By Miriam Raftery

December 13, 2019 (Washington D.C.) – The House Judiciary today voted to send two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the full House. The causes for impeachment listed are abuse of power and obstruction of Congress including the President ordering the White House, executive branch agencies and officials to defy subpoenas and withhold documents and records. 

“In the history of the Republic, no President has ever ordered the complete defiance of an impeachment inquiry or sought to obstruct and impede so comprehensively the ability of the House of Representatives to investigate `High Crimes and Misdemeanors’, the obstruction of Congress article state, noting that federal agencies including State, Defense, and others “refused to produce a single document or record.” Trump also banned witnesses from testifying. “This abuse of office served to cover up the President’s own repeated misconduct and to seize and control the power of impeachment – and thus to nullify a vital constitutional safeguard vested solely in the House of Representatives,” the article continues.

By Miriam Raftery

December 11, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – A challenge seeking to block the Lemon Grove sales tax initiative on technical grounds won’t be heard until February 21 – too late to keep the measure off the March 3, 2020 ballot.  But if a judge rules the process was invalid, the vote could later be voided and the sales tax hike would not take effect.

The initiative, Measure S, would raise the sales tax by three quarters of a cent, from 7.75 to 8.5 percent. The city is facing serious financial shortfalls, with a budget deficit of nearly $1.2 million projected by the end of its fiscal year 2021-22. More than 85% of the city’s budget is spent on public safety, police and fire protection, leaving not enough money for other needs.

By Suzanne Potter, California News Service

December 10, 2019 (San Diego) -- In California, 1.3 million children younger than age five may lose out on essential services because of a hostile immigration climate, according to a new report.

Researchers from two children's advocacy groups found that the Trump administration's anti-immigrant policies and heightened law enforcement have had major impacts on children up to age five.

By Suzanne Potter, California News Service

December 12, 2019 (Sacramento) - This Sunday is the deadline for people to sign up for Covered California health insurance and have the coverage begin on Jan. 1.

Starting in 2020, the state will require everyone to get coverage or pay a penalty.

East County News Service

SDCCU was proud to support the San Diego Humane Society’s PAWS Food Program

Source:  San Diego County Credit Union

December 12, 2019 (San Diego) - San Diego County Credit Union^® (SDCCU^®), San Diego’s largest locally-owned financial institution, helped to collect over 9,000 pounds of food to support the efforts of the San Diego Humane Society’s PAWS Food Program, which provides pet food for families experiencing limited financial resources. 

Tea Adams (16) and Taylor Kalmer (15) led SDSU in scoring

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

December 11, 2019 (San Diego) - The Aztec women’s basketball team (4-7) fell to San Diego (5-4) 70-47 Wednesday evening.

SDSU struggled on the glass and with turnovers but kept the Toreros in striking distance for the majority of the game. However, USD put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Aztecs 23-11.

East County News Service

December 11, 2019 (El Cajon) – Foothills Christian Church, 365 West Bradley Ave., El Cajon, is presenting its third annual “Christmas Nights at Foothills,” a free, nightly, synched-music Christmas light show featuring more than 100,000 lights, from 5 to 9 p.m. through Dec. 31. Motorists are invited to drive along West Bradley Drive, tune their car radio to 104.1-FM and enjoy the holiday light display that is synchronized to music.

December 11, 2019 (San Diego) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media.  This week's round-up stories include:  

LOCAL

• Ex-Deputy Who Sexually Abused 16 Women On Duty Gets 44-Month Term (Times of San Diego) 
• Spring Valley Man Set To Be Arraigned For Alleged Mass Shooting Practice Videos (KPBS)
• Case involving fight between Lemon Grove councilman, cannabis businessman heads to court (San Diego Union-Tribune) 
• Televangelist opens his Bible-themed attraction — from wailing wall and catacombs to luxury lodging (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• How the new North American trade pact may lead to a sewage cleanup of the Tijuana River Valley (San Diego Union-Tribune)

STATE

• Newsom to review PG&E’s $13.5 billion wildfire victims’ deal (San Francisco Chronicle)
• Data shows California is warming faster than anywhere in the continental United States (MSNBC)
• Fires, floods and free parking: California’s unending fight against climate change (Washington Post)
• Firefighter overtime surged 65% in a decade, costing California $5 billion a year in wages  (San Diego Union-Tribune)

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

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Robert Ryan

December 11, 2019 (Lakeside) – Sheriff’s deputies in Lakeside received a call reporting a man in a vehicle holding a gun in the 9600 block of Marilla Drive last night around 5:25 p.m.  When deputies arrived, the suspect fled at a high rate of speed and a short pursuit ensued.

The suspect ran a stop sign and struck a civilian vehicle, but kept going. “The suspect came to an abrupt stop in the middle of Lakeshore Drive, causing the pursuing deputies to collide with one another as well as the suspect vehicle,” says Sergeant Amber Reeves.

By Jose A. Alvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office

Video by Jose Eli Villanueva

December 10, 2019 (San Diego) - A total of 483 San Diegans died from meth last year, a record number for the region.

That’s the key finding of the San Diego County Methamphetamine Strike Force’s latest report, which was released today at the Medical Examiner’s Office.

Source:  Caltrans

December 9, 2019 (San Diego) - Crews are preparing to close State Route 94 (SR-94) near College Grove Way tonight from Midnight to 5 a.m. The closure is for SDG&E emergency powerline work over the freeway.

By Jake Zawlacki

Photo by Toby A. Cox

December 9, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- I would like to jump into some crazy stuff, but I feel like you’re just getting to know me; the satire and controversy can wait. I want  to build a foundation, but I first need to define my mind. I have an analog mind, and the only way to really define it is against a digital one. The best way to understand the difference between analog and digital is that analog is based on infinite gradation whereas digital is all 0s and 1s. A wave can have an infinite amount of unique points. A 0 or 1 cannot. They are either 0 or 1. There is no in between.

By Melinda Myers

Photo credit: Melinda Myers, LLC. Common milkweed is making a comeback in part because it’s an important food source for the monarch butterfly. The milkweed’s seedpods can be crafted into wreaths, art and more.

December 9, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- Homemade gifts are a wonderful way to show you care. Making them from items grown in your garden adds that extra personal touch. And just like the plant, decorations and gifts made from milkweed pods are gaining in popularity.

Considered a weed by some, common milkweed is making a comeback as more gardeners are growing this important food source for monarch butterflies. Harvest the seedpods and craft them into wreaths, stars and indoor holiday trees.