By Miriam Raftery

July 28, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – John McCain, an 80-year-old war hero and former prisoner of war who recently underwent brain cancer surgery, has had more than his share of serious health conditions in his lifetime. 

Late last night, the Arizona maverick cast the deciding vote to kill the Senate’s latest and likely final effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act—standing up and giving a visual thumbs down to the so-called “skinny repeal” bill with no replacement plan. 

Country threatens to take away all funds and a fire/paramedic engine if district board refuses County’s offer

East County News Service

July 27, 2017 (Julian) -- On Thursday, July 27 at 6:30 pm, at the Julian Fire Station (3407 Highway 79 in Julian), the San Diego County Fire Authority will make its final presentation to try to convince the community to dissolve its volunteer fire department and be accepted under the Fire Authority. 

The meeting will begin with a professional video mad for  the Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District (JCFPD),  followed by a Powerpoint presentation by County Fire Chief Tony Mecham. The audience will be able to ask questions and express concerns.

The County is proposing that, at a cost of $1.5 million, it will provide a staff of three professional firefighters 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. But if the JCFPD refuses the offer, the County will withdraw all financial support that it has been giving for 30 years, including a paramedic/engine placed at CalFire almost 2 years ago.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Congressman Scott Peters

July 27, 2017 (San Diego) – President Donald Trump’s tweets yesterday stating that he is reinstating a ban on transgender people in the U.S. military do not have the force of law.

Now, the Chairman of the Joint Chief’s of Staff says the military won’t take action until Trump sends directives to the Pentagon. In addition, San Diego Congressman Scott Peters has proposed an amendment to a major defense appropriations bill that would block discrimination against transgender people in the military--and even many staunch conservatives are voicing support for transgender troops.

By Jordan Damond

Miriam Raftery also contributed to this report

Photo:  Former Seal Team Six hero Kristin Beck, who transitioned to become a transgender woman after her military service, as challenged President Trump, stating, “I was defending individual liberty.”

July 27, 2017 (San Diego) -- On Twitter yesterday President Donald Trump announced that he was reinstating a ban prohibiting transgender personnel from working in any capacity in the U.S. armed forces. This was the reversal of a policy that Barack Obama implemented, which allowed transgenders to serve openly and gave the Defense Department until July 1, 2017 to craft plans for full implementation, a deadline Trump’s administration delayed before the President’s announcement today of cancelling the Obama policy.

New U.S. airport screening procedures for carry-on bags to better focus on threats

East County News Service

July 26, 2017 (Washington D.C.)-- To ensure the security of airline passengers and the nation’s airports, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is implementing new, stronger screening procedures for carry-on items that require travelers to place all electronics larger than a cell phone in bins for X-ray screening in standard lanes. Following extensive testing and successful pilots at 10 airports, TSA plans to expand these measures to all U.S. airports during the weeks and months ahead. Below are details from a TSA press release issued today:

East County News Service

July 25, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- H. Dail Rankin succumbed to a heart attack on June 14, 2017 after a lengthy battle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and complications caused by chemotherapy.  Born January 24,1944, he attended local schools and became known to many in East County through the years as an Allstate Insurance agent, a Standard Brands Paints manager, and the organizer of multi-class reunions for Lincoln High School.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: UK Independent Twitter feed

July 24, 2017 (Raqqa, Syria) -- Women in Raqqa, Syria are burning their burqas and men are shaving off their beards in celebration of being liberated from the Islamic State, or ISIS, by U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish fighting group. British media reports photos and interviews of joyful, freed Syrians who had been forced to endure ISIS occupation of their city.

Update July 23, 2017 8 p.m.-- The fire is 40% contained and has burned 255 acres. The evacuation advisory for Chihuahua Valley Road has been lifted as firefighters make good progress on this fire.

Update July 23, 2017, 8:20 a.m. (Warner Springs) -- With better mapping the fire is now estimated at 210 acres. Cleveland National Forest and CAL FIRE are fighting it in a joint command.  Hiikers are urge to avoid the Pacific Crest trail in the area. An evacuation advisory is in effect for Chihuahua Valley Road.

