By Miriam Raftery

March 9, 2018 (Sacramento) – California driver’s licenses will no longer be accepted as valid ID on airline flights in the U.S., or at military bases or other secure facilities after September 30^th, 2020. It’s important to plan ahead to apply for a Real ID, since you may need lead time to obtain copies of documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or Social Security number if you don’t have copies currently, and you may need a marriage certificate if any of those documents are in a maiden name. You’ll also need to make an appoint to visit the DMV with these documents.

Below are instructions from the Department of Motor Vehicles on what you need to know if you plan to travel via airlines or access certain federal facilities in the future.

East County News Service

March 9, 2018 (Borrego Springs) – Back by popular demand at the Anza Borrego Foundation’s Front Porch Revue on March 17^th and 18^th at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center, Jimmy Smith promises this year will be even more outrageous than last time as he gathers the talent in Borrego together.  Enjoy a night of laughter, music, and good spirits, all in support of the work Anza-Borrego Foundation does in partnership with Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Update March 9, 2018:  Carl DeMaio announced that he won't be turning in papers by the filing deadline today to run against Rep. Duncan Hunter. In an e-mail to supporters, he wrote, “While I, too, am frustrated with the lack of results and the double-standards for Washington politicians, I believe the Gas Tax Repeal Initiative campaign and our plans for subsequent reform initiatives in California are so much more important,” Times of San Diego reports.

By Miriam Raftery

March 8, 2018 (San Diego) – Former San Diego Councilman Carl DeMaio has pulled papers to run in the 50^th Congressional District currently represented by fellow Republican Duncan D. Hunter. 

DeMaio served one term on the Council from 2008 to 2012.  He has previously run for mayor and lost to Bob Filner. He also ran for Congress previously but was defeated by Scott Peters, who currently serves in the 52^nd District.

By Tom Christensen, County of San Diego Communications

March 8, 2018 (San Diego) -- A woman with a probable case of hepatitis A may have exposed inmates at the Vista Detention Facility and Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee, the County Health and Human Services Agency reported today.

By Sierra Billock

March 8, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- On Saturday, March 3, 2018, the city of La Mesa and the city of Santee held the annual Miss La Mesa and Miss Santee Pageants. The programs have been a tradition in the cities since the late 1960’s and are an outstanding mentoring program for young women. Mayor John Minto from Santee and Mayor Mark Araposathis from La Mesa were in attendance to formally present Miss La Mesa 2018 Kelli Loper, Miss Teen La Mesa 2018 Kennedy Dirkes, Miss Santee 2018 Laurene Vouaux and Miss Teen Santee 2018 Jordan Bockert.

By Miriam Raftery

March 8, 2018 (San Diego) – The National Weather Service is predicting rain this weekend across San Diego County, with a “stronger and wetter” storm moving into the region next week.

Flooding and gusty winds are possible, with the heaviest rainfall locally forecast for Wednesday through Friday of next week, says Alex Tardy, forecaster with the National Weather Service in San Diego.

The rain is needed, since snowpack moisture levels are still far below normal statewide despite some recent wet weather.

Update March 8, 2018:  The suspect has been identified as Dylan Poston, 26.  He is being held without bail, charged with murder.  The victim has been identified as Anderson Lopes, 24, an active-duty member of the U.S. Navy.

By Miriam Raftery

March 7, 2018 (El Cajon) – A man assaulted in his apartment at 13806 Pinkard Way in unincorporated El Cajon has died of his injuries.  His wife called 911 on Tuesday night shortly after 10:30 p.m. to report her husband was injured and not breathing after an assault.

March 9, 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.

