Wacky or worthwhile petitions?  You decide

By Miriam Raftery

July 21, 2018 (Sacramento) – California’s Supreme Court has blocked a controversial initiative from appearing on the November ballot, pending the outcome of a lawsuit challenging its constitutionality. That measure sought to split California into three states. However, 11 other initiatives have been approved by the state’s Attorney General for circulation to collect signatures.   

Before you sign any petitions, read below for summaries, or click the link below this story for full details on these proposed initiatives ranging from practical to bizarre.

One proposed ballot initiative seeks to make California a separate nation. If passed, the Legislature would be required to declare independence from the United States, but there’s no Constitutional provision allowing a state to secede – and secession efforts by southern states are what led to the Civil War.  Any attempt to secede would likely require an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which takes approval of both houses of Congress and ratification by two thirds of all the states.

Another initiative proposal would ban local governments or special districts from spending bond money on anything not in the bond measure. 

By Sam Warren

"A synonym is a word your use when you can’t spell the other one." — Baltasar Gracián

July 20, 2018 (San Diego) – Author signings, book clubs, writers’ classes and more are coming up in our region.

CLICK TO SCROLL DOWN FOR A LIST OF BOOK EVENTS

East County News Service

July 20, 2018 (Spring Valley) – A 48-year-old man from National City died of injuries sustained today in a motorcycle crash on Jamacha Road, just east of Osage Lane.

The motorcyclist was driving a blue 2018 Harley Davidson Sportster westbound on Jamacha at a high speed and failed to slow down into a curve, causing the vehicle to strike a concrete curb, says California Highway Patrol’s Public Information Officer Travis Garrow. The out-of-control vehicle then went up an embankment, ejecting the rider.

By Miriam Raftery

July 19, 2018 (Ramona) – A driver who reported his vehicle had been stolen at gunpoint has been arrested for filing a false report to conceal his involvement in a crash in Ramona.

According to Sgt. Jeremy Sheppard with the Sheriff’s department, Luis Solis, 19 and with a juvenile passenger have been charged with filing the false report after the Toyota Forerunner that Solis was driving rolled over at 630 Gem Lane in Ramona.

Aztecs will play all 11 non-conference games in California

Source: goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

July 19, 2018 (San Diego) - San Diego State women’s basketball head coach Stacie Terry has announced the Aztecs’ 2018-19 non-conference schedule. The slate features 11 games, six of which are at home, and is highlighted by games against Arizona and TCU.

By Ken Stone

Reprinted with permission from Times of San Diego, amember of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Suspended Battalion Chief Mike Van Bibber of Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District. Image via Julian Fire Plugs

July 19, 2018 (Julian) - Julian’s volunteer firefighters have filed an emergency appeal with a state appellate court in hopes of making an August 10 deadline to place a measure on the November ballot.

Their aim is to have the 2,246 voters in the Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District decide whether to repeal a fire board action to dissolve the district.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, top: Carrizo Gorge federal wilderness area

June 29, 2018 (Alpine) – Most visitors to San Diego County head to the beaches or the well-known mountain town of Julian. But the County’s lesser traveled southeast region, known as the Alpine Mountain Empire, includes vast tracts of wilderness, quaint mountain towns, a historic train, museums, Native America reservations, resorts, parks and lakes.

OK

July 18, 2018 (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

• San Miguel names veteran to lead fire department (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Sacramento Report: The State of Crime in the State (Voice of San Diego)
• City Water Department Resisted Oversight, Downplayed Smart Meter Problems  (Voice of San Diego)
• Some Residents’ Water Bills Jumped 500 Percent or More in the Last 14 Months  (Voice of San Diego)
• Build the wall sign attracts waterfront scuffle (The Reader)
• La Mesa looking at taxing marijuana businesses (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• San Onofre emails show history of private meetings between regulators, energy insiders and advisers to Gov. Jerry Brown (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• San Diego Transit Agency Makes Its Move on 2020 Tax Measure (Voice of San Diego)

STATE

• Splitting up Calif.: State Supreme Court takes initiative off the November ballot (San Francisco Chronicle)
• A political firestorm is about to hit the capitol: who will pay for wildfires? (Cal Matters)
• California already reached its 2020 goal for cutting emissions. Now what? (SD Union-Tribune)
• The Valley floor is sinking, and it’s crippling California’s ability to deliver water (Sacramento Bee)
• ‘I can’t be a felon’: Gun owners sue California over faulty weapon registration system (Sacramento Bee)

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

July 18, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• HHS plans to delete 20 years of critical medical guidelines next week (Daily Beast)
• Health Insurers Are Vacuuming Up Details About You — And It Could Raise Your Rates (ProPublica)
• Dog heart disease may be linked to potato-based pet foods, FDA says (Time)
• More Screen Time For Teens Linked To ADHD Symptoms  (NPR)

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

• A New Look At An Old Way To Store Energy
• Galileo Would Be Stunned: Jupiter Now Has 79 Moons  (NPR)
• Organic matter found on Mars, opening new chapter in search for life  (CS Monitor)

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

East County News Service

July 18, 2018 (Alpine) - A dinner and auction to benefit survivors of the West Fire in Alpine will be held on Saturday, August 18^th from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Alpine Community Center.

The Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce and Alpine Community Center are organizing the fundraiser. All funds raised will be donated to the Alpine Community Foundation to help and support those affected by the West Fire, which destroyed 34 homes and also destroyed many outbuildings, damaging other properties.

For tickets, visit http://www.AlpineChamber.com.

See details below:

Former running back is first SDSU male athlete to win award

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

July 18, 2018 (San Diego) - Former San Diego State football running back Rashaad Penny has been named the 2017-18 Mountain West Male Athlete of the Year. He is the first Aztec male to win the award and the second SDSU student-athlete to be recognized, following in the footsteps of track and field’s Shanieka Thomas, who was the 2012-13 MW Female Athlete of the Year.

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

July 17, 2018 (San Diego) - The San Diego State athletics department has launched a podcast, which will feature periodic updates from director of athletics John David Wicker and other athletics personnel, along with radio interviews and audio from news conferences.

By Miriam Raftery

July 16, 2018 (San Diego) — U.S. District Court Judge Dana Sabraw in San Diego issued an order today blocking deportations of immigrant families until at least July 23 to assure that parents are not deported without their children, require the government to respond to ACLU papers, and to allow reunited families time to decide whether to seek asylum. 

East County News Service

July 16, 2018 (La Mesa) -- You won’t find noisy TVs and blaring music at Fourpenny House in the heart of the La Mesa Village.

This coming Tuesday, July 17, what you will find are signs encouraging you to take a tech break while you enjoy your meal at the cozy Scottish Brew Pub.  

By Miriam Raftery

July 15, 2018 (El Cajon) – As the scandals involving Councilman Ben Kalasho mount, with 11 citizens calling for his resignation at the last City Council meeting, some community members are now asking why the City Council has not censured Kalasho, who has announced his intent to run for Mayor.