LAKESIDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOUNDER, 101, HONORED BY CONGRESS OF HISTORY AWARD
Printer-friendly version East County News Service April 7, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – We wanted to share with you that Edna Swink Kouns, Class of 1932, received the Congress of History Ben Dixon Award in February 2016 for her preservation efforts in her hometown of Lakeside. Edna’s acceptance speech emphasized and encouraged the importance of volunteering in your community,” the Grossmont High School Museum reports. “Edna has a lifetime passion for history, shown by her founding role in 1972 in the Lakeside Historical Society and is a driving force in its efforts to preserve, display, and celebrate the community’s history. Edna at the age of 101 continues to volunteer weekly!” Photo shows Kouns holding her 1932 El Recuerdo to the page with her senior photo on it from the interview, which is the basis of a DVD about her that is currently being created. “Edna will celebrate her 102 birthday this spring!” the GHS Alumni Museum newsletter states, adding, “We welcome donations to fund this DVD.” For more information visit the GHS Alumni Museum Facebook Page: Join the conversation about all things Grossmont at https://www.facebook.com/GHSFoothillerAlumni. For other Grossmont news, you can go to http://www.foothillermuseum.com/museum-news.html You can also email ghsmuseum@guhsd.net. Printer-friendly version
LAVENDER FARM PRESENTS MORE ENGLISH HIGH TEAS
Printer-friendly version By Liz Alper April 7, 2016 (Valley Center) – The Keys Creek Lavender Farm will be hosting their first English teas of the season. Their first two will be this Friday and Saturday, April 8th and 9th and next Friday and Saturday, April 15th and 16th. The store opens at 1:00 p.m. and seating begins at 2:00 p.m. Pricing is $48.50 for adults and $22.50 for children 10 and under. Catered by Lavender Farm’s preferred vendor and her friendly staff, their English High Teas have become quite a tradition on the Farm. Served by courses and plated to their guests at their tables, their menu and teas are absolutely delicious and beautifully presented. A variety of fresh roses complete the gorgeous presentation. If you are part of a group that would like to be seated together, please include that information in the note section of your reservation. Spring 2016 Tea Menu Lemon Lavender Scones Jam & Devonshire Cream Finger Sandwiches; -tarragon egg salad -Chicken Provence -Traditional Cucumber with mint Butter Tea Sweets; -Rose lavender shortbread flowers – Fresh Lemon Blueberry Bites -Chocolate Raspberry Cakelets -Apricot Gems Farmers market fresh fruit Served with Iced water & Hot Teas : Traditional English Breakfast, Peach Berry Tisane and Keys Creek Lavender Tea. If you are part of a group that would like to be seated together, please include that information in the note section of your reservation. This is a catered, private event and any last minute changes cannot be accommodated. Reservations are non-refundable due to catering purposes. Registration closes on Wednesday before the weekend of each High Tea. Printer-friendly version
NEW FOUR-STAR HOTEL COMING SOON TO EL CAJON
Printer-friendly version Story and photos by Robert Gehr April 7, 2016 (El Cajon) — El Cajon has something new on the horizon. It’s a Courtyard by Marriott luxury style hotel, which is scheduled to be opening soon and will accommodate visitors choosing East County for our region’s many attractions. The location is 141 N. Magnolia Ave. on the corner of Rea Ave. near the El Cajon Police station. Participating in the groundbreaking on April 5th were El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, City Council members, City Manager Douglas Williford, Suresh and Neil Patel from Excel Hotel Group, Scott McAllister from the Marriott corporation, and other dignitaries. This corner was formerly occupied by a Union Bank. After it closed its doors many years ago, a number of other businesses have come and gone, none seemed to stay for long. The place has remained mostly vacant, yet changes are happening here in this city – welcome changes which continue to improve El Cajon in many ways. A breath of new life is being given to the area. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes to be re-born, El Cajon is fast becoming the new shining jewel of East County; this Courtyard by Marriott enhances that sparkle and determination by city leaders for everyone to admire and be proud of. Over the years the city of El Cajon and its leaders have brought many welcome changes to East County, and although a few businesses have left to relocate elsewhere, more new ones have appeared and are prospering. El Cajon aspires to be a destination for tourists and business members alike, a central location minutes from beautiful mountains, cool inviting beaches and many other local attractions as well. This new four-story hotel will feature many amenities such as: a swimming pool & spa, inside and outside dining, a banquet room, business center, and much more. Additionally there will be commercial space for rent on the first floor as well. The facility is scheduled to open next year in 2017 at an estimated cost of around $18 million. Printer-friendly version
