July 14, 2014 (Alpine) – A woman who was parked on South Grade Road in Alpine at 8 p.m. on Monday, July 7^th, has told Sheriff’s deputies that two men in a silver Ford Ranger pickup truck pulled over and then sexually assaulted her.

July 15, 2014 (San Diego) – What if you were assaulted by a robber and sprayed the attacker with pepper spray – only to have Silly String emerge from the can instead?

“The only thing to fear is fear itself.” – Joe Reilly, quoting Franklin Delano Roosevelt

By Nadin Abbott, Reporting San Diego

Video: Richard Barrera, Seretary-Treasurer of the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jrwq27eZspE&feature=youtu.be

July 15, 2014 (San Diego)-- Joe Reilly, World War II veteran of the 101 Airborne Division, jumped onto Normandy on June 6, 1944 and fought at Bastogne. On July 14, he told the San Diego City Council that “fear is in close proximity to courage. In combat you make a choice. If fear overcomes courage, you will be defeated in combat. Our workers deserve courage from our leaders.”

By Brian Lafferty

July 12, 2014 – I highly doubt the makers of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes read my less-than-enthusiastic review of the first film three years ago.  Although the screenplay was chillingly effective as a cautionary tale, Rise of the Planet if the Apes (Rupert Wyatt, 2011) could have used a lot more polished effects work considering the high human-to-ape ratio. 

Nevertheless, I looked forward to this sequel.  The director is Matt Reeves, who is best known for making Cloverfield (2008) and Let Me In (2010).  Of his small directorial output, I’ve only seen the latter, but this must be said: any director who can remake a seemingly "untouchable" film like Let the Right One In (Tomas Alfredson, 2008), retain the key ingredients that made the original successful - namely the haunting performances of the child actors, the icy dark photography, and unnerving violence – and at the same time make it his own, is one I will watch with little hesitation.

By Nadin Abbott

Photos by Nadin and Tom Abbott

Videos by Nadin Abbott

July 13, 2014 (San Carlos) The “Trails Fire” scorched 90 acres at the Mission Trails Park today. The fire started near the Junipero Serra Trail near the visitor center and was first discovered and reported to fire officials by the Bieker family from El Cajon.

PUBLIC REVIEW OF  CUYAMACA RANCHO STATE PARK GENERAL PLAN/DRAFT EIR POSTPONED

July 13, 2014 (Lemon Grove) – A multi-agency enforcement and probation compliance sweep occurred July 11 in Lemon Grove at the trolley station.  Out of 3,330 people checked for trolley fare compliance, 100 probationary searches leading to 53 arrests occurred.

Campaign opponent Peiser calls Issa “out of touch” with constituents

By Jordan Schaffner

Photos: Rep. Darrell Issa (left) and opponent Dave Peiser (right)

July 13, 2014 (San Diego)—San Diego Congressman Darrell Issa has been touted as a possible Republican presidential candidate for the 2016 election, UT San Diego reported recently.  Issa, who is also seeking reelection this fall, chairs the powerful House Oversight Committee on Waste, Fraud and Abuse.

San Diego has sixth highest rate of valley fever in California; concerns voiced that Imperial County cases may be under-reported

By Janice Arenofsky

July 13, 2014 (San Diego)--More than 160 scientists, researchers and regional activists met in Phoenix on April 5^th to learn about and exchange views on the human and economic costs of Coccidioidomycosis (valley fever). Due to recent national and local media coverage of the valley fever epidemic across the Southwest and formation of a Cocci Congressional Task Force headed by two U.S. House Republicans from California and Arizona-- Kevin McCarthy and David Schweikert--the 58th Annual Meeting of the Cocci Study Group brought together a historic number of attendees.

Keynote speaker Steven Holland, MD, deputy director for intramural clinical research at the National Institutes of Health, spoke about human DNA mutations that leave a percentage of people especially vulnerable to valley fever, mycobacterial disease and Job’s Syndrome (immune-mediated disease). Holland concluded that in certain extreme cases of cocci, bone marrow transplants should be considered. He anticipates receiving more referrals of seriously ill cocci patients from Arizona and California physicians.

July 12, 2014 (La Mesa)—A 9-month-old baby and a 4-year old child were left unattended inside a locked car at Grossmont Center on Friday afternoon amid sweltering heat.  Bystanders called 911 and were able to get the 4-year-old to unlock the door by the time Heartland Fire & Rescue crew arrived. The mother said she had been gone only five minutes; paramedics evaluated the children and released them  to their father.

Lori Abbott, California News Service

July 9, 2014 (Sacramento)--How long high school football players can practice each week - and how rough those practices can be - may be changing in California.

July 11, 2014 (Lakeside) –Bull riding, mutton bustin’ and wild horse racing are among the attractions slated for this weekends’ Bulls Only Rodeo at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds.

July 11, 2014 (El Cajon) – East County Magazine’s new wine columnist and viticulture expert Don Rutkoff will conduct a two-week summer wine tasting class in the conservancy garden at Cuyamaca College from 6-8 p.m. on July 16 and 23.

“White and rose wines are very popular during the summer and come from all over the world. Local wineries are making excellent wines in these categories,” the course description states. Over two evenings, this class explores a short introduction of the grapes and winemaking methods, followed by several flights of 3-5 wines per flight, and discussion of food pairing.

July 8, 2014 (San Diego's East County) – California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, D-San Diego, participated with other members of the California Latino Legislative Caucus to tour and observe a facility housing hundreds of unaccompanied  Central American refugee youth at Naval Base Ventura County. Assemblywoman Gonzalez made the following statement in response to her observations:

July 11, 2014 (San Diego and East County) – Assemblywoman Shirley Weber (D-San Diego), whose district includes several East County communities such as La Mesa, Mt. Helix and portions of El Cajon, will host a coffee with constituents this Saturday, July 12. The event will be held from 12-2 p.m. at the  Linda Vista branch library, 2160 Ulric Street in San Diego.