By Miriam Raftery

Photo: La Mesa Police Chief Walt Vasquez

October 20, 2019 (La Mesa) – The city of La Mesa is seeking diverse representation for the newly created Citizen Public Safety Task Force. Members will develop the framework for a Commission that will review police department policy, complaint investigations, training, and citizen concerns. This Commission will provide recommendations to assist the La Mesa Police Department in serving the city in a more effective manner.

If you are interested in applying, visit http://www.cityoflamesa.us/250/Boards-Commissions.

By Miriam Raftery 

October 19, 2019 (San Diego) – The National Weather Service is warning of critical fire weather from Sunday through Tuesday locally, with the highest risk on Tuesday. 

By Ken Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Donald Trump greets Rep. Duncan Hunter (left) and Rep. Darrell Issa at San Diego rally in 2016. Photo by Chris Stone

October 18, 2019 (San Diego) - Rep. Duncan D. Hunter had President Trump’s back Wednesday — even breaking with his party on what fellow veterans call the betrayal of U.S.-allied Kurds.

Some 129 Republicans joined 225 Democrats approving a resolution decrying Trump’s decision to green-light Turkey’s attacks on Kurdish forces in northeast Syria.

By Miriam Raftery

October 18, 2019 (La Mesa) – Westmont of La Mesa invites the public to a tour, buffet lunch, entertainment and prizes this Saturday and Sunday, October 19 and 20, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. The upscale facility features independent living and assisted living, including memory care, at its location at 9000 Murray Drive at Wakarusa.

This 130,00-square foot, three story retirement community includes 50,000 square feet of common area space will include a common meeting room that can be used by community groups for meetings and workshops, along with a pool that can be used for aqua aerobics for residents, as well as the community.

October 17, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• Pence announces Syria cease fire that seems to give Turkey everything it wants (CNN)
• Republican anger grows as Trump disavows Kurds by saying they didn't help during WWII (CNN)
• Macabre Video of Fake Trump Shooting Media and Critics Is Shown at His Resort (New York Times)
• Senator Warren proposes $200 a month increase in Social Security benefits (Just Care)
• Some Parts Of Trump's Executive Order On Medicare Could Lead To Higher Costs (NPR)
• Exclusive: Giuliani associate linked to Yanukovych's stolen cash (Al Jazeera)
• Rudy Giuliani said he was flying to Vienna just before associates were arrested before reportedly trying to go to Vienna (CNN)
• Congress Can Seek Trump’s Financial Records, Appeals Court Rules (New York Times)
• The memo: bad polls for Trump shake GOP (The Hill)
• We found a staggering 281 lobbyists who worked for the Trump administration (Pro Publica)

WORLD

• Turkey-Syria offensive: 'Hundreds' of IS relatives escape camp (BBC)
• 174 Kurdish fighters dead on Day 2 of incursion: Ankara (New York Post)
• Turkish-led forces film themselves executing a Kurdish captive in Syria (Washington Post)
• How Ethiopia's Abiy Ahmed Won the Nobel Peace Prize  (Time)
• Nigerian police rescue 67 from 'inhuman' conditions at Islamic 'school' (Reuters)
• At least 35 killed and 17 missing after Typhoon Hagibis tears through country, flooding rivers and submerging cities (Japan Times)

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

October 17, 2019 (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

• Border Battles Over Wireless Service (NBC 7)
• La Mesa plans to put housing at old police station site (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Members of Kurdish community protest in front of courthouse (Fox 5)
• Innocent Man Freed From San Diego Prison After 33 Years (NBC 7)
• Borrego Springs Resort Golf Course closed (Borrego Sun)
• Allegations of child abuse at Alpine day care center being investigated (NBC 7)

STATE

• PG&E should compensate customers for power shutoffs, California governor says (10 News)
• Deadly Los Angeles wildfire began near base of electrical tower, company and fire officials say (Reuters)
  
  California to end its use of private, for-profit prisons (NBC 7)
• Californians will be banned from smoking at state parks and beaches under new law  (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• California Governor Attacks PG&E for Blackout Caused by ‘Greed and Neglect’ (Yahoo Finance)
• Pollock Pines Family Says Man Died When Oxygen Tank Lost Power during PG&E Shut-Off   (Fox)
• Wind damaged dozens of pieces of PG&E equipment San Francisco Chronicle)
• Northern California blackouts may mean mobile outages (Washington Post)
• PG&E shut-off: Your food is spoiled, business shut down — can you file a claim with the utility? (San Francisco Chronicle)

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

Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee declares 12-year effort a major success

Source:  PRWeb

October 17, 2019 (La Mesa) - The Grossmont Healthcare District successfully wrapped up 12 years of Proposition G construction improvements at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, financed by over $260 million in funds approved by voters in 2006, according to the Proposition G Independent Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee.

By Miriam Raftery

October 17, 2019 (San Diego) – It’s rare for a political party to withhold endorsement of an incumbent.  But on Monday night, the San Diego Republican Party Central Committee opted against endorsing indicted Congressman Duncan D. Hunter, or any of his three Republican rivals.  

By Miriam Raftery

October 16, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County features our own haunting Halloween Party, Matilda the Musical in Spring Valley, On Golden Pond in La Mesa, a Chamber music series at Cuyamaca College, Fall at the farm in Julian, a pumpkin patch at Summers Past Farms, headliner concerts at the Magnolia Center in El Cajon, trick or treating in the La Mesa Village, the Julian Autumn Jubilee, Borrego Days Festival and Parade, Pints 4 the Park, and a Green Homes Tour.

Plus, we have a preview of coming events including HauntFest on Main in El Cajon, the Ramona Art & Wine Festival, costume contests for people and pets at Bates Nut Farm, spooky campovers at Lake Jennings, a Halloween Bash at Parkway Plaza, trick or treating at Grossmont Center, a Cultural Arts Expo in El Cajon, the Mother Goose Parade, Pomegranate Days at the Oasis Camel Dairy, and Julian’s Country Christmas.

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

By Ken Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  A model demonstrates an e-cigarette. Credit:  Michael Dorausch Wikimedia Commons.

October 15, 2019 (San Diego) - The Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 Tuesday to impose a one-year ban on the sale and distribution of all electronic smoking devices within unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

Update:  Per SDPD, all evacuation orders and warnings associated with this incident have been lifted. The temporary evacuation point has been suspended and evacuees can return to their homes.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

October 15, 2019 (San Diego) – A brush fire named the “#FairmountFire” in San Diego’s Talmadge area has shut down the I-8 east ramp to Fairmount Avenue and Fairmount Ave. from Montezuma to Mead. Motorists are asked to avoid the area.

San Diego Police is evacuating homes on Norma, Constance and Natalie Drives.  A temporary evacuation center has been set up at Hoover High School.

Temporary evacuation center at Hoover HS for those affected. Firefighters are in the canyon areas working with on containment and watching hot spots.

More than 4,000 customers are without power; SDG&E estimates power will be restored by 9:30 p.m.

By Miriam Raftery

October 15, 2019 (San Diego) – Today, County Supervisors will vote on a recommendation by Supervisors Dianne Jacob and Nathan Fletcher that would ask the Chief Administrative Officer to draft a recommended ordinance within 60 days aimed at protecting the public from a “public health crisis” linked to smoking including vaping products and more. The recommendations include restrictions on smoking and e-cigarettes or vaping products that would apply to all unincorporated parts of San Diego County.