By Miriam Raftery

January 17, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service warns that a series of strong Pacific storms will pack a wallop across Southern California from Thursday, January 19^th through Tuesday, January 24^th—bringing flooding of rivers, possible mudslides and tree damage from saturated grounds.

By Miriam Raftery

January 17, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – In a confirmation hearing today before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Representative Ryan Zinke, Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the Interior testified, “I want to be clear about this:  I am absolutely against the transfer or sale of public lands.”

By Miriam Raftery

January 17, 2017 (La Mesa) – Anthony’s Fish Grotto on the Embarcadero has been a fixture on San Diego’s waterfront for 70 years.  For many San Diego County residents, it’s long been a go-to place for special occasions from prom nights to wedding anniversaries.

January 17, 2017 (Campo) -- Proposed sewer rate hikes and low-flying Navy helicopters are among the items slated for discussion at the Campo Lake Morena Planning Group's meeting on Monday, January 23 at 7 p.m.  The meeting will be in the Mountain Epire Community Center at 976 Sheridan Rd. in Campo.

The planning group will also elect officers and review applicants to fill a vacancy for Seat 7.  If you're interested in applying,  contact Chairman Billie Jo Jannen at (619)415-6298.

The public is encouraged to attend and speak on any agenda item, or on other area land use issues during public discussion.

View full preliminary agenda. 

Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

January 17, 2017 (Washington, D.C.) - Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of Somalia (and eligible individuals without nationality who last habitually resided in Somalia) for an additional 18 months, effective March 18, 2017, through Sept. 17, 2018.

East County News Service

January 17, 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.

• Senate intelligence committee to probe Russian hacking (Reuters)
• Why it matters to call voting booths 'critical infrastructure’ (CS Monitor)
• The Russian story reaches a crisis point (Rolling Stone)
• Trump "compromising" claims; how did we get here? (BBC)
• Obama, saying goodbye, warns of threats to national unity (New York Times)
• A New Type Of Food Pantry Is Sprouting In Yards Across America (NPR)
• 30 million people lose healthcare in the middle of the night (Esquire)
• Obama scrapping “wet foot, dry foot” policy for Cuban migrants (CBS)
• Oral Arguments Heard in Libertarian Party Lawsuit Re: Presidential Debates (Reason)
• C-SPAN broadcast of anti-Russia speech by Dem congresswoman knocked off the air and replaced by Russian state TV (Raw Story)
• Ringling Bros. Circus to close after 146 years (AP)

WORLD

• U.S. Forces Deploy To Poland In Effort To Counter Russian Aggression (NPR)
• Mexico warns Trump on Tariff threats (CNN)
• Are terrorists crossing the US-Mexico border? Excerpts from the case file. (CS Monitor)
• Here’s a Map of Everywhere You Shouldn’t Drink the Tap Water (Just The Light)
• At least five dead, 15 hurt in shooting at Mexico's BPM music festival  (Reuters)
•  Why is Morocco joining other countries in restricting the burqa? (CS Monitor)
• Paris disconnect: Why many Palestinians don't want that two-state solution (CS Monitor)

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

East County News Service

January 16, 2017 (San Diego) -- FTD is looking to hire 500 seasonal customer service associates for the upcoming Valentine’s Day season right here in San Diego. FTD’s e-commerce brands include ProFlowers, FTD.com, Personal Creations, Shari’s Berries and Cherry Moon Farms.  In the past five years, FTD provided seasonal employment opportunities for 9,000+ San Diegans.

By Logan Pollard, California News Service

January 16, 2017 (Oakland) -- Martin Luther King Jr. Day has deep significance for many Americans this year with the fulfillment of what some thought an impossible dream: a black president serving two terms in office. Now, the Obama administration's last days have been marked by grand gestures - including a call for public lands agencies to be more inclusive in hiring practices and community outreach.

By Miriam Raftery

January 16, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – After revelations of plagiarism, Monica Crowley has announced that she is stepping down from her appointment as Donald Trump’s nominee for director of communication at the National Security Council.

Source: Caltrans

January 16, 2017 (San Diego) - Caltrans crews will close lanes on State Route 67 (SR-67) and Highland Valley Road at the SR-67 Dye Road/Highland Valley Road intersection in Ramona on Tuesday from 7 p.m.-5 a.m. The lane closures are need for temporary striping and K-rail placement.

By Mike Allen

January 15, 2017 (Santee) -- The Santee City Council is seeking a fifth member to fill out the two years remaining on Mayor John Minto’s term after he was elected in November, vacating his Council seat. At the Council’s January 11th meeting, the four members decided to appoint Minto’s successor rather than hold a special election that was deemed too costly.

By Miriam Raftery

January 15, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – On the eve of the weekend when our nation honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., President-Elect Donald Trump attacked one of the nation’s most respected civil rights leaders, Congressman John Lewis (D-Georgia).  His actions have drawn criticism even from prominent Republicans.

Story and photos by Liz Alper

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January 14, 2017 (San Diego) - After picking up their first win of conference play on Tuesday against San Jose State, the San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball team wrapped up their two-game home stand tonight against Utah State.

By Miriam Raftery

January 14, 2017 (El Cajon) – Michael McGinley, 53, has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon after shooting his tenant, Glen Reese, 48, in the leg.  The altercation occurred January 12 at 10:20 a.m. at 10140 Valle De Paz Road in unincorporated El Cajon.

Congressional Members Susan Davis and Scott Peters to hold Save Our Health” press event Sunday to share concerns over repeal

East County News Service

January 13, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – In the dead of the night while most Americans were sleeping,  the Senate voted 51-48 to repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) even though no replacement plan has been introduced.  That leaves 300,000 people in San Diego County poised to lose their healthcare.  More than 900,000 others receive health care through Medi-Cal, many of whom became eligible through the ACA and could be left with no coverage potentially as soon as later this month, when President-Elect Donald Trump takes office, if he signs a repeal into law. 

The measure still needs approval by the House, but with overwhelming support by Republicans in control, it’s expected to sail through. Even many Republicans are raising doubts over whether any replacement plan could be enacted in time to prevent loss of coverage, how much coverage would cost, or whether some would be left uncovered by a future GOP plan.

San Diego Democratic Congressional members Susan Davis and Scott Peters will hold a “Save Our Healthcare” press event on Sunday, January 15th from 1 p.m. to 1:30 at Sharp Memorial Outpatient Pavilion, 3075 Health Center Drive, San Diego. (view map)