SAN DIEGO MAYOR DECLARES EMERGENCY
East County News Service February 4, 2017 (San Diego) — San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer has declared a state of emergency in the City of San Diego due to damage from January’s storms. The declaration could help the city recover nearly $5 million in estimated costs of disaster response from the state under the California Disaster Assistance Act. The County of San Diego and 48 other counties have already received state disaster declarations from Governor Jerry Brown. Officials have indicated that city responses included swift water rescues, debris removal, traffic control, storm drain repair, tree removal and more. Although federal disaster declaration has been sought by counties across California as well as tornado-ravaged states elsewhere in the U.S., the Trump administration has not responded with aid to any hard-hit regions.
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: BIRDS OF PREY AT LAKE JENNINGS
East County News Service February 4, 2017 (Lakeside) – It’s February and love is in the air – including at Lake Jennings, where photographer Scott Barnhill photographed a pair of nesting bald eagles. He also captured dramatic images of other birds of prey in flight, fishing, and hunting, including the osprey catching a fish, shown here. View more photos below, and see this link for a full gallery of images: http://www.csprophoto.com/Nature/Lake-Jennings/
GUHSD TO HOLD BUDGET MEETING FEB. 16
East County News Service February 4, 2017 (El Cajon) – The Grossmont Union High School District Board will hold a special budget workshop meeting on Thursday, February 16 at 4 :30 p.m. at the East County Regional Educational Center, 924 East Main Street in El Cajon. For details, click here.
SDSU MEN’S TENNIS DROPS 4-2 DECISION TO USD
Aztecs falter in singles after winning doubles point Source: goaztecs.com Photo: Milen Ianakiev was a double winner on Saturday vs. USD. Courtesy goaztecs.com February 4, 2017 (San Diego) – The San Diego State men’s tennis team captured the early doubles point, but was unable to maintain the momentum in singles play before ultimately suffering a 4-2 setback against the University of San Diego in a non-conference dual match at Aztec Tennis Center. With the loss, SDSU (1-3) experienced its third straight defeat and second at home, while the Toreros improve to 3-1 on the season. The Aztecs found themselves in a fiercely contested doubles round, but the freshman tandem of Joel Popov (Tampere, Finland) and Rafael Gonzalez Almazan (Madrid, Spain) rose to the occasion with a 6-4 triumph over Gui Osorio and Alexanderos Araouzos in the No. 3 position. However, the duo of Marko Goles-Babic (Zagreb, Croatia) and Sander Gjoels-Andersen (Klampenborg, Denmark) were not as fortunate at the USD combo of Josh Page and Filip Vittek prevailed by a 7-5 in the No. 1 spot. All eyes soon turned toward the No. 2 court where the pairing of Santiago Cevallos (Queretaro, Mexico) and Milen Ianakiev (Elz, Hesse, Germany) outlasted Guus Koevermans and Joel Gamerov in a nail-biter, 7-6(5). SDSU could not duplicate its magic in singles as the Toreros fought back to take four of the six encounters. After Cevallos came up short to Gamerov at No. 4 in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, the Aztecs momentarily reclaimed the lead on the team scoreboard, 2-1, following Ianakiev’s 6-4, 6-4 conquest of Vittek on the No. 1 court. However, SDSU simply ran out of steam at this juncture, with USD claiming the ensuing three matches to seal the win. Popov fell victim to Osorio, 6-4, 6-3 in the No. 5 