By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Santee middle school age youth and high school students learn about the health risks associated to secondhand smoke and how tobacco waste like cigarette butts hurt their environment.

December 13, 2017 (Santee) – Santee is the last city in San Diego County to still allow smoking in public parks. But that could soon change.  On Thursday, December 14^th at 6:30 p.m., the Santee Parks and Recreation Committee will consider a smoke-free ordinance and recommendation to the City Council to make parks and open spaces smoke-free.  The meeting will be held at Santee City Hall’s Community Services building #7, 10601 North Magnolia Avenue in Santee.

December 13, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views.  Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• Democrats pull off an upset in Alabama: Doug Jones defeats Roy Moore to trim G.O.P. majority (NY Times)
• Macron to award U.S. climate scientists “make our planet great again” grants (The Hill)
• President falsely claims that he doesn’t know his accusers (CNN)
• NYC terror attack suspect claims he did it for ISIS (CBS)
• Why are America’s farmers killing themselves in record numbers? (Guardian)
• Special Report: Unfettered construction raises U.S. hurricane costs (Reuters)
• Houston man arrested for trying to aid Islamic State: U.S. government (Reuters)
• Minnesota Lt. Governor to replace Franken, run for seat in 2018 (The Hill)
• Justice Dept. Opposes Mandatory Union Dues for Public Employees, Reversing an Old Position (Reason)

WORLD

• Protests in Lebanon Near U.S. Embassy After Trump’s Jerusalem Decision  (New York Times)
• Tense scene in West Bank after Trump decision (CNN)
• Saudi Arabia Announces Opening of Cinemas for First Time In 35 Years (NPR)
• Deadly Blast at an Austrian Gas Hub Prompts a State of Emergency in Italy (NPR_
• Names Written in Blood and Rust: Documenting Syria's Disappeared (NPR)
• German City Bans Refugees from Settling There, Other Cities May Follow (NPR)
• Firebombs hurled at Swedish synagogue after Jerusalem protest march (Jerusalem Post)

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

December 13, 2017 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• Babies' brains damaged by pollution, UNICEF says (BBC)
• Huntington’s breakthrough may stop disease (BBC)
• Health officials sound the alarm on Trump-led reversal of ban om risky pesticides (RawStory)
• Even Low-Dose Contraceptives Slightly Increase Breast Cancer Risk (NPR)
• Why A Pill That's 4 Cents in Tanzania Costs Up to $400 in the U.S. (NPR)
• Safer DNA editing method may fix human diseases, Salk scientists report (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Here's What It Looks Like When You Fry Your Eye in an Eclipse (NPR)
• Warning over eating raw dough due to E. coli risk in flour (BBC)

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

• 12 must-have products going viral in 2017 (Household Saving Tips)
• This Year, Consider Giving Presence Instead of Presents (NPR)
• Video of starving polar bear ‘rips your heart out of your chest’ (New York Times)
• In Your Face: China’s all-seeing state (BBC)
• Massive Black Hole Reveals When the First Stars Blinked On (NPR)
• Fusion breakthrough explained: What are quarks again? (CS Monitor)

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

East County News Service

December 13, 2017 (Alpine) -- If you think there should be more county parks in Alpine, or have ideas on what future parks should include, you’re invited to an open house at the Alpine Library on December 18^th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

“It was like a warzone. Fire was everywhere.”

By Kendra Sitton

December 13, 2017 (Deerhorn Valley) -- Michelle Grimaldo got out of her car and hugged her mom goodbye on a fiery night in October of 2007. They were in the middle of the road, with flames on both sides, their way blocked by more fire. She called her husband, but they couldn't hear each other, so she just yelled “Get out! Get out! Get out!” into the phone.

Adoption fees are being waived for all animals, courtesy of generous donors’ gift

December 13, 2017 (San Diego) - Hundreds of homeless animals are at San Diego Humane Society in need of homes, so pet adoption fees are being waived for all animals from Dec. 15 through 24 at all campuses and satellite adoption centers. For the 10 days before Christmas, all animal adoptions are sponsored by Sharon Blanchet of ABC Family Law and Phil and Pam Reed, Reed Team at Willis Allen Real Estate in La Jolla.

