ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS
East County News Service January 11, 2017 (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 U.S. lists 17 nuclear reactors with parts from forge under probe (Reuters) The U.S. Dropped More Than 26,000 Bombs Last Year (Reason) Jewish centers report bomb threats in several U.S. states (Reuters) Fort Lauderdale shooting: 5 dead, suspect had gun in bag (CNN) Iraq War veteran accused of killing 5 at Florida airport (Reuters) Is Free College Really Free? (NPR) POLITICS Treatment of black lawmakers becomes flashpoint of Sessions hearing (CNN) Trump names former Sen. Dan Coates to be intelligence chief (CBS) Rex Tillerson could be America’s most dangerous secretary of state (In These Times) Tillerson fails to win over key GOP Senators (CNN) Declassified report: Putin ordered election interference to help Trump (The Hill) Russia hacked Republican state campaigns but not Trump’s: FBI head (Reuters) Angst grows in GOP over Obamacare repeal plan (The Hill) GOP doesn’t want public to know how much Obamacare repeal will cost. Studies show it could be trillions. (Common Dreams) House Republicans revive obscure rule that allows them to slash the pay of individual federal workers to $1 (Washington Post) Trump Partied New Year’s Eve with Convicted Felon-With-Mob-Ties’ (People) Trump’s Border Wall, Deportation Plans Face Pushback from GOP (Bloomberg) Libertarian Party Suit Against FEC for Restrictions on How It Can Spend Its Donations to Proceed (Reason) WORLD Iraqis close in on Tigris River, force ISIS to retreat in Mosul (Newsweek) Dozens Dead in Multiple ISIS Bombings Across Baghdad (NPR) These are the most productive countries in the world (Time) Syrian suspected of planning truck attack in Germany arrested: prosecutors (Reuters) How Russia’s Disinformation Campaign Could Extend Its Tentacle (NPR) As Venezuelans Go Hungry, The Military Is Trafficking in Food (NPR) Brazil gang kills 31, many hacked to death, as prison violence explodes (Reuters) North Korea’s claim on ICBM test plausible: experts (Reuters) Armed men storm prison in southern Philippines, freeing more than 150 (Reuters) Political Exile, A Centuries-Old Russian Tradition, Returns (NPR) Former Iran president Rafsanjani dies in blow to moderates (Reuters) For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down. U.S. GENERAL NEWS U.S. lists 17 nuclear reactors with parts from forge under probe (Reuters) The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on Tuesday unveiled a letter showing that 17 of the country’s nuclear reactors have parts from Areva SA’s Le Creusot forge in France, which is under investigation for allegedly falsifying documents on the quality of its parts. The U.S. Dropped More Than 26,000 Bombs Last Year (Reason) Both the number of bombs and the number of countries being bombed was higher in 2016 than in 2015. Jewish centers report bomb threats in several U.S. states (Reuters) [Fifteen] Jewish community centers in several U.S. states were evacuated on Monday after they reported receiving bomb threats, according to the organizations and national umbrella organization, though no explosives were found and no injuries reported. Fort Lauderdale shooting: 5 dead, suspect had gun in bag (CNN) Five people were shot dead and eight wounded in a baggage claim area at Fort Lauderdale’s airport, and law enforcement sources tell CNN the suspect, identified as Esteban Santiago, had brought the firearm in his checked luggage. Iraq War veteran accused of killing 5 at Florida airport (Reuters) An Iraq war veteran took a gun out of his checked luggage and opened fire in a crowded baggage claim area at Fort Lauderdale’s airport on Friday, killing five people before being taken into custody, authorities said… In November, Santiago told the Federal Bureau of Investigation that his mind was being controlled and agents sent him to a mental hospital, said a federal law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity. Is Free College Really Free? (NPR) Free tuition has been a buzz phrase lately, and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s statewide proposal puts it front and center this week. Here’s our look at the fine print. POLITICS Treatment of black lawmakers becomes flashpoint of Sessions hearing (CNN) Members of Congress and outside progressive groups were visibly disturbed and disappointed that several members of the Congressional Black Caucus were not given the courtesy of testifying earlier in the committee proceedings on the nomination of Sen. Jeff Sessions — President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general — and instead left to testify at the end of the second day of hearings alongside outside witnesses. “To have a senator, a House member and a living civil rights legend testify at the end of all of this is the equivalent of being made to go to the back of the bus,” said Rep. Cedric Richmond of Louisiana… Trump names former Sen. Dan Coates to be intelligence chief (CBS) President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday named retired Sen. Dan Coats as