By Mark Hughes, SanDiego350

February 19, 2017 (San Diego) -- On Wednesday, 2/15/17, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors entertained public input on their Comprehensive Renewable Energy Plan (CREP). Twenty-one members of the public provided comment. Twenty of those speaking urged the Supervisors to approve spending $200,000 on a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA, also known as Community Choice Energy) feasibility study. The completion of this kind of study is typically done prior to establishing a CCA program. Only one commenter opposed funding the study.

By May Strong

February 19, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – An outcry raised by citizens nationwide over the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s removal of all animal welfare records off its website, as well as a lawsuit filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, has resulted in partial restoration.  But the Humane Society says that’s not enough, and is threatening litigation to force the agency to restore records relied upon by the public and animal rights organizations.

By Miriam Raftery

February 19, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – The Senate, by a 52-46 vote, has confirmed Scott Pruitt to head up the Environmental Protection Agency, even though he has sued the EPA over a dozen times as Attorney General for Oklahoma, joining with oil companies in an effort to weaken environmental protections, Reuters reports.

Photo: This red, three-wheeled walker and wooden cane were found near the train tracks where an unidentified man was struck and killed Tuesday night. The Medical Examiner is asking for the public to contact them if they know who owned these items.

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications

February 19, 2017 (San Diego) -- The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office is seeking the public’s help in identifying an older man who was struck by an Amtrak train last Tuesday night in Oceanside. A red three-wheeled walker and a wooden cane were found nearby and are believed to belong to the man.

From the Editors of E - The Environmental Magazine

Photo: Tesla Motors will produce more lithium ion batteries in its new Nevada Gigafactory than were produced worldwide in 2013. Credit: Nakhon100, Flickr CC.

February 19, 2017 (San Diego) -- Dear EarthTalk: I’ve heard that one of the big hurdles to growth in renewables is energy storage. What’s new in the world of battery technologies? And will better forms of storage really accelerate the development of solar, wind and other alternative forms of energy?  -- Maxwell Jay, Erie, PA

Source: goaztecs.com

Photo:  Andrew Martinez had four hits including a pair of doubles over the first two games vs. Pacific.  Courtesy goaztecs.com

February 18, 2017 (San Diego) - Right after the completion of Friday's rain-delayed opening day game, which the Aztecs won 11-5, both teams took the field again for game two.  This time, Pacific had the upper hand as they beat the Aztecs 5-1.

East County News Service

Hear our interview, originally aired February 3, 2017 on KNSJ 89.1 FM radio, by clicking the audio link.

“It wasn’t the e-mails; it was the white males,” – Bonnie Price, on sexism she believed prevented Hillary Clinton from becoming president

February 18, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Spring Valley resident Bonnie Price is a long-time women’s rights advocate, political scientist and feminist. In January, shortly after Price marched in the historic women’s march in San Diego, we interviewed her about her concerns over the erosion of women’s  rights that she spent much of her lifetime fighting to attain.

 Price has advocated for women’s causes from equal pay to the equal rights amendment.  She once established a Planned Parenthood clinic in rural Pennsylvania. She’s also been active in recruiting women  to run for political office through the nonpartisan Run Women Run and has served as president of the East County Democratic Club. A supporter of Hillary Clinton’s presidential aspirations, Price still hopes to see the ultimate glass ceiling broken in her lifetime. 

Scroll down to read highlights of her commetns , or click the audio link to hear our full interview.

By Miriam Raftery

February 18, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego Supervisors have rejected plans for a renewable energy overlay zone feasibility study, which would have cost an estimated half million dollars. The action came during a hearing on a Comprehensive Renewable Energy Plan.

Donna Tisdale, Chair of the Boulevard Planning Group and founder of Backcountry Against Dumps (BAD), voiced relief at the Supervisors’ rejection of the overlay zone.  “A renewable energy overlay zone would fast track any projects located within the designated boundaries. Based on some previous information, we had concerns that a renewable energy overlay zone would be placed over the Boulevard Planning Area and/or the Jacumba Planning Area,” she told ECM.

East County News Service

February 17, 2017 (El Cajon) -- The Voices of the City Choir will appear in concert at the El Cajon Library, located at 201 E. Douglas Avenue, Saturday, March 4, at 2:00 p.m.  The 30-voice ensemble, composed of homeless singers, will present a wide-ranging program of ballads, jazz, and gospel infused pop songs, backed up by a professional, 3-piece rhythm section.

East County News Service

February 17, 2017 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, will host a free program on “Coloring for Stress Relief” from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 22. The program is part of the library’s “Wellness Wednesday” series, normally held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served. Advance RSVP is not necessary. Handouts will be available.

By Miriam Raftery

February 17, 2017 (Washington  D.C.) – President Donald Trump has announced a new nominee to head up the Department of Labor, following  fast food executive Andrew Puzder’s withdrawal of his nomination.  The new nominee, Alexander Acosta, has extensive experience in labor and the law.  If confirmed by the Senate,  Acosta will also be the first Hispanic in Trump’s cabinet.

Source: goaztecs.com

Photo:  Julie McDonald tossed a three-hit shutout to help SDSU beat UC Riverside 3-0.  Courtesy goaztecs.com

February 16, 2017 (San Diego) - Julie McDonald (Carlsbad, Calif./Carlsbad HS) tossed a three-hit shutout against UC Riverside to help San Diego State to a split at the 27^th annual Campbell/Cartier Classic Thursday at SDSU Softball Stadium. The Aztecs (3-4) first downed the Highlanders (1-5), 3-0, before falling to No. 8/9 Washington, 6-5, later in the night.

Source:  Public Watchdogs

Photo: recently as 1881, the coastline from Northern Orange County to Central San Diego County was officially known as “Earthquake Bay.”