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“NICE” NEWSMAKERS OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS SOUGHT

Printer-friendly version      Which East County residents have been good citizens in 2009, striving to make our commuity or our world a better place? Please send us your nomination –along wih a one-paragraph description of why you believe your nominee is deserving of praise. We’re looking for nominees in all categories –including education, business and labor, politics, philanthropy, healthcare,

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DO YOU OWN ANY OF THESE DANGEROUS PRODUCTS?

Printer-friendly version    December 31, 2009 (Washington D.C.) — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports recalls on the following products, including wooden toys, dehumidifiers, play yards, bassinets, diving equipment, water heater valves, knives, and high chairs.   Get details:   Wooden Toys Recalled by Kendamaspot Due to Violation of Lead Paint Ban http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10095.html   Dehumidifiers Recalled by LG Electronics

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TOYOTA OF EL CAJON HONORED BY BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU

Printer-friendly version  December 30, 2009 (El Cajon)–Toyota of El Cajon has been honored for ethical business practices by the San Diego Better Business Bureau (BBB), San Diego’s largest county wide business organization. The local auto dealership managed by brothers Gary and Greg Kaminsky was selected as a winner of a 2009 BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics in the 100-to-249

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POWAY WOMAN ARRESTED FOR ROBBING BANKS

Printer-friendly version  December 30, 2009 (Poway) – Roxanne Pennock, 37, was arrested near her Poway resident today for suspected armed robbery of two local banks. The first occurred at the San Diego National Bank (Community Road & Poway Road) on September 30th. The second robbery occurred at the US Bank (Scripps Poway Parkway & Pomerado Road) on October 13th.  

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EAST COUNTY HOMEOWNERSHIP FAIR JAN. 16

Printer-friendly version  December 29, 2009 (El Cajon) — If you are a current homeowner, or have questions on becoming a first time homebuyer, plan to attend the 5th Annual East County Homeownership Fair on Saturday, January 16, 2010 in El Cajon. The free event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Community Center located at

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LEFT HOOK: SYMBIOTIC ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Printer-friendly version By Walter Davis   January 2010 (San Diego’s East County) — It is unlikely that many in this country would intentionally choose to deposit waste material in their water and then drink it. That is the prevailing choice with fossil fuel burning vehicles that spew toxic gases in the air at baby stroller level, as they travel down our neighborhood avenues.  

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WHAT’S NEW IN KNEE REPLACEMENTS? FIND OUT AT FEB. 1 SEMINAR

Printer-friendly version Feb. 1 – People who suffer with knee arthritis, stiffness and pain have new options for knee surgery that result in less pain and faster recovery than traditional knee replacement. At this seminar, learn about new, less-invasive procedures. Also learn about Sharp’s nationally and internationally recognized Joint Endeavor Program®, a patient-centered approach to quality care, the program aims

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MURDER-SUICIDE AT BARONA

Printer-friendly version4:27 p.m., December 29 2009 (Lakeside, CA) — Two are confirmed dead at the Barona Gaming Commission office, Sheriff William Gore confirmed minutes ago.   "It appears to be a murder-suicide," said Gore, adding that homicide is investigating. The gunman, Donnell Roberts, 38, killed himself and another man whose name is being withheld, pending notification of next of kin. The

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GUNMAN AT BARONA; SHOTS FIRED, SWAT TEAM DISPATCHED

Printer-friendly version Update 12:45 p.m.  A Sheriff’s spokeperson informed ECM that the sniper took seven hostages but has since released them.  She was unable to confirm whether there are any additional hostages. The suspect has barricaded himself in an office and SWAT team negotiators are on hand.   Channel 10 News reports the gunman is Donnell Roberts, a former gaming commission

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MAN ARRESTED FOR TRYING TO LURE SPRING VALLEY GIRLS INTO VAN IS FREE ON BAIL

