CA Senator Brian Jones, also running, chides non-resident candidates for holding press conference in “wrong district”  

Video excerpt: Darrell Issa

Video excerpt: Carl DeMaio

by Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

September 26, 2019 (El Cajon) -- The weather in El Cajon Thursday morning was cloudy and drizzly in front of City Hall. But the political rhetoric was sweltering. In the race for San Diego’s 50th Congressional District, four Republican candidates for the seat bowed out and swung their support to former 49th District Congressman Darrell Issa.

Another candidate, former San Diego City Councilman and conservative radio host Carl DeMaio, held a rival press conference some 100 feet away to attack Issa. State Senator Brian Jones, who is also running, chose to remain above the fray by staying away.

Inspector General for intelligence community warns that whistleblower complaint is “an urgent concern” that raises “serious national intelligence and security risks.”

Hear audio of the declassified whistleblower complaint read aloud here.

By Miriam Raftery

September 26, 2019 (Washington D.C.)  -- A whistleblower complaint against President Donald Trump has been declassified and released today in its entirety.  The complaint states that the President abused his power during a July 25, 2019 phone call,  pressuring the Ukraine’s president to investigate the son of Trump’s political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, in an effort to influence the 2020 election.

The whistleblower, whom the New York Times reports is a CIA agent assigned to the White House, also alleges that Trump tried to hide his actions by locking up records of the call. The Washington Post reports that just one week before the call to the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump ordered a halt to military aide promised to the Ukraine. 

The Trump administration’s own intelligence community Inspector General Michael Atkinson warned that the whistleblower complaints to be both credible and an “urgent concern” that raises “serious national intelligence and security risks.”

Mary England and George Gastil sound off in arguments for and against measure

By Miriam Raftery

September 26, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – Advocates of a ballot measure proposing a three-quarters of a cent sales tax increase argue that the measure will sweeten Lemon Grove, shoring up a structural budget deficit to fund city services wanted by residents, such as parks, road repairs, and improving public safety. 

But former Lemon Grove Councilwoman Mary England, also president of the Chamber of Commerce in neighboring La Mesa, is sour on the idea.

Both England, who opposes the ballot measure dubbed the “Lemon Grove Security Petition,” and former Councilman George Gastil, a leader of the citizens’ group advocating for the petition, agree that the city has had a structural deficit for years, with a budget that’s nearly entirely consumed by rising police and fire protection services.  But they disagree sharply on solutions.

East County News Service

September 26, 2019 (La Mesa) -- Keller Williams Realty La Mesa has moved its offices to the top floor (Suite 700) of the Allied Plaza Building, located at 7777 Alvarado Road, La Mesa, 91942.

One of the first Keller Williams locations in San Diego County, the Keller Williams Realty La Mesa team is experiencing a growth period, with 100 active agents and a goal of increasing by another 20% in the next 6 - 12 months.

By Ken Stone

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

Photo:  Rep. Duncan D. Hunter, 42, will have to make his case in the 9th Circuit in December. Photo by Ken Stone

September 26, 2019 (San Diego) - Rep Duncan D. Hunter will get a shot at arguing for dismissal of his corruption charges in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.  But government prosecutors got their way on the time frame.

East County News Service

September 27, 2019 (El Cajon) – Rebecca Jefferis-Williamson snapped this image of a Batman-themed giant pumpkin grown in a rural area of unincorporated El Cajon.

J. Jansson-Berndes says he supplied the special seeds and Vince George grew it under his tutelage. It weighs 1,036 lbs.-- more than half a ton. 

Jansson-Berndes drove up with the pumpkin to participate in the Irvine Park Railroads'  2019 Great Pumpkin Weigh - Off. But it wasn't the biggest entry!

By Miriam Raftery

September 25, 2019 (San Diego) – Republican Famela Ramos, a hospice nurse and medical researcher, has entered the race to fill the 53rd Congressional district seat being vacated by Congresswoman Susan Davis, who has announced her retirement.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren will be paying her first visit to San Diego as a presidential candidate

By Ken Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association; Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine editor, also contributed to this report.

Photo by Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons 

September 25, 2019 (San Diego) -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a top-tier Democratic candidate for president, announced Tuesday that she’ll hold an outdoor Town Hall meeting next week in San Diego.

September 25, 2019 (Santee) -- State Senator Brian Jones announced today that he will seek election to the US House of Representatives in California's 50th District, the seat currently represented by Duncan D. Hunter. Hunter goes on trial in January on 60 federal corruption charges for allegedly diverting campaign funds for personal use and related charges.

“I am entering the race for Congress to provide a trusted, conservative voice for the people of this district,” says Jones.  “I grew up here and have represented the people of this district as a Santee City Councilmember, State Assemblyman and now as a State Senator.”

East County News Service

September 24, 2019 (Valley Center) – You’re invited to don your best costume for a Halloween contest and parade plus fun for the whole family at Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center (15954 Woods Valley Rd.)  on Sunday, October 27.

Source: City of El Cajon

September 24, 2019 (El Cajon) --“Engage, educate, and empower!” These are the goals of the City’s Teen Coalition. The City is seeking members to serve on the 2019-20 Teen Coalition. With monthly meetings at Renette Recreation Center, members will develop their leadership skills, get involved through community service, and explore strategies to address youth issues. The coalition sponsors the annual “Youth of the Year” award which recognizes individuals who go above and beyond in serving their community.