national intelligence director, saying the former member of the Senate Intelligence Committee was the right person to lead the new administration’s “ceaseless vigilance against those who seek to do us harm.” Rex Tillerson could be America’s most dangerous secretary of state (In These Times) On January 1, Rex Tillerson retired from oil giant Exxon Mobil after 41 years, the last 10 as CEO and chairman of the board. When he appears in January before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee to be considered for U.S. Secretary of State, Exxon Mobil will be preparing to appear before a jury at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia… the company will face allegations that security forces under its employ engaged in serious human rights abuses, including murder, torture, sexual violence, kidnapping, battery, assault, burning, arbitrary arrest, detention and false imprisonment. The complaint specifically names Rex Tillerson. Tillerson fails to win over key GOP Senators (CNN)
SDSU WOMEN’S HOOPS: FORT’S DOUBLE-DOUBLE NOT ENOUGH IN LOSS TO SAN JOSE STATE
McKynzie Fort became the 21st Aztec to enter the 1,000-point club Source: goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com January 11, 2017 (San Jose) – San Diego State women’s basketball battled Mountain West foe San Jose State to the final second but ultimately fell in a heartbreaking 81-80 overtime loss to the Spartans Wednesday night. McKynzie Fort, who notched her second-career double-double, became the 21st member of the program’s 1,000-point club during the game as she matched career-highs with 29 points and 12 rebounds. With the loss, San Diego State moves even in conference play with a 2-2 mark and is now 7-8 overall. San Jose State is also now even against Mountain West opponents at 2-2 and is 5-11 this year. “Our kids never gave up,” head coach Stacie Terry said. “Any time you go on the road in this league, it’s going to be a tough game. This team is growing because we put ourselves in position to win this thing time and time again. We fought back to get to overtime and we fought to get the lead in overtime. I’m really proud of our effort tonight.” With five-tenths of a second on the clock in overtime, the Mountain West’s leading scorer Dezz Ramos knocked down a jumper from the left corner of the key for the 81-80 game-winner. She totaled a game-high 34 points with seven assists. “She hit a phenomenal shot over our best defender,” Terry said. “I wouldn’t have wanted any other matchup. I want Ari (Bostick) on her all day. But Ramos hit a great shot and she’s a great player.” During the game, Fort became the 21st person in program history to score 1,000 points during her career with a 29-point, 12-rebound performance, both of which matched career highs. Fort is just the eighth Aztec to get to 1,000 points in fewer than four seasons, and is the only junior in the Mountain West to get to 1,000 career points this season. SDSU had its third straight game with 10-or-more three pointers, knocking down a season-high 12 threes. The team was led beyond the three point arc by Geena Gomez, who posted career-highs with seven boards and 20 points. She drilled four 3-pointers, matching a career best. Khalia Lark’s team-high 12 rebounds were the most of her career, while Lexy Thorderson recorded 13 points for her eighth double-digit outing this season. Ariell Bostick led her team with five assists. The Aztecs got off to a rough start. The team was outscored 22-10 in the opening frame, the lowest point output for an opening period this season, and shot 3-for-18 (17 percent) from the floor. But San Diego State showed its resiliency, out-scoring the Spartans, 16-12, in the second quarter and dominating the third quarter by a 27-14 margin. In the fourth quarter, the Scarlet and Black led by as much as eight, but SJSU went on a 10-2 run to close the frame and force the game into overtime. The overtime period saw each team hold a 3-point advantage at some point during the frame. With four ticks on the clock, Fort battled through traffic to get a layup and the Aztec lead at 80-79. But it wasn’t enough as the Spartans were able to eke out the victory. For the game, San Diego State shot 38 percent (30-for-79) and was 12-for-30 from 3-point range. The Aztecs shot just 50 percent (8-for-16) from the free-throw line. SDSU won the battle on the glass, 53-41, for a season-high, while the Spartans edged the Aztecs in assists, 15-13. San Diego State continues its road swing with a Saturday afternoon contest at Utah State on Saturday at 2 p.m. (MT). Box
EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS
East County News Service January 11, 2017 (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 Poverty in San Diego County Higher Than During Great Recession (KPBS) SDG&E Community Choice decision postponed (Borrego Sun) Sea World’s Shamu show delivers last splash (San Diego Union-Tribune) A ‘Trumpian’ Hunter (San Diego Union-Tribune) Bunnygate: Hunter down rabbit hole, votes to abolish Office of Congressional Ethics (Escondido Grapevine) Lilac Hills backers sue to recover some legal costs (San Diego Union-Tribune) Tijuana Homicides Reach Record Level in 2016 (KPBS) Southwest adds new nonstop destinations from San Diego (KNSD) STATE Medi-Cal recipients statewide would feel the pain of Obamacare repeal (KPBS) California Legislature is getting more diverse, but there are fewer women (Sacramento Bee) Pot’s legal in California. So why are people still getting busted in Yosemite? (McClatchy News) Sanders’ Democrats claim victories in California delegate elections (Sacramento Bee) California Legislature to pay Eric Holder to challenge Trump administration (Sacramento Bee) For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down. LOCAL Poverty in San Diego County Higher Than During Great Recession (KPBS) Despite years of falling unemployment, poverty in San Diego County remains stubbornly high, and points to deeper problems in the San Diego region’s economy. SDG&E Community Choice decision postponed (Borrego Sun) San Diego Gas & Electric’s plan to lobby on the alternative energy program called community choice aggregation has been suspended. Under state law, the utility is prohibited from lobbying or marketing on community choice unless it forms an independent district that’s funded by shareholders, not ratepayers…Allison Torres, a spokeswoman for SDG&E, said the utility would provide more information to the CPUC this month. Sea World’s Shamu show delivers last splash (San Diego Union-Tribune) Fifty years of splashes, twirls and leaps into the air came to an end Sunday as SeaWorld’s 11 killer whales took their final entertainment-laden bow. A ‘Trumpian’ Hunter (San Diego Union-Tribune) …Consider Duncan Hunter…This week he disclosed that he used $600 worth of campaign funds to take his children’s pet bunny on a commercial airplane. Using campaign funds for personal expenses is illegal, and this “mistake” is the latest personal expense for which Hunter, under scrutiny, has reimbursed his campaign account $62,000. …Similar abuses of campaign funds landed former representative Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Illinois, in prison … Bunnygate: Hunter down rabbit hole, votes to abolish Office of Congressional Ethics (Escondido Grapevine) Quite the contrast this week between Rep. Darrell Issa, R-49th District, and Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-50th District, concerning the walk-back on House Republicans’ initial attempt behind closed doors to fill the swamp by way of demolition of the independent Office of Congressional Ethics. And Hunter’s press rep says a bunny rabbit is the reason why he voted to gut the independent committee that recently has investigated him for numerous instances of spending campaign funds for personal expenses. Lilac Hills backers sue to recover some legal costs (San Diego Union-Tribune) Backers of November’s failed Lilac Hills Ranch initiative, which sought voter approval to build a 1,746-home development east of Interstate 15 in Valley Center, have sued opponents for almost $90,000 in attorney fees. Tijuana Homicides Reach Record Level in 2016 (KPBS) Tijuana saw more than 900 homicides in 2016, surpassing a previous record of 844 in 2008. Southwest adds new nonstop destinations from San Diego (KNSD) Starting June 4, locals will be able to fly to Boise, Idaho and Salt Lake City, Utah year-round from San Diego International Airport. The flights will be once a day. The airline will also add seasonal nonstop flights to three new destinations: Newark, Spokane and Indianapolis. STATE Medi-Cal recipients statewide would feel the pain of Obamacare repeal (KPBS) Republicans in Congress have promised to repeal Obamacare. And if they do so, Medi-Cal, California’s health program for the poor, will suffer a massive body blow. California Legislature is getting more diverse, but there are fewer women (Sacramento Bee) How has the California Legislature changed since term limits were introduced? Pot’s legal in California. So why are people still getting busted in Yosemite? (McClatchy News) Think pot is now legal in California? Try telling that to the National Park Service rangers ready to bust people caught with marijuana in Yosemite, Redwood, Death Valley and other federal lands across the state. Sanders’ Democrats claim victories in California delegate elections (Sacramento Bee) …a group led by the California Nurses Association and other self-described Bernie Sanders-progressives are claiming it won a majority of the delegate slots chosen over the weekend, as well as the bulk of the 80 executive board seats up for renewal. “We have the momentum and we are confident we will have a majority,” said Don Nielsen, director of government relations for the CNA. Among the new delegates are dozens of nurses, he added. California Legislature to pay Eric Holder to challenge Trump administration (Sacramento Bee) The California Legislature will pay the firm of former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder $25,000 a month to assist with legal challenges posed by policy conflicts with the Trump Administration, Democratic leaders announced Wednesday.