position, while Gonzalez Almazan dropped a heartbreaker to Araouzos in the sixth spot, 6-3, 7-6(5). After Gjoels-Andersen yielded to Page on court No. 3, 7-5, 6-4, the Toreros tallied the requisite fourth team point and the battle between Goles-Babic and Koevermans at No. 2 was abandoned midway through the third set. San Diego State will look to regroup next weekend when it faces three non-conference opponents on consecutive days at Aztec Tennis Center: Northern Arizona (Feb. 10), UC Irvine (Feb. 11) and UC Davis (Feb. 12). San Diego 4, San Diego State 2 Aztec Tennis Center San Diego, Calif. Feb. 4, 2017 Doubles 1. Josh Page/Filip Vittek (USD) def. Marko Goles-Babic/Sander Gjoels-Andersen (SDSU), 7-5 2. Santiago Cevallos/Milen Ianakiev (SDSU) def. Guus Koevermans/Joel Gamerov (USD), 7-6(5) 3. Joel Popov/Rafael Gonzalez Almazan (SDSU) def. Gui Osorio/Alexanderos Araouzos (USD), 6-4 Order of finish: 3, 1, 2 SDSU wins doubles point Singles 1. Milen Ianakiev (SDSU) def. Filip Vittek (USD), 6-4, 6-4 2. Marko Goles-Babic (SDSU) vs. Guus Koevermans (USD), 3-6, 6-3, 4-2, DNF 3. Josh Page (USD) def. Sander Gjoels Andersen (SDSU), 7-5, 6-4 4. Joel Gamerov (USD) def. Santiago Cevallos (SDSU), 6-3, 6-2 5. Gui Osorio (USD) def. Joel Popov (SDSU), 6-4, 6-3 6. Alexanderos Araouzos (USD) def. Rafael Gonzalez Almazan (SDSU), 6-3, 7-6(5) Order of finish: 4, 1, 5, 6, 3* * – Match-clinching victory
SDSU LACROSSE FALLS TO DENVER IN SEASON OPENER 15-10
Senior Kristen Hickey leads Aztecs with four goals Source: goaztecs.com Photo: Kristen Hickey courtesy goaztecs.com February 4, 2017 (San Diego) – Despite a four-goal performance from senior Kristen Hickey, the San Diego State lacrosse team dropped a 15-10 decision to visiting Denver on Saturday in the 2017 season opener for both squads at Aztec Lacrosse Field. SDSU also received two goals apiece by senior Vickie Porter and fellow classmate Kayla Deitz, but it wasn’t enough as the Pioneers used an 8-1 run spanning the first and second halves to break open a tight 3-3 game and keep the Scarlet and Black at bay. Elizabeth Behrins put Denver on the board first with a pair of goals just 39 seconds apart in the fourth minute of play, while Kendra Lanuza followed with a strike shortly thereafter, giving the visitors a 3-0 advantage by the 24:33 mark of the first half. However, the Aztecs flashed their resiliency, answering with three straight scores to forge a 3-3 deadlock with 22:25 left in the opening period. Two Pioneer fouls 40 seconds apart led to free position goals by Deitz and Hickey, while the latter added another quick score moments later. Denver short-circuited SDSU’s momentum with four straight goals, including a tally by Julia Feiss off a feed from Caitlin Derry to build a 7-3 lead it would not relinquish. SDSU ended its scoring drought of nearly 15 minutes when sophomore Natalie Peel found the back of the net with 7:46 left before intermission. However, the Pioneers scored a pair of goals before halftime and added two more in the first 2:14 of the second period to fashion an 11-4 bulge. The Aztecs were unable to pull closer than five goals the rest of the way, as another free position goal by Hickey with 1:54 remaining provided the contest its final margin. Freshman Taylor Sullivan also got into the act for SDSU with her first collegiate goal in the second half. Katrina Reeves made 11 saves in front of the net for the Scarlet and Black, while her Denver counterpart Maddy Stevenson finished with five stops of her own. The Pioneers were paced by Behrins’ five goals, while Lanuza and Feiss added three each. Denver outshot SDSU 29-18, including a 17-8 spread in the first half. The Pioneers also maintained a 21-17 advantage in ground balls and a 17-8 margin on draw controls. The Aztecs were 6-for-10 in free position attempts, while the Pioneers went 1-for-3. San Diego State returns to action next weekend when it travels to the Pacific Northwest to face Oregon in its Mountain Pacific Sports Federation opener on Saturday, Feb. 11, starting at noon PT. Box
