RESIDENTS WARNED TO BE WARY OF HURRICANE HARVEY SCAMS
Printer-friendly version By County News Center, County of San Diego Communications Office Image credit: PhotoSpin September 2, 2017 (San Diego) – The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office warned residents to be careful when donating to charities that promise to help victims of Hurricane Harvey in Texas. The DA’s Office is offering important consumer advice and information to avoid becoming a victim of charity scams. “We have such a caring community in San Diego County that wants to help those in need during a crisis, like this latest natural disaster that’s taking such a toll in Texas and Louisiana,” DA Summer Stephan said. “Unfortunately, some people use times of crisis to take advantage of others. People who want to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey by donating to charities can protect themselves from scammers by watching out for red flags.” When donating, it’s a best practice not to respond to any solicitation. Instead, if you are inclined to help – donate on your own to a known charity or help group that is known to assist in these types of events. If the solicitor persuades you to donate, don’t commit at that moment; check them out, first – then donate. Acting based upon a cold call is never wise. Always do your research to avoid becoming a victim of a charity scam. The Federal Trade Commission has published important tips and information on how to do that, including a link to Charity Navigator, which has a list of organizations that are responding in the aftermath of the storm. The FTC provides the following charity checklist of precautions to make sure your donation benefits the people and organizations you want to help: Ask for detailed information about the charity, including name, address, and telephone number. Get the exact name of the organization and do some research. Searching the name of the organization online – especially with the word “complaint(s)” or “scam”– is one way to learn about its reputation. Call the charity. Find out if the organization is aware of the solicitation and has authorized the use of its name. The organization’s development staff should be able to help you. Find out if the charity or fundraiser must be registered in your state by contacting the National Association of State Charity Officials. Check if the charity is trustworthy by contacting the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, or GuideStar. Ask if the caller is a paid fundraiser. If so, ask: The name of the charity they represent The percentage of your donation that will go to the charity How much will go to the actual cause to which you’re donating How much will go to the fundraiser Keep a record of your donations. Make an annual donation plan. That way, you can decide which causes to support and which reputable charities should receive your donations. Visit this Internal Revenue Service (IRS) webpage to find out which organizations are eligible to receive tax deductible contributions. Never send cash donations. For security and tax purposes, it’s best to pay by check – made payable to the charity – or by credit card. Never wire money to someone claiming to be a charity. Scammers often request donations to be wired because wiring money is like sending cash: once you send it, you can’t get it back. Do not provide your credit or check card number, bank account number or any personal information until you’ve thoroughly researched the charity. Be wary of charities that spring up too suddenly in response to current events and natural disasters. Even if they are legitimate, they probably don’t have the infrastructure to get the donations to the affected area or people. If a donation request comes from a group claiming to help your local community (for example, local police or firefighters), ask the local agency if they have heard of the group and are getting financial support. What about texting? If you text to donate, the charge will show up on your mobile phone bill. If you’ve asked your mobile phone provider to block premium text messages – texts that cost extra – then you won’t be able to donate this way. The National Do Not Call Registry gives you a way to reduce telemarketing calls, but it exempts charities and political groups. However, if a fundraiser is calling on behalf of a charity, you may ask not to get any more calls from, or on behalf of, that specific charity. If those calls continue, the fundraiser may be subject to a fine. If you think you’ve been the victim of a charity scam or if a fundraiser has violated Do Not Call rules, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. Your complaints can help detect patterns of wrong-doing and lead to investigations and prosecutions. Printer-friendly version
UPGRADED PARAMEDIC SERVICES EXTENDED TO MORE RURAL AND MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES
