The 7TH. Anniversary of Witch Creek
The last weekend of October marks the anniversary of both the 2003 and 2007 devestating firestorms in San Diego County. As the firestorm continued to rage, thousands of people crowded evacuation sites such as Qualcomm Stadium and the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Major interstates and roads were closed, Amtrak service was halted, and severe smoke conditions caused many businesses ...
CONTINUED
State Confirms La Mesa Man Died from West Nile Virus
San Diego - The cause of the recent death of a 78-year-old La Mesa man was confirmed as West Nile virus (WNV), the County Health and Human 
Services Agency (HHSA) announced on Friday October 24, 2014.
The man was admitted to a local hospital on October 6 after experiencing symptoms of encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain that can be caused by viral or bacterial infection. He died on October 10. Testing by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory confirmed today that he had WNV. This is the first death from WNV in San Diego County since 2007 and the seventh confirmed case this year. Three more individuals in San Diego with suspected WNV infections are currently under investigation. One ...
CONTINUED
"What Home Means to Me"
As part of the National Association of Housing Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) Housing America campaign, a poster contest is held each year for children residing in affordable housing and community development
s owned or administered by NAHRO member agencies, including public housing and Section 8-assisted households. Posters reflect the national theme of “What Home Means to Me.”
A National Blue Ribbon panel of judges will select four honorees in each of the three age categories, plus an overall Grand Prize honoree. National Prizes: National honorees will receive U.S. Savings Bonds. Twelve national honorees will receive a $100 savings bond.The National Grand Prize honoree will receive a $500 savings bond. The Grand Prize honoree and his, or her, family will also be provided with transportation to and lodging at NAHRO’s March 2015 National Legislative Conference in Washington, DC. The Grand Prize winner will also receive a framed copy of their original artwork and will tour Capitol Hill. All National honorees will receive a framed certificate. Please visit the Housing America website at: "What Home Means to Me" for more information.
Closure Lifted for South County Beaches
San Diego- Testing confirms water quality at South County beaches meets State health standards following recent Tijuana River flows.
The Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has lifted the water contact closure for the ocean shoreline at the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge and Border Field State Park. This includes the beach-line from the south end of Seacoast Drive to the International Border. Recent water quality testing conducted by DEH confirms that Tijuana River flows are no longer impacting these beaches. This area was recently closed to water contact due to sewage-contaminated flows from the Tijuana River entering the United States. For updates on beach closure information please visit our website at www.sdbeachinfo.com or call the 24-hr. hotline at (619) 338-2073
ESPAÑOL
SAN DIEGO WILDFIRES 2014
The photo shows how exhaustive the work was controlling the San Marcos wildfire.
San Diego, CA -May 18, 2014-Tim Bergon took this photo to let his wife know he was okay as he takes a much needed break.Here is his messaged on Twitter:Carrie McQueen @8McQueens May 17
Please RT our "Thank you!" #CocosFire #SanDiegoFire #Heroes @CAL_FIRE pic.twitter.com/6ubtJmZt3A
SAN DIEGO WILDFIRES 2014
County to Open Recovery Office
San Diego, CA May 16, 2014- Victims with damaged or destroyed homes in the unincorporated County due to the Cocos Fire now have a place to go for help rebuilding.
The County will open a Recovery Liaison Office from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. today (Friday, May 16) at the County Library’s San Marcos branch, located at 2 Civic Center Dr., San Marcos, CA 92069. Starting tomorrow (Saturday, May 17), the office will be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
The office can offer help on how to obtain building permits, clear ash from swimming pools, safely handle food after a power outage and other recovery and rebuilding information.
A behavioral health specialist will also be available.
Stop by the office or visit sdcountyrecovery.com for more information.
ESPAÑOL
SAN DIEGO WILDFIRES 2014
2-1-1 Disaster Response
San Diego, CA May 16, 2014- 2-1-1 San Diego is still in need of volunteers to help respond to the community's questions and provide accurate, timely information to those affected by the fires in North County.
Staffing for the next 72 hours is critical. We are especially in need of volunteers as soon as possible this morning May 16 as well as Spanish speaking volunteers.
Sign up: http://211sandiegoforce.com
Call: 858-614-0211
Volunteering with 2-1-1 is not only appreciated, it plays an important in role in helping get out verified information that helps those affected by the fires make important decisions. Thank you to the dozens of volunteers who helped us overnight and who will respond today.
ESPAÑOL
SAN DIEGO WILDFIRES 2014
Urgent Regional Wildfires Information
May 15-San Diego - The Housing Authority of the County of San Diego is canceling and rescheduling Housing Quality Standards inspections scheduled for Friday, May 16 in the areas affected by the wildfires. Affected landlords and participants are being contacted by telephone. Please check our website for continual updates.
