SOLAR ECLIPSE VIEWING PARTY

ATMOSPHERIC RIVER TO DRENCH REGION OVER EASTER WEEKEND

GROSSMONT HIGH SCHOOL BOARD SLASHES STAFFING, OVER OBJECTIONS OF VOCAL CROWD

CONSUMER ALERT FOR SAFELY FILING YOUR TAXES

VIEW OUR INTERVIEW: LA MESA ACTIVISTS OBJECT TO CITY COUNCIL BANNING REMOTE PARTICIPATION

WINTER STORM WARNING

EASTER BRUNCH AND EGG HUNT MARCH 30 IN EL CAJON

BIA SAN DIEGO PARTNERS WITH WORKFORCECONNECT TO UTILIZE JOBS PLATFORM, WHILE ADDRESSING CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WORKFORCE SHORTAGE

RECENT FIRE DEATHS HEIGHTEN CALLS FOR FIRE PROTECTION BALLOT MEASURE IN SANTEE

MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK COMMUNITY NIGHT SLATED FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 4

COUNTRY MUSIC LEGEND TANYA TUCKER LIVE AT THE MAGNOLIA MAY 19

UNOFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS SHOW FLIPS IN TWO KEY RACES HOLDING

News

RECALL PAPERS SERVED TO THREE SAN MIGUEL FIRE DIRECTORS

 

By Mike Allen

January 29, 2017 (Spring Valley) -- An already combustible situation at the San Miguel Fire Protection District was made more divisive on January 25th, when three members of the board were served notice that a recall campaign is being mounted to oust them.


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TRUMP BANS REFUGEES FROM KEY MUSLIM NATIONS, ALSO BARS LEGAL RESIDENTS OVERSEAS FROM RETURNING TO U.S.

 

Order exempts nations where Trump has business ventures; protests erupt at airports nationwide

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

Photo: A large crowd at JFK airport in New York is protesting the crackdown on refugees and immigrants tonight, where cab drivers have threatened to shut down airport traffic for an hour.  A smaller group of protestors has gathered at San Diego's Lindbergh Field airport,  CBS reports.

January 28, 2017 (San Diego)—An executive ordered signed Friday by President Donald Trump suspends admission of refugees from seven predominantly Muslim nations for at least 120 days pending “extreme vetting.”  Those nations are Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya and Yemen, CNN reports. 

Despite banning refugees from Syria, Trump backed off his campaign pledge to establish a safe zone inside war-torn Syria for persecuted people.  

The order also puts a half million legal residents of the U.S. who are traveling overseas in limbo, unable to return home, and slashes in half the number of refugees the U.S. will admit this year from all countries.


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CHALDEAN CHRISTIAN REFUGEES COULD BENEFIT FROM TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDER

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

File photo:  Prayer vigil for Iraqi Christians in El Cajon

January 28, 2017 (El Cajon) – President Donald Trump’s sweeping order restricting refugees from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S. has been greeted with optimism by some in San Diego’s Chaldean Christian community, since Trump has stated on a Christian broadcasting station that he would give priority to persecuted Christians, after a tougher vetting process is implemented.

Mark Arabo, president of the Minority Humanitarian Foundation in San Diego, voices hope that the order could help save lives of Christians facing death at the hands of ISIS in the Middle East.  An estimated 400,000 Iraqi Christians have fled Iraq and another 80,000 have been killed or tortured, some by crucifixion and beheadings 

Some have suggested Trump's order could be unconstitutioal for discriminating against Muslims.

Arabo, while hopeful to get help for persecuted Christians,  also expressed a wish for the order to be expanded to protect other people persecuted by ISIS, regardless of their faiths.


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TRUMP ADMINISTRATION GAGS AGENCIES FROM COMMUNICATIONS WITH PRESS OR PUBLIC; THREATENS ROGUE “RESISTANCE” TWITTER FEEDS

 

“The public’s access to its government and its employees is dying.” –Lynn Walsh, Society for Professional Journalists.

By Miriam Raftery

January 27, 2017 (Washington D.C.) -- First Amendment advocates are sounding the alarm over a gag order on federal agencies imposed by Donald Trump’s administration.   The agencies have been ordered not to communicate with the press or public, including press releases, social media, and more.  


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HOT TOPICS ON THE HELIX WATER BOARD AGENDA

 

East County News Service

January 27, 2017 (La Mesa) – The Helix Water Board has some important matters to consider at its next two meetings.  On Monday, January 30th at 6 p.m., the board will interview applicants and appoint a new director to fill a vacancy on the board.  Then on Wednseday, February 1st at 6 p.m., ,the agenda includes a discussion of the County Water Authority’s declaration finding the drought is over in San Diego County—and what actions the Helix District should consider taking to ease water use restrictions on ratepayers.


