February 2025 Articles

By Ken Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Tara McGrath. Courtesy Southern District of California

February 13, 2025 (San Diego) - After 16 months as the chief federal law enforcement official in San Diego, Tara McGrath has been given her walking papers by the White House.

February 13, 2025 (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 round-up stories include:

LOCAL

• After D.C jet crash, a closer look at San Diego air traffic controller numbers (10 News)
• Investigation continues into military fighter jet crash in San Diego Bay (10 News)
• How getting rid of the Dept. of Education would impact San Diego schools (10 News)
• Jewish Family Service of San Diego announces potential layoffs of its migrant shelter workers   (NBC 7)
• Expecting budget shortfall, Lawson-Remer wants 'no stones unturned' on plans to raise revenue  (KPBS)
• How a Poway City Councilman earned the city’s first-ever censure (Voice of San Diego)
• Residents shocked to learn hundreds of ADUs proposed in Encanto (NBC)
• Friends clash in county special election (La Prensa)
• Peaceful immigrant rights protest turned 'unlawful' in National City  (10 News)

STATE

• CA Wildfire Recovery: Want To Help? These Charities Are Verified. (Patch.com)
• Feds won’t test soil after L.A. wildfire cleanup, potentially leaving contamination behind   (Los Angeles Times)
• Trump suggests getting rid of FEMA, conditioning federal aid for California (10 News)
• Massive Salton Sea lithium project gets judge’s go-ahead, ending advocates’ lawsuit (KPBS)
• The water unexpectedly released from dams on Trump's order didn't help farms or L.A. (MSN)

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

By a school counselor, who asked to remain anonymous

Photo:CC by SA via Bing

February 13, 2025 (El Cajon, CA) -- The Grossmont Union High School District is set to eliminate 22 school counseling positions next year. This is not just a number—these are people who are on the frontlines, working day in and day out to support our students through mental health crises, academic struggles, and life challenges. Does the public understand what this means? Does anyone care that the care for our kids is about to drastically decrease?

School counselors do far more than manage schedules and guide college applications. We are the ones who step in when students are on the brink of despair, offering a safe space when they feel they have nowhere else to turn.

Today, I saved a life. I had a student walk into my office feeling like there was no hope left, contemplating ending their life. But I was there. I listened, I acted, and I made sure they got the help they needed before it was too late.

February 13, 2025 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• How close are we to another pandemic?  (New York Times)
• USDA detects second type of bird flu in dairy cows (NBC)
• Senate confirms RFK Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary (CNN)
• Pro-RFK Jr. letter to the Senate includes names of doctors whose licenses were revoked or suspended  (AP)

SCIENCE AND TECH

• 11 Years After a Celebrated Opening, Massive Solar Plant Faces a Bleak Future in the Mojave Desert (US News)
• Exclusive: Musk aides lock government workers out of computer systems at US agency, sources say (Reuters)
• Solar panels in space show potential for liftoff, despite cost concerns (Christian Science Monitor)
• Google Maps blocks Gulf of America reviews after rename criticism (BBC)

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

Developing story

By Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Jewish World, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Roz Allina, second from left, at a Sisterhood luncheon at Sheldon’s Service Station in La Mesa hours before her death. (Photo: Sue Cherlin)

February 12, 2025 (La Mesa) -  Hours after attending a birthday gathering for Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s Sisterhood members who were celebrating their February birthdays, Rosalyn Allina and her husband James — Roz, 77, and Jim, 79 — were killed in a chain-reaction freeway accident.

Funds sought to digitalize archived articles

Source:  San Diego History Center

February 12, 2025 (Borrego Springs) - The San Diego History Center and Desert Media Holdings Inc, owner of the Borrego Sun newspaper, have reached an agreement forthe transfer of the Borrego Sun archive ensuring the preservation of the San Diego County community’s history for future generations.