Party Dec. 9 for all toy donors

November 25, 2015 (Alpine)—For every toy donated to this year’s toy drive, Viejas Casino & Resort will match it one-for-one.  “We have a very ambitious goal and we need your support to achieve success,” a press release states.

Since the Toy Drive in partnership with The Salvation Army in 2010, Viejas has donated over 30,000 toys, giving back to our community and helping to make the holiday season brighter for children in need.

Donations to help  victims of the French terrorist attacks are being accepted through Friday on the Adventures by the Book website

by Sárka-Jonae Miller, Ask an Author columnist

On the drive home to San Diego from an event in Los Angeles, USA Today best-selling author Jennifer Coburn and Adventure by the Book owner Susan E. McBeth came up with an idea to throw a fundraiser benefiting the French Red Cross. The two women had recently taken trips to Paris and wanted to do something to help the victims of the November 13 attacks.

By the time they arrived home, they already had four authors of Paris-themed books on board, according to Coburn. Eight days later on November 22, the Je Suis Paris fundraiser was realized and proceeds exceeded the initial goal of $5,000.

East County News Service

November 24, 2015 (La Mesa) – The Miracle Worker, a play that depicts the amazing life of Helen Keller, will be presented by Grossmont High School’s drama department December 2-4 and 9-12.

East County News Service

November 22, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) at its November 19 meeting proposed a $217 fine against Robert Shield, a trustee on the Grossmont Union High School District Board.

November 24, 2015 (El Cajon)--Students coming from foster-care backgrounds struggling to get through college will get much needed help, thanks to a $1.2 million grant the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District will receive from the state starting next year.

By John Greenwall

November 23, 2015 (La Mesa) - La Mesa Conversations and the Friends of the La Mesa Library presented a joint program earlier this week titled: The Town Library: A Valuable Community Partner?  Members of the audience listened to various leaders from around the San Diego metro region about the evolving role of libraries and how they maintain relevance in contemporary civic life.  After the panelists presented their views, there was a very robust, but civil moderated discussion with more than 35 attendees, including La Mesa City Councilmembers Guy McWhirter and Kristine Alessio.

By Miriam Raftery

November 24, 2005 (Washington D.C.)--The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved sale of genetically modified salmon – the first GMO animal to received federal approval.

East County News Service

November 22, 2015 (Jamul) –A car that ran a Border Patrol Checkpoint struck a bus on Highway 94 at Otay Lakes Road Saturday afternoon, sending four people to the hospital.

East County News Service

November 23, 2015 (Washington D.C.)—The U.S. State Department is warning travelers about terrorist threats in multiple regions following a spate of terrorist attacks in France, Nigeria, Denmark, Turkey and Mali as well as ISIS claims of downing a Russian jetliner.

American citizens are urged to be vigilant in public places and transit, avoiding large crowds and exercising particular caution at holiday festivals or events. The alert does not advise canceling travel plans to any specific region, however.

Travelers are also urged to monitor media for updated information and to be prepared for additional security measures and screenings. Also stay in touch with family members and have a contact plan in case of emergency.  You shold also register with the State Department’s  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

Below is the full text of the alert:

November 21, 2015 (Ramona) – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.)  and the Sheriff’s Department seeks public help to locate an elderly white man, age 60 to 80, who robbed  the Bank of America at 1407 Main St. in Ramona Thursday morning.  He gave the teller a note demanding cash around 11:17 a.m. and brandished what was believed to be a handgun.

November 23, 2015 (San Diego)--More people were arrested in 2014 for committing violent crimes than for property crimes in San Diego County, according to an annual report issued today by the SANDAG Criminal Justice Research Division.

East County News Service

November 23, 2015 (San Diego) – In response to an assault on a Muslim woman at San Diego State University last week,, the Muslim Student Association  announced a rally against Islamaphobia at Hepner Hall held earlier at 12:30 p.m. today.

November 23, 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.

