By Suzanne Potter, Public News Service

Photo:  The Institute for Local Self-Reliance predicts that, for the 129 million Americans who have access to just one internet provider, monopolies will have greater power with the repeal of net neutrality. (Fabienne/Morguefile)

December 18, 2017 (Sacramento) - After the Federal Communications Commission voted to kill net neutrality on Thursday, some California cities are looking to create or expand municipal internet service to preserve open, fair and affordable online access. Manhattan Beach is exploring the possibility, and Santa Monica, Burbank, Beverly Hills and Long Beach already have small, publicly-owned broadband networks.

Erick Tovar’s hat-trick propels San Diego to 7-0 record and control of the division; Anthony Medina adds two goals, while Kraig Chiles’ scoring streak reaches seven games

Source:  San Diego Sockers

Photo courtesy San Diego Sockers

December 17, 2017 (San Diego) - The 14-time champion San Diego Sockers moved to 7-0 with a 9-2 victory over the Turlock Express before 3,240 at Valley View Casino Center. With the win, the Sockers take full control of the Pacific Division earning a 3 ½ game lead over second place Ontario. Erick Tovar led the attack with his first hat-trick of the season.

By Miriam Raftery

December 16, 2017 (Dulzura) – Smoke inhalation and burns were the causes of death for Cal Fire engineer Cory Iverson, 32, according to the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s report. The Dulzura-based firefighter and resident of Escondido died in the Fillmore, California area while battling the Thomas Fire. 

By Liz Alper

Photo via Youtube

December 15, 2017 (San Diego) - A lot has been said about Winston Churchill.  Some people (the British) see him as a hero who won Britain the Second World War.  Americans probably see him as that too, but with an added dose of crazy.  And still, some people in darker circles don’t see him as a hero at all.  Focus Features’ Darkest Hour reveals the truth about the man. Or does it?

By Andrew Zelt

December 15, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- To the GOP:  after this week's stunning defeat of Roy Moore in Alabama, the Republican Party of San Diego must take a closer look at itself.  It must remind itself what it's true principles are and what it is fighting for.  It cannot become so wrapped up with an unwavering support of a candidate that no matter what that candidate might do wrong, they are still willing to support them.  A politician is accountable to the people.  It's time the Republican Party of San Diego follows the people's lead and holds a candidate responsible for their actions.  In Alabama, the GOP had a weak candidate embroiled in controversy and lost a seat that couldn't have been safer for a Republican candidate.  Sound familiar?

By Miriam Raftery

December 14, 2017 (Dulzura) – Cal Fire engineer Cory Iverson, 32, who was stationed in Dulzura, has died of injuries sustained fighting the Thomas Fire in Ventura County this morning.  A resident of Escondido, he leaves behind a 2-year-old daughter, Evie and his wife, Ashley, who is expecting the couple’s second daughter in the spring.

"Today has been a tragic and devastating day," Cal Fire San Diego County Fire Chief Tony Mecham told media at a press conference. "This incident has shaken our organization to the core." He praised Iverson as “a great young man, somebody who really loved his job."

Residents angered at loss of water pumps, alarm systems, refrigeration, comunication and heat during outages up to a week in some areas that have suffered repeated outages

By Miriam Raftery

December 12, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – SDG&E announced last night that it has fully restored power to all customers who were de-energized due to “public safety concerns” following a week-long red flag warning with strong gusty winds, low humidity and dangerous fire conditions.  An SDG&E media release states, “After crews inspected power lines all day in coordination with contract firefighters who were on hand to ensure a safe restoration process, power was turned on for all remaining customers. Field crews patrolled on the ground and in the air. Aerial inspections were completed by five helicopters in rural, mountainous areas."

Power remains out to 56 customers in the Lilac Fire zone in North County, where full restoration is expected early Tuesday evening. All 43 poles damaged in the fire will be replaced with fire-resistant steel poles and thicker, stronger wires, SDG&E indicates, adding, ““We understand that being without power, for any reason, is an inconvenience and we appreciate the patience we have received from our customers.”  For current information on outages and restoration times, visit sdge.com/outage.

Across East County,  many residents in rural, mountain and high desert towns have taken to social media to voice concerns over the prolonged outages.  Although SDG&E says it did provide advance notice to 170,000 customers of possible planned outages due to high winds and fire danger, before shutting off power to many thousands of homes, many rural residents say that’s not enough – and they want changes made. Below are highlights of residents' concerns and proposals.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Santee middle school age youth and high school students learn about the health risks associated to secondhand smoke and how tobacco waste like cigarette butts hurt their environment.

