By Miriam Raftery

January 9, 2017 (Jamul) — The County Medical Examiner has identified a body found in Jamul on Saturday as Melissa Whitby, a Jamul resident.  She was reported missing December 31^st by her husband, Winnie Whitby.   There was upper body trauma and cause of death has been determined to be a homicide.

By Miriam Raftery

Hearings in Escondido today at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

By Miriam Raftery

January 8, 2017 (Sacramento) – California has the most delegates of any state in the nation during presidential primary elections.  But states that vote early, even small states, have excessive clout in helping to choose front runners and narrow the fields of candidates in both Republican and Democratic races.

East County News Service

January 8, 2017 (Jamul) — A $1,000 reward is offered for help to solve the case of an unidentified woman found dead yesterday in the 15800 block of Skyline Truck Trail in Jamul.

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail and Rancho San Diego station are investigating the death as a possible homicide due to apparent trauma to the victim’s upper body.  She is estimated to be in her 40s or 50s.

Story and photos by Liz Alper

Quotes courtesy Jen Heisel

January 7, 2017 (San Diego) - After getting back on track in conference play with a win against Nevada on Wednesday night, the lady Aztecs took Steve Fisher Court again for a Saturday matinee against Boise State.

East County News Service

January 7, 2016 (Alpine) – Overheated brakes caused a fire that engulfed a big-rig trailer laden with 10 tons of tripe on Interstate 8 west in Alpine yesterday shortly after 1:30 a.m.

The driver disconnected the refrigerated trailer and escaped safely with his dog, but flames scorched most of the beef tripe bound for a San Diego distribution center, California Highway Patrol has indicated.

Public comment deadline is January 19

By Mike Allen

January 6, 2017 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon is making plans to create nearly 5,000 new homes through a rezoning program that would amend zoning in four areas of the city, enabling formerly commercial properties to include future residential units.

Hear our KNSJ radio interview with Diane Conklin, Mussey Grade Road Alliance, by clicking the audio link. Conklin estimates cost of SDG&E’s proposal could be $280 per household.

By Miriam Raftery

January 6, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) --In 2012,  a huge turnout by ratepayers helped persuade the California Public Utilities Commission to deny SDG&E’s request to charge ratepayers for its uninsured costs of  three 2007 wildfires.

 Now the utility has revived a similar proposal, seeking $379 million from ratepayers. On Monday, the CPUC will hold public hearings in Escondido at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the California Center for the Arts Escondido conference center, Salon 1Room, 340 North Escondido Blvd. in Escondido.

Advocates for ratepayers and fire survivors are urging the public to again turn out in force at Monday’s hearings, arguing that it would be unfair and set a bad precedent to allow a utility to charge ratepayers for fires caused by its equipment. They say that SDG&E should have foreseen high winds and taken steps to protect the public.   The group estimates average cost per household would be $280 if SDG&E’s proposal is approved.

 But SDG&E contends that  it’s fair to ask ratepayers to help shoulder costs of the fires, which it contends were natural disasters with winds stronger than seen in previous fires.  The company also notes that it has worked to reduce claims and made major investments to improve fire safety for the future.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  Directors Mark Gracyk and DeAna Verbecke offered opposing views on how board vacancy should be filled

January 5, 2016 (La Mesa) – At a packed meeting yesterday,  Helix Water Board members aired differing views on how to fill a vacancy left by the resignation last week of newly elected member Lu Tejeda. Tejeda cited conflicts of interest raised by his job with a contractor. 

The new board majority pushed to appoint Dan McMillan, whom Tejeda narrowly edged out by just 185 votes in the four-man race. Both ran on a platform of reigning in rising water rates. 

Director DeAna Verbecke dissented, calling for the district to accept applications and conduct interviews with all interested parties in an open meeting before making an appointment. 

By Liz Alper

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

January 4, 2017 (Reno) - After a loss that should've been a win on New Year's Day against New Mexico on the first day of conference play, the San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball team traveled to Reno to take on the Wolfpack of the University of Nevada.

East County News Service

January 4, 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.

• In response to hacking, Obama orders 35 Russian diplomats kicked out of US (CS Monitor)
• Donald Trump’s call for arms race boggles nuclear experts (NBC)
• New Congress prepares to undo Obamacare, weigh Trump personnel picks (Reuters)
• Trump marks deadly year in Chicago, hints at federal help (The Hill)
• To save books, librarians create fake ‘reader’ to check out titles (Orlando Sentinel)
• Portland, Oregon is taxing taxes on companies with CEOs making 100 times more than employee salaries—and giving the money to the homeless (Business Insider)
• Honda to recall about 650,000 Odyssey minivans in U.S. (Reuters)
• Federal judge halts Obamacare transgender, abortion-related protections nationwide (Buzzflash)
• Police ranks falter amid rise in line-of-duty deaths (CS Monitor)
• Should the Government Track Your Movements? (Reason)
• Actress Debbie Reynolds dies of a stroke, a day after daughter  (Reuters)

WORLD

• Refugees Encounter a Foreign Word: Welcome (New York Times)
• Russia and Turkey announced cease-fire deal in Syria (CS Monitor)
• At least 35 killed in New Year's attack on Istanbul nightclub (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Experts: North Korea’s claim on ICBM tests plausible (Voice of America)
• Blasts in Baghdad Kill at Least 28 at a Busy Market (NPR)
• Could it work? Russia, Turkey, Iran propose splitting Syria into 'zones of influence’ (CS Monitor)
• Report: Netanyahu to be investigated for bribery, fraud  (Times of Israel)

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

Story and photos by Liz Alper

January 4, 2017 (El Cajon) - In their second game back from winter break, the JV boys basketball Eagles of Granite Hills took the court against the other Eagles, the ones from Olympian High in Chula Vista in round one of the Wolfpack Shootout.

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

January 4, 2017 (San Diego) - A running program is giving some youth in detention not only a physical outlet for stress but also meditative time to refocus and readjust attitudes that landed them in trouble. It’s turned into both a goal and an accomplishment they never thought they could attain – and an important component of their efforts to get their lives on the right track.

By Miriam Raftery

January 4, 2016 (Washington D.C.) – The new Republican-led House of Representatives has passed a resolution to impose fines on members who stage protests on the House Floor.

East County News Service

January 4, 2017 (El Cajon) - The Native American Student Alliance at Cuyamaca College will host its 3rd Annual Powwow on Saturday, February 4^th from  10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. in front of the Communication Arts complex (Building B).