Editor’s Note:  If you have any information on wildlife killed by tax-funded trappers in East County, please send your tips to editor@eastcountymagazine.org.

By Rob Davis, for voiceofsandiego.org

A country club near Chula Vista’s Eastlake had a gnawing problem.

Coots. Lots and lots of coots.

The small, black bird that looks like a duck was chewing greens and fairways on the club’s golf course, pooping so much near the snack bar that it occasionally closed for cleanups. Birds are attracted to golf courses’ open space, a common problem in heavily developed Southern California. The private country club — records aren’t specific about which one — suspected the coots were hurting their bottom line.

Unfairly accused of widespread sheep deaths, coyotes are among the most persecuted predators in North America, All Animals magazine

By Karen E. Lange

February 1, 2013 (San Diego)--The lucky ones hide when the helicopters and planes appear overhead. Most coyotes, though, take off running for their lives. And this is just what the men from Wildlife Services want. Armed with Benelli shotguns modified to fire six or seven times in quick succession, they shoot and shoot again at the animals flushed from cover. They’re flying so low—sometimes as little as 20 to 100 feet off the ground—it feels like they’re shooting sideways. It’s easy to hit the coyotes: Some take a shot to the chest and die instantly. Others are merely wounded and crawl off to lingering deaths. Any the gunners miss, they can get on the next pass. Or the next. They stop only when they’ve shot every single coyote—when they’ve knocked down all the predators on the ground.

December 12, 2012 -- (San Diego’s East County) – ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• Bracing for fiscal cliff, investors move assets (Washington Post)
• Public backs fiscal cliff compromise; will Washington listen? (CBS)
• USDA chief: Rural American becoming less relevant (Associated Press)
• Washington state lights up as smoking marijuana becomes legal (UK Telegraph)

WORLD

• Egypt president scraps decree that sparked protests (Reuters)
• Protest at Egypt president's palace turns violent (UT San Diego)
• NATO warns Syria not to use chemical weapons (Reuters)
• Thousands accept postal service buyout deal  (cbsnews)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

August 23, 2012 --  (San Diego’s East County) – ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflecting all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:   

• Hurricane threat for GOP convention in Tampa? (CBS)
• USDA eyes whether tainted beef entered the food supply (Sacramento Bee)
• U.S. health officials brace for spike in West  Nile cases (USA Today)
• Accused Colorado gunman saw three mental health experts (Reuters)
• How Paul Ryan and Todd Akin partnered to redefine rape (Think Progress)
• Todd Akin, Senate candidate: `Legitimate  rape’ rarely causes pregnancy (Washington Post)
• Bill calls for more distributed generation to guard against infrastructure failures in grid emergencies (Power Magazine)
• Renewable energy projects on public lands: Obama not living up to his promises (Native News)
• Indian leaders share concerns about sacred sites (Missoulan)
• CDC calls for Hepatitis C testing for all boomers (NPR)

• Ecuador grants asylum to Assange, angering Britain (Reuters)
• Iran: Israel’s existence “insult to all humanity” (AP)
• Arab spring runs amok: Muslim brotherhood starts crucifixions in Egypt (WND) 

August 21, 2012 (San Diego) – Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) has introduced legislation in response to revelations that federal wildlife officials have killed thousands of animals locally without disclosing justifications to the public.

January 18, 2012 --  (San Diego’s East County) – ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflecting all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:  

• Obama seeks to revamp government, focus on exports (Reuters)
• Limits on military funeral protests advance (San Diego Union Tribune)
• USDA says it will close 259 offices to save $150 million (San Diego UT)
• Tea Party may get rebuffed in tax cut showdown (Reuters)
• Cantor: US allies have doubts about policies to control Iran (The Hill) 

• Huntsman drops out, endorses Romney (CNN)
• Romney takes some heat over Bain Capital’s actions (Winona Daily News, South Carolina)
• Judge rejects Republican candidates requests to be on Virginia ballot (Fox News)
• Mitt Romney’s lies (US News & World Reports)
• Which presidential candidates have earned the defense industry’s support? (RawStory)
• CNN Poll: Ron Paul tied with President Obama (CNN) 

• Government says Hezbollah profits from U.S. cocaine market via link to Mexico drug cartel (Propublica) 
• U.S. warns Iran over military posturing (CBS News)
• It’s official: S&P announces mass downgrade of Eurozone countries (Business Insider)
• Iran says nuclear expert killed by bomb attach (NPR)
• Russian ship stopped with arms bound for Syria (NPR)
• Shiite and Sunni: what are the differences? (Christian Science Monitor)
   

• Research provides diabetes hope (BBC)
• New tuberculosis strain thwarts all antibiotics (NPR)
• Lights at night not a bright idea (Jerusalem Post)

April 2, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) yesterday announced that Jennie-O Turkey Store is recalling approximately 54,960 pounds of frozen, raw turkey burger products that may be contaminated with salmonella. The recalled products were distributed to retail establishments nationwide. A full list of retail distribution will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/FSIS_Recalls/Open_Federal_Cases/index.asp.

Avoid under-cooked ground beef, USDA advises

February 6, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – Ground beef products sold in restaurants throughout Southern California have been recalled due to possible e-coli contamination, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced yesterday. Products were manufactured by American Food Services in Pico Rivera, California. The health risk is classified as high by the USDA.  The Food Safety Inspection Service and the establishment are concerned that some product may be frozen and in restaurant freezers.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.

October 5, 2009 (Washington D.C.) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently designated San Diego and Imperial counties as part of a contiguous natural disaster area due to drought that began January 1, 2009, and continues. Farmers have eight months from the date of the USDA declaration – September 17, 2009 – to apply for assistance to help cover their losses.

“I am pleased that the USDA is acknowledging the hardship and heavy financial burden suffered by our farmers and ranchers due to water scarcity,” said Congressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego). “This declaration is a starting point to provide assistance, as the state and federal authorities work to ensure stable water supply.”