Many major events closed or cancelled across our state and region

By Miriam Raftery

March 13, 2020 (San Diego) – In response to the fast-spreading COVID-19 outbreak, effective immediately, the state of California and San Diego County have ordered that from today through March 31^st: Violators are subject to fines or imprisonment.

• all gatherings of over 250 people be cancelled or postponed, including concerts, conferences, and sporting events;
• Smaller events of 10 may be held only if social distancing space of 6 feet between people can be provided;
• Gatherings of people at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should be limited to no more than 10 people, while following social distancing guidelines. This includes gatherings at retirement facilities, assisted living facilities, developmental homes and support groups for people with health conditions.
• Visitors should be restricted at medical facilities with people at high risk of COVID-19 complications, such as nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and hospitals providing acute in-patient care.

The ban on gatherings generally does not apply to workplaces, shopping malls, grocery stores, or emergency shelters such as those for the homeless.

View:  Governor Gavin Newsom’s message, Calif. Dept. of Public Health directive,  County press release, County health office order,  World Health Organization director’s statement on pandemic

February 19, 2020 (San Diego) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media.  This week's round-up stories include:  

LOCAL

• Two ballot measures will decide future of rural county lands (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Nearly every San Diego County school district may be spending more than it can afford (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• ICE subpoenas San Diego Sheriff's Dept. for migrant arrest data (10 News)
• A run-down shopping center in Spring Valley’s new housing project (KUSI)
• HUD Secretary Carson cites San Diego as good example of cutting regulations, helping homeless in local visit (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Tribal regulators seize nearly 60 pounds of black market cannabis at Santa Ysabel (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• CDC mistakenly removes San Diego’s first positive coronavirus case from hospital  (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Young burrowing owls get a shot at survival in San Diego (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Vargas Running For Re-Election To Congressional Seat Against Familiar Foe (KPBS)

STATE

• Get in line now. California’s DMV is really, really behind in issuing Real IDs  (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• California loosens its individual mandate for health insurance (Los Angeles Times)
• California could crack down on illegal marijuana landlords, advertisers under proposed law (Sacramento Bee)
• California takes a first step toward improving its failing county jails (Sacramento Bee)
• From horse handlers to tutors, California gig law AB5 frustrates contractors (San Francisco Chronicle)
• California’s Lone March Ballot Measure: A $15 Billion School Bond With A Confusing Name  (Capital Public Radio)
• California's primary looms large — just like state officials had hoped (Politico)

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

Annual report outlines strategic review of threats posed by drugs and drug traffickers

Source: Drug Enforcement Agency

February 3, 2020 (San Diego) -- Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon has announced publication of the 2019 National Drug Threat Assessment, which outlines threats posed to the United States by domestic and international drug trafficking and by abuse of illicit drugs.

“This year’s report illustrates a shifting drug landscape in the United States,” said Acting Administrator Dhillon. “We’re pleased that in 2018, drug overdose deaths declined over four percent overall, with even greater decreases – over 13 percent – in overdoses from controlled prescription opioids. Many challenges remain, however, including the spread of fentanyl and methamphetamine across the country. DEA and its partners will continue to work diligently to combat the drug trafficking organizations that bring these deadly substances into our country and endanger the American people.”

“Unlike other cities, San Diego faces unique challenges by being on the U.S.-Mexico border,” said San Diego Special Agent in Charge John W. Callery. “In 2018, the DEA San Diego seized record amounts of methamphetamine and deadly fentanyl. While our battle with the Mexican drug cartels persists, our agents are more committed than ever to stemming the flow of these deadly drugs entering our community and effecting the lives of our friends and families.”

By Miriam Raftery

January 28, 2020 (San Diego) – A traveler to San Diego who recently visited China may have contracted a new coronavirus tied to a global outbreak of respiratory illness. County health officials have sent a sample to the Centers for Disease Control for testing.

Today the Centers for Disease Control issued a travel advisory urging travelers to cancel all non-essential travel to anywhere In China, where 25 to 50 million people are now quarantined in multiple cities.  The CDC broadened its warning, which formerly only applied to the Wuhan province where the disease was first identified in December.

Screenings of airline passengers from China are also being expanded to 20 airports with quarantine facilities. 

Hong Kong has announced it will stop issueing permits to travelers from mainland China. Inside China, transportation out of impacted cities is shut down, leaving some Americans stranded  Yahoo News reports.

