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Federal jury convicts Sheriff’s deputy of excessive force, violating inmate’s civil rights

Printer-friendly version   Inmate suffered head and spinal injuries after being smashed head first into wall, left bleeding in cell without medical attention East County News Service December 13, 2025 (San Diego) — San Diego Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremiah Manuyag Flores was convicted by a federal jury yesterday of violating the civil rights of a man in pretrial custody at the San Diego Central Courthouse

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Seven arrested for retail theft in Lemon Grove

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service December 11, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – Deputies from the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Substation’s Community Oriented Policing and Problem-Solving (COPPS) team ran a retail theft operation at multiple businesses throughout the city on December 10. During the eight-hour operation, deputies made seven arrests—six misdemeanors and one felony—averaging roughly one arrest per hour.   “Retail theft remains

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County share: Sustainability hacks during the holiday season

Printer-friendly versionSustainable gifts are always in. Photo from Pexels.com East County News Service Dec. 10, 2025 (San Diego County) — Going green and being sustainable poses some challenges, and can be especially difficult to navigate during the holiday season. Gving and receiving gifts and packages of all makes and models — and most come with wrapping of all types —

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Recall effort dropped against Lemon Grove Mayor Snow

Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman Dec. 10, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – A recall effort against Lemon Grove Mayor Alysson Snow, who was elected by voters in 2024, has failed. On Tuesday, Dec. 9, a group called the Lemon Grove Neighborhood Association shared a text message with East County Magazine that said, “Today marks the conclusion of the signature-gathering phase for

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Lakeside firefighter/paramedic Jeff Reyes honored for heroism: saved fire captain who fell through floor in a burning building

Printer-friendly versionPhoto:  Chief Don Butz, left, and Batallion Chief Eric Stamm commend firefighter/paramedic Jeff Reyes View video by Shiloh Ireland   By Shiloh Ireland Miriam Raftery contributed to this report December 10, 2025 (Lakeside) – Lakeside firefighter/paramedic Jeff Reyes acted “without hesitation, drawing on instinct, training and sheer courage” to save the life of Captain Steven Russo, who fell through

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La Mesa Police plans added holiday enforcement, urges drivers to celebrate responsibly

Printer-friendly versionNational “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign begins  Source:  City of La Mesa December 9, 2025 (La Mesa) – The holiday season can be dangerous for people on the roads. In December 2023 alone, 1,038 people were killed in the U.S. in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The La Mesa Police Department wants

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Loveland Reservoir water transfer at 21% but coming to an end, SWA says

Printer-friendly versionPhoto of Loveland Reservoir by Ostan Patton By Karen Pearlman Dec. 9, 2025 (Alpine) – Sweetwater Authority’s plan to leave Loveland Reservoir with at least 25 percent of its water capacity during the most recent transfer of water into the Sweetwater Reservoir has not gone as originally planned, as shared with East County Magazine on Dec. 5. Sweetwater Authority (SWA), the

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FDA creates hurdles for Americans to get COVID-19 vaccine, puts infants at risk with changes to Hepatitis-B vaccine recommendations

Printer-friendly versionA dozen former FDA commissioners and other experts weigh in, also debunking false claims about vaccines By G. A. McNeeley December 8, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — In an internal memo obtained by CNN, Dr. Vinay Prasad, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) chief medical & scientific officer said on November 28 that the FDA will change its vaccine approval

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Palantir is rewriting security and privacy, creating massive database shared by federal agencies including ICE and the military

Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr Image: CC via Bing “Our Product is used to kill people.” — Palantir CEO Alex Karp, emphasizing the company’s role in enabling lethal military operations. December 8, 2025 (San Diego) — Palantir Technologies is building the U.S. Army’s next-generation ground station, TITAN, using artificial intelligence (AI) to process massive amounts of sensory data to improve targeting

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SANTANA VARSITY TEAM LEADS AFTER 5TH WEEK OF ACADEMIC LEAGUE MATCHES

Printer-friendly version   December 10, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – With a 5-0 record, Santa High School ‘s varsity team is in first place after the fifth week of the Grossmont Union High School District’s Academic League matches, besting Helix 85-24. “There were a couple of close matches as well as some strong performances by several teams,” said Steve

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ACADEMIC LEAGUE # 4 FEATURED MATCH: GROSSMONT AT SANTANA

Printer-friendly version  By Steve Haiman Co-coordinator, GUHSD Academic League December 9, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — The layoff for Thanksgiving did not slow up the four teams in week four’s featured match with the Santana “Sultans” hosting the Grossmont “Foothillers”. In, fact all of the teams got right down to turkey…pardon the pun…from the very opening question right down

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COUNTY TO PROVIDE FREE CAR SEATS TO LOW INCOME FAMILIES

Printer-friendly version December 9, 2009 (San Diego)–Thanks to a $207,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) will improve child safety by offering vehicle protection education and providing 2,000 child car seats to low-income families.   Funding for “Keep ‘Em Safe” comes from a grant from the California

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STORM KEEPS EMERGENCY RESPONDERS BUSTLING

Printer-friendly version December 8, 2009 (San Diego) – Yesterday’s storm kept emergency service providers busy responding to vehicle accidents, downed power lines and electrical outages around the County. San Diego Gas & Electric crews worked through the night to restore service to customers after heavy rains and winds knocked out power to 92,000 SDG&E customers in 24 hours. By 11:30

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ARE YOU TOUGH ENOUGH TO WIN A MILLION BUCKS? TV’S “SURVIVOR” WILL HOLD AUDITIONS AT PAUMA CASINO DEC. 16

Printer-friendly version  December 8, 2009 (Pauma) – Are you adventurous, in top physical and mental condition, and willing to live in a remote location for seven weeks without contact from the outside world? Can you outwit, outplay and outlast others to avoid being voted off the show?  Can you handle living off the land, cut off from the outside world

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GOOD MONEY: RETIREMENT PLANNING OPPORTUNITIES & CHANGES FOR 2009-2010

Printer-friendly versionGood Money: Your guide to financial planning & socially responsible investing RETIREMENT PLANNING OPPORTUNITIES & CHANGES for 2009-2010 By: Judith L. Seid, CFP ® President, Blue Summit Financial Group December 2009 (La Mesa) — Below is a brief discussion of some of the major opportunities available for you now and in 2010.  A check-up with your tax professional, and/or financial

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ASSEMBLYMAN ANDERSON HOSTS HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE TONIGHT IN EL CAJON

Printer-friendly version Protest planned outside over donation controversy December 8, 2009 – Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon) invites constituents to his annual open house from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight at his offices at 500 Fesler Street, Suite 201, in El Cajon. Guests will be offered hors d’hoeuvres and refreshments as well as an opportunity to meet their legislator and

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SNOW IN MOUNTAINS: CHAINS REQUIRED

Printer-friendly version  December 7, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Snow plows are working to clear roads in East County’s mountain areas. Chains are required on Sunrise Highway to Mount Laguna.   Stormy weather has caused numerous accidents around the County. High winds have also led to man fallen trees, downed power lines and other hazards. For the latest on

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STORM KILLS POWER FOR 36,000; SDG&E OFFERS TIPS FOR AVOIDING DAMAGE FROM POWER SURGES

Printer-friendly version  December 7, 2009 (San Diego) – Today’s storm caused dozens of power outages throughout the County, leaving over 36,000 people without power temporarily according to SDG&E. The utility’s “emergency” line for reporting outages was so overloaded that a recording advised people to call back later.    An SDG&E representative advises consumers to unplug TVs, computers and microwaves—not merely

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