By Miriam Raftery

December 13, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – By a slim 1.5% margin, Democrat  Doug Jones, a prosecutor, won Alabama’s U.S. Senate seat over Roy Moore, a former Alabama Supreme Court Justice.  Moore’s race was marred by allegations from numerous women who claimed sexual improprieties by Moore, including alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old when he was in his 30s. Moore has denied the allegations.

The victory means Republicans will have only a 51 to 49 majority in the U.S. Senate after Jones is sworn in. If even a single Republican votes with Democrats or is absent, Republicans could only secure passage by having Vice President Mike Pence cast a deciding vote. If two members defect or are absent, key measures such as legislation or judicial appointments could be blocked.

Commissioner also asks insurers to expedite claims handling to aid wildfire victims

Source: California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones (left)

December 12, 2017 (Sacramento) - In response to insurers imposing moratoriums on writing new private passenger auto policies or prohibiting additions to existing auto policies in the Southern California wildfire areas, Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones issued a formal notice to insurers directing them to cease any and all moratoriums on auto insurance and reminding them that California law prohibits this practice. 

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Story by Liz Alper

Videos courtesy goaztecs.com

For videos of Tyler Morris and Christian Chapman's portions of the press conference, as well as Brian Dutcher's portion, click "read more" and scroll down.

December 12, 2017 (San Diego) - Nothing fun this week, but a bowl game looms on the horizon and head coach Rocky Long had a lot to say about the Army.  Uh, the Army Black Knights football team, that is.  He was joined by senior linebacker Tyler Morris and junior quarterback Christian Chapman.  Men's basketball head coach Brian Dutcher was also on hand.

East County News Service

Photo: ECM news partner 10 News

December 12, 2017 (Alpine) – Alpine resident William Burton, 17, died at the scene of an accident that occurred last night at 8:25 p.m. on South Grade Road east of Via Viejas Oeste in Alpine. 

A senior at Granite Hills High School and tight end on the school's football team, he was on his way home from a team banquet when the tragedy occurred, KNSD reports.

By Miriam Raftery

December 12, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the North Pole Limited train rides with Santa, the Ramona Holiday Wine Trail, a Christmas Cabaret in La Mesa, reindeer at Grossmont Center, A Christmas Carol in Julian, Tony Orland at Sycuan, and a big band holiday concert in El Cajon.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including New Year’s Eve parties at Viejas and in Jamul, Sinatra and friends at Borrego Performing Arts, and Carnaval Fantastique in Sycuan.

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

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

December 11, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Cal Fire crews are working a fully-involved structure fire in Ramona in the 21000 block of San Vicente Road in Ramona, Cal Fire reports. According to Brush Fire Partyline on Facebook, scanner traffic indicates this is a residential structure fire at 1166 San Vicente View, just off of San Vicente Road.

Brush rigs have been called in; the location is adjacent to the Barnett Ranch Preserve, a County Preserve.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  La Finquita Winery owners Charlie and Jess Koehler

December 11, 2017 (Ramona) – Last weekend, we got into the holiday spirit with a visit to three of the 14 wineries along the Ramona Holiday Wine Trail, which continues next weekend.  It’s been a popular event, selling out this past weekend so be sure to reserve online now if you plan to hit the holiday wine trail this Saturday and/or Sunday.

By Miriam Raftery

December 10, 2017 (El Cajon) – A witness reported seeing a thin, white male wearing a red hoody light a fire intentionally on a hillside near Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Church on Thursday night, then take off running. The suspect remains at large.

East County News Service

Sunday, December 10, 2017 (San Diego) – 2-1-1 San Diego, an independent local nonprofit that serves as a resource for community, health and disaster services, reports it increased its service capacities in the hours following the outbreak of the fast-moving Lilac Fire in North San Diego County.