PHOTO OF THE MONTH: MT. HELIX IN THE STORM
July 19, 2015 (La Mesa) — Kristin Kjaero shot this sequence of photos during the mid day storms on Saturday, July 18, 2015. The photos show Mt. Helix disappearing in the clouds, then reappearing in the sunshine.
CAR THEFT SUSPECT ARRESTED AFTER CHASE, CRASH, AND STAND-OFF IN EL CAJON
East County News Service July 18, 2015 (El Cajon ) – A vehicle theft suspect is under arrest after a chase that led El Cajon Police officers on a wild chase that ended after the suspect crashed into three parked cars. The incident began around 6:10 last night, when officers assigned to the El Cajon Police Department Gang Street Team attempted to make a traffic stop on a vehicle that had been reported stolen. The driver of the vehicle attempted to evade police by driving the wrong way onto eastbound I-8 from the Greenfield off-ramp. He exited the freeway at the next on-ramp, East Main Street, where officers observing the suspect from the correct side of the freeway resumed the pursuit. “The suspect tried to turn too quickly onto Broadway and lost control of the vehicle, crashing into three parked cars,” stated Lieutenant Rob Ransweiler with El Cajon Police Patrol Division. The supect fled on foot into a health care facility in the 1500 block of Broadway. He ran down a dead end hallway into a break room and reportedly slammed the door closed behind him. “There was no one in the room at the time of this incident. The suspect slid a large soda machine in front of the door and told the officers he was not going to come out,” Lt. Rainsweiler said. ECPD was assisted by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office and Heartland Fire at the scene. After approximately 45 minutes of officers negotiating with the suspect, he surrendered without incident. He is being booked into San Diego County Jail for possession of a stolen vehicle, felony evasion and hit and run. The suspect is identified as 33-year-old Shane Edward Hennes. The vehicle driven by the suspect was recovered and police indicate they do not believe there are any suspects outstanding at this time. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the El Cajon Police Department at (619) 579-3311. Individuals with information about these cases who wish to remain anonymous can call the Crime Stoppers tip line at (888) 580-8477.
PROGRAMS AT ALPINE LIBRARY – “AUTHOR TALK – MASTERING SUCCESS”
July 18, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego County Library continues its series of programs at the Alpine Library on Thursday, July 23rd with a program titled “Author Talk – Mastering Success.” Join Dr. Dorothy Kegler as she discusses her journey to becoming a local author. Dorothy is a longtime resident of San Diego. She has been featured in two books and authored her journal, My Journey: Butterfly Wings, based on her journey to get an education. See attached. Earlier, on July 16th, the Alpine Library hosted a program on “Henna Tattoos”, and on July 18th, another “Author Talk”, “Writing as a Teen.” See attached.
HEALTH CARE LIBRARY’S WELLNESS WEDNESDAY MEETING WILL DISCUSS ALZHEIMER’S ON JULY 22
July 18, 2015 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, will host a free program on “Getting REAL About Alzheimer’s,” from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22. The program is part of the library’s Wellness Wednesday series, normally held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. The speaker on July 22 will be Kassandra King, author of “Getting REAL About Alzheimer’s: Rementia Through Engagement, Assistance, and Love” and educator, care manager and consultant with Alzheimer’s and dementia care expertise. King will discuss popular opinions about Alzheimer’s and other dementias, as well as focusing on rementia, which highlights the skills people still have, keeping them occupied with purpose, and the glory of caregiving from the heart. King owns Alzheimer’s Connection La Mesa, an advocacy and consulting firm offering care management, navigational and training services regarding appropriate care options. The Herrick Library, which opened in 2002, is a consumer health public library specializing in health research information, accessible both on-site and via the Internet. The library is operated by the Grossmont Healthcare District, a public agency that supports health-related community programs and services in San Diego’s East County. For more information, phone the library at (619) 825‑5010 or visit www.herricklibrary.org.
I-15 REOPENS AFTER BRUSH FIRE BURNS 30 VEHICLES; DRONES BLAMED FOR HALTING FIREFIGHTING PLANES
By Miriam Raftery Photo by Talia Sclafania, via Twitter July 18,2015 (San Bernadino County) – A fast-moving brush fire roared out of control yesterday in the Cajon Pass in San Bernadino County, trapping vehicles on the I-15 freeway along the main route from San Diego County to Vegas. The blaze destroyed two semi-trucks and 18 other vehicles, damaging 10 more. TV footage showed people fleeing along the side of the freeway and some vehicles turning backwards in what some have dubbed “Carmageddon.” At least two people suffered minor burns. A photo Tweeted by soccer player Talia Slafania, forced to abandon her vehicle, captured the terrifying panorama. Alison Ash with 10 News, an ECM news partner, tweeted, “Insane flames on I-15. Firefighters scrambling to save lives. “ 10 News reporter Joe Little called the scene it a “freak nightmare.” Cal Fire has reported that five drones were spotted near firefighting aircraft and two “actively chased” the planes. The planes were grounded to prevent a mid-air collision and the drones delayed air drops by over half an hour, definitely contributing to the fire swelling out of control and destroying vehicles, according to Cal Fire. It is illegal to fly a drone close to firefighting aircraft. Thus far, the owners of the drones have not been identified. In the Mt. Baldy area, an additional 44 vehicles and 3 homes were destroyed, along with outbuildings. Over 200 people remained in an evacuation center overnight. The fire started yesterday around 2:38 p.m. near I-15 north of state route 138. It has been holding at 3,500 acres since yesterday but remains only 5% contained according to the San Bernadino National Forest Incident webpage for the North Fire. I-15 shut down in both directions yesterday but was reopened this morning. Over a thousand firefighters and 22 engines continue to battle the blaze along with 6 fixed-wing aircraft including a DC-10 air tanker.