SENATE STRUGGLES TO REVIVE HEALTHCARE REPEAL—WITH NO REPLACEMENT PLAN

 

By Miriam Raftery

July 25, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – By a slim one-vote margin, Republicans in the Senate voted to open debate on repealing and replacing Obamacare. Senator John McCain flew back from Arizona after brain cancer surgery to vote in favor, with Vice President Mike Pence casting the tie-breaking vote to open debate. But then the bill to gut healthcare for millions of Americans, while granting tax breaks to the wealthy, failed passage.


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LEMON GROVE TURNS 40: YEAR-LONG CELEBRATION STARTS AUGUST 1ST

 

By Helen Ofield, Lemon Grove Historical Society

July 25, 2017 (Lemon Grove) -- Lemon Grove became California's 414th city on July 1, 1977. We're 40!  Our City has planned festivities for every council meeting from Aug. 1, 2017 to June 19, 2018. After that, we have to settle down and just be 41, so don't miss this.


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DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: JULY 28-AUGUST 26

 

East County News Service

July 25, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Pine Valley Days, outdoor concerts, a murder mystery theatre in Julian and a 40th birthday party for the city of Lemon Grove.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including concerts in the park, a Sip of Julian, the Heart of Mt. Helix, a star party campout at Oakoasis, a dive-in movie and ice skating at Kroc Center, the Chippendales at Sycuan, the Ramona Country Fair, and Laurel and Hardy comedy clips in Spring Valley.

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


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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS

 

July 25, 2017 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL

STATE

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


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PASSAGES: H. DAIL RANKIN, 1944-2017, INSURANCE AGENT AND LINCOLN HIGH REUNION ORGANIZER

 

East County News Service

July 25, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- H. Dail Rankin succumbed to a heart attack on June 14, 2017 after a lengthy battle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and complications caused by chemotherapy.  Born January 24,1944, he attended local schools and became known to many in East County through the years as an Allstate Insurance agent, a Standard Brands Paints manager, and the organizer of multi-class reunions for Lincoln High School.


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PLAN WILL PRESERVE 410 ACRES OF OPEN SPACE, BUT CLOSE THREE LAKESIDE TRAILS UNLESS PUBLIC SPEAKS OUT BY JULY 31

 

By Miriam Raftery

July 22, 2017 (Lakeside) – In a strongly worded “Eye on East County” column, Californian editor Albert Fulcher has criticized a proposal before the county to close three public trails in Lakeside, a proposal that he calls a “recipe for disaster.”

The proposal involves  Lakeside Downs  (parcel S302)  west of State Route 67  near Eucalyptus Hills and Oak Creek Drives. This land has been acquired by the Endangered Habitat League (EHL), which has previously shut down other public trails on land that it has obtained.


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RURAL RESIDENTS AND COUNTY WORKERS VOICE OPPOSITION TO PROPOSAL FOR OUTSOURCING ANIMAL SERVICES

 

By Julie Pendray

Photo: Animal Services worker evacuates pets during Border Fire

July 25, 2017 (Ramona) -- A public meeting about the County’s possible outsourcing of animal welfare services in unincorporated areas drew criticism last week from union members and some residents in this town, where memories of evacuating horses and other animals during the Witch Creek and Cedar wildfires are still scorched deeply into local culture.


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COURTYARD MARRIOTT IS HIRING: AUGUST 9 EVENT IN EL CAJON

 

East County News Service

July 24, 2017 (El Cajon) – The Courtyard San Diego Marriott hotel opening soon in El Cajon is now hiring for positions including  front desk associates,  housekeeping and laundry positions.  The East County Career Center will host the Courtyard on Wednesday, August 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.


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SHERIFF’S VEHICLE HITS TROLLEY IN SANTEE

 

East County News Service

July 24, 2017 (Santee) – Deputies from the Santee Sheriff’s station responding to a vehicle fire this morning in Santee collided with a southbound trolley at Prospect Avenue and Cuyamaca Street.

The deputies entered the intersection with lights flashing and sirens on.  Twelve passengers were in the trolley, but fortunately no injuries were reported, the Sheriff’s Department reports.


