GROSSMONT HEALTHCARE DISTRICT ENCOURAGING 39 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS INTERESTED IN HEALTHCARE CAREERS WITH $88,500 IN SCHOLARSHIPS
East County News Service March 17, 2017 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD), a public agency that supports various health-related community programs and services in San Diego’s East County region, awarded $88,500 in scholarships to 39 high school students who have expressed interest in a career as a healthcare professional. The scholarships were presented at the GHD board meeting on Friday, March 17. The students from the 20 local high schools in the East Region were selected by school administrators for their academic excellence, outstanding citizenship and a desire to improve our world in the healthcare field. Students from each high school will receive up to $3,000 at the end of their first successfully-completed semester of college. “We applaud these students who have demonstrated great potential in leading the next generation and shaping the future of healthcare,” said Michael Emerson, GHD Board President. “It’s important for us to invest in America’s youth and encourage these young adults as they continue their studies in the healthcare field with the goal of serving in the workforce of tomorrow. We look forward to their future success through college and beyond.” The students include (name of the high school in parenthesis follows the students’ names): Amara Harris, Nicole Hurtik (Christian); Victoria Hoehn, Izabel Sandoval (Diego Valley Charter); Mario Ballo, Noor Haleem (El Cajon Valley); Mikayla Buckley, Tori Vaca (El Capitan); Hannah Byce, Cierra Norton (Foothills Christian); Zaida Minjares, Vallarie Basa (Granite Hills); Breanne Williams Sutton, Ashley Hans (Grossmont); Alexandra “Sasha” Munson, Emelda Alchi (Grossmont Middle College); Gabrielle Root, Emily Lam (Helix Charter); Jenna Marogi (IDEA Center High); Anna Bray, Lauren Jouni (Liberty Charter); Euridice Pamela Sanchez-Martinez, Silvia Bustos (Monte Vista); Noemi Avenido, Lorraine Maraan (Mount Miguel); Ashley Alvarez, Lilly Shuster (Mountain Empire); Madisyn Delaney Taylor, Julia Ronney (Patrick Henry); Emma Kellio, Katharine Martens (River Valley Charter); Rency Mallari, Jessica Garcia (Santana); Angelina Miramontes, Anna Silva (Steele Canyon Charter); Madison Becker, Zion White (Valhalla); Rose Hawaree, Rayelynn Barker (West Hills). GHD has honored local high school students interested in a healthcare career with scholarship grants since 1999. Over the years, hundreds of local high school students have received individual scholarships totaling more than $1 million. The Grossmont Healthcare District, formed in 1952 to build and operate Grossmont Hospital, serves as landlord of Sharp Grossmont Hospital, including ownership of the property and buildings on behalf of East County taxpayers. The District is governed by a five-member board of directors, each elected to four-year terms, who represent more than 500,000 people residing within the District’s 750 square miles in San Diego’s East County. For more information about GHD, visit www.grossmonthealthcare.org.
SDSU SWIM & DIVE: CAPLAN SEVENTH IN CONSOLATION FINALS IN NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
Aztec diver earns honorable mention All-America honors Source: goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com March 17, 2017 (Indianapolis) – San Diego State diver Alexandra Caplan competed on the 3-meter springboard at the 2017 NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships on Friday, advancing out of the prelims and placing seventh in the consolation final. The championships are being hosted by the Indiana Sports Corp and IUPUI this week in Indianapolis, Ind. Caplan is SDSU’s lone representative at the national meet and is the first Aztec diver to compete at the NCAA Championships since Kristen Meier and Anna Steiner qualified in 2012. By virtue of her finish, Caplan earned honorable mention all-America accolades. Caplan advanced out of the prelims by finishing 12th among the 50 divers competing in the event. Her score of 316.55 over her six dives was less than five points from the number 10 spot and just over 15 points shy of qualifying for the championship finals. Northwestern’s Olivia Rosendahl finished first in the prelims with a mark of 375.25. In the consolation finals, Caplan record a mark of 302.10 for a final placing of seventh among the eight divers competing. Missouri’s Lauren Reedy captured the consolation final with a score of 52.15. During the 2016-17 season, Caplan set the SDSU record for the 3-meter board with a score of 359.65 during the Mountain West Championships. She was also named conference Diver of the Week for her performances at the USC Diving invitational and the UCLA Diving Invitational.
