April 6, 2015 (In-Ko-Pah)—The second annual In-Ko-Pah classic desert concert will be held  on May 2^nd .   This outdoor high-desert concert will be held at the Desert View Tower, a state historical monument perched on a rocky hillside overlooking the Anza-Borrego Desert. The In-Ko-Pah offers music lovers and naturalists alike a chance to experience an overnight event within our Southwest region.

East County News Service

April 27, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - Amber Alerts have been activated 240 times in California in the past 13 years, alerting people statewide about 298 missing children.  The system has been extremely effective, since 290 of those children – all but 8 – have been found safely—better than a 90 percent success rate. Four are still missing, and four were killed, UT San Diego reports. The system has worked eight times to recover kidnapped children right here in San Diego County.

East County News Service

April 26, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – The Harley-Davidson Motor Company has announced a recall of 45,901 motorcycles for model years 2014 and 2015 due to dangerous clutch problems.

April 26, 2015 (Santee) – Sheriff’s deputies set up a checkpoint in the 8700 block of Mast Boulevard in Santee Saturday night to check for drivers under the influence of alcohol.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left, by CalFlier 001 on WIkipedia:  Famed Dharahara Tower, Khatmandu in 2013, was reduced to a stump by the April 25, 2015 quake

Photo, right: Google executivfe Dan Fredinburg, who perished on Mt. Everest, reported on Instagram by his sister, Megan.

April 27, 2015 (San Diego) -- A devastating earthquake has struck Nepal on Saturday, April 25th,  killing over 3,700 people  in India,  Nepal, Bangladesh and the Tibetan region of China.  The quake measured 7.8 on the Richter scale,  stronger than the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and the strongest to hit the Nepal region in more than 80 years.

An avalanche on Mt. Everest killed at least 18 mountain climbers and sherpas, including Google executive Dan Fredinburg,  whose father and stepmother live in Carlsbad in San Diego’s North County.

Cultural resources have also been devastating particularly in Khatmandu Valley, including the landmark Dharahara Tower, which collapsed. Multiple temples have also been damaged or destroyed.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Pawen Kuznier, creative commons

April 25, 2015 (Washington D.C.)--Should a government-backed board be able to seize part of farmers’ crops in order to keep supplies down and prices up?

Memorial services set for May 1^st at Miramar National Cemetery

April 25, 2015 (San Diego) - James W. Loiselle, a retired Navy Captain and defense contractor, died April 14, 2015 from an accident at his home, the San Diego Daily Transcript reports.  Loiselle, who lived in El Cajon and Coronado, was named by San Diego Daily Transcript as one of the top 15 most influential people in the technology field in our region.

By Miriam Raftery

April 26, 2015 (Cleveland National Forest) – The County has begun a major cleanup of dirt dumped along Boulder Creek Road that polluted a federally protected watershed in response to an East County Magazine investigation.

Eagle Peak Friends and Collaborators, a concerned citizens' group, posted a video on its Facebook page documenting massive quantities of dirt dumped along Boulder Creek Road inside Cleveland National Forest in San Diego’s East County.  The group contended that the County is responsible for dumping 20,000 cubic yards of dirt from road-grading inside the federally recommended Eagle Peak Wilderness area.

Before our inquiry, nothing appeared to have been done to halt the county’s actions, which had gone on for many months or more, a whistleblower told ECM.

April 24, 2015 (San Diego)--Mylar balloons are colorful, festive decorations, however, they can also pose a safety hazard to our electric system if they’re outdoors and not securely tied down. San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is urging customers to be aware of the dangers that can arise when Mylar balloons touch power lines. The metallic coating on Mylar balloons is an excellent conductor of electricity. When a Mylar balloon comes in contact with a power line, it can cause a power outage in your neighborhood, and can even spark an electrical fire.

East County News Service

April 25, 2015 (San Diego)--San Diego has been named among the world’s smartest cities – the only U.S. city chosen.  San Diego’s technological innovation, creative talent and unique lifestyle originally aired this morning and will be featured again May 2 at 8 a.m. in all U.S. time zones.

April 19, 2015 (Ramona) – You’re invited to East County Magazine’s Spanish Fiesta celebration on Sunday, April 26^th from 12-2 p.m. at the beautiful Hacienda de las Rosas Winery in Ramona!

Your ticket includes wonderful wine-tasting, live flamenco guitar music by Myles Moynier, Peruvian Paso equestrian demonstration by Jorge Valenzuela, fabulous lunch by Jeremy’s on the Hill, delightful desserts from Grove Pastry Shop,  plus a silent auction and fabulous opportunity drawing prizes!

This event is limited to our subscribers--subscribe free at http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/wild-fire-alerts for our weekly newsletter, wildfire alerts or both.  Proceeds benefit our wildfire reporting for fire season. 

RSVP by Wednesday to enter a drawing for a Spanish guitar CD by the famous Romeros family. 

SDG&E will also be on hand with free gifts and energy saving tips.

For detail on the event, our fabulous line-up of prizes and more, click "read more" and scroll down.

Fabulous prizes! Olaf Wieghorst signed Western print, barbecue grill and accessories, Hacienda de las Rosas wine basket, happy hour at Hatfield Creek Vineyard, Ramona Ranch Vineyard wine, vintage jewelry from Antiques in the Village, arrowhead jewelry from Mountain Gypsy, earrings from Warm Hearth, Hand-wove scarves from Weaving Works in Santa Ysabel, gift certificate from Kathy’s Dress Shop, Array Mbira music lessons, guitar or vocal lessons from Ed Barrena, craft items, gift baskets, tickets to Julian Wild & Scenic Film Festival, tickets to Sage & Songbirds garden tour and festival, Circle Players "Cafe Murder" theater tickets, wine and tastings from Woof 'n' Rose Winery, and more!

Customers and landscapers are reminded to call 8-1-1 two days before digging

April 24, 2015 (San Diego) – With Arbor Day upon us, San Diego Gas & Electric's (SDG&E) Vegetation Management team is reminding customers and landscapers to plant the “Right Tree in the Right Place” this Arbor Day.

April 24, 2015 (San Diego – Yet another terror suspect has been arrested in San Diego.  Mohamad Saeed Kodaimati was arrested Thursday.

Photo courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

East County News Service

April 24, 2015 (El Cajon )  --An El Cajon mother is heartbroken after thieves stole her baby daughter’s cremated ashes.

Photo: Wildlife officer Kyle Kohl saved two lives after a car plunged into river rapids

April 23, 2015 (Sacramento)--Six wildlife officers from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) were awarded the California Medal of Valor, the state's highest honor. The six are among 52 state employees receiving the medal for demonstrating extraordinary acts of bravery and heroism in order to save the life of another.  Governor Brown's Executive Secretary Nancy McFadden presented the awards at a ceremony today.