By Miriam Raftery

March 1, 2019 (El Cajon) – El Cajon is considering an amendment to sign standards regulating the height and size of freestanding signs downtown. In addition, the city is considering exempting municipal projects and uses from the zoning code and entitlement process.

The Planning Commission will hold public hearings  on each of these proposals on Tuesday March 19 at 7 p.m.  The City Council will also hold public hearings on Tuesday, March 26 at 3 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 200 Civic Center Way, El Cajon.

Angelo Armenta recorded a season-high three hits with two RBIs

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

March 1, 2019 (Colorado Springs, Colo.) - The San Diego State baseball team opened Mountain West play with a 9-5 loss at Air Force on Friday afternoon. The Aztecs fall to 5-4 on the season, while the Falcons up their 2019 record to 6-3.

By Miriam Raftery

View video of Cohen’s complete testimony:   https://www.c-span.org/video/?458125-1/michael-cohen-president-trump-he-racist-con-man-cheat

View highlights:  https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4782554/trump-lawyer-michael-cohen-apologizes-lying

February 28, 2019 (Washington D.C.) – President Donald Trump’s long-time personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, called his former boss a “liar”, a” conman” and a “racist” during several hours of testimony before the House Oversight and Reform Committee this week.  Cohen testified that Trump knew in advance that Wikileaks planned to release stolen Democratic Committee emails.  He also told committee members that Trump directed him to violate the law—and Cohen provided a check signed by Trump after he became president for “hush money” paid to cover up an affair with porn star Stormy Daniels.

Republicans grilling Cohen sought to discredit him, since he previously lied to Congress and since his cooperation with federal prosecutors could result in a reduction of his three-year prison sentence. However Cohen also handed over documents to the committee, including extensive financial records that Cohen suggested implicate Trump and Trump’s family members in financial crimes.

Democrats on the committee probed Cohen’s knowledge of other potential witnesses to the alleged criminal activities, also laying the groundwork to subpoena the President’s tax records.  Cohen has apologized and voiced remorse for lying and covering up illegal activities on behalf of Trump.

East County News Service

February 28, 2019 (Lakeside) — Lakeside Sheriff’s substation will hold a Coffee with the Community event on Tuesday, March 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Lakeside Community Center, 9841 Vine St., Lakeside.

“Community outreach is a top priority of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.  Members of the community should feel comfortable bringing problems related to safety and security to our staff,” a press release from the Sheriff’s department states.

February 28, 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.

• Michael Cohen says President Trump was involved in a hush money scheme. He brought checks to Congress to prove it. (Washington Post)
• Judge rules male-only draft is unconstitutional (Fox 5)
• Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez just expertly laid a trap to get Donald Trump’s tax returns (Mother Jones)
• Hiker rescued from quicksand inside Utah national park (NBC News)
• New problem for legal weed: Exploding pot factories (Politico)

WORLD

• Colombia demolishes drug kingpin Pablo Escobar's former home (Reuters)
• Venezuela's Maduro starts shutting borders to block humanitarian aid (Reuters)
• China uses DNA to track its people, with the help of American expertise (New York Times)
• Eighth lawmaker quits Britain's Labour Party (Reuters)
• France shaken by outbreak of anti-Semitic violence and abuse (Reuters)
• The Vatican’s secret rules for priests who have children(New York Times) 

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

By Miriam Raftery

February 28, 2019 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to an East County Solar Experience on Saturday, March 2 from 11 a.m. to 12 noon at the Salvation Army KROC Center community center room, 6845 University Ave. in La Mesa. 

Hear from nationally accredited energy professionals and nonprofit climate champions to learn about the evolving solar power landscape including what’s changing for solar power and clean energy policy in 2019. You’ll also learn from neighbors who went solar.

Register at www.SDSolarExperience.org for this event hosted by Sullivan Solar Power and Climate Action Campaign.  There’s power through education!

By Maryanne Jackson Real Estate Broker CNE, CPRES.

February 28, 2019 (San Diego’s East County)

Dear Maryanne,

My husband and I purchased a home last year in East County. My husband is currently Active Duty Military and we used his VA benefits to purchase the home. We have a large area in our fenced in rear yard that has been perfect for growing vegetables.

I have an honorable discharge from the military due to an injury, because of this injury I am subject to constant pain. I have been managing the inflammation and pain flare ups with my medical marijuana license that enables me to purchase the amount of vapor inserts that I need. The cost has become staggering to buy the medical marijuana that I need as it is not covered under my TRI CARE health insurance.

Last spring, I decided to take matters into my own hands and planted several marijuana plants. I have a green thumb to say the least. The plants are getting huge and I am planning on using the dried leaves to offset my cost. Upon my husband’s last visit home from sea he was mowing the grass and noticed the plants. He is concerned that he could get arrested or kicked out of the military for the plants growing on our private property.

Do you know where we stand on this? After all, marijuana has been legalized now in California and I do have a medical marijuana license.

A.J. Lakeside, CA.

Sophia Ramos paced the Aztecs with 15 points

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photos by Don De Mars

February 28, 2019 (San Diego) - The Aztec women’s basketball team (10-15, 5-10) suffered a 65-52 defeat to Utah State (13-14, 8-8) Wednesday evening inside Viejas Arena. The Aztecs, who fell behind by 16 points early in the second quarter, were able to pull within one point late in the third, but then saw Utah State finish the game on a 15-3 run.

You can provide your input on the Foundation’s survey on El Cajon Recreational Access Plan at www.sandiegoriver.org/survey.html (available in English, Spanish and Arabic)

By Jonathan Goetz

February 27, 2019 (El Cajon) -- The San Diego River Park Foundation held an open house yesterday on proposed parks along Forester Creek and other locations in EL Cajon. The event at the Ronald Reagan Community Center drew nearly 200 people, with multiple stations staffed by the Foundation's volunteers, staff and California Polytechnic State University graduate consultants.

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 26, 2019 (Logan, Utah) - Quinn Taylor recorded 13 points and 11 rebounds to lift Utah State to a 70-54 win over San Diego State on Tuesday night.

Sam Merrill had 19 points for Utah State (23-6, 13-3 Mountain West Conference), which earned its fifth consecutive victory. Diogo Brito added 12 points. Justin Bean had 10 points and eight rebounds for the hosts.

Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

February 26, 2019 (Washington D.C.) -- FEMA Administrator Brock Long announced that the federal cost-share for three major disaster declarations caused by wildfires in 2018 has increased from 75 to 90 percent, including major fire in California.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: ECM  news partner 10 News

February 26, 2019 (Lakeside) – A 1995 red Ford Mustang traveling at a high rate of speed struck a raised curb and rolled over, catching fire around 2:47 a.m.  The occupants of the vehicle had fled the scene by the time emergency responders arrived and it’s unknown who was driving the vehicle.

East County News Service

Photo: ECM news partner 10 News

February 25, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – A man who fell through ice on Big Laguna Lake while attempting to snow ski on the frozen water yesterday was rescued by a Sheriff’s helicopter.