MOTORCYCLIST INJURES CHP OFFICER, FLEES SCENE
East County News Service January 11, 2017 (Santee) – A California Highway Patrol Officer was injured today after stopping to investigate a collision on I-15 south at the junction with State Route 52. The officer was outside his patrol car and put his hand out to stop a motorcyclist who was passing on the shoulder, but the motorcyclist accelerated and struck the officer. The motorcyclist, later identified as Christopher Ryan Warner, 25, fled at a high rate of speed. The officers at the crash scene initiated a pursuit onto eastbound 52. As the motorcyclist approached Mast Blvd., he tried to drive up road but after a short distance, stopped and surrendered. The officer who was struck by the motorcycle sustained minor to moderate injuries and was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital for evaluation.
FREE SAND AND SANDBAGS AVAILABLE ACROSS COUNTY
By Gig Connaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office January 11, 2017 (San Diego) – San Diego County didn’t have to deal with the “atmospheric river” of rain that swamped Northern and Central California this week. However, we’ve still gotten a lot more rain so far this winter than expected — two to five times as much in some areas in December 2016 than December 2015, when El Niño was raising fears of big rains. With more rain expected this week, and months of winter still ahead, residents in unincorporated areas can get free sand and bags to help protect their properties from possible flooding and erosion. Rain can increase the risk of flooding and soil erosion, especially in places not covered by lawns, trees, shrubs and plants. Rain can carry water runoff, mud and debris downstream and damage homes, clog storm drains and culverts, and flood and damage roadways. Locations for free sand and bags are listed below; just bring a shovel to fill the sandbags. Alpine: Alpine Fire Protection District, Station 17: 1364 Tavern Road (Bags only) Bonita: Bonita/Sunnyside Fire Protection District: 4900 Bonita Road Boulevard: Boulevard Fire Department, 40080 Ribbonwood Road Dulzura: CAL FIRE Station 30: 17304 Highway 94 Fallbrook: North County Fire Protection District, Station 4: 4375 Pala Mesa Drive Julian: CAL FIRE Station 50: 1587 Highway 78 Pauma Valley-Rincon: CAL FIRE Station 70: 16971 Highway 76 Ramona: CAL FIRE Ramona Fire Station: 3410 Dye Road, Ramona Valley Center: Valley Center Fire Protection District Station 2: 28205 North Lake Wohlford Road December was very wet all around San Diego County. Statistics from the National Weather Service show that San Diego’s Lindbergh Field got 4.2 inches of rain in December. That was nearly four times the rain it got in December 2015 and 275 percent of its normal rainfall. Carlsbad got 4.82 inches, nearly five times December 2015 and 280 percent of normal. Ramona got 5.39 inches, more than double its December 2015 total and 241 percent of normal. Campo got 4.29 inches, nearly 2 ½ times what it got in December 2015 and 189 percent of normal. The San Diego County Flood Control District’s ALERT Flood Warning System measures rain gauges, stream gauges and weather stations across the county. A cumulative read of 96 gauges and stations showed the county received slightly more than double the rainfall in December 2016 than it got in December 2015. Residents who live in incorporated areas can contact their local fire departments or cities to see if they are offering free sand and sandbags. For more information about how to be prepared for flooding, go to the County Office of Emergency Services Flooding Preparedness Facts and Resources webpage. You may also want to check out this how-to video — “You’ve Got Your Sandbags; Now What?” — that we put together last year before El Niño. It explains how to properly fill and use sandbags to protect your property!
SENATOR ATKINS FAULTS GOVERNOR BROWN FOR CUTTING FUNDS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SCHOLARSHIPS
East County News Service January 11, 2017 (San Diego) – State Senator Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) has issued a statement criticizing Governor Jerry Brown’s newly released 2017-18 California budget for cuts to affordable housing and scholarships. “California’s economy is strong in part because the Governor and the Legislature have for the past several years produced prudent budgets. However, that fiscal restraint has been accompanied by smart, targeted investments in programs that lift Californians up. Further investments in our residents are necessary, when the money is available, but the Governor is right to be cautious amid shrinking revenue growth and the possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act. “The Governor has taken $400 million for affordable housing off the negotiating table, and that underscores the importance of my SB 2, which will create a permanent source of funding for affordable homes. We must respond to the severe housing crisis facing us – our families and our economy depend on it. “I applaud the Governor’s unrelenting focus on climate change, his commitment to expanding healthcare access to more Californians and his proposed spending on local roads and transit. I’m concerned about the proposal to phase out the Middle Class Scholarship, and I’m looking forward to digging deeper into the higher-education budget to access the impact on our students.”