July 11, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a severe weather warning for San Diego’s inland areas that includes multiple perils.  An excessive heat warning continues, with temperatures up to 118 degrees forecast for desert areas.

In addition, thunderstorms are possibly Thursday afternoon through Friday morning, producing lightning, gusty winds, hail and light to moderate rainfall.  A flash flood watch has also been issued, as well as a fire weather watch.

• Senate Dems  plan tax offensive (The Hill)
• U.S. beefs up Gulf naval force amid tensions with Iran (Reuters)
• NOAA: Last 12 months hottest ever (The Hill)
• U.S. delivers ‘powerful commitment’ to Afghanistan (UT San Diego)
• Has ‘organics’ been oversized? (New York Times)
• The tax man cometh to police you on healthcare (UT San Diego)

• Iran says it has plan to close Strait of Hormuz (UT San Diego)
• What does London’s LIBOR mean to the US? (NPR)
• Polonium found on Arafat’s clothes was planted (Jerusalem Post)
• New projects help 3D printing materialize (NPR)

Update: This fire has been stopped at two acres.

July 12, 2012 (Dulzura)—Cal Fire and San Diego County Fire authority are on the scene of a two-acre grass fire south of Highway 94 near the Border Patrol checkpoint in Dulzura  (TB Map 1313 E2).  The fire is spreading moderately upslope in a south easterly direction.

By Miriam Raftery

July 12, 2012 (Washington D.C.) – San Diego’s Republican representatives Duncan Hunter, Brian Bilbray and Darrell issue joined the Republican majority in the House of Representatives in voting to repeal the Affordable Health Care Act—taking health benefits away from their constituents as well as eliminating the mandate for coverage.

California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton sent an email blasting the vote.  “If ever anyone was looking for a reason to vote Congressional Republicans out of office in November, this has got to be it.”

July 11, 2012 (La Mesa) 11:05 p.m. --A helicopter is assisting La Mesa Police in a search for a 42-year-old man who may be armed with a gun in the 4400 Parks Avenue area.  The man is described as thin, wearing a black baseball cap, jeans and a white shirt.

By Miriam Raftery

July 7, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – If a bill passed by the Assembly and by a key State Senate Committee becomes law, San Diego County residents could be forced to pay for development of massive wind and solar projects in rural East County through property taxes—even though the projects are opposed by numerous area residents.

Sponsored by San Diego legislators Ben Hueso and Juan Vargas, AB 2551 would provide a fresh source of funding for energy companies pushing large wind and solar projects, since federal subsidies expire at year’s end. Both Vargas and Hueso have accepted thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from the electric utilities industry. 

The bill has drawn outraged reactions from key community leaders, who note that backers have vested interests in massive-scale energy projects and transmission lines proposed here. The measure is also opposed by the California Taxpayers Association and the California Association of Realtors.

By Catherine Gorka, Lakeside

July 10, 2012 (Lakeside)--Many residents of the East County /back county have received a letter from the Sunrise Powerlink Fire Mitigation Grants Program telling us about the  grant program. 

July 11, 2012 (La Mesa) – La Mesa-Mount Helix Patch reports that Roshawn Lamar Broadnax, 20, a former Helix Charter High School track and field star, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and spousal abuse.  

July 11, 2012 (San Diego) – The Sustainability Alliance of Southern California is holding discussion of nuclear power in Southern California on July 12 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the California Center for Sustainable Energy, 8690 Balboa Ave., Suite 100, San Diego.  The presenters are Rochelle Becker, Executive Director of the Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility and John Geesman, Former Executive Director and Commissioner of the California Energy Commission.

July 10, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The County Medical Examiner’s office has identified victims of several accidents this week, including residents of El Cajon, Jamul, and Borrego Springs. 

July 10, 2012 (San Diego) -- Flamenco Night at Andiamo Ristorante is July 14 beginning at 5:30 p.m.  with a prix fixe menu. The event features Malamana’s Spanish guitars and vocals in a fusion of flamenco and romantic Latin music.