SDSU WOMEN’S HOOPS STUMBLES AGAINST FRESNO STATE 59-51
SDSU hosted 2,142 fans for its Girls and Women in Sport Day Source: goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com February 4, 2017 (San Diego) – Despite playing solid defense for the final three quarters, it wasn’t enough for San Diego State women’s basketball, who dropped its fourth-straight Mountain West game to Fresno State, 59-51, at Viejas Arena Saturday afternoon. Fresno State improves to 6-5 against conference opponents and 13-9 overall. The Aztecs, meanwhile, lose their fourth straight, dropping to 3-7 in MW play and they are now 8-13 on the year. “We need to finish the rest of the season like we finished the last six minutes of this game,” head coach Stacie Terry said. “We have to have the same ‘want to’ to defend, the same intensity on the offensive side. We need to finish the rest of the season with that mentality. This is a team that is up and down. Sometimes, we play really well and sometimes, we don’t play so well. But what we need to rely on is our defense and rebounding and that’s where we’re failing.” For the 13th game this season, junior McKynzie Fort was SDSU’s top point-getter with 14 points to go alongside three rebounds and assists each. Classmate Khalia Lark grabbed a team-high five boards, recording eight points. The game, SDSU’s Girls and Women in Sport Day, opened with Fresno State dominating the early clock. They shut out the Aztecs, 7-0, for the opening 3:56, and went on to win the period, 22-17. In the second quarter, San Diego State returned to the court with renewed vigor. The Aztecs opened the frame by out-scoring the Bulldogs, 10-4, and took its first lead of the game at 6:20. Baylee Vanderdoes went in for the left-handed layup and the ball careened off the rim. But Ariell Bostick corralled the rebound and laid it in for the 27-25 SDSU advantage. Fresno State, though, closed out the frame by embarking on an 8-2 run for the 34-29 lead at the half, and a 12-12 second-quarter tie. The second half saw SDSU tighten up its defensive play. The team, which had been out-rebounded, 23-11, and out-scored, 34-29, in the opening 20 minutes, was, in the second half, only edged by one board, 19-18, and three points, 25-22. In the third quarter, Fresno State opened the period by getting a pair of layups in the first 1:08, then, save for a pair of free throws, didn’t get another point until 3:09. In that time, San Diego State scored seven unanswered points to bring the game within two points. However, the Bulldogs paced the Aztecs, 5-1, for a 45-39 lead after 30 minutes of play. In the quarter, Fresno State held a narrow 11-10 advantage. In the fourth quarter, both teams combined to score just three field goals in the first 7:40 of the frame. In front of 2,142 fans, the Aztecs weren’t ready to go down without a fight and at 2:20, Fort picked up the rebound of a missed Bulldog three and went all the way, floating in the ball to cut the deficit to seven points at 52-45. Fresno State answered with a pair of two-point field goals, but Kymberly Ellison stopped the Bulldogs at 43 seconds with a long three from the near side, cutting the score to 56-48. With just 