Photo:  Suggested attire for reporters asking tough questions of government officials

Media Watch column by Miriam Raftery

May 25, 2017 (San Diego) – San Diego Congressman Duncan Hunter, asked by capitol reporters what he thought about Montana Congressional Candidate Greg Gianforte bodyslamming a reporter, replied that is’ “not appropriate behavior” then clarified, “unless the reporter deserved it,” the Hill reports.

Gianforte was charged with assault against a reporter from the Guardian last night who asked his views on a Congressional Budget Office report on the GOP healthcare bill.  

The violent assault was caught on tape by Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs. The attack was also witnessed by a Fox News crew, who confirmed that Gianforte “grabbed Jacobs by the neck with both hands and slammed him into the ground,” then began punching him. Three newspapers revoked their endorsements of Gianforte over the brutal incident, which broke the reporter’s glasses. On tape, Gianforte can be heard shouting at Jacobs to "get the hell out" after smashing him to the ground.

East County News Service

May 25, 2017 (El Cajon) — Dogs, cats and other pets awaiting adoption in El Cajon will soon have some spacious new digs.  The long-awaited El Cajon Animal Shelter is finally under construction after years of planning and design.

By: Jordan Damond and Miriam Raftery

May 25, 2017 (El Cajon) –  Andre Zeehandelaar told El Cajon’s City Council at Wednesday’s meeting that he has evidence of dangerous conditions at an illegal marijuana dispensary obtained through drone footage. 

Zeehandelaar stated he was a licensed pilot. The FAA website confirms his license here:  https://amsrvs.registry.faa.gov/airmeninquiry/Main.aspx

After hearing noise from a generator Friday night at 1308 Bradway,  Zeehandelaar says he flew a drone overhead that revealed an estimated 25 gallons of gasoline on the roof. “That makes me afraid,” he said, citing risk of an explosion and fire.

East County News Service

May 25, 2017 (Santee) – You’re invited to join over 30,000 visitors at the Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival this Saturday, May 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Town Center Parkway and Riverview Parkway in Santee.

By Miriam Raftery

May 25, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – House Republicans passed repeal of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and  passage of their own American Health Care Act (Trumpcare) without waiting for a report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Now the CBO’s report is published—and shows mostly negative consequences of the Republican plan now before the Senate. 

East County News Service

May 24, 2017 (La Mesa) - Local young entrepreneurs Aaron Morgante and Colin Martin of “Good Wood Customs” are bringing their love of Cornhole to local bars and breweries around the San Diego area.

East County News Service

May 24, 2017 (Alpine) -- Would you know how to respond if your child stopped breathing or someone you love had a heart attack? The Alpine Woman's Club is hosting CPR & AED Certification Class on Saturday June 10^th from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at  The Town Hall , 2156 Alpine Blvd.

May 24, 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

• County Officials Propose Increase in Water Rates (KPBS)
• The City’s Aging Dams Are Getting a Costly Check-Up (Voice of San Diego)
• Whither La Mesa's old police station, the farmers market? (San Diego Reader)
• El Cajon sees need for second code compliance officer (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Collier Park ready to show off new look (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Kids learn lessons, feast on food from Lemon Avenue school garden (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Charges Shed Light on Sea Cucumber Smuggling at US Border (New York Times)
• National Democrats name California GOP Reps. Devin Nunes and Duncan Hunter as targets in 2018 election (Los Angeles Times)
• Voice of San Diego to Spin Off New Organization to Support Good Journalism Everywhere  (Voice of San Diego)
• Mayor’s proposal for special election on convention center, homeless funding draws sharp questions (San Diego Union-Tribune)

STATE

• Video shows massive landslide that has closed Highway 1 at Big Sur indefinitely (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• San Onofre critics question private meetings on waste storage (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Gov. Brown stiffed doctors, dentists and hospitals by not increasing provider fees with new tobacco tax money (Los Angeles Times)
•  California Gov. Jerry Brown Calls Gas Tax Hike Foes 'Freeloaders' (Reason)
• Trump administration appears to ease up on its threat against ‘sanctuary cities’ (Los Angeles Times)
• Pot convictions go up in smoke with California marijuana legalization (KPBS)

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

May 24, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's 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:

U.S.

