ECM investigation reveals record of deaths, prior injuries from "lion walks," Africa's latest tourism attractions

By Miriam Raftery

May 7, 2011 (Rancho San Diego) Updated May 9, 2011: --A lion attack near Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe has injured Rancho San Diego resident Colleen Garbaczewski. Garbaczewski, an executive with Pacific Coast Rentals and active community volunteer, had taken a “lion walk” with her husband when the attack occurred.

An East County Magazine investigation reveals that lion walks, in which tourists are encouraged to walk alongside and even pet “tame” lions, have resulted in other serious injuries and at least two deaths.

May 8, 2011 (Ramona) – A man who swerved to avoid hitting an animal has suffered injuries in a roll-over crash that killed his own dog inside the vehicle.  The accident occurred yesterday around 4:30 p.m. on Ramona Oaks Road in an unincorporated area near Ramona.

May 7, 2011 (Jamul) – A landscaper on his way home from work was struck by a passing MTS trolley in National City on May 4 at 2:07 p.m. He was transported to a hospital, where despite life-saving measures, he was pronounced dead soon after arrival. The San Diego Medical Examiner’s office has identified the victim as Stephen Palmer, 64, a married resident of Jamul.

May7, 2011 (El Cajon) – Braulio Soliven Ellorin, 61, of Paradise Hills was pronounced dead at the scene of an accident shortly after midnight Friday morning, May 6th. He was driving westbound on I-8 at a high rate of speed when he missed a curve at Harbison Canyon in El Cajon and veered onto the median, then back across traffic lanes. His Mazda Protage sedan went up onto the shoulder and rolled over multiple times down into a steep ravine, according to the San Diego Medical Examiner.

May 5, 2011 (La Mesa) – Heidi Durfey, 24, has died after her sports utility vehicle (SUV) with her three young children inside rolled backward 60 feet and ran over her.  The tragedy occurerd on the driveway of her home in the 8700 block of Glenira Avene in La Mesa around 9:20 a.m. 

She became caught under the SUV as it rolled and was dragged beneath the vehicle. “It came to rest in the street with the front end of the vehicle on top of the victim’s head and chest,” said Sonny Saghera with Heartland Fire & Rescue. 

By Miriam Raftery

May 5, 2011 (San Diego) – A hearing on a request filed by three East County organizations seeking an injunction to stop construction on Sunrise Powerlink until opponents’ case can be heard in court has been cancelled. The hearing was set to take place tomorrow, May 6 in San Diego federal court.

According to David Hogan, consultant for the plaintiffs seeking an injunction, “Things are moving very quickly and little information is available but it appears that Federal District Court Judge Anthony Battaglia has abruptly recused himself from several federal lawsuits filed by Powerlink opponents. The cases have been transferred to Judge Roger Benitez.”

May 5, 2011 (Harbison Canyon) – “A kitten that looks very much like the pic I have attached (our 8 week old kitten) was picked up by a hawk and dropped in the road on Harbison Canyon right down the street from Shadow Hills Elementary,” Kelly Vitek said in a post on the Blossom Valley Network community forum. According to her report, the incident was witnessed by three people, including Vitek’s husband.

“He said the kitten was freaked out but was alive and moving,” she added.

May 4, 2011 (Campo) – The driver of a Harley Davidson motorcycle who died in a crash on Highway 94 in Campo on May 1, 2011 at 5:58 p.m. has been identified as Pauline Elaine Walker, 57. She was temporarily living and working in Boulevard, though her permanent residence was in Davenport, Washington.

May 3, 2011 (San Diego) - A SIG Alert is in effect on I-15 north of Carroll Canyon Road, where a multi-vehicle accident involving a semi-truck and at least three cars occurred this morning.  The truck, which was carrying a load of water, lost its rear axles.  Lanes are closed while awaiting heavy equipment to remove the semi-truck, according to CHP and San Diego SIG Alerts.

May 2, 2011 (East County) -- During the week of April 23, 2011, all personnel from Heartland Fire and Rescue serving the cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove attended vehicle extrication training. C&D Towing made the training possible by providing twenty vehicles to practice the vehicle extrication and rescue techniques. The training was especially valuable because newer cars continue to change.

May 1, 2011 (San Diego's East County)
Updated 11 p.m.  -- Osama bin Laden was killed today in a special operation led by U.S. forces, President Barack Obama revealed tonight in a broadcast to the nation.  

"Today at my direction," President Obama said, "A small team of Americans carried out this operation...After a firefight they killed Obama bin Laden and took custody of his body."  The leader of Al Qaeda and mastermind behind the 911 attacks was hiding  in a compound deep within Pakistan, U.S. intelligence learned last August.  After months of confirming intelligence and planning the operation, the strike today went smoothly with no U.S. casualties, he confirmed.

Owners of El Cajon facility may apply to reopen if costly equipment changes are made to eliminate smoke, odors

By Miriam Raftery

April 28, 2011 (San Diego) – By a unanimous 4-0 vote, San Diego County’s Air Pollution Control District Board ordered an immediate shut down of  a Neptune Society crematorium  on Lake Jennings Road in El Cajon  to abate a public nuisance. 

“This was clearly a violation of public policy and a public health hazard,” Michael Drake, public affairs officer for the County’s land use and environmental group, told East County Magazine after the hearing.  He praised the Board for “doing the right thing” and expressed hope that the owners will upgrade or replace antiquated equipment so that they can “comply and come back into business.”

April 28, 2011 (Buckman Springs) – A driver is trapped in a vehicle following a rollover accident on I-8 east at Buckman Springs near the Border Patrol checkpoint as of 12:48 p.m. , CHP and IPN report. The roadway is closed due to debris and am ambulance is en route, along with Border Patrol.

Neighbor hospitalized with chest pains

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Ron Logan

April 27, 2011 (Poway) – A fire in the 13600 block of Sycamore Tree Lane this afternoon forced evacuation of 16 homes and has displaced a family with two children.
 

“The fire gutted the home and the fire department needed to cut a hole in the roof to control the fire,” photographer Ron Logan, who was at the scene, informed East County Magazine.