April 3, 2014 (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

• San Diego’s playing with fire - Why the city can’t maintain enough emergency trucks (SD CityBeat)
• Critics worry railroad firm is off-track (UT San Diego)
• Helix Water District holding drought workshop (UT San Diego)
• La Mesa City Council (La Mesa Today)
• Arapostathis announces mayoral intention in La Mesa (UT-San Diego)
• Daughter to testify in high-profile California murder trial of Iraqi man
• The Scope Of San Diego's Gang Problem (KPBS)

STATE

• PG&E criminally charged in pipeline explosion (10 News)
• Leland Yee pulls out of Secretary of State’s race as pressures mount for him to leave Legislature (Sacramento Bee)
• The Story Of Calif. Senator's Arrest Reads Like Pulp Fiction (NPR)
• Ruling favors secret Gmail for officials (UT San Diego)
• Truckin': Salmon Take A Long, Strange Trip To The Pacific Ocean (NPR)
• California quake: why L.A. faces something worse than the 'Big One' (+video) (CS Monitor)
•  Storms give boost to dismal Sierra snowpack (Sacramento Bee)
• For Los Angeles, La Habra earthquake could offer hints about 'Big One' (+video) (CS Monitor)

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

By Miriam Raftery

March 24, 2014 (San Diego)—Mass school shootings have occurred around the nation—including tragedies locally at Santana and Granite Hills High Schools in East County, as well as at Carlsbad Elementary School and at Cleveland Elementary in San Diego. 

Now the San Diego Grand Jury has issued a report finding that not enough has been done to prevent future school shootings locally. The Grand Jury is calling for improving school security and says that low cost options need to be considered.

Public Service Announcement: San Diego County

March 13, 2014 (San Diego)--The County of San Diego needs your help in identifying potential storm water quality improvement projects.  Recently adopted regulations require that the County identify and pursue a variety of on-the-ground projects to improve regional storm water quality.  The first step in this process is to assess and locate potential projects that could be implemented.  

Project types that may be considered include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following categories:

• Stream or riparian area rehabilitation

• Retrofitting existing infrastructure (Green Streets, Low Impact Development, Treatment);

• Regional BMP’s (best management practices for stormwater treatment basins);
• Groundwater recharge projects (infiltration basins);

• Water supply augmentation projects (large cisterns); and

• Land purchases to preserve floodplain functions.

Project suggestions will be accepted until March 28, 2014.  Scroll down for details.

March 5, 2014 (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

• Storm far from a drought buster  (U-T San Diego)
• DUI victim wanted to make a difference (NBC)
• Floods force 3 families out of homes in San Carlos (NBC TV)
• Charter cities in SD County sue over prevailing wage law (UT San Diego)
• San Diego Open Government Ballot Measure Tabled By City Council (KPBS)
• Plan For San Diego Police To Wear Uniform Cameras Receives Support (KPBS)
• City’s plan to delete emails should be scrapped (UT San Diego)
• San Diego County wins round in battle with water district  (LA Times) 
• Document says Navy knew USS Reagan was dangerously contaminated by Fukushima (Common Dreams)
• Special Report: 'Teflon' Cop Avoided Serious Investigation for Years (Voice of San Diego)

STATE

• Jerry Brown signs drought relief package  (Sacramento Bee)
• California drought: Why state's big cities aren't in crisis mode (CS Monitor)
• Toni Atkins, the Assembly’s Speaker to be (Los Angeles Times)
  
   

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

February 19, 2014 (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

• Court overturns concealed-carry rule in blow to California gun law (Reuters)
• Grossmont school board discusses members’ rights (UT San Diego)
• Santee firearms trainer pleads guilty to molestation (Santee Patch)
• San Diego’s stormwater bill: $4 billion (UT San Diego)
• San Diego County Jail Changing Medical Model For Needs Of Long-Term Inmates (KPBS)

STATE

• State could lower gas tax by 10 percent  (UT San Diego)
• California Toasts 2013's Record Wine Grape Harvest (NPR)
• Green killing grounds (National Review)
• California Drought Could Bring Higher Electricity Costs (KPBS)
• Obama promises money for drought relief (Sacramento Bee)
• California Given 2 More Years To Reduce Prison Numbers (NPR)
• High poverty, few jobs, yet Democrats complacent (UT San Diego)
• Water meters gain grudging acceptance up north (U-T)

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

Photo: Proposed Chaparral County, shown in green

By Libby Belle

Why rural East County communities should secede from San Diego County

February 14, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – In more ways than I can count, San Diego Supervisors have shown disdain for the people of East County, the environment, and the character of our communities.  Supervisor Dianne Jacob is a notable exception, fighting to protect us from fire hazards and destructive energy projects. But time and time again, she’s outvoted by four Supervisors who don’t live in East County, and don’t care if they destroy what makes our region special.

