By Miriam Raftery

May 13, 2015 (San Diego) – UT San Diego, our region’s largest daily newspaper, has announced an agreement to sell to Chicago-based Tribune Publishing. The fourth largest newspaper chain in America, Tribune Publishing owns the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, and other major newspapers.  The $85 million deal would end local ownership of the 146-year-old newspaper and the controversial reign of developer Doug Manchester as publisher, opening the door to a potential shift toward higher journalistic standards.

East County News Service

March 11, 2015 (Jamul)--Approximately 200 protesters held a “flash mob” demonstration in Jamul Saturday, wearing red as they voiced their continuing opposition to a casino under construction at the Jamul Indian Village.

Excavation is completed at the project, site of a planned Hollywood-themed casino in conjunction with Penn National Gaming.

Projected to open in mid-2016, the casino is expected to include a three-story gaming and entertainment facility of approximately 200,000 square feet with gaming, restaurants, bars, and parking.  The tribe estimates the project will create an estimated 2,500 construction and permanent jobs in the area.

By Miriam Raftery

November 18, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – UT San Diego has published a list of nine danger zones for explosives still lurking beneath the ground at former military sites.  It may surprise you to learn that seven of those are in East County and all nine are in inland areas.

October 25, 2012  --  (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

• Scout files show abuse in county (U-T San Diego)
• La Mesa ready to allow beer and wine-making (U-T San Diego)
• U.S. to study cancer risk near San Onofre nuclear plant (KPBS)
• Appeals court deals another blow to sprawling Fanita Ranch project (Santee Patch)
• DeMaio once attacked tax hike he now champions (Voice of San Diego)
• U-T San Diego publishes questionable poll in mayoral race (LGTB Times/Free Press)
• California woman survives car bombing, husband’s double life (ABC)
• Another DeMaio scandal: U.S. attorney Laura Duffy (LGTB Weekly)
• San Vicente Dam reaches full height (FoxCT)

STATE

• California has lowered number of uninsured children (Sacramento Bee)
• Jerry Brown accuses anti-tax group of illegal money laundering (Sacramento Bee)
• Medical pot growers ravage state forest habitat (Sacramento Bee)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.