By Miriam Raftery

February 10, 2017 (El Cajon) – Across the nation,  members of Congress are drawing large overflow crowds at town hall meetings since the election of President Donald Trump, with many people voicing concerns over various policies.  But Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) has refused  a request from constituents who presented a petition Tuesday with 500 signatures asking for a town hall meeting with their Congressman.

By Miriam Raftery

February 9, 2017 (Alpine) – Nylah, a Great Pyrenees dog that wandered out of an open gate in Alpine last Friday was found six miles away in the Japatul Road area on Tuesday with a bullet wound through her head. But miraculously, she survived.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Gage Skidmore, Creative Commons via Wikipedia

February 9, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – The Senate yesterday confirmed Alabama Senator Jeffrey Sessions as Attorney General on a  52-47 vote, with just one Democrat crossing the aisle to vote with the Republican majority. 

Senate leader Mitch McConnell drew criticism for rebuking progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren, shutting down her  testimony and preventing her from reading a letter from Coretta Scott King, widow of Martin Luther King, Jr. In the 1986 letter,  King objected to  Sessions’ nomination for a federal judgeship .  Her letter stated that Sessions abused "the awesome power of his office to chill the free exercise of the vote by black citizens in the district he now seeks to serve as a federal judge."

Source: San Diego County Sheriff's Department

February 9, 2017 (Lemon Grove) - The Sheriff's Homicide Detail wants the public's help in identifying a suspect who was killed in a home invasion in Lemon Grove.

It happened just before 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 7th at a home in the 2400 block of Edding Drive. Investigators say two armed suspects forced their way into the home. The homeowner's son and one of the suspects suffered gunshot wounds after a struggle. That suspect died. The homeowner's son is recovering from non-life threatening injuries.

By Rebecca Jefferis-Williamson

February 8, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Blackberry Compote Linzer Hazelnut Torte…picture these desserts to love paired with Hawk Watch Winery’s 2013 Tinderbox wine selection for this weekend in Warner Springs as a warm up for Tuesday’s Valentine’s Day celebration of love.

East County News Service

February 8, 2017 (Boulevard) — Peggy Hayden, school office services coordinator at Clover Flat School on Old Highway 80 in Boulevard, send in these winter wonderland photos taken on January 23^rd at the school and at Manzanita Dulce Rd, also in Boulevard.

By Patricia Brower, San Diego

February 8, 2017 (San Diego) - I am reaching out to you today on behalf of the millions of patients with celiac disease, non-celiac wheat/gluten sensitivity, and other autoimmune diseases. I am deeply concerned about the possible removal of key protections in current law that guarantee access to comprehensive and affordable insurance coverage for patients with pre-existing health conditions. As Congress begins work to replace the Affordable Care Act, we are encouraged by the recognition that affordable protection for patients should be retained.  

East County News Service

February 8, 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.

• Not just ‘bad hombres’, Trump is targeting up to 8 million people for deportation  (LA Times)
• Where Neil Gorsuch would fit on the Supreme Court (New York Times)
• Army approves Dakota Access pipeline, paving way for project’s completion (NPR)
• After Trump moves to undo financial regulations, Sanders calls him a ‘fraud’ (Chicago Tribune)
• FCC is stopping 9 companies from providing subsidized Internet access to the poor (LA Times)
• Bureau of Indian Affairs sending agents to clear Dakota Access protesters from site (Wash. Post)
• Republicans face anger over Obamacare repeal during town halls (Politico)
• USDA drops online animal abuse database; activists cry foul (CNN)
• Republicans back off bill to sell 3.3 m acres of public lands after public outcry (Guardian)
• US military officials: Trump-ordered raid in Yemen that killed US Navy SEAL was approved 'without sufficient intelligence' (Business Insider)
• Trump takes Propecia, hair loss drug associated with mental confusion, impotence (Huff. Post)
• Senate votes to kill Dodd-Frank anti-corruption rule (Huffington Post)
• Trump defends Putin over Russia killings allegations (BBC)
• Senate Republicans defy Democrats’ boycott to advance Trump nominees (NPR)
• Pentagon failed to disclose up to thousands of air strikes: report (Reuters)
•  ‘This was the worst call by far,’’ Trump badgered, bragged and abruptly ended call with Australian Prime Minister (Washington Post)
• Trump’s FCC Chair wastes no time changing agency direction (GovExec.com)

