Source:  Attorney General Becerra's office

June 15, 2017 (Sacramento) - California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today issued a consumer alert to warn Californians about a tobacco scam circulating on the internet. The scam suggests individuals can sign up to receive payments under the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. This is false, as individuals are not entitled to receive payments under the Agreement, which is between state governments and tobacco companies. All payments under the Settlement are made to state and local governments.

First 100 Campout participants to pack 10,000 meals benefitting a local organization

East County News Service

June 15, 2017 (La Mesa) -- Franchise owner Rick Preciado will open the La Mesa Chick-fil-A restaurant on June 22, bringing 100 new jobs and the chance for the first 100 eligible adults to win free Chick-fil-A for a year while also packaging 10,000 meals for the hungry as they count down to the opening.

“President Trump has placed a death sentence for the Christians that currently face deportation to Iraq.” – Mark Arabo, President, Minority Humanitarian Foundation, San Diego

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Miriam Raftery:  Iraqis Chaldeans and Assyrian Christians at Santa Sophia's Church in Spring Valley held a mass to mourn the murder of  Iraqi Christians  in a Baghdad church in 2010.

June 15, 2017 (San Diego) -- A class action lawsuit has been filed against the federal government in Michigan seeking to halt deportation of Iraqi refugees to Iraq. The suit seeks protections for over 100 Chaldean Christian detainees,  as well as other religious minorities including Shiite Muslims, Kurds, and Yezidis who would could face persecution, torture or death at the hands of ISIS if returned to war-torn Iraq.

“Not only is it immoral to send people to a country where they are likely to be violently persecuted, it expressly violates United States and international law and treaties,” said Kary Moss, Executive Director for the ACLU of Michigan, in a statement on the ACLU website. “We are hoping that the courts will recognize the extreme danger that deportation to Iraq would pose for these individuals. Our immigration policy shouldn’t amount to a death sentence for anyone.”

East County News Service

June 14, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - A long duration heat wave is forecast to develop across the deserts in southern California beginning Friday and lasting through much of next week.  How hot could it get?  Temperatures could reach 114 degrees in Palm Springs.  Here in San Diego County, Borrego Springs could hit 108 degrees, Ramona 96 degrees and Alpine 94 degrees.

By Miriam Raftery

June 14, 2017 (Alpine) – Viejas Casino and Resort has lined up chart-toppers from every genre, past and present for its summer-long open air concerts in the park.  The season opens with country music superstar sensation Martina McBride on July 3^rd.

By Mike Allen

June 14, 2017 (La Mesa) -- Like every city and the state of California, La Mesa is grappling with the ever-burgeoning costs related to generous pension benefits negotiated by labor unions years ago.

By Joey Collado, General Manager at The Montera 

June 14, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - WESTliving, the organization that operates our senior living community, is a private family business founded through the efforts of Gary and Mary West. The Wests are also philanthropists and committed to successful aging. They have established a nonprofit institute that funds research into successful aging and develops solutions to support seniors and their quality of life. The Gary and Mary West Health Institute recently shared some interesting findings about aging.

Reprinted with permission from www.Safety.com. Find more home safety tips at their website.

June 14, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - Over 70% of burglaries in 2015 took place at residential homes — with each of these burglaries costing homeowners an average of $2,316, according to a recent FBI Crime Report. Not to mention the lost peace of mind suffered by burglary victims. But did you know there are many easy ways to reduce your chance of becoming one of these statistics? Keep burglars away by putting into practice these five simple home security tips.

Adkison, Reyes, Saylor, Trejo chosen on Wednesday

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo:  Alan Trejo was the first Aztec selected in the MLB draft on Wednesday when he went to the Colorado Rockies in the 16th round. Courtesy goaztecs.com

June 14, 2017 (Secaucus, N.J.) - After San Diego State Aztec pitcher Brett Seeburger (St. Louis, 10th rd.) was taken on Tuesday during day two of the annual Major League Draft, four fellow Aztecs heard their names called on Wednesday during final day of the pro selection process. That foursome included seniors Marcus Reyes (LHP) and CJ Saylor (RHP) plus juniors Alan Trejo (2B) and Tyler Adkison (OF).