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CONGRESS AND WHITE HOUSE SEEK TO GUT CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU

 

East County News Service

July 24, 2017 (Washington D.C.) -- The Trump administration and the Republican leaders in Congress are looking to gut the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, GovExec reports. The bureau was established in 2011 during the financial crisis and mortgage market collapse, as part of the Dodd-Frank reforms to protect consumers from deceptive and misleading actions by the financial industry.


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CONGRESS TO IMPOSE NEW SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA AND REQUIRE CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW OF ANY EFFORT BY TRUMP TO EASE SANCTIONS

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Kremlin

July 24, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – In a stinging rebuke of President Donald Trump’s cozy relationship with Russia, The House and Senate have agreed on a bill to impose new sanctions on Russia over its efforts to meddle in the U.S. election and Russian aggression in the Ukraine.  The bill also prohibits Trump from easing those sanctions without Congressional approval.  The Republican-controlled Congress is said to have mustered a veto-proof majority in both Houses for the bill.


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CHICK-FIL-A IN LA MESA, SANTEE HOSTING "DADDY-DAUGHTER DATE NIGHT" ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 1ST

 

 

East County News Service

July 24, 2017 (San Diego's East County) – The 10 Chick-fil-A restaurants in San Diego County, including the restaurants at 9418 Mission Gorge Road in Santee and 8200 Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa, will host a “Daddy-Daughter Date Night” for fathers and daughters from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 1.


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AS FREED SYRIANS BURN BURQAS, TRUMP GIVES WIN TO PUTIN BY ENDING AID TO SYRIAN REBELS

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: UK Independent Twitter feed

July 24, 2017 (Raqqa, Syria) -- Women in Raqqa, Syria are burning their burqas and men are shaving off their beards in celebration of being liberated from the Islamic State, or ISIS, by U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish fighting group. British media reports photos and interviews of joyful, freed Syrians who had been forced to endure ISIS occupation of their city.


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COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP DAYS IN BOULEVARD, JACUMBA AND POTRERO

 

East County News Service

July 23, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – The Real East County Fire Safe Council, EDCO and Team E invite you to bring your trash, green waste, e-waste and brush to community clean-up day events coming up in Boulevard, Jacumba Hot Springs and Potrero. This is a free service to community residents.


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PRESIDENTS CAN BE INDICTED WHILE IN OFFICE, LONG-SECRET KEN STARR MEMO SAYS

 

By Miriam Raftery

July 23, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – As the special investigation into Trump-Russia ties proceeds, the question of whether a president can be indicted while in office has arisen. Now, the New York Times has obtained a secret memo prepared by Ken Starr, independent counsel during the Bill Clinton presidency, which concluded it is “proper, constitutional, and legal for a federal grand jury to indict a sitting president for serious criminal acts that are not part of, and are contrary to, the president’s official duties.”  In addition, an earlier 1974 memo written for Watergate special counsel Leon Jaworski similarly found that he could legally indict President Richard Nixon.


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LEMON GROVE DENIES ZONING CLEARANCE FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY

 

By Jonathan Goetz

July 23, 2017 (Lemon Grove) - The Lemon Grove City Council voted 5-0 on Tuesday to deny a zoning clearance appeal for a medical marijuana dispensary in the 7300 block of Broadway because it is within 1,000 feet of two small daycare centers, one on Broadway and the other on Citrus.


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NEIGHBORS’ COMPLAINTS LEAD TO SEVEN ARRESTS IN RAMONA

 

By Miriam Raftery

July 23, 2017 (Ramona) – Complaints by neighbors of suspicious activity led to a search warrant for a property in the 500 block of F Street in Ramona early this morning.  SWAT team members and deputies with the Sheriff’s crime suppression team found firearms, drugs, drug paraphernalia and suspected stolen property.


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ONCE IN A BLUE MOON: DINNER AND AUCTION TO BENEFIT LAKESIDE RIVER PARK CONSERVANCY SEPT. 16

 

East County News Service

July 22, 2017 (Lakeside) – Lakeside’s River Park Conservancy will present its 11th annual Once in a Blue Moon Gala and Auction at the River Valley Equestrian Center on September 16.

You’re invited to help honor partners in conservation and raise funds for science programs for kids. This year’s event includes an exhibition polo match starting at 5 p.m., with the night concluding at 8 p.m.


