By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  Screenshot of Trump at rally in Aurora,Colorado Friday where he threatened violence and military retribution against his enemies in America

October 16, 2024 – Alarm bells are being sounded by former generals who served under Trump, who warn that his increasing threats of violence and retribution against political enemies and journalists are “fascist,”  as is his stated admiration for Adolf Hitler's generals.

Trump told Fox News this week that he would order the National Guard and “if really necessary, the military” to go after “enemies within” on American soil if he is reelected, ABC reports.

He has frequently used the “enemies within” description for his political opponents such as Rep. Adam Schiff, who led the impeachment hearing against Trump. Trump has repeatedly threatened retribution against his political enemies, including charging retired generals who have criticized him with treason.

In addition, he has threatened journalists and major news outlets, called for arrest by the military of anyone he deems “radical left lunatics,” aims to build camps to detain tens of millions of immigrants. He has also called for a “single day of violence” to curtail crime, said he would use force to quell protests against him if he wins the election and said Jews will be to blame if he loses.

In summary:  In their only TV face-off before Election Day, U.S. Senate contenders Steve Garvey and Adam Schiff  tussle over immigration and other issues.

By Yue Stella Yu, Cal Matters

View full debate

Photo: U.S. Senate candidates Adam Schiff, left, and Steve Garvey, right; screenshot via C-Span

October 14, 2024 (Glendale, CA) -- The sparks started flying between U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff and former L.A. Dodgers star Steve Garvey minutes into their only one-on-one debate on October 8, as both accused each other of failing Californians. 

In an hour-long televised forum this evening for the U.S. Senate seat — held by Dianne Feinstein until her death last year — the two traded verbal jabs and clashed over a range of issues, including reproductive rights, gun control and immigration. 

Garvey, a Palm Desert Republican, portrayed Schiff as a “career politician” who has done little to serve California residents during his tenure. “This man hasn’t done anything over the last 24 years on any of these things that have given us any consistency in life,” Garvey said.

Schiff, a Burbank Democrat who has served in Congress since 2001, in turn depicted Garvey as a supporter of former President Donald Trump who has experience in professional sports, not politics. “While Mr. Garvey was signing baseballs for the last 37 years, I was seeing presidents of both parties and governors of both parties sign my bills into law,” Schiff said.

View video of full Lemon Grove mayoral candidate forum

Hear audio version aired on radio (edited slightly for length)

By Miriam Raftery

October 13, 2024 (Lemon Grove)—All three candidates for Lemon Grove mayor fielded questions on issues ranging from housing and homelessness to infrastructure, the business community, and the city’s sales tax measure during a forum moderated by East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery on Oct. 10.  The candidates are Mayor Racquel Vasquez, Councilmember Alysson Snow, and Councilmember Liana LeBaron.

Scroll down for highlights, or click the link above to view the complete one-hour forum.

By Miriam Raftery

October 8, 2024 (San Diego) – After winning the wildcard playoffs, the Padres have tied up the National League Division West  series, trouncing the Dodgers in a 10-2 victory last night at Dodger Stadium. The Padres became the first team in Major League history to slam six home runs in a post-season playoff game.

Game three takes place tonight at Petco Park in San Diego.

Celebration of Life set for October 26

October 7, 2024 (Santee) -- Bob Schulze, beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother, passed away peacefully in his sleep from a heart attack on August 30, 2024. Born June 23, 1966 in Huntington, Long Island, New York, Bob moved to California at the age of three, living in Garden Grove and spending most of his adult life in Santee.  

Bob proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1984 to 1987 and dedicated over 30 years to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, from which he recently retired. He was passionate about keeping his country safe and prosperous, serving both at home and abroad.

Bob’s true passions extended beyond his professional career. He was a gifted singer and actor, with a love for the stage and making people laugh. Bob was the co-founder of Off Broadway Live musical theater in Santee, where his larger-than-life personality, joy for entertaining, and bringing smiles to others was a gift he shared with all.

Read full transcript of Vice Presidential debate

View Video of Full Debate

By: Rachel Williams & Miriam Raftery

Vance refuses to pledge to certify election results in a future presidential election, even if all 50 governors submit certified results.

October 6, 2024 (New York City, NY) — Senator JD Vance and Governor Tim Walz maintained a tone of civility during Oct. 1’s demure debate at the CBS Broadcast Center’s historic studio 45 on October 1, a sharp contrast from the contentious presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Polls show a stalemate, with neither VP candidate a clear winner. 

By Miriam Raftery

October 2, 2024 (Spring Valley) – Audience members offered up in-depth questions for candidates in the 79^th Assembly District forum moderated by the League of Women Voters Monday night at the New Seasons Church in Spring Valley.

