November 3, 2023 (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.

House Speaker elected

• House Speaker Mike Johnson's First Big Bill Cuts Biden's Climate Change Funding (Bloomberg News)
• Election denier, climate skeptic, anti-abortion: seven beliefs of new US House speaker Mike Johnson (Guardian)
• 55 things you need to know about Mike Johnson (Politico)

Economy

• US economy grows at fastest pace in nearly two years (BBC)
• U.S. budget deficit jumps 23% to nearly $1.7 trillion as Social Security, health costs rise

Trump trials

• Another Trump lawyer who pushed to overturn 2020 election pleads guilty (Politico)
• Trump tells court he had no duty to 'support' the Constitution as president (RawStory) 
• Trump forced to witness stand, fined $10000 for gag order violation (Courthouse News)
• Judge bars Trump from 'smear campaign' against prosecutors, witnesses (Reuters)
• Trump valued holdings at 'whatever number' he picked, Michael Cohen testifies (Reuters)

U.S. impacts of  Israeli-Hamas conflict

• Senate confirms Jack Lew as U.S. ambassador to Israel (CBS)
• About 2,000 U.S. troops told to prepare for deployment in response to Israel-Hamas war (NBC)
• US troops attacked in Iraq, Syria and on alert for more strikes (Reuters)
• Two Americans held hostage by Hamas, a mother and daughter, have been released(AP)
• Likud minister: Trump’s ‘shameful’ comments show he can’t be relied on (Times of Israel)
• US Navy warship near Yemen intercepted projectiles, Pentagon says (Reuters)

Immigration

Venezuelans top Mexicans for first time in illegal U.S. border crossings  (NPR)

Presidential race

RFK Jr. spent years stoking fear and mistrust of vaccines. These people were hurt by his work   (AP)

WORLD

Mexico

• Mexican authorities report at least 27 people killed by Hurricane Otis  (CBS 8)

Israel-Hamas War

• Hamas  top commander killed in airstrike (The Hill)
• More aid arrives in Gaza as desperation mounts and Israel widens military offensive (PBS)
• Israeli air strikes kill 50 in north Gaza refugee camp -Palestinian medics (Reuters)
• Americans among first foreigners to leave Gaza through Rafah border crossing into Egypt (CBS News)
• Under heavy bombing, Palestinians in Gaza move from place to place, only to discover nowhere is safe (AP)
• Video Analysis Shows Gaza Hospital Hit By Failed Rocket Meant for Israel (Wall St. Journal)
• 'Top secret' Hamas documents show that terrorists intentionally targeted elementary schools and a youth center(NBC)
• Evidence shows Hamas militants likely used some North Korean weapons in attack on Israel (AP)
• Gaza is plagued by poverty, but Hamas has no shortage of cash. Where does it come from?  (NBC)

Ukraine

• Ukraine claims a major strike on Russian airfields and thanks US for providing long-range missiles  (AP)
• Russia taking heavy losses as it wages new offensive in Ukraine  (ABC)

Other world news

• Iranian teenager Armita Geravand is 'brain dead': state media (Reuters)
• Iran sentences women journalists on charges over Amini protests (Reuters)
• Hundreds stormed an airport in Russia's Dagestan, looking for passengers from Israel  (NPR)
• The Maduro regime is disrupting the opposition's efforts before Venezuela's election  (NPR)

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

By David R. Shorey, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies

Photo courtesy UnitedAgainstHateWeek.org

November 2, 2023 (San Diego) -- Our world is feeling increasingly divided along lines of race, religion, and political affiliation, which is causing a significant increase in hate crimes and hate incidents. That's why United Against Hate Week, November 12-18 this year, is more significant than ever. It serves to promote unity, tolerance, and understanding while serving as a reminder that despite our differences, we are all members of the human family. Together we can combat hate and prejudice. In addition to fostering a sense of unity, it's also an ideal time to address another issue that often divides us: substance misuse.

by Brooke Binkowski

 Times of San Diego

Andrea and Jesus Cardenas. Photos from Facebook and LinkedIn pages

November 3, 2023 (Chula Vista)-- Two well-known Democratic political players and siblings in South Bay — a Chula Vista City Council member and a former San Diego City Council member’s chief of staff — are facing fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering charges, the San Diego District Attorney’s office announced yesterday.