EL CAJON PUBLIC HEARING FOR NEW GROSSMONT ELECTION SYSTEM HAS SPEAKERS MOSTLY IN FAVOR
Printer-friendly version By Janis Russell April 7, 2016 (El Cajon) – At the El Cajon public hearing held March 28, many speakers expressed their support for the new election system for the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD). The hearing was the second in a series of six public meetings convened by the County Office of Education Committee on School District Organization regarding Grossmont’s plan to shift to five trustee districts elected by voters within each district, instead of at-large elections voted upon by all voters district-wide. James Messina, who is a concerned parent, said, “What jumps out at me is the size of the district,” which ends up being a financial burden for a potential candidate seeking to run district-wide. He questioned why there wasn’t a meeting in the proposed District 1 area. (The committee later added a District 1 meeting April 6.) Jessica Merschtina, an East County resident, said, “I’m in favor of this.” She also expressed her support to have a meeting in District 1. Priscilla Schreiber, GUHSD trustee, opposed the plan. She opened by rebutting defamatory remarks made by trustee Jim Kelly at a prior meeting which “had no bearing on these hearings but nonetheless were made to cast a local journalist in a bad light before the public and this panel. Contrary to those statements, The East County Magazine has made every attempt to invite all parties and perspectives to be heard in this matter. Because some decline the opportunity should not be a means to construe the truth in an attempt to discredit and attack the journalist.” Schreiber, who would lose her seat under the proposed redistricting plan, further stated, “Since I represent the minority perspective on the GUHSD Board in this matter, my only appeal is for any thoughtful consideration is before you, the County Committee.” She asked the committee to consider two questions. Her first question was, “At your first CC hearing, GUHSD Board member Kelly said that the demographer’s tried to put together a 5 incumbent trustee area map but said that would be gerrymandering; also, the demographer suggested that such a map revealed `slivers of fingers’ traversing the district.” She noted that implies existence of a map showing those fingers, but said it was never made public for board discussion nor provided for her review, despite her request.” Secondly, she observed, “The first time we looked at this process in 2011, the attorney for the District had sent a report or letter to Mr. Swenson that was steeped in controversy because it was discovered that Mr. Swenson had shredded it without sharing it with the full Board. I believe acquiring a copy of that document would be important to the discussion today. My request for a copy of that document is pending.” RozhGar voiced. “It’s really very important we have someone represent us,” referencing immigrants in the district who have problems that should be addressed. Deena Alnoree, who’s a mother of an El Cajon Valley High student, stated, “We are very thankful you support this culture.. and our students.” Tony Lawrence also expressed his support. “I’ve been around politics since my father in Chicago in 1972…when we eliminate the politicalness, do people deserve representation? The answer should be yes…” He argued that the committee shouldn’t slow down the redistricting process, as some people have advised. He’s had two children who have graduated from Grossmont High. He added that he’s proud of this community. Jim Kelly, GUHSD trustee, spoke next , stating that “…The number one responsibility of the County school board.. is to help local school districts.” Kelly said that the National Demographics Company’s demographer, Doug Johnson, ”made up the proposed map himself.” He then argued that Schreiber has teaming up with ECM “to deceive you,” claiming that Schreiber is “desperate to hang on this seat at all costs…I’m seeing efforts to make it look political,” which cuts the public out. “Miriam Raftery always says this is controversial…this is not controversial…this is a rubber stamp issue,” Kelly concluded, ignoring the fact that numerous members of the Alpine and Chaldean communities have voiced strong opposition to the proposal. Dr. Gary Woods, GUHSD board vice president, said, “Thank you for this opportunity to express my support of the trustee elections.” He said the prospect of a lawsuit over Voting Rights violations, if the plan is not approved, “is very real… No parent (or anyone else whose kid attends GUHSD) has spoken against the trustee areas.” (Editor’s note: Members of the public spoke against the plan at GUHSD meetings, in correspondence, and at later hearings conducted by the County, though not this specific meeting.) Woods added, “This must be implemented now or we will get sued for millions of dollars… This is not a political issue… This plan does not involve gerrymandering… Every board member save for one is a teacher or is married to a teacher,” he added. ECM’s own Miriam Raftery, who has covered the