By Miriam Raftery

February 3, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – Decisions made this week are drawing criticisms over President Donald Trump’s handling of sensitive foreign policy and military decisions—and who is involved in making those decisions.

Top officials for past Republican and Democratic presidents have spoken out against Trump’s executive order giving political advisor Steve Bannon a full seat on the principals committee of the National Security Council, while limiting the Director of National Intelligence and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from attending National Security Council meetings except when it considers issues in their direct areas of responsibilities, the New York Times reports.

Bannon’s last job was publishing Brietbart news, a mouthpiece for alt-right, white supremacist, anti-immigrant and conspiracy theory stories as well as conservative news.  Bannon is also an ex-Navy surface warfare officer who has  worked as an investment banker and Hollywood producer.

East County News Service

February 2, 2017 (Ramona) – An 83-year-old Poway man on a motorcycle was struck head-on by a Ford Crown Victoria that crossed the double yellow line on Highland Valley Road in Ramona this afternoon. The Poway man was ejected from the motorcycle and died at the scene.

Two East County representatives oppose measure; Anderson attacks immigrants as criminals despite actual data on crime rates  

By Miriam Raftery

February 2, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) — Two local legislators have taken stands against SB 54, a measure that would prevent state and local authorities in California from cooperating with federal efforts to deport undocumented immigrants.

East County News Service

February 2, 2017 (Washington D.C.) -- Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego), a senior member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, was named as the Ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training, which plays a key role in shaping higher education policy.

Source: goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 1, 2017 (Laramie, Wy.) - San Diego State women’s basketball faced a Wyoming team that produced its finest shooting performance of the season and couldn’t push past, falling to the Cowgirls in Mountain West action, 80-67, at Arena-Auditorium Wednesday evening. 

Listen to Destination East County by clicking the audio link.

East County News Service

February 1, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a powwow, a jazz piano concert, a guitar and mandolin duo at a winery, and a British farce onstage.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including a Celtic music concert, Cupids and Canines, Dining and Dancing with your Valentine, a production of To Kill a Mockingbird, and quarterback Marlin Briscoe at Grossmont College in honor of Black History Month.

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

East County News Service

February 1, 2017 (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 top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL

• Grossmont Healthcare District supporting new Campo clinic (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Threat Forces Evacuation of Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center (KPBS)
• La Mesa looking for other groups to handle some downtown events (Union-Tribune)
• .Veterans’ choice program fails to target wait times even in Southern California (KPBS)
• Former Iraqi Translator On Why He Supports Trump’s Refugee Ban (KPBS)
• I-5 border traffic diverted from San Ysidro again (San Diego Union-Tribune)

STATE

• San Francisco sues Trump over sanctuary cities order (New York Times)
• California movement to secede gains momentum (Yahoo! News)
• 'CalExit' Secession Petition Gets Approval to Circulate (Reason)
• Rep. Hunter to Calif. Governor:  Nix illegal immigrants instead of cutting middle class scholarships (Washington Times)
• POLITIFACT: California Has the Nation’s Highest Poverty Rate (KPBS)
• POLITIFACT: More Than One Quarter of Californians Are 'Foreign-Born' (KPBS)

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

Honor recognizes comprehensive care to treat heart disease, nation's leading cause of death for women

East County News Service

February 1, 2017 (La Mesa) - Sharp Grossmont Hospital has been named one of America’s Best Hospitals for Heart Care by the Women’s Choice Award^®, a nationwide referral source that identifies the country’s best health care institutions based on clinical criteria and surveys. The award signifies that Sharp Grossmont Hospital is in the top 9 percent of 4,789 U.S. hospitals offering heart care services.

East County News Service

February 1, 2017 (El Cajon) - A Feb. 8 workshop tackling the mass incarceration of African-American males kicks off the spring edition of Diversity Dialogues, a series of Cuyamaca College conversations aimed at fostering a greater understanding of different cultures.

Concerns raised over personnel shortages in jobs ranging from food safety inspectors to Social Security offices

By Miriam Raftery

February 1, 2017 (San Diego) — After a public outcry, the Trump administration has issued some clarifications on his order freezing hiring of federal employees and added new exemptions. 

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

February 1, 2017 (San Diego) - Aztecs men's basketball suffered a tough loss to Colorado State at home on Saturday afternoon.  They looked to redeem themselves at home on Tuesday night against the Cowboys of Wyoming.

Source: U.S. Customs and Border Patrol

January 31, 2017 (San Diego) -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the ports of entry in the San Diego and Imperial Valley Counties over the weekend intercepted approximately 9,600 pounds of narcotics including more than 500 pounds of marijuana hidden in a cargo shipment and another almost 8,400 pounds in a separate shipment, valued at almost $7 million.

By Walter Davis

January 31, 2017 (Canyon Lake, CA) -- I walked down the pier towards the mighty warship. She was moored at the same pier that once held the mighty Japanese battleship Yamato. My gait was slightly unsteady as I had left my family crying quietly in the parking lot.

By Miriam Raftery

January 31, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – President Donald Trump has fired Acting Attorney General Sally Yates after she refused to defend his executive order banning entry into the U.S. for refugees worldwide and citizens of 11 Muslim nations. Yates said she was not convinced the order was lawful and that as head of the Justice Dept., her duty is to assure that the department’s position is “legally defensible” and “consistent with this institution’s solemn obligation to always seek justice and stand for what is right.”

By Ben Locke, Alpine resident

January 31, 2017 (Alpine) -- Located at http://www.sandiegocounty.gov/pds/generalplan.html is the County website for the General Plan (GP).  As you may have heard, a GP update will be taking place for Alpine over the next 18 months.  The preamble to the GP states that it is:  “…a framework for the future growth and development of the unincorporated areas of the County.”  And that it “…is based on a set of guiding principles designed to protect the County’s unique and diverse natural resources and maintain the character of its rural and semi-rural communities. It reflects an environmentally sustainable approach to planning that balances the need for adequate infrastructure, housing, and economic vitality, while maintaining and preserving each unique community within the County, agricultural areas, and extensive open space.”  Finally, it states that it:  “…reflects the County’s commitment to  a sustainable growth model that facilitates efficient development near infrastructure and services, while respecting sensitive natural resources and protection of existing community character in its extensive rural and semi-rural communities. The General Plan provides a renewed basis for the County’s diverse communities to develop Community Plans that are specific to and reflective of their unique character and environment consistent with the County’s vision for its future."