• ISIS releases a video threatening attack on NYC (USA Today)
• Gas prices to fall below $2 a gallon for Thanksgiving  (USA Today)
• Travel warning: guard your boarding pass (NBC)
• Mayors strike back against governors in refugee fight (CNN)
• Revealed: The enemy within. .Nearly 70 arrested in America over ISIS plots (Daily Mail)
• 5 Syrians arrested in Honduras trying to reach U.S. with stolen Greek passports (NY Daily News)

INTERNATIONAL

• High death tolls: Terror attacks in perspective (U-T)

Europe

• Paris attacks: 21 arrests in Belgium (BBC)
•  U.N. backs ‘all necessary measures’ against IS (BBC)
• Britain to close all of its coal-fired power plants by 2025 (CS Monitor)
• The British family helping thousands of refugees on Lesbos (Ch. 4 news)
• Africa’s 10^th richest man still waiting to buy a Greek island to house refugees (Forbes)
• Belgian police arrest 16 in anti-terror raids (BBC)
• Authorities missed many 'red flags' before Paris shootings (Reuters)
• Putin says wants global anti-terrorism fight after 19 killed in Mali attack (Reuters)
• Crimea without power from Ukraine after electricity pylons 'blown up' (Reuters)
• Sweden raises threat level, citing 'concrete information' (Reuters)
• Report: FBI tips Italy to possible targets in Rome, Milan (AP)
• Several Paris attackers were on U.S. watchlists: officials (Reuters)
• Spain issues arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu (CS Monitor)
• Over 1,200 European jihadis have returned in past 2 years (AP)
• Hungarian couple uncovers last records of murdered Jews in apartment wall (JPost)

Middle East – Arab world

• Russia denies having ground forces in Syria, but a Russian military map shows otherwise
• The fearless father who threw himself on a suicide bomber, saving ‘hundreds’ of lives in Beirut (Washington Post)
• Syria fighters may be fueled by amphetamines (CNN)
• Where ISIS gets its money (APM Marketplace)

Israel

• Jewish tombs now Muslim sites?
• New fundraising campaign: Buy a weapon to kill a Jew in Israel (JPost)
• Thousands of Iranian soldiers stage mock siege of Temple Mount (JPost)
• Israel bans Islamist party, says it's inciting violence (AP)

Mexico, South and Central America

• Costa Rica detains Syria migrant (Reuters)
• Impacts To Health, Livelihood Continue 1 Year After Toxic Mine Spill In Mexico (KPBS)

Asia

• Islamist militants kill 19 in attack on hotel in Mali's capital (Reuters)
• Southeast Asian countries just formed their own version of the EU (CS Monitor)
• China says 28 foreign-led 'terrorists' killed after attack on mine (Jerusalem Post)

Africa

• Explosion blamed on Nigeria's Boko Haram kills 32, wounds 80 (AP)
• Putin says Russian plane brought down by bomb (Reuters)

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

November 23, 2015 (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

• Nearly 300 Syrian refugees expected in San Diego next year (NBC)
• Study finds more Mexicans leaving the U.S. than coming (KPBS)
• SDG&E Takes Legal Step To Lobby On 'Community Choice’ (KPBS)
• Middle-Easterners from the south: Border Patrol confirms apprehension of Pakistanis and Afghans in October (San Diego Reader)
• San Diego’s small wineries could die on the vine (San Diego Union-Tribune commentary)
• The month it rained, rained, and rained in San Diego (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• College trustees vote for union-friendly pact (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Desal plant launches amid ample water (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• ‘The most amazing dad’ – Walter McCoy (Negro Leagues Baseball Museum)
• San Ysidro to protect homeless students (San Diego Union-Tribune)

STATE

• Jerry Brown asks White House for more information on Syrian refugees (SacBee)
• Accept Syrian refugees? State politicians chart a moderate course (Los Angeles Times)
• AM Alert: Deadly fire brings more scrutiny to California utilities (SacBee)

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

November 22, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - - -Our August 2015 radio shows are now online!  You can listen online now (sound files may take a minute to load). For links to listen to the shows plus a full list of topics and interviews in August, click here and scroll down.

Our newsmaker interviews included the new Jamul Indian tribal chair, Erica Pinto  and casino manager Richard St. Jean, Ku’uipo Lawler, owner of the new Pacific Islander Beer Company in Santee (photo, right), Mark Arabo and Aamir Moshe speaking out on Iraqis detained by ICE at Otay(photo, left), Dr. Richard O. Butcher, National Medical Asosciation’s practitioner of the year, Barona tribal council member Beth Glasco on the Barona pow-wow, "Boltman" Dan Jareqgui and NFL anti-trust lawyer James Quinn on keeping the Chargers in town, along with representatives from Diego Valley Charter school, Hawley Vets Center, and Visionary Dance Theatre.

The East County Magazine Show airs Mondays and Fridays from 5 to 6 p.m. on KNSJ, 89.1 FM.  The shows rerun on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.