So why should we continue to give them our tax dollars?

Let me list just a few of the ways that the County has abdicated its responsibilities to East County residents:

February 12, 2014 (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

• Low-tier utility rates to jump (U-T San Diego)
• With Faulconer, San Diego pivots back towards business as usual (Voice of San Diego)
• Another skirmish leaves Madrid spurned (La Mesa Today)
• Mayors accuse MWD of hoarding funds (U-T San Diego)
•  Helix Water District shares drought news (U-T San Diego)
• Motives of SDG&E project questioned  (U-T San Diego)

STATE

• The emptying of Northern California’s reservoirs (ECO Report)
• Nine Million Pounds of Beef from "Diseased and Unsound Animals" Recalled by California Company (L.A. Weekly)
• State’s median income up more than 3% (Sacramento Bee)
• California solitary confinement changes questioned at hearing (Sacramento Bee)

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

January 23, 2014 (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

• Predator crash grounds Border Patrol’s drone fleet (National Journal)
• Coastkeeper calls on County Water Authority to enact mandatory water conservation (San Diego Coastkeeper )
• Wildfires: San Diego’s ecological elephant in the room (SD Free Press)
• Border Patrol agent assaulted while patrolling the border (Alpine Sun)
• Dumanis won’t return more donations (UT San Diego)
• Friends remember man killed in hit and run (10 News)
• La Mesa Mayor wants to ban sale of e-cigarettes (La Mesa Today)
• . Downtown meters to run till 8 p.m. (UT San Diego)
• Claim: Former San Diego mayor Bob Filner offered to delay development to help Mexican millionaire (ABC 10 News)

STATE

• Teacher Job Protections Vs. Students' Education In Calif. (NPR)
•  Covered California: If this is a success story ... (UT San Diego)
• Proposed Bill Would Mean Ban On Plastic Bags In California (KPBS)

Scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories.

January 23, 2014 (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/REGIONAL

• Mayor's State Of The City Address 2014 (La Mesa Today)
• San Diego Sierra Club faces suspension (UT San Diego)
• Political corruption case grows (UT San Diego)
• MTS plans to cut bus service in Allied Gardens, Grantville, Del Cerro and SDSU (Mission Times Courier)
• 3-2 vote strips Madrid of SANDAG seat (La Mesa Today)
• Where the mayoral candidates stand on the big issues (Voice of San Diego)
• La Mesa's Park Station project gets a new look (La Mesa Courier)
• Should Sempra shareholders be worried? (UT San Diego)
• Google Glass user’s ticket dismissed (U-T San Diego)
• Former hospital exec claims overbilling (U-T San Diego)
• San Diego region’s water supplies remain adequate despite statewide drought (Scoop San Diego)
• New trolley route set to connect Mission Valley and University City (Mission Valley News)
• Chaldeans celebrate Pope’s acceptance (U-T San Diego)
• Renovations good signs for local casinos (U-T San Diego)

STATE

• Cal Fire Officials Set To Add More Personnel (KPBS)
• “They’re all gone” – shock as sardines vanish off California (Energy News)
• California governor declares drought emergency (Reuters)
• California School Districts Given New, More Flexible Spending Guidelines (KPBS)
• Brown's Budget Would Require Layoffs To California Courts, Chief Justice Says (KPBS)

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

January 7, 2014 (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/REGIONAL

• Ocotillo, CA – A Wind project without wind (Reviving Gaia)
• 2013 among driest years in decades  ( U-T San Diego)
• Not taking liberties with legislative session (U-T San Diego)
• New mobile app shows San Diego beach conditions and water quality (KPBS)

STATE

• Ruling allows unauthorized immigrants to practice law (U-T San Diego)
• New California Law Requires Doctor's Note For Vaccine Exemptions... But There's An Out (KPBS)

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

December 19, 2013 (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

• El Cajon gets $1.5 miliion in federal grants (UT San Diego)
• La Mesa faces $800,000 fine for 2010 sewer spill (La Mesa Patch)
• San Diego Water Authority enters high stakes water fight (KPBS)
• Dozens of sailors from USS Ronald Reagan suffering cancer after earthquake assistance in Japan (American Live Wire)
• Cal Trans clarifies Route  67 media barrier project, pros and cons (Ramona Patch)
• What’s Behind San Diego’s Gang Problem (Voice of San Diego)
• The gift of raptors (SD Reader)
• Judge: San Diego To Receive $77M In $1B Lead Paint Ruling (KPBS)
• SWA adds nonstops from SD to 4 more cities (UT San Diego)
• Claims against Filner total $4M (UT San Diego)
• San Diego Avocado Growers Brace For New Invasive Beetle (KPBS)
• Attempted rapist Anthony Washington ordered to stand trial (10 News)

STATE

• California health exchange struggling to enroll Latinos (LA Times)
• Brown calls for federal unemployment extension (Sacramento Bee)