• State Department was granted $120 million to fight Russian meddling. It has spent $0. (New York Times)
• Twenty states sue federal government, seeking end to Obamacare (Reuters)
• Special Counsel wants documents on Trump, numerous campaign associates (NBC)
• Sessions greenlights police to seize cash, property from people suspected of crimes but not charged (Washington Post)
• More flooding along U.S. coast as storm moves out to sea (CBS)
• Defying GOP, Trump imposes steep tariffs on steel,  aluminum next week (The Hill)
• Trump’s tariffs prompt global threats of retaliation (New York Times)
• How biased is your news source? You probably won’t agree with this chart (MarketWatch)
• Jared Kushner’s security clearance downgraded (New York Times)
• Ethics issues pile up for Trump cabinet officials (The Hill)
• 'Protection orders' get a closer look in fight against gun deaths (CS Monitor)
• In Ohio, Some Teachers Have Been Armed For Years (NPR)

 WORLD

• Putin, before vote, unveils 'invincible' nuclear weapons to counter West (Reuters)
• Under cloud of investigations, Netanyahu leaves for U.S. (Jerusalem Post)
• North Korea threatens to `counter’ U.S. over military drills (Reuters)
• At Least 14 Dead In Papua New Guinea After Strong Quake Sets Off Mudslides (NPR)
• New satellite photos show Iran establishing another base in Syria (Fox)
• Bahrain says seizes armed network set up by Iran's Revolutionary Guard (Reuters)
• North Korea Reportedly Sending Missile, Chemical Weapons Parts To Syria (NPR)
• Teacher tried to create 'army of children' to launch terror attacks in London (Reuters)

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

By Maridian Broadus

Photo: Shane Harris and Rev. Al Sharpton with victim’s families at press conference

March 8, 2018 (San Diego) – National Action Network founder and President Reverend Al Sharpton visited San Diego on February 21st.  Sharpton, along with NAN’s local chapter president, Shane Harris, held a news conference at NAN San Diego’s House of Justice Headquarters in southeast San Diego.  The civil rights icon publicly voiced his support of victim family members who have lost loved ones to police shootings across the state of California.

March 7, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• What parents need to know about Juuling (Offspring)
• Ticks that cause `intense infestation’ found in U.S. for first time (Business Insider)
• Saline in IVs may increase risk of death, kidney failure (AJC)
• Patients Like Hospital Care at Home, But Some Insurers Are Skeptical (NPR)
• Test for Breast Cancer Gene Will Be Available in Weeks (NPR)

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

• Phytoplankton population drops 40% since 1950 (Scientific American)
• North Pole surges above freezing in the dead of winter, stunning scientists (Washington Post)
• World’s first plastic-free supermarket aisle opens in Netherlands (BBC)
• Signals detected from ‘cosmic dawn’ (BBC)
• 21 Tech Companies Band Together Against Wildlife Trafficking (NPR)
• Ex-Google Recruiter Sues, Alleging Policies Discriminate Against White and Asian Men (NPR)

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

Backcountry hidden pleasures:   Our guide to unique lodging adventures in San Diego’s beautiful backcountry

By Bobbi Zane

March 6, 2018 (Julian) -- Innkeepers Lee and Linda Stanley have a lovely B&B tucked into a heavily wooded four-acre hillside just a mile east of Julian, a historic gold rush town in the mountains of San Diego’s East County.  The Wikiup Bed and Breakfast Inn is a friendly haven, where guests find new friends all over the place.

By Miriam Raftery

March 6, 2018 (Alpine) – A SWAT team was called out to Alpine yesterday for a domestic violence incident in which a woman had barricaded herself into a bedroom with two shotguns, a handgun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, according to Sergeant Alex Navarro.

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo: Councilmembers Colin Parent (left) and Bill Baber (right) release a Civic Center memo without the word “library” (credit: City of La Mesa)

March 6, 2018 (La Mesa) – In response to a city memo on the future of La Mesa’s civic center that omitted any mention of a long-promised new library, Friends of the Library members showed up at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, speaking volumes on the need for more library space.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

March 6, 2018 (El Cajon) - Basketball playoffs are, for the most part, over (except for state playoffs and hats off to Mount Miguel and Foothills Christian boys basketball and good luck to them), so now it’s time for spring sports.  El Cajon Valley girls softball kicked off their season against the (sort of in East County) Crawford Colts.

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Check out our sports section for more sports stories!

Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories!

By Liz Alper

Photo:  Ray Fuentes scored two runs for the Dbacks in their route of the Padres.  Via @Dbacks on Twitter

March 5, 2018 (Surprise, Ariz.) - After yesterday’s split squad game, the Padres rejoined each other for a little night action against the NL West rival (but who cares because it’s spring training?) Diamondbacks.  Matt Koch started for Arizona against Dinelson Lamet.