By Miriam Raftery

May 30, 2016 (San Diego) -- Today is an appropriate time to talk about our military members, their families and veterans – and what our local members of Congress are doing to help them and to impact our men and women in uniform.

East County News Service

May 27, 2016 (Dulzura) – A collision on State Route 94 near Lucky Six Truck Trail in Dulzura has left a man dead and three people injured, including an 8-year-old child.

East County News Service

May 26, 2016 (Julian) – The Medical Examiner’s office has identified Andrew Grettenberger, 55, of San Diego as the motorcyclist killed on May 23^rd in a solo-vehicle crash near Julian.

By Miriam Raftery

May 24, 2016 (San Diego) – Previously, we reported on the uproar that occurred when the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus took the field to perform before a Padres game last week.  Their microphones were turned off inexplicably and a woman’s voice singing the Star Spangled banner blared over the loudspeakers instead. 

Update, May 23, 2016: The Padres  issued a new statement indicating their investigation found no evidence of malicious intent, however based on the unintentional mistake and failure of those with oversight to immediately intervene, "we have terminated our relationship with the third-party contractor who was responsible for the error, and taken disciplinary action against our employee who was responsible for the game production...We once again sincerely apologize to members of the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus, their families and those who came out to support their Pride Night performance. The  Padres organization is proud of our longstanding commitment to inclusion – within both our sport and our community. We deeply regret that a mistake on our part has called this into question, but accept full responsibility.”

By Miriam Raftery

May 22, 2016 (San Diego)—When 100 volunteer members of the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus  took to the field Saturday night to sing the national anthem at the San Diego Padres vs. Dodgers game,  their microphones were inexplicably off . A recording of a woman singing the Star Spangled Banner was played over the loudspeakers instead of the men's voices.   

No announcement or explanation was offered.  Afterwards, the stunned performers were ushered off the field and heckled by baseball fans shouting homophobic taunts including “You sing like a girl,” according to a post on the group’s Facebook page by Bob Lehman, director of the Chorus.

Monday, May 31  is deadline for nonpartisan voters to request a party ballot to vote for a presidential candidate--but lawsuit seeks to extend that to June 7

By Miriam Raftery

May 21, 2016 (Sacramento) – Only 15% of California’s nonpartisan voters with mail-in ballots have requested a presidential primary ballot.  That means the vast majority won’t be able to vote for president in the June 7^th election--and many are unaware of that restriction.

Now civil rights lawyers have filed suit against California and some counties, claiming the laws are confusing, inconsistent, and amount to disenfranchisement.  If they win, the biggest beneficiary could be Bernie Sanders, the Democratic contender who draws heavy support from independent voters, who account for nearly a quarter of the electorate in California.

Hunter action also led Army to halt ouster of Sgt. Martland, Green Beret who ejected child rapist off U.S. base in Afghanistan

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Sgt. 1^st Class Charles Martland, U.S. Army photo

May 21, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) –Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-San Diego) has introduced legislation to outlaw child rape and other human rights violations on U.S. military bases worldwide.  House Resolution 4717, the Mandating America’s Responsibility to Limit Abuse, Negligence and Depravity Act is also known as the Martland Act, named after Green Beret Army Sergeant 1^st Class Charles Martland. 

East County News Service

May 18, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Strong wind are blowing into our region as a storm system approaches.  Driving may be difficult in the mountains and deserts, particularly for high profile vehicles.  Gusts of up to 45 to 60 miles an hour are possible along desert slopes, passes and canyons Thursday and Friday.

Attackers use compromising information to force victims to engage in sexual activity online

East County News Service

May 17, 2016 (Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) today sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch urging the Department of Justice to begin specifically tracking criminal offenses involving acts of sexual extortion, or "sextortion."

East County News Service

May 14, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) - Subaru is recalling over 48,500 new Legacy and Outback vehicles due to a steering column defect so dangerous, the company doesn’t want you to drive at all—not even to a mechanic.  Subaru dealers will have cars towed, inspected and repaired at no cost, according to a customer service message on Subaru’s website.

By Miriam Raftery

May 14, 2016 (El Cajon) – The driver of a red Mazda truck is dead after fleeing from police and crashing into a tree shortly after midnight in El Cajon.  Officers attempting to render aid to the driver made a grisly discovery – a dead female in the backseat. Arriving paramedics reported that they believe the female was deceased before the collision and that her death was suspicious, said Lieutenant Rob Rainsweiler.

East County News Service

May 13, 2016 (Lemon Grove) - Chantella Matira Ferguson, 32, of Lemon Grove died May 9^th shortly after midnight at Scripps Memorial Hospital of injuries sustained when she was struck by a vehicle at 11:15 p.m. on May 7^th. 

East County News Service

May 13, 2016 (La Mesa) – David Ben Gonzalez, 70, of La Mesa died during surgery following injuries sustained when he was hit by a car while crossing El Cajon Blvd. near Williams Avenue in La Mesa Tuesday night.

“We All Count” organizers voice concerns over undercount of homeless due to lack of data provided by shelter in El Cajon

By Miriam Raftery

May 12, 2016 (San Diego) – Results of “We All Count,” the annual count of homeless people countywide, show a 19% increase in the number of unsheltered homeless people, though a slight dip (less than a percentage point) in the total number of homeless countywide.

In an interview with the East County Magazine Show originally aired on KNSJ radio, Dolores Diaz, Executive Director of the Regional Task Force on the Homeless, and Michael McConnell, an advocate for the homeless who has served as team leader for “25 Cities”, a national initiative to end homelessness and publisher of Homelessness News San Diego, discussed this year’s results of the point-in-time homeless count, as well as long term solutions to end homelessness.

Hear our interview by clicking the orange arrow above (sound files may take a few moments to load), plus scroll down for additional details and updates obtained after our interview aired.

Updated May 11, 2016 with comments from Michael McConnell, advocate for the homeless

By Jonathan Goetz

May 10, 2016 (El Cajon) - The El Cajon City Council praised the new owners of the Villa Serena Motel today for being “most cooperative” and “going above and beyond what we asked” as police evicted the residents at this 23-unit long-term hotel. Building inspectors found extensive building violations that have since been addressed.