January 18, 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.

• Trump kept details of meetings with Putin from senior officials in administration (Washington Post)
• Mueller Draft Report Says Trump 'Helped Putin Destabilize the United States', Watergate Journalist Says (Newsweek)
• Trump says he’s canceling Pelosi’s foreign trip a day after she asked him to delay his State of the Union speech (Washington Post)
• In first, Native American tribe displaced by sea gets land to relocate (Reuters)
• Dems eye lawsuit if Trump declares border emergency (The Hil)
• GoFundMe intervenes to give refunds to Trump's border wall donors  (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• F.B.I. Opened Inquiry Into Whether Trump Was Secretly Working on Behalf of Russia (New York Times)

WORLD

• Ethnic violence in Congo killed nearly 900 over a few days in December (Reuters)
• Honduran migrant gunned down shortly after U.S. deportation (Voice of America)
• ‘Smiling face’: Saudi teen fleeing family is granted asylum in Canada  (Washington Post)
• Russia, U.S. fail to save missile treaty, Washington to pull out  (Reuters)

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

East County News Service

January 17, 2019 (Ramona) -- The Wildlife Research Center in Ramona will present “Hawk Watch” each Saturday in January and February.  This year the event will be held at the Begent Ranch in Ramona (18528 Highland Valley Road.)

Arrive at 9:30 a.m. for coffee and doughnuts before the program begins at 10 a.m. You will  meet birds of prey up close in the Ramona grasslands such as hawks, owls and eagles. Charles Gailband of Wild Wings, his apprentice, Spencer, and fellow falconer Cisco who bring their amazing raptors to share with the public.

January 17, 2019 (Jamul) – EnviroMine, the developer of a proposed sand mine at the Cottonwood Golf Course site in Rancho San Diego, is slated to make a presentation to the Jamul-Dulzura Community Plannning Group. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 12^th at 7:30 p.m. at Jamul Primary School's Auditorium at 14567 Lyons Valley Road (at the corner of Lyons Valley Road and Skyline Truck Trail).

Note: This location has changed from the usual venue to accommodate a large anticipated crowd.

By Miriam Raftery

January 16, 2019 (Washington D.C.) – President Donald Trump today signed the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act into law, which passed Congress with bipartisan support.  It provides that furloughed and exempted federal employees will receive back pay whenever this shutdown ends.

But it does not grant any back pay to federal contractors, many of who are struggling without pay.

• UC San Diego researchers use stem cells, 3D-printing to treat spinal cord injuries (10 News)
• What happens when a lifesaving drug becomes intolerably expensive? (Washington Post)
• Government Shutdown Curtails F.D.A. Food Inspections (New York Times)
• China could lift life expectancy by nearly three years if it meets WHO smog standards: study (Reuters)

• There's a simple reason why your new smart TV was so affordable: It's collecting and selling your data (Business Insider)
• Ocean Warming Is Accelerating Faster Than Thought, New Research Finds (New York Times)
• Broadcasting from Deep Space, a Mysterious Series of Radio Signals (New York Times) 
• Shifting north magnetic pole forces unprecedented navigation fix (Reuters)
• China’s Moon Plants That Sprouted Are Already Dead (Newsweek)

Source:  Cal Coast Credit Union

January 16, 2019 (San Diego) - California Coast Credit Union, the longest-serving financial institution in San Diego County, announced today that it will offer special relief programs to Cal Coast members who are federal employees impacted by the current government shutdown. Impacted federal employees who are not yet members of Cal Coast may also be eligible for assistance.

East County News Service

January 16, 2019 (El Cajon) -- The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Citizen of the Year luncheon on Tuesday, Feb. 5 from 12-2:30 p.m. at the El LCajon Elks Lodge (1400 E. Washington Ave., El Cajon).

Cost per person is $20.  For more information, please contact the Chamber office at (619) 440-6161.

East County News Service

January 16, 2019 (El Cajon) — The public is invited to join El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells at a town hall meeting on Wednesday, January 30^th at 6 p.m. at El Cajon Valley High School Theater, 1035 East Madison Avenue in El Cajon.

East County News Service

January 16, 2019 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, will host “Keeping Your Brain Fit,” an informational program about how to improve your brain health with brain exercises and lifestyle changes, from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. The program is part of the library’s “Wellness Wednesday” series, normally held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served. Advance RSVP is not necessary. Handouts will be available.

By Miriam Raftery

January 15, 2019 (San Diego) – Facing enormous potential liabilities for major wildfires in Califiornia, Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) has announced that it will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on January 29^th.

 Cal Fire has blamed PG&E powerlines and other equipment for causing 17 fires in 2017.  The company’s equipment is also being investigated as a likely cause of the deadly Camp Fire that killed 86 people and burned nearly 14,000 homes in Butte County. The utility was also found criminally liable for the San Bruno gas pipeline explosion in 2010.

East County News Service

January 15, 2019 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) board of directors has elected its 2019 board officers.

Randy Lenac, who recently won reelection to his second four-year term, was elected as 2019 board president. Virginia Hall was elected as vice president and Robert “Bob” Ayres was elected as secretary. Lenac selected Gloria Chadwick to serve as treasurer. Also serving on the five-member board is Michael Emerson, who served as board president in 2017 and 2018.

East County News Service

January 14, 2019  (Jamul) – The highly anticipated 2019 Restaurant Week will feature two Jamul Casino^® restaurants: Prime Cut and Tony Gwynn’s.  Sponsored by the California Restaurant Association’s San Diego Chapter, San Diego Restaurant Week is January 20-27, 2019.  Over 180 restaurants will participate in the event.  As an opportunity to highlight their tastiest fare, many restaurants will offer prix fixe lunch and dinner menus especially for the event.

East County News Service

January 14, 2019 (El Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon announced today  that it now accepts passport applications on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. 

U.S. citizens planning international travel may apply for their passports at the City Clerk’s Office by appointment.

East County News Service

January 14, 2019 (San Diego) - Yuko Maruyama, pianist-composer-arranger, will perform jazz compositions from her CD albums as well as her uniquely modern interpretations of favorite American classics from the 1940’s Big Band era with the Mercantile Alley Band – piano, bass drums, accordion, percussion, vocals. This free concert will be held on February 10 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Mission Trails Church, 4880 Zion Avenue.