KALASHO SAYS EL CAJON MAYOR’S PROPOSAL TO BAN COUNCIL MEMBERS’ USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES IS ILLEGAL
By Miriam Raftery March 17, 2017 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells has proposed banning City Council members from using iPads, cell phones or other electronic devices during Council hearings. They Mayor says his goal in introducing item 6.3 on the agenda during the March 14th public hearing was to assure that members are giving public hearings their full attention and not engaging in outside communications, assuring transparency. But Councilman Kalasho claims the move is unconstitutional and targets him. Members of the public who spoke sided with Kalasho in a testy exchange that can be viewed on video (starting at approximately 52 minutes, 44 seconds): https://elcajonca.iqm2.com/Citizens/SplitView.aspx?Mode=Video&MeetingID=1049&Format=Agenda Mayor Wells observed that “technology has fallen behind tradition.” He voiced concerns over showing “respect for the public” as well as assuring no Brown Act violations occur should a Councilmember text another to discuss an agenda, something that has not been alleged here. His measure would outlaw use of cell phones laptops or other electric devices on the dais during Council hearings, except in case of emergencies. Councilman Steve Goble noted that at a League of California Cities meeting recently, the issue was discussed and the need for transparency emphasized. Councilman Gary Kendrick stated, “Transparency is very important to the public. You deserve our full attention. He called it “just plain rude” for a Councilmember to be typing on a notebook computer or on their phone “when we’re supposed to be paying attention to what happens at a meeting.” Kalasho said that the League of California Cities meeting was held before a state Supreme Court case, which held that citizens have the right to request any private communications by public officials, such as text messages or emails using private email addresses, as public documents. He said if people need assurance that no inappropriate communications occurred on private devices, they could get those records with a public records request. Councilman Kalasho said that while texting from the dais is “a reasonable thing to stop,” it’s not reasonable to prohibit taking notes on a personal computer and would “impede my ability to take notes.” He observed, “I’m the only one up here with an iPad and this is how I take notes. You could do that with an iPad, with a pencil, or chiseling it on a stone table…It would be illegal to put limits on how you can take notes.” He asked Mayor Wells which member has been using a cell phone during hearings. Wells said he was merely keeping up with what “Councils across America” are enacting. Kalasho fired back, “I actually did some research” on the proposed code. “There is no comparable city that does that.” Wells said there are, and that he would have to bring in more information. Kalasho then stated, “I want to make it perfectly clear: it would be against the law for you to ban the method of which a council member, or anybody, can take notes.” Councilman McClellan recalled another local Council that had problems with members using phones and reading emails during Council meetings, but didn’t know how the problem was addressed. Wells said when he visited Sacramento a couple of years ago, he saw Assembly members on their phones, ignoring a speaker of the opposite party. “This job requires we pay attention to each other and show each other respect,“ he said. Kalasho noted that El Cajon Council members haven’t talked on phones or ignored each other. “We don’t do that here.” Councilman Gary Kendrick said he thought iPads were disabled for Wi-Fi but that members could take notes. Kalasho said if someone was using an electronic device inappropriately he would entertain a reasonable request to address that problem. But he repeated, “I’m the only guy with a laptop and that’s the way I take notes. There is no legal standing for you to prevent me from taking notes on my laptop. I just want to save you some time.” Councilman Steve Goble noted that it would not be appropriate for members to look up websites and access information that’s not part of the evidence presented in a public hearing, but said, “How you take notes is a different story.” Kalasho said, “I concur about the internet.” One resident spoke during public testimony. Stephanie Harper told Council, “I believe this item to be solely targeted towards Councilman Kalasho…He’s a pretty smart fellow. I’ve seen him do more than one task at a time…If he can get more information on a subjecting being discussed…that can be helpful,” she said. “Whether he’s on the phone or taking notes…the haters are gonna hate. That’s what they do. I believe this item is a total waste of the city’s time.” Councilman Kendrick asked the City Attorney if it’s legal for a member to get information online after a hearing starts, other than information the public has access to already. The attorney advised, “You cannot use extrajudicial information” such as “contacting people and asking their opinion once a public hearing is going on. You can only base your vote on the public hearing and your own knowledge…To investigate outside of that would be inappropriate.” Councilman Wells made a motion to approve the item and have staff bring back a proposal for consideration at a future meeting. The motion was approved 4 to 1, with Councilman Kalasho opposed. One potential solution, it would seem, could be to restrict use of Internet and text messaging during hearings other than for emergencies, but allow electronic note taking.