12 ticks on the clock, she drilled a second three to cut the margin to six points. But it wasn’t enough, as Fresno State added a pair of late free throws for the final 59-51 score. In the contest, the Bulldogs won the battle on the glass, 42-29, led by reigning MW Defensive Player of the Year Bego Faz Davalos’s 19 rebounds. Fresno State also scored more points in the paint, 30-24, and more second-chance points, 14-6. SDSU held the advantage on points off turnovers, 8-4, fast break points, 8-0, and bench points, 14-3. San Diego State showed improved ball-sharing, getting 11 assists, its most in four games. The Bulldogs posted eight assists. SDSU had its second-straight game with fewer than 10 turnovers, committing just seven to Fresno State’s 12 turnovers. Lexy Thorderson grabbed all three off San Diego State’s steals, while the Bulldogs had five steals. San Diego State stays at home for the second straight game when it welcomes San José State to Viejas Arena on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. Play by play Box
SDSU WOMEN’S TENNIS EDGES CAL POLY 4-3
Source: goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com February 4, 2017 (San Diego) – Aztec Women’s Tennis opened its home stand with a win Saturday against the Cal Poly Mustangs, 4-3. SDSU now heads into its Sunday matchup against No. 8 California with a 3-2 record. With play beginning at noon, SDSU downed the Mustangs in doubles play, claiming the point after just two matches. First to finish off Cal Poly was the duo of Kennedy Davis and Paola Diaz, who brought down their opponents, Molly Reed and Abigail Bacharach, 6-3, in the No. 2 slot. First-seeded Jana Buth and Taylor Lederman also claimed a victory against Seriana Saltzen and Susanne Boyden, 6-4, giving SDSU the doubles point. Moving into singles play, SDSU started strong when Diaz downed Saltzen, 6-2, 6-0, in the third seed. At the No. 1 spot, Buth matched her teammate’s success by claiming a win over Louise Oxnevad, 6-3, 6-1, and the Aztecs took a 3-0 lead. Cal Poly continued to battle, as No. 2 seed Boyden defeated Davis, 6-1, 6-2, and Celine Gruaz won her match against Alli Valk, 7-5, 6-0, in the sixth slot. With just one point needed to claim the dual, Mia Smith battled to overcome Bacharach, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, and solidify the Aztec victory. Though the match was already decided, Marina Colvee continued to battle Reed, but was unable to finish, falling 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(6). At 3-2 on the season, San Diego State returns to the Aztec Tennis Center tomorrow at noon to take on an unbeaten No. 8 California. San Diego State 4, Cal Poly 3 Feb 4, 2017 Aztec Tennis Center Doubles competition 1. Jana Buth/Taylor Lederman (SDSU) def. Seriana Saltzen/Susanne Boyden (CPWT) 6-4 2. Kennedy Davis/Paola Diaz (SDSU) def. Molly Reed/Abigail Bacharach (CPWT) 6-3 3. Alli Valk/Mia Smith (SDSU) vs. Louise Oxnevad/Sayaka Tsugai (CPWT) DNF Order of finish: 2, 1 SDSU claims doubles point Singles competition 1. Jana Buth (SDSU) def. Louise Oxnevad (CPWT) 6-3, 6-1 2. Susanne Boyden (CPWT) def. Kennedy Davis (SDSU) 6-1, 6-2 3. Paola Diaz (SDSU) def. Seriana Saltzen (CPWT) 6-2, 6-0 4. Mia Smith (SDSU) def. Abigail Bacharach (CPWT) 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 5. Molly Reed (CPWT) def. Marina Colvee (SDSU) 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 6. Celine Gruaz (CPWT) def. Alli Valk (SDSU) 7-5, 6-0 Order of finish: 3, 1, 2, 6, 4*, 5 *Match clinching victory
JUDGE HALTS TRAVEL BAN NATIONWIDE; REFUGEES AND OTHERS WITH VISAS CAN NOW ENTER U.S.
