May 8, 2013 (San Diego's East County) -- ECM 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:

NATIONAL

• Navy Launches Its First Drone Squadron (NPR)
• GM recalls more than 38,000 sedans over circuit board glitch (Reuters)
• Guantanamo hunger strike lays bare detainees growing desperation (Huffington Post)
• Survey: US home prices up 10.5 pct. in past year (KPBS)
• New arrests hint at unseen side of Boston bombing suspect (+video) (Christian Science Monitor)
• Will Bureaucracy Keep The U.S. Drone Industry Grounded? (NPR)
• Recent U.S. college graduates disillusioned, underemployed: poll (Reuters)
• Official: We knew Benghazi was a terrorist attack "from the get-go" (CBS News)
• Immigration reform: When is family reunification also 'chain migration'? (Christian Science Monitor)
• FBI: Minnesota raid disrupts planned terror attack (U-T San Diego)
• Exclusive: At Texas fertilizer plant, a history of theft, tampering  (Reuters)

WORLD

• Ethical fashion: Is the tragedy in Bangladesh the final straw? (NPR)
• In Japan: Running Out Of Places To Put Radioactive Water (NPR)
• Israel launches airstrike in Syrian capital (U-T San Diego)
• Israel's Netanyahu says would put peace deal to referendum  (Reuters)
• Jordan opposes 'confederation' with Palestinians (Jerusalem Post)
• Amazon Indians occupy controversial dam to demand a say (Reuters)
• To Silence Discontent, Chinese Officials Alter Workweek (NPR)
• Thousands of Sunnis flee Syrian coast after mass killings (Christian Science Monitor)
• Human Rights in Russia at Dangerous Low (Huffington Post)
• North Korea Reportedly Moves Missiles Off Launch Status (NPR)
• Back-to-back blasts in Pakistan highlight election risks (Christian Science  Monitor)
• Bishops Remain Missing After Capture In Syria (NPR)
• Attack on train in Mexico injures 10 migrants (U-T San Diego)
• Eurozone Unemployment Reaches Record High (Reason)
• North Korea sentences American to 15 years hard labor (Reuters)

Scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories.

June 14, 2012 (Penasquitos) - San Diego Police have been advised by authorities in Orange County that Kevin Stapp has been found, according to Lt. Andra Brown with SDPD.

Scroll down for our prior report on his disappearance.

June 7, 2012 (Campo) – The Mountain Empire-Campo Kiwanis presents a Barn Dance at the Star Ranch, 31310 Hwy 94, Campo on June 9.  The BBQ begins at 7:00 p.m. with the dance following from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.  The “Honkey Tonk Kings” will be the featured country dance band.

June 7, 2012 (Jacumba) – Telemagica’s Galaxia 2012 takes place June 8, 9 and 10 beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Friday on the grounds of the Institute of Perception (Railroad Street) in Jacumba. 

The event is a yearly gathering of collective performance art dedicated to the evolution of the human spirit through the arts.

By Bryan Zmijewski,  President, El Cajon Police Officers Association

“Most alarming is the ECPD patrol staffing levels. At times, there may only be four police officers working the street…The El Cajon Council wants more power, yet they choose to handcuff the police chief...The ECPOA fears that this will continue, especially if the current city council is allowed to have the additional power that they crave.”—Bryan Zmijewski

The people behind Proposition D say changing El Cajon from a general law city to a charter city will save tax payer money by giving more control over decision making to the city council. Charter city status may be appropriate for other municipalities. We don't believe it would be appropriate in El Cajon at this time with our current city council in power.

We don't believe the city council, in its current form, has the experience, insight or forward thinking ability to handle any more power than it already has. More power for this city council? One council member just resigned as a result of a pending FBI investigation, reminding us about what happened not too long ago in the City of Bell.

By Miriam Raftery

June 1, 2012 (San Diego) –In an exclusive interview with East County Magazine, Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher laid out his vision for our region’s future. His priorities are to “make San Diego a leader in 21st century jobs” by rebuilding the economy base,” improve public education, and rebuild infrastructure to create more walkable and livable communities,  Fletcher told ECM.    

A retired Marine and decorated Iraq war veteran who has worked in counter-intelligence, Fletcher has also laid out plans to help returning veterans on issues ranging from homelessness to jobs.

 “I believe it’s important to have open and transparent government,” says Fletcher, who recently made headlines by announcing that he’s left the Republican party to run as an independent, shortly after the GOP endorsed Carl DeMaio for mayor. 

By Miriam Raftery

May 30, 2012 (San Diego) –Accusations are flying in the contentious race for San Diego Superior Court seat 25.   Candidate Jim Miller has been removed as a Judge Pro Tem by the Superior Court—and now he’s crying foul.

Miller claims he’s a victim of dirty politics. He’s accused one of his opponents, Robert Amador, of involvement in his ouster, a claim denied by Amador, who previously sued Miller over ballot statement claims. 

Miller maintains he knows of no legitimate reason for the court to remove him from its list of approved Judges Pro Tem.

Posts on Miller’s Facebook page, however reveal  some intemperate remarks made about cases he heard while serving as a Judge Pro Tem--as well as barbed criticisms of local attorneys, judges, and parties in cases he handled as a lawyer.