January 16, 2020 (San Diego) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media.  This week's round-up stories include:  

LOCAL

• Judge orders attorney access for migrants who fear Remain in Mexico return  (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Advocates call on the city to increase funding for pedestrian and bicycle safety (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Campa-Najjar leads in latest 50th District poll; Issa, DeMaio close behind (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• El Cajon’s rich history dates to Gold Rush days (10 News)
• Trump Fans Aim to Buy San Diego’s One America News Network, WSJ Says (Times of San Diego)
• San Diego student named among those killed in Iran plane crash (10 News)

STATE

• California could be first state to sell prescription drugs (10 News)
• California drivers aren’t paying traffic fines. Here’s what Gov. Newsom plans to do (Sacramento Bee)
• From housing to health care: Here’s what’s in Gavin Newsom’s $222 billion California state budget (Sacramento Bee)
• Joe Biden says he’d consider Kamala Harris ‘for anything’ she wants, including VP (Sacramento Bee)
• Elementary school kids doused as jet dumps fuel before LAX emergency landing (Los Angeles Times)

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

January 9, 2020 (San Diego) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media.  This week's round-up stories include:  

LOCAL

• San Diego military bases tighten security amid rising tensions with Iran (10 News)
• Grossmont Union Still Expels Black Students Far More Often Than Other Local Schools (Voice of San Diego)
• Helix Water District board approves fee hikes, other changes  (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• El Cajon looking into a public relations campaign (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Rehab and renovation coming for more than 60 streets in Lemon Grove  (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Generator believed to have sparked fire at South San Diego home (10 News)
• Federal authorities arrest 6 protesters, including doctors, outside Border Patrol building in Eastlake (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Ramona marijuana dispensary hit by burglars, owner pegs loss at $300K (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Campa-Najjar, DeMaio, Issa confirm for 50th District forum (Valley Roadrunner)
• Suspect in 2006 La Mesa Cold Case Sword Killing Sentenced (NBC 7)

STATE

• California vaping bill would ban all flavored tobacco sales in stores (Los Angeles Times)
• California finds widespread water contamination of 'forever chemicals' (Los Angeles Times)
• California’s consumer privacy law is coming. Here’s how to exercise your rights (San Francisco Chronicle)
• Freelance Journalists Sue California Ahead of Gig Worker Law (Hollywood Reporter)
• New California law redefines who gets employment benefits. The lawsuits are just starting (Sacramento Bee)
• Uber, Postmates sue to challenge California’s new labor law (AP)

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

By Miriam Raftery

December 26, 2019 (San Diego) – Supervisor Jim Desmond has withdrawn his proposal to amend the Save Our San Diego Countryside (SOS) initiative language on the March 2020 ballot county-wide. The decision was announced at the Dec. 10 County Board of Supervisors meetings.

Supervisor Desmond’s proposed amendments closely reflected arguments of the “No on SOS” campaign, which is funded primarily by the Building Industry Association, an advocacy organization for the building industry—arguments that opponents have characterized as misleading.

November 26, 2019 (San Diego) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media.  This week's round-up stories include:  

LOCAL

• Padre Dam board members vote to give themselves pay raises (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Lemon Grove School Board appoints its fifth member (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• 3 firefighters suffer minor injuries while battling house fire in Julian (Fox 5)
• San Diego's tourism also attracts the sex trade, pop-up brothels (10 News)
• 5 dead, including 3 children, in Paradise Hills shooting (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Teen uses remote-controlled car to smuggle meth: Border Patrol (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Navy wants to eject Chief Eddie Gallagher, who was cleared by Trump, from SEALS (KUSI)

STATE

• California attorney general sues Juul, alleging vape ads reached youths (Sacramento Bee)
• California Supreme Court rejects law requiring Trump to release tax returns to get on ballot   (Fox News)
• Biden, Warren absence at California gathering irks top Dems (Associated Press)

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

October 17, 2019 (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

• Border Battles Over Wireless Service (NBC 7)
• La Mesa plans to put housing at old police station site (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Members of Kurdish community protest in front of courthouse (Fox 5)
• Innocent Man Freed From San Diego Prison After 33 Years (NBC 7)
• Borrego Springs Resort Golf Course closed (Borrego Sun)
• Allegations of child abuse at Alpine day care center being investigated (NBC 7)

STATE

• PG&E should compensate customers for power shutoffs, California governor says (10 News)
• Deadly Los Angeles wildfire began near base of electrical tower, company and fire officials say (Reuters)
  
