By Kathy Carpenter

By Miriam Raftery

April 23, 2018 (San Diego) - The Centers for Disease Control has broadened its health warning regarding e-coli cases linked to romaine lettuce.  

The federal health agency is now advising consumers to avoid all forms of romaine lettuce, including lettuce heads, chopped romaine and salad mixes that may contain romaine, unless you are certain that the lettuce was not grown in Yuma, Arizona. 

Aztecs lose series with the Bulldogs

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo:  West Hills alum Katie Byrd had two hits in SDSU's 4-2 loss at Fresno State.  Courtesy goaztecs.com

April 22, 2018 (Fresno) - The San Diego State softball team dropped the series finale at Fresno State by a 4-2 score Sunday afternoon at Margie Wright Diamond in Fresno, Calif. The Aztecs are now 14-28 on the season (5-10 in Mountain West play), while the Bulldogs are 29-16 overall and remain in first play in the league standings at 12-3.

By Mike Allen

Photo:  Liz Chism, Curtis Chism and daughter Olivia (8 months).

April 21, 2018 (Santee) -- The shifting tides of San Diego’s still-expanding craft brewing industry claimed another victim recently when Santee’s Finest Made Ales closed, but another growing brewery quickly took over the spot.

Source: San Diego State University

April 20, 2018 – The California State University (CSU) will not increase tuition for the 2018-19 academic year at any of its campuses, which include San Diego State University and Cal State San Marcos locally.

Chancellor Timothy P. White says he has determined that it is in California’s best interest for the state to provide sufficient funding for the university’s most pressing needs that support student access, achievement and degree completion across the 23-campus system.

East County News Service

April 19, 2018 (San Diego) – Senate Bill 1487, the African Species Protection Act, is set for hearing in the California State Senate’s Public Safety Committee, where members include Senator Joel Anderson, whose district includes most of East County.  Wildlife conservation groups are urging the public to contact legislators on the committee to urge passage of the measure, which would ban possession in California of body parts from elephants, rhinos, giraffes, lions and other iconic African species.

By Miriam Raftery

April 19, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes a murder mystery theatre in Julian, a meteor watch in Lakeside, a hike for you and your dog in Santa Ysabel, an antiques and crafts fair at Summers Past Farms, girls night out at Cajon Classic Cruises, and a lilac festival.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including the San Diego Concert Band’s American salute, the Lakeside Rodeo, a garden and butterfly festival at the Water Conservation Garden, a medieval music concert at Mission Trails, History Alive and film nights at the Library in Lemon Grove, El Cajon’s dinner and a concert series, Vintage Alpine, the Final Adventures of Sherlock Holmes onstage at Grossmont College, a Salsa Fiesta in Lemon Grove, a Taste of Julian, San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra's spring concert, and the Coyote Music Festival at Cuyamaca College.

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

April 19, 2018 (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.

•  U.S. launches missile strikes in Syria (Washington Post)
• “Mission accomplished.” But what is the mission in Syria? (NY Times)
• Trump order targets wide swath of public assistance programs (The Hill)
• Trump administration abandons crackdown on legal marijuana (LA Times)
• Pulitzer prizes for coverage of Harvey Weinstein, Russian meddling (CBS)
• Sandy Hook parents have just hit Alex Jones with a defamation lawsuit (MSN)
• The Trump administration has officially clipped the wings of the Migratory Birds Treaty Act (Washington Post)
• Investigators focus on another Trump ally: The National Enquirer (NY Times)
• Trump grants pardon to former Bush official; some say he is using the law as a political tool (Washington Post)
• FCC shuts down request to investigate Sinclair over ‘distorted news’ claims (FierceCable)
• More Than 600 Justice Department Alumni Sign Letter to Protect Mueller (GovExec)
• Massachusetts top court declares stun gun ban unconstitutional  (Reuters)

 WORLD

• U.N. Security Council rejects Russian resolution condemning Syria strikes (New York Times)
• Germany takes a run at online hate speech. Some cry censorship. (CS Monitor)
• Under military rule, Venezuela oil workers quit in a stampede (Reuters)
• Intelligence released proving Iranian military involvement in Syria (JPost)
• South Korea's elderly boogie, find connection in daytime discos (CS Monitor)

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

East County News Service

April 18, 2018 (San Diego) - East County’s San Diego Festival Chorus presents its spring concert on April 29th with Rutter’s "Requiem" and songs from "West Side Story" and "The Wizard of Oz".

The "Requiem" comes from the Englishmen, John Rutter. It is a contemporary masterwork, a beautiful, simple requiem with an appeal to all who hear it.

By Miriam Raftery

April 18, 2018 (San Diego) -- The dream of home ownership is slipping away from many San Diego County residents.

The median price of a home has shot up 9.5 percent in the past year, hitting a record $625,400 in March, according to the California Association of Realtors.

East County News Service

April 18, 2018 (San Diego) -- The County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation is seeking nominations for the third annual Parks and Recreation Champion Awards. 

The program recognizes local champions for their work in environmental education and ambassadorship at parks and public centers across San Diego County. The winner will be awarded at a banquet in July in celebration of National Parks and Recreation Month. 

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office

April 18, 2018 (San Diego) - Poll workers, especially those who are bilingual in any one of six specific languages, are needed for the June 5 Gubernatorial Primary Election. The Registrar’s office is required by federal law to provide bilingual speakers and voting materials to voters who speak Spanish, Filipino, Vietnamese and Chinese. In addition, a survey conducted by the University of California, Berkeley showed a need for speakers of Arabic and Korean at just under 90 precincts across the county so the Registrar’s office is also recruiting poll workers who are bilingual in those languages.

Hear our interview on KNSJ on these hot topics and more by clicking the audio link:  Protecting residents from wildfires and frequent power outages,  setting state standards to shorten ambulance response times and beef up fire protection, make healthcare more accessible,  create opportunities for middle class jobs, and stop special interest influences.

By Miriam Raftery

April 15, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – “I’ve bene fighting to save lives and protect people my entire adult life,” says Cal Fire Captain/paramedic Jeff Griffith, who is also an elected member of the Palomar Health District board.  Now he’s running for the 38^th State Senate district seat being vacated by Joel Anderson due to term limits, which includes most of East County’s urban, rural and mountain areas.

He’s running against Brian Jones, former Assemblyman and current Santee Councilman—and taking Jones to task for a legislative record that he says favored special interests over public health and safety. 

Captain Griffith wants to solve concerns raised recently by residents in San Diego’s inland region, such as  protecting residents not only from wildfires, but also from dangers posed by frequent intentional power outages. He would support legislation to improve ambulance response times, as a paramedic who has seen what happens when patients don’t get to an ER in time.  He also wants legislative to put fire protection as a guarantee in our county's charter and pledges to fight for better access and affordability to healthcare, as well as opportunities for middle class jobs.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: ECM news partner 10 News

Repair is difficult due to proximity to gas line and storm drain

April 17, 2018 (El Cajon) – A sink hole that formed overnight at Johnson Avenue and Vernon Way in El Cajon swallowed up a car, but fortunately emergency responders rescued the driver.

Helix Water District repair crews have begun making repairs and the intersection is now open to traffic on Vernon Way and southbound Johnson Avenue, though northbound Johnson remains closed.

By Miriam Raftery

April 17, 2018 (San Diego) - By a 3 to 1 margin, San Diego Supervisors voted Tuesday to support the Trump administration’s lawsuit against California over Senate Bill 54, the California Values Act also known as the sanctuary state law.