Evacuated Housing Choice Voucher program participants should call 2-1-1 for an up-to-date listing of resources available. Permanently displaced program participants should contact their Housing Specialist. Should you have immediate questions, please contact us at (858) 694-4885.
ESPAÑOL
Healhier Living 
San Diego- The County is coordinating interactive and goaloriented workshops called “Healthier Living”. The workshops are held once a week for people with chronic health conditions such as arthritis, depression, heart disease, diabetes, COPD, or any chronic illness. Caregivers are also welcome to attend. There are also classes strictly for people with diabetes. Designed at Stanford University this program has been proven to achieve positive health outcomes and reduced health care expenditures. The program is led by two trained peer educators, who also have a chronic condition. Topics include diet, exercise, medication management, cognitive symptom management, problem solving, relaxation, communication with healthcare providers, and dealing with difficult emotions. The Healthier Living workshops are available at sites throughout the County.
Continued
SAN DIEGO WILDFIRES 2014
Tips to Reduce Exposure to Smoke
May 15-San Diego - Smoke-impacted areas near the fires in San Diego County are the only areas of the county expected to have air quality considered less than moderate or good today, according to the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District. In areas near the fires, elevated levels of particulate matter may result in unhealthy air quality conditions, and affected individuals are advised to take steps to reduce their exposure to the smoke.
The effects of smoke and particulate matter range from eye and respiratory tract irritation to difficulty breathing, particularly for those who have chronic lung diseases, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. If you or a member of your family is experiencing breathing difficulties due to smoke inhalation, do not hesitate to contact your health professional.
Tips to reduce smoke and particulate matter exposure include:
• Stay indoors if you have not been asked to evacuate.
• Reduce physical activity outdoors.
·•Create a clean room at home (A good choice is an interior room, with as few windows and doors as possible, such as a bedroom).
·• Run an air conditioner or central air conditioning system if you have one. If the air conditioner provides a fresh air option, keep the fresh-air intake closed to prevent smoke from getting inside. Make sure that the filter is clean enough to allow good air flow indoors.
• In extreme cases, relocate to an area not impacted by smoke from fires.
ESPAÑOL
SAN DIEGO WILDFIRES 2014
Dronenburg Announces 2014 Wildfires
Property Tax Relief
May 15-San Diego - "County Assessor Ernest Dronenburg announced to “all property owners whose property was damaged or destroyed during the recent wildfires that property tax relief is available. This tax relief program requires the reassessment of the property to reflect its damaged condition. The reduced value will remain in effect until such time as the property is rebuilt or repaired.”
“More importantly, after the property is rebuilt or repaired, the owners can retain their previous taxable value if the property is rebuilt in a like or similar manner,” stated Dronenburg. “This means that the property tax assessment will not increase beyond what it was prior to the fire,” added Dronenburg.
Continued on PDF - ESPAÑOL
The County has activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
in response to several wildfire incidents in the region.
May 14- San Diego- The County EOC’s role is to coordinate emergency response in unincorporated areas, alert and notify appropriate agencies in regional emergencies, and coordinate between agencies to ensure resources are available and mobilized.
Residents are urged to Prevent Heat-Related Problems, Stay Safe During This Red Flag Warning , to call 2-1-1 for all non-emergency calls and to visit www.sdcountyemergency.com for updates online.
* If you need emergency assistance in evacuation, call 9-1-1.
ESPAÑOL
WATERFRONT PARK GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION
OFFERS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
On Saturday, May 10, 2014, join us to celebrate the grand opening of the region's largest and free waterfront park in San Diego County. This all day celebration will offer various activities and performances to keep the entire family busy throughout the day!
The downtown area ...
Continued
TODDLER INMUNIZATION MONTH (TIM)
Protect Your Children’s Health With Immunizations
Vaccines help prevent diseases that were once common in this country, including polio, measles and whooping cough. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year, 43,000 U.S. adults die from vaccine-preventable diseases.
If you are a parent or grandparent of babies or young children, or if you 
provide child care for them, you want to do all you can to protect their health. One of the best ways to do that is to make sure the children are up to date with immunizations which protect against 14 childhood diseases.
Making sure children are protected from vaccine-preventable diseases is more important than ever. Here in San Diego County, four measles cases have been reported recently—the first such cases in several years. And pertussis continues to circulate throughout our community, 139 cases reported so far this year. Last year 430 cases were reported, compared to 165 in 2012. For more information about immunizations and the diseases they protect against, please visit the following websites: San Diego County Immunization Program www.sdiz.org ,and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov/vaccines/parents
ESPAÑOL
Are unused, unneeded and expired medications filling up your medicine cabinet?
Don't know what to do with all of those old prescription drugs?
Did you know that prescription drugs are the second most commonly abused category of drugs, behind marijuana and ahead of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and other drugs? Approximately six out of ten teens agree that prescription drugs are easy to get from parent's medicine cabinets, according to The Partnership for a Drug Free America 2009. So it is important to properly dispose of medications that are no longer needed.
Don't throw expired or unused drugs in the garbage or down the drain! Saturday April 26 was the National Prescription Drug Take-BackDay. It was a free, anonymous and legal way to get rid of any potentially dangerous prescription drugs that have been cluttering medicine cabinets. Properly disposing of these medications protects the environment, and most importantly, it protects all of us. In case you miss the National Take-Back Day, the San Diego County Sheriff has established year round drop off sites at all County Sheriff Stations and detention facilities. Please call the San Diego County Sheriff at: (858) 565-5200 for more information, or visit their website at: www.sdsheriff.net
ESPAÑOL
San Diego County has it's Kick Off for the 2014 West
Nile Virus Prevention Campaign: Fight The Bite
Spring marks the beginning of the West Nile 
virus season in San Diego. County officials have launched a new smartphone application to help residents protect themselves.
As we near the warmer months, Vector Control officials with San Diego County say the risk of the West Nile Virus is at its highest.
San Diego County has been using helicopters, backpack blowers, mosquito-eating fish, public education, Internet notifications and more to protect the public. This year County officials...
Continued
April is the Earth month..it’s also the tax month
The twelfth annual event is sponsored by the City of San Diego and Allan Company. Allan Company will provide secure containers at the Miramar Recycling Center for residents to drop off old files, which are securely stored and shredded before being recycled.
“Recyclable paper continues to be a large percentage of all waste buried in the Miramar Landfill,” said Chris Gonaver, director of the Environmental Services Department.
Be sure to check with the IRS or a tax professional regarding how long tax documents are required to be kept on file. For more information about recycling tax files, please call the Environmental Services Department customer service at 858-694-7000. For general recycling tips or information, visit our Web site at www.RecyclingWorks.com or call Customer Service at 858-694-7000.
ESPAÑOL
At the South County Intergenerational Games, third grade students from elementary schools were teamed up with older adults. The teams participated in various games and learning activities designed to promote healthy eating and exercise, bringing young and old together to promote healthy, active lifestyles.
The 12th Annual South County IG Games took place on April 10th at the Olympic Training Center, in Chula Vista, and were a great opportunity to get our Older Adults and 3rd grade students from Chula Vista Elementary School District to build intergenerational relationships by focusing on physical and educational activities to promote wellness and healthy lifestyles for all ages.
Continued...
Do you live in aTsunami flood zone?
The County’s Office of Emergency Services mailed new maps and information to the more than 30,000 homes and businesses in San Diego County’s potential tsunami flood areas. Using new information developed by state disaster experts, the County for the first time targeted specific addresses that could be at risk in a tsunami.
“If you get one of these brochures, that means your home or business might be affected by a tsunami flood surge,” County OES Director Holly Crawford said. “We’re asking people to take a couple minutes to review the brochure and to keep it where you can refer to it if an approaching tsunami ever forces you to evacuate."
The maps was created by the California Office of Emergency Services and the California Geological Survey allowed the County to identify which addresses are at risk in the worst-case tsunami scenarios expected here. If you didn’t receive a map and you are interested in the information, you can visit the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services and select where it says: New Maps, Evacuation Route Information to Addresses in Tsunami Zones. The new maps and information will help the public plan. If you did not receive a tsunami mailer, you are most likely do not live or work in a potential tsunami flood area. But spring is here and the shore calls. The new city-specific maps, and everything you and your family needs to prepare for tsunamis and other disasters are at ReadySanDiego.org . By visiting this website you can also register or get the app to get the latest news and alerts if a disaster occurs.
ESPAÑOL
Ice cream products La Tapatia, Inc. Recalls Products
Because of Possible Health Risk
Helados La Tapatia, Inc., of Fresno, California, is voluntarily recalling all ice cream products, popsicles, fruit bars/cups and bolis due to a possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes. Helados La Tapatia, Inc., is coordinating closely with regulatory officials.
Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
The products were distributed in Arizona, California, Nevada, Washington, Guam and Canada in retail stores. The products are sold under the brand names of Helados La Tapatia and Icesations.
No illnesses have been reported to date. The recall was the result of a routine inspection program by the U.S. FDA which revealed the presence of the bacteria on certain food processing equipment.
ESPAÑOL
mosquitoes bite. They need the protein and nutrients from blood for their developing eggs. A mosquito may bite only two or three times during her life, but she can develop hundreds of eggs from each blood meal. There are 24 different types of mosquitoes in San Diego County. At least 7 types are known to carry diseases that can be passed to humans.
that we also use water in ways we don't see every day. Water is used to grow our food, manufacture our favorite goods, and keep our businesses running smoothly. We also use a significant amount of water to meet the nation's energy needs.
