“AT&T failed to demonstrate the availability of replacement providers...Additionally, public commenters at CPUC public forums highlighted the unreliability of voice alternatives such as mobile wireless or VOIP.” –CPUC

May 10, 2024 (Sacramento) – After hearing from consumers across the state and reviewing evidence in the record, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today issued a proposal rejecting AT&T’s request to withdraw as a carrier of last resort (COLR), which would have ended land line service across San Diego County and other areas. The CPUC also indicated that it intends to initiate a new Rulemaking process to address COLR telecommunications service obligations.

The proposal will be on the CPUC’s June 20 Voting Meeting agenda.

AT&T's plan to pull the plug on land line phone service has drawn strong opposition from rural residents in East County and elsewhere in California, as ECM reported in February, as well as from consumer advocates who warn that ending land lines would leave many in rural or remote locations with no reliable phone service at all, since Internet VOIP phone service is not widely available in many places and some areas also lack cell phone connectivity. Even for those with cell service, land lines have proven life-saving options when cell towers have burned down during wildfires in places such as rural Potrero.

East County News Service

May 9, 2024 (San Diego) – Governor Gavin Newsom has declared May 5-11 as “Wildfire Preparedness Week.”  Noting the increasingly challenging wildfire seasons due to climate change, Newsom says his administration has made historic investments to increase forest management and decrease catastrophic wildfire risks, such as buying state-of-the-art firefighting equipment and technology.

Now he’s asking all Californians to take steps to protect their properties by creating defensible space around homes, hardening homes, developing wildfire action plans and teaming up to join Fire Safe Councils and Firewise Communities, which work to regularly assess wildfire risk and prioritize actions to address those risks.

“All of us have an essential role in protecting ourselves, loved ones, and communities from wildfire,” the Governor says. “During Wildfire Preparedness Week, I encourage all Californians to visit ReadyForWildfire.org to learn about steps we can take to prepare for wildfire season and help prevent loss of life and property. Together, we can create a more fire resilient California.”  Find tips at https://readyforwildfire.org/.

To stay ready for a wildfire or natural disaster at any time, the California Fire Foundation has just relaunched its Firefighters on Your Side community preparedness program at FirefightersOnYourSide.org to help Californians prepare their homes with defensible space, make a 5-minute evacuation plan, pre-pack essentials, and print a master checklist. . 

May 9, 2024 (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 a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• House passes antisemitism bill as Johnson highlights campus protests (CNN)
• The FAA investigates after Boeing says workers in South Carolina falsified 787 inspection records (AP)
• Blinken says US cannot support Rafah assault without humanitarian plan (Reuters)
• Columbia University suspends pro-Palestinian encampments after encampment talks stall (Reuters)
• Columbia sued over safety of Jewish students amid protests (Bloomberg)
• Trump VP contender Kristi Noem writes of killing dog – and goat – in new book (Guardian)
• Judge warns Trump of jail time after finding him in contempt for gag order violation   (The Hill)
• Trump held in contempt for violating gag order in "hush money" trial. Here's why.  (CBS News)
• ProPublica Wins Pulitzer Prize for Supreme Court Coverage  (Pro Publica)

WORLD

• Israel strikes eastern Rafah as US warns a major assault could halt arms (Reuters)
• Ceasefire uncertain; Israel vows to continue Rafah operation (Reuters)
• Iraq criminalises same-sex relationships in new law  (BBC)
• Fentanyl scanners that were sitting idle for lack of federal funds can now be installed at the border to catch smugglers (NBC)
• Germany denounces spate of attacks on politicians recalling 'darkest era' of its history  (Reuters)
• Weary troops stuck on front line as Ukraine struggles to find manpower (BBC)

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

May 9, 2024 (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 round-up stories include:

LOCAL

• Supervisor Nora Vargas will take medical speaking rest for vocal nodules  (KPBS)
• Supreme Court to hear case claiming CBD product from Vista company got trucker fired (NBC San Diego)
• Assistant Superintendent Named Finalist to Take Helm at Grossmont Union HS District (Times of San Diego)
• MTS hopes new 'Copper Line' can improve trolley system's reliability  (KPBS)
• Fantasy or a New Reality? How This Group Plans to ‘Fire SDG&E’(Voice of San Diego)
• Mayor Gloria Wants to Empty Public Power Piggy Bank (Voice of San Diego)
• A Court Says Agencies Can Delay Records Responses Indefinitely and We Must Fight It (KPBS)
• How Mexico’s historic election will impact the San Diego border region  (KPBS)
• Majority of San Diego County’s largest school districts cutting jobs amid budget shortfalls (inewssource)
• Authorities Reveal How Missing Surfers from U.S. and Australia Found at Bottom of Well in Mexico Died (People)

STATE

• Law that ended single-family zoning is struck down for five Southern California cities (Los Angeles Times)
• Restaurant Service Fees Will Soon Be Illegal In CA (Patch)
• California finally reverses its population-loss streak (Politico)
• At least 16 people died in California after medics sedated them during encounters with police (KPBS)
• RFK, Jr. qualifies for California ballot (The Hill)
• Biden expands 2 national monuments in California significant to tribal nations (KPBS)
• California reports the first increase in groundwater supplies in 4 years  (KPBS)

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

May 7, 2024 (Borrego Springs) – Mitchell Sterling sent in these dramatic images showcasing natural spectacles in the Anza-Borrego Desert.

The dramatic desert sunset  features lenticular clouds; the rainbow is over the San Ysidro Mountains on the western end of Borrego Springs..

Nearly all El Cajon crime cases posted on social media have been solved

East County News Service

Image: Free stock photo

May 6, 2024 (El Cajon) -- The El Cajon Police Department announces success of a new approach to capturing retail thieves. In March, ECPD announced implementation of an innovative crime-solving technique utilizing the power of social media.

This approach aims to swiftly identify suspects and solve cases with greater efficiency, making an immediate and tangible impact on the community and retail theft.

“We are harnessing the power of social media to disseminate information,” said Chief of Police Mike Moulton. “In a matter of minutes, we are able to provide images and descriptions of thieves. Our community has responded by assisting our efforts and giving information that leads to arrests.”

East County News Service

Photo courtesy of Anza Borrego Desert State Park

May 6, 2024 (Borrego Springs)—The Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association will host its traditional season’s end event—a trip to watch the sunset and moon rise at Font’s Point over the Borrego Badlands and the Salton Sea.

The organization’s program director Mike McElhatton will lead this free event. RSVP at 760-767-3098.