By Jordan Damond

June 14, 2017 (San Diego) -- President Donald Trump and his attorney have accused fired FBI director James Comey of being a “leaker” for providing what they claim was privileged information in memos that Comey arranged for media to receive. But many legal experts contend that Comey may be protected as a whistleblower--and that any actions to retaliate against him could be construed as obstruction of justice. The controversy raises a key question:

Is James Comey a leaker?

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Story by Liz Alper

Photo:  another strong outing for Jhoulys Chacin:  seven innings pitched, five hits, two runs, one walk and four strikeouts.  Via @Padres on Twitter

June 14, 2017 (San Diego) - Last night was as good an outing as we’ve seen from the Padres so far this season.  If we’re being honest, and this isn’t an insult, nothing will top it.  But today, the Padres went for the sweep against the Reds in this Wednesday matinee.  Amir Garrett started for the Reds against Jhoulys Chacin.

June 14, 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

• Judge Curiel gets another tough one (San Diego Reader)
• Mayor uses veto power to restore special election funding (Times of San Diego)
• Investigators looking into if El Cajon brush fire was intentional (KNSD)
• Immigration judge orders release of Mexican woman (KPBS)
• Judges say Edison failed to prove fraud, undermined its own case in San Onofre arbitration (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• DA taking more cash, guns and other assets from suspected criminals (SDUT)
• Study: San Diego a Top 10 tech city (SDUT)
• Re-Animated Records Comes to Life (NBC San Diego)
• Developers of Little Flower apartments tussle with La Mesa neighbors (SD Reader)
• EU antitrust regulators to investigate $38 billion Qualcomm, NXP deal (Reuters)
• Topping off ceremony marking milestone in Viejas Casino & Resort expansion (SDUT)
• Planning commission recommends approval of Christian tourism resort (KPBS)

STATE

• Climate change could burn a hole in the Forest Service’s budget (Sacramento Bee)
• Signs of past California 'mega-quakes' show danger of the Big One on San Andreas fault (Los Angeles Times)
• Can California really hit a 100% clean energy renewable target? (SDUT)
• Legal marijuana could be a $5 billion boon to California’s economy (Los Angeles Times)
• California Is Now 13 Acres Bigger (Newser)
• University of California Announces Policy to give Illegal Immigrants Preference Over U.S. Students (2aNews)

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

Source:  Helix Water District

Photo:  from right: Helix Boardmember Mark Gracyk, who represents Lemon Grove, Boardmember DeAna Verbeke, Board President Joel Scalzitti and Lemon Grove assistant city manager and public works director Mike James.  Via Helix Water District

June 13, 2017 (Lemon Grove) - Helix Water District Board President Joel Scalzitti operated the excavator this morning, lowering a segment of PVC pipe into the trench at the corner of Mt. Vernon Avenue and Golden Avenue in Lemon Grove.  The pipe was signed by the Lemon Grove City Council and Helix board members, and its installation marks the removal of the last large segment of cast iron pipe in the water distribution system serving the city of Lemon Grove.

East County News Service

June 13, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Gordon Bosma, a long-time resident of East County, died on May 29, 2017.   Bosma was a retired United States postal worker.  While working there, he led his local union, American Postal Workers, AFL-CIO.

East County News Service

June 13, 2017 (San Diego) - At the May 24, 2017 V.I.P. (Very Important Planet) Reception held at the City of San Diego Environmental Services Department, San Diego EarthWorks recognized EDCO with the E.A.R.T.H. (Environmental Action and Restoration That Helps) Award for EarthFair efforts. There to accept the award on EDCO’s behalf was John Snyder, EDCO’s Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, and Elmer Heap, EDCO’s Division Manager.