Grossmont District for over two decades, shared her thoughts. “I am personally opposed to this plan.” She noted the unfairness of leaving Alpine without its only voice on the board at a time when Alpine parents have a lawsuit pending against the district over tis failure to build an Alpine high school. She then defended herself and the magazine to Kelly. “He is the one being completely dishonest.” She noted that she and the magazine have won numerous journalism awards, including some for coverage of the district, and that multiple efforts had been made to obtain comment from Kelly and other district representatives (See a rebuttal against Kelly here: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/guhsd-trustee-jim-kelly-slanders-media-dodges-interview-requests). Raftery expressed concern over the Chaldeans and two Native American tribes not being heard. Leon Thompson, ECM’s Tribal Beats writer, then expressed his thoughts. There are 19 tribes, three of whom are represented in Grossmont. “What has the district done to connect with the tribes?” including two tribes in Alpine. He added, “Two bonds passed that promised an Alpine high school…these proponents are saying
POWER BLACKOUTS POSSIBLE THIS SUMMER
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery April 7, 2016 (San Diego) – Southern California, including San Diego County, could experience up to 14 days of unscheduled blackouts this summer and up to 18 days of additional outages later in the year, state officials warn. The outages could occur due to the massive gas leak at Aliso Canyon, which depleted gas reserves before the four-month leak was finally plugged. The Los Angeles Times reports that the leak dropped reserves to just one-fifth of capacity. Adding more gas is prohibited until testing of all wells is completed to assure safety. The facility is expected to remain off-line for four more months, the Los Angeles Times reports. Multiple state agencies have warned of the potential outages, including the California Energy Commission, California Public Utilities Commission, and California Independent System Operator. The outages would likely be rolling, briefly affecting one region, then another. Mark Rothleder, vice president of the California Independent System Operator, says pipelines cannot transport gas quickly enough to meet demands during summer months, when electricity demand peaks. Customers can minimize the risk of outages by conserving gas and electricity, officials have indicated. Electricity use is impacted, since some electricity in southern California is produced at gas-fired power plants. Southern California Gas, a division of Sempra Energy, operates Aliso Canyon, located in the Porter Ranch area north of Los Angeles. The company has indicated it looks forward to “working in partnership with the responsible regulatory agencies in our shared efforts to provide a continued supply of dependable gas and electric services in the region,” according to SoCalGas spokesperson Chris Gilbride. But Bill Powers, an advocate of the San Diego Energy District Foundation, is critical of the warnings of power shortages. “It is crying wolf for state agencies to be implying blackouts from a lack of gas, especially from a lack of gas in the summer time,” Powers has said, noting that the utility’s pipeline system has not exceeded capacity in summer for the past decade. Printer-friendly version
NEWS FROM THE ALPINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY: APRIL – JUNE 2016
Printer-friendly version By Tom and Judy Myers April 7, 2016 (Alpine) – The following are some upcoming events from the Alpine Historical Society. 1. Potluck Luncheon & Presentation, Sunday, April 17, 2016 History in the Headlines, by Del Hood, contains a half-century of El Cajon Valley’s most notable events, from 1950 to 2000, chronicled as a ready reference to the area’s important historical moments. Drawn from headlines in The Valley News and The Daily Californian, more than 1,700 “little stories” about what happened in the valley and in neighboring communities depict the notable events of those years. The events are presented in chronological order and are designed as a guide for those researching specific events or newsmakers. Historic photographs enhance several stories. Del Hood, a graduate of Hastings College and the University of Nebraska School of Journalism, worked for the Baker (OR) Democrat-Herald and Eugene (OR) The Register-Guard and earned his master’s degree from the University of Oregon. He spent 30 years as an editor of The Daily Californian in El Cajon. Hood received many awards for his writing from Sigma Delta Chi, California Newspaper Publishers Association, San Diego Press Club, Associated Press and other organizations. His memoir, The Triumph of Belva Jane, was published in 2015. Now retired, he and his wife enjoy time with their daughters, son-in-law, and grandchildren. Please bring a potluck item to share for the luncheon which begins at 1:00 p.m. or arrive by 1:45 p.m. for the brief general membership meeting followed immediately by Del’s presentation. Admission is free, but your donation helps to defray the cost of programs and helps us preserve