RAIN AND SNOW TO RETURN NEXT WEEK
By Miriam Raftery Photo: Flooded roadway, courtesy National Weather Service March 17, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) — Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts. The dry and warm weather pattern that has held for the last week will come to an end early next week as a series of storms arrive along the California Coast, the National Weather Service predicts. Precipitation is expected to arrive in Southern California by Tuesday, with additional rounds of precipitation possible through next weekend. Several inches of snow are possible in mountain areas, with strong winds in passes and deserts that could impact travelers. The wet weather is forecast through at least Thursday and additional storms are possible through next weekend, March 24-26.
DUI ENFORCEMENT TONIGHT IN EL CAJON
East County News Service Photo: Rollover crash caused by a drunk driver March 17, 2017 (El Cajon) – Before you head out to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, be aware that El Cajon Police will have a DUI checkpoint tonight from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. in areas with high rates of DUI collisions or arrests in the past. The checkpoint aims to stop and arrest alcohol and drug-impaired drivers as part of a traffic safety campaign. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized, proactive DUI operations are conducted routinely, says Lt. Steve Kirk. In California, alcohol involved collisions led to 1,155 deaths and nearly 24,000 injuries in 2014 because someone failed to designate a sober driver. Over the course of the past three years, officers have investigated 242 DUI collisions which have claimed 2 lives and resulted in another 56 injuries. Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving, which now accounts for a growing number of impaired driving crashes. Studies of California drivers have shown that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol. Everyone should be mindful that if you’re taking medication – whether prescription or over-the-counter – drinking even small amounts of alcohol can greatly intensify the impairment affects. Drivers are encouraged to download the Designated Driver VIP, or “DDVIP,” free mobile app for Android or iPhone. The DDVIP app helps find nearby bars and restaurants that feature free incentives for the designated sober driver, from free non-alcoholic drinks to free appetizers and more. The feature-packed app even has social media tie-ins and even a tab for the non-DD to call Uber, Lyft or Curb. The cost of a ride home is cheap! Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspensions and other expenses that can exceed $10,000 not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out. Funding for this DUI operation is provided to the El Cajon Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1’. A checkpoint on March 11 for DUIs and driver’s licenses yielded no DUI arrests but did results in 19 citations and one driver cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or on a suspended/revoked licensed. One driver evaded officers at the checkpoint but was not apprehended. The goal of publicizing DUI checkpoints in advance is to encourage drivers not to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses that can exceed $10,000 not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out. El Cajon PD will be conducting another DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint and DUI saturation Patrol in the coming months in our ongoing commitment to lowering deaths and injuries upon our streets and highways.
TRUMP APPROVES DISASTER DECLARATION FOR 15 CALIFORNIA COUNTIES
By Miriam RafteryPhoto Photo by Alex Tardy, National Weather Service: San Diego River crested at 14.15 feet, third highest level ever recorded March 16, 2017 (San Diego) — President Donald Trump has granted a federal disaster declaration requested by California Governor Jerry Brown in 15 California counties, including San Diego, due to severe storms that caused flooding, mudslides, and other damage from January 18-23. The order authorizes federal assistance to supplement state, local and tribal recovery efforts, along with some nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis. In addition to San Diego, other counties approved for relief funds are El Dorado, Kern, Los Angeles, Mendocino, Napa, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Trinity, Tuolumne and Yolo. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has named Timothy J. Scranton as the federal coordinating officer for the recovery effort in these areas. Congressman Darrell Issa (R-Vista) voiced appreciation to the Trump administration for the disaster aid. “I want to thank the President and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for allowing San Diego and Orange County to access federal assistance to clean up, restore, and rebuild areas damaged by recent storms,” said Congressman l Issa, who encouraged all eligible organizations to review the federal options. For more information on the declaration and programs available: Check here with FEMA here And here for more information
