By Jack and Helen Ofield, https://www.newpacificproductions.com

February 18, 2019 (Lemon Grove) -- On President's Day we honor the father of our country, George Washington (born Feb. 22, 1732). Knowledge of his life and achievements is, alas, fading, yet he is the one who ensured the birth of our nation and the adoption of its Constitution--the document that prompts millions to move to the USA whether they understand it or not. 

Source:  Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

February 18, 2019 (El Cajon) - The 10-year era of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District with Chancellor Cindy L. Miles at the helm will soon draw to a close.

 With what she described as “mixed feelings,” Miles announced today that she will be retiring at the end of the year. Her retirement contract, set to go before the Governing Board Feb. 19, calls for Miles to remain until the end of the year to allow time for a successor to be selected.

By Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Jewish World, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

February 17, 2019 (San Diego) - A parade of rabbinical colleagues and family members mourning Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal, praised him, which they acknowledged he would have hated, and told jokes about him, which they said he would have loved.  The rabbi’s funeral service was attended by hundreds of congregants and friends Friday afternoon in the congregation he had served for over 30 years, Tifereth Israel Synagogue.

By Miriam Raftery

February 17, 2019 (Washington D.C.) –President Donald Trump has signed a compromise bill to keep the government from shutting down again, but issued an emergency declaration Friday to build a border wall in defiance of Congressional wishes.  Both the Republican-controlled Senate and the Democratic-controlled House previously refused to allocate $5 billion requested by Trump for the border wall.

The compromise bill signed by Trump does include $1.3 billion for border security, including 55 miles of new barriers. But under Trump’s executive order he would take even more money than he previously sought – over $7 billion that he hopes to divert from military construction projects, combatting narcotics smuggling, and asset forfeitures.

The latter, money seized from criminals, is currently used to fund police and sheriff operations including substantial local funding in San Diego County. Fom 2004 to mid-2014,San Diego's Sheriff and District Attorney kept 80% of federal assets seized, or about $1.5 million a year, according to a records request by ECM, as we reported in October 2014.

By Miriam Raftery

February 16, 2019 (El Cajon) – Heartland Fire and Rescue crews extinguished a blaze Monday night in the garage of a home in the 1500 block of Condor Ave. in El Cajon.  Residents were reportedly doing laundry when they smelled smoke and found their garage on fire.

Firefighters cut open the garage door to access the flames and were able to douse the fire within 10 minutes, saving the residence where eight people reside.

Mallory Adams had a team high 17 points 

February 16, 2019 (Boise) - The Aztecs women’s basketball team (10-13, 5-7) had their four-game winning streak with a 91-67 loss at first place Boise State (21-3, 12-1) Saturday afternoon. The high-powered Bronco offense scored 50 points on 68 percent shooting in the first half and built an insurmountable lead. 

By E.A. Barrera

Photo by E.A. Barrera:  Property in Lakeside saved from development by CEQA

February 16, 2019 (San Diego) --- There is a false and very dangerous idea being advanced that somehow the crises of affordable housing can be solved by weakening or gutting the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and other zoning and environmental protections. 

Groups calling themselves "Yimby" (Yes in my backyard) have formed across the state. At first glance their intentions seem great - organize and advance the development of greater densities within existing neighborhoods to provide more housing for low income residents. 

But these organizations have swiftly become fronts for development, real estate and banking interests who seek to eliminate all rules regarding development. These interests push a tired and flatly deceptive line that if only they could be allowed to develop more supply, the trickle down effect would be lower prices across the board in housing.

By Michelle Mowad, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  Andrea Martinez-Pastor and Miguel Pastor 

February 15, 2019 (San Diego) - Rain could not dampen the spirit of love for couples tying the knot Thursday at County offices. Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest days of the year for the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk’s Marriage Section, and the office expected more than 100 couples at its downtown location.

East County News Service

February 15, 2019 (San Diego's East County) -- The county Office of Education reports that schools in the Bonsall Unified School District, Fallbrook Union Elementary School District, Mountain Empire Unified School District, Julian Union School District, Julian Union High School District and Fallbrook Union High School District will be be closed today as a result of winter weather conditions. Hazards include flooding, power outages and dangerous travel due to snow or icy condiions.

