By Donald H. Harrison

Originally published at San Diego Jewish World, a member of the San Diego Online News Network

Photo:  Kumeyaay elders by T.J. Dixon and James Nelson

December 8, 2019 (San Diego) - The Visitors and Interpretive Center of Mission Trails Regional Park is low-tech compared to razzmatazz commercial attractions like Disneyland or Sea World, but it effectively teaches about Native American life and about nature. Its exhibits appeal to a full range of age groups with a variety of learning styles.

By Miriam Raftery

December 8, 2019 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police Department is warning the public about a rise in street robberies, some targeting elderly men. The robberies have occurred in the vicinity of the 1000 block of East Main Street and the 800 block of Buena Terrace in recent weeks.

Sophia Ramos and Baylee Vanderdoes both had double-doubles

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

December 7, 2019 (San Jose) - The Aztec women’s basketball team (4-6, 1-1) fell to San Jose State (7-3, 2-0) 84-67 on the road Saturday afternoon.

Taylor Kalmer and Sophia Ramos each posted season-highs to lead SDSU in scoring. Kalmer finished with a career-high 22 points and Sophia Ramos stuffed the stat sheet, finishing with 20 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Baylee Vanderdoes recorded a double-double as well, recording 10 points and 10 rebounds.

By Miriam Raftery

December 6, 2019 (San Diego) – Congressman Duncan D. Hunter today issued a statement which reads,"Shortly after the holidays I will resign from Congress.  I has been an honor to serve the people of California's 50th District, and I greatly appreciate the trust they have put in me over these last 11 years." 

The announcement comes after Hunter pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to misuse campaign funds for personal use. His sentencing is scheduled in March. He could face up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine, the amount that he and his wife were accused of taking from the campaign coffers.

But prison and a hefty fine may not be the only penalties for his actions.

Accident occurs soon after County Fire Authority/Cal Fire hauled away four-wheel-drive ambulances and fire engines formerly run by Julian’s volunteer fire department

County, Cal Fire and Mercy Medical Transportation fail to answer questions or provide solutions to prevent future fiascos

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

December 6, 2019 (Julian) -- As San Diegans rushed up to the mountain community of Julian last Saturday to play in the snow, a Mercy Medical Transportation, Inc. two-wheel drive ambulance under contract to the San Diego County Fire Authority and Cal Fire missed a curve on State Highway 78, landed off the side of the road and got stuck in snow for hours.

The incident occurred at 8:15 a.m. near Jess Martin Park. According to sources familiar with the situation, the two-man crew had been dispatched all the way from Valley Center, since Julian no longer has a locally stationed ambulance. The crew was reportedly unhurt and had been on the way to Julian Fire Station No. 56. It wasn’t until around 1 p.m. that a tow truck arrived to extricate the ambulance. It is unclear why neither Mercy or Cal Fire could provide a winch to free the vehicle sooner.

By Miriam Raftery

December 5, 2019 (San Diego) – In a bipartisan action, today leaders of the House Ethics Committee sent Congressman Duncan D. Hunter a letter notifying him that he should no longer cast any votes in the House, due to his guilty plea on conspiracy to misuse campaign funds for personal expenditures.

While the order is not mandatory, the letter threatens disciplinary action if he fails to comply, which could include expulsion from the House. The letter was signed by Ethics Chairman Ted Deutch of Florida, a Democrat, and ranking member Kenny Marchant, a Republican.

Hunter has previously been stripped by Republicans in the House of serving on any committees. His 50th Congresional district is thus left without representation on all voting matters, though his staff can continue to provide constituent services. 

He could resume voting if reelected, but if he chooses to run for reelection in 2020, he could be in prison and unable to serve. Hunter is slated for sentencing in March and could face up to five years in prison plus a quarter of a million dollar fine – the same amount he was accused of embezzling from his campaign.

Source: Border Patrol 

December 5, 2019 (Dulzura) -- On Thanksgiving Day, a 34-year-old Mexican national with life threatening injuries was left behind by a criminal organization that tried smuggling him into the country.  

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

December 4, 2019 (Fort Collins, Colo.) - Malachi Flynn had 23 points as San Diego State stretched its season-opening winning streak to nine games, rolling past Colorado State 79-57 on Wednesday night.

December 4, 2019 (San Diego) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media.  This week's round-up stories include:  

LOCAL

• Yadira Altamirano chosen as new Lemon Grove council member (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• State: Poway’s water woes due to out-of-compliance infrastructure  (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Gov. Newsom Appoints Mark Arabo to California’s Workforce Development Board (Times of San Diego)
• Lemon Grove sales tax measure headed for March 2020 ballot faces legal challenge (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Immigrant bond fund helped free migrants from ICE detention this year (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Judge tosses out lawsuit against San Onofre operator, regulator and contractor  San Diego Union-Tribune)
• City manager to be tasked with approving certain special events in La Mesa (San Diego Union-Tribune)

STATE

• California to send millions of dollars to cities to combat homelessness (San Jose Mercury News)
• California could lose housing leverage over cities under court ruling (San Francisco Chronicle)
• ICE Tries To Extend Private Detention Contracts Before State Law Ban  (KPBS)
• California should take over PG&E and possibly other utilities, former top regulator says (Los Angeles Times)
• This theater has attracted movie stars and Catalina Island residents for 90 years. Now, it may call it a night (Los Angeles Times) 

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

December 4, 2019 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• Parkinson's Treatment Has Unexpected Side Effect (HealthDay)
• Vaping lung injury cases rise to 2,290, CDC says (CNN)
• Life Expectancy Shrinks for Working-Age Adults (WebMD)

SCIENCE & TECH

• Robocall crackdown sails through the impeachment noise (Politico)
• That smart TV you just bought may be spying on you, FBI warns (CNN)
• Charging Stations Could Be Stealing Your Data (NBC 7)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

By Miriam Raftery

December 4, 2019 (San Diego) - Kaiser Permanente’s 4,000 psychologists, therapists, social workers and other healthcare professionals are going on strike for five days starting Monday, Dec. 16 at more than 100 medical facilities across California.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

Dec. 4, 2019 (Jamul) Want your picture with a Santa that is registered with FORBS (fraternal order of the real bearded santas)? And, not only that, but have your picture in a Christmas-themed treehouse built by Treehouse Masters of Animal Planet fame?

Your chance to do that is here.  Kathie Wellington, of Jamul, is offering that opportunity and more this weekend, Dec. 7 -8^th, from 9 a.m. -4 p.m.  The cost is $50 per family but is a fundraiser for families in need. Originally, Santa’s Treehouse opened Christmas 2013.

Waterspouts possible in coastal areas

East County News Service

Photo: Creative Commons via N.A.

December 3, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Thunderstorms Wednesday is expected to bring moderate to heavy rainfall and lightning strikes to our region. Bursts of moderate to heavy rain will raise the threat for street flooding in areas with poor drainage or low lying areas prone to flooding. Rain falling on snow covered or frozen ground could also lead to enhanced runoff and localized flooding in the mountains.

Waterspouts are possible over coastal waters and the National Weather Service’s Skywarn activation may be requested on Wednesday. Surf could reach nine feet along San Diego’s coastline.