WORLD

• Human slaughterhouse:  mass hangings and extermination at Sadnaya prison, Syria (Amnesty International)
• Trump barred from UK Parliament due to racism and sexism(Bloomberg News)
• UN Ambassador Haley hits Russia hard on Ukraine (CNN)
• Extremely deadly radiation, huge hole found in grate under Fukushima 1 reactor  (Japan Times)
• Did Iran's Ballistic Missile Test Violate A U.N. Resolution? (NPR)
• U.S. coalition jets bomb Islamic State-held town near Euphrates Dam (Reuters)
• Iran: 'Only seven minutes needed for the Iranian missile to hit Tel Aviv’ (JPost)
• IDF strikes multiple Hamas targets in retaliation for rocket attack (JPost)
• 'Hamas cell planned terror attacks at synagogue, train station in Israel’ (JPost)
• More Than 100 People Killed In Afghanistan Avalanches (NPR)
• At least 20 dead in bomb blast outside Afghan Supreme Court (Reuters)
• Mass protests force Romania to scrap decree decriminalizing graft (Reuters)

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

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

February 8, 2017 (Spring Valley) – A 75-year-old man who was crossing Sweetwater Road north of Tyler Street in Spring Valley at 10 p.m. last night outside of a marked crosswalk was struck by a Mercedes. He died at the scene of his injuries.

East County News Service

February 8, 2017 (San Diego’s East County)  - This week’s Destination East County includes some hikes in county and state parks to chase away those winter blues, a musical gold rush event at Agua Caliente, Valentine’s celebrations and more.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including All That Jazz--A Salute to Local Heroes, Black History Month events across East County, and the Run East County St. Patrick’s Day Half Marathon.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

By Miriam Raftery

February 7, 2017 (El Cajon) – A protest outside the El Cajon office of Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) today drew about 50 to 60 constituents, undaunted by rainy weather.

Several met with Hunter’s staff inside while others rallied on the street outside.

By Miriam Raftery

February 7, 2017 (San Diego) – Two lawsuits have been filed against powerful labor leader Mickey Kasparian, president of the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council and president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. Local 135.  Though neither of the cases have been heard in court, some prominent San Diegans are calling on Kasparian to resign.

East County News Service

February 7, 2017 (Lakeside) -- Eastbound Bar & Grill is turning seven on February 11^th and is throwing a birthday party with a lineup of events that aren’t to be missed!  Because everyone knows that no Eastbound celebrations are complete without the Pajama Brunch, live music, charitable giving and the annual Beer Belly Contest.

February 7, 2017 (San Diego's East County)-- Our December 2016 radio shows are now online. For links to listen to the shows plus a full list of topics an interviews, click here (Sound files may take a few moments to load).

We interviewed Syrian refugees and Dilkhwaz Ahmed from License to Freedom, Paige Rogowski and Diana Lindsey on Anza Borrego Foundation’s 50^th anniversary, newly elected Santee Councilman Stephen Houlahan and Preserve Wild Santee leader Van Collinsworth, Christmas in the Village spokesperson Katie Halvern, and local author Amanda Matti on her book, A Foreign Affair.  We also covered top local, state and national news on issues impacting people across our region.

 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.  Read more and listen to our December shows:

By Miriam Raftery

Listen now to our interviews, originally aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audio link .

February  7, 2017 (Borrego Springs)—In April, the Anza-Borrego Foundation will celebrate its 50^th anniversary.  We recently interviewed Paige Rogowski, ABF’s executive director, on exciting events coming up to celebrate the occasion. In addition, we interviewed Diana Lindsay, a historian who has written extensively about Anza Borrego Desert State Park. 

They shared some fascinating history with us about our desert region, and the colorful characters from the region’s past, info on the State Park, as well as the Foundation’s successes and continuing efforts to purchase and preserve privately owned lands within the largest state park in California.