CLIMATE CHANGE AND FAITH: A MORAL IMPERATIVE
By James Long, SanDiego350 Photo: Dr. Ramanthan makes his presentation. Photo by Greg Withee March 16, 2017 (San Diego) – On Monday, March 13, 2017, at the First United Methodist Church in Mission Valley, a panel composed of a climate scientist and representatives of the Jewish, Catholic, and Islamic faiths discussed climate change, each from their perspectives. The evening began with Dr. V. Ramanathan’s summary presentation of his climate science findings over the past 47 years. Dr. Ramanathan is a professor of atmospheric and climate sciences at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. He also serves as a council member in Pope Francis’ Pontifical Academy of Sciences. In his presentation, he made the following points: We are giving a damaged planet to our children, who will witness a rapidly and adversely changing, unpredictable world in their lifetimes $500 billion in subsidies are given to the worldwide fossil fuel industry each year; this amount would solve 60% of the climate problem There is still time to avoid the effects that a global temperature increase of 6°C would impose (at which point one third of the planet would be uninhabitable), but the window of opportunity is only open for 4 or 5 more years The wealthiest one billion people in the world contribute 50% of global CO2 emissions, while the poorest 3 billion people contribute only 5% The University of California has put forth 10 solutions to combating climate change, gathered in a report called Bending the Curve In addition, The Lancet has published a report on the adverse health effects that climate change will impose After Dr. Ramanthan’s presentation, the multicultural panel convened. Ms. Judy Ponizil, a member of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby and representing the Jewish faith tradition, said that her faith values learning, doing, and justice. We are partners with God, she continued, acting to protect the world, and acting to combat injustice of climate change consequences on the poor. Photo, right: Panel members, L to R: Ms. Arwa Alkhawaja, Fr. Emmett Farrell, Ms. Judy Ponizil, and Dr. Ramanathan. Photo by Greg Withee. Father Emmett Farrell (retired) said that climate change is fundamentally a spiritual and moral issue. We must change our thinking to change our actions. As Pope Francis said: we are one family, living in one house. Arwa Alkhawaja, a science teacher at the Islamic School of San Diego, said the Koran tells us to look upon the earth as its trustees. It is our duty to be good stewards of the planet. In summary, the three representatives of religious faith agreed that climate change is real and we must address it. Dr. Ramanthan went on to say it’s commonly stated that GDP and economic growth are tied to CO2 emissions. However, California and Sweden, for two, have demonstrated that this isn’t true. The economies of both have grown while their CO2 emissions have substantially fallen. The switch to renewable energy is a growth market, and they both are proving this. All energy end uses must be converted to renewable energy, Dr. Ramanathan concluded, this is the path to our children’s better world. James Long is an accountant for the City of San Diego. He lives in El Cajon with his wife, and looks forward to traveling more when he retires. James joined SD350 to do something for a future that is threatened by climate change. Working together with others is the way for him to have hope for that future.
DENTAL DISCOUNTS FOR DOG FOOD DONATIONS TO HELP SENIORS IN LA MESA
East County News Service March 16, 2017 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Modern Dental Group (5620 Lake Murray Blvd.) is partnering with Animals, a nonprofit that provides animal services for the elderly. Any patient who brings in a bag of dogfood to donate will receive a 15 percent discount on treatment. Yesterday the dental clinic hosted a mixer for the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce, which held a ribbon cutting for Dr. Shahab Ariannejad and his staff. The dental clinic also has new patient specials for exams, x-rays and cleanings as well as same-day crowns available.
NO. 12 SDSU WATER POLO’S RALLY FALLS SHORT IN LOSS TO NO. 5 UC IRVINE