Alpine’s historical artifacts and maintain the museum facilities. The Potluck Luncheon and Program will be held at the Alpine Town Hall (Alpine Woman’s Club), located at 2156 Alpine Boulevard. Seating is limited, so please make your reservations early by calling Tom Myers at (619) 885-8063 or send an email request to info@alpinehistory.org. 2. New HABITAT Exhibits at the John DeWitt Museum Earlier this year the Alpine Historical & Conservation Society accepted the responsibility to maintain Alpine’s first-in-the-nation status as a Community Wildlife Habitat which includes reporting annually to the National Wildlife Federation. In support of that program we are working on two new exhibits. In the Beaty House West Gallery, we installed the first exhibit showcasing the four elements of a wildlife habitat: • Food • Water • Cover • Places to raise young Here you can see examples of simple solutions to provide these basic elements for wildlife survival in your neighborhood. You can also pick up brochures published by the NWF that offer more details on how to create a wildlife habitat in your own yard, and how to certify your garden with the NWF. Coming Soon! We are currently constructing a new outdoor exhibit illustrating just how easy it is to develop a wildlife habitat in a small garden space. We chose an area between our two museum buildings that is only 10 feet wide and 40 feet long. Here we will plant several species of native plants for food, install a water source, establish places for critters to find cover and places to raise their young. This project is being developed by volunteers who have certified their own gardens as Wildlife Habitats. Financial support for this demonstration habitat garden will come from donations from AHS members as well as others in the Alpine community. Funds are needed for purchasing plants, mulch, river stones for drainage, irrigation materials, and materials for a birdhouse. We would greatly appreciate your donation to help with this project that will protect wildlife, and also preserve Alpine’s claim to being the first Certified Community Wildlife Habitat in the nation. Please send your donation—no amount is too small or too large—to the Alpine Historical Society, P.O. Box 382, Alpine, CA 91901. Please write on your check that it is for the “Habitat” program and we’ll acknowledge your tax deductible gift with a letter and recognition in our newsletter. The Alpine Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. 3. John DeWitt Museum Joins the Blue Star Museums Program The Alpine Historical Society has joined with more than 2,000 museums across the country to participate in the Blue Star Museums program of the National Endowment of the Arts. This program, which runs from Memorial Day, May 30th, through Labor Day weekend, provides a list of participating museums that offer free admission to active-duty military personnel and their families. The website for Blue Star Museums [arts.gov/bluestarmuseums] is being updated and will provide a list participating museums along with a map of their locations, a description of their exhibits and special events and an FAQ page to help our military families plan their trips. We are thrilled that we can participate in the program this year and look forward to greeting our active duty service families and thanking them for their service to our country. 4. Save the date! 2016 ALPINE HISTORY DAY — June 4th, 2016 Start making your plans now to attend the 16th annual Alpine History Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 4, at the John DeWitt Museum, 2116 Tavern Road in Alpine. We have another fun-filled program planned for this year that you won’t want to miss. Kicking off our event will be the legendary Hole in the Wall Gang performing their cowboy comedy skit “Bad Guys and Butterflies.” This glimpse into life in the old west is sure to tickle your gut, but we recommend leaving your pet pals at home because this skit involves very, very loud gunfire (blanks only of course). Also featured this year will be our Wildlife Habitat Garden showcasing how you can share even the smallest garden area with the wildlife in your neighborhood. In addition, we’ll have displays of: • Civil War era artifacts • Civil War era quilts • Birds of prey • Honey production
EL CAJON POLICE DEPT. JOINS NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO END DISTRACTED DRIVING
Printer-friendly version Source: El Cajon Police April 7, 2016 (El Cajon) – Distracted driving is such an important safety issue that April is recognized as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. In California, Police, Sheriff and CHP officials are joining the Office of Traffic Safety, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), as well as law enforcement throughout the country, working together to focus on education as well as enforcement. The purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving in an attempt to change behavior and save lives, not just in April but also year-round. The El Cajon Police Department will join statewide enforcement campaigns on April 7th and 20th, “zero tolerance days,” when all agencies will be especially vigilant for