East County News Service

July 22, 2017 (Warner Springs) -- A 300-acre wildfire dubbed the #LostFire is burning four miles north of Warner Springs and is zero percent contained ths evening, according to County Emergency Services and CAL FIRE.

The blaze began at the Indian Flats Campground off State Route 79.  Indian Flats campground has been evacuated. Hwy 79 closed at Indian Flats Rd., Chihuahua Valley Rd. and Puerta LaCruz Rd

By Miriam Raftery

July 20, 2017 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon Police Officers Association has set up a Go fund me page (https://www.gofundme.com/ieshafund ) for Iesha Booker, a homeless mother of seven who came to the aid of Officer Sioson after he was knocked unconscious by a suspect who continued to assault him, causing serious injuries.

The 34-year-old MTS bus driver, was at the KFC in El Cajon when the assault occurred.  “When everyone else at the KFC stood around shocked, Lesha quickly stepped in, using Officer Sioson’s police radio to transmit `Officer Down at the KFC!’   It was that transmission which allowed us to expedite help to Officer Sioson, quickly arrest the suspect,” says Travis Howard, president of the El Cajon Police Officers Association.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: Award-winning  journalists Rachel Williams, Rebecca Jefferis-Williamson, Jonathan Goetz, Miriam Raftery

July 20, 2017  (San Diego) – The Society of Professional Journalists San Diego Pro Chapter last night present four awards to East County Magazine at last night's awards banquet held at the Kona Kai resort, bringing ECM’s awards total to 101 since our inception in 2008. 

This year’s awards for our team, shared among five photojournalists, honored coverage of Border Fire controversies, the shooting of Alfred Olango and ensuing civil unrest in El Cajon, Syrian refugees, and ourradio broadcast of the Helix Water District candidate forum.

East County Magazine

July 19, 2017 (Campo-Lake Morena) – The Campo Lake Morena Planning Group has announced a new vacancy on the board.  (See details, left, on how to apply and get application at www.sandiegocounty.gov/pds/communitygroups.html.)

The agenda for the July 24 meeting includes voting on filling an earlier vacancy.  Other agenda items include an update on Backcountry Land Trust negotiations to acquire Star Ranch,  a proposed agricultural clearing permit for property on Buckman Springs Road, and subcommittee reports on topics ranging from groundwater issues to traffic and public safety.

View full agenda below:

East County News Service

July 19, 2017 (San Diego) — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors this week unanimously approved more than a million dollars to equip Sheriff's Deputies with body-worn cameras.

The Sheriff's Department will officially roll out its body-worn camera program next month at the Alpine Sheriff's Station and Ramona Sheriff's Substation. From there, deputies countywide will receive the cameras within four to five months.

By Miriam Raftery

July 18, 2017 (San Diego) – Ten homeless San Diegans have filed a class action against the city of San Diego, challenging citations targeting the homeless as unconstitutional.

Homelessness in the city spiked 10% over the past year, according to the January 2017 Point in Time homeless count. Most of those—5,612—were unsheltered. There are not enough beds and local shelters have long waits. San Diego is also the fourth least affordable city in the nation for housing, making the situation even more bleak for homeless people here.

By Miriam Raftery

July 18, 2017 (La Mesa) -- Not long ago, La Mesa overturned a Prohibition-Era ban on wine making. Now LegalizeFerrets.org, a La Mesa-based group that claims to have 3,000 members, is  asking La Mesa’s City Council to end another long-time ban by declaring  sanctuary city status for pet ferrets.

Who knew that La Mesa was a hotbed of underground ferret activity?  

Now, furtive ferret owners may have found a champion in Councilwoman Kristine Alessio, who raises Bengal cats, has served as Legislative Director for The International Cat Association and as a volunteer for the City's Pet Therapy Program.

By Chris Jennewein

Originally published in Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Network

July 15, 2017 (San Diego)--The housing crisis is San Diego County is worsening, with only four smaller cities experiencing enough home building to shelter their growing populations.

That was the conclusion of a tough new report by the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and Greater San Diego Association of Realtors, who warned that the region as a whole is building only 50 percent of the homes needed, and very little affordable on a low to moderate income.

The “housing scorecard” released Thursday found that lack of affordable housing is driving seniors and families out of the state and hurting the San Diego economy.