November 2, 2016 (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

• Businessman donates $100,000 to El Cajon Valley High (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Father of man fatally shot by police establishes foundation for police reform (Los Angeles Times)
• Grossmont schools chief organizing campaign work for students, staff (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• In failing the homeless,  San Diego stands apart (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Toxic Plume Leads To Testing Of El Cajon Mobile Homes(KPBS)
• Raided by never charged, cannabis distributor seeks return of seized assets (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Resident says his tree-trimming case shows CPUC favors utilities (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• $47B Deal Could Help Qualcomm Move From Phones To Cars(KPBS)
• Educators getting trained to 'run, hide or fight'(San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Refinancing La Mesa to save $9 million(San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Ramona Unified School District Board:  Choose 2 (Ramon Sentinel)

STATE

• ‘Pot Prop’ 64: Clearing the haze on a complex measure (Orange County Register)
• Sexually transmitted diseases reach record high (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• SeaWorld Marine Rescues Remain Higher Than Usual (KPBS)
• DMV uncovers fake ID ring on Craigslist(San Diego Union-Tribune)

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

September 27, 2016 (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

• Push for new gas line sparks fears and theories (Voice of San Diego)
• Big crowd fills San Vicente reservoir on reopening day (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• El Cajon eyes ban on nudity (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Bald eagle found near death recovering in Ramona (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Cory Briggs conduct ‘unethical and possibly criminal,’ appellate court says (KPBS)
• Miller to airport group: Wake up, take Walton statue (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Sempra takes on bigger role in Mexico's energy landscape(San Diego Union-Tribune)

STATE

• California man convicted as would-be Islamic State recruit gets 30 years (Reuters)
•  Political watchdog won't investigate Brown over 'Dirty Hands’ report (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• San Jose State University investigates after swastikas found on campus(CS Monitor)
• State auditor calls for CPUC reforms (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• CA police begin comprehensive state tracking for use-of-force injuries(CS Monitor)

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

East County News Service

September 13, 2016 (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

• San Diego backcountry wildfire risk lessening, insurance group concludes (Los Angeles Times)
• Cancer Surgery Volumes at San Diego Hospitals May Warn of Complications (KPBS)
• 10,000th Syrian refugee will settle in El Cajon  (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Affordability Report Ranks San Diego County Near the Bottom (KPBS)
• Mexican billionaire found guilty of buying political influence in San Diego (10 News)
• Judge sides with Monsanto in lawsuit  (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Report probes Saudi links of San Diego's 9/11 hijackers (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Faux city for Alzheimer’s patients takes shape (San Diego Union-Tribune)

STATE

• Yosemite National Park unveils 400-acre expansion (BBC)
• Sanchez calls on feds to takeover CPUC probe (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Southern Calif. Gas Co. agrees to $4 million settlement over massive gas leak (CBS)
• This Mojave Desert solar plant kills 6,000 birds a year (Los Angeles Times)

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

August 24, 2016 (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

• East County judge gets blackballed by DA (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• California racing board pressured to investigate horse deaths at Del Mar (Times of SD)
• 4 San Diego correctional officers reportedly injured in inmate attack at Donovan Prison (Patch)
• Mother of baby found dead at border likely trafficking victim (NBC 7)
• Ramona crash—DUI arrest (Borrego Sun)
• Bernie’s revolution steams into El Cajon, alongside `Trump train’ recruit (Times of SD)

STATE

• Disgusted with sky-high drug prices, Calif. voters take on big pharmacy (Truthout)
• Bluecut Fire update:  crews increase containment to 40%, no federal aid for victims (LA Times)
• 96 homes, 213 other buildings destroyed as California’s fire season takes another grim turn (LA Times)

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

August 9, 2016 (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

• San Diego’s housing crisis squeezing the middle class (KPBS)
• Focus: San Diego connections to the Rio games(San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Police, sheriff finalize body camera policy (Voice of San Diego)
• Face off over development in rural San Diego County (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Neighbors save veteran from Santee mobile home fire (NBC)
• Back to school: It is time for the distracted driver talk (Reporting San Diego)

STATE

• Pilot Fire scorches 7,500 aces in San Bernadino Mountains; feds say it could become ‘major disaster’  (Orange County Register)
•  One way to save California’s coast: Save a bill that bans private meetings with developers (Los
• Two babies born in California with Zika-related severe birth defects (Sacramento Bee)

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

East County News Service

July 27, 2016 (San Diego) -- The California Independent System Operator Corporation (ISO) is declaring a Flex Alert, a request for consumers to conserve electricity today, especially during peak demand time from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Electricity supplies statewide are expected to be tight because of high summer temperatures driving up demand, power plant outages, and transmission line import capacity reductions. Power imports may be limited today because of high temperatures in neighboring states.

