By Jordan Damond

June 14, 2017 (San Diego) -- President Donald Trump and his attorney have accused fired FBI director James Comey of being a “leaker” for providing what they claim was privileged information in memos that Comey arranged for media to receive. But many legal experts contend that Comey may be protected as a whistleblower--and that any actions to retaliate against him could be construed as obstruction of justice. The controversy raises a key question:

Is James Comey a leaker?

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Story by Liz Alper

Photo:  another strong outing for Jhoulys Chacin:  seven innings pitched, five hits, two runs, one walk and four strikeouts.  Via @Padres on Twitter

June 14, 2017 (San Diego) - Last night was as good an outing as we’ve seen from the Padres so far this season.  If we’re being honest, and this isn’t an insult, nothing will top it.  But today, the Padres went for the sweep against the Reds in this Wednesday matinee.  Amir Garrett started for the Reds against Jhoulys Chacin.

June 14, 2017 (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

• Judge Curiel gets another tough one (San Diego Reader)
• Mayor uses veto power to restore special election funding (Times of San Diego)
• Investigators looking into if El Cajon brush fire was intentional (KNSD)
• Immigration judge orders release of Mexican woman (KPBS)
• Judges say Edison failed to prove fraud, undermined its own case in San Onofre arbitration (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• DA taking more cash, guns and other assets from suspected criminals (SDUT)
• Study: San Diego a Top 10 tech city (SDUT)
• Re-Animated Records Comes to Life (NBC San Diego)
• Developers of Little Flower apartments tussle with La Mesa neighbors (SD Reader)
• EU antitrust regulators to investigate $38 billion Qualcomm, NXP deal (Reuters)
• Topping off ceremony marking milestone in Viejas Casino & Resort expansion (SDUT)
• Planning commission recommends approval of Christian tourism resort (KPBS)

STATE

• Climate change could burn a hole in the Forest Service’s budget (Sacramento Bee)
• Signs of past California 'mega-quakes' show danger of the Big One on San Andreas fault (Los Angeles Times)
• Can California really hit a 100% clean energy renewable target? (SDUT)
• Legal marijuana could be a $5 billion boon to California’s economy (Los Angeles Times)
• California Is Now 13 Acres Bigger (Newser)
• University of California Announces Policy to give Illegal Immigrants Preference Over U.S. Students (2aNews)

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

Source:  Helix Water District

Photo:  from right: Helix Boardmember Mark Gracyk, who represents Lemon Grove, Boardmember DeAna Verbeke, Board President Joel Scalzitti and Lemon Grove assistant city manager and public works director Mike James.  Via Helix Water District

June 13, 2017 (Lemon Grove) - Helix Water District Board President Joel Scalzitti operated the excavator this morning, lowering a segment of PVC pipe into the trench at the corner of Mt. Vernon Avenue and Golden Avenue in Lemon Grove.  The pipe was signed by the Lemon Grove City Council and Helix board members, and its installation marks the removal of the last large segment of cast iron pipe in the water distribution system serving the city of Lemon Grove.

East County News Service

June 13, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Gordon Bosma, a long-time resident of East County, died on May 29, 2017.   Bosma was a retired United States postal worker.  While working there, he led his local union, American Postal Workers, AFL-CIO.

East County News Service

June 13, 2017 (San Diego) - At the May 24, 2017 V.I.P. (Very Important Planet) Reception held at the City of San Diego Environmental Services Department, San Diego EarthWorks recognized EDCO with the E.A.R.T.H. (Environmental Action and Restoration That Helps) Award for EarthFair efforts. There to accept the award on EDCO’s behalf was John Snyder, EDCO’s Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, and Elmer Heap, EDCO’s Division Manager.

By Miriam Raftery

June 13, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) — Family members of Santana High School teacher Janelle Pasquale Garrison are asking help to cover medical bills as she battles an acute form of leukemia that rarely occurs in adults.

50 years as organist/pianist at The Table:  United Church of Christ of La Mesa

By Mary Domb Mikkelson

June 13, 2017 (La Mesa) -- A national treasure right in our midst-- that’s the incomparable Valerie Victor, organist/pianist at The Table:  United Church of Christ of La Mesa (UCCLM).

Born in National City (as were her mother and grandmother), Valerie was seven when she started to play the piano, eight when her elementary school music teacher asked that she not return to class – it was “too easy” for her.  Taken on as the teacher’s private student for the next seven years, young Valerie thrived.  Another teacher followed, working with her for the next 25 – 30 years.  Once a month a “bonus” was added:  organ lessons. 

East County News Service

June 13, 2017 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, will host “Qigong: Meditation in Motion,” a free program on Qigong, an ancient breathing technique originated in China, from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 28. The program is part of the library’s “Wellness Wednesday” series, normally held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served. Advance RSVP is not necessary. Handouts will be available.

By Miriam Raftery

June 13, 2017 (La Mesa)—Helix Water District’s board will hold a special meeting tonight at 6 p.m. at the district headquarters (7811 University Avenue, La Mesa) to consider the proposed fiscal year 2017-18 budget of $88,282,730. Click to view the complete board package.  Scroll down for details on a proposed rate increase, most due to a hike in rates from the County Water Authority:

East County News Service

June 13, 2017 (Tierrasanta) – If you’re looking for a delicious way to celebrate Father’s Day in inland San Diego, Andiamo Ristorante in Tierrasanta is offering a prix fixe menu starting at 5 p.m. on June 18^th for $29.95 per person – and kids under 12 eat free.

SDSU opens its MW slate with a pair of tough road contests

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

June 13, 2017 (San Diego) - San Diego State women’s basketball and the Mountain West have announced the Aztecs’ league schedule for the upcoming 2017-18 season.

Each team in the conference plays eight of the other 10 teams twice and plays two opponents once. This year, the Aztecs will not host Utah State, nor will they travel to New Mexico.

Aztecs to open conference slate at Wyoming

Source:  goaztecs.com

June 13, 2017 (San Diego) - San Diego State’s Mountain West schedule for the 2017-18 campaign has been released by the league. The Aztecs will open conference action at Wyoming on Dec. 27, and will close the slate with consecutive home games vs. Boise State on Feb. 28 and Nevada on March. 3

Ruling also affirms block on refugee ban, but allows review of vetting procedures

By Miriam Raftery

June 13, 2017 (San Francisco) --  A second federal appeals court has blocked nearly all of President Donald Trump’s executive order  that included a 90-day travel ban from six mainly Muslim nations, though the two courts found different rationales for their rulings, the New York Times reports.

Source:  Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

June 12, 2017 (El Cajon) - The impact on lives that Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges have is never more apparent than on commencement day, when speakers talk about their first steps taken in their academic journeys and the encouragement they’ve received along the way.