From the Editors of E - The Environmental Magazine

Photo: Smoke waves can radiate out for hundreds of miles from wildfires, spreading particulate matter and causing health problems for millions of Americans who think they are safe and far from the fire lines. Credit: Dave Thomas, Flickr CC.

September 2, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- Dear EarthTalk: What are “smoke waves” from wildfires and how can they be hazardous for our health? -- Doug Jenkins, Big Sandy, TX

East County News Service

September 2, 2016 (San Carlos) -- Beginning this fall, the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute will open its doors in San Carlos.

Rabbi Rafi Andrusier has taught hundreds of Jewish classes since he first moved to San Diego in 2012, but now he’s taking it to a whole new level. This summer, Rabbi Rafi traveled to New York to attend a series of inaugural training seminars in advance of the upcoming launch of the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) in the eastern San Diego region.

In partnership with the San Diego Blood Bank

East County News Service

September 2, 2016 (Alpine) --The San Diego Blood Bank will accept blood donations at Viejas Casino on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 from 10 a.m. ‑  3 p.m.  The drive will be held at:

East County News Service

September 2, 2016 (Santee) - Come celebrate local women in business and leadership at Santee Lakes' Ladies at the Lake Women's Expo.

Prominent Latinos drop support of Trump after speech;

Illegal immigration at lowest level since 1972;

Fact checkers find many false statements in Trump’s speech.

By Miriam Raftery; Photo by Gage Skidmore

September 1,2016 (San Diego) – Just hours after returning from meeting Mexico’s president, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump delivered a fiery speech in Arizona in which he stereotyped Mexicans as rapists and murderers, called for a revival of an “Operation Wetback” deportation program similar to a widely criticized program under the Eisenhower administration, but  tougher.  

He announced plans to cancel President Obama’s actions to protect people brought here as children and parents of U.S. citizens.  He made clear that his goal is to ultimately deport every undocumented immigration in the U.S.  “Anyone who has entered the United States illegally is subject to deportation,”Trump stated. “Our message to the world will be this: You cannot obtain legal status,or become a citizen of the United States, by illegally entering our country. Can’t do it.”

As for undocumented immigrants already living in the U.S., his words are striking fear. “They have to go back."

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Ozzie Monge

September 1,2016 (San Diego’s East County) –  Native Americans held a protest Wednesday outside theNavy’s new SEAL training center on Coronado over desecration of  an area  where  ancient Indian remains were found. 

The 12 tribes of the Kumeyaay Nation have asked the Navy to move the construction boundary to preserve the site where tribal members believe more remains are likely located, but so far the Navy has refused. 

“To us, the sight of those machines brutally ripping our ancestors from the ground is no different than it would be for those very same Navy personnel to watch bulldozers rip through Arlington National Cemetery, scattering the bodies of fallen soldiers carelessly under the metal treads,” Cynthia Parada, Councilwoman of the La Posta Band of Mission Indians, wrote on a Facebook page for the Save Our Ancestors from Desecration event.

Update: The fire is holding to 10 acres, Cal Fire reports. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left, by Troy

September 1, 2016 (Lyons Valley) –Multiple structures on Skyline Truck Trail in the Lyons Valley area of Jamul are now immediately threatened by a fast-moving brush fire.

The fire began shortly before noon at 3046 Lyons Creek Lane. The fire is threatening multiple structures and currently burning behind the Lyons Valley Trading Post, burning northward.  The fire is 5 to 10 acres with potential for 50 to 100 acres.

CHP has requested closure of Skyline Truck Trail at Lyons Valley and at Lawson Valley.  Vehicles are being turned back to State Route 94.

By Liz Alper

Photo courtesy @Padres on Twitter

September 1, 2016 (Atlanta) - The Padres hoped to start September on a much better note than they ended August. Jarred Cosart started the first game of the month against Mike Foltynewicz for Atlanta.

East County News Service

September 1, 2016 (El Cajon) -  Dr. Naga Raja Thota has been arrested at his office on Navajo Road in El Cajon by the San Diego Drug Enforcement Administration. A pain specialist and anesthesiologist, Dr. Thota is accused of trading prescriptions for opioid narcotic painkillers for sexual acts with multiple women, prosecutors allege.

AB 1708 would implement statutory reforms and increase penalties for purchasers of sex

East County News Service

September 1, 2016 (Sacramento) - Human trafficking legislation by California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) that would create minimum penalties for those attempting to purchase sex was approved by the Assembly today on a unanimous 63-0 vote. It will now be submitted to the Governor.

East County News Service

September 1, 2016 (El Cajon) - The Cuyamaca College Fall Concert Series kicks off in September with two performances, one featuring classic music and the other showcasing a jazz combo.

East County News Service

August 31, 2016 (La Mesa) - The Grossmont Symphony Orchestra and Grossmont Master Chorale, under the direction of Randall Tweed, opens its fall season with a 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, performance at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church at 8175 Lemon Grove Way in Lemon Grove, and a 2 p.m. performance Sunday, Sept. 18 at All Saints Episcopal Church, 625 Pennsylvania Ave. in San Diego.

Conservation groups call on the state of California to use new agreement as a launching point for on-the-ground projects

Source: Audobon Society press release

August 31, 2016 (Salton Sea) -- A coalition of conservation groups– Defenders of Wildlife, Audubon California, the Pacific Institute and Sierra Club -- today called on the State of California to use a new agreement with the Federal Government on the Salton Sea as a launching point for a renewed effort to get much-needed conservation projects started on the ground.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

August 30, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- There’s nothing wrong with being defensive, and providing some space!  Firefighting resources can get stretched thin this time of year as multiple brush fires break out. It’s important that homeowners do their part to mitigate the threat of wildfire by creating defensible space around their homes. .