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

December 4, 2013 (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

• License plate readers creating countywide database (CBS)
• Rural fire fee to increase  (UT San Diego)
• Mexican truck with radioactive load stolen (UT San Diego)
• A reader’s guide to San Diego hospital districts (Voice of San Diego)
• City helps sell sewer warranty without facts (UT San Diego)
• East African refguees find empathy, education in San Diego (Sacramento Bee)
• Arson under-reported in U.S. cities including San Diego (10 News)
• Borrego’s ‘dinosaur sculptor’ moving his base to Borrego (UT San Diego)
• Why the County Will Lose Half Its Health Funds (And Why It Might Not Matter) (Voice of San Diego)
• Taking names for term limits (La Mesa Courier)
• Former Filner aide seeks $1.5 million (UT San Diego)
• Neighbors sue city over huge ‘luxury’ housing project (La Mesa Courier)
• San Diego Council Approves 15 Percent Water Rate Hike (KPBS)
• Long-Term Water Facilities and Climate Action Plans released for public review  (SDCWA)\
• San Diego Transfers Low-Level Prisoners To Help Fight Wildfires (KPBS)
• Jail violence rises with shift from prison (UT San Diego)

STATE

• How an Egg-Centric Amendment Could Hurt San Diego Farmers (Voice of San Diego)
• Judge stops bullet train in its tracks (UT San Diego)

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

November 21, 2013 (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

• U.S. Border Patrol has ‘alarming’ alcohol problem, says inside memo and outside source (10 News)
• Another high speed crash at end of Route 125 reignites concerns (Santee Patch)
• 4 months after Chariot fire, historic al Bahr Shrine Camp still in ruins (10 News)
• To protect Mount Helix homes and drivers, slope repairs begin near Fuerte Drive (La Mesa Patch)
• What’s going to happen to San Onofre’s nuclear waste? (KPBS)
• New grant awarded for San Diego River trail through Santee (Santee Patch)
• Balboa Park introducing annual pass (UT San Diego)
• San Diego's economic recovery lags state, nation  (SD Reader, Don Bauder)
• El Cajon’s Bostonia Recreation Center gets rebuilt in a day after community input (EC Californian)
• Community Rallies For Hungry Students During Holidays (La Mesa Today)

STATE

• California’s fiscal analyst projects large surpluses (Sacramento Bee)
• California takes down 10 fake Obamacare websites (Reuters)
• CalPERS loses round in SB bankruptcy fight (Sacramento Bee)

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

November 14, 2013 (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

• Water use triples at East County project (UT San Diego)
• Related video: Tapping the water (UT San Diego)
• No restrictions in San Diego yet, despite another dry year (KPBS)
• Supreme Court rules in favor of La Mesa Police officer (La Mesa Patch)
• In San Diego, taxpayers want more than what they pay for (SD Free Press)
• Housing for sexual predator Badger to be determined by judge (KPBS). 
• Police use face scans in the field (UT San Diego)
• Man surfaces at San Diego church 34 years after abduction to Mexico (Reuters)
•  La Mesa City Council: Oktoberfest report calls for major changes (La Mesa Today)
• El Centro solar mega-project operational (UT San Diego)

STATE

• Homemade food vendors hail new law (UT San Diego)
• 20 top scientists urge CA gov. to stop fracking (SacBee)
• When Caregivers Are Abusers: Calif. Complaints Go Unanswered ( NPR)
• Calif.'s low community college fees face scrutiny (AP)

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

November 7, 2013 (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

• Manchester buys more San Diego newspapers (SD Reader)
• Supreme Court ruling a win for La Mesa cop (U-T San Diego)
• San Diego’s real poverty rate (Voice of San Diego)
• Santee looking to revamp near Gillespie Field (UT San Diego)
• Which City In San Diego County Is The Most Walkable? (KPBS)
•  SDSU buys 50 apartments for $26 million
• City ups commercial development fees (UT San Diego)
• Sempra earnings mixed (UT San Diego)
• San Diego County Supervisors Approve Plan To Streamline Adoption Process (KPBS)
• Burmese Refugees Making San Diego Home (KPBS)

STATE

• Deal delays Calif. insurance policy cancellations (Sacramento Bee)
• Feds renew threat to withhold Calif. school funds (SacBee)
• California tops alternate poverty measure (UT San Diego)
• Millions In Federal Funds Create Few Jobs For Veterans (KPBS)
• Calif. moves to coordinate work on water issues (SacBee)
• Effort to clone Muir's giant sequoia is successful (Sacramento Bee)
• Mosquitoes known to carry dengue, yellow fever seen in California (Reuters)
• 'Orange slime' used for fighting fires heats debate (Marketplace.org)
• Editorial: Government pension costs rise fast, even as municipalities shed employees (SacBee)

For excerpts and links to full stories, scroll down.