By Miraim Raftery Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News : Among the first to gain entry was an Iranian infant in need of heart surgery. February 4, 2017 (San Diego) – Travelers barred from entering the U.S. due to President Donald Trump’s sweeping executive order issued on January 27th must now be admitted due to a ruling by U.S. District Judge James Robard on Friday. The court issued a nationwide halt to the entire executive order, though the Trump administration has said it will appeal the ruling. The ruling applies to refugees previously approved for admission to the U.S., as well as citizens of seven Muslim nations including Syrians. It also requires admission of green card holders with visas. The State Department has estimated the number of visas revoked by Trump’s order at 60,000, though Homeland Security told the court up to 100,000 may have been revoked. The order did not address people whose visas were cancelled, nor is it clear yet what will happen to those previously deported under the order. The ruling is being hailed by Lee Gelernt, senior attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). “It’s a tremendous ruling that recognizes that the president is not above the Constitution and that the executive order has serious legal problems,” he said, the Boston Globe reports. President Trump took to Twitter to blast the ruling, tweeting, “The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!” Judge Robard was appointed in 2004 by Republican President George W. Bush. Incoming travelers, for now, will still be screened using the procedures in place before Trump’s order. The order had left families separated, refugees fleeing persecution in limbo, and stranded even legal residents including doctors, children being admitted for medical treatment, scientists, an Academy Award nominee, an Olympic athlete, and more. The order barring refugees has been criticized as particularly without justification, given that since September 11, 2001, out of 800,000 refugees admitted to the U.S., not a single one has committed an act of terror, an International Rescue Committee spokesman told East County Magazine in an interview aired on KNSJ. Following the judge’s ruling, the State Department issue a statement indicating previously banned travelers will be allowed to enter the U.S. “We have reversed the provisional revocation of visas,” the State Dept. indicated. “Those individuals with visas that wree not physically canceled may not travel if the visa is otherwise valid,” the Washington Post reports. Today, many of those travelers began arriving at airports across the U.S. Advocates for refugees and green card travelers outside the U.S. are urging them to book flights here as soon as possible. American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee ADC Legal and Policy Director Abed Ayoub states, “”The temporary restraining order out of the federal court in Seattle is an emphatic decision exposing the constitutional gaps and perspective violations in the Arab and Muslim Ban Executive Order. It forecasts a long fight in the courts and potentially the Supreme Court.” Ayoub offers this advice to travelers who were previously banned. ” As a result of the decision, individuals with valid immigrant and non-immigrant visas should be permitted to travel to the U.S. Prior to traveling please consult with the airlines to ensure you will be able to board the flight. Those traveling to the U.S. should know that the DOJ has indicated that it will file an emergency appeal of the decision. Reversal of the decision will result in the ban being reinstated.” The Trump administration can appeal to a 3-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. If it loses there, it could ask the Supreme Court to decide the case. Judge Anthony Kennedy is empowered to hear emergency appeals from the 9th Circuit, though with high-profile cases, customarily the full Supreme Court would hear the case. The nation’s highest court is currently divided with four liberal and four conservative justices since the death of Justice Antony Scalia. Trump has nominated conservative Neil Gorsuch but the nomination is expected to face stiff opposition, particularly since Republicans refused to consider any nominee of Barack Obama’s for the high court during the entire last year of his presidency. Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) praised the judge’s ruling for protecting democratic values in a press release sent to media, adding that the State Department made the right decision to obey the judge’s ruling by reinstating visas that were revoked. “This administration is learning the hard way that we are living in a democracy with a robust system of check and balances. Many decent and law-abiding people are suffering as a result,” she said, adding that the president’s order undermines the fight against terror by providing a recruiting tool to America’s enemies. “I once again call on this President to rescind his immoral and unconstitutional executive order and urge him to work within the law and the Constitution,” she said, adding that she will continue efforts in Congress to repeal it. Judges in several other cities had heard challenges on more narrow grounds and previously issued rulings blocking portions of the orders pertaining to green card holders. A Virginia judge has also ordered the White House to provide a list of names of all perseons denied entry to or removed from the U.S. The Seattle judicial ruling is the broadest to date. Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who argued the case for the state, concluded, the Guardian reports, “We are a nation of laws; not even the president can violate the Constitution. Judge Robart did the right thing in declaring this unconstitutional.” Sources include: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/03/trump-travel-ban-temporarily-blocked-nationwide?CMP=edit_2221 http://www.kpbs.org/news/2017/feb/03/state-department-says-fewer-than-60000-visas/ http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/02/04/federal-officials-say-they-will-comply-with-order-halting-immigration-ban-for-now/pJ5qEoQBdBsB0zhiwlVxhK/story.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/state-dept-reverses-visa-revocations-allows-banned-travelers-to-enter-us/2017/02/04/0ab5880a-eaee-11e6-bf6f-301b6b443624_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_trumpban0205-1110am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.9b729a4fbec0