  California to end its use of private, for-profit prisons (NBC 7)
• Californians will be banned from smoking at state parks and beaches under new law  (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• California Governor Attacks PG&E for Blackout Caused by ‘Greed and Neglect’ (Yahoo Finance)
• Pollock Pines Family Says Man Died When Oxygen Tank Lost Power during PG&E Shut-Off   (Fox)
• Wind damaged dozens of pieces of PG&E equipment San Francisco Chronicle)
• Northern California blackouts may mean mobile outages (Washington Post)
• PG&E shut-off: Your food is spoiled, business shut down — can you file a claim with the utility? (San Francisco Chronicle)

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

By Miriam Raftery

Videos by Henri Migala

October 11, 2019 (San Diego) – Speaking to a crowd of some 8,500 at San Diego’s Waterfront Park on October 3, Democratic presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren called  upon Americans to “dream big, fight hard, and win.” She laid out plans to rebuild America’s middle class by ending government corruption and corporate influence in Washington, making structural changes to increase the power of working people, and protecting our democracy.

Warren is polling in the top two among all major national polls taken recently, with some placing her above former Vice President Joe Biden, and others putting her in second place. Those polls were taken before the announcement that Senator Bernie Sanders had a heart attack and has cut back some campaign activiites, a fact that could move some Sanders supporters with concerns over his health into the Warren camp. 

View our videos (four parts) for full coverage of her San Diego town hall, or scroll down for highlights.

Part 1: Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher endorses Warren, who talks about her background:

Part 2: Warren talks about why she is running, the need to reduce corporate influence on government and increase power of working people   

Part 3:  Warren details her three big goals: stop corruption, make structural changes to the economy, and protect our democracy. She also takes audience questions

Part 4:  Warren fields final questions from audience members

By Miriam Raftery

October 2, 2019 (Washington D.C.) – A New York Times report based on interviews with a dozen White House officials describe disturbing statements by President Donald Trump last March, when he repeatedly pressed aides to take illegal actions toward migrants before ultimately ordering the border shut down. 

“Privately, the president had often talked about fortifying a border wall with a water-filled trench, stocked with snakes or alligators, prompting aides to seek a cost estimate. He wanted the wall electrified, with spikes on top that would pierce human flesh,” the Times reports. “After publicly suggesting that soldiers shoot migrants if they threw rocks, the president backed off when his staff told hm that was illegal But later in a meeting, aides recalled, he suggested that they shoot migrants in the legs to slow them down. That’s not allowed either, they told him.”

Trump attacked the Times report in a Tweet, calling it “fake news” and misspelling “moat” as “moot.”

CA Senator Brian Jones, also running, chides non-resident candidates for holding press conference in “wrong district”  

Video excerpt: Darrell Issa

Video excerpt: Carl DeMaio

by Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

September 26, 2019 (El Cajon) -- The weather in El Cajon Thursday morning was cloudy and drizzly in front of City Hall. But the political rhetoric was sweltering. In the race for San Diego’s 50th Congressional District, four Republican candidates for the seat bowed out and swung their support to former 49th District Congressman Darrell Issa.

Another candidate, former San Diego City Councilman and conservative radio host Carl DeMaio, held a rival press conference some 100 feet away to attack Issa. State Senator Brian Jones, who is also running, chose to remain above the fray by staying away.

By Miriam Raftery

September 20, 2019 (San Diego) – In addition to student climate action strikes taking place today across the nation,  East County will be hosting a climate action event at Lake Murray Community Park today at 3 p.m. to stand in solidarity with youth activists on this important issue.

Katie Eder, a 19-year-old climate justice activis, and the executive director of Future Coalition is a helping to coordination the coalition of youth-led organizations organizing and mobilizing today’s climate strike in over 500 U.S. cities and 100 nations.

“I’m proud to announce that the US Climate Strike youth coalition has finalized a set of bold demands,” she says.  “Too often, we think about solutions in a very small-minded way, inside the box, way. We don’t have time to stay in the box. We need to be more innovative with our solutions and ask for what we need, not what we think could be possible or has been possible in the past.”

Listen to our interview: click here.

By Miriam Raftery

September 18, 2019 (San Diego) -- Cory Briggs has a two decades-long record as an attorney challenging insider power brokers who’ve dominated city hall for decades. He’s been described by Times of San Diego as the “bane of downtown developers” and has filed numerous lawsuits successfully championing taxpayers, voters’ rights, the environment and government transparency. He’s also taught law--including professional ethics.

Now he’s running for San Diego City Attorney against incumbent Mara Elliott, promising to be a taxpayers’ advocate if elected.  In our interview originally aired on KNSJ radio, he criticizes Elliott for trying to gut California’s Public Records Act, backing “frivolous” suits thrown out of court, and mishandling allegations of child abuse at the San Diego Junior Theatre, among other issues.  Click the audio link to hear the full interview, and scroll down for highlights.