Officials intervene in pending case to ensure effective defense of Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Source: Calif. Attorney General’s Office

May 18, 2017 (Sacramento) -- California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman today took legal action to challenge the Trump Administration and protect health care access for millions of Americans.

Below is text from their press release:

East County News Service

May 18, 2017 (El Cajon) - The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College will host its second Customer Appreciation Day on Sunday, May 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The winners of the 2017 Landscape Contest will be recognized.

East County News Service

May 18, 2017 (San Diego) - The San Diego chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) will present its 2017 Journalist of the Year award to Morgan Cook, an investigative reporter at The San Diego Union-Tribune, for her investigative reporting that revealed campaign finance scandals involving Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine).

“San Diego has seen its share of big stories this past year, but our board believes no local journalist did better work than Cook in her relentless accountability reporting on Congressman Duncan Hunter’s use of campaign funds for personal expenses. She broke the story last year and continues to follow it after the Department of Justice made clear in March that it is investigating Hunter, whose district covers Alpine, Escondido and Temecula,” a press release from SPJ states.

East County News Service

May 19, 2017 (Spring Valley) – Calling all walkers! You’re invited to get on track and take turns walking for 24 hours, since cancer never sleeps. It’s all part of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life team event to fight cancer this Saturday and Sunday, May 21, starting at 9 a.m. each day at Monte Vista High School’s football field, 3230 Sweetwater Springs Blvd. in Spring Valley.

By Jordan Damond

May 18, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Congressman Duncan Hunter has introduced the Cigarette Smoking Reduction and Electronic Vapor Alternatives Act, which eases regulations on vaping and electronic cigarettes.

East County News Service

May 18, 2017 (San Diego) - Sycuan Casino is pleased to announce this year’s Summer of Sycuan concert series. Kicking off the summer series is world-famous drummer Sheila E. performing at Sycuan on Friday, June 9. Multi-platinum music group Bell Biv DeVoe will follow with three shows on consecutive nights, June 26, 27 and 28.

May 18, 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

• Santee ok’s start of special district for Castlerock residents (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Should UCSD and other hospitals pay millions of dollars to sports teams? ( San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Local Experts Explain Recent Uptick in Shark Sightings (NBC)
• Ramona High School listed for sale in funny senior prank (Fox 5)
• Gaming gone bust, tribe turns to marijuana farming (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• A day in the life of Rep. Duncan Hunter (Fox News)
• Drugs, graffiti found at La Mesa little league field (10 News)
• San Diego using loophole to hand out large raises during pay freeze (San Diego Union-Tribune)

STATE

• Bill would expand property tax portability for older CA homeowners (San Francisco Chronicle)
• Gov. Brown defends gas tax, local legislator (OC Register)
• DMV issues hundreds of disabled placard citations (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Army Training In California Desert To Take On Cyber Threats (KPBS)
• California courts look to modernize with chatbots, video tech (SF Chronicle)

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

By Miriam Raftery

An East County Magazine Special report

May 17, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – In a bombshell announcement, the U.S. Justice Department has  issued an order to appoint a special prosecutor  to investigate Russia’s efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election, including any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the Trump campaign.  Far more broadly, the order allows investigation of any matters that arise from the investigation and all other matters within a special prosecutor’s jurisdiction under federal law – including authorization to prosecute federal crimes arising from the investigation.   

Acting Attorney General  Rod. J. Rosenstein issued the order to appoint Robert Mueller, a former federal prosecutor who served as FBI director from 2001 to 2013 under both Republican President George W. Bush and Democratic President Barack Obama.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Gage Skidmore

May 17, 2017 (Washington D.C.) –President Donald Trump pressured FBI director James Comey to halt the FBI investigation into former National Security Director Michael Flynn’s Russian connections, but Comey refused, according to a memo written by Comey at the time,  the New York Times reports.  Comey also refused Trump’s demand to jail journalists for publishing leaked materials—shortly before the President fired Comey.   The revelation has top Republican and Democratic Senators preparing to subpoena records that could, potentially, lead to impeachment.

“Obstruction of justice is what it looks like to anybody who’s looking at it,” Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat working with Republican  Senator Lindsey Graham to investigate the FBI’s role in the federal Russia investigation,  Politico reports. “This is about as lay down a case…as a prosecutor could imagine,” he added.

Republican Jason Chaffetz, chairman of the House Oversight Committee who has said he won’t seek reelection,  today announced on Twitter that his committee will “get the Comey memo, if it exists,” adding, “I need to see it sooner rather than later. I have my subpoena pen ready.”

By Miriam Raftery

May 17, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Pursuit of Marvin Peeples, a suspect reportedly violating a restraining order in Lemon Grove yesterday, led to a deputy’s vehicle became involved in a collision in San Diego before the suspect was ultimately arrested.

Lakeside resident Dave Thomas among honorees feted for overcoming life-altering injuries

East County News Service

May 17, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Lakeside resident Dave Thomas will be among those honored at the 2017 “Victories of Spirit” event celebrating the power of rehabilitation and the strength of the human spirit.  The 27^th annual celebration held by Sharp Rehabilitation and Sharp HealthCare Foundation  will begin at 6 p.m., Friday, May 19, at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego.  The title sponsor is United Healthcare. The event will honor the power of rehabilitation and pay tribute to extraordinary individuals and community organizations for their inspirational achievements and contributions to others.

East County News Service

May 16, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Registration is now open for “Bike to Work Day!” Join thousands of San Diegans and cycle to work on Thursday, May 18.

Biking to work is a great way to save money, get fit, and be environmentally friendly.  Register for Bike to Work Day and log bike trips to be automatically entered to win one of many great prizes. 

East County News Service

May 16, 2017 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, will host “All About Peripheral Neuropathy,” a free program on the causes, symptoms and treatments for this nerve disorder, from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 24. 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

May 14, 2017 (Jamul) – Wineries from along the emerging Highway 94 wine corridor  served up fruits of their labors at the Jamul Wine Festival April 29^th at St. St. Pius X Catholic Church in Jamul,  all to benefit building classrooms for local children.  Guests also savored an abundant array of delicious foods,  bid on unique silent auction items,  enjoyed live music, a presentation with wine tasting tips, and more.

“We are excited to have this opportunity to showcase the Vineyards and Wineries in Jamul and to make our Festival the first of many to come,” said Gary Gorton with the Knights Council 9659 at the church.

East County News Service

May 15, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – This week’s Destination East County includes La Mesa Rocks, the Manzanita Rendezvous, Julian Fiddle and Pickin’ Contest, El Cajon’s America on Main Street, Explore Mission Trails Day, a Wild in the Country Casino Real benefit, and the Grip It and Rip It Golf Tournament.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including a production of Into the Woods, , open house at the Oasis Camel Dairy, La Mesa’s Flag Day Parade, Fly Days at Gillespie Field, the annual Julian Dance and Barbecue, Fido Fest in Santee, Lavender Days at Summers Past Farms, Sundays at Six Concerts in LA Mesa, Night Fishing at Santee Lakes, the Julian Blues Fest,  Santee Summer Concerts, a Father’s Day Brunch with Cowboy Jack, and a Father’s Day adventure at Fort Cross in Julian filled with rugged, manly experiences! 

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