Printer-friendly version By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office Photo: Firefighter Paramedic Brenton Rowell from the Mt. Laguna County Fire Station is completing his morning checks of the Advanced Life Support gear. September 2, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) — A person suffering cardiac arrest or going into anaphylactic shock will receive immediate treatment from responding firefighter paramedics who were recently added to existing fire engine service in five communities. The addition of 24-hour paramedic engine services to Harbison Canyon, Mount Laguna, Sunshine Summit, Shelter Valley and Palomar Mountain brings this capability to 15 fire stations under the County Fire umbrella. Other communities that have welcomed similar new service since early 2014 include Julian, Jacumba, Descanso, Otay, Ocotillo Wells, Jamul, Lake Morena, Intermountain, Deerhorn Valley, and Pine Valley. “This completes County Fire’s upgrade from basic to advanced life support services in our full-time County fire stations in rural communities,” said Tony Mecham, County Fire chief and CAL FIRE Unit Chief. “Firefighter paramedics will now be responding to calls and can administer lifesaving medications as needed.” The advanced life support service, the highest level of pre-hospital care, is part of a comprehensive boost to the overall emergency medical services and fire coverage to residents in the County’s rural areas. Previously, all paramedic support was performed by private ambulance service, which in some cases may have been stationed 30 minutes away. Part of the need for the improvement is due to a large jump in population in rural communities, which includes seasonal visitors to those communities. “This provides a better level of service for all the travelers not just the residents,” said Herman Reddick, County Fire group program manager. The County Fire stations hired new firefighter paramedics and purchased cardiac monitors, defibrillators and lifesaving medications such as those used for people who are having an acute allergic reaction or who are in cardiac arrest. Firefighter paramedics can also put in breathing tubes and administer pain medications to injured patients, said County Fire Capt. Jared Andrade. Additionally, patients will be able to receive a sophisticated level of emergency medical services including a variety of medications, intravenous therapy, breathing treatments, and advanced cardiac procedures. The firefighter paramedics will be doing assessment and treatment, but transport to hospitals will still be done by private ambulance companies, Andrade said. Printer-friendly version
KANSAS, BJ THOMAS AMONG HEADLINERS FOR POWAY ONSTAGE 2017-18 SEASON
Printer-friendly version East County News Service September 2, 2017 (Poway) — The Poway OnStage 2017-2018 season at the Poway Performing Arts Center opens this month with the arena rock of KANSAS. It continues with GRAMMY winning artists: Los Lobos, Aaron Neville, BJ Thomas and Roger McGuinn. International Tours take center stage with Ana Gasteyer, TAO: Drum Heart, Cameron Carpenter and as always local music is home at Poway OnStage with Berkley Hart, Six String Society’s Sounds of the Big Easy and Alex Woodard’s Love Letters From Vietnam. View video of BJ Thomas: https://youtu.be/sPXpgz-HgF0 View video of Roger McGuinn: https://youtu.be/l3ChFfKsaXI Click to buy tickets: http://powayonstage.org/360/Announcing-20172018-Season Visit the Poway Performing Arts Center: http://www.powaycenter.com/ Printer-friendly version
SEYNAEVE LEADS SDSU CROSS COUNTRY AT MARK COVERT CLASSIC
Printer-friendly version Seynaeve broke 19 minutes to finish seventh among collegiate athletes Source: goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com September 2, 2017 (Brea, Calif.) – San Diego State cross country produced a solid effort in its first meet of the year, yielding a top 10 finisher and placing fifth in the Mark Covert Classic (5K), hosted by Cal State Fullerton, on Saturday. “The team worked well together,” SDSU head distance coach Robert Lusitana said. “The freshmen contributed strongly by staying in a pack alongside the seniors. It was a great start to what is going to be an exciting season. With little to no room for error, the Aztecs proved today that there isn’t always power in numbers but power in drive and teamwork.” Senior Lily Seynaeve was SDSU’s top finisher at the meet, which saw temperatures in the 80s by the time the race began at 8:45 a.m. She clocked in at 18:51.6 to take seventh among collegiate athletes. Her time was 13.2 seconds faster than her finish at the 2016 Mark Covert Classic (19:04.8). Classmate Cindy Flores crossed the 5K finish line in 19:43.2 for 25th and, making her collegiate debut, Renee Phillips was 26th with a 19:44.5 time. First-year Aztec Mackenzie Mora logged a 19:54.4 time (33rd) and junior Chrissy Calain rounded out the group at 21:13.8 (60th). Appearing at the meet for the fifth-straight year, SDSU took fifth with 151 points behind race-winner and the host Titans (34), Loyola Marymount (36), San Diego (141) and The Master’s (145). The Aztecs averaged a 19:53.50 5K time. The Scarlet and Black next competes at the UC Riverside Invitational (6K) on Sept. 16. Mark Covert Classic results Printer-friendly version
