By Miriam Raftery

March 2, 2017 (La Mesa) – I visited Sheldon’s Service Station, La Mesa’s newest coffee shop, looking forward to a tasty and piping hot cup of java.  The Espresso Mocha lived up to expectations, but the most delightful surprise was the array of creative and healthy breakfast and lunch menu options.

East County News Service

March 2, 2017 (Warner Springs) – Storm damage caused a complete loss of pressure to a portion of Warner Springs Ranch Resort’s drinking water system.  So, the County’s Department of Environmental Health has issued a boil water order for the Warner Springs Ranch Resort’s water system, which provides drinking water to the Warner Springs Ranch Golf Grill, Warner Springs Airport, staff housing, St. Francis of Assisi Chapel, and Warner Springs Ranch Resort, which is currently under renovation and not yet open to the public.

By Miriam Raftery

March 2, 2017 (Spring Valley) – Ratepayers held a protest at yesterday’s Otay Water District meeting, calling on director Hector Gastelum to resign or face a recall election due to anti-Muslim statements that he posted on Twitter.

Source: San Diego County Library

Photo by Steve Dunleavy, Ansel Adams Wilderness, Pacific Crest Trail

March 2, 2017 (Crest) -- Local hiking enthusiast Dana Law will share his adventures on and tips for hiking the legendary Pacific Crest Trail at a special presentation on March 21^st at 6 pm with Crest Library patrons

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo:  El Cajon Councilman Ben Kalasho faces resistance on new group to bring holiday cheer to seniors

March 1, 2017 (El Cajon) - Freshman El Cajon Councilman Ben Kalasho was impressed by the Santee Santas, and wants to bring the idea to El Cajon. Kalasho envisions an organization, El Cajon Elves that would bring carols, socks and slippers to elders around the holidays.

But groups that already serve seniors, including the AARP and the Salvation Army, turned up to oppose the City of El Cajon from releasing $5,000 in seed money to the El Cajon Elves, and requested that the funds instead be given to one of the existing organizations already serving senior citizens. No one testifed in support of the city providing seed money to start a new nonprofit.

East County News Service

March 1, 2017 (Anza Borrego) – The body of a man found near Indian Head Peak in Anza borrego Desert State Park is believed to be that of a hiker reported missing last Friday, the Borrego Sun reports. Identification will be determined by an autopsy.

By Ken Stone

Reprinted from Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

March 1, 2017 (San Diego) -- Rep. Darrell Issa on Monday clarified his stance on a review of Russian ties to President Trump, apparently backing off his recent call for a special prosecutor.

“The American people need a clear-eyed view of the nefarious actions of the Russian government,” Issa said in the wake of his appearance Friday on “Real Time with Bill Maher,” where he told the HBO host that “you’re going to need to use the special prosecutor’s statute and office.”

By Andrea Sears, Public News Service

Photo: More than half of private-sector workers have no access to a retirement savings plan through their workplace. (401(K)2012/Flickr)

March 1, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Senate is now considering bills that could overturn rules clarifying how states and cities can help millions of private-sector workers save for retirement.

More than half of American workers don't have access to a company pension plan at work. So, the Obama administration issued regulations clearing the way for states and large cities to create payroll deduction plans for those workers' retirement savings.

By Miriam Raftery

March 1, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Two local school districts in La Mesa and Warner Springs are serving bottled water to students and staff due to water quality concerns.

La Mesa Spring Valley School District announced that it has voluntarily shut down drinking fountains and water used for cooking, while awaiting tests on drinking water quality. Superintendent Brian Marshall says the change is due to an “abundance of caution.”

East County News Service

March 1, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• Clean power plant repeal would cost America $600 billion, cause 120,000 premature deaths (Forbes)
• Trump’s address to joint session of Congress, annotated (NPR)
• Democratic Response to Trump's Address to Congress, Annotated (NPR)
• As communities deal with anti-Semitic attacks, Jewish officials urge action (ABC)
• Trump aims to eliminate clean water rule (NPR)
• Top House conservatives won’t back draft Obamacare replacement (The Hill)
• GOP healthcare plan would cover fewer people, blowback grows (Bloomberg News)
• Donald Trump’s immigrant crimes list labeled ‘shocking in the extreme’ by human rights groups (UK Independent)
• FBI refused White House request to knock down recent Russia-Trump stories (CNN)
• Sioux tribe puts ‘black snake’ prophesy at center of Dakota pipeline battle (Bloomberg News)
• Former Labor Secretary Tom Perez elected DNC chair (CNN)
• Congress just got a lot closer to defunding Planned Parenthood (Mother Jones)

WORLD

• North Korea executes five top officials with anti-aircraft guns (Wall St. Journal)
• Russia, China block U.N.  sanctions on Syria over gas attacks (Reuters)
• Egypt's Christians flee Sinai amid Islamic State killing spree (Reuters)
• 'Weaponized' drones are no longer fantasy (Jewish World News)
• Chemical weapon VX nerve agent killed North Korean leader's half brother: Malaysian police (Reuters)
• Attacks On Foreigners On the Rise in South Africa (NPR)
• Deaths from India air pollution rivaling China (Japan Times)
• Iraqi commander:  ISIS leaders ‘running away’ from Mosul (CNN)
• South Sudan and the lure of a gleaming new capitol (Christian Science Monitor)
• The race to save Jewish history in the Middle East (Time Magazine)

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

By Liz Alper

Video courtesy goaztecs.com

February 28, 2017 (San Diego) - With the Aztecs' last home game of the season tomorrow night against Air Force, head coach Steve Fisher and three of his seniors, guards Dakarai Allen and D'Erryl Williams and forward Matt Shrigley, sat down with the media today.

East County News Service

February 28, 2017 (Rancho San Diego) - The Water Conservation Garden invites the public to its second annual Water-Wise Home Garden Tour on March 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The tour will highlight five beautiful gardens featuring a wide variety of colorful and low water usage plants. The gardens emphasize plants from semi-arid regions of the world including Australia, New Zealand, Southwestern U.S. and South Africa.

Every Aztec who logged minutes in the game recorded at least two points

Source: goaztecs.com

Photo: Allison Brown courtesy goaztecs.com

February 28, 2017 (Colorado Springs, Colo.) - San Diego State women’s basketball used a complete team performance to secure a road Mountain West victory, downing Air Force, 64-51, Tuesday night in Clune Arena.

East County News Service

February 28, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes Run East County in El Cajon, a Queen Bee Tea in Alpine, Jungle Book for Kids, Diva, Baja Blues Brothers and Bon Jovi in concert.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including a Lilac Festival, the Rolando Street Fair, a Star Party in Lakeside, the Circle of Art show in Borrego Springs and more.

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

East County News Service

February 28, 2017 (San Diego) - Join the Women's Museum of California as they screen films that will educate and inspire future generations about the experiences and contributions of women through the art of film.