December 13, 2017 (Santee) – Santee is the last city in San Diego County to still allow smoking in public parks. But that could soon change.  On Thursday, December 14^th at 6:30 p.m., the Santee Parks and Recreation Committee will consider a smoke-free ordinance and recommendation to the City Council to make parks and open spaces smoke-free.  The meeting will be held at Santee City Hall’s Community Services building #7, 10601 North Magnolia Avenue in Santee.

December 13, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views.  Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• Democrats pull off an upset in Alabama: Doug Jones defeats Roy Moore to trim G.O.P. majority (NY Times)
• Macron to award U.S. climate scientists “make our planet great again” grants (The Hill)
• President falsely claims that he doesn’t know his accusers (CNN)
• NYC terror attack suspect claims he did it for ISIS (CBS)
• Why are America’s farmers killing themselves in record numbers? (Guardian)
• Special Report: Unfettered construction raises U.S. hurricane costs (Reuters)
• Houston man arrested for trying to aid Islamic State: U.S. government (Reuters)
• Minnesota Lt. Governor to replace Franken, run for seat in 2018 (The Hill)
• Justice Dept. Opposes Mandatory Union Dues for Public Employees, Reversing an Old Position (Reason)

WORLD

• Protests in Lebanon Near U.S. Embassy After Trump’s Jerusalem Decision  (New York Times)
• Tense scene in West Bank after Trump decision (CNN)
• Saudi Arabia Announces Opening of Cinemas for First Time In 35 Years (NPR)
• Deadly Blast at an Austrian Gas Hub Prompts a State of Emergency in Italy (NPR_
• Names Written in Blood and Rust: Documenting Syria's Disappeared (NPR)
• German City Bans Refugees from Settling There, Other Cities May Follow (NPR)
• Firebombs hurled at Swedish synagogue after Jerusalem protest march (Jerusalem Post)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

December 13, 2017 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• Babies' brains damaged by pollution, UNICEF says (BBC)
• Huntington’s breakthrough may stop disease (BBC)
• Health officials sound the alarm on Trump-led reversal of ban om risky pesticides (RawStory)
• Even Low-Dose Contraceptives Slightly Increase Breast Cancer Risk (NPR)
• Why A Pill That's 4 Cents in Tanzania Costs Up to $400 in the U.S. (NPR)
• Safer DNA editing method may fix human diseases, Salk scientists report (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Here's What It Looks Like When You Fry Your Eye in an Eclipse (NPR)
• Warning over eating raw dough due to E. coli risk in flour (BBC)

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

• 12 must-have products going viral in 2017 (Household Saving Tips)
• This Year, Consider Giving Presence Instead of Presents (NPR)
• Video of starving polar bear ‘rips your heart out of your chest’ (New York Times)
• In Your Face: China’s all-seeing state (BBC)
• Massive Black Hole Reveals When the First Stars Blinked On (NPR)
• Fusion breakthrough explained: What are quarks again? (CS Monitor)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

East County News Service

December 13, 2017 (Alpine) -- If you think there should be more county parks in Alpine, or have ideas on what future parks should include, you’re invited to an open house at the Alpine Library on December 18^th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

December 13, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - A red flag warning for high fire danger is in effect today through Thursday. In addition, the National Weather Service is forecasting strong Santa Ana winds this weekend over the mountains, foothills and passes in San Diego County. Wind gusts could reach 50 to 60 miles and hour with sustained easterly or northeasterly winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour.

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  County officials take part in a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Pine Valley Station 44.

December 13, 2017 (Pine Valley) -- County and fire officials broke ground Wednesday on a new $8.2 million fire station that will serve the Pine Valley community for the next 50 years.

“This new station helps deliver on our promise to boost wildfire protection in our most fire-prone communities,” said Supervisor Dianne Jacob, chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors. “Since the deadly Cedar Fire in 2003, the county has spent $460 million on fire and emergency service improvements in the backcountry — and this new station builds on that.”

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office

Image Credit: San Diego County Sheriff's Department

December 13, 2017 (San Diego) - The County Board of Supervisors Monday adopted a resolution to waive permit fees for those who have lost their homes in the Lilac Fire.

The resolution means fire victims who plan to rebuild their homes or other damaged structures will get a waiver of plan check fees for the rebuilding of structures damaged or destroyed in the unincorporated area, or other areas where County approvals are required.