Camp Pendleton Marine Killed in Afghanistan ID'd

1. County officials say a half-dozen rodents found in various East County and North County locations over the past week have tested positive for hantavirus. People who inhale dust particles containing rodent droppings and nesting materials can contract hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which starts out similar to the flu but can be fatal. So far this year, 38 rodents found in the county have tested positive for hantavirus compared to 21 last year.

2. The Pentagon released the name today of a 22-year-old Camp Pendleton-based Marine killed in combat this week in Afghanistan. Lance Cpl. Jared C. Verbeek of Visalia died in Helmand Province on Tuesday, according to the Department of Defense.

3. The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County fell eight-tenths of a cent Thursday to $3.875, the lowest since March 4. The average price is 4.1 cents less than one week ago and 22.5 cents lower than one month ago, but 77.6 cents higher than one year ago, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. The average price has fallen 45 times in the past 47 days.