SDSU VOLLEYBALL FALLS TO MARSHALL AT SPARTAN INVITATIONAL
Printer-friendly version Aztecs to face LMU at home next Friday at 7 p.m. PT Source: goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com September 2, 2017 (East Lansing, Mich.) – The San Diego State volleyball team wrapped up play at the Spartan Invitational Saturday, falling to Marshall in three sets (18-25, 23-25, 28-30) at Jenison Fieldhouse on the campus of Michigan State University. With the loss, the Aztecs finished 1-2 at the tournament, slipping to 2-4 overall, while the Thundering Herd move to 2-5 on the season. Ashlynn Dunbar (12) and Deja Harris (11) combined for 23 of SDSU’s 44 kills, while Alexandra Psoma finished with eight put-aways to go with seven digs and three block assists. In addition, the Aztecs received 22 assists from Gabi Peoples, while Indigo Thompson contributed 17 helpers of her own. However, the Scarlet and Black was outhit .358-.229 for the match and trailed in total blocks (10.0-4.0) for the sixth straight outing. The Aztecs were also unable to withstand the three-pronged attack of Marshall’s Jac’cara Walker (18), Taylor Pelton (13) and Madison Hill (11), who posted 42 of the team’s 49 kills. After SDSU dropped the opening set, the two teams combined for 21 ties and 10 lead changes over the final two frames. The Aztecs trailed 21-16 in set number two, but managed to trim the deficit to one on three occasions, including a 24-23 spread following a Harris kill. However, SDSU could not extend the stanza, as an attack error gave the Herd a commanding 2-0 advantage. The Scarlet and Black found itself on the wrong side of a 14-6 score in the third set, before unleashing a 15-6 flurry of its own to nudge in front 21-20. Harris and Hannah Turnlund sparked the run with two kills apiece, while Thompson added a service ace. The Aztecs reached set point three different times shortly thereafter, including a 28-27 margin following a Baylee Little kill. However, SDSU was stymied once again, as Marshall reeled off three straight points, capped by a Pelton blast, to escape with the victory. San Diego State returns home next weekend to host the JLABS Challenge, Sept. 8-9, at Aztec Court. SDSU opens the tournament on Friday against Loyola Marymount, starting at 7 p.m. The Aztecs will also face Long Beach State (11 a.m.) and Pacific (7 p.m.) to conclude the event on Saturday. Box Printer-friendly version
ECM PADRES REPORT: PADRES WALK OFF DODGERS IN SLUGFEST IN GAME ONE OF DOUBLEHEADER
Printer-friendly version Like our sports coverage? Donate to help support ECM’s sports section! Type “Sports” on the donation line! Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories! Story by Liz Alper Photo: Yangervis Solarte walked it off in the ninth with a home run that gave the Padres a game two win. Via @Padres on Twitter September 2, 2017 (San Diego) – Last night, the pitching by Clayton Kershaw and Dinelson Lamet was strong. The Padres still suffered a 1-0 loss, but they have a lot to be proud of in young talent. Today in game one of a Saturday doubleheader, another young talent took the mound, but this time, he was on the Dodgers. His name was Brock Stewart and he faced a veteran, Clayton Richard. The Dodgers didn’t waste time today. Logan Forsythe scored in the first on a Cody Bellinger force out and the Dodgers took a 1-0 lead. From then on, we embarked on a wild ride. Jose Pirela hit a sac fly in the third that scored Manuel Margot to tie the game, but Bellinger homered in the fourth to give the Dodgers the lead again, 2-1. Austin Barnes singled to right to score Chris Taylor and the Dodgers led 3-1. But the Padres came back in the sixth. Jabari Blash singled to center to score Wil Myers and Hector Sanchez hit a sac groundout to score Cory Spangenberg and the game was tied once again. The Padres got right back to work in the seventh as Myers tripled to left to score Pirela and the Padres had their first lead of the game. Spangenberg singled to right to score Myers and the Padres led 5-3. But it would go away in the ninth with Justin Turner’s two-run game-tying homer. But Yangervis Solarte saved the Padres and gave them the 6-5 win in game one with a walk-off home run in the ninth that evened the series at one game apiece. Game two of the doubleheader is tonight at 7:10 p.m. Yu Darvish starts for the Dodgers against another young talent from the Padres, Jordan Lyles. Printer-friendly version