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PUBLIC FORUM ON ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT TO BE HELD MARCH 1 IN EL CAJON

Printer-friendly versionA documentary film and a panel of experts to represent Palestinian and Israeli points of view, including Dr. Shlomo Dubnov and Dr. Nasser Barghouti. February 24, 2009 (El Cajon) — “The East County Democratic Club is sponsoring a public forum on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at the El Cajon Library Community Room on Sunday, March 1. The event will screen

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POWERLINK MEETINGS PLANNED IN LAKESIDE, CAMPO, SCRIPPS RANCH, ALPINE & JACUMBA

Printer-friendly versionSan Diego Gas & Electric Co. will hold a series of open houses throughout the county to respond to residents’ questions about the controversial Sunrise Powerlink project. In December, the California Public Utilities Commission approved a 123-mile route to run high-voltage power lines and 150-foot-tall towers through East County from Imperial Valley to San Diego. SDG&E maintains the line

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HOLLINGSWORTH SEEKS REPEAL OF WATER RESTRICTIONS THAT PROTECT DELTA SMELT–BUT ACTION WOULD THREATEN MARINE LIFE INCLUDING KILLER WHALES, A NEW REPORT FINDS

Printer-friendly versionStory and photo by Miriam Raftery February 24, 2009 (San Diego)–State Senator Dennis Hollingsworth, who represents East County, has joined 27 other Republicans in signing a letter to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, urging him to call upon the President and the Secretary of the Interior to convene the Endangered Species Committee, which the GOP has dubbed the “God Squad.” The

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BUDGET PASSED – ”BUT CALIFORNIA’S FINANCIAL SITUATION REMAINS “PRECARIOUS”; STATE REPUBLICANS BLOCK REELECTION FUNDS FOR GOP MEMBERS WHO VOTED FOR TAX HIKES

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery February 23, 2009 (Sacramento)–Ending months of deadlock, the California Legislature has approved a compromise budget which Governor Schwarzenegger has signed. The budget includes $12.8 billion in tax increases and $15.1 billion in spending cuts, including deep cuts to education funding and social services. But the Los Angeles Times reported, “California remains in a precarious financial situation.

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WOW- IT’S A POW-WOW! SAT. FEB. 28 AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE

Printer-friendly versionFebruary 23, 2009 (El Cajon)–The 21st annual Grossmont College Pow-Wow, a celebration of American Indian culture, will be held on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the college’s Student Center. Admission is free. The day-long event, which begins at noon with gourd dancing and giveaways, features American Indian dancers and drummers. Vendors will sell American Indian cuisine, clothing, art and jewelry.

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BANK AMERICA OPENS BRANCH OFFICE IN RANCHO SAN DIEGO

Printer-friendly version Branch manager Mimi Esshaki cuts ribbon at new Bank America in Rancho San Diego February 21, 2009 (Rancho San Diego) — Champagne, refreshments and visits with firefighters welcomed visitors at the grand opening of Bank America’s new branch office at 2930 Jamacha Road in Rancho San Diego today. “We started in a little tiny storefront in Albertsons,” recalled

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MUSICAL OF MUSICALS (THE MUSICAL)

Printer-friendly versionReview By Kathy Carpenter Now Playing: Feb. 20–27 at 8 p.m., Feb..28 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m,, and March 1 at 2p.m. Experimental Theatre SDSU: Tickets $18-$20; ticket info:(619) 594-6884 or theatre.sdsu.edu Musical of Musicals, with music by Eric Rockwell and lyrics by Joanne Bogart, is a delight for all fans of musical theatre. This Musical, or I

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ACADEMIC LEAGUE ALL-STAR MATCH SET FOR FEB. 25 AT GRANITE HILLS; EARLIER MATCHES TO BE TELEVISED ON ITV

Printer-friendly version February 22, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–The traditional Academic League All-Star match will be held on Wednesday, February 25th at 3:30 p.m. in the Granite Hills Library. The All-Star match will feature the best of ten high school teams versus the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) Academic League 2009 Champions, Granite Hills High School. The All-Star Team

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SD SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT DR. TERRY GRIER SPEAKS AT FEBRUARY LUNCH WITH LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS

Printer-friendly version February 20, 2009 (San Diego)–San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier will answer questions in an open discussion with the League of Women voters of San Diego (LWVSD) and with members of the community, during “Lunch With League,” a give and take forum moderated by LWVSD member Dr. Richard Schere, psychologist. Printer-friendly version

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SCHOOL BOARD GRILLS HELIX OFFICIALS, SEEKS DOCUMENTS IN SEXUAL ABUSE, MISCONDUCT CASES

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery February 16, 2009 (El Cajon)– Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) trustees voted unanimously to send a cure and correct letter to Helix Charter High School administrators, asking for documentation thus far withheld regarding handling of four cases of sexual abuse and misconduct. “To have a cluster of four incidents in such a short period of

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HOW TO STAY SAFE IN RAINY CONDITIONS

Printer-friendly versionBy Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office February 11, 2025 (San Diego) – With rainy weather in the forecast, including the chance of flooding in some low-lying areas, emergency officials offer seven safety tips. If you must drive during heavy squalls, allow yourself extra time, turn on headlights even in the day, and give plenty of

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1,500 JOIN FAITH LEADERS IN PRAYERS, PROCESSION FOR IMMIGRANTS

Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photo via Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego on Facebook February 11, 2025 (San Diego, CA) – Multiple faith leaders and a crowd of around 1,500 people overflowed the St. Joseph Cathedral and then held a procession to the federal building downtown and prayers in support of undocumented immigrants, chanting “our neighbors, our coworkers, our

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CATHOLIC DIOCESE POSTS RIGHTS AND RESOURCES FOR IMMIGRANTS

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 11, 2025 (San Diego) — The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego is working to provide information for immigrants and their families in the wake of mass deportations and stringent immigration policies imposed by President Donald Trump. The information is available in English and Spanish, as well as translation options for other languages. Catholic

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SENATOR PADILLA INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN BILLS TO IMPROVE FIRE MITIGATION AND RESILIENCY

Printer-friendly version East County News Service Photo: Palisades Fire, courtesy of Lakeside Fire Dept. which helped battle the catastrophic wildfire in Los Angeles County in January February 11, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — As Southern California recovers from devastating wildfires, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, a California Democrat, has introduced a package of three bipartisan bills to bolster fire resilience and proactive

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ISSA BILL WOULD CUT ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS TO ALLOW FOREST, BRUSH CLEARING ON FEDERAL LANDS

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo, right:  Cleveland National Forest in San Diego County February 11, 2025 (San Diego) – Congressman Darrell Issa, a San Diego Republican, has introduced the “Green Tape Elimination Act” that seeks to prevent wildfires by exempting all fuel reduction activities on federal lands from these environmental regulations for 10 years. The National Environmental Policy Act 

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GUHSD BOARD MAJORITY ACCUSED OF VIOLATING LAWS AND POLICIES IN CREATING NEW CHIEF OF STAFF POSITION AFTER FIRING TEACHERS

Printer-friendly version By Alex Schorr Photo,Left to Right: Dr. Gary Woods (President, Area 3 Trustee), Robert Shield (Vice President, Area 4 Trustee), Scott Eckert (Clerk, Area 2 Trustee), Jim Kelly (Member, Area 5 Trustee), and Chris Fite (Member, Area 1 Trustee).   February 9, 2025 (El Cajon) – Teachers, parents, and community members leveled sharp criticism of the Grossmont Union

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Every 15 Minutes comes to Helix Charter High School on February 11th

Printer-friendly versionSource:  California Highway Patrol February 11, 2026 (La Mesa) – On February 11, 2026, the California Highway Patrol, in conjunction with Helix Charter High School and La Mesa Police Department will be conducting a simulated drunk driving crash as part of the Every 15 Minutes program. The crash will be staged on Highlander Way and will begin at approximately 10:27

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CONGRESSWOMAN SARA JACOBS INTRODUCES BILL TO PROTECT USAID AFTER TRUMP TEAM SHUTS DOWN LIFE-SAVING MEASURES

Printer-friendly version“Eliminating USAID means no more food for millions of Sudanese refugees who’ve fled a civil war, no more medical care for displaced Palestinians, no more HIV treatment on the African continent, and more.” — Congresswoman Sara Jacobs By Miriam Raftery Photo via X: Congresswoman Sara Jacobs speaks at a rally to save US Aid. February 11, 2025 (San Diego)

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THREE LOCAL TEENS DIE OF FLU; COUNTY URGES VACCINES FOR EVERYONE OVER 6 MOS. IN AGE

Printer-friendly versionBy Fernanda Lopez Halvorson, County of San Diego Communications Office February 11, 2025 (San Diego) — County public health officials are reminding everyone, particularly families with children and teenagers, that it is not too late to get the flu vaccine.  This flu season, which is between fall and winter, three teenagers have died from the flu. None were vaccinated.   “These

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AZTECS SWIM AND DIVE PROGRAM RECEIVES CSCAA SCHOLAR ALL-AMERICA TEAM RECOGNITION

Printer-friendly versionThe San Diego State swim and dive program was recognized by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) as a Scholar All-America Team, the organization announced Monday. Source:  goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com February 11, 2025 (San Diego) – The San Diego State swim and dive program was recognized by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of

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