Ruling allows immigration from six Muslim nations for those with ties to U.S., but bans others until full case is heard this fall; refugees hardest hit by decision

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Syrian refugee boy's future remains in limbo

June 27, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Supreme Court has issued a temporary order reinstating a portion of President Donald Trump’s travel ban previously halted by multiple appellate courts.  The decision allows immigration to continue from six Muslim nations (Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen) but only for people with a “bona fide relationship” to the U.S.  The temporary order is in place until the high court hears the case in the fall and issues a ruling.

The definition of such relationship or ties is not spelled out, but legal experts generally agree that travelers with family in the U.S., jobs or job offers, and students at U.S. universities will be protected.  It is unclear whether others, such as those with medical conditions seeking treatment here, would be banned or not. Visitors seeking visas who don’t have ties here would be barred from entry.  Hardest hit would be refugees fleeing violence, whose hopes of a brighter future in America will now be dashed unless they already have family or other ties in the U.S., international aid groups warn.

East Couty News Service

June 27, 2017 (El Cajon ) – A woman in her 50s who was walking home from the grocery store crossed North Mollison Avenue near Main Street outside of a marked intersection last night at 8:45. She was struck by a black Acura sedan driven by a 19-year-old driver.  Paramedics transported the woman to a hospital, where she later died.

East County News Service

June 26, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Fourth of July fireworks, parades and picnics, plus an Elvis tribute in El Cajon.

We also have a preview of coming attractions including Descanso Days, the Pine Valley Parade, astronomy on Mt. Helix, music superstars Lionel Ritchie and Mariah Carey coming to San Diego State, and a murder mystery dinner theatre in Julian.

So stay tuned for all of these events and many more!

Hunting down the wildest jobs in San Diego’s East County

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

June 26, 2017 (La Mesa) -- “I saw Jurassic Park, I know how this ends!” said MAX 105.7 FM DJ Rob Zilla of his fellow DJ, Karen “ChaCha” Harlow.  ChaCha was sitting in a self-styled snake pit with a red-tailed boa, among other reptiles, at La Mesa’s Grossmont Center’s courtyard on Saturday, June 24^th.  It was all part of the job—for a good cause of bringing in food donations for The Jacob & Cushman San Diego Food Bank.  Thankfully, Jurassic Park’s grisly endings went unrealized.

By Miriam Raftery

June 26, 2017 (Ocotillo) - In 1966, Jim Bruce Robinson was killed in action during the Vietnam War. He was 21 years old.  A memorial plaque and towering cross were erected in his memory in Ocotillo Wells, across the street from the home where his family still lives. 

Cost is key concern, though measure could advance with reforms in 2018

By Miriam Raftery

June 26, 2017 (Sacramento) – Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon has pulled the plug on the Healthy California Act, or Senate Bill 562, which would have provided free universal healthcare to all Californians.

By Miriam Raftery

June 26, 2017 (La Mesa) – Jessica McElfresh is an attorney who co-authored Measure U, the ballot measure approved by La Mesa voters to allow medical marijuana dispensaries to operate legally in the city.  Now she’s facing felony charges of conspiring to use flammable, volatile and toxic chemicals to extract hash oil from marijuana and sell it out of state. She is also accused of misleading investigators, helping her client hide illegal operations, and destroying evidence.

By Miriam Raftery

June 25, 2017 (Alpine) – The Alpine Community Network (ACN) reports that on the morning of June 21^st,  an Alpine resident found a large “fireworks” placed under a tree beneath a child’s window, where it could have caused major damage, injury or a fire.

Neighbors’ surveillance cameras reveal young men in a sedan got out and planted the lit firecracker intentionally, then sped off in the vehicle with other occupants. View two videos from different angles:  https://www.facebook.com/jill.deprizio/videos/10100949687765259/ https://www.facebook.com/jill.deprizio/videos/10100949687051689/

Update:  Cal Fire has corrected the size of this fire to 46 acres based on more accurate mapping.  Evacuated residents have been allowed to return home.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alert Service

June 25, 2017 2:15 p.m. (Mesa Grande) – A brush fire burning in Cleveland National Forest has scorched 75 acres and is now threatening two homes, Cal Fire reports.  The blaze began on Black Canyon Road near the Mesa Grande Reservation, about a mile north of Lake Sutherland in Ramona.

The fire is burning at a moderate rate of spread and is zero percent contained. Cal Fire is battling the blaze along with U.S. Forest Service firefighters.  #BlackFire.

If you have photos, eyewitness reports or other information please email editor@eastcountymagazine.org and post in comments below.

East County News Service

June 25, 2017 (Julian) – The Julian Triangle Club invites you to help solve a hilarious crime at a murder mystery theater set for July 28^th from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the historic Julian town hall ‘s lower level (2129 Main Street, Julian).  Dinner will be catered by Jeremy’s On the Hill.

By Miriam Raftery

Hear our interview by clicking the audio link above.

June 25, 2017 (San Diego) – East County Magazine sat down for an interview with Morgan,  the San Diego Union-Tribune reporter who has been named “Journalist of the Year” by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) in San Diego. 

In our exclusive interview, aired earlier this month on KNSJ radio, we asked what led her to investigate Congressman Duncan D. Hunter’s campaign finances, how his office responded, and what challenges she faced in her investigation.  Cook’s findings helped lead to an ongoing U.S. Justice Department criminal probe of allegations that Hunter spent lavish sums on personal expenditures and charged them to his campaign, including a family vacation to Italy , expensive jewelry, resort visits, money paid to his children’s school, first-class airfare for his son’s pet rabbit, and more. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Mark and Miriam Raftery

June 24, 2017 (Del Mar) – Whether you’re hankering to watch a Wild West shootout, taste a bacon-wrapped cactus or sip a glass of Screamin’ Chief 4th Alarm grand cuvee wine, you’ll find plenty to  hold your attention at the 2017 San Diego County Fair at Del Mar.

This year’s theme is “How the West was won.”   So we started our visit by moseying through a tunnel to Frontier Town, which is here until July 2. The fair itself runs through the 4^th of July.

By Miriam Raftery

June 24, 2017 (San Diego) – Robert Branch, a security officer charged with criminal offenses after he filed a civil rights lawsuit against the San Diego Sheriff’s Department alleging excessive use of force has been acquitted of all charges.  Branch’s evidence included a cell phone video he took as off-duty Sheriff’s detective Paul Ward choked him into unconsciousness in Del Cerro.

Branch, who is African-American, has said Ward swerved to block him from passing on an onramp, forcing him onto the shoulder, then pursued him for 10 miles before Branch pulled off I-8 in Del Cerro, where the confrontation occurred. Ward claimed Branch passed him on I-8 and nearly struck his vehicle.

By Rachel Williams

Video:  interview with homeless woman Lorraine Leighton

June 23, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Lorraine Leighton was among hundreds of homeless people who connected at Rock Church in El Cajon on June 2nd. More than 30 organizations offered health care and legal services for rebuilding a healthy, safe life.

East County News Service

June 21, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the return of caboose rides at the Campo railway depot, the Broadway Tenors onstage at Sycuan, a flea market in Alpine, and Elvis tribute artist Scott Bruce in El Cajon.

Plus, we have a preview coming attractions including Fourth of July fireworks, parades and picnics, Descanso Days, the Pine Valley Parade, astronomy on Mt. Helix, and music superstars Lionel Ritchie and Mariah Carey coming to the Viejas Arena at San Diego State.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!