Educator LaShea Sharp-Collins,PhD and La Mesa Councilmember Colin Parent, both Democrats, agreed on some issues, such as protecting reproductive choice, but diverged on others, such as criminal justice reforms. Each touted their expertise in certain areas (Sharp-Collins on educations and equity issues, Parent on housing and transportation), their experiences preparing them for higher office, and their priorities if elected.

Northern spotted owl and other wildlife can suffer from secondary poisoning after eating a rodent that has been poisoned. 

Photo Credit: Tom Kogut

95% of mountain lions and 88% of birds of prey tested by Calif. Dept. of Fish and Game had exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides, which can be deadly to predators that consume poisoned rodents.

By Miriam Raftery

September 25, 2024 (Sacramento, CA) -- Gov. Gavin Newsom signed tighter rat poison restrictions into law today, expanding an existing moratorium to include all blood-thinning rat poisons, known as anticoagulant rodenticides. The Poison-Free Wildlife Act, or Assembly Bill 2552, offers the strongest protections in the country against these toxic rat poisons, which unintentionally harm and kill wildlife.

By Rachel Williams and Miriam Raftery

View video of full debate

Read transcript of debate

(Philadelphia, PA) -- In a fiery debate hosted by ABC on Sept. 11, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump clashed on issues ranging from foreign policy and climate change  to domestic issues including the economy, immigration and women’s health,  as well as protecting freedoms and preserving American democracy.

While Trump laid out a dark vision of a “failing nation” and pledges of mass deportations,  Harris focused on presenting a positive vision with several specific proposals to lift up middle class Americans and families. Harris slammed Trump’s handling of the COVID crisis, abortion, the January 6 capitol attack, and foreign policy, particularly his refusal to support Ukraine over Russia. Trump slammed the Biden-Harris record, particularly on inflation, immigration, and how the withdrawal from Afghanistan was handled.

The matchup pitted a seasoned prosecutor, ex-Senator and current Vice President against a former President, businessman, reality TV star and now, convicted felon. A split screen showed Harris largely poised as she methodically attacked Trump’s record,occasionally showing disbelief or laughter at his responses. Trump frequently scowled and fired back with criticisms of his own, occasional rambling off topic, and mocking barbs.

East County News Service

Photos via Padres on X

September 23, 2024 (San Diego) – The San Diego Padres  swept the Chicago White Sox over the weekend. Their 4-2 victory  Sunday keeps them vying for the wild card slot in the post-season playoffs, which the team could clinch as early as Tuesday.

The Padres will square off against the Dodgers Tuesday in a three-game series. The Dodgers are in first place, making the series critical.  If the Padres win at least one game, they will secure a wild card spot in the playoffs.  If they win all three games, they will move up to first place in the National League West with three more games to go--and a shot at snagging their first division championship in 18 years.

By Miriam Raftery

September 21, 2024 (San Diego) – San Diego County’s Sheriff’s department has been under scrutiny for years over its high rate of jail deaths. Despite numerous reforms implemented by Sheriff Kelly Martinez that have reduced the overall number of prisoner deaths, yet another shocking death has sparked a lawsuit against the County—this time, a diabetic man who pleaded for insulin, as did fellow inmates on his behalf. His empty insulin pump beeped for nearly 24 hours before the man was found dead in his jail cell.

Keith Galen Bach, 62, of Chula Vista died in San Diego’s Central Jail a year ago, on Sept. 28. He was arrested Sept. 25 on charges of vandalism and making criminal threats. He was hospitalized briefly due to diabetic-related illness before being jailed; at the time of his arrest he had informed staff he would run out of insulin the next day, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

East County News Service

September 20, 2024 (El Cajon) -- After nearly three decades of distinguished service with the El Cajon Police Department, Chief Michael Moulton has announced his retirement effective December 17.  Chief Moulton’s tenure spans over 29 years, beginning his career with the department in November 1995.

 He has served as the fifteenth Chief for the department, a milestone reflecting his long-standing role in the growth and evolution of the department. Chief Moulton has served in every division throughout his career. From starting in the Community Policing Unit to becoming a detective in the Gang Suppression Unit, Moulton’s contributions have been vast and varied. In September 2019, City Manager Graham Mitchell appointed Mike Moulton as the Chief of Police, positioning him to guide the department through some of its most challenging times, including the global pandemic and the civil unrest of 2020.

East County News Service

Photos: Bing Copilot Designer powered by DALL-E 3

September 18, 2024 (Sacramento) – California Governor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday signed two bills that constitute the nation’s toughest laws regulating deceptive AI videos targeting political candidates.

AB 2839 makes it illegal to make or publish deepfake videos in political ads or election communications within 120 days before an election or 90 days after. The law takes effect immediately. 

The second bill, AB 2655, requires online platforms such as social media sites to remove or label deceptive digital content related to elections during certain time periods, and to allow reporting of such content. . It also authorizes candidates, elected officials, elections officials, the Attorney General, and a district attorney or city attorney to seek injunctive relief against a large online platform for noncompliance.