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EL CAJON CITY COUNCIL’S FIRE DEPARTMENT COVERAGE WORKSHOP

Printer-friendly version By G. A. McNeeley  February 15, 2025 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon City Council, city  staff, Heartland Fire Department and labor representatives came together on Wednesday to discuss possible short-term options, to staff a newly purchased fire engine, after a grant failed to fund.    Last year, the City Council explored options to augment fire and medical

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FEDERAL FUNDING HALT PROMPTS JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE TO CLOSE REFUGEE SHELTER

Printer-friendly versionBy Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo:   a child at Jewish Family Service of San Diego’s refugee shelter. (File photo by Chris Stone/Times of San Diego) February 17, 2025 (San Diego) – Faced with a halt in federal funding and and the closing of the border to refugees, Jewish

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ADVANCING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: SOBER CURIOUS? SOME STARTED WITH DRY JANUARY

Printer-friendly versionBy Seraphina Eberhardt, Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies East County February 17, 2025 (San Diego) — The start of a new year often brings the promise of new beginnings. For many, that includes resolutions focused on personal health and well-being, from hitting the gym to adopting healthier eating habits. In recent years, however, more and more of us

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TWO VIOLENT SEX OFFENDERS RELEASED IN CAMPO AND BORREGO SPRINGS

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo:  Merle Wakefield and Alvin Quarles have been conditionally released into  Campo and Borrego Springs. February 16, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The Sheriff’s department has sent warning notices to residents in Borrego Springs and Campo, announcing that two sexually violent predators have been conditionally released into these communities.  The court has ordered Liberty Healthcare, which

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STORMS CLEAR OUT FOR VALENTINE’S DAY WEDDINGS

Printer-friendly versionBy Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office Photo:  Alexis & Deondre February 15, 2025 (San Diego) – The day started with a few showers, but the sun came out for many couples saying “I do” on Valentine’s Day. A flurry of bridal gowns, hearts and flowers took over wedding venues at Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk’s (ARCC) offices across the

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CASA DE ORO ALLIANCE HOSTS COMMUNITY DIALOGUE ON FLOOD ISSUES FEB. 25 IN SPRING VALLEY

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 15, 2025 (Spring Valley) — The Casa de Oro Alliance invites members of the community who have been affected by flooding to a community dialogue to help bring the community together and build resilience. The event is Tuesday, February 25 at San Diego Youth Services’ auditorium, 3845 Spring Drive, Spring Valley, CA 91977, starting

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EL CAJON CITY COUNCIL APPROVES ALLOWING POLICE TO COOPERATE WITH ICE, REVERSING PREVIOUS ACTION

Printer-friendly version  Issue prompts drive to recall Councilman Phil Ortiz By Alex Schorr and Miriam Raftery View video Photo, left:  Resolution opponents hold up sign denouncing hate and likening ICE roundups to “Gestapo” tactics February 14, 2025 (El Cajon) – El Cajon’s City Council on Tuesday passed a controversial resolution allowing the city’s police to cooperate with federal immigration authorities

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ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

Printer-friendly versionFebruary 14, 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. DOGE controversy Trump and Musk’s dismantling of government is shaking the foundations of US democracy (AP) As Musk cuts federal

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READER’S EDITORIAL: MUSK POSES THREAT TO CRITICAL CLIMATE DATA

Printer-friendly version By Roger Coppock Image: measurements in Hawaii from 1960 to present show exponential rise in CO2 levels fueling climate change. February 13, 2025 (La Mesa) — NOAA staffers report that Musk’s minions have arrived with orders to wreck everything.  This apparently includes climate data gathering.  Should they succeed in shutting data collection down, attempts to fix the climate

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WHITE HOUSE FIRES SAN DIEGO’S TOP FEDERAL PROSECUTOR, TARA MCGRATH

Printer-friendly versionBy 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. U.S. Attorney McGrath’s tenure

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Lemon Grove City Council appoints two new Planning Commission members

Printer-friendly version“I love Lemon Grove, and I always like to think the glass is half full, not half empty.” – David Eckler, newly appointed Lemon Grove planning commissioner. Photo by Armando Rasing II:  The Lemon Grove City Council introducing the new planning commission candidates one-by-one on Tuesday night By Armando Rasing II February 23, 2026 (Lemon Grove) – David Eckler

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Rehabilitated bobcat released after 4-month recovery in Ramona

Printer-friendly versionPhoto courtesy San Diego Humane Society East County News Service Feb. 23, 2026 (Ramona) — A bobcat kitten was returned to her native habitat yesterday (Feb. 22) after undergoing four months of intensive medical treatment at the San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center. The release marked the end of a recovery process that began under critical conditions. On Oct. 14,

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Motorcyclist dies in Descanso

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 21, 2026 (Descanso) – A man killed in a solo motorcycle crash in Descanso on February 8 has been identified as Fernando Omar Herrera, 39, of San Diego. The motorcycle he was driving veered off the roadway on Viejas Blvd. at Merigan Fire Rd. and struck a wire fence around 11:05 p.m.  Responding paramedics

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And the survey says… County Supervisors looking for input

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Feb. 20, 2026 (San Diego County) — There’s one week left to tell San Diego County officials what you want to see, including ways they can better pull back the proverbial curtain on local government. With a comprehensive survey launched earlier this year, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors — Paloma Aguirre (District 1), Joel Anderson (D2), Terra Lawson-Remer

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