• Trump asked intelligence chiefs to push back against FBI collusion probe after Comey revealed its existence  (Washington Post)
• Read full text of Trump's Riyadh address to the Muslim world (Jerusalem Post)
• Trump urges Muslim world to `drive out the extremists’ (The Hill)
• Did Trump commit high crimes and misdemeanors? (Huffington Post)
• Flynn takes 5^th on Senate subpoena (Washington Post)
• ‘President has declared war’: Journalists denounce attacks on press freedom (Guardian)
• Killing C.I.A. Informants, China Crippled U.S. Spying Operations (New York Times)
• Homelessness in the U.S.:   Sleep study and accommodation directory (Tuck.com)
• Supreme Court finds the GOP packed black voters into two North Carolina districts to help win more House seats (New York Times)
• Ex-employee of U.S. defense firm pleads guilty in espionage case (Reuters)
• Reinventing high school (CS Monitor)
• Ex-U.S. Congressman Weiner pleads guilty in teen 'sexting' case (Reuters)

WORLD

• European Union votes to end visa-free travel for Americans (Independent)
• Manchester attack:  22 dead and 59 injured in suicide bombing (BBC)
• Japan cabinet approves bill to allow emperor to abdicate (Reuters)
• Reformists win big during recent Iranian election (CS Monitor)
• Poll Shows Increased Support for NATO on Both Sides of the Atlantic (NPR)
• The European Union Wants to Censor Hate Speech on Social Media (Reason)
• Oxfam: Combined Wealth of 5 Richest Nigerians Could Lift Country Out of Poverty (NPR)
• Dutch King Reveals Secret Life as Part-Time Pilot on KLM Airline (NPR)

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

Story and photo by Liz Alper

May 24, 2017 (San Diego) - New La Mesa Fire Department chief Colin Stowell was this month's speaker at the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce's breakfast meeting at Marie Callender's on Wednesday morning.

By Miriam Raftery

May 23, 2017 (Big Sur) – Millions of tons of rocks and mud have buried Highway 1 in a massive mudslide over the weekend at the aptly-named Mud Creek in Big Sur. According a tweet from Caltrans District 5, the slide covered a third of a mile of roadway, 35 to 40 feet deep. 

East County News Service

May 23, 2017 (Ramona) -- Winery members of the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association (RVVA) will kick off the Ramona Valley Wine Country Summer of Wine with extended tasting days and/or unique experiences and tasting opportunities over the Memorial Day Weekend, May 26-29, 2017.

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo: The project is bordered by existing sand projects to the north and east

May 23, 2017 (Lakeside) -- The Lakeside Community Planning Group  on May 17 approved by a 10-0 vote a major use permit for East County Sand LLC to extract sand from 19.23 of 27.39 acres in the heavy industrial portion of Hwy-67 and Vigilante Road. The project still needs to go before the County Planning Commission. Upon conclusion, it will host 8.8 acres of wetland in Slaughterhouse Creek and San Vicente Creekbed at the north end of Moreno Valley in Lakeside.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

May 23, 2017 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a catfish opener at Santee Lakes this Memorial Day weekend,  Ramona Valley Wine Country’s Summer of Wine kick-off events, the Coyote Band in an outdoor concert in downtown El Cajon,  the Baja Blues Boys live in Ramona and open ranch  day at the Oasis Camel Dairy.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including the La Mesa Flag Day parade,  Fly Days at the Gillespie Field Café,  Family Day at the Van Ommering Dairy in Lakeside, Lavender Day at Summers Past Farm, Boars and Brew at the Lakeside River Park, the Julian Dance, Fido Fest, a Taste of La Mesa,  summer concerts in  Santee, Father’s Day adventures, a Julian Blues Fest, and the Secret Life of Pets at Santee Lakes featuring a movie plus close encounters with animal ambassadors from around the world. 

So scroll down for all of these events and many more.

Popular event could fly off into sunset without more sponsors and donors

By Mike Allen

Photo credit John Ford Photography and Air Group One

May 22, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Organizers of the biggest annual air show in East County say they cannot afford to put it on because of rising costs and an inability to raise sufficient funds.