distracted drivers. Although the purpose of the campaign is not to write as many citations as possible, sometimes citations are necessary for drivers to understand the importance of focusing on their driving. Distracted driving continues to be a problem, especially as the use of smartphones increase. Although such crashes are often difficult to prove, California had at least 84 fatal distracted driving collisions in 2013, 85 in 2014 and 67 in 2015, with the actual number of cases likely higher. The number of injury collisions for the same three-year period shows an increase: 10,078 in 2013; 10,463 in 2014, and 11,023 in 2015. NHTSA data for 2014 show nationwide, 3,179 people died in distracted driving collisions, which is 10 percent of all crash fatalities. An additional 431,000 people, or 18 percent, were injured in motor vehicle collisions involving distracted drivers. “As we rely on our cell phones more and more in our everyday lives, we seem to be kidding ourselves in thinking that they don’t affect our driving,” said OTS Director Rhonda Craft. “Crashes are up. The scientific evidence is solid. The dangers are real, and they apply to all of us. We need to silence the distractions.” The problem of distracted driving is significant, and no surprise to drivers day in and day out. The Department Of Transportation notes that at any given moment, during daylight hours, more than 660,000 vehicles are being driven by someone using a hand-held cellphone. NHTSA will conduct a television campaign in April with the message “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.” OTS will produce public service announcements and conduct a social media campaign urging drivers to “Silence the Distraction.” WHAT IS DISTRACTED DRIVING? Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. These types of distractions include: Texting Using a cellphone or smartphone Eating and drinking Talking to passengers Grooming Reading, including maps Using a navigation system Watching a video Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player But, because text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most alarming distraction. The California Office of Traffic Safety, Police, Sheriff and the CHP reminds everyone that best way to end distracted driving is to educate all Americans about the danger it poses. Printer-friendly version
PADRES DROP FIRST SERIES OF SEASON; LOSE TO DODGERS 7-0
Printer-friendly version By Liz Alper Photo: the balls wait to be brought out. From @Padres on Twitter April 6, 2016 (San Diego) – The Padres wore their military jerseys for tonight’s game, but not even the Army could save them from the atrocious game they had. The Dodgers got to work right away in the first inning. Chase Utley tripled off of Andrew Cashner and Justin Turner drove him in for a 1-0 LA lead. Carl Crawford lined into left for an RBI double with two outs and the Dodgers led 2-0. Joc Pedersen singled up through center and drove in two more, 4-0. You probably know where this is going after two days of this. In the fourth, Japanese pitching phenom Kenta Maeda blasted it to left field for a solo homer and a 5-0 Dodgers lead. With that home run, Maeda becomes the first Japanese pitcher to homer in his MLB debut. In the eighth, who else but Yasiel Puig repeated Maeda’s earlier action and skied it to left for a solo homer to give LA one more run and make the score 6-0. In the ninth, Turner hit a sac fly to drive in Enrique Hernandez and make the score 7-0. That would do it; the Padres drop their first series of the season. They have tomorrow off and will head to Denver for the Colorado Rockies’ home opener on Friday. Printer-friendly version
ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS
Printer-friendly version April 6, 2016 (San Diego’s East County)– East County Magazine’s World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include: U.S. General news Same-sex couples can now adopt children in all 50 states (Huffington Post) Supreme Court reins in practice of seizing defendants’ assets (CS Monitor) As PayPal cancels expansion, consequences of NC’s anti-LGTB law get real (Los Angeles Times) Native Americans unite to ride against proposed North Dakota pipeline (Guardian, reposted on RawStory) Whether It Works Or Not, U.S. Anti-Radicalization Plan Can Benefit Communities (NPR) Cities can learn from crises like Flint. Atlanta is proof. (CS Monitor) Plutonium from Japan to be disposed of underground in New Mexico (Japan Times) Women Farmers Band Together To Vent, Seek Support And Exchange Ideas (NPR) Merrick Garland, Extremist (Reason) Security vulnerabilities found in U.S. visa database: ABC News (Reuters) Maryland Court to Baltimore Police: Want to Track Phones? Get a Warrant. (Reason) Taxing Predicament (Reason) Presidential primary DC Madam’s attorney vows to release info that could rock 2016 presidential election (NBC) Conservative women stand up to Trump (Washington Post) Donald Trump taps Duncan Hunter, Chris Collins to lead campaign outreach to Congress (Washington Times) John Kasich to seniors who want to keep their Social Security: “Get over it.” (Daily News Bin) Delegates ready to flee Trump at contested convention (Politico) Trump sued in Kentucky by three who say he incited crowd to violence (Reuters) Coca Cola dumps Trump and declines to sponsor Republican National Convention (Politics USA) The Clinton Investigation Enters a Dangerous Phase (Reason) WORLD With Leak Of ‘Panama Papers,’ A Glimpse Of World’s Fiscal Underbelly (NPR) To End Cycle Of Crime, Italian Judge Breaks Up Big-Time Mafia Families (NPR) Moody’s puts Mexico on ‘negative’ outlook, keeps A3 rating (San Diego Union-Tribune) Mass grave found in Palmyra after recapture from Islamic State: military (Reuters) Hundreds of thousands protest at French labor reforms (Reuters) Islamic State urges attacks on German chancellery, Bonn airport: SITE group (Reuters) Two killed, 15 injured in central Somalia mosque blast (Reuters) Exclusive: U.N. audit identifies serious lapses linked to alleged bribery (Reuters) For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down. U.S. General news Same-sex couples can now adopt children in all 50 states (Huffington Post) A federal judge ruled Mississippi’s ban on same-sex adoption is unconstitutional. Supreme Court reins in practice of seizing defendants’ assets (CS Monitor) In a 5-3 decision, the high court sided with a Miami woman accused of Medicare fraud who said federal prosecutors rendered her unable to hire a lawyer of her choice when they seized $40 million of her assets. As PayPal cancels expansion, consequences of NC’s anti-LGTB law get real (Los Angeles Times) … PayPal, the San Jose-based payment processing company, announced Tuesday that it’s cancelling a planned expansion in Charlotte, the state’s largest city. That means the loss of a $3.6-million investment this year alone and 400 jobs paying an average of $50,000. “As a company that is committed to the principle that everyone deserves to live without fear of discrimination simply for being who they are, becoming an employer in North Carolina, where members of our teams will not have equal rights under the law, is simply untenable,” company CEO Dan Schulman said in the company’s announcement. Native Americans unite to ride against proposed North Dakota pipeline (Guardian, reposted on RawStory) About 200 people rode on horseback to protest against pipeline that encroaches on tribal lands and could pollute Missouri river: ‘We’re looking out for all people’ Whether It Works Or Not, U.S. Anti-Radicalization Plan Can Benefit Communities (NPR) One in four attempted American ISIS recruits is from Minnesota. Supporters of a federal program aimed stamping out ISIS recruitment in cities like Minneapolis say it could be a model for other cities. Cities can learn from crises like Flint. Atlanta is proof. (CS Monitor) Atlanta is dramatically expanding its emergency water supply. The decision came before problems in Flint, Mich., emerged, but was driven by similar crises elsewhere. Agency estimates that US taxpayers need to pony up $1 trillion to get the nation’s water infrastructure up to code. Currently the US public water system gets a “D” grade from the American Society of Civil Engineers. Plutonium from Japan to be disposed of underground in New Mexico (Japan Times) U.S.-bound plutonium that has recently been shipped out of Japan will be disposed of at a nuclear waste repository in New Mexico after being processed at the Savannah River Site facility in South Carolina, according to an official of the National Nuclear Security Administration. Women Farmers Band Together To Vent, Seek Support And Exchange Ideas (NPR) The agriculture industry is traditionally male-dominated. But that’s changing: Over the past 15 years, the fraction of U.S. farms run by women has nearly tripled. Merrick Garland, Extremist (Reason) Garland looks like a moderate because he tends to side with the government irrespective of who’s in charge….on a government-vs.-liberty axis, he does not sit in the center— but on the extreme edge…when has Garland not sided with the government? Security vulnerabilities found in U.S. visa database: ABC News (Reuters) Cyber security experts have found vulnerabilities in a U.S. State Department system that could have allowed hackers to alter visa applications or steal data from the more than half-billion records on file, ABC News reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. Maryland Court to Baltimore Police: Want to Track Phones? Get a Warrant. (Reason) In what could potentially be a major (if limited to one state) privacy decision, Maryland’s Court of Special Appeals has ruled that carrying around a cellphone with GPS features doesn’t mean that the police can simply use it to track people’s physical locations without a warrant or the protection of the Fourth Amendment. The court
EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS
Printer-friendly version April 6, 2016 (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 Emergency Rooms Feeling Strain From Overuse (KPBS) Grant funds first step in huge trail system (San Diego Union-Tribune) It’s April — La Mesa’s Oktoberfest bill still unpaid (SD Reader) La Mesa Vice Mayor comes out against Trump (San Diego Union-Tribune) Faulty signatures force two out of Chula Vista council race (Star News) Developer Tries to Make Escondido Bigger to Accommodate 550 Luxury Homes (Voice of San Diego) Canceled VA appts pushed vet to try suicide (San Diego Union Tribune) STATE Saudi Land Purchases Fuel Debate Over US Water Rights (KPBS) California Wants To Delay Toxic Chemical Labeling On Canned Foods (KPBS) Court revives California challenge to police dog ‘bite & hold’ policy (Reuters) How California Awards Presidential Primary Delegates (Capitol Public Radio) ‘It’s a nightmare inside’: bill would place new restrictions on private immigration centers (Los Angeles Times) Ted Cruz to speak at California Republican convention (Sacramento Bee) For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down. LOCAL San Diego Emergency Rooms Feeling Strain From Overuse (KPBS) Health officials say more than half of the visits to San Diego emergency departments have been for non-emergencies. Grant funds first step in huge trail system (San Diego Union-Tribune) … Once complete, the project — which would include a bridge or a tunnel across or below state Route 67 — would link Iron Mountain and the Lake Poway trails (Mt. Woodson and Potato Chip Rock) to Dos Picos County Park in Ramona. It’s April — La Mesa’s Oktoberfest bill still unpaid (SD Reader) The bill for $47,900 in city services for La Mesa’s Oktoberfest 2015 has gone to collection, and it may be the last time the city will work to collect from the group that runs the annual event. La Mesa Vice Mayor comes out against Trump (San Diego Union-Tribune) …”I do not believe Donald Trump is fit to be president,” said [La Mesa Vice Mayor Bill] Baber, a member of the San Diego city ethics commission who was also longtime chief lawyer for the county Republican Party. “He does not have the experience or character to handle the office.”…La Mesa Councilwoman Ruth Sterling is supporting Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in the primary, but said she will support Trump if he is the nominee. Faulty signatures force two out of Chula Vista council race (Star News) …For the first time in Chula Vista’s political history, the city clerk disqualified two candidates from running for office after the city clerk could not verify “20 good signatures”…Part of the reason for the pair’s ineligibility is this is the first election in Chula Vista based on four council districts. Instead of gathering signatures from any Chula Vista voter — as the process was when the city had citywide elections — candidates must have voters living in the district in which they are running for sign their nomination papers. Developer Tries to Make Escondido Bigger to Accommodate 550 Luxury Homes (Voice of San Diego) Developers are trying to build hundreds of homes on a vast 1,098 acres just north of the San Diego Safari Zoo Park – something that a previous developer tried before on the same property and failed. … The property is currently part of the unincorporated county, where county law only allows 27 homes. So the developer is trying to persuade the Escondido City Council to annex the land. That would allow 550 homes and provide sewer, water and fire infrastructure that the county would not. Canceled VA appts pushed vet to try suicide (San Diego Union Tribune) VA investigation confirms San Diego VA falsified wait times for patients. STATE Saudi Land Purchases Fuel Debate Over US Water Rights (KPBS) Saudi Arabia’s largest dairy company will soon be unable to farm alfalfa in its own parched country to feed its 170,000 cows. So it’s turning to an unlikely place to grow the water-chugging crop — the drought-stricken American Southwest. California Wants To Delay Toxic Chemical Labeling On Canned Foods (KPBS) Environmental health advocates are upset California wants to put off requiring toxic chemical warning labels on certain canned and bottled foods. The concern is linked to linings inside those containers. Court revives California challenge to police dog ‘bite & hold’ policy (Reuters) A woman who was sleeping off a night of drinking on her office couch when attacked by a police dog has won reinstatement of her lawsuit challenging the San Diego police department’s policy of unleashing its canines to “bite and hold” suspects during a search. How California Awards Presidential Primary Delegates (Capitol Public Radio) And another twist: Republican delegates are winner-take-all in each district; Democrats award delegates proportionally based on how well each candidate does. Both parties also award extra delegates based on the statewide vote. ‘It’s a nightmare inside’: bill would place new restrictions on private immigration centers (Los Angeles Times) Daniel Usman fled his native Pakistan to escape death threats from men upset that he had converted from Islam to Catholicism. Upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport, the 35-year-old with a college degree in electronics asked for asylum. Ted Cruz to speak at California Republican convention (Sacramento Bee) Campaigning to deny front-runner Donald Trump the delegates needed to win the nomination, Cruz has amassed a large team of GOP volunteers and supporters in this suddenly relevant state, many of whom he addressed Thursday in Orange County. Printer-friendly version