August 30, 2021 (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.

• Last U.S. troops leave Afghanistan after 20 years of war (Time)
• U.S. winds down Kabul mission after helping evacuate 116,000 people in just over 2 weeks (CNBC)
• Hurricane Ida left over 1 million still without power, thousands without water and at least 3 dead (ABC News)
• Biden faces unfinished mission of evacuating Americans (The Hill)
• The Food Stamp Program SNAP Gets A 25% Increase, The Largest In Its History  (NPR)
• Senate passes a blueprint for transforming America    (CNN)
• Schumer sets September voting rights fight after GOP blocks quick debate (The Hill)
• Judge Sanctions Trump Allies And Orders Legal Education For Failed Election Lawsuit  (NPR)
• Exclusive: FBI finds scant evidence U.S. Capitol attack was coordinated - sources (Reuters)

WORLD  

• With U.S. Out, Taliban Claim Victory as Afghans Confront Their Future   (New York Times)
• US troops disabled 73 aircraft, weapons systems before leaving Kabul, then the Taliban came (India Today)
• These Female Afghan Politicians Are Risking Everything For Their Homeland (NPR)
• At least 304 dead, 1,800 hurt as powerful quake slams Haiti (AP News)

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

Supervisorial district 2 may be split due to population increase; urban and rural residents voice concerns

By Mike Allen

Photo:  Ramah Awad of Majdal Center in El Cajon provides comment to the county’s Independent Redistricting Commission.

August 30, 2021 (El Cajon) -- The process of redrawing boundaries for San Diego County’s five supervisorial districts is underway and the independent commission that will determine those lines visited El Cajon Aug. 26 to listen to the public.

Over 110,000 airlifted out; military also working to remove equipment

East County News Service

Photos via U.S. Dept. of Defense

Update August 30, 2021 with information on civilian casualties from yesterday's drone strike.

AUG. 29, 2021 (Washington D.C.) – Today, U.S. military forces conducted a  strike that eliminated a vehicle filled with explosives that posed a threat to Hamad Karzai International airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. Capt. Bill Urban, CENTCOM spokesperson, states,

“We are confident we successfully hit the target. Significant secondary explosions from the vehicle indicated the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material,” Voice of America reports.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo via Bing

August 28, 2021 (Washington D.C. ) -- The U.S. Department of Defense announced today the deaths of 13 service members in the Marines, Navy and Army who died Aug. 26, 2021, as the result of an attack by an ISIS splinter group, ISIS-K, while supporting evacuation operations at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. 

Those killed include ten who served at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County:

• Staff Sergeant Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah.
• Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, Ca.
• Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, Neb.
• Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Ind.
• Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, Mo.
• Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Texas.
• Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, of Jackson, Wyo.
• Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, Ca.
• Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, Ca.
• Hospitalman Maxton Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio.

“I extend my deepest, heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of the 1st Marine Division servicemen who lost their lives while heroically safeguarding the evacuation of thousands of U.S citizens and faithful allies from Hamid Karzai International Airport,” said Major General Roger Turner Jr., comamnder of the 1st Marine division, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. “Nine Marines and one Sailor paid the ultimate price to defend our nation and extend the reach of freedom beyond our shores."

President Biden has ordered flags flown at half-mast to honor the troops killed and pledge to swiftly hold accountable those responsible. One day later, a U.S.-led airstriked killed at least two ISIS-K leaders, the White House announced.

Below is the full list of fatalities suffered in all three branches of the armed services.

By Miriam Raftery

August 27, 2021 (La Mesa) – A suspect accused of striking an 82-year-old man on the head and carjacking his Jeep Cherokee in La Mesa yesterday morning is under arrest.  Tymody Wallace, 29, was arrested in Irvine on unrelated charges.

By Miriam Raftery

August 26, 2021 (La Mesa) -- La Mesa Police seek public help to find a suspect who assaulted an elderly, disoriented man and stole his 2016 silver Jeep Cherokee (CA license 7REG835) this morning. The vehicle is also still missing.

By Miriam Raftery

August 26, 2021 (El Cajon) – Chantell Tompkins, 36, of San Diego has been arrested and charged with the murder of Andre Carrol, 30.  The victim was found by El Cajon police officers near Sandalwood and Mollison around 12:18 a.m. on August 25. He had suffered multiple gunshot wounds and later died in a hospital of his injuries.

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

Video by José Eli Villanueva

August 25, 2021 (San Diego) - The County of San Diego’s SD Emergency app is now equipped with ShakeReadySD, an earthquake early warning system. This will let users know if an earthquake has occurred nearby that is likely to cause shaking within seconds and it will urge them to take protective action such as drop, cover and hold on or another appropriate safety measure.

By Miriam Raftery

August 25, 2021 (Lakeside) – A 23-year-old man from St. Louis, Missouri died at the scene of a single-vehicle crash on State Route 67 south of Foster Truck Trail in Lakeside last night.

By Miriam Raftery

August 25, 2021 (Spring Valley) –  Boys and girls in grades K-5 and their families are invited to attend Cub Scouts Pack 355 “Join Night” on September 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Santa Sophia Academy, 9806 Juan Street, Spring Valley.

The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for San Diego County Deserts, starting at 10 a.m. today until Friday 8/27/21 at 9p.m. Hot conditions with high temperatures of up to 114 degrees may be reached.

Several County facilities will be open as Cool Zones. For location information, hours of operation, and tips to beat the heat, visit: www.coolzones.org.

Extreme heat increases the risk for heat-related illnesses and can affect those working or participating in outdoor activities. Here are some safety tips:

East County News Service

August 25, 2021 (San Diego) – The County of San Diego receives approximately $12 million annually in federal entitlement funding for housing and community development. The public is invited to join in the discussion on how would you like to see this money spent in our community.

By Joe Hong, CalMatters

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters

Photo:  Gov. Gavin Newsom announces all school teachers and employees will be required to be vaccinated or undergo weekly COVID-19 testing at a press conference at Carl B. Munck school in Oakland on Aug. 11, 2021. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

August 24, 2021 (Sacramento) - After months of reluctance, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday mandated that all California school employees be vaccinated for COVID-19 or be tested weekly.

East County News Service

August 24, 2021 (Valley Center) – You’re invited to meet the new owner of Keys Creek Lavender Farm, Heidi Blanton and bid farewell to outgoing owner Alicia Wolff at an English High Tea class.  Dress up, don a hat and bring flat shoes to celebrate the joy of lavender at the high tea class on Saturday, September 4 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. outdoors under shady pepper trees.