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Local leaders voice concerns over Afghans facing threats to safety amid new restrictions in wake of D.C. National Guard shooting

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photos: Tazheem Nizam, CAIR San Diego executive director, and Shawn VanDiver, president of AfghanEvac December 17, 2025 (San Diego) – Local community leaders who have worked to help Afghan refugees are speaking out over new restrictions imposed on Afghan immigrants following the shooting of two National Guard member in Washington D.C. on November 26 by Rahmanullah

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East County Roundup: local and statewide news

Printer-friendly version   December 17, 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 Trump administration signs updated agreement with Mexico over Tijuana sewage (KPBS) Teacher at Christian Unified High School arrested for alleged sexual assault of family

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ECM World Watch: national and global news

Printer-friendly version   December  16,  2025 (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. Trump’s DOJ has sued 18 states to try to access voter data  (NPR) Trump Sued

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GUHSD priorities: trustees give themselves a massive raise, nearly quadrupling salaries

Printer-friendly version   By Alexander J. Schorr December 15, 2025 (El Cajon) — The Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) governing board voted unanimously to raise their own monthly salary of $534.04 to a proposed $2,000.00 each starting  in January 2026. While California law does allow for school boards to increase their trustees’ compensation annually by up to 5% based

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Rabbi killed in Australian Hanukkah shooting was nephew of rabbi injured in Poway synagogue attack

Printer-friendly version   By Miriam Raftery File photo: Rabbi Ysroel Godstein of Poway December 15, 2025 (Poway) – Rabbi Eli Schlanger, the nephew of Chabad Poway’s founding Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, was among 16 people murdered in a mass shooting yesterday during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. Goldstein was injured during the April 2019 shooting at Chabad Poway, when he

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The stress of apartment searching in San Diego: monthly rents and cost of living exceed national average, while scammers target renters

Printer-friendly version By Heidi Hope December 15, 2025 (San Diego) — Hunting for an affordable apartment in San Diego County is a recipe for aggravating stress. Rents and living expenses in the city of San Diego are among the highest in the nation. East County communities are also too expensive for a single person working a low-wage part-time job to

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East County Jews to light Menorah today, stand against deadly shooting at Hanukkah celebration in Australia

Printer-friendly version   By Miriam Raftery December 15, 2025 (San Diego) –  “Let the world see that when darkness tries to intimidate us, we answer with light,”  Rabbi Rafi Andrusier from Chabad of East County said today following a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia. Rabbi Andrusier urged local community members to join in a local Menorah lighting at

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Deputies respond to report of possible armed man at Sharp Rees-Stealy in Santee

Printer-friendly version   Man detained due to mental health crisis; no weapon found Photo by Patrick Ward December 14, 2025 (Santee) – Sheriff’s deputies evacuated the Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group building on Cuyamaca Street in Santee yesterday afternoon, after receiving multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting a possible armed person.   Deputies did not find a weapon. But during the search, deputies

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CALIFORNIA WELCOME CENTER OPENS IN ALPINE

Printer-friendly version  December 7, 2009 (Alpine) – San Diego East  Visitors Bureau celebrated the grand opening last week of its new office in the Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine. The site is an official California Welcome Center, providing information for tourists on attractions in East County and the San Diego region.   “This is the first California Welcome Center ever

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NEED SANDBAGS? STOCK UP HERE:

Printer-friendly version  CAL FIRE Crews throughout San Diego County are combatting flooding caused by today’s winter storm.   Sandbags are available at the following locations: Valley Center Station 73 28205 North Lake Wohlford Road, Valley Center   CAL FIRE Station 70 16971 Highway 76, Pauma Valley   CAL FIRE Station 50 1587 Highway 78, Julian   CAL FIRE Station 86,

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FLASH FLOOD WATCH: POOMACHA BURN AREA MOST VULNERABLE

Printer-friendly version  December 6, 2009 (San Diego) – The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for recently burned areas of Southern California and lists the 2007 Poomacha burn area among the most vulnerable locations. Heavy rains of one inch per hour are forecast, capable of producing debris flows in and below burn areas from noon Monday until

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HIGH WIND WATCH ISSUED BY WEATHER SERVICE FOR OUR REGION; GALE FORCE GUSTS UP TO 65 MPH POSSIBLE MONDAY EVENING

Printer-friendly version  December 6, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — The National Weather Service has issued an urgent high wind watch for Monday and Monday night due to a strong winter storm. Strong gusty winds in mountains, valleys, coastal and desert areas will have potential to cause damage to trees and power lines.   Gusts of over 55 mph will

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ACLU SUES CITY OF SAN DIEGO FOR DESTROYING HOMELESS PEOPLE’S BELONGINGS INCLUDING PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES, BLANKETS AND PHOTOS OF LOVED ONES

Printer-friendly version Class Action Suit Alleges Policies Intended to “Harass Homeless People Into Going Away” December 5, 2009 (San Diego)–SAN DIEGO – In a series of aggressive raids in September and October, city workers escorted by police seized and summarily destroyed the possessions of homeless men and women. In a lawsuit filed December 2nd, the Dreher