East County News Service

September 15, 2019 (La Mesa) – Get your Lederhosens ready – the 46th annual La Mesa Oktoberfest is gearing up for over 100,000 revelers celebrating German traditions over three full days of free festivities October 4-6.

East County News Service

September 15, 2019 (San Diego) – The California State Legislature today passed on a 61-9 vote Assembly Bill 589 authored by state Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) to make it illegal for an employer to confiscate a worker’s immigration documents as a way to force them into labor.

East County News Service

September 15, 2019 (San Diego) – County Assessor Ernie Dronenberg invites you to a meeting of the California Board of Equalization on Sept. 19 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. in San Diego. 

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

September 14, 2019 (Las Cruces, N.M.) - Sophomore running back Jordan Byrd rushed for a career high 128 yards and two touchdowns and sophomore defensive end Keshawn Banks recorded five tackles, two for loss, as San Diego State defeated New Mexico State, 31-21.

By Miriam Raftery

September 3, 2019 (El Cajon) -- What could be more heavenly than wine made from wildflower honey, orange zest, cane sugar and vanilla?  How about this news: the creators of honey-wines known as “Saccharo” have moved their Pearson Brothers Winery back to its roots, returning to East County.

They now have a new tasting patio in a wildlife sanctuary open as of Sept. 21, as well as a wine club, and recipes for cocktails featuring their sustainably-produced Saccharo honey wines in several new varieties.

By Liz Alper

Photos by P.J. Panebianco

September 14, 2019 (La Mesa) - Week four of ECM Friday Night Lights promises to be a good one.  We went to Helix High School, where senior running back and all-time Helix career rushing leader Elelyon Noa and the Highlanders hosted the Dons of Cathedral Catholic.  Helix is 1-1 coming off of a bye week. Helix has Noa. The Dons have Catholics and some of the best athletes in San Diego. Let’s dive right in.

Photo, right by Catherine Gorka

September 13, 2019 (Lakeside) -- A vehicle accident has ignited a brush fire in Lakeside, charring seven acres, according to Cal Fire's latest update.

The #MonteFire started at 14750 Willow Road. According to Cal Fire, forward spread has been halted.

By Miriam Raftery

September 12, 2019 (Sacramento) – Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a pair of bills aimed at increasing vaccinations of children in California.  The measures will allow the state to investigate doctors who write more than five medical exemptions from vaccines in a year and also empowers officials to investigate schools with less than 95 percent of students vaccinated.

In San Diego’s East County, some schools have vaccination rates as low as 10 percent, according to data compiled by Shots for Schools, as ECM reported last month.

The actions come after doctors and public health officials voiced growing concern over the rising number of measles cases in California, including recent exposures at Disneyland and other tourist attractions--and amid vocal protests at the Capitol.

By Miriam Raftery

September 12, 2019 (El Cajon) – Ray Lutz, founder of the nonprofit watchdog group Citizens Oversight in El Cajon, announced today that he has formed an exploratory committee for a possible run for the 53^rd Congressional district seat.  Congresswoman Susan Davis announced last week that she will not be seeking reelection.

Lutz, a Democrat, lives in the 53^rd district since redistricting in 2010, though he previously ran against Rep. Duncan Hunter back in 2008.

Lutz and the organization he founded have been instrumental in attaining several landmark actions in our region ranging from a lawsuit that won $775 million for local ratepayers to a succesful fight that helped save East County's peforming arts center,as well as leading efforts to improve safety of  nuclear waste storage and battling to keep Blackwater out of the backcountry.

September 12, 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

• A divided County Board of Supervisors moves ahead on community choice energy (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Plea deal reached in San Diego County sheriff's deputy sexual misconduct case (10 News)
• More deaths associated with mysterious vaping illness; 11 cases reported in San Diego County (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Getting hooked on vaping (Ramona Sentinel)
• SANDAG Board OKs Formula For New Homebuilding (KPBS)

STATE

• California rewrites the laws of employment (Los Angeles Times)
• Coast guard issues warning after California boat fire: limit cell phone charging (USA Today)
• Trump pushing for major crackdown on homeless camps in California, with aides discussing moving residents to government-backed facilities (Washington Post)
• California would allow college athletes to profit under bill headed to Newsom (San Francisco Chronicle)
• Uber: We’ll fight in court to keep drivers as independent contractors (San Francisco Chronicle)
•  California is first state to ban fur trapping (HuffPost)
• Lions, tigers and bears no more: California lawmakers ban exotic animals at circuses (Los Angeles Times)
• Boat where 34 died was a ‘fire trap’ despite passing inspections, experts say. It’s far from alone (Los Angeles Times)

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

September 12, 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.

• Pentagon pulls funds for military schools, daycare to pay for Trump’s border wall (MSN)
• Elizabeth Warren proposes major expansion of Social Security (CNN)
• Supreme Court allows broad enforcement of asylum limits (10 News/AP)
• Trump cancels secret meeting with Taliban leaders, Afghan president after attack (The Hill)
• Trump fires John Bolton (CNN)
• Impeachment inquiry ramps up as Judiciary panel adopts procedural guidelines (NBC)
• Legal Challenge Highlights Battle Between Vintners and Pot Farmers (NBC7)
• To shield Trump from embarrassment, GOP prepares to scrap primaries (MSNBC)
• Billionaire who wants to impeach Trump makes the October presidential debate stage (Los Angeles Times)
• Top NOAA official warned staff against contradicting Trump (Washington Post)

WORLD

• Tentative list of the missing in Bahamas has 2,500 names (USA Today)
• The Bahamas' death toll is rising as 70,000 residents left homeless by Hurricane Dorian seek food and shelter  (CNN)
• Summer heat wave killed nearly 1,500 people in France (Newsy)
• Iran says it’s no longer abiding by uranium enrichment limits (Bloomberg)

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

East County News Service

September 11, 2019 (El Cajon) -- Since 1999, The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College has been at the forefront of saving water and other natural resources. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the Garden is hosting a benefit concert on Saturday, November 16th. 

East County News Service

September 11, 2019 (Escondido) -- The Russian Ballet Theatre brings a new production of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake to Escondido and San Diego on Sept. 19 and 20. Tickets for the performances are on sale now at www.russianballettheatre.com.