Articles by Special to The Grapevine

Deported Army vet Barajas gets citizenship

Deported U.S. Army veteran Hector Barajas, who has been living in Mexico the last eight years, today received word from the Department of Homeland Security on March 29 that he was being granted U.S. citizenship. He is scheduled to be sworn in as a citizen in a few weeks in San Diego. Barajas, a decorated vet who received an honorable discharge after serving nearly six…


Sessions suing California over immigration

President Donald Trump’s recent trip to California came days after Attorney General Jeff Sessions sued the state for violations of federal immigration law. That case challenges recent California laws limiting cooperation with federal agents. Several cities and states have declined to help with increased federal efforts to arrest, detain and deport people living in the United States without authorization. These are only the latest arguments…


Pub stunt? Stone cold MillerCoors lawsuit

Stone Brewing Co. of Escondido is suing Molson Coors’ MillerCoors in a California court, claiming the company’s marketing of Keystone beer — specifically referring to the product as ‘Stone — is confusing. In a video announcing the lawsuit, Stone Brewing founder Greg Kochexplained why he’s suing the company (NYSE: TAP) and what MillerCoors could do to end the kerfuffle. “We believe that MillerCoors is intentionally…


Case against the grifter(s), Duncan Hunter

Young Duncan Hunter was elected because most of the voters in the district thought he was his father, also Duncan Hunter, who resigned rather than go to prison with his crony and partner-in-crime Duke Cunningham. Hunter Senior, I wrote in 2005, had a hand in virtually every military scandal involving large sums of money that had gone down over the past two decades. He was…


Celebrity chef hip to orthopedic surgery

Pamplemousse Chef Gets More Time in the Kitchen Building one of San Diego’s most successful restaurants took a lot of hard work and skill, but also took its toll on Pamplemousse Grille owner and executive chef Jeffrey Strauss. “Being on your feet 12-15 hours a day…it finally caught up with me,” Strauss said as he walked the same kitchen floor he’s walked for the past…


Clean vehicle rebate project test begins

Starting in San Diego County this week, The Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) is rolling out Rebate Now, a pre-approved rebate program that makes it easier and faster for California residents to lease or purchase electric vehicles. If the local rebate test proves successful, it will be applied statewide. San Diego’s diverse communities and car buying options make it an ideal test ground for this…


Vila, the gorilla, dead at age 60

One of the world’s oldest gorillas died Thursday at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Vila was the matriarch of five generations and served as a surrogate mother for several hand-raised western lowland gorillas, according to the zoo. She celebrated her 60th birthday in October, becoming the world’s second oldest gorilla. “Vila touched many people throughout her lifetime,” said Randy Rieches, curator of mammals at…


California highway safety laws best in US

Amid a resurgence in U.S. traffic fatalities now taking roughly 100 lives a day, an advocacy group today issued a report card identifying states that do the most, and least, to improve highway safety. The ratings by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety credited six states — California, Oregon, Washington, Louisiana, Delaware and Rhode Island—with having the most protective road safety laws. The safety group…


Local flu deaths up, worst may be over

The number of flu deaths reported in San Diego County reached a new high, while at the same time lab-confirmed cases went down again, the County Health and Human Services Agency announced today. A total of 142 flu deaths have been reported through Jan. 13, 2018, the highest ever since the County began tracking fatalities about 20 years ago. The previous deadliest flu season was…


Hang on to your fruit – invasive Mexfly back

This is one unwanted visitor from Mexico that even Donald Trump’s fabled wall could never stop. And it’s a dire threat to local, state and national fruit growers and consumers. A portion of San Diego County has been placed under quarantine for the Mexican fruit fly following the detection of seven Mexflies within the City of Encinitas. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the…