January 30, 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.

• 75 below zero? Polar vortex yields deadly cold as thousands endure power cuts, travel issues mount in Midwest  (Accuweather)
• [Chicago’s} largest shelter breaks protocol, takes in 800 overnight (Chicago Sun Times)
• Mueller charges Stone, striking deep inside Trump’s inner circle (Wash. Post)
• 3 big takeaways from the Roger Stone indictment (VOX)
• Democrats Are About to Give Big Pharma the Big Tobacco Treatment (New Republic)
• Stripper-turned-pharma exec gave a doctor a lap dance to get him to prescribe drugs, officials say (Washington Post)
• FBI finds no motive in Las Vegas shooting, closes investigation (NPR)
• Shutdown blame stays on Trump, with his approval at a historic low (ABC)
• Fact Check : Trump Repeats Unfounded Arguments in New Appeal for a Border Wall (New York Times)

WORLD

• Murders in Mexico rise by a third in 2018 to new record (Reuters)
• Foreign troops to quit Afghanistan in 18 months under draft deal: Taliban officials (Reuters)
• Russia secretly offered North Korea a nuclear power plant, officials say (Washington Post)
• Nine bodies found after Brazil mining dam burst, count seen climbing (Reuters)
• Brazil has nearly 4,000 dams at high risk: minister (Reuters)
• Palestinian PM, government resign (Reuters)
• French ‘yellow vests’ march through Paris, keeping pressure on Macron (Reuters)
• Europe's patience with Iran wears thin, tiptoes toward Trump (Reuters)
• Russia acknowledges new missile but says it does not breach treaty (Reuters)
• Iran impatient to fight and destroy Israel: state-linked news site (Reuters)
• Modern China's birth rate falls to lowest ever (Reuters)

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

State law requires some businesses to post notices

Source:  California Department of Justice

January 30, 2019 (Sacramento) - During National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra reminds California businesses to post notices informing the public and trafficking victims of resources available to help combat slavery and human trafficking. Up-to-date digital copies of these notices are available for free on the Attorney General’s website.

East County News Service

January 30, 2019 (Spring Valley) - The Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the official Laurel and Hardy fan club, will meet on Saturday, February 23 at 6:30 p.m. at Williams Hall at Trinity Church in Spring Valley.

East County News Service

January 30, 2019 (San Diego) – San Diego-based Annex Brands, Inc., a worldwide licensee and franchisee of business services retail outlets, recently announced several promotions. Patrick Edd has been named CEO and will remain company president. Edd has been part of the company’s leadership team since 1991, starting as director of finance and administration.

By Brad Hadin

February 1, 2019 (San Diego) -- ASVAB, short for Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, is one of the most popular aptitude tests used in the United States. The ASVAB test is perfect for running a quick analysis of the candidate by measuring his strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately checking his potential for future success. ASVAB opens up a lot of opportunities for the student both in military and civilian career paths. You will certainly have a higher success rate after passing the ASVAB exam, whether you choose a military career, a vocational school, or a college.

Story by Liz Alper

Photos by Don De Mars

January 29, 2019 (El Cajon) - We’re back at the home of the Braves this week, but this time for a boys’ game.  The Braves are struggling a little bit at 9-12 overall (2-4 in league) coming into tonight’s game against the school a couple of blocks away from them, Granite Hills.  The Eagles aren’t doing so great either; they sported a .500 record in league play coming into tonight (3-3) but overall, were at 8-13.

East County News Service 

January 28, 2019 5:10 p.m. (Cuyamaca) -- A controlled burn in Rancho Cuyamaca State Park has jumped out of control, NBC 7 reports. Cal Fire has not confirmed this but the Cal Fire Twitter feed states that Cal Fire is assisting State Parks with this burn.

The burn began in the 13000 block of Highway 79 and is currently burning near I-8 east at Japatul Valley. 

East County News Service

Photo:  (from left to right) Steve Becvar, ALS; Paul Negulescu, Vertex; Keith Miller (wearing Santa hat), ALS; Peter Grootenhuis, Vertex.

Source: goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

January 28, 2019 (San Diego) - The San Diego State volleyball team has released the dates of its 2019 summer camps set to take place at Peterson Gym on the SDSU campus. Camp registration starts at $99 and camp dates run between July 11 - July 21.

East County News Service

January 28, 2019 (El Cajon) -- Love knows no timeline. For up to 75 couples looking to refresh their commitments to each other, Parkway Plaza regional shopping mall in El Cajon is celebrating love with a first-of-its-kind marriage vow renewal ceremony.  On Saturday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m., Center Court will be transformed into a chapel of love complete with flowers, music, champagne, cake and more. Up to 75 couples will join the Rev. Drummond Macomber, a non-denominational minister who is well-known for his community involvement.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

January 28, 2019 (San Diego) -- On Feb. 3, the Los Angeles Rams will face the New England Patriots in the 2019 Super Bowl LIII. Millions of Americans will get together to root against the Patriots — ahem, I mean, to watch the game! 

East County News Service

January 28, 2019 (San Diego) – The U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA) has announced a recall of thousands of cases of Fresh Peaches, Fresh Plums and Fresh Nectarines packed by Jac. Vandenberg Inc. The fruits were sold at major retailers in several states, including Costco in California.

Update January 27, 2019:  The body of a man identified by family as Thomas Castiglia has been found at the base of a cliff on El Cajon Mountain, the Sheriff's department confirmed today. An autopsy will determine the cause of death.

East County News Service

January 26, 2019 (Lakeside) – The Sheriff seeks public help to locate a missing hiker on El Cajon Mountain, known to locals as El Capitan, near Lakeside.  Thomas Mark Castiglia set out at 8:30 a.m. with a hiking group on a trail toward Lunch Rock, but around 10:40 a.m. he told other hikers that he was short of breath and would be hiking at a slower pace and advised them not to wait up for him.  As of 2:45 p.m., he had not returned from the trail head.

Castiglia, 50, is an experienced hiker with no known medical conditions. He is 5 ft. 6 inches tall, bald with hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing wearing a black sweater, black shorts, and green hat. He was carrying a green backpack and blue hiking poles.