August 17, 2016 (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.

General news

• National media fiddle as Louisana drowns (New Orleans Times-Picayune)
• U.S. seeks Mexico’s help in controlling immigration from Mideast (Times of San Diego)
• House Minority Leader Pelosi calls hack an “electronic Watergate”(AP)
• This Republican mayor has an incredibly simple idea to help the homeless—and it seems to be working (Washington Post)
• Buildings burn during violent night in Milwaukee (10News)
• AT&T to pay customers $775 million for scam (10 News)
• 15 Guantanamo Bay Detainees Transferred To United Arab Emirates (NPR)
• American Jewish leaders grapple with anti-Israel Black Lives Matter (Jerusalem Post)

Presidential election

• Secret ledger in Ukraine lists cash for Donald Trump’s campaign chief (NY Times)
• Report: Ukraine official designated millions in cash for Manafort (CNN)
• Trump campaign illegally soliciting donations from foreign nationals (Washington Times)
• DNC sued by up to 2 million Sanders supporters in class action lawsuit(Embol)
• Hillary Clinton puts White House transition team in place (New York Times)
• Gary Johnson "$15 for 15" (Percent in the Polls) on August 15 Fundraising Promotion Breaks $1.5 Million (Reason)

WORLD

• Jubilation in Syria’s Manbij as ISIS loses control of key city (CNN)
• Kurdish forces in fresh push to close in on ISIS-held Mosul (Reuters)
• Official: ISIS leader killed by U.S.drone strike in Afghanistan (CBS)
• Russia deploys bombers to Iranian air base (Jerusalem Post)
• Anti-Semitism at the Olympics is completely out of control (Federalist)
• Egyptian judoka sent home from Olympics after refusing to shake Israeli  opponent’s hand (Washington Post)
• Turkish police raid Istanbul courthouses, more officers detained (Christian Science Monitor)

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

By Liz Alper

Photo courtesy @Padres on Twitter

August 16, 2016 (Tampa Bay) - The Padres couldn’t beat a struggling Rays team last night and hoped for a better result tonight with Edwin Jackson on the mound against Blake Snell for the Rays.

By Miriam Raftery

August 16, 2016 (La Mesa) -- Six candidates are running for three seats on the Grossmont Healthcare District board of directors.  In addition to incumbents Bob Ayres and Michael Emerson, four other candidates have filed papers to run—including some prominent challengers.

East County News Service

August 16, 2016 (Washington D.C.) — It’s illegal for U.S. federal candidates to solicit or receive campaign contributions from foreign donors.  So why has Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s campaign repeatedly sent fundraising letters to foreigners including elected officials in other countries—despite repeated warnings that this violates federal election law?

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Screenshot, ECM news partner 10 News

August 16, 2016 (El Cajon) –A San Diego Gas & Electric worker suffered injuries from an electric shock while working on power lines on Shady Lane in El Cajon Monday morning.

East County News Service

August 16, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) - Patrick Malloy, candidate for Congress in the 50^th District, has challenged the incumbent, Duncan Hunter of Alpine, to two debates in October.  In a letter sent to Hunter on August 15, Malloy said there should be two debates.  The first should be on veterans’ issues and the second on the economy and the environment because these issues are of top concern in the District, according to Malloy.

By Liz Alper

Photo courtesy @Padres on Twitter

August 15, 2016 (Tampa Bay) - The Padres have seen the Yankees and Blue Jays from the AL East this year.  The Rays will be their third, and like the Yankees, are another bottom-feeder in the AL East.  A perfect opponent for Luis Perdomo to start against Drew Smyly for the Rays.

East County News Service

August 15, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – A red flag alert for high fire danger has been issued for the mountain and desert areas in East County due to hot, dry,windy conditons through Friday. In addition, a heat advisory is in effect for inland regions in our county due to triple digit temperatures today.

East County News Service

August 13, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Who were the key personages that made the Reformation happen? Was it Martin Luther or a series of circumstances? This courtroom trial tells of Luther’s youth, his parents and his reasons for becoming a monk--and shows why he nailed his 95 theses to the church door.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo credit: Audrua  A. Lou’Lou, taken at Campo Hills, below cut photo:  Bob Scheid

Update August 14, 2016 2 p.m. -  Fire is now 120 acres, all currently south of the Border,per Cal Fire, which has three engines monitoring the blaze.

Update 7 p.m.:  Cal Fire Captain Isaac Sanchez says the fire is now 60 acres. According to Capt. Sanchez it is entirely in Mexico, though several eyewitnesses have told  ECM it did cross the border earlier in at least one spot near Campo. Cal Fire describes the fire as south of Bell Valley near Potrero,burning southeast along the Mexican side of the border fence."

  Firefighters will remain at scene throughout the evening in order to ensure that it does not spread to the north.  Currently, CAL FIRE and San Diego County Fire have 12 engines, 4 water tenders and 4 hand crews (approximately 100 personnel) at scene. 

August 13, 2016 (Campo) – A fast-burning brush fire that started in Mexico has now crossed into the U.S. in Campo, multiple residents confirm.  The fire crossed the border fence about two miles west of the Campo store. 

“It is on both sides of the fence and they are pulling water from private ponds not Lake Morena,” says Karen Noblitt-McIntyre. Lake Morena has been drained to below 3% capacity by the City of San Diego.

Long-time residents of the area advise that the brush there has not burned in many years. Some are voluntarily evacuating near the border.

Edited by Sam Warren.  Please send all notices to: SDWriteWay@gmail.com

August 13, 2016 (San Diego) – Literary events for readers and writers in the next two weeks include author book signings and discussions, writer’s meetings, writing contests, classes, story times and more.

Aztecs drop lone exhibition before season opener next Friday

Source: goaztecs.com press release

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

August 12, 2016 (San Francisco) - San Diego State took the pitch for the first time in 2016 and fell at San Francisco, 2-0, in the Aztecs’ lone exhibition before its season opener. The teams played three 30-minute periods and one 15-minute overtime session before calling it a night.

From the Editors of E - The Environmental Magazine

August 12, 2016 (San Diego) -- Dear EarthTalk: I am interested in helping my school get solar panels on the roof to show students how we can be part of the solution to the climate crisis. Are there any resources or grants out there to help schools go solar? -- Charles Hamilton, Warren, OH

East County News Service

August 12, 2016 (Campo) — A 25-year-old motorcyclist from San Diego struck a tree of State Route 94 in Campo this morning shortly after 10:30 a.m., suffering serious injuries.