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Postcards sent to registered voters for June gubernatorial primary

Printer-friendly versionBy Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office February 26, 2026 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Registrar of Voters office has mailed more than two million postcards to the County’s registered voters, outlining voting options for the June 2 Gubernatorial Primary Election. Every active registered voter will receive a ballot by mail and can return it in one of three

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New leader at East County EDC in Matt Sanford

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Feb. 26, 2026 (El Cajon) — The East County Economic Development Council has named Matt Sanford as its new President and CEO, with plans coming for a new chapter as the region’s economic growth continues Following a competitive nationwide search that drew more than 300 applicants, Sanford was selected to succeed James Sly, who departed late last year to

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Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo by Miriam Raftery: Bishop Shaleta in May 2024 at opening of incubator business center for refugees and immigrants in El Cajon February 25, 2026 (El Cajon) – Bishop Emmanuel Shaleta, the top official at St. Peter the Apostle of San Diego Chaldean church in El Cajon, is under investigation by the Sheriff’s fraud unit

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ICE agents outside local school campuses raise concerns

Printer-friendly version By Alexander J. Schorr February 25, 2026 (San Diego) — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity has increased in surrounding school areas, which includes the occupying of parking lots,  monitoring of bus routes, and arrests occurring blocks away from schools. At least 3,800 children have been booked into ICE detention between January 2025 and early 2026. Families have expressed anxiety over “haunting and taunting” by

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AI glasses: another potential power that poses threats to schools

Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr Photo:  screenshot of Meta’s Ray Ban AI Glasses analysis by Surfshark February 25, 2026 (San Diego) — AI in the United States has the potential for great power and change in the nation. It is very much a new “wild west,” and because there are no significant guardrails, there is great danger from it facing human

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Public input sought on La Cresta Road safety following head-on fatal collision

Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow Photo via San Diego Fire Protection District February 25, 2026 (Crest) – The Crest Dehesa Granite Hills Harbison Canyon Planning Group is seeking public input on the safety of La Cresta Road, following a recent fatal head-on collision in Crest. Josefina Sanchez, 72, was killed by an alleged drunk driver in the crash Feb. 11, 2026 while visiting her son

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Unidentified driver dies in Dulzura collision

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 25, 2026 (Dulzura) – An unidentified male driver of a 2009 Nissan Cube has died in a hospital of injuries sustained February 23 around 2:55 p.m. He was driving eastbound on State Route 94, west of Little Tecate Road in Dulzura, when he veered into ongoing traffic and struck a 2003 Dodge Ram driven

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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS

Printer-friendly versionJanuary 30, 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 Local businesses and nonprofits feeling the impact of federal immigration operations (KPBS) San Diego Fire Rescue Department tries out new fire prevention product (KPBS) Measuring

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IN PACKED HEARING, EL CAJON COUNCIL VOTES 3-2 AGAINST CONTENTIOUS IMMIGRATION RESOLUTION

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery View video of full Council hearing (Immigration agenda item begins at 37 minutes.) January 29, 2025 – Emotions ran high during yesterday’s El Cajon City Council meeting, where a packed chamber heard testimony from 88 members of the public over a proposed over immigration enforcement resolution, followed by a heated Council debate that divided the all-Republican

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COVERED CALIFORNIA REACHES RECORD-BREAKING 1.9M ENROLLEES BEFORE OPEN ENROLLMENT’S JANUARY 31 DEADLINE

Printer-friendly versionSource:  Covered California Photo:  nearly 300,000 Californians have signed up during open enrollment through Jan. 26 Janaury 29, 2025 (Sacramento) – Covered California has surpassed 1.9 million enrollees, bolstering its record-high enrollment before open enrollment’s Jan. 31 deadline for California’s remaining uninsured. This open enrollment, 299,060 Californians have signed up for 2025 coverage as of Jan. 26, a 13 percent increase

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WHITE HOUSE MAKES CLEAR: ANY IMMIGRANT WITHOUT LEGAL STATUS IS “CRIMINAL” TO BE DEPORTED

Printer-friendly versionSource: America’s Voice January 29, 2025 (Washington, DC) — Yesterday delivered several reminders that the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement agenda is sweeping in its scope, harm and indiscriminate nature, viewing all immigrants here without legal status as “criminal” and comfortable in the reality that U.S. citizens and tribal members are among those being targeted and detained in their early enforcement efforts. These

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CITY OF LEMON GROVE ANNOUNCES RECRUITMENT FOR MEASURE T OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 29, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – The City of Lemon Grove is now accepting applications for residents and business owners interested in serving on the Measure T Oversight Committee. Applications will be accepted beginning January 27, 2025, through February 20, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. The Measure T Oversight Committee is being established following the approval

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EL CAJON COUNCIL WILL VOTE TODAY ON CONTROVERSIAL IMMIGRATION RESOLUTION

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo: Opponents of resolution rallied Monday in El Cajon; CBS 8 video screenshot Read the revised resolution on pages 57-59 from City Council agenda attachments January 28, 2025 (El Cajon) – A crowd of about 75people opposed to mass deportations held a rally outside El Cajon’s City Hall yesterday to speak out against Mayor Bill Wells’

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ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

Printer-friendly versionJanuary 28, 2025 — As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include: U.S. U.S. puts virtually all foreign aid on 90-day hold, issues ‘stop-work’ order (NPR) DOJ halts legal programs for detained immigrants,

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HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Printer-friendly versionJanuary 28, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH Trump funding freeze could disrupt education, housing, disaster aid (Reuters) Nonprofits Sue Trump Administration Over Federal Grants Freeze (Democracy Docket) How are H5N9 and H5N1 different? What to know after California bird flu

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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: BORDER 2 FIRE

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 28, 2025 (Jamul) — Robert Hobbs sent in these images of the Border 2 Fire, which burned over 6,500 acres after starting on Otay Mountain in San Diego County on Jan. 23.  These photos were taken Jan. 23 and 24 from Jamul.                        

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MTS INCREASES TROLLEY SERVICE WITH MORE LATE NIGHT AND WEEKEND FREQUENCY

Printer-friendly versionGreen, Orange and Blue Lines now offer added flexibility and reliability for transit riders Source:  MTS January 27, 2025 (San Diego) – San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is increasing Trolley service for the Green, Blue and Orange lines, offering additional late night and weekend service to provide riders with more options to take transit. The Green Line Trolley will

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