By Miriam Raftery

October 29, 2023 (San Diego) – Tickets are now on sale for KNSJ Radio’s 10^th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, November 11.

The East County Magazine Radio Show is one of the station's flagship programs, covering East County news and issues as well as regional topics and more. KNSJ, which broadcasts from Descanso, also features a wide variety of other locally hosted shows.

The gala event will celebrate all that San Diego’s community Network for Social Justice has achieved in the past decade, as well as highlight the station’s future commitment to defend democracy and create community through independent media. The festive evening will include dinner, live music, dancing, poetry readings, videos, and special presentations.

Update November 4, 2023:  The fire is now 70% and has held at 2,487 acres.

Update November 3, 2023: The Highland Fire is now 40% contained and has burned 2,487 acres.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo via Cal Fire

November 1, 2023 (Aguanga) – What a difference night-time aerial drops can make. Two decades ago, the deadly Cedar Fire started at 5:37 p.m. and a decision was made not to put pilots at risk with night drops. That fire grew to 273,000 acres and destroyed 2,200 homes.

By contrast, last night, Cal Fire incident personnel made the decision to fight the fast-moving #HighlandFire in Aguanga by air throughout the night – preventing what could have become another regional inferno.

“The crew from Copter 301 in Cal Fire’s Riverside Unit dropped 4,200 gallons of water in an effort to slow the wind-driven fire,” Cal Fire posted on X.  At dawn this morning, “due to a combination of C301’s efforts and improved weather conditions, the fire had slowed significantly, allowing ground resources to make significant progress in stopping the fire.”

November 1, 2023 (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 round-up stories include:

Local

• Nearly 150 New Housing Units Set for Spring Street Transit Center in La Mesa After MTS Vote (Times of San Diego)
• Ballot Measure Forming to Push Out SDG&E, Create Public Utility  (Voice of San Diego)
• Majority of San Diegans consider moving, citing housing crisis, living costs, survey says  (KPBS)
• Vandalism prompts closure of House of Israel at Balboa Park (KPBS)
• Late addition to energy bill may help develop a pumped storage facility at San Vicente Reservoir (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Expect to see solar panels along San Diego highways per one of the energy bills Newsom has signed into law (San Diego Union-Trbiune)
• US Border Patrol has released thousands of migrants on San Diego’s streets, taxing charities (AP
• Trolley, bus riders may have been exposed to tuberculosis, county says (10 News)
• New San Diego program teaches homeowners about fire defensible space (CBS)
• Tijuana River Valley Project to start in early 2024  (KPBS)
• San Diego-based chipmaker Qualcomm to lay off over 1,200 California workers

State

• Feds designate California as a hydrogen ‘hub’  (KPBS)
• Newsom signs bill to curb spread of child sexual abuse material on social media (Los Angeles Times)
• California homeowners will face new rules for where they can plant shrubs   (NPR)
• California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs bill expanding conservatorship law (ABC News/AP)
• Former Dodgers star and Republican Steve Garvey enters U.S. Senate race  (Los Angeles Times)
• Lowriders can soon legally cruise California thanks to a San Diego movement  (KPBS)
• The tax deadline was extended again for most Californians. Here's NOW when your taxes are due(NBC San Diego)

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

East County News Service

October 31, 2023 (San Diego) -- On Sunday, November 12 from 9 a.m.to 3 p.m., the Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) Visitor Center will be transformed into a seasonal marketplace featuring one-of-a-kind gifts from makers and artists with nature-themed offerings. The event supports the independent vendors participating and a percentage of all sales will benefit the park through the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation.

In addition to products including ceramics, jewelry, soaps, cards, home goods, woodworking pieces, and fine art, attendees can peruse the Visitor Center Gift Shop which will be fully stocked with brand new Mission Trails merchandise. Quantities of the new MTRP merchandise will be limited,with first sales at the holiday marketplace.

