Some GOP members of Congress sought pardons for their roles in failed coup attempt, refused to testify, Cheney says

View video of the complete hearing

By Miriam Raftery

June 10, 2022 (Washington D.C.) -- The Senate’s Select Committee investigating the violent January 6, 2020 attack on the U.S. Capitol presented several shocking revelations during its first public hearing televised in prime time on June 9.

Chairman Bennie Thompson called the Jan. 6 attack an attempted “coup” (hear audio) and made clear that former President Donald Trump knew that the election was not stolen. He played video of Trump’s Attorney General, Bill Barr, testifying that Barr had repeatedly told Trump that there was no evidence of election fraud, even advising the President that such claims were “bulls**t.”  (hear audio). Thompson said the committee will prove in subsequent hearings that Trump organized a coup in an attempt to violently overthrow the U.S. government.

Next, ranking Republican Liz Cheney provided more evidence that Trump knew his stolen election claims were false. Even Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, told the selection committee that she believed Attorney General Barr.  (hear audio). Top campaign advisors to the President also counseled him that he had lost the election, and 62 judges including some appointed by Trump found no evidence of fraud.

Cheney asserted that Trump oversaw a seven-part plan to overturn the 2020 election.

A committee source told CNN that those seven steps were:

East County News Service

June 9, 2022 (San Diego) – Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-San Diego) received over 60% of the vote in the primary election. She will run off on November 8 against Stan Caplan, a small business owner who received just under 38% of the vote. 

By Miriam Raftery

After months of closed-door investigations, the House of Representatives’ January 6 Committee is holding its first hearings with public testimony about what transpired during the assault on the U.S. Capitol, including evidence expected to show coordination among extremist groups and potentially, the Trump campaign and White House insiders.

All major TV networks (except Fox) will be carrying the hearings live in prime time including ABC, NBC, CBS,NPR, PBS, C-Span and MSNBC; the latter will also have pre-and post-event coverage.

The first public hearing will be aired tonight, June 9 at 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, followed by five additional days of early morning hearings over the next two weeks. 

Here is the full schedule, listed with local viewing time for San Diego:

East County News Service

June 8, 2022 (San Diego) – A significant warming trend brings a heat wave to our region starting today through the weekend, along with elevated fire weather conditions due to heat and very low humidity. Winds with gusts up to 50 miles per hour over the mountains and deserts on Sunday will exacerbate wildfire dangers, the National Weather Service predicts.

Temperatures in the deserts could reach 110 to 115 degrees. Those without air conditioning, adequate hydration or who are engaged in strenuous outdoor activities will be at risk due to the high heat. Even nights will be warm, with low temperatures in the 80s.

Update June 8, 2022:  With 21.5% of the vote counted,  Jones' lead has widened. The Senator now has 53.9%; Rocha has 46.1%.  The pair will face off again in November.

By Miriam Raftery

June 7, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – East County closest election contest is shaping up in the newly redrawn 40^th State Senate District. The incumbent, Republican Senator Brian Jones, has 51.36% of the vote in early election returns. Close on his heels is former Navy veteran and Marine Corps prosecutor Joseph Rocha with 48.64%.

Update June 8, 2022:  With 21.5% of the vote counted, Undersheriff Martinez now has 38.09%, followed by Hemmerling with 20.42% and Myers with 17.85%. The top two will run off in November.

By Miriam Raftery

June 7, 2022 (San Diego) – Early results after polls closed tonight show Undersheriff Kelly Martinez with a strong lead in the race to become San Diego County’s next Sheriff. Martinez has 39.5% in a field of seven contenders. The top two will run off in November. Currently retired prosecutor, police officer and ex- Marine John Hemmerling has 19.9%, trailed closely by retired Sheriff Commander Dave Myers at 17.8%..

Martinez, a Democrat, has the endorsement of former Sheriff Bill Gore and the San Diego Gun Owners Association. Myers is endorsed by the Democratic Party, while Hemmerling is the Republican Party’s endorsed candidate.

Source:  San Diego Sheriff's Department

June 6, 2022 (San Diego) - Emergencies can happen to anyone, anywhere at any time. When you need to be quiet and making a phone call could place you in danger, Text to 9-1-1 is available in San Diego County.

East County News Service

Update June 6, 2022:  The U.S. Navy  has identified the deceased as Electronics Technician 2nd Class John Deltoro, 29. All five sailors involved in the crash are assigned to West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare units.

June 3, 2022 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Four women in the U.S. Navy were injured and a Navy man died in a solo vehicle crash in Jacumba Hot Springs this morning.

By Katie Cadiao, County of San Diego Communications Office

Video by James Kecskes

June 2, 2022 (San Diego) - The County of San Diego on Wednesday kicked off its 2022 Cool Zones program to help San Diegans beat the heat this summer. Cool Zones are free, air-conditioned locations, available throughout the region, where people can go to escape extreme temperatures.

UPDATE AS OF 5/31:  road work has been DELAYED.  It has been moved to June 1 due to construction material delays.

Through vehicles detoured at Washington Street and B Street May 8-11

East County News Service

May 5, 2022 (Julian) – Caltrans crews will limit vehicle access to a one-block section of State Route 78 (Main Street)between Washington Street and B Street in Julian starting Mother's Day (Sunday, May 8) at 8 p.m. through Wednesday, May 11 at 5 p.m. for drainage repairs.

By Ken Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  San Diego Bishop Robert McElroy will be able to enter a conclave to elect the next pope after Francis dies or retires. Photo by Chris Stone

May 29, 2022 (San Diego) - Bishop Robert McElroy of the San Diego Roman Catholic Diocese was elevated to cardinal Sunday — thus becoming eligible to be elected pope someday.

Motorists advised to allow additional travel time for lane closures and detours

East County News Service

May 28, 2022 (San Diego) - Construction crews will reduce lanes on westbound and eastbound Interstate 8 (I-8) at State Route 67 (SR-67)/Magnolia Avenue Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for electrical work, according to Caltrans. At least one lane will remain open in each direction for traffic. The work is part of the I-8/SR-67 Bridge Repair Project.

By Elijah McKee

May 24, 2022 (El Cajon) — “I don’t care if y’all heard this a million times but I’m about to make it a million and one: banning abortions only bans safe ones,” proclaimed Huda Ahmed from the steps of the Grossmont Union School District offices during East County Justice Coalition’s (ECJC) reproductive rights rally on May 18. 

The rally was the first of its kind in East County since the U.S. Supreme Court draft ruling was leaked two weeks prior, alerting the public of the threat to federally protected abortion access. If the decision authored by Justice Samuel Alito stands as written, it would allow states to outlaw all abortions, even when a mother’s life is in danger or in cases of rape or incest.

By Matthew Manosh 

Video courtesy County News Service

May 22, 2022 (Spring Valley) -- On Friday, May 13th, the grand opening of the Ildica County Park located at 8604 Ildica St. in Spring Valley took place. The new park is about half an acre and includes a play area, exercise equipment and a 20-plot community garden.

East County News Service

May 22, 2022 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced a voluntary recall of numerous Jif peanut butter products by J.M. Smucker due to a multi-state outbreak of salmonella senftenberginfections linked to the popular peanut butter brand. The products were distributed nationally and sold through major retailers and other outlets nationwide.