Transaction results in $4.9 million in savings for district taxpayers 

• Almost half of new vets seek disability (AP)
• Romney tells vets dangerous world demands powerful military (Reuters)
• Op-ed by President Obama: Keeping faith with our veterans (White House)
• How Memorial Day glosses over the real horrors of war (AlterNet)

• Iberdrola drops two wind projects  (Tribune-Democrat)
• Help wanted, but not for mid-level jobs (NPR)
• More relatives, friends caring for kids (Reuters)
• Democrats to offer a ‘lifeline’ for single payer healthcare (ThinkProgress)
• Romney hits magic number for GOP nomination (CNN)
• Military campaign money favors Obama (USA Today)

• Official: 160 girls poisoned at Afghan school (CNN)
• U.S. officials among the targets of Iran-aimed assassination plots (Washington Post)
• Syria condemned for massacre (BBC)
• Iran hit by new cyber-weapon “Flame” (Jerusalem Post)
• Sudyei dispute, Sudan to ‘withdraw troops’ (BBC)

• Radioactive bluefin tuna caught off coast of California (10 News)
• A special Memorial Day delivery for La Mesa (La Mesa Today)
• Soccer unites refugee and immigrant kids (UT San Diego)
• Fletcher campaign receives over $56,000 from donors outside of state (Reader)
• Portion of Interstate 8 dedicated to fallen agent  Robert W. Rosas (Backcountry Messenger)
• New library, updated school for Lemon Grove (UT San Diego)

• CA Senate passes bill prohibiting schools and employers from asking for Facebook passwords (Sacramento Bee)
• California Democrats bid for 2/3 control of state Senate (Sacramento Bee)
• Mentally ill inmates on the rise (Sacramento Bee) 

 30 Restaurants, 4 Wineries, & Signature Beer Sponsor Karl Strauss Brewery 

May 31, 2012 (Boston) – Today, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit found that Section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional.  

Passed by Congress in 1996, DOMA declared that a marriage is between a man and a woman, nullifying marriages of gay and lesbian couples for purposes of federal law.  

Judge Michael Boudin, who was appointed by President George H.W. Bush, authored the unanimous decision. He was joined by Judge Sandra Lynch,an appointee of President Bill Clinton, and Chief Judge Juan Torruella, a Ronald Reagan appointee. 

“This is exactly the kind of behavior that infuriates voters and must be stopped.” – Denise Ducheny, former state Senator and current 51^st Congressional district candidate

May 31, 2012 (San Diego)– State Senator Juan Vargas is under fire again, this time in an article from The Press Enterprise, published yesterday. The article catalogued the actions of Vargas and his Senate office, who stand accused of using taxpayer dollars to fund mail pieces aimed at helping his candidacy.  Vargas is now running for the 51st Congressional District seat, which spans San Diego and Imperial Counties, seeking to replace Bob Filner who is retiring to run for Mayor.

May 31, 2012 (San Diego's East County) -- Gary Kelley gives a clear look ahead in Your Online Weather report--along with a sneak preview of one of the hottest events in town.

May 24, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--The Olaf Wieghorst Western Heritage Center will present the 2nd Annual Wieghorst Western Music Jubilee!  The event will take place on Saturday, June 2, at the Cuyamaca College Performing Arts Theater in Rancho San Diego.

Belinda Gail, Sourdough Slim, The Tumbling Tumbleweeds and Tom Hiatt & The Sundown Riders, are just a few of the artists who will be entertaining. The show begins at 7:00 p.m.

May 30, 2012 (San Diego) – “The clash between traditional South Sudanese values and western values threatens the survival of families already rocked by decades of war, poverty and injustice,” says Walter Davis. “This book provides powerful tools with which the South Sudanese people can experience an epiphany."

Davis is editor of South Sudanese Community Insights, authored by John Chuol Kuek, chairman of the Southern Sudanese Community Center in San Diego and a refugee camp survivor. View an interview with Kuek conducted by Davis as guest host of Consider the Possibilities:
 

May 30, 2012 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Housing Federation has announced finalists for its annual affordable housing and community development awards newly named the “Ruby Awards  . . . There’s No Place Like Home”. Finalists include individuals, organizations and developers of affordable housing.

By Mia Myklebust

“Stop the drones.” – Mossaret Qadeem, Amn-o-nisa implores

May 30, 2012 (San Diego) -- Dressed in brightly colored robes and hijabs, the women of Amn-o-nisa make a powerful statement with their presence alone. These 11 Pakistani women have come to the United States for the second time to spread their message of peace and international cooperation.

The name Amn-o-nisa translates to “women for peace,” which is the message the group hoped to spread on their visit to the U.S. The group visited Washington D.C., San Diego and Los Angeles and met with political figures including Senators Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein.

Free class to be held this Saturday, June 2 at Water Conservation Garden

By Sierra Robinson

May 30, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) -- Imagine plucking a ripe tomato off your roof, or filtering rainwater through your driveway. Green roofs and permeable pavement can make all of that a reality.

This weekend, the Water Conservation Garden  at Cuyamaca College is offering a free class from 9-11am about how and why you can install a green roof or permeable pavement at your home or business.