“Count Every Vote” lawsuits question election processing practices, statewide outcome

Source: Citizens Oversight

June 29, 2016 (San Diego) -- Legal action filed in San Diego Superior Court questions elections processing procedures in election districts throughout California in one of the most interesting primary elections in years. Citizens' Oversight, Inc. a 501(c)3 Delaware corporation with primary offices in California is the leading plaintiff in these cases in an attempt to represent all voters in California, and most particularly, those who have submitted a provisional ballot in this election.

By Liz Alper

Photo courtesy @Padres on Twitter

June 29, 2016 (San Diego) - After a colossal beating by the blackbirds last night, the Padres looked to rebound this afternoon.  Yovani Gallardo started on the hill for Baltimore against Christian Friedrich for San Diego.

Answering your questions about writing, publishing, and marketing books

By Sarka-Jonae Miller, author of the free book Between Boyfriends

Romance and women's fiction author Julie Farley has joined us today to help define success as an indie author, talk about her recent move to the West Coast, and discuss some upcoming book bundles just in time for summer.

How should small press/independent authors measure their success when the industry standards are set by huge distributors? - Stephanie Yuhas, author of American Goulash

By Liz Alper

June 30, 2016 (San Diego) - Padres General Manager A.J. Preller continues his love-fest with the Miami Marlins, trading closer Fernando Rodney to the fish for minor league pitcher Chris Paddack today.

Update June 29, 2016  -- Volunteer searchers have found two bodies between rocks on a hill behind the home where Jim and Kylie Keef lived.  A positive identification is pending the County Medical Examiner's exam. For details,view our article: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/two-bodies-found-potrero-property-burn...

A memorial fund to also help care for their dogs has been established here:  https://www.gofundme.com/2c2et997

By Miriam Raftery

June 28,2016 (Potrero)—“Barefoot Jim” Keefe and his wife, Kyrie, have not been seen since the Border Fire scorched their property on June 19^th. 

Several dogs were rescued days ago from the blaze  including a dog with burned paws dubbed “Little Joe” after 10 News reporter Joe Little, who helped in the rescue.  According to neighbors, other dogs have died and additional dogs are still running loose.  Friends say the couple would not have abandoned their dogs and voiced concerns that their aqua van with painted flames –the couple’s only known vehicle--was also still at the site, just eight inches from the fire’s scorch marks, along with their trailer.

They fear the couple may have set off on foot or perhaps tried to take shelter in caves on or her their property, and that they may have perished from the fire.

East County News Service

Photo: Day 2 of the Border Fire, Cal-Fire

June 28,2016 (San Diego) -- The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to help those who lost homes or buildings in the Border Fire. The County will waive fees for building permits and plan-check reviews. 

Fees will only be waived for structures that were legally permitted originally, prior to the fire. The Board’s Tuesday action would also distribute trash bins to people in the fire areas to help them clear debris.

The Border Fire started June 19^th and over the past 10 days has charred over 7,600 acres, destroyed five homes and 11 outbuildings. CAL FIRE reported Tuesday that the Border fire, which grew to 7,609 acres, was 92 percent contained.

“It’s an absolute tragedy for anyone who has lost everything,” said Supervisor Dianne Jacob, whose district includes the Potrero, Campo and Lake Morena communities ravaged by the Border Fire.

June 28, 2016 – 4:30 p.m. – A truck carrying a crane has reportedly struck the overpass bridge on State Route 67 southbound at Prospect Avenue in El Cajon and is stuck, according to the CHP incident page.  Lanes are blocked and a fuel spill has reportedly occurred.

A bridge supervisor is en route.  We recommend avoiding this area.  

June 28, 2016 (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

• Protecting the animals left behind in Border Fire (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Julian residents object to Linden Blue’s development plans (San Diego Reader)
• What Brexit means for San Diegans (10 News)
• Google opening in San Diego (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Forest Service uneasy about mural (Ramona Sentinel)
• Federal jury finds two San Diego-area men interfered with flight crew (Reporting SD)
• Norovirus vaccine being tested by San Diego Navy research center (Times of San Diego)
• Building codes review board eliminated (La Mesa Today)
• Tecate: Border’s great exception (San Diego Union-Tribune)

STATE

• Sweeping public utilities changes announced (Sacramento Bee)
• Sweeping California gun control initiative qualifies for November ballot (Patch)
• ‘Brexit’ could halt growth of California trade with Britain (Los Angeles Times)
• Officials: 150 homes burned in deadly California wildfire (San Francisco Chronicle)

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

By Miriam Raftery

June 27, 2016 (Washington D.C. ) — By a slim 4-3 margin, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that affirmative action is legal and that it is constitutional for public colleges and universities to consider race as a factor for admission. But the court also cautioned that educators must also show that other means of addressing diversity have failed.

By Jose A. Alvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office

June 27, 2016 (Potrero/Campo) - The Border Fire started Sunday, June 19. Since then, it has burned more than 7,000 acres, destroyed five homes and 11 structures. These images, taken on June 23 in the Potrero and Campo communities, show the aftermath and the efforts taking place to help residents get back to their lives.

View the full gallery at http://www.countynewscenter.com/the-aftermath-of-the-border-fire/ and scroll down for highlights.

By Miriam Raftery

June 27, 2016 (Washington D.C.) – By a 6-2 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court today upheld a federal law that allows a person to be banned for life from owning a gun if they commit domestic abuse “recklessly,” even if the actions were not premeditated.

East County News Service

June 27, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- Over 5,200 firefighters are battling nine large wildfires in California, Cal Fire advises. While the Border Fire in San Diego’s East County is now 80% contained after burning 7,609 acres, other major wildfires are scorching areas across California.

The largest is the Erskine Fire in Kern County, which has charred over 45,000 acres and is now 40% contained, though evacuation orders remain in place. Several new fires broke out yesterday during high temperatures and low humidity.

Below are the latest updates on fires statewide, with links to full details.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

June 27, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- It’s hot, it’s dry, it’s the 4^th of July! These words make fire officials cringe, says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. It will be a long three-day 4th of July weekend and the fire department needs your help!

East County News Service

Hear our interview with Del Hood:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

June 27, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Recently, East County Magazine sat down with Del Hood, long-time news editor of the Daily Californian and author of the new book History in the Headlines: Half a Century of the Most Notable Events in the El Cajon Valley and Surrounding Areas 1950-2000.

He recalled some of the most memorable stories of his career, as well as the fascinating history of our region.  This interview originally aired on the East County Magazine Show on KNSJ 89.1 FM Radio. To listen online now, click the link above. (Note: sound files can take a few moments to load.)

Update: Not wild cats, County Animal Services Deputy Director concludes

By Miriam Raftery

June 2016 (Eastlake)—In 2014 and 2015, East County Magazine has documented dozens of local sightings by people who claim to have seen large black wild cats prowling the region, some as large as mountain lions or jaguars, others smaller but still much larger than a housecat.  But thus far, no photos had been provided of the elusive animals.

Then on June 6, 2016,we received cell phone images taken at night by a resident in the Eastlake community of Otay Mesa in Chula Vista, due east of where some earlier sightings were reported in Jamul/Deerhorn Valley and South Spring Valley.  It’s hard to judge the size or species, but looking at items such as a vehicle, hydrant , house and a three-feet-high wall in the photos raises  a question: what was prowling yards in this suburban neighborhood?