By Andy Tolley, County of San Diego Communications Office

February 16, 2017 (Lakeside) - The County cut the ribbon Thursday for the new Helix Flume Trail in Lakeside, and a group took an inaugural hike on the 0.8-mile path. It may be short in distance, but it’s long on history, with signs that share the story of early water transportation in San Diego. It also feature spectacular views of Lake Jennings and El Cajon Mountains.

The trailhead is located at 14003-14023 El Monte Road in Lakeside.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

February 16, 2017 (San Diego) - Due to rain, what was supposed to be SDSU softball’s weekend-long hosting of the 27th annual Campbell/Cartier Classic is now reduced to three games today and one on Tuesday.  The Aztecs hosted UC Riverside earlier today and tonight, they hosted the Huskies from Washington.  The No. 8 Huskies faced UC Riverside earlier tonight.

Source: City of El Cajon

February 16, 2017 (El Cajon) – The City of El Cajon has announced five public workshops on redistricting set for February 22, 23 and 28, as well as March 1 and April 18.  All are from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.   See location details at the bottom of the article. 

By Miriam Raftery

February 16, 2017 (La Mesa) - An orange tabby cat struck by a vehicle February 3rd on La Mesa Blvd. near Rosehedge Drive was rescued by a passing motorist and provided emergency veterinary care.  "Diego," as the lucky cat has now been named, may have used up one of his nine lives, but fortunately he's healed and will be heading to a new home tomorrow.

East County News Service

February 16, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes Latin music at a winery, a gardening with nature program, an All That Jazz salute to local heroes, a star NFL quarterback coming to East County, and a stage production of To Kill a Mockingbird.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including Karamu, a black history month celebration in Spring Valley, more Black history events at local colleges, Jungle Book for Kids, a Queen Bee Tea in Alpine, internationally acclaimed Gregory Page performing at Mission Trails, a healthy living fair for seniors, the annual Run East County St. Patrick’s Day half marathon, plus carnival rides and more at the Rolando Street Fair.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

Legislators grapple with options to plug gap left by falling gas tax revenues

By Miriam Raftery

February 16, 2017 (Sacramento) – The California Transportation Commission last week approved a 38% decrease in funding for road and transit projects, a drop of $754 million over the next five years. The cut is due to falling gasoline tax revenues, the Los Angeles Times reports.  That’s left legislators scrambling for proposals to find alternative ways to fund transportation projects impacting counties statewide, which have been asked to list projects to delay or delete completely.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: McCain Valley, before construction

February 16, 2017 (McCain Valley) – The Department of the Interior temporarily shut down construction of the Tule Wind Energy project in McCain Valley  on January20th due to six confirmed violations of the right-of-way grant conditions, including “three incidents of ground disturbing work without a cultural monitor present and three incidents of clearing beyond the disturbance limits at four different locations,”  according to the notice of temporary suspension issued January 20^th.

By Miriam Raftery

February 16, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – During his campaign, President Donald Trump criticized his rival, Hillary Clinton, for her ties with Wall Street and high-priced speeches to Goldman Sachs.  He promised to protect Americans from Wall Street.  But now he’s appointed Steven Mnuchin as Treasury Secretary, a former Goldman Sachs banker who later acquired a failed lender that became One West, known as a “foreclosure machine” for foreclosing on over 36,000 homeowners.

East County News Service

February 15, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• First ‘dreamer’ protected by Obama’s DACA order arrested in Trump immigration raid (Sacramento Bee)
• Here’s what we know about Trump’s border wall (Bloomberg News)
•  Russian spy ship spotted off Delaware coast (CS Monitor)
• Abortion protests on both sides erupt across U.S. (Reuters)
• Mexicans in the U.S. are Sending Home More Money Than Ever (NPR)
• Website for disabled kids disappears as DeVos takes office (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
• Trump then: ‘I would have no problem’ banning lobbyists. Trump now: You’re hired! (Pro Publica)
• State-sponsored hackers targeting journalists, Google warns (Politico)
• Legal scholars: Why Congress should impeach Donald Trump (Time Magazine)
• Russia Considers Returning Snowden to U.S. to ‘Curry Favor’ With Trump: Official (U.S. News)
• How ISIS is beginning to train child terrorists in the West (Jewish World Review)

