East County News Service

May 11, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – State Senator Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) has earned an “F” grade from Courage Campaign on its “People’s Report Card”  The “courage score” rating measures  how well  legislators “stand up for constituents over corporations or special interest groups that seek to exploit Californians, particularly the poor, disadvantaged, and communities of color,” according  to the website.  Anderson received a zero – the worst possible score.

East County News Service

May 11, 2017 (La Mesa) – The City of La Mesa invites you to wear your red, white and blue to salute “Old Glory” at the 20th annual La Mesa Flag Day Parade on Saturday, June 3rd. The parade begins at 10:00 a.m. through the La Mesa Downtown Village, led by the United States 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band.

By Miriam Raftery

May 11, 2017 (Jacumba Hot Springs) — The Jacumba Hikers and Walkers will hit the trail this Saturday, May 13^th  on a five-mile hike to visit an inactive garnet mine. Hikers will encounter a waterfall, exhilarating views and othr hidden treasures of the high desert area.  “Bring your rock picks and safety glasses to do a little mining, or just enjoy your lunch on a scenic hilltop at the mine,”  the invitation reads.

Update: The County has provided a list of additional locations for CalFresh eents in East County.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  seagull-bt/Pixabay

May 10, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- The desire to eat healthier often comes with an all too familiar roadblock: staying within the family food budget while grocery shopping. There is help for families and individuals to supplement their food budget through CalFresh, a supplemental nutrition program for families and individuals that meet income guidelines.   CalFresh is designed to reduce food insecurity and increase food budgets, improving participant’s access to fresh and healthy food.

Source:  Cal Fire

May 10, 2017 (Jamul) - CAL FIRE and San Diego County Fire, in cooperation with California Department of Fish & Wildlife, will be conducting a habitat restoration prescribed burn approximately 4 miles southeast of Jamul within the Rancho Jamul Ecological Reserve. Burning of standing vegetation will occur on approximately 70 acres as part of CALFIRE’s Vegetation Management Program (VMP). Ignition will occur at approximately 8:00 AM on May 11, 2017 and smoke may be visible throughout the County.

East County News Service

May 10, 2017 (La Mesa) - The volunteer citizens group monitoring the spending of millions of dollars in public funds for new and improved patient care facilities at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa has a new member. Lindsey Ryan, the hospital’s Manager of Nursing Education and Professional Development, has joined the Independent Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (ICBOC).

POLITICS: ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE – Commentary and Analysis on Race, War, Ethics and the American Political Landscape in the Age of Obama, by Wilmer J. Leon, III, Ph.D. (AuthorHouse, Bloomington, Indiana, 2016, 332 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

May 10, 2017 (San Diego) - Wilmer J. Leon, III, PhD., has written a provocative and well researched book on politics and race relations; Politics: Another Perspective – Commentary and Analysis on Race, War, Ethics and the American Political Landscape in the Age of Obama. When I read Dr. Leon’s book it is like “preaching to the choir”, particularly his take on the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright in my hometown of Chicago. I am well aware of Dr. Wright’s place in history, and especially as it regards the ascension of Barack Obama to the Presidency of the United States. Former President Barack Obama was actually a member of Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright’s church at one time prior to becoming president, as well as Oprah Winfrey.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  UFCW Local 135 on Twitter

May 10, 2017 (San Diego) — The San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council is breaking up.  Eight unions announced last week that they will withdraw from the region’s most powerful labor organization.  The action came a day after the AFL-CIO’s national office took over control of the group and dismissed president Mickey Kasparian, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Kasparian was facing lawsuits alleging sexual harassment and discrimination, but has denied guilt.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Comey official FBI portrait

May 10, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – President Donald Trump has fired the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director over the weekend, stating that he has “lost confidence” in James Comey.   Comey was scheduled to testify this Thursday before the Senate Intelligence Committee on the FBI investigation into Russia’s hacking of the U.S. presidential election.

Source:  Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

May 9, 2017 (El Cajon) - Tim Garfield has seen it all in his 37 years as attorney for the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District. Dealing with issues ranging from student discipline to an endangered species that caused a massive construction delay, Garfield has quietly handled the East County college district’s legal issues based on a deep knowledge of education law and human nature.

East County News Service

May 9, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – You’re invited to join the San Diego East County Chamber at the annual Grip it & Rip IT Golf Tournament and Mixer on Thursday, May 25^th.   (View flyer).

East County News Service

May 9, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Mother’s Day brunch, tea and dinners as well as a butterfly festival, classic car events, the Manzanita Rendezvous with mountain men and more.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including the Julian Fiddle and Pickin’ Contest, America on Main Street, Explore Mission Trails Day, Fly Day at Gillespie Field, Night Fishing at Santee Lakes, the launch of Santee’s Summer Concert series, and a Father’s Day brunch with Cowboy Jack.

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

By Nick Pellegrino

Study finds undocumented immigrants contribute $3 billion in California

Source: Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy

May 8, 2017 (San Diego) -- Undocumented immigrants contribute roughly $3 billion in taxes to California each year, over $1.5 billion of which goes to county coffers.

According to a new study from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP), undocumented immigrants paid $109.8 million in taxes to San Diego County (in the form of property taxes and local sales taxes) and nearly $108.8 million in taxes to the state of California (in the form of personal income taxes and sales and excise taxes).