By Miriam Raftery

Photo: C-span screenshot  of impeachment inquiry opening hearing

September 29, 2023 (Washington D.C.) – With a government shutdown set to cripple the economy just days away,  House Republicans have failed to pass a budget and instead, focused their efforts on opening an impeachment inquiring hearing yesterday. The GOP leaders say the hearing aims to investigate claims of corruption or bribery involving President Joe Biden, but even expert witnesses called by the  Republicans testified that so far,  there is no solid evidence to support such claims.

This is not a hearing that will result in a vote to impeach the president, but rather an impeachment inquiry to determine whether or not there is evidence of any high crimes or misdemeanors that could warrant a separate impeachment hearing.

Meanwhile a vote to prevent a shutdown failed, as Republicans in the House reneged on an earlier budget agreement with Biden. Even a stopgap spending measure has thus far failed,  meaning in two days, federal workers will stop getting paid for jobs ranging from military positions to TSA agents at airports, national park rangers to Border Patrol officers.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left, by Ron Logan:  Senator Dianne Feinstein addressed California Democratic Convention in San Diego

September 29, 2023 (Washington D.C.) – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, who represented California for over three decades and served as a trailblazer for women in politics, died last night at her home in Washington, D.C.  Vaulted into the spotlight when dual assassinations elevated her to Mayor of San Francisco, she later became one of the most powerful women in America, chairing the Senate Intelligence Committee and serving as the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee. 

She fought for women’s rights,  gun control, and LGTBQ rights from AIDS funding to gay marriage. She led an investigation into CIA torture and  demanded reforms, and once said the vote she most regretted was supporting the Iraq War initiated by President George W. Bush.  She was, however, viewed as a political moderate,also supporting law and order measures, the death penalty, and a strong national defense.

Her staff issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter) calling the senior Democrat’s passing “a great loss for so many,  from those who loved and cared for her to the people of California that she dedicated her life to serving. Senator Feinstein never backed away from a fight for what was just and right. At the same time, she was always willing to work with anyone, even those she disagreed with, if it meant bettering the lives of Californians or the betterment of our nation.  There are few women who can be called senator, chairman, mayor, wife, mom and grandmother…She left a legacy that is undeniable and extraordinary.”

Feinstein cast her last vote, an effort to stop a government shutdown, yesterday morning.  Despite failing health, she had pledged to complete her term of office, but had announced she would not seek reelection next year, opening the door for a new generation of leadership for California on Capitol Hill.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Gene Carpenter

September 28,2023 (La Mesa) – Last night, the La  Mesa City Council voted 4-1 to ask staff to prepare a revised RFP (request for proposals) for digital billboards, with Councilman Jack Shu opposed.

The action reverse a July 25 vote, when Council rejected a similar proposal by a 3-2 vote. The major difference? The new plan would provide that any revenues the city receives off digital billboards for the first five years would be spent equally on police, fire protection, and the arts, said Councilman Colin Parent, who introduced the revised measure.

Several people showed up before the meeting with protest signs, such as “Keep digital billboards out of  La Mesa,” though some others spoke in support.

By Cassie N. Saunders, County of San Diego Communications Office

September 28, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- The Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) program that supports people confronting mental health struggles is getting a multi-million-dollar boost. 

Hear audio aired on KNSJ Radio

View video of interview with Jay Steiger (Note: Max Coston, whose name appears on screen, is Steiger's campaign manager)

September 27, 2023 (San Diego's East County)-- Jay Steiger is running for the Grossmont Union High School Board in Trustee Area 2,  Steiger is a middle school teacher who graduated from Monte Vista High School in the Grossmont District and he’s a parent of two children who graduated from Grossmont High School. In an exclusive interview, he shares his goals to assure a 21st century education for students and assure that all students, staff and teachers are treated with respect and inclusivity.

Steiger says he’s running because extremists have targeted school boards in the 2024 election, and he wants to prioritize students’ wellbeing and education over extremist policies he believes could harm our community.

East County News Service

September 27, 2023 (El Cajon) -- On Friday, October 20, 2023, the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce will be celebrating its 21st Annual Women in Leadership event at Sycuan Casino Resort.

In 2003 the first Women in Leadership Luncheon (WILL) was launched with the idea of honoring women who excel professionally and as community leaders. The successful women of San Diego County, along with our inspirational keynote speakers, keep WILL growing year after year.

SAN DIEGO, CA, September 25, 2023 – San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister said, “Don’t trash your cash!”  today as he announced the deadline extension for people to file a claim if they are owed County Unclaimed Monies. Readers are urged to go online now to find out if they are owed part of $543,171 in unclaimed money before it is rolled into the County General Fund.  The previous deadline of September 21, 2023, has been extended to Friday, October 6, 2023.  

East County News  Service

September 26, 2023 (Dulzura) – A motorcyclist  missed a curve and was ejected onto State Route 94 just east of Roma Road at 10:49 Saturday morning. He was transported by air ambulance to Scripps Mercy Hospital, where he died of his injuries.

The 28-year-old Chula Vista man was driving a 2024 Kawasaki ZX-6R motorcycle westbound on 94 when the crash occurred.

East County News Service

September 24, 2023 (Ramona) – After Zita Swanson, 66, went  missing from her home on G Street in Ramona on Sept.21, the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue activated 32 volunteers who helped search for her. She was found by a driver heading to work, who noticed her in bushes along Mussey Grade Road around 5:30 the next morning.

She was considered at risk due to a medical condition. Fortunately, after being evaluated by paramedics, she has been reunited with her family.

View video of interview

Hear audio,  originally aired on KNSJ

September 24, 2023 (San Diego)—Anat Tour, host of Bookshelf on the East County Magazine Radio Show, recently interviewed Bruce Givner. Givner is an attorney and the author of My Watergate Scandal Tell-All: How I Unwittingly Caused This Historic Event. 

As a 21-year-old intern in June 1972, Givner stayed late at the Democratic National Committee’s  Watergate offices until just after midnight, making free long-distance phone calls to friends and family. His presence substantially delayed the break-in and indirectly led to the eventual arrests of the burglars.  The ensuing investigations exposed a criminal conspiracy, leading to multiple convictions and the resignation of  President Richard Nixon. 

East County News Service

September 23, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- The Lemon Grove Historical Society’s 45th annual free "History Alive" lecture series will present the story of the Buffalo Soldiers, led by Trooper Rachel Hilliard (photo,left), founder and president of the San Diego Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers, and several troop members. This special presentation will take place on Thursday, October 5 at 5 p.m. at the H. Lee House Cultural Center,3205 Olive Street in Lemon Grove.

“This extraordinary organization played a major role in America's westward expansion as they helped and saved many wagon trains of migrants, seeking farmland, pasturage and places to establish towns,”says Helen Ofield, historian to the board of the LGHS. “On every level, the Buffalo Soldiers are at the heart of American history. Don't miss this uniformed presentation.”

By John Carey for the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.;

Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Pulitzer Center-Public News Service Collaboration.

September 23, 2023 (Sacramento) -- Methane, one of the most potent greenhouse gases, is the major component of the biogas that seeps from countless landfills and wastewater plants. It makes sense, then, to prevent that methane from escaping into the atmosphere-indeed, hundreds of solid waste facilities across the United States have done so for decades, either flaring the biogas to burn off the methane or burning the biogas to generate electricity or heat. That gives off carbon dioxide, but still greatly reduces the greenhouse gas potential, as methane is 80 times more potent than CO₂ over the first 20 years after emission.

September 23, 2023 (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

• Up for parole | Convicted Santana High School shooter has a chance at freedom   (CBS 8)
• COVID-19 hospitalizations are on the rise in San Diego County. Here's what you need to know  (KPBS)
• New jail-death lawsuit accuses sheriff’s deputies of being involved in drug sales behind bars (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• More antisemitic flyers dropped in Del Cerro neighborhood (KPBS)
• Video footage of fatal La Mesa police shooting released (10 News)
• State Legislature Steps Into San Diego’s Water Divorce Debate (Voice of San Diego)
• Newsom sends more CalGuard members to border in effort to halt the flood of fentanyl (Los Angeles Times)
• Once smeared as a security risk who would ‘infiltrate’ Congress, he’s a Navy officer now (Los Angeles Times column)
• Tijuana official explains why hundreds of migrants are back at the border
• Disgraced ex-Supervisor Fletcher describes relationship with woman suing him in court docs 
• City of San Diego to unveil mattress disposal program at Miramar Landfill  (10 News)
• Woman sentenced 18 years to life for shooting woman found dead in Bonita (10 News)
• The Learning Curve: Students Could Soon Earn Degrees Without Going to Class (Voice of San Diego)
• It's about to get easier to pay MTS bus and trolley fares(KPBS)

STATE

• CSU Board Approves Five-Year Annual 6% Tuition Hikes (Times of San Diego)
• Appeals court will hear challenge to California's new rooftop solar rules  (KPBS) California health care tax proponents go to the ballot (Politico)
• US judge strikes down California ban on high-capacity gun magazines( Reuters)
• California scales back electric car rebates to focus on lower-income car buyers (CalMatters)
• Schiff and Porter increasingly dominate race for Senate, poll shows (Los Angeles Times)
• CA Moves To Legalize Magic Mushrooms And Other Psychedelics (Patch)
• California voters oppose cash reparations for slavery descendants by 2 to 1: Poll (Washington Times)

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

September 23, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• Did you have a severe case of COVID-19? Research suggests that Neanderthal genes could be to blame (Business Insider)
• CDC recommends updated Covid-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older(CNN)
• Oregon launches legal psilocybin access amid high demand and hopes for improved mental health care (AP)
• Half of Americans interested in getting updated COVID shot, Reuters/Ipsos poll shows (Reuters)
• How California’s current COVID wave ranks among the pandemic’s Top 5 – (San Jose Mercury News)
•  Prescriptions for fresh fruits and vegetables help boost heart health (NPR)
• Popular nasal decongestant doesn't actually relieve congestion, FDA advisers say(CBS 8)
• Does Ozempic have mental health side effects?   (NPR)

SCIENCE AND TECH

• California passes laws to aid digital consumers  (KPBS)
• Experts say modern cars can violate consumer privacy (NPR)
• Musk says he refused Kyiv request for Starlink use in attack on Russia  (Reuters)
• Newsom signs executive order preparing California for AI (Los Angeles Times)

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

By Jacob Pamus

Everybody Dies by the End is a feature film written by Ian Tripp and directed by Ian and Ryan Schafer. The film was partially shot in Jamul and downtown. The film stars East County locals such as Brendan Cahalan and Vinny Curran, who owns a bar called Thrusters Lounge in Pacific Beach. Other local actors include Brendan Cahalan from El Cajon and Ian Tripp of San Carlos.

The synopsis of the film is: “A documentary crew follows cult classic horror director Alfred Costella as he makes his final film - An all-practical masterpiece...with a dark twist.” 

When asked about his experience during the production of the film, Ian Tripp told ECM, “You have to be agile to problems coming at you every minute, but the crew itself was why we surpassed any problems we had.” He went into further detail, explaining how well the crew worked together in an environment that could be very stressful.