blunt force injuries, according to the San Diego Medical Examiner's office.  

August 10, 2011 (Alpine) – Robert Eugene Shy, 41, of Alpine, was driving his motorcycle eastbound on Interstate 8 west of Tavern Road August 9th at 9:18 p.m. when for unknown reasons he collided with the rear of a semi-truck.

Death was confirmed at the scene without medical intervention. Shy, who was divorced, resided in Alpine with his girlfriend, according to the San Diego Medical Examiner’s office.
 

Story and photos by Miriam Raftery

August 8, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – “What are You Waiting For? Birds are chirping, hiking trails beckon, a whiff of white sage drifts on the breeze. Night skies are so black the stars look 3D,” reads a new website launched by the Boulevard-Jacumba Revitalization Alliance at www.gosandiegobackcountry.org.

August 5, 2011 (El Cajon ) – San Diego Police seek help to locate Natasha Martin, 13. She was last seen July 29 in the vicinity of Main Street and Anza Avenue in El Cajon. Natasha, who is African-American, has brown hair and blue eyes. She is 5 feet tall and weighs 130 pounds.

August 5, 2011 (Alpine) – East County Magazine Editor Miriam Raftery will be the guest on Billie Jo Jannen’s “TGIF Report” tonight. Hot topics include:

• A sexual harassment suit against a former Mountain Empire Union School District Superintendent
• Rural Fire Protection District’s revocation of approval for SDG&E’s ECO-Substation
• The County’s first legal marijuana dispensary
• AT&T’s proposed merger with T-Mobile and how it may impact rural phone service
• Updates on the state fire parcel fee
• County’s approval of a new General Plan

Listen via streaming audio at www.my1079.com, or tune your dial to 107.9 FM, from 6 to 7 p.m. You can send your news and event information to TGIF Report at newstips@my1079.com or to East County Magazine at editor@eastcountymagazine.org.

August 5, 2011(Escondido)-- The San Diego County Board of Supervisors this week unanimously approved the acquisition of four properties needed to complete the widening of Bear Valley Parkway in unincorporated Escondido, between Boyle Avenue and Highway 78.

To date, the County has negotiated real property contracts to acquire or use 31 of the 50 properties that will be needed to complete the project. This week's vote follows approvals given earlier this year to proceed with property acquisitions and relocation of homeowners displaced by the widening project.

August 4, 2011 (San Diego's East County)--If you see smoke today over East County, don't panic. Cal Fire and the San Diego Fire Authority will be burning brush piles in the Corte Madera area.  These piles are a result of a fuels management program, said Cal Fire Captain Mike Mohler.

Update: The victim has been identified as Wesley Stewart Grove, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner. No other information has yet been released.

August 1, 2011 (San Diego) –Witnesses reported that a big-rig with an empty trailer for hauling automobiles zig-zagged across several lanes of traffic before plummeting over the side of I-15. The vehicle came to rest on Murphy Canyon Road in front of Wal-Mart at 6:40 a.m.