Aztecs have four-game winning streak snapped Source: goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com March 16, 2017 (San Diego) – No. 12 San Diego State got a late defensive stop to put it in position to tie the game, but ultimately fell to fifth-ranked UC Irvine, 9-7, Thursday afternoon at Aztec Aquaplex. The loss snapped SDSU’s four-game winning streak and dropped it to 9-8 on the year. Makena Magro helped the Aztecs close to within one goal at 8-7 when she scored on a power-play feed from Hannah Carrillo with 1:49 left in the game. On the other end, SDSU forced the Anteaters into committing an offensive foul, which gave the Aztecs a chance to level the score. Caroline Israels’ attempt with under a minute to play, however, was blocked and UCI added an insurance goal from Cambria Shockley to seal the victory for the visitors. The Aztecs mounted a comeback that put them in position to win late in the game after suffering through a scoring drought in the second quarter. Goals from Ioli Benekou and Israels in the first period helped San Diego State enter the next frame tied at 2-2. The second UCI goal in the first quarter, which was recorded by Shockley, was the start of a 4-0 Anteater run. Scoring in the period for UC Irvine was Mary Brooks (twice) and Kelsey Thornton. The duo’s effort on offense, coupled with UCI’s defense, kept the Aztecs off the scoreboard, leading to a 5-2 disadvantage for San Diego State. The third quarter saw SDSU slice its deficit to a pair of goals after outscoring UCI, 3-2. Shelby Kraft scored off an assist from Courtney Jarvis, Hannah Carrillo was successful on a 6-on-5 opportunity and Paola Vizcarra was set up nicely by Magro. In between each of San Diego State’s goals was an Anteater answer, sending the teams to the final frame with UCI ahead, 7-5. In the final quarter, Benekou cut San Diego State’s deficit in half with her cross-cage goal with 5:38 to play only to have UC Irvine recapture its two-goal cushion almost three minutes later. Just over 60 seconds had passed before the aforementioned Magro goal set up the final moments that would decide the game. Kate McDonnell, who made a handful of fantastic saves and gave SDSU a chance to win the game late in the fourth quarter, finished with eight saves. San Diego State will now travel to Fresno Pacific for a 6 p.m. PT game on Friday. The Aztecs are in search of their second Golden Coast victory in as many tries. Box
SDSU MEN’S TENNIS BLANKED BY NO. 25 OREGON 4-0
Aztecs drop third straight match to ranked opponent Source: goaztecs.com Photo: Marko-Goles Babic (left) and Milen Ianakiev posted an upset of Oregon’s 42nd-ranked doubles team on Thursday. Courtesy goaztecs.com March 16, 2017 (San Diego) – San Diego State opened the seventh annual San Diego Spring Break Tournament on a sour note Thursday, dropping a 4-0 decision to No. 25 Oregon at Aztec Tennis Center. SDSU was blanked for the third straight match, all by top 30 opponents, falling to 5-8 on the year, while the Ducks won their fourth in a row to raise their record to 12-2 overall. One of the few bright spots for the Aztecs on the afternoon was provided by the senior doubles tandem of Marko Goles-Babic and Milen Ianakiev, who upset Oregon’s 42nd-ranked duo of Jayson Amos and Armando Soemarno by a 6-4 tally in the No. 1 position. However, the Ducks claimed the point shortly thereafter as the pairing of Thomas Laurent and Cormac Clissold knocked off the SDSU combo of junior Santiago Cevallos and sophomore Sander Gjoels-Andersen by an identical 6-4 count at No. 2. Earlier, the Aztec freshman tandem of Joel Popov and Rafael Gonzalez Almazan fell short to Simon Stevens and Akihiro Tanaka in the third position, 6-2. Trailing 1-0, the Scarlet and Black was unable to counter Oregon’s strong play in singles, dropping three encounters in straight sets. Goles-Babic engaged Laurent at center court, but fell victim to the nation’s 40th-ranked player, 6-2, 6-0. Moments later, Popov was dismissed by Clissold in the fifth spot, 6-4, 6-0, while Amos pinned an identical 6-4, 6-0 defeat on Cevallos at No. 4 to secure the requisite fourth point. Three matches were in progress when the dual was halted, including Gjoels-Andersen, who captured the first set against Tanaka, 6-3, before falling behind in the second 4-3. In his second singles appearance of the spring, sophomore Raul de la Torre trailed the Ducks’ Ty Gentry, 6-3, 2-0, while Ianakiev dropped a tough opening set to Stevens at No. 2, 7-5. San Diego State will square off against Harvard in the second round of the San Diego Spring Break Tournament on Friday at Aztec Tennis Center, starting at 2 p.m. PT. The Crimson lost to Iowa, 4-2, in the first match on Thursday. No. 25 Oregon 4, San Diego State 0 March 16, 2017 Aztec Tennis Center San Diego, Calif. Doubles 1. Marko Goles-Babic/Milen Ianakiev (SDSU) def. #42 Jayson Amos/Armando Soemarno (UO), 6-4 2. Thomas Laurent/Cormac Clissold (OSU) def. Santiago Cevallos/Sander Gjoels-Andersen (SDSU), 6-4 3. Simon Stevens/Akihiro Tanaka (OSU) def. Rafael Gonzalez Almazan/Joel Popov (SDSU), 6-2 Order of finish: 3, 1, 2 Oregon wins doubles point Singles 1. #40 Thomas Laurent (UO) def. Marko Goles-Babic (SDSU), 6-2, 6-0 2. Simon Stevens (UO) vs. Milen Ianakiev (SDSU), 7-5, 1-0, DNF 3. Akihiro Tanaka (UO) vs. Sander Gjoels-Andersen (SDSU), 3-6, 4-3, DNF 4. Jayson Amos (UO) def. Santiago Cevallos (SDSU), 6-4, 6-0 5. Cormac Clissold (UO) def. Joel Popov (SDSU), 6-4, 6-0 6. Ty Gentry (UO) vs. Raul de la Torre (SDSU), 6-3, 2-0, DNF Order of finish: 1, 5, 4* * – Match-clinching victory