$1,000 fine for passing a school bus with red lights flashing or stop sign extended

East County News Service

May 14, 2016 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon Police Dept. asks drivers to help keep roads safer for kids.  Traffic enforcement officers and school bus drivers have noticed an increase in driver’s passing school buses that are loading or unloading students. 

East County News Service

May 14, 2016 (El Cajon) – You’re invited to have a ropin’ good time at a Cactus Garden BBQ at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum, a hidden gem at 131 Rea Street, just off Main Street in downtown El Cajon. On June 4^th and 5^th from 5 to 9 p.m. Sons of Charity Inc. will celebrate western Heritage and famed artist Olaf Wieghorst’s iconic art with a cowboy BBQ and concert by “Smith and Western.

By Liz Alper

May 13, 2016 (San Diego) - The struggling Aztecs baseball team looked to end its home season on a strong note in its series against Air Force.  Dominic Purpura got the start for SDSU against Ethan Nichols for Air Force.

East County News Service

May 13, 2016 (Lemon Grove) - Chantella Matira Ferguson, 32, of Lemon Grove died May 9^th shortly after midnight at Scripps Memorial Hospital of injuries sustained when she was struck by a vehicle at 11:15 p.m. on May 7^th. 

By Liz Alper

Photo:  the Padres and Brewers take a moment of silence for Charles Keating IV, a Navy SEAL who was buried in Coronado today.

May 13, 2016 (Milwaukee) - The Padres looked to continue yesterday’s success against Milwaukee.  Newbie Christian Friedrich got the start for the Padres and Junior Gerra for the Brewers.

By Miriam Raftery

May 13, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – After more than four years of efforts by local environmentalists and community leaders to convince the state to take action on a 25-year-old resolution, Caltrans and the City of San Diego have designated State Route 52 a Scenic Highway. 

East County News Service

May 13, 2016 (Washington D.C.) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising that the serious side effects associated with fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs generally outweigh the benefits for patients with sinusitis, bronchitis, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections who have other treatment options. For patients with these conditions, fluoroquinolone should be reserved for those who do not have alternative treatment options.

First-ever Zahn Spirit of Innovation Award among pomp and prizes at SDSU commencement celebrations on May 13 to 15 at Viejas Arena

By Jill Esterbrooks, SDSU News Center

May 13, 2016 (San Diego)--This year's crop of San Diego State University graduates is more diverse, determined and decorated than any in its 119-year history.

Take Austin Owens. He'll receive his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering and the first-ever Zahn Spirit of Innovation Award at the College of Engineering's commencement ceremony on May 14 at 5:30 p.m. Owens, who is "passionate about solving problems and making things happen against all odds," has been a four-year SDSU standout for founding the on-campus Mechantronics Club, competing in international RoboSub competitions and landing a post-graduation job at SpaceX, a space exploration company founded by Elon Musk.

East County News Service

May 13, 2016 (La Mesa) -- Applications are now being accepted for volunteer positions on the City’s boards and commissions. The deadline for submission of applications is 5:30 p.m., Thursday, June 2, 2016, in the City Clerk’s office at La Mesa City Hall, 8130 Allison Avenue. Applications may be obtained at City Hall or from the City of La Mesa website, www.cityoflamesa.us.

East County News Service

May 12, 2016 (Santee) - The city of Santee announces Fido Fest, a “paws in the park” event on June 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 550 Park Center Drive, Santee. 

Photo courtesy Steve Shepard/iStockphotos

By Suzanne Potter, Public News Service

May 12, 2016 (Los Angeles) - Your local convenience story may no longer accept cards for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program if a new rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture goes into effect.

“We All Count” organizers voice concerns over undercount of homeless due to lack of data provided by shelter in El Cajon

By Miriam Raftery

May 12, 2016 (San Diego) – Results of “We All Count,” the annual count of homeless people countywide, show a 19% increase in the number of unsheltered homeless people, though a slight dip (less than a percentage point) in the total number of homeless countywide.

In an interview with the East County Magazine Show originally aired on KNSJ radio, Dolores Diaz, Executive Director of the Regional Task Force on the Homeless, and Michael McConnell, an advocate for the homeless who has served as team leader for “25 Cities”, a national initiative to end homelessness and publisher of Homelessness News San Diego, discussed this year’s results of the point-in-time homeless count, as well as long term solutions to end homelessness.

Hear our interview by clicking the orange arrow above (sound files may take a few moments to load), plus scroll down for additional details and updates obtained after our interview aired.

May 12, 2016, 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

• U.S. forces now on ground supporting combat operations in Yemen, Pentagon says (Wash. Post)
• Study: Swaddling may increase risk of SIDS (USA Today)
• Top Alabama judge suspended after blocking same-sex marriage (Washington Post)
• U.S. to boost airport staffing to manage long security lines (Reuters)

Presidential primary

• What would a Trump presidency mean for San Diego? (Times of San Diego)
• Trump prepared to keep tax returns hidden from public (MSNBC)
• Hillary Clinton e-mail inquiry won’t be rushed, FBI chief says (New York Times)
• All of Donald Trump’s four Pinocchio whoppers, in one place (Washington Post)
• Did Donald Trump just hand the Senate to Elizabeth Warren? (Politico)
• Sanders awarded 49 more Washington state delegates (The Hill)
• Why is Bernie Sanders suddenly talking more about poverty? (CBS)

WORLD

• Syrian Regime Targets Health Workers, Hospitals In Aleppo (NPR)
• A Canadian oil sands town is on fire; 80,000 residents must evacuate (Washington Post)
• Hope in Fort McMurray: Canadian officials find 90 percent of homes saved (CS Monitor)
• Facing Drought, Zimbabwe Says It Is Selling Off Wild Animals (NPR)
• Cowed by cartels? Mexican journalists find fresh ways to get info out. (CS Monitor)
• Kim Jong Un Says North Korea Won't Use Nukes Unless Its Sovereignty Is Violated (NPR)
• Man, said to shout 'Allahu Akbar', knifes Munich rail passengers(Reuters)
• Nearly half of Europeans in poll want own votes on EU, like UK (Reuters)
• Iran says it tested ballistic missile with 2,000 kilometer range (JPost)

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

By Jaime Rodriguez-Sosa

Photo: Adenike O sought asylum to protect her daughter from violence and genital mutilation. Now she works as a Certified Nursing Assistant after completing a licensing program, also volunteering to train prospective students at Nile Sisters.

May 11, 2016 (San Diego) -- The California State Refugee Service Bureau states that since 1975, California has provided refuge to 700,000 people, with San Diego County being the most notable recipient of refugees in the whole state. On average San Diego resettles 2,500 refugees per year, with areas such as City Heights among the most prominent areas for resettlement. These numbers are expected to increase in coming years, with refugees from Syria being accepted to resettle in the United States.

By Liz Alper

Photo:  a Padres fan wears a Colin Rea jersey outside of historic Wrigley Field in Chicago.  Courtesy @Padres on Twitter

May 11, 2016 (Chicago) - The Pads and Cubs woke up bright and early to play game one of today’s doubleheader.  Colin Rea took the mound for San Diego and Kyle Hendricks for the Cubs.