Printer-friendly version  December 29, 2009 (Spring Valley) – Francisco Daniel, 40, has been arrested on two counts of annoying or molesting a child. He is currently out on bail and will have a hearing in January in connection with approaching middle school aged-girls near La Presa Middle School in Spring Valley.   According to the Sheriff’s Department, a Hispanic male

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Thousands of San Diegans join marches to support Minneapolis

Printer-friendly versionBy Brooke Binkowski, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo:  Hundreds marched on Sunday in an interfaith show of support for people on the ground in Minneapolis and elsewhere.  Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego January 26, 2026 (San Diego) – San Diegans joined marches all over the county on Sunday, offering a show

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ECM World Watch: national and global news

Printer-friendly versionJanuary 25, 2026 (San Diego) — 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. CNN video analysis sheds new light on killing of Alex Pretti (CNN) Sweeping US defense bill passes, with Ukraine,

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‘Coalition of Lifesavers’ hits milestone of 750,000 trained in CPR

Printer-friendly versionPhoto courtesy County of San Diego East County News Service Jan. 25, 2026 (San Diego County) — A local movement to turn bystanders into lifesavers is in the home stretch. Since its launch in January 2024, the Revive & Survive San Diego initiative has successfully trained more than 750,000 people in hands-only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, moving San Diego County closer to its goal of

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Kratom, banned by California, is still for sale in East County stores including synthetic versions linked to numerous deaths

Printer-friendly versionStory and photos by Miriam Raftery January 24, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – An investigation by East County Magazine has found kratom and synthetic kratom (7-OH) products for sale locally in every East County city, despite the fact that it’s illegal in California to sell or manufacture kratom for consumption. The ban is due to risk of addiction,

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El Cajon man arrested for rape, sexual assault with multiple underage teen girls

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 23, 2026 (El Cajon) — Detectives from the El Cajon Police Department Family Protection Unit have concluded an extensive multi-month investigation into allegations of sexual assault and rape, resulting in the arrest of a suspect for numerous serious offenses. On January 21, ECPD arrested Greyson Washborne, alias Thomas Menchaca, 21, of El Cajon.  

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County EBT theft drops more than 80% after chip card issued

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Jan. 23, 2026 (San Diego County) — More attention to security needs and new chips are making a difference in the safety of electronic benefits cards, also known as EBT cards. San Diego County officials report that enhanced security measures and new chips have led to an 84 percent reduction in EBT card thefts affecting the

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2025 Stories of the year

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery January 22, 2026 (San Diego) – It’s been a turbulent year across our nation, around the world, and here in San Diego County. While national news largely dominated headlines with rollout of unprecedented actions by the Trump administration and protests in response, many local news stories and issues also shaped our lives for better or worse

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Lemon Grove residents look to halt retail sales of commercially bred birds

Printer-friendly versionPhoto of petition-gathering outside of Sprouts in Lemon Grove courtesy Amit Dhuleshia By Karen Pearlman Jan. 22, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — A group of Lemon Grove residents and regional animal welfare advocates are launching a formal bid to update local pet sale regulations, aiming to make Lemon Grove the next California city to prohibit the retail sale of commercially

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A sweet and Grand (Avenue) time in Escondido with the Chocolate Festival

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Jan. 22, 2026 (Escondido) – Wrappers will crinkle and corks will pop next month along Grand Avenue in Escondido. The Escondido Chocolate Festival is set for Feb 7, turning the city’s historic downtown into a literal moveable feast for those with a sweet tooth, a penchant for chocolate pairings and an appreciation for local flair. Hosted by

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Fort Cross brings ‘Old Timey’ adventure to Julian region

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Jan. 22, 2026 (Santa Ysabel) – A family farm in the Julian mountains is bringing back its popular guided tour that brings rustic adventure and recreation education to the outdoors. Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures will host its popular Farm Tour Adventure on Jan. 31, a high-energy, two-hour guided circuit at its farm, nestled in the scenic landscape

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