Consumers are urged to conserve electricity today, especially during the late afternoon when air conditioners push power consumption to the highest point of the day.

July 6, 2016 (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

• San Diego County Water Authority Votes To Raise Rates (KPBS)
• San Diego County home prices rise 6.3% (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Police identify suspect in string of deadly attacks against homeless (Times of San Diego)
• Photos: migrants from around the world come to Tijauana, to wait (Voice of San Diego)
• Planners okay expansion for two wineries (Ramona Sentinel)
• In Campo, 25 ft.from Mexican border, California’s Old West roots remain (Wash.Post)
• San Diego First To Hit Solar Power Cap In California (KPBS)
• Rates go up slightly for SDG&E, SoCalGas (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Plan for regional power grid raises hopes, doubts(San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Photos: migrants from around the world come to Tijauana, to wait (Voice of San Diego)
• The Line Between Education and Advocacy on SANDAG’s Tax Proposal(Voice of SD)
• Report: Cybersecurity jobs jump in San Diego(San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Lawmakers move to revive abusive eminent domain  (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Dense One Paseo project approved (San Diego Union-Tribune)

STATE

• Initiative to legalize recreational use of pot in California qualifies for November ballot (Los Angeles Times)
• Study  up, California! You’ve got 17 statewide measures to vote on (KQET)
• Utility:  Keep deal that split costs from closed nuke plant(SF Gate)
• California may have a water ‘rainy day fund’(San Diego Union-Tribune)
• With Doomsday in Mind, California Officials Are Ceding Water to Arizona, Nevada (Voice of San Diego)
• Proposed Measure To Cap Hospital Execs' Pay Pulled From November Ballot (KPBS)
• CPUC has room to improve, state auditors say (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• 7 charged with attacking KKK members during bloody California rally (Chicago Tribune)

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

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: U.S. Department of Labor

June 4, 2016 (San Diego)— By a slim two-vote margin, a measure that would have given farm workers the same overtime pay as workers in other industries failed to win passage in the state Assembly  after emotional testimony on both sides.

In non-agricultural businesses, workers are entitled to overtime pay if they work more than eight hours a day or over 40 hours a week.  Although federal law does not mandate any overtime pay for farm laborers, California does require overtime pay for those working more than 10 hours a day or over 60 hours a week.  Assembly Bill 2757 would have required that farm workers who labor more than 8 hours a day would receive time and a half, while those working over 12 hours a day would receive double pay by 2020.

May 26, 2016 (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

• Patient secretly recorded by Sharp Grossmont files claim against hospital  (NBC 7)
• MTS faces possible bus walkout (Patch.com)
• KUSI goes one on one with Senator Bernie Sanders (KUSI)
• Voter guide to San Diego and California races in June 7 primary (Times of San Diego)
• Locals rally for fawn rescue center (Ramona Sentinel)
• San Diego’s top cops comment on ACLU report, UT article about asset seizure (Patch.com)
• San Diego County Dams Old But Still Passing Muster (KPBS)

STATE

• Labor unions, environmentalists are biggest opponents of Governor Brown’s affordable housing plan (Sacramento Bee)
• Study: humans responsible for 90% of wildfires in California (KPBS)
• California Senate approves broad new gun restrictions (Sacramento Bee)
• Lake Mead declines to lowest level in history (Desert Sun)
• California Agencies Send Mixed Signals On Drought Conditions (NPR)
• National Park Service loses early round over Yosemite trademarks fight (Miami Herald)
• Groups got $11.6M from board they serve on (San Diego Union-Tribune)

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

May 4, 2016, 2016 (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

• Two Home Invasions, Two Families Who Waited on Hold With 911 (Voice of San Diego)
• Growing water crisis in Borrego (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• What’s behind San Diego County’s alarmingly high C-section rates? (KPBS)
• Annual count finds nearly 9,000 homeless in San Diego County (KPBS)
• Senate Demands Department Of Energy Remove San Onofre Nuclear Waste (KPBS)
• Mom: brain-eating amoeba killed my daughter (10  News)
• San Diego Needs Transit More Than Ever — and SANDAG’s Plan Doesn’t Have Enough (Voice of San Diego)
• San Diego Home Prices Jump 6.4% From 2015 (KPBS)
• After 47 years, La Mesa volunteer says bye to kindergartners(San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Five Apollo astronauts to visit San Diego (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Hispanic entrepreneurs do best in Texas (San Diego Reader)

STATE

• Deadline passes in Probe of San Onofre nuclear deal (KPBS)
• Jerry Brown raises California smoking age to 21, tightens vaping rules (Sacramento Bee)
• CPUC meets with Wall Street types, too (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Three-day drama led to UC Davis Chancellor Katehi’s suspension (Sacramento Bee)

