East County News Service

May 24, 2016 (Sacramento) -- Voting to remove a barrier to consistent, effective access to birth control, the state Senate today approved Senate Bill 999, which would require health plans to cover up to a 12-month supply of hormonal contraceptives when such a prescription is requested by a woman’s health care provider.

By Liz Alper

Photo:  Jon Jay had the only run of the game for the Padres, a solo homer in the fifth.  Courtesy @Padres on Twitter

May 24, 2016 (San Francisco) - The Padres have suffered two heartbreaking games in a row.  Tonight they decided to change that.  The recently called up Andrew Cashner started on the hill for San Diego against Jeff Samardzija for San Francisco.

East County News Service

May 24, 2016 (Guatay) - On Saturday, June 4^th, the community of Guatay will host its 4th Annual Heavenly Oaks Community Yard Sale. The sale starts at 7:00 a.m. in the parking lot at:

Heavenly Oaks

26835 Old Highway 80

Guatay, CA 91931

A partial list of what to expect:

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

East County News Service

May 24, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes a  barbecue with firefighters,  the Santee Craft Beer and Street Festival, the catfish opener at Lake Jennings and more.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including La Mesa’s Flag Day Parade, Fido Fest in Santee, the Taste of La Mesa, an Apple Blossom Tea in Julian, and a Western luau in Descanso.

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!

By Liz Alper

Photo courtesy @Padres on Twitter

May 23, 2016 (San Francisco) - After last night’s devastating loss in extra innings, the Padres once again found themselves in the Bay Area taking on the Giants.  Also once again, they found themselves facing Johnny Cueto.  Drew Pomeranz started for San Diego.

East County News Service

Photo:  The Grossmont Healthcare District board of directors recently presented 2016 GHD Healthcare Hero awards to recognize volunteers who help to advance the delivery of quality healthcare in the East County region. Back row (from left to right): GHD board members Betty Stieringer, Bob Ayres, Randy Lenac. Middle row (from left to right): GHD board member Gloria Chadwick, Dr. Kevin Ryan, GHD board member Michael Emerson. Front row (from left to right): Sam Mejia, James Byrnes, Dr. Scott Musicant, Michael Colombo and Shiloh.

May 23, 2016 (La Mesa) - A vascular surgeon, a chiropractor, an attorney, a beagle and her master, and a pirate who fights for those suffering from childhood cancer are among local volunteers who have been recognized with a 2016 Healthcare Hero award from the Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD). Now in its tenth year, the Healthcare Heroes is GHD’s annual awards program that honors volunteers who help advance the delivery of quality healthcare in the East County region.

East County News Service

May 23, 2016 (La  Mesa) –Climate change has impacts on everything from water to transportation issues.   La Mesa Conversations invites you to a discussion on The Future of Climate Change in La Mesa.  The discussion will be moderated by San Diego Union-Tribune environmental reporter Joshua Emerson Smith.

Panelists will include Amber Albrecht, senior communications manager for SDG&E, Kerry Davis, vice president of sales and marketing for Terra Steward/Foshay Solar Energy, and Kayla Race, director of operations and programs for Climate Action Plan.

By Liz Alper

Photo:  fallen Navy SEAL Charles H. Keating ‘s family participates in a moment of silence before the game on Military Appreciation Sunday.  Courtesy @Padres on Twitter

May 22, 2016 (San Diego) - The Padres looked for the sweep in game three of the series against the Dodgers.  Kenta Maeda started on the hill for LA against Colin Rea for San Diego.

Update, May 23, 2016: The Padres  issued a new statement indicating their investigation found no evidence of malicious intent, however based on the unintentional mistake and failure of those with oversight to immediately intervene, "we have terminated our relationship with the third-party contractor who was responsible for the error, and taken disciplinary action against our employee who was responsible for the game production...We once again sincerely apologize to members of the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus, their families and those who came out to support their Pride Night performance. The  Padres organization is proud of our longstanding commitment to inclusion – within both our sport and our community. We deeply regret that a mistake on our part has called this into question, but accept full responsibility.”

By Miriam Raftery

May 22, 2016 (San Diego)—When 100 volunteer members of the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus  took to the field Saturday night to sing the national anthem at the San Diego Padres vs. Dodgers game,  their microphones were inexplicably off . A recording of a woman singing the Star Spangled Banner was played over the loudspeakers instead of the men's voices.   

No announcement or explanation was offered.  Afterwards, the stunned performers were ushered off the field and heckled by baseball fans shouting homophobic taunts including “You sing like a girl,” according to a post on the group’s Facebook page by Bob Lehman, director of the Chorus.

By Shani Shahmoon, Originally published in the New York Observer

http://observer.com/2016/05/jewish-woman-forced-to-hide-from-anti-israel-activists-at-uc-irvine/

Photo by Paula Prizio

May 22, 2016 (Irvine) -- An event hosted by a pro-Israel student group ended abruptly Wednesday night as police were called to protect attendees from an angry mob that had gathered. One student who never made it inside the venue called 9-1-1 as she hid in fear from anti-Israel activists who chased her into a building on the University of California-Irvine campus.

East County News Service

Photo: Sanders Twitter feed

May 21, 2016 (San Diego) -- U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders today toured Friendship Park, a meeting place for separated families between San Diego and Tijuana.

“All of this tells us why we need comprehensive immigration reform,” Sanders said after hearing the stories of families who can only see their loved ones on weekends. “I would hope that the Republicans in Congress understand that we have a very, very broken immigration system and that it must be reformed and that they should in fact work with Democrats to pass comprehensive immigration reform. If not and if I am elected president of the United States, I will use the executive powers that the president has to do that the best that I can.”

By Liz Alper

Photo courtesy @Padres on Twitter

May 21, 2016 (San Diego) - The Padres were riding a momentum wave after last night’s walk-off homer by Melvin Upton Jr.  They were still hungry, though, and looking for a repeat.  Alex Wood started on the mound for Los Angeles against Cesar Vargas for San Diego.

Monday, May 31  is deadline for nonpartisan voters to request a party ballot to vote for a presidential candidate--but lawsuit seeks to extend that to June 7

By Miriam Raftery

May 21, 2016 (Sacramento) – Only 15% of California’s nonpartisan voters with mail-in ballots have requested a presidential primary ballot.  That means the vast majority won’t be able to vote for president in the June 7^th election--and many are unaware of that restriction.

Now civil rights lawyers have filed suit against California and some counties, claiming the laws are confusing, inconsistent, and amount to disenfranchisement.  If they win, the biggest beneficiary could be Bernie Sanders, the Democratic contender who draws heavy support from independent voters, who account for nearly a quarter of the electorate in California.

Hear our radio interview with Nancy Corran and Jane Via by clicking the orange arrow above.

By Miriam Raftery

May 21, 2016 (San Diego) – You may be surprised to learn that although the Catholic Church officially refuses to allow ordination of women as priests, a reform movement within the church called Roman Catholic Women Priests includes 200 women priests who have already been ordained  by male Catholic bishops. 

East County News Service

May 21, 2016 (Descanso) – You’re invited to a Western luau blending traditions of Hawaii and the Old West on Saturday, June 11 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at Chapel of the Hills Community Church, 25153 Viejas Blvd. in Descanso.