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A WALL AT WHAT PRICE? TRUMP’S ORDERS ON BORDER SECURITY, PUNISHING SANCTUARY CITIES DRAW BIPARTISAN CONCERNS IN SAN DIEGO

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 26, 2017 (San Diego) – San Diego could face substantial impacts from President Donald Trump’s executive orders issued yesterday regarding immigration and border security.


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CHILD’S BODY FOUND IN RAINBOW CREEK: BOY AND FATHER SWEPT AWAY DURING STORM

 

Source: San Diego Sheriff

January 26, 2017 (San Diego) -- After a five-day search, crews have located the body of a child in a creek in Rainbow. The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office will determine if the body is that of five-year-old Phillip Campbell.  The boy and his father are believed to have been swept away by floodwaters on Sunday.

Below are details provided by the San Diego County Sheriff:


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SANTEE CITY COUNCIL APPOINTS BRIAN JONES TO FILL VACANCY

 

By Mike Allen

Photo:  Eight finalists in Santee council appointment await questions from council.

January 26, 2017 (Santee) -- Brian Jones, a former state Assemblyman and ex-Santee Councilman, is returning to his old job again. He was appointed by the City Council after a five-hour interview process that began last night and stretched into the early morning hours


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IT’S OFFICIAL! DROUGHT IS OVER IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, SAN DIEGO WATER AUTHORITY DECLARES

 

East County News Service

Source: San Diego County Water Authority

Jan. 26, 2017 (San Diego) — Today the County Water Authority board declared an end to the drought in San Diego County.  The Water Authority will ask Governor Jerry Brown to rescind drought emergency regulations for areas of California no longer in drought conditions.


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GOVERNOR DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY

 

East County News Service

Photo:  City of Poway tweeted this image of a boulder that shut down Poway Road

January 24, 2017 (Sacramento) — Governor Jerry Brown today issued an emergency declaration for San Diego County and 56 other California counties hard-hit by the recent winter storms. 


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COUNTY TO MOVE OFFICES FROM EL CAJON TO SANTEE

 

East County News Service

January 25, 2017 (Santee) – County Supervisors have unanimously approved plans to build new county offices on Mission Gorge Road in Santee, near the Edgemoor skilled nursing facility.  


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ASSEMBLYMEMBER VOEPEL SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR 2017 WOMAN OF THE YEAR

 

Local honoree will be recognized in Sacramento on March 6

January 25, 2017 (Sacramento) -- Assemblymember Randy Voepel, R-Santee, invites constituents to nominate extraordinary women in their communities for consideration as the 2017 Woman of the Year for the 71st Assembly District.


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TRUMP CANCELS TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP (TPP) TRADE DEAL

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 25, 2017 (San Diego) – President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to cancel the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact with 12 Pacific Rim nations.

The action is being hailed by even many Trump opponents who did not support the trade deal, but has drawn criticism from others, particularly in the business community.


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SAN MIGUEL FIRE BOARD TO CONSIDER CHANGING DISPATCH SERVICES TO HEARTLAND; CRITICS SAY COST WILL BE HIGHER

 

East County News Service

January 24, 2017 (Spring Valley) – San Miguel Fire District’s board meets Wednesday, January 25 at 5:30 p.m. in the District’s board room (2850 Via Orange way in Spring Valley).  The hot agenda item is a proposal to shift dispatch services from CAL FIRE to Heartland Communications, by joining Heartland’s Joint Powers Agremeent along with the cities of El Cajon, Lemon Grove,  La Mesa and Santee as well as fire districts in Alpine and Lakeside.


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WOMAN HIT CROSSING STREET IN SANTEE, SERIOUSLY INJURED

 

East County News Service

January 24, 2017 (Santee) – A woman pedestrian around 50 years old was struck by a vehicle and seriously injured Friday, January 20th around 5:35 p.m. while crossing Magnolia Avenue in front of the 7-11 store on Woodside Avenue.


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READERS SHARE SCARY STORM STORIES

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Crestwood summit on I-8 by Don Lumb

January 24, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – “I was nearly killed by a large boulder on Friday night,” a reader told ECM, adding that multiple rock slides occurred along the highway to Ramona along the San Pasqual grade.  “The County needs to evaluate that road right now before people are killed by the boulders.”


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RESERVE YOUR SEATS: HELIX WATER TALKS ON JANUARY 28TH

 

East County News Service

January 24, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Helix Water Talks is the Helix Water District’s new series of facility tours and panel discussions to give customers an inside look at how it provides a safe and reliable water supply – from the science and engineering to the policies and operations. The series begins with “On Demand: How We Deliver Water” on January 28 in El Cajon.

See below for details:


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SAN DIEGANS TO RALLY TONIGHT AGAINST TRUMP ACTIONS MOVING AHEAD ON DAKOTA ACCESS, KEYSTONE XL PIPELINES

 

East County News Service

January 24, 2017 (San Diego) – Tonight, over 100 San Diegans including members of the Kumeyaay Nation and local climate activists, will rally outside the Federal Building (880 Front St.) to oppose President Donald Trump's decision to move ahead with the Keystone and Dakota Access Pipeline. This is one of several actions across the country.