For the event, the MTRP Foundation will provide shuttle service that will transport patrons to and from an overflow parking lot at Patrick Henry High School.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Josh Stotler

October 31, 2023 (Aguanga) – Evacuation orders have been issued for an estimated 4,000 residents of 1,300 homes due to the Highland Fire in Aguanga, within a few miles of the San Diego County line in Riverside County.  At least three structures have been destroyed and six others damaged, according to Riverside Fire Department spokesperson Jeff La Russo.

ECM reporter Josh Stotler, at the scene this afternoon, says the wind-whipped fire is being battled by fixed wing aircraft, helicopters and ground crew forces that have doubled in recent hours.  Hundreds of firefighters are now battling the fire, which swelled to 2,200 acres overnight fueled by Santa Ana winds. Cal Fire has not updated the acreage since this morning.

“The winds are pushing it west,” he says, adding that there are no evacuations in San Diego County currently.  But he indicates the winds make this fire unpredictiable, and notes, ”Still no containment number yet, if any.”

A SIG alert is in effect for Highway 79, which is fully closed between the San Diego/Riverside County lines and Sage Road.  Highway 371is also closed  at 79 due to the wildfire, the CHP incident page reports.

Source: U.S. .Food and Drug Administration

Photo:  Public domain image via Bing

October 31,2023 (Washington D.C.)  --The U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA) is warning consumers not to purchase and to immediately stop using 26 over-the-counter eye drop products sold at major retailers and online, due to the potential risk of eye infections that could result in partial vision loss or blindness. Patients who have signs or symptoms of an eye infection after using these products should talk to their health care provider or seek medical care immediately. These products are marketed under the following brands:

• CVS Health
• Leader (Cardinal Health)
• Rugby (Cardinal Health)
• Rite Aid
• Target Up & Up
• Velocity Pharma

See full list of product names at the bottom of this article.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

October 31, 2023 (Aguanga) -- The #HighlandFire  in Aguanga has swelled to over 2,200 acres overnight and is 0% contained in Riverside County just over the San Diego County line. Aguanga is just north of Warner Springs; smoke is impacting areas west of Aguanga including Escondido and Palomar.  Highway 79 is closed in both directions.

Road closures are in effect and evacuation orders have been issued north of the San Diego County line, south of State Route 79, east of Forest Route 8S07 and west of Crosley Truck Trail.  (See evacuation details at https://www.rvcfire.org/incidents/fact-sheets/HighliandFire-Oct2023.)

A reception and care center has opened at: Great Oak High School 32555 Deer Hollow Way, Temecula, Ca 92592. Large and small animals can be taken to: San Jacinto Animal Shelter 581 South Grand Avenue, San Jacinto, Ca 92582

Video posted by FirePhotoGirl on social media shows structures in flames. Cal Fire reports structures remain threatened threatened. 

East County News Service

October 29, 2023 (La Mesa) – A 38-year-old San Diego man was struck by a vehicle on Interstate 8 east., east of Baltimore Drive n La  Mesa on October 24. The victim  was walking in the #4 lane at 8:38 a.m. when he was hit by a white 2004 Chevrolet pickup truck.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Supervisor Jim Desmond at press conference calling for border closure

October 28,2023 (San Diego) – The Israel-Hamas war has inflamed anti-U.S. sentiments around the world, sparking protests outside U.S. embassies in several nations,. NBC news reports. That’s led some local conservative politicians including Supervisor Jim Desmond and Supervisorial candidate Amy Reichert to call for closure of the border to new immigrants, citing fears that militants allied with terrorist groups supporting Hamas could potentially cross the border into the U.S. with an aim to harm Americans.

How credible are those concerns?

By Cecilie Shamanow 

WATCH FULL VIDEO HERE https://youtu.be/6cpLhfRzn1E?si=sHaKaOP2VCIITChb

October 28, 2023 (El Cajon) --- In a forum held Oct. 18 at Cuyamaca College, District 4 supervisorial candidates Monica Montgomery Steppe, a Democrat, and Republican Amy Reichert answered questions from the public ranging on health care, homelessness, housing, highway improvements, and diversity.

East County News Service

October 27, 2023 (Santee) – The Santee Fire Department and the San Diego Sheriff’s department invite the public to a pancake breakfast on November 11 from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

The event will be held at 8950 Cottonwood Ave, Santee.  Tickets are $5.

For information, call 619-258-3038.