August 2, 2017 (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.

• Watch: Hackers demonstrate how to crack into electronic voting machines in minutes (Alternet)
• Lawsuits could force feds to pay Obamacare insurers (Politico)
• More than half the U.S. is within range of latest North Korea missile test, defense experts say (CNBC)
• Frustrated in defeat, Trump threatens healthcare of voters and lawmakers (Los Angeles Times)
• Democrats pivot to offering Obamacare improvements (The Hil)
• Migrants in surge faire worse in immigration court than other groups (Wash. Post)
• U.S. govt. ordered to solve 'Case of the Incredible Shrinking Airline Seat' (Reuters)
• Navy Grappling with Ethical Issues Raised by Fat Leonard Case (KPBS)
• Jeff Sessions latest attack on sanctuary cities is probably illegal (Slate)
• Chinese jets intercept U.S. surveillance plane: U.S. officials (Reuters)

WORLD

• U.S. flies bombers over Korean peninsula after N. Korea missile test (Reuters)
• Strong quake off Turkish and Greek coasts kills two, injures scores (Reuters)
• Removal of Metal Detectors at Holy Site Do Little to Quell Palestinian Protests (NPR)
• Deadly Halamish attack hits family celebrating grandson's birth (YNet News)
• Suicide Bomber Kills At Least 24 In Afghanistan's Capital (NPR)
• Israel cites self-defense in Amman embassy shooting (Reuters)
• Venezuela money supply surges 10 percent in one week, fastest in 25 years (Reuters)
• Venezuela Agents Arrest Opposition Leaders in Midnight Raids (NPR)
•  Iranian Revolutionary Guard attack vessels force U.S. Navy ship to change course (JPost)
• Mexico ties for most dangerous country in world for journalists (CBS)

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

East County News Service

August 1, 2017 (Ramona) – The Ramona Valley Vineyards Association presents the Dog Days of Summer. You’re invited to bring your dog to 10 participating wineries on August 5 or 6 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. to get a treat for your furry friends and maybe even win prizes.

For a list of participating wineries, see http://www.ramonavalleyvineyards.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/dog_days....

Some wineries are also offering specials for both owners and dogs. At Vineyard Grant James, for instance, you’ll receive 50% off all glasses of wine or sangria, plus goodie bags and popsicles for your furry friends.  There will also be contests for best tail wagger, best kisser, best bark, best trick, and a grand prize for best dressed.

By Miriam Raftery

August 2, 2017 (Sacramento) – Covered California premiums are slated to rise 12.5 percent next year, according to the 2018 rate guide.  Actual rates will vary from company to company.

The spike is due partly to rising healthcare costs and partly to threats by the Trump administration’s threat to cancel $7 billion in subsidies for insurance companies. Trump has said he will “let Obamacare fail” but in fact is actively working to make it fail, by injecting uncertainties into the market that force insurers to hike rates to consumers.

By Miriam Raftery

August 2, 2017 (El Cajon) — The El Cajon Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, August 15 at 7 p.m. to consider termination of the former Broadway Market sit'es Deemed Approve Status and Revocation of a Conditional Use Permit for the off-sale of beer, wine and distilled spirits.

East County News Service

August 2, 2017 (La Mesa) – NBC News reports that a 20-year-old woman says she spotted a cell phone camera held under the door of a fitting room where she was trying on clothes at Macy’s department store in Grossmont Center last Thursday, July 28^th.

By Miriam Raftery

August 2, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – The number of honey bee hives lost to Colony Collapse Disorder dropped 27% over the past year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports in a honeybee health survey. In addition, the total number of commercial honeybee colonies has risen 3 percent.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

August 2, 2017 (San Diego’s East County)   -- The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch Wednesday morning for San Diego’s inland region that includes the East County communities of La Mesa, El Cajon, Santee, Pine Valley and Julian as well as other inland areas of Escondido, Poway and San Marcos. 

The flood watch is in effect through tonight, with the threat of flash flooding and debris flows greatest in areas burned bare by brush fires. A deluge could bring over an inch an hour to some areas.

By Kendra Sitton

August 3, 2017 (La Mesa)-- In the La Mesa-Spring Valley (LMSV) Board of Education’s last meeting before the school year began, six candidates for the open seat moved forward to the public interview this Thursday, Aug. 3. Rebekah Basson, Charles Muse, Paul Schnaubelt, Jay Steiger, Dwight Sykes and Helen Yapura-Weiler were each nominated by current members for the appointment. The only eligible applicant who did not receive a nomination was John Shaffer.

East County News Service

August 1, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – Just in time for Lemon Grove’s 40^th birthday celebration, Lemon Grove Historical Society president and award-winning journalist Helen Ofield has posted “The Way We Were,” a witty summation of the city’s colorful start.

By Miriam Raftery

August 1, 2017 (San Diego) -- A prominent attorney, Cory Briggs, has sent a letter to San Diego Unified School District’s Superintendent Cindy Marten expressing an intent to file a lawsuit after the school board voted to destroy emails after just one year.  Briggs says such action appears to violate state law requiring that all school district records, including electronic ones, be retained for at least three years. He also accuses the district of failing to comply in a timely manner with public records requests.

Society of Professional Journalists has previously voiced concerns over the districts shortened e-mail retention policy and nonresponsive to public records requests by media and/or the public.

Briggs has requested a settlement meeting.  Below is the full text of his letter:

By Mimi Pollack

July 31, 2017 (El Cajon) -- When Juan Martin Sajche left his small village in Guatemala in 1997 and arrived in El Cajon at the age of 15, he never dreamed he would one day be a respected Spanish teacher at Morse High School in San Diego. The past 20 years have been quite a journey!

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

July 31, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - I don’t know about you, but people seem to be more grumpy and impatient when temperatures heat up and even more so when the humidity increases. The next few days may be a little tough with hot humid weather coming in.  First and foremost - Drink plenty of water, even if you don't feel thirsty, to stay cool in hot weather. Then follow these safety tips:

East County News Service

July 30, 2017 (Lakeside) – The Lakeside Community Planning Group meets Wednesday, August 2^nd with an open house from 6:00 to 6:30 including public viewing of available project plans.  An earlier Trails Subcommittee meets from 6:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by the Planning Group meeting at 6:30 p.m.

The agenda includes a public hearing on a proposed 35-foot-high AT&T wireless facility at Buena Vida and Muth Valley roads disguised as a water tank, a major use permit to expand an assisted living facility on Willow Road, a tentative parcel map approval at West Hills Road and West Hills Terrace, and approval of new Planning Group appointees, as well as subcommittee reports and more.  For full agenda, scroll down.

East County News Service

July 30, 2017 (Julian) - Julian Arts Guild will hold its Fall Art Show on September 2, 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Julian Town Hall (2129 Main Street, Julian).

This is a free event showcasing the works of talented Julian artists. Artworks displayed will include weaving, ceramics, gourd painting, drawing and mixed media.