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TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ASSAILED FOR “ALTERNATIVE FACTS,” ATTACKS ON MEDIA AND SHUTTING WHITE HOUSE PHONE LINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 24, 2017 (Washington D.C.) - In his book, 1984, George Orwell wrote, “The very concept of objective truth is fading out of the world. Lies will pass into history.”

Recent actions by the Trump administration to discredit journalists over truthful reports and stifle public comments have alarmed First Amendment supporters, constitutional scholars, journalists, and government watchdog groups.


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LA MESA COUNCIL TO HEAR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROPOSAL

 

East County News Service

January 24, 2017 (La Mesa) – La Mesa’s City Council will hear an Affordable homes Bonus Program proposed by Councilmembers Kristine Alessio and Colin Parent at tonight’s  meeting at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers (8130 Allison Ave., La Mesa.) View details: http://ca-lamesa3.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/1472?fileID=2801


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REDRAWING THE LINES: EL CAJON HOLDS PUBLIC HEARING ON REDISTRICTING TONIGHT

 

East County News Service

January 24, 2017 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon will hold public hearings tonight, January 24, and again on February 14th to approve criteria for creating City Council District boundaries and a schedule for establishing district elections. 


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GOT SANDBAGS? WATCH FOR WEEDS

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 24, 2017 (Boulevard) – A reader alerted us that after picking up free sandbags recently at the Boulevard Fire Station,  he noticed “hoary mustard weed growing out of the sand they used…The hoary mustard is a terrible weed that is spreading in Boulevard on equipment or anything that gets dirty and now is in sand bags spreading into even more areas. Once on someones property they will be fighting it forever as it invades gardens and any disturbed soil.”


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CREW SUES TRUMP OVER EMOLUMENTS

 

East County News Service

January 22, 2017 (Washington D.C.) -- Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is bringing a federal lawsuit to stop President Trump from violating the Constitution by receiving payments from foreign governments that CREW contends are illegal.


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CHAMBER MEMBERS "OPTIMISTIC" ABOUT TRUMP IMPACT ON SAN DIEGO ECONOMY

 

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

January 22, 2017 (San Diego) - San Diego businesses reported a moderately optimistic outlook at the close of 2016, with two-thirds expecting the new Donald Trump administration to have a positive impact.


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SDG&E CREWS RESTORE POWER BETWEEN STORMS

 

SDG&E crews restore power to approximately 39,000 customers between storms

Source: SDG&E

January 22, 2017 (San Diego) -- Friday delivered severe winds and rain to San Diego and Orange counties, uprooting trees that brought down power lines throughout the area. SDG&E crews worked to restore power to approximately 39,000 customers in a matter of hours. In isolated cases, where there was extensive damage, restorations took a bit longer, however most customers were restored by Sunday morning.


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TREE FALLS ON VFW HALL IN ALPINE

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Don Lumb

January 22, 2017 (Alpine) – A towering eucalyptus tree has toppled onto a patio roof at the Veterans of Foreign Wars building in Alpine.  The VRW center is located at 944 Tavern Road.  Don Lumb sent these photos; no other details are  immediately available.


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DANGEROUS NEW STORM SYSTEM HITS AREA, DOWNING TREES AND POWER LINES

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo credit: SDG&E

January 22, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Another round of heavy rain soaking our region will continue into Monday. This strong storm system is forecast to potentially bring more flash flooding, river flooding, and debris flows.  A winter storm warning is in effect for mountain areas with snow likely to dip down to 3,500 feet by Monday night.


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RESIDENTS ASKED TO REPORT STORM DAMAGE

 

Source: SD County Emergency

January 20, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - San Diego County residents experiencing significant damage to their homes or businesses are requested to report it to the County Office of Emergency Services online: http://www.sdcountyrecovery.com/damages-resulting-from-disaster/

Completion of this form will assist the County and City in collecting damage information and associated costs with the series of winter storms moving through our area. Compiling total costs throughout the county will assist local governments in determining whether we might qualify for state or federal disaster recovery assistance.


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TRUMP CANCELS MORTGAGE INSURANCE RATE CUT FOR FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS UNDER FHA, DRAWS OPPOSITION FROM REALTORS AND HOME BUILDERS

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 22, 2017 (San Diego) – Representatives for the California Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, and National Association of Homebuilders have all voiced opposition to an executive order issued by President Trump that could add as much as $1,500 to costs for some first-time homebuyers.


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RAMONA DRIVER, NOT WEARING SEATBELT, KILLED IN ROLLOVER ACCIDENT

 

East County News Service

January 22, 2017 (Ramona) – A Ramona man died in a rollover crash Thursday evening after the 2006 Ford F-150 pickup he was driving on westbound Highland Valley Road west of Voorhes Lane drifted off the roadway.


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