City News Service

Despite the hot, dry heat wave currently gripping much of California, San Diego County officials Wednesday cautioned that a hurricane off the coast of Mexico could bring high winds with potentially heavy rain to the county this weekend.

With electricity demand reaching record levels due to a drawn-out heat wave, Southern California and the whole state avoided rolling power blackouts as the manager of the power grid called for maximum conservation efforts by residents.

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County rose Wednesday for the fifth consecutive day.

The California Independent System Operator has now issued an Energy Emergency Alert 3, in effect from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Last year, California ranked first in the nation in pedestrian rail-trespass accidents, according to North County Transit District.

The wildfire that spread to more than 4,400 acres northwest of Tecate, destroyed three houses and injured six people was fully contained authorities said Tuesday, and hundreds of displaced residents have returned to their homes.

An odor advisory was was issued Monday weeks after the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District unveiled their new odor alert system.

A 19-year-old was arraigned Friday in connection with the crimes.

San Diego Fire-Rescue crews worked to put out a brush fire near Torrey Pines State Beach.