By Ken Stone

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

March 1, 2017 (San Diego) -- Rep. Darrell Issa on Monday clarified his stance on a review of Russian ties to President Trump, apparently backing off his recent call for a special prosecutor.

“The American people need a clear-eyed view of the nefarious actions of the Russian government,” Issa said in the wake of his appearance Friday on “Real Time with Bill Maher,” where he told the HBO host that “you’re going to need to use the special prosecutor’s statute and office.”

By Andrea Sears, Public News Service

Photo: More than half of private-sector workers have no access to a retirement savings plan through their workplace. (401(K)2012/Flickr)

March 1, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Senate is now considering bills that could overturn rules clarifying how states and cities can help millions of private-sector workers save for retirement.

More than half of American workers don't have access to a company pension plan at work. So, the Obama administration issued regulations clearing the way for states and large cities to create payroll deduction plans for those workers' retirement savings.

By Miriam Raftery

March 1, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Two local school districts in La Mesa and Warner Springs are serving bottled water to students and staff due to water quality concerns.

La Mesa Spring Valley School District announced that it has voluntarily shut down drinking fountains and water used for cooking, while awaiting tests on drinking water quality. Superintendent Brian Marshall says the change is due to an “abundance of caution.”

East County News Service

March 1, 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.

• Clean power plant repeal would cost America $600 billion, cause 120,000 premature deaths (Forbes)
• Trump’s address to joint session of Congress, annotated (NPR)
• Democratic Response to Trump's Address to Congress, Annotated (NPR)
• As communities deal with anti-Semitic attacks, Jewish officials urge action (ABC)
• Trump aims to eliminate clean water rule (NPR)
• Top House conservatives won’t back draft Obamacare replacement (The Hill)
• GOP healthcare plan would cover fewer people, blowback grows (Bloomberg News)
• Donald Trump’s immigrant crimes list labeled ‘shocking in the extreme’ by human rights groups (UK Independent)
• FBI refused White House request to knock down recent Russia-Trump stories (CNN)
• Sioux tribe puts ‘black snake’ prophesy at center of Dakota pipeline battle (Bloomberg News)
• Former Labor Secretary Tom Perez elected DNC chair (CNN)
• Congress just got a lot closer to defunding Planned Parenthood (Mother Jones)

WORLD

• North Korea executes five top officials with anti-aircraft guns (Wall St. Journal)
• Russia, China block U.N.  sanctions on Syria over gas attacks (Reuters)
• Egypt's Christians flee Sinai amid Islamic State killing spree (Reuters)
• 'Weaponized' drones are no longer fantasy (Jewish World News)
• Chemical weapon VX nerve agent killed North Korean leader's half brother: Malaysian police (Reuters)
• Attacks On Foreigners On the Rise in South Africa (NPR)
• Deaths from India air pollution rivaling China (Japan Times)
• Iraqi commander:  ISIS leaders ‘running away’ from Mosul (CNN)
• South Sudan and the lure of a gleaming new capitol (Christian Science Monitor)
• The race to save Jewish history in the Middle East (Time Magazine)

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

By Liz Alper

Video courtesy goaztecs.com

February 28, 2017 (San Diego) - With the Aztecs' last home game of the season tomorrow night against Air Force, head coach Steve Fisher and three of his seniors, guards Dakarai Allen and D'Erryl Williams and forward Matt Shrigley, sat down with the media today.

East County News Service

February 28, 2017 (Rancho San Diego) - The Water Conservation Garden invites the public to its second annual Water-Wise Home Garden Tour on March 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The tour will highlight five beautiful gardens featuring a wide variety of colorful and low water usage plants. The gardens emphasize plants from semi-arid regions of the world including Australia, New Zealand, Southwestern U.S. and South Africa.

Every Aztec who logged minutes in the game recorded at least two points

Source: goaztecs.com

Photo: Allison Brown courtesy goaztecs.com

February 28, 2017 (Colorado Springs, Colo.) - San Diego State women’s basketball used a complete team performance to secure a road Mountain West victory, downing Air Force, 64-51, Tuesday night in Clune Arena.

East County News Service

February 28, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes Run East County in El Cajon, a Queen Bee Tea in Alpine, Jungle Book for Kids, Diva, Baja Blues Brothers and Bon Jovi in concert.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including a Lilac Festival, the Rolando Street Fair, a Star Party in Lakeside, the Circle of Art show in Borrego Springs and more.

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

East County News Service

February 28, 2017 (San Diego) - Join the Women's Museum of California as they screen films that will educate and inspire future generations about the experiences and contributions of women through the art of film.

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Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories!

Story by Liz Alper

Photo via @Padres on Twitter

February 28, 2017 (Peoria, Ariz.) - They say spring training is meaningless.  The 0-3 Padres may want to challenge that theory as they went back to Peoria to face the Giants.  It didn't help that Madison Bumgarner was on the mound for San Francisco against Jhoulys Chacin for the Padres.

By Assemblyman Randy Voepel

Photo: Ocotillo Wells off-road vehicle recreation area

February 28, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- As a representative of rural areas San Diego and Riverside counties, I’m proud that my district includes wide swaths of land that are perfect for off-road recreation. There are tens of thousands of individuals and families throughout my district and our state who enjoy exploring our state’s natural environment through off-roading.

Family-friendly event hosted by San Diego Gulls and California Coast Credit Union

Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

February 27, 2017 (El Cajon) - For the second year in a row, community college alum in San Diego and Imperial counties have a big reason to celebrate and to have more fun than you can shake a hockey stick at. On Saturday, March 25, community colleges in San Diego and Imperial counties are throwing Community College AlumniFest, hosted by California Coast Credit Union and the San Diego Gulls hockey club.

East County News Service

February 27, 2017 (La Mesa) — Reducing water rates will be on the agenda at a special meeting of the Helix Water District board on March 8^th at 6 p.m.  Director Dan McMillan has asked the board to consider cutting rates; the special meeting workshop will include discussion of current finances, water rates and what adjustments can be made.

The issue of reducing water is also expected to be raised at this Wednesday’s meeting, March 1^st at 6 p.m. during director’s comments and review of future agenda items.  Both meetings are at the Helix Water District, 7811 University Ave., La Mesa.

By Miriam Raftery

February 27, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – The Sheriff’s Department seeks public help to identify three masked suspects armed with a shotgun, bat and hammer. The three suspects robbed Santana’s Restaurant at 7633 Palm St. in Lemon Grove at 2:30 a.m. this morning.

Like our sports coverage?  Donate to help support ECM’s sports section!

Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories!

Story by Liz Alper

Photo via @Padres on Twitter

February 27, 2017 (Tempe, Ariz.) - Thanks to Fox Sports San Diego and our sports editor being sick, ECM got their first look at the 2017 Padres today when they faced the Los Angeles Angels in a spring training exhibition.  J.C. Ramirez started on the hill for the Angels against the new Friar from the Atlanta Braves, Tyrell Jenkins.