Monte Vista High School will be closed today due to a broken water main, the Grossmont Union HIgh School District has announced on Twitter.

February 14, 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

• Wild winds and torrential rains close schools, trigger rock slides and delay air traffic (San Diego Union Tribune)
• Costs for Pure Water Project Are Rising – by Billions (Voice of SD)
• Layout change for farmers market in La Mesa hits snag (SDUT)
• Trump administration waives environmental review to replace more San Diego border fencing (SDUT)
• Suspect reportedly opens fire into Hillcrest restaurant; 1 detained (KNSD)
• Hate crimes: several swastikas found in La Jolla and Pacific Beach (CBS 8)
• MTS Leaders Are Digging in on a 2020 Ballot Measure  (Voice of San Diego)
• Environment Report: County Penalized for Sewage Spill Into Local River (Voice of SD)
• San Diego Can’t Hit State Climate Goals Without Major Transportation Changes (Voice of SD)
• Social Media, Texts Have Fueled Numerous Instances of Teacher Misconduct (SDUT)
• San Diego proposal to wipe out parking requirements takes key step forward (SDUT)

STATE

• Gavin Newsom wants California to be its own nation-state in the Trump era (SF Chronicle)
• Getting Your Hands On California Campaign Finance Records Could Get Easier (Cal Public Radio)
• Senator Dodd proposes California wildfire warning center (Cal Matters)
• State government lobbying rose again last year. Who spent the most? (Sacramento Bee)
• All too often, California’s default mental institutions are now jails and prisons (Cal Matters)
• A ‘Water Tax’ Is Looking Increasingly Likely (Voice of SD)

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

Action comes on heels of countywide firearms trafficking investigation

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

Photo: Capt. Marco Garmo,10 News

February 14, 2019 (Rancho San Diego) -- Capt. Marco Garmo, who most recently headed up the Rancho San Diego substation of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has been placed on an administrative leave until further notice, according to ECM news partner 10News.

On the same day that the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted raids throughout San Diego County, including the large sprawling Jamul estate of San Diego jeweler Leo Hamel due to a firearms trafficking investigation, Garmo was put on leave. The Rancho San Diego substation covers the same area of Hamel’s property.

Sheriff Gore, in a e-mail obtained by 10News yesterday, states that he was made aware of potential criminal conduct by Garmo by a senior member of the Sheriff’s Department, and implies that the removal of Garmo is linked to the broader federal investigation involving Hamel’s properties.

East County News Service

Photo by Robert Gehr

A flash flood warning is in effect countywide through 1:15 p.m. Flash flooding, heavy rains and high winds .are causing power outages and road closures across our region including:

• Highway 94 is closed at Honey Springs Rd. due to flooding.
• Mud/rocks on Lyons Valley Rd. in Jamul.
• Summit Drive in La Mesa is closed at the 4400 block due to power lines down
• 13^th St. and Maple are closed in Ramona between just north of Hwy 67 and Walnut St. due to flooding.
• Vallecitos School Rd. is closed due to flooding.
• Power lines are down on Hwy 78 near San Pasqual cemetery
• Power lines are down on Hwy 67 near Mt. Woodson.
• Montezuma Valley Rd. in Borrego is closed from Palm Canyon to the 6 mile marker due to rock slides covering both lanes
• Pine Valley’s Manzanita Drive from Lilac Dr. to Lakeview Dr. is closed.
  

East County News Service

February 14, 2019 (Alpine) - You’re invited to join the Alpine Chamber of Commerce “Third Thursday Mixer” on Feb. 21 at Mediterraneo’s Bistro Bar & Grill in Alpine.

Source:  California Department of Justice

February 13, 2019 (San Diego) - California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today announced the sentencing of Prakashumar ("Kash") Bhakta for operating a mortgage fraud scheme throughout Southern California and the Inland Empire that preyed on homeowners facing foreclosure. Today, Mr. Bhakta was sentenced to seven years and eight months in state prison. Restitution will be ordered in the amount of $256,000. Co-defendants Jacob Orona, Aide Orona, John Contreras, Marcus Robinson, and David Boyd previously pled guilty. They were sentenced to state prison terms ranging from four years to seven years and four months.