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

April 20, 2016 (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

• What Elections Have San Diego Political Candidates Missed? (KPBS)
• San Diego County Water Authority Files Lawsuit Against MWD (KPBS)
• MTS Compass Card Was Insecure From The Beginning (KPBS)
• DA won’t file charges against Supervisor Dave Roberts (KPBS)
• Political fine from 2012 mayor's race sets record (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• The California Democrat setting the national agenda (Atlantic)
• Hunter repaid funds spent on surf shop, garage door (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• San Diego County Crime Rate Up 6 Percent (KPBS)

STATE

• Harris Questioned For Representing Gov. Brown During San Onofre Probe (KPBS)
• Donald Trump to speak at California Republican convention (Sacramento Bee)
•  Your Speeding Ticket Might Not Be Enforceable (Voice of SD)
• Calif. university spent $175,000 to counter negative Internet posts: newspaper  (Reuters)
• State nabs more than 80 for unlicensed contracting(San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Brickbat: Youthful Offender taken off terrorist watch list (Reason)

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

April 6, 2016 (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

• San Diego Emergency Rooms Feeling Strain From Overuse (KPBS)
• Grant funds first step in huge trail system (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• It’s April — La Mesa's Oktoberfest bill still unpaid (SD Reader)
• La Mesa Vice Mayor comes out against Trump (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Faulty signatures force two out of Chula Vista council race (Star News)
• Developer Tries to Make Escondido Bigger to Accommodate 550 Luxury Homes  (Voice of San Diego)
• Canceled VA appts pushed vet to try suicide (San Diego Union Tribune)

STATE

• Saudi Land Purchases Fuel Debate Over US Water Rights (KPBS)
• California Wants To Delay Toxic Chemical Labeling On Canned Foods (KPBS)
• Court revives California challenge to police dog 'bite & hold' policy (Reuters)
• How California Awards Presidential Primary Delegates (Capitol Public Radio)
• ‘It’s a nightmare inside’: bill would place new restrictions on private immigration centers (Los Angeles Times)
• Ted Cruz to speak at California Republican convention (Sacramento Bee)

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

March 10,  2016 (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

• Luxury development approved for Julian (U-T)
• Heavily redacted memo shields notes in fatal San Diego police shooting (KPBS)
• Charity accused of improper billing (U-T)
• MTS Board Members Ask For Faster Data Security Upgrades (KPBS)
• Contractors lose appeal on 'free speech’ gifts (U-T)
• San Diego Politicians Asked To Stop Voting On Their Own Salaries (KPBS)
• Is ballot crowding at work in San Diego city council races? (KPBS)
• Southern California aerospace industry continues to lose jobs (U-T)

STATE

• Brown’s judge friend removed from CPUC case (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Motivating the state’s refugee voters (KPBS)
• My $54,000 helicopter ride (Los Angeles Times)
• California advances bills to raise smoking age, regulate vaping (Sacramento Bee)

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

February 24,  2016 (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

• Homeless ‘dumping’ settlement impacts San Diego (KNSD)
• Lawsuit claims ‘north of 8’ favoritism (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Surprise! California’s High Speed Rail Breaks Major Promise in New Plan (Reason)
• PUC actions raise concerns, require reforms (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• PUC bias favors industry over public (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Pilot Program Asks Travelers Crossing Into Mexico For ID, Biometric Scans (KPBS)
• Independent oversight promised with last SANDAG tax hike not so independent (Voice of San Diego)

STATE

• Just how low can the PUC go?  (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• California bill would open police misconduct records to public (Sacramento Bee)
• California’s mountain lions are eating our pets: report (Patch.com)
• Data Breaches Exposed Records Of 24 Million Californians In 2015 (KPBS)
• California drivers get 2.2-cent tax cut
• Brown vs. CalPERS: The ugly status quo wins(San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Judge halts CPUC email case for review  (San Diego Union-Tribune)

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

By Miriam Raftery

Updated February 3, 2016 with SoCalGas response.

February 2, 2016 (San Diego)—Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacy today announced filing of four misdemeanor criminal charges against Sempra Energy’s Southern California Gas (SoCalGas) over the leak at its San Aliso underground natural gas facility. The leak has pumped 80,000 metric tons of methane into the air, sickening residents of nearby Porter Ranch and causing thousands to relocate.

 In addition, California Attorney General Kamala Harris today announced a civil suit filed by California against SoCalGas, which provides gas to most southern California counties.  The new suits, along with suits filed by residents, add to the financial toll that SoCalGas and potentially, Sempra ratepayers may ultimately be forced to cover.