WORLD

• Why Is Russia Helping Anti-U.S. Insurgents in Afghanistan? (NPR)
• Amnesty International Identifies Assad's 'Policy of Extermination’ (NPR)
• U.S. blacklists Venezuela vice president for drug trafficking (Reuters)
• NATO says it sees sharp rise in Russian disinformation since Crimea seizure (Reuters)
• German police arrest two men suspected of planning Islamist attack (Reuters)
• Islamic State-linked group claims rocket attack on Israeli resort (Reuters)
• Chinese sent Iran missile parts (Washington Times)
• North Korea tests ballistic missile; U.S. to avoid escalation (Reuters)
•  Malnutrition Is Killing Nigeria's Children Because of Food Shortage (NPR)
• South Korea suspects female assassins killed half-brother of North Korea leader (Reuters)
•  Russia Deploys Missile in Violation of Arms Treaty (NPR)
• At Denmark’s Borderless Kitchen, refugees cook foods from their home countries (Conde Nast)
• Airport assassination focuses new attention on North Korean leader (Washington Post)

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

East County News Service

February 15, 2017 (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

• Inspections underway at San Diego dams after Oroville scare (Times of San Diego)
• Deporting undocumented immigrants in San Diego: How will the president’s plan play out? (NBC7)
• Crime Rate in San Diego Drops to Lowest in Decades (KPBS)
• San Diego City Council supports lawsuit against Trump travel ban (KPBS)
• City camp could be San Diego’s homeless solution (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Why some homeless advocates oppose mayor’s shelter plan (Voice of San Diego)
• Homeless man wins harassment settlement from San Diego Police (Los Angeles Times)
• January refugee arrivals were up 61 percent in San Diego from last year (SD Union-Tribune)
• Report: San Diego Ranks 13th Highest for Immigrants Living in the Country Illegally (KPBS)
• Children’s Nature Retreat created for the love of underprivileged children (EC Californian)
• Report: SDPD body cameras reducing misconduct, aggressive use of force (SD Union-Tribune)
• Protesters march through downtown for Standing Rock (10 News)

STATE

• For California community in dam's shadow, troubles go back decades (Reuters)
• Evacuation order lifted for residents near Oroville dam (San Jose Mercury News)
• Damaged Oroville Dam spillway undergoes more water releases (Sacramento Bee)
• Los Angeles County voters to decide on quarter-cent tax for homeless programs (LA Times)
• California Senate gives 10% pay raise to 71 employees to close gender gap (Sacramento Bee)
• Does California give more than it gets from Washington D.C.? (Politifact)
• Friend to plead guilty to aiding San Bernardino gunman: prosecutors (Reuters)
• Central California continues to sink (Mercury News)
• California bets on electric cars, at ratepayer risk (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Lack of Competition Is Leading to a Costly Electricity Glut in California (Reason)

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

NFL Combine to take place Feb. 28-March 6 in Indianapolis

Source: goaztecs.com

Photo: Donnel Pumphrey (left), Nico Siragusa (center) and Damontae Kazee (right), along with Daniel Brunskill (not pictured) have been invited to the NFL Combine.  Courtesy goaztecs.com

February 15, 2017 (San Diego) - San Diego State will send four football players to the NFL Scouting Combine (National Invitational Camp) in Indianapolis from Feb. 28-March 6, the NFL announced today. Daniel Brunskill (Valley Center, Calif./Valley Center HS), Damontae Kazee (San Bernardino, Calif.), Donnel Pumphrey (Las Vegas) and Nico Siragusa (Chula Vista, Calif./Mater Dei Catholic HS) all will attend the camp, which will be scouted by top executives, coaching staffs, player personnel departments and medical personnel from all 32 NFL teams.

East County News Service

February 14, 2017 (La Mesa) – More than a decade after East County voters approved Proposition G, a $247 million bond measure that provided taxpayer funds for improvements at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, the final construction contract was awarded to San Diego-based Swinerton Builders by Grossmont Healthcare District.

East County News Service

February 15, 2017 (Spring Valley) - You’re invited to Spring Into Healthy Living on March 15^th from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the McGrath Family YMCA (12006 Campo Road) in Spring Valley. The (free) health and wellness fair for seniors will include free health screenings, speakers and information on how to avoid scams, driver safety and fire safety, and more.

East County News Service

February 15, 2017 (Spring Valley) — Young Adult Theatre (YAT) bring The Jungle Book for Kids to life March 2^nd through 12^th at the Encore! Theatre (9620 Campo Rd.) in Spring Valley.  The jungle is jumpin' with a jazzy beat in this special adaptation from the classic Disney animated film, featuring a host of colorful characters and your favorite songs from the movie.

By Jonathan Goetz

February 14, 2017 (Lemon Grove) -- In November 2016, Lemon Grove voters approved Measure V, allowing for sale of medical marijuana in Lemon Grove. Dispensaries will be allowed in certain sections of the city with a Conditional Use Permit (CUP).