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300-ACRE LOST FIRE BURNING NEAR WARNER SPRINGS

 

Update July 23, 2017 8 p.m.-- The fire is 40% contained and has burned 255 acres. The evacuation advisory for Chihuahua Valley Road has been lifted as firefighters make good progress on this fire.

Update July 23, 2017, 8:20 a.m. (Warner Springs) -- With better mapping the fire is now estimated at 210 acres. Cleveland National Forest and CAL FIRE are fighting it in a joint command.  Hiikers are urge to avoid the Pacific Crest trail in the area. An evacuation advisory is in effect for Chihuahua Valley Road.

East County News Service

July 22, 2017 (Warner Springs) -- A 300-acre wildfire dubbed the #LostFire is burning four miles north of Warner Springs and is zero percent contained ths evening, according to County Emergency Services and CAL FIRE.

The blaze began at the Indian Flats Campground off State Route 79.  Indian Flats campground has been evacuated. Hwy 79 closed at Indian Flats Rd., Chihuahua Valley Rd. and Puerta LaCruz Rd


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LISTEN NOW: OUR JUNE 2017 RADIO SHOWS ARE NOW ONLINE

 

July 22, 2017 (San Diego's East County)-- Our June 2017 radio shows are now online. For links to listen to the shows plus a full list of topics an interviews,  click here, or click "read more" and scroll down. (Sound files may take a few moments to load).

Our newsmaker interviews included El Cajon’s new Councilman Steve Goble, Morgan Cook, the San Diego Union-Tribune Reporter named Journalist of the Year by the San Diego Union-Tribune for her investigation of  Rep. Duncan Hunter,  Glenn Jensen, a Democrat and information  technology specialist running against Hunter, and Dr. James Veltmeyer, a doctor with a conservative proposal for healthcare reform. Plus we had coverage on hot local, state and national issues. 

 The East County Magazine Show airs Mondays and Fridays from 5 to 6 p.m. on KNSJ, 89.1 FM.  Our shows rerun on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.  Read more and listen to our June shows:

Audio: 


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EL CAJON “WITHIN WEEKS OF SEEING SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT HAPPENING” WITH THE EAST COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

 

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo, left:  Robert Clark

July 22, 2017 (El Cajon) - Last week’s City Council meetings saw a new City Clerk, discussion of the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC), approval of a disposition and development agreement for the old police station on Highway 67 and approval of an adult daycare.


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FATAL SHOOTING IN PARKING LOT AT LA MESA RETAIL CENTER

 

East County News Service

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

July 21, 2017 (La Mesa) – An argument ended in fatal gunfire last night around 7 p.m. in the parking lot of a La Mesa shopping center at Baltimore Drive and El Cajon Boulevard. The center houses Burlington Coat Factory, an El Torito restaurant and other retail outlets.


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TIPS FOR A PET-FRIENDLY FAMILY YARD

 

East County News Service

July 21, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - The ASPCA estimates that 78 million dogs are owned in the United States and that about 44% of all households have a dog. TurfMutt – the official spokes dog for the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s environmental education program for students grades K-5–wants to remind homeowners to plan a yard for their family and pet’s play, health and safety. Below are tips for a pet-friendly family yard.


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SDG&E RESPONDS TO POWERLINK MITIGATION QUESTION

 

By Miriam Raftery

July 21, 2017 (Jamul) – At last month’s Jamul-Dulzura Planning Group meeting, concerns were raised over Sunrise Powerlink Mitigation grants – specifically, why some homes near the high voltage line in Deerhorn Valley received no grant money, while homes in Alpine further area where added to the eligible area for grants and did receive funds. Questions have also been raised as to why Alpine has representation on the Sunrise Powerlink Fire Mitigation Board, but Deerhorn Valley/Jamul does not.


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EL CAJON POLICE SET UP FUND TO AID HOMELESS MOTHER OF SEVEN, WHO CAME TO AID OF UNCONSCIOUS OFFICER

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

July 20, 2017 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon Police Officers Association has set up a Go fund me page (https://www.gofundme.com/ieshafund ) for Iesha Booker, a homeless mother of seven who came to the aid of Officer Sioson after he was knocked unconscious by a suspect who continued to assault him, causing serious injuries.

The 34-year-old MTS bus driver, was at the KFC in El Cajon when the assault occurred.  “When everyone else at the KFC stood around shocked, Lesha quickly stepped in, using Officer Sioson’s police radio to transmit `Officer Down at the KFC!’   It was that transmission which allowed us to expedite help to Officer Sioson, quickly arrest the suspect,” says Travis Howard, president of the El Cajon Police Officers Association.


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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW: GLENN JENSEN, CANDIDATE RUNNING AGAINST DUNCAN HUNTER

 

By Miriam Raftery

July 21, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Recently, Glenn Jensen joined us on the East County Magazine Show on KNSJ to talk about his candidacy against Rep. Duncan Hunter in the 50th Congressional District.  A Democrat who calls himself a “recovering Republican”, he’s a lifelong resident of the district,  a graduate of Helix High School who raised his family in East County, helped save homes in the Cedar Fire, and works in information technology sales.  You can hear his full interview by clicking the audio link or scroll down for highlights.

Jensen says he’s running to “set this country back on track” with integrity and a progressive but fiscally responsible agenda.  He’s also concerned about the criminal F.B.I. and Justice Department investigations against Hunter. 

“It’s obvious to me he’s been enriching himself …but has not introduced any legislation to benefit his district,” says Jensen, who calls Hunter's lavish spending of campaign funds on personal uses "pretty damn close to embezzlement." Those expenses included a family vacations to Europe, jewelry, dental bills and airfare for the Hunter family's pet rabbit.  (Hunter has denied wrongdoing, but did borrow money to repay $62,000 to his campaign. Hunter has since spent nearly all of his recent campaign contributions on his legal defense.)

Audio: 

Interview with Glenn Jensen, 50th Congressional District candidate

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REP. HUNTER SPENT VIRTUALLY ALL OF HIS RECENT CAMPAIGN DONATIONS ON LEGAL FEES

 

By Miriam Raftery

July 20, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Amid investigations by the F.B.I. and Justice Department, Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-Alpine) has raised $155,625 for his 2018 campaign—and spent nearly all of it ($152,859) on legal fees, the Los Angeles Times reports.


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SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN, FORMER GOP PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE, HAS BRAIN CANCER

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

July 20, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has been diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain tumor, after having a large blood clot behind his eye removed on Friday.

Glioblastoma is the same type of cancer that claimed the life of Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy.  The average life span after diagnosis is only 14 months, with the cancer nearly always returning, but some have survived for five years or more.

According to a CBS report,  McCain is undergoing gene sequencing to see if there could be a potential for gene therapy.  He will likely also undergo chemotherapy and radiation.


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SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS PRESENTS FOUR AWARDS TO EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: Award-winning  journalists Rachel Williams, Rebecca Jefferis-Williamson, Jonathan Goetz, Miriam Raftery

July 20, 2017  (San Diego) – The Society of Professional Journalists San Diego Pro Chapter last night present four awards to East County Magazine at last night's awards banquet held at the Kona Kai resort, bringing ECM’s awards total to 101 since our inception in 2008. 

This year’s awards for our team, shared among five photojournalists, honored coverage of Border Fire controversies, the shooting of Alfred Olango and ensuing civil unrest in El Cajon, Syrian refugees, and ourradio broadcast of the Helix Water District candidate forum.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: SDG&E SHOULD UNDERGROUND HIGH-VOLTAGE LINES ALONG HIGHWAY 76

 

By Jerry Fisher, Santa Ysabel

Photo: Power poles stacked in Pauma Valley

July 20, 2017 (Pauma Valley) -- Living in the peace and quiet of San Diego County rural lands has been a great joy since our retirement in 1997. It certainly is a different world from Point Loma. It is like being in heaven having 3-4 deer, within a flock of 20 wild turkeys, greet my wife, myself, our cat and dog in our yard.

In my first summer after high school, my introduction to our forest lands was with the Laguna Hotshots, fighting forest fires in the 1950's. We were re-introduced to fire in the 2003 and 2007 fires near our home.

Seeing the SDG&E steel poles, stacked in a field in Pauma Valley, caused me to reflect. Those wires are potentially dangerous and lethal; similar wires have caused ignition in other places including the 2007 firestorms.


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