“SDG&E has asked ratepayers to overpay for service, including funding long-term stock options and incentive programs in excess of what is reasonable,” Joe Como, acting director, Division of Ratepayer Advocates at the California Public Utilities Commission

September 21, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Consumers opening their bills in a month that saw the worst power outage in California history got another unpleasant surprise: a notice that San Diego Gas & Electric Company seeks a rate increase of $1.5 billion over the next four years.

The California Utilities Commission has scheduled several meetings in San Diego County on the proposed rate hike between October 10 and 13, including two hearings Oct. 12 in East County (El Cajon). Public Participation Hearings will be held at 2.p.m. and 7 p.m. at each of the following locations:

Update:  Firefighters have extinguished the fire and limited damage to $10,000. Evacuations of neighboring businesses were done and Hazmat called as a precaution, however no chemicals were found to have burned.

September 19, 2011 – 1:50 p.m. – ECM has received reports of at least 6 serious incidents across our region:

By Miriam Raftery

September 18, 2011 (Jacumba) –Over 60 people turned out in Jacumba to call on the County to shut down Bornt & Sons Organic Farm, which experts and a San Diego Grand Jury have concluded is responsible for a severe eye gnat infestation plaguing the town.

September 15, 2011 (Santee) -- The County has awarded a contract for a modern women's jail on the site of the existing Las Colinas Detention Facility in Santee.

September 15, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) –The California Public Utilities Commission is now directing the public to send complaints about Sunrise Powerlink to a private consulting group, meaning complaint records would presumably not be disclosable to the media or to the public.

By Miriam Raftery

September 14, 2011 (San Diego) – I-5 is now open and a SIG alert cancelled following collapse of a construction platform that landed on vehicles and injured 11 people, one seriously, at the San Ysidro border crossing this afternoon.

September 9, 2011 (San Diego) – Local residents are swapping stories of how they coped during the biggest blackout ever to hit our region. Their tales vary widely – and show that amid a crisis, attitude is everything! Neighbors helped neighbors—and some hosted impromptu blackout parties.

September 12, 2011 (San Diego) – Thunderstorms and rains are likely to strike San Diego County tomorrow, with the highest likelihood of storms in East County’s mountain and desert areas. These storms have the potential to produce hail, frequent lightning, locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds, the National Weather Service predicts.

September 12, 2011 (Ramona) –A semi-truck hauling a fully loaded grain trailer has overturned on Highway 78 and Rancho Sante Fe Court. A SIG alert has been issued. As of 3:31 p.m., the CHP website reports Highway 78 will be shut down for at least two hours between Julian Road and 3 Road to cleanup the roadway.

There are no reported injuries in the accident.

County Reminds Businesses of Important Measures for Food and Customer Safety

September 11, 2011 (San Diego)--Last week’s boil water advisory has been lifted, but the Department of Environmental Health is reminding restaurants and markets that were impacted by the advisory to follow food and water safety procedures before reusing tap water. These include guidelines for flushing and sanitizing, as well as assuring that food served is safe.

Tom Cantor, owner of Scantibodies and founder of Life and Light Foundation that runs museum, is accused by employee of providing “bad science” to public

September 11, 2011 (San Diego) – San Diego State University (SDSU) now offers text and e-mail emergency alerts for students, employees and their families, as well as community members in the College area. The alerts cover critical situations on campus.

September 10, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – We have received several inquiries from readers seeking more details on procedures to follow to stay safe during boil-water advisories issued for several communities.  The following advice is offered by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

This link has details for consumers as well as links for medical professionals and more:  http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/crypto/health_professionals/bwa/index.html . Below is the information for consumers including how long to boil water,  special instructions for children and those with immune-compromised health, and directions on how to flush pipes and appliances after the boil water order is lifted. 

Boil waters are in effect locally through Sunday at the following locations due to pump failures during the blackout: