SCIENCE AND HEALTH HIGHLIGHTS
February 27, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)– Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. New cancer immunotherapy treatment already shows promise (Jewish World Review) Stem-cell firm cleared for ovarian cancer trial (Sacramento Bee) Sit More, And You’re More Likely To Be Disabled After Age 60 (NPR) Bumblebees catching diseases from honeybees, say scientists (CS Monitor) Study: MERS virus infecting camels since 1992 (UT San Diego) For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down. New cancer immunotherapy treatment already shows promise (Jewish World Review) In a phase one human clinical trial, a Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center team in New York City used a gene to engineer patients’ immune cells to attack B-cell leukemia. The results were dramatic. Of 16 patients suffering the final stages of B-cell leukemia, 14 went into complete remission. Stem-cell firm cleared for ovarian cancer trial (Sacramento Bee) A Southern California stem-cell company has received federal approval to test a new treatment for ovarian cancer on patients. Sit More, And You’re More Likely To Be Disabled After Age 60 (NPR) People tend to relax as they get older, and most people sit more. Each extra hour of sitting increases the odds that they won’t be able to get out of bed or do other daily activities. Bumblebees catching diseases from honeybees, say scientists (CS Monitor) Bumblebee populations are declining worldwide, thanks in part to illnesses contracted from their commercialized honeybee cousins, new research finds. Study: MERS virus infecting camels since 1992 (UT San Diego) Scientists say the mysterious MERS virus has been infecting camels in Saudi Arabia for at least two decades, and early human cases probably went undiagnosed.
SANDBAGS, ROAD REMINDERS OFFERED TO COUNTY RESIDENTS AS STORM HITS
County News Service February 26, 2014 (San Diego)–It’s been one of the driest winters on record, but finally some significant rain is headed our way. Once again the County of San Diego is making free sand and bags available to residents in the unincorporated areas. Residents just need to bring their own shovel. Locations are below, along with links to find updates on road conditions during this storm and other emergencies. • Cal Fire Station 73: 28205 North Lake Wohlford Road, Valley Center • Pauma Valley-Rincon, Cal Fire Station 70: 16971 Highway 76, Valley Center • Cal Fire Station 50: 1587 Highway 78, Julian • Alpine Fire Protection District, Station 17: 1364 Tavern Road, Alpine (Bags ONLY) • Ramona Station: 3410 Dye Road, Ramona, CA • North County Fire Protection District, Station 4: 4375 Pala Mesa Drive, Fallbrook • Cal Fire Station 30: 17304 Highway 94, Dulzura • Bonita/Sunnyside Fire Department: 4900 Bonita Road, Bonita Department of Public Works (DPW) crews will also be working on county roadways during and after the storms. So be sure to watch out for crews and equipment, and slow down. If driving in the mountains, wait for the storms to pass before going up to enjoy the snow as DPW crews will likely be plowing roadways around the clock. Don’t park on the highway and don’t allow children, or yourself, to sled down the hill and across the roadway. You never know when a snowplow will be coming around the curve. In the county there are several areas that are prone to roadway flooding. The three most frequent are the dips at Quarry Road, Sandia Creek in the north county, and County Club in Harmony Grove. Gates at Quarry Road Dip drop down automatically when activated by sensors in the stream. DPW crews will post road closures at Country Club, Sandia Creek and any other areas where unsafe driving conditions exist. You can monitor the status of the dips by webcam. RELATED VIDEO: High-Tech Weather Center Keeps Watch for Flooding Never cross a flooded roadway if you cannot see the pavement. Even a few inches of water running at the right velocity can sweep a car, and even a truck, and its occupants off the roadway and downstream. You don’t want a swift-water rescue as part of your weekend activities. During and immediately after heavy rainfall, do not go near storm channels, creeks or streams. It’s always a good idea to carry chains if planning a trip to the mountains. Chain controls, road condition updates, and other safety advisories are posted on the DPW social media pages: Facebook.com/SDCountyDPW and Twitter.com/SDCountyDPW. During severe weather events, the DPW Emergency page is activated with the latest information. http://sdcdpw.org/emergency. Road conditions are posted on our social media pages by crews working the roadways so the sites will have the latest information. However, because the crews are focused on driving the plows, they cannot answer questions on the pages about specific roads, and drivers should be aware conditions can change
POWERFUL STORM MOVES INTO REGION
File photo by Dennis Richardson, Lakeside February 27, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – A severe storm front moving across Southern California is forecast to bring heavy rains and flooding to San Diego County including coastal and inland regions. Waves up to 15 feet high are forecast along San Diego beaches this weekend. The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch, forecasting over an inch an hour and a high wind watch is now in effect. The greatest threat for flash flooding will be over mountains and recent burn areas with debris flow possible, as well as in urban areas with poor drainage. In addition, possible major coastal flooding may occur during high tides on Saturday. Rough surf and storm rip currents are forecast from Friday through early Sunday. Gusts of 60 miles per hour or more, with sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph, are forecast near mountain ridge tops and desert areas, where gusty winds and blowing sand will make driving difficult particularly for high profile vehicles. Watch for broken tree limbs and debris. The County has sandbags available for residents in unincorporated areas, check with your local fire station or the County of San Diego for details.
SDG&E PREPARES FOR HEAVY RAINFALL, OFFERS SAFETY TIPS FOR STORMY WEATHER
Photo, left: 2013 storm in East County’s Boulevard community February 27, 2014 (San Diego)– As San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) crews prepare for periods of heavy rain, gusty winds and scattered lightning to continue, the utility is reminding customers to be on alert and prepare for unplanned power outages. “As the region prepares for much-needed rainfall, SDG&E crews are ready to respond to any impacts the weather may have on our electrical system,” said David L. Geier, vice president of electric operations for SDG&E. “We’re committed to providing reliable electricity service to our customers but sometimes unexpected power outages may occur, especially during storms and high winds.” The utility reminds customers to follow the following storm safety tips: Always assume that power lines are energized. Fallen electric lines are extremely dangerous. Report any downed lines to 9-1-1 and SDG&E immediately at 1-800-611-SDGE (7343). If a person has come into contact with a power line, don’t touch the person or any equipment involved or nearby. The line may still be energized and could be extremely dangerous. Keep battery-operated flashlights handy in case the power goes out. Do not rely on candles for lighting during a power outage. For other safety tips, please visit SDGE.com/safety. SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and 861,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The utility’s area spans 4,100 square miles. SDG&E is committed to creating ways to help customers save energy and money every day. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego. Connect with SDG&E’s Customer Contact Center at 800-411-7343, on Twitter (@SDGE) and Facebook.
MARIJUANA SALE ENDS IN ROBBERY, SHOOTING IN SPRING VALLEY
By Miriam Raftery February 27, 2014 (Spring Valley) – Sheriff’s deputies are on the lookout for an “armed and dangerous” suspect in a black Honda Accord who reportedly robbed a victim who was shot in the ensuing struggle. The incident occurred on February 26 shortly after 7 p.m. in the 8200 block of Loma View Court, Spring Valley. “Deputies learned the 20-year-old victim had gone to the location to sell some marijuana to a 22-year old acquaintance. During the transaction, the suspect pointed a handgun at the victim and a struggle ensued,” said Detective Michael Moore with the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Station. “The gun discharged, striking the victim in the leg, as the two men struggled to control the weapon.” The suspect took the victim’s cell phone, wallet, necklace and marijuana, then fled in a black Honda Accord. The victim was taken to ah ospital with non-life threatening injuries. Detectives from the Rancho San Diego Station responded to the scene to assume the investigation. The suspect remains at-large and is considered armed and dangerous. This case is under active investigation. Persons with information about this case or the whereabouts of the suspect are urged to contact the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Station at: (619) 660-7090. You may also contact the Sheriff’s Communications Center at (858) 565-5200 or in an emergency dial 911.
MISS SINGING HILLS SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANT SEEKS CONTESTANTS
February 26, 2014 (El Cajon)–The El Cajon Singing Hills Lions Club is seeking contestants to participate in the 3rd annual Miss Singing Hills and Miss Teen Singing Hills Scholarship Pageant. This pageant is open to all zip code areas. An orientation will be held March 9 at Glamour Girlz Boutique 124 E Main St, El Cajon. The Pageant will be held April 5, at 6 p.m. at the Steele Canyon High School Theater. During Miss Singing Hills / Miss Teen Singing Hills reign, the winner will get the chance to meet other local dignitaries and community leaders, participate in local and countywide parades and festivities, all while earning respect, prestige, and college scholarship money. “Our program is rich with tradition and is an outstanding mentoring and leadership opportunity for young women,” said Rosa Alcaraez with the El Cajon Singing Hills Lions Club. If you are interested in becoming a contestant, e-mail misssinginghillspageants@cox.net, or call/text Jodi Kramer ~ 619-249-4919 Christina Slay ~ 858-212-2851 for an entry packet.
PLANE CRASHES AT RAMONA AIRPORT
February 25, 2014 (Ramona) — A single-engine, fixed-wing aircraft ran off the runway during landing at the Ramona Airport today at 10:30 a.m. Sheriff’s deputies from Ramona responded. No injuries were reported. The Ramona Airport was temporarily closed while the Federal Aviation Administration was notified. The FAA will handle the investigation.
NEW SAN DIEGO POLICE CHIEF NAMED
Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News February 27, 2014 (San Diego) – San Diego Police Department will soon be headed up by its first female Chief. Assistant Chief Shelley Zimmerman will replace retiring Chief William Lansdowne, who steps down March 3. Lansdowne leaves office following a series of scandals including allegations of sexual misconduct by officers, so the choice of a woman to head up the department can be viewed as sending a strong signal that the city is serious about cleaning up the department’s tarnished image. Zimmerman has the support of Mayor-Elect Kevin Faulconer as well as the San Diego Police Officers Association. “Shelley Zimmerman is the right choice for the job. She recognizes and understands the bounty of talent that we all know exists within our department. We anticipate she will be making leadership moves that will renew confidence in our department for both officers and citizens alike,” the SDPOA said. “This appointment presents a tremendous opportunity for our city. Shelley Zimmerman is a leader who can elevate our department to the level to which we aspire and the community demands.” The SDPOA also cited her accomplishments in working with elected officials to improve communications issues, streamline hiring to address chronic understaffing, and working toward competitive compensation for officers. Zimmerman has served in the San Diego Police Department for 31 years. She has worked in almost every division, from vice to narcotics to community affairs. She holds a degree in criminal justice from Ohio State and has also graduated from the F.B.I. Academy. Faulconer has said he will ask Council to formally approve Zimmerman at the next Council meeting and insiders predict the appointment will sail through. Zimmerman and Faulconer are friends, having trained together for a recent bicycle event, but have said that appointment was not political in nature.
SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT HOSTS “SHAVE-A-THON”
February 26, 2014 (San Diego)–Sheriff’s Deputies will be taking it all off … the top of their heads to help fight childhood cancer. Deputies along with officers from across the county will have their locks removed during a Shave-A-Thon in partnership with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. Deputies and officers will undergo the clippers and transform from crime fighters to cancer fighters on: Tuesday, March 4 from 10 a.m . to 20 p.m at the Sheriff’s headquarters, 9621 Ridgehaven Court in San Diego. Each deputy and officer raised funds for St. Baldrick’s Foundation. Donations will also be accepted at the door.
GAS TAX REDUCED BY STATE
February 25, 2014 (Sacramento)–The California State Board of Equalization (BOE) today voted unanimously to adjust the Fiscal Year 2014-15 excise tax rate on gasoline downward by $0.035 during its monthly Board Meeting in Culver City. “Today we have some good news for California taxpayers,” said BOE Vice Chair Michelle Steel. “Because of our vote today, all Californians will benefit from a little less pain at the pump.Still, I urge the Legislature to eliminate this unjust scheme, known as the ‘fuel tax swap,’ which requires the BOE to adjust gas tax rates each year based on a guessing game.” State law mandates that the Board set the excise tax rates for gasoline before March 1 of each year. This newly adopted excise tax rate of $0.36 will take effect on July 1, 2014 and remain at that rate until June 30, 2015. Motorists currently pay $0.395 in excise tax for each gallon of gasoline they purchase. Laws enacted in 2010 known as the “fuel tax swap” require revenue neutrality, meaning motorists pay no more or less state tax on gasoline purchases than they would have prior to the swap. The new laws lowered the sales tax on gasoline to 2.25 percent and raised the excise tax by an amount projected to equal the sales tax that otherwise would have been collected under the old tax structure. Every year, the BOE sets the rate based on the projected price and number of gallons drivers will purchase in the upcoming fiscal year. The upcoming annual rate also accounts for the difference in the actual and estimated sales tax revenue in the prior fiscal year that would have been collected under the prior system. Price and purchase forecasts are based on projections from the Department of Finance and IHS Global Insight, an internationally recognized firm that provides comprehensive economic and financial data to nations and states.