North County Times - North San Diego and Southwest Riverside County News - NCTimes.com

LOS ANGELES -- Early summer weather is prompting the state's firefighting agency to declare the opening of fire season in 19 California counties.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A lawyer who had several relatives among 24 Iraqis allegedly slain by U.S. Marines last fall and is representing kin of other victims complained in a videotape Saturday that American compensation paid to the families was inadequate.

SAN DIEGO ---- Among the 20,000 participants starting the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Sunday, one runner will be noticeable by the American flag he is carrying. It's a flag that has been to hell and back, and so has the man carrying it.

NORWALK ---- The white finish line on Cerritos College's blue track marked the ending to Jonathan Williams' short but storied prep track career on a hot Saturday afternoon. And while the Temecula Valley senior would have liked to lean across it as the CIF-State 100 and 200-meter champion, Williams felt blessed just to sprint over it at all.

LAS VEGAS -- Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid called for an independent investigation into the alleged slaying of 24 Iraqis by U.S. Marines ahead of a speech he will make to Congress on Monday.

ESCONDIDO ---- Tucked into an Escondido valley is a gateway to another world. The portal to this luxury location doesn't stick out. Even with great directions, it is easy to drive right by it. The one thing that catches the eye is what makes this place so unique: its big, golden door.

Our view: Civilian perspective of sanitized war skews understanding of what troops face in Iraq 9 comment(s)

Two incidents of alleged war crimes by Camp Pendleton Marines that resulted in 25 Iraqi civilian deaths are raising critical questions for a service branch that prides itself on discipline.

On July 19, horse racing fans will flock to Del Mar for opening day. Women will wear large hats, the "ponies" will thunder down the track, and money will be won and lost. And very tiny insects will make the whole experience pleasant.

INDIANAPOLIS -- A man suspected of gunning down seven family members he believed kept large amounts of money in their home surrendered to police on Saturday, authorities said.

Last week, while I was sitting by the fountain on the MiraCosta College campus in Oceanside, I was visited by a figure from the past.

A four-bedroom house with lush landscaping and a water bill less than $30 is not a fantasy -- it's something well within the reach of many homeowners.