By Miriam Raftery

December 11, 2015 (Washington D.C.) – Calling it a “Christmas miracle—a bipartisan bill signing”,  President Barack Obama signed into law the Every Student Succeeds Act, which passed Congress with strong support among both Republicans and Democrats.

The new law preserves the goals and spirit of the No Child Left Behind law enacted under the George W. Bush administration, but eliminates that measure’s unpopular  heavy testing and eases consequences for schools that underperform. The Every Student Succeeds Act offers a more flexible approach to student testing and school accountability, also shifting much of the responsibility for improving troubled schools back to the states.

East County News Service

December 11, 2015 (San Diego)—Over 88,213 marijuana plants were seized in San Diego County in 2015 from 98 separate grow locations, including 60 outdoor and 38 indoor sites with a value of $464,149. The announcement was made by the Drug Enforcement Agency’s Narcotics Task Force in San Diego County, along with the Sheriff’s Department and Health Advocates Rejecting Marijuana (HARM).   

 Of additional significance is the fact that 52,439 plants were removed from our public lands, including U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management properties. DEA/NTF officials estimate that it takes approximately 900 gallons of water to bring an outdoor marijuana plant to harvest, and 450 gallons for an indoor grown plant.  Based on those numbers, the marijuana seized this year used approximately 72 million gallons of water.

By Miriam Raftery

December 8, 2015 (Santee) – Michael Balazs has created the ultimate Christmas light show at his Santee home “to bring smiles to the neighborhood children and adults alike.”  This year’s show at 9773 Roe Drive, Santee features 28,000 lights synced to eight musical songs ranging from Party Rock to Carol of the Bells. It's all synced to FM radio so people can get out of their cars and dance to show their holiday spirit.

This year, he switched to professional LED lighting – and slashed his electricity bill to a shockingly low $50 to $70 a month, he says.

Source: U.S.. Customs and Border Patrol

December 10, 2015 (Otay Mesa)--U.S. Customs and Border Protection will begin testing new biometric technology at the Otay Mesa pedestrian crossing this week to enhance identification of certain non-U.S. citizens entering and exiting the U.S. CBP uses biometrics in order to accurately verify who arrives in the United States and who leaves.

By Kathy Carpenter

Associate/Youth Reviewer www.sdtheatrereviews.com

December 8, 2015 (El Cajon) - The students at El Cajon Valley High School took on two Christmas plays this winter. Both with fairly large casts, with only a couple students taking on roles in both shows. A huge undertaking for teacher and director Shannon Turner. These students work hard, come out for the evening and support the local arts. The two shows the students performed were A Charlie Brown Christmas and Scrooge Makes UP!. The Christmas message in both ...the holiday season is one of love, kindness, giving, and being out best selves. Is seven dollars and an hour and a half to much too give?

24 private postpartum birthing suites feature spa-like look and feel

December 8, 2015 (La Mesa)-- Sharp Grossmont Hospital has unveiled a new, fresh lower level of the Women’s Health Center, where moms and newborns are now enjoying 24 completely remodeled, private postpartum delivery suites. The upgrades are the first phase of an overall renovation of the center, which is expected to be completed in 2017 to accommodate the families of the approximately 4,000 babies born at the hospital each year.

By Miriam Raftery

December 10, 2015 (Sacramento) – Helix Water District board member Kathleen Hedberg spoke at a public workshop in Sacramento held by the State Water Resources Control Board on Monday.  Hedberg urged the Board to revise  current emergency regulations that mandate huge water cuts statewide and to take into consideration water districts where customers have already been conserving.

In an impassioned plea, she noted that Helix customers already cut use and have exceeded the mandate, but that this has forced many to allow trees and shrubs to die. She noted that the district has invested in increasing water supply and has adequate water to meet customer needs.

"My constituents and Helix Water District customers are outraged and frustrated that they have paid for water supply, storage and reliability projects and we are being told to cut back on water use even when we have enough water as we prepared for drought times and the future," Hedberg testified. Below are her full comments to the Board, along with her assessment of mixed reactions received from state regulators:

December 8, 2015 (La Mesa)--The East County Roller Girls is a new start-up women's Roller Derby league that will play under WFTDA (Women's Flat Track Derby Association) rules.

A boot camp and tryout will be held on Sunday, December 19 at 11 a.m. at 8855 Dallas Street, La Mesa. Childcare will be provided.

By Miriam Raftery

December 8, 2015 (Alpine) – A lawsuit over a high school for Alpine is slated to be back in Superior Court downtown on December 17at 9:30 a.m.

Alpine taxpayers and the Alpine Union School District have filed a  reconsideration request asking Superior Court Judge Joel Pressman to grant Alpine’s  motion for summary adjudication and deny Grossmont’s motion for summary judgment, in  light of a Court of Appeals decision that found  Propositions H and U contain a promise to build an Alpine High School. 

Grossmont filed a  response asking just the opposite – urging Judge Pressman to deny Alpine’s motion for reconsideration.

Next up: Star Wars Day Dec. 12

Photo, left: “Snow Queen” from Parties Unique company greets a miniature, costumed Elsa from “Frozen” during Winterfest at the San Diego County Library Rancho San Diego Branch on Dec. 5, 2015

Story and photos by Megan Just

December 8, 2015 (Rancho San Diego) − Though it’s been two years since the release of Disney’s “Frozen,” Elsa and Anna still have the power to draw a crowd.  In this case, the princesses, played by performers from the Parties Unique company, were the headliners of Winterfest at the San Diego County Library, Rancho San Diego Branch, on Saturday afternoon.

The festival, which included cookie decorating, holiday crafts, an ugly sweater contest, an instant-print photo booth, and two princess-led sing-along performances, drew a crowd of more than 200 children and accompanying adults.

Deadline for  written comments is Dec. 9; oral comments will be heard Dec. 11 at County Planning Commission

By Kiki Skagen Munshi

By Miriam Raftery

December 8, 2015 (San Diego)—A lowly lizard—and a poisonous one at that—could hold the secret to treating diabetes.

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute say that they have altered molecules from a protein found in venom of Gila Monster lizards, then using a process called autocrine selection, activate cellular receptors in positive ways.

December 8, 2015 (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.

• U.S. deploying new force to Iraq to boost fight against Islamic State (Reuters)
•  Facebook CEO, now a father, will give away most of his money (Associated Press)
• Military opens all combat roles to women (Reuters)
• In Iraq, growing belief that U.S., ISIS are . . . allies (JWR)
• American WWII vet becomes first  soldier honored for saving Jews (CBS)
• The terrorists among us  (Slate)
• 'Unprecedented': What ISIS Looks Like In America (NPR)
• Trump: ‘Take out ‘ terrorists families (USA Today)
• Zucker says CNN will not pay Donald Trump to appear at next debate (CNN)
• Bernie Sanders wins reader’s poll for Time person of the year (Time Magazine)
• A world away from Europe, US has its own migrant crisis (CS Monitor)

WORLD

General world news

• 96 cities that are quitting fossil fuels and moving to 100% renewable energy (EcoWatch)
• The Marshall Islands are disappearing (New York Times)
• Declaring 'new beginning,' EU and Turkey seal migrant deal (Reuters)
• Wreck Of Legendary Spanish Galleon Is Finally Found, Colombia Says (NPR)
• In the Amazon, the world’s most endangered tribe has few options (Washington Post)
• Mysterious 'ghost' ships drift into Japanese waters (CS Monitor)
• French far-right makes major breakthrough to top regional elections(Reuters)
• Iraq blames Iran after thousands of pilgrims storm border crossing(Reuters)

 Terror news:

• France shuts down three mosques in state of emergency crackdown (USA Today)
• Three injured in knife attack 'terror incident' in London metro (Reuters)
• Boko Haram crisis: Cameroon troops  frees 900 hostages (BBC)
• Syria, Yemen, Libya – one factor unites these failed states, and it isn’t religion (Reuters)
• At NATO, Turkey defiant over downing of Russian jet (Reuters)
• Hacker sent out thousands of 'death to the Jews' messages to phones in Middle East (JPost)
• Russian air force hit 1,458 targets in Syria over week: agencies(Reuters)
• In Worst Attacks, Terrorists Often Have Fraternal Bonds (NPR)
• U.N. condemns air strike that cut water supplies to Syria's Aleppo (Reuters)
• Germany Votes To Provide Military Support In Fight Against ISIS  (NPR)
• Egypt to pay Israel $1.76 billion after halting gas supplies (AP)
• Italy rules out joining Syria air strikes, says another strategy needed (Reuters)
• Saudi-led forces fight Houthi border advance, killing 20: residents (Reuters)
• Police: Palestinian stabbing attack thwarted at Cave of the Patriarchs (JPost)

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

December 8, 2015 (San Diego's East County)-- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• Specialty Drugs Can Prove Expensive Even With Medicare Coverage (NPR)
• False Alarm Mammograms May Still Signal Higher Breast Cancer Risk (NPR)
• Court rejects Sequenom bid to restore prenatal DNA test patent (Reuters)
• Too Much TV And Chill Could Reduce Brain Power Over Time (NPR)
• Guidelines Give A Boost To Diabetes Screening For Overweight Adults (NPR)
• Dating apps prove factor in HIV rise (BBC)

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

• EPA tries to thread the biofuel needle (Marketplace)
• In massive stranding, 337 whales beached on Chilean coast (AP)
• Comcast data caps make life for deaf difficult (Marketplace)
• 5 Things To Know: Net Neutrality Is Back In Court  (NPR)
• Migratory birds are losing ground. Study cites key areas needing protections. (CS Monitor)

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