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TAGGERS SNAGGED: DEPUTIES BUST GRAFFITI CREW IN SANTEE

Printer-friendly version  February 20, 2010 (Santee) – In early February Santee’s Community Policing Unit developed information on a prolific tagging crew consisting of seven criminal graffiti "taggers". Using the Graffiti Tracker investigation system, the San Diego County Sheriff’s office documented that the "tagging crew" had committed over 80 incidents since April 2009 with a significant spike in activity last week.

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KAYAKER RESCUED IN ALPINE

Printer-friendly version  February 20, 2010 (Alpine) – A kayaker on Palo Verde Lake in Alpine was rescued last night by a Coast Guard helicopter after becoming disoriented during a storm.   Zane Magnus, 19, left home in the morning to go kayaking and hiking. He called his father, Royal Magnus, at 4 p.m. to say that he would be home

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NEW CLEAN ENERGY SYSTEMS FOR RESIDENCES AND BUSINESSES: CCSE HOLDS WORKSHOPS ON FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY

Printer-friendly version    February 20, 2010 (San Diego ) – “San Diegans can learn about a new fuel cell technology for home and business applications that supplies clean base and load power 24/7, while reducing grid dependence and lowering carbon dioxide emissions, “ says Chuck Colgan, public relations representative for the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE). CCSE is hosting

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LA MESA LAUNCHES NEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEBSITE

Printer-friendly version  City aims to attract, retain businesses in challenging economic times February 20, 2010 (La Mesa) — La Mesa… Seeking to encourage businesses to remain in La Mesa and attract new businesses to the community, the City of La Mesa has launched a redesigned economic development webpage at www.cityoflamesa.com/economicdevelopment aimed at providing up-to-date information including listings of space available,

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HELIX WATER DISBANDS AD HOC COMMITTEE ON WATER RATES

Printer-friendly version  By Miriam Raftery   February 18, 2010 (La Mesa) – By a unanimous vote, the Helix Water Board voted yesterday to disband an ad hoc committee on rate increases after several citizens objected on grounds that the process was not transparent. “Your ad hoc committee has two board members on it,” Josan Feathers, a registered civil engineer, observed.

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LAND OWNERS WEIGH IN ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO COUNTY GENERAL PLAN

Printer-friendly version  Planning Commission to address issue in Feb. 19 meeting   By Lola Sherman   February 18, 2010 (Escondido) – On Friday, February 19, the County Planning Commission will discuss proposed changes to the County General Plan that would have a major impact on East County’s rural backcountry communities. Supporters say changes are needed to preserve the region’s rural

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NEED WORK? U.S. CENSUS BUREAU EMPLOYMENT TESTING MONDAY, FEB. 22

Printer-friendly version February 18, 2010 (El Cajon ) – The U.S. Census Bureau will hold employment testing in the Grossmont College Career Center on Monday, February 22 at 10 a.m. Full and part-time jobs are available for the 2010 census, including supervisory and non-supervisory positions.     Applicants must be over 18, have reliable transportation, be willing to work some weekends,

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FEINSTEIN JOINS 16 OTHER SENATORS TO PUSH FOR PUBLIC OPTION

Printer-friendly version  39% Rate Hike by Anthem-Blue Cross Persuaded CA Senator that Consumers need Choice of a Public Plan   Updated February 19, 2010 (Washington D.C.) – Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California) has joined with 16 other Senators to urge that Majority Leader Harry Reid pass a public option for health insurance using reconciliation, a parliamentary procedure that allows a simple

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SALAS RUNS FOR STATE SENATE

Printer-friendly version  February 18, 2010 (San Diego) – Assemblywoman Mary Salas (D-Chula Vista) has announced plans to run for the 40th State Senate seat. Senator Denise Ducheny (D-San Diego) will be stepping down due to term limits. Running on the campaign slogan, “a real Democrat,” Salas was honored as Legislator of the Year in 2009 by the San Diego County

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East County Chamber honors leaders, organizations at 114th annual soiree

Printer-friendly versionSycuan Casino Resort hosted the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce’s 114th annual East County Honors Awards Gala over the weekend. Photos and story by Karen Pearlman March 2, 2026 (El Cajon) — More than 400 business and nonprofit leaders, community advocates and public officials gathered at Sycuan Casino Resort last Saturday for the 114th Annual East County

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Casualties mount across Middle East; Trump says military conflict could last months, won’t rule out ground troops

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, in press conference today March 2, 2026 (San Diego) – The U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in Operation “Epic Fury” which began Saturday are believed to have killed 49 senior Iranian officials, including the Ayatollah Khomeini, according to the White House. The USS Abraham Lincoln and stealth bombers based

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KNSJ community radio suffers catastrophic damage when winter storm topples its rented tower

Printer-friendly version Station is still streaming online, but restoring broadcast signal requires urgent funding for engineering, equipment, and a possible new site East County News Service February 28, 2026 (Descanso) – “The tower where KNSJ rented space since beginning broadcasting on July 4th, 2013, is now a crumpled pile of steel and cabling,” states a press release from KNSJ 89.1

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San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce hosts 114th annual East County Honors Awards gala

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 27, 2026 (El Cajon) — On Saturday, February 28, the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the 114th anniversary of its annual East County Honors event at Sycuan Casino Resort at 5 p.m. Since 1912, the Chamber has held the tradition of swearing in the new Chamber Board of Directors and recognizing

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“ICE Out” rallies Feb. 28 at Home Depot stores across San Diego County

Printer-friendly versionFebruary 27, 2026 – Community members and local civic advocacy groups will rally at over a dozen Home Depot locations across San Diego County on Saturday, February 28, including three East County locations, calling on the company to condemn ICE activities at their properties, and stop immigration enforcement actions at these and all locations. Organizers say ICE agents have

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Reader’s Editorial: Cajon Valley’s compensation vote raises questions about priorities

Printer-friendly versionBy Alex Welling February 26, 2026 (El Cajon) — Last week, the Cajon Valley Union School District Board of Trustees voted to increase its monthly compensation from $630 to $2,000 — the maximum amount permitted under state law for a district of its size. That figure does not include their taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits.   Several months ago, district educators

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Jeep thefts surge in La Mesa: Thieves using fob hacking to target autos

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Feb. 26, 2026 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa Police Department is sounding the alarm to the community about rising thefts of recent models of Jeeps. The police department shares that residents in La Mesa as well as surrounding East County neighborhoods need to be informed of a sophisticated spike in vehicle thefts targeting high-end,

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Donating blood in March could save YOUR life, too

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Feb. 26, 2026 (San Diego County) — The American Red Cross is turning a routine blood donation into a lifesaving health diagnostic in March. Amid a severe national blood shortage which saw supply levels plummet by 35% in early 2026 due to winter blizzards and a heavy flu season the organization is offering a dual

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