“There’s a pandemic in progress.”-- Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institute of Health

East County News Service

January 15, 2016 (San Diego) – Zika virus has spread to at least 14 countries in the Western hemisphere as well as Puerto Rico. Tests have linked Zika virus to babies born with microcephaly, a birth defect that causes babies to be born with small skulls, brain damage and sometimes death. 

Today, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel warning urging pregnant women and women who may become pregnant to postpone travel to  Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Suriname, and Venezuela.

By Miriam Raftery

January 14, 2016 (La Mesa) -- The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, will host a free program on “Let’s Talk About Mental Health” from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016. The program is part of the library’s Wellness Wednesday series, normally held on the fourth Wednesday of the month.

Gov. Haley's official Republican response also faults scapegoating based on race or religion, supports "stopping immigration" -- while Spanish translation hints at amnesty Haley never mentioned

By Miriam Raftery

January 14, 2016 (Washington D.C.)—In his final State of the Union address, President Barack Obama cited his administrations achievements and goals for his final term.  But he spent most of his speech focusing on “the next five years, ten years and beyond”, urging an end to divisive partisan politics.

Obama voiced hope for bipartisan support to enact criminal justice reforms. He indicated he will keep pushing to fix a “broken” immigration system, protect kids from gun violence and help workers by raising the minimum wage and fighting for equal pay for equal work, despite opposition from the Republican-controlled Congress.

Then he spoke about changes that have occurred throughout our nation’s history—and changes yet to come.

 By Kim Beales 

January 14, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- A night of enjoying fine wines, great food and live jazz is on the horizon in East County.  On Saturday, January 23^rd, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the community will come together for a fun evening to benefit St. Pius X Catholic Church's building fund.  The money raised by the event is earmarked for the restoration of the church's buildings dating back to the 1950s.  Guests will enjoy unlimited wine tasting and heavy hors d'oeuvres. 

The event will feature the following wineries, all of which are located in East County along Highway 94:

Top scientist claims evidence of neonicotinoids harming bees was silenced by agrochemical companies

By Brigitte Garcia

January 13, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week issued a ruling that neonicotinoids used on cotton and citrus crops harm bees -- but the same pesticide used on other crops does not, Associated Press reports. Some bee experts have argued that neonicotinoids are a major cause of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). The controversial statement pleased neither environmentalists concerned over bee declines, nor Bayer, the maker of neonicotinoids.

East County News Service

January 14, 2016 (Alpine) – Last week’s storm damage has necessitated closure of three Alpine schools today, with two remaining closed through tomorrow.

Joan MacQueen Middle School will be shut today and tomorrow due to propane leaks.  Shadow Hills and Mountain View  Learning Academy will be closed today for repairs on gas valves following leaks.

January 14, 2016 (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

• Lost Boys find joys, challenges in adulthood (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Lakeside Business Owners Bet the Farm on CEQA Challenge (Voice of San Diego)
• Those Giant Tides Are Worse Than Ever and May Be Hint of What’s to Come (VOSD)
• Torrents of water rush through San Carlos homes, residents blame city (KNSD)
• More pot dispensaries on county land coming (U-T)
• Local mom says man filmed her daughter at La Mesa park, used Facetime as cover story  (10 News)
• Brother of alleged ISIS fighter denies lies (U-T)
• Lilac Hills vote delayed indefinitely (San Diego Union-Tribune)

STATE

• Openness act targets backroom deals (U-T)
• Chipotle Faces A Criminal Investigation Into Its Handling Of A Norovirus Outbreak(NPR)
• California ERs in critical condition (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Citizens’ United advisory measure can go on ballot, high court rules (LA Times)
• Aleutian Quake Zone Could Shoot Big Tsunamis To Hawaii, California (NPR)
• CPUC ousts administrative law judge (San Diego Reader)
• Public disclosure of officials’ private devices needed (San Diego Union-Tribune)

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

By Mike Allen

Photo: Barbara Kimbler, Shady Lane manager

January 14, 2016 (San Diego) -- A statewide utility upgrade program aimed at giving mobile home owners improved service and replacing old and defective gas pipelines and electric power lines benefits both park owners and tenants, but the considerable cost for the project, yet unknown, will be borne by the ratepayers of the eight investor-owned utilities participating in the program.

East County News Service

January 14, 2016 (San Diego) -- A special forum will be held in San Diego on February. 11 to educate seniors and caregivers on how to avoid financial scammers and other crooks.

By Miriam Raftery

January 14, 2016 (San Diego) – The San Diego City Council has proclaimed 2016 as the Year of Inclusion.  The proclamation notes that immigrants comprise 23 percent of the population in our region, with over 100 languages spoken by San Diego residents from around the world.

The proclamation recognizes organizations in San Diego dedicated to helping s build a “culture of civic participation among new generations” that empower leadership and activism. The city's welcoming gesture toward immigrants comes at a time when anti-immigrant has been on the rise nationally and among some prominent political figures, most notably Republican presidential frontrunner candidate Donald Trump.

By Mimi Pollack

January 12, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- The motto for California Labrador Retrievers and More is “Dogs + Families = Love”. Thanks to all their hard work and dedicated volunteers, this local group, also known as Labs and More, has found homes for 3,900 dogs in five years. Just last week, Labs and More volunteers found homes for 60 dogs, an impressive record to start 2016.