East County News Service

May 31, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes Fly Day at Gillespie Field in El Cajon, the In-Ko-Pah outdoor overnight concert at Jacumba’s Desert View Tower, La Mesa’s Flag Day Parade, and Family Day at the Van Ommering Dairy in Lakeside.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including Lavender Day at Summers Past Farms, the Julian Dance, Fido Fest in Santee, summer concerts in La Mesa and Santee, a Taste of La Mesa, night fishing at Santee Lakes, Julian Blues Festival, a Father’s Day brunch with Cowboy Jack, a Father’s Day adventure at Fort Cross, the Secret Life of Pets showing at Santee Lakes, Julian’s 4^th of July Parade, plus Independence Day events with fireworks in Santee and El Cajon.

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

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

June 1, 2017 (La Mesa) -- “It helps with fall prevention” said fitness instructor Eduardo Gracia of the exercises he designs for seniors at La Mesa’s The Montera-Westliving Senior Living Community.  Gracia led seniors through indoor (balloon) volleyball, basketball, darts, and other activities on the 24^th Annual National Senior Health & Fitness Day on May 31.

By Shaun Mullen

Originally published in The Moderate Voice, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

June 1, 2017 (Washington D.C.) -- If you think of the Russia scandal as a big jigsaw puzzle with lots of seemingly unconnected pieces when they are first spread out before you, several things become apparent as the pieces begin to fit together.

CHP seeks a lifted F-250 or F-350 diesel pickup similar to one in photo that struck woman and sped off. A motor home that may have witnesses is also sought.

By Jordan Damond and Miriam Raftery

June 1, 2017 (Lakeside) – It’s a mystery how a San Diego woman wound up standing on westbound Interstate 8 just west of the Lake Jennings exit in Lakeside at 4:45 a.m. on Monday, where she was struck by two vehicles that both fled the scene.

By Chris Jennewein

Reprinted from Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

June 1, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - California Gov. Jerry Brown vowed Thursday the state would continue its fight against climate change despite President Trump’s “misguided and insane” decision to leave the Paris Climate Agreement.

East County News Service

June 1, 2017 (San Diego’s East County)  You’re invited to join in a fun drive to discover the unveiling of Historic Highway 67 in San Diego’s East County on June 17^th from 8:30 to 1 p.m.  Travel through the wild and scenic countryside, stopping at pit stops in El Cajon, Santee, Lakeside and Ramona to get your passport stamped and win drawing tickets for prizes.

This event is  presented by the Historic Highway 80 Corporation along with the Santee, Lakeside, Ramona, and San Diego East County Chambers of Commerce.

East County News Service

Shows held June 23, July 28 and August 25

June 1, 2017 (Lemon Grove)—Muevete Dance Studio in Lemon Grove (3338 Main St.) presents  a Zapateados “fundraiser” on the fourth Friday each month from June through August. These events showcase dance styles from various regions in Mexico,  showcasing talented dancers from Ballet Folklorico en Aztlan.  All shows are free, starting at 7 pm.

By Miriam Raftery

After Hunter and Vargas sent letters, a new spill pumped more sewage into Tijuana River Valley at start of Memorial Day weekend

May 31, 2017 (San Diego) — Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine)  sent a letter May 9^th to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and to Scott Pruitt, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, asking them to take action in the wake of a major sewage spill into the Tijuana River Valley in the U.S. from Mexico earlier this year.   Hunter cites concerns not only for environmental and public health, but also negative impacts felt by U.S. Border Patrol agents and Navy Seal teams performing responsibilities in the area daily.

By Miriam Raftery

May 31, 2017 (Sacramento) – If you’re hailing a ride through a service such as Uber or Lyft, you may soon have an option to add a tip onto your credit card charge. A measure requiring ride-serving aps that take credit card payments to offer an option to add a tip passed the Assembly today by a 41-22 vote.  The measure, Assembly Bill 1099, was authored by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego).

East County News Service

May 31, 2017 (Sacramento) - California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego) today won approval by the Assembly for her legislation that will require school districts to test for lead contamination in their water supplies, and to notify parents if any lead is discovered. Assembly Bill 746 was approved on a vote of 68-0.

By Miriam Raftery

May 31, 2017 (Lakeside) – California Highway Patrol’s El Cajon office is seeking witnesses to help find two drivers who fled the scene after striking and seriously injuring a 29-year-old woman who was standing in traffic lanes.

May 31, 2017 (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.

• How Congress dismantled federal internet privacy rules (Washington Post)
• Ex-CIA director: CIA would consider Kushner actions ‘espionage’ (The Hill)
• Trump launches new course with allies and autocrats in first foreign trip (Los Angeles Times)
• Blackwater founder held secret Seychelles meeting to establish Trump-Putin back channel (Washington Post)
• Ancestry.com denies exploiting users' DNA (BBC)
• U.S. Census director resigns amid turmoil over 2020 count (Washington Post)
• Tillerson declines to host Ramadan reception (CNN)

WORLD

• Homeless man who aided Manchester Arena attack victims hailed as hero (WGNTV)
• European allies see the two sides of Trump (New York Times)
• G-7 leaders divided on climate change, closer on trade issues (Reuters)
• Trudeau invites pope to Canada for Church apology to indigenous peoples (Reuters)
• The Philippines in flames: citizens flee as ISIS flag flies over Marawi (Guardian)
• Israel reduces Gaza electricity after PA refuses to pay (Jerusalem Post)
• North Korea fires missile into waters off Japan (Los Angeles Times)
• Muslim women in India challenge ‘instant divorce’ law (New York Times)
• Russian opposition leader finds new platform on YouTube (CS Monitor)
• Chechnya's anti-gay pogrom: Too much even for the Kremlin? (CS Monitor)
• Egypt blocks 21 websites, including Al Jazeera: state news agency (Reuters)
• At Least 28 Dead, Many Wounded, After Attack on Christians in Egypt (NPR)

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

Source: Border Patrol

May 31, 2017 (San Diego) – Over the holiday weekend, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the ports of entry along the California border with Mexico intercepted almost 270 pounds of narcotics, valued at over $1.4 million. A total of 14 fugitives with outstanding felony warrants were also captured, including a suspect wanted for homicide.

East County News Service

May 30, 2017 (Sacramento) -- Today, the Veterans Employment Parity Act (AB 353) authored by Assemblyman Randy Voepel (R-Santee), passed out of the Assembly floor with unanimous support.

By Jose A. Alvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office

Video by James Kecskes

May 30, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - More than one-third of local fifth, seventh and ninth graders in public schools are overweight or obese.

This the key finding in the 2016 State of Childhood Obesity report released today by the San Diego County Childhood Obesity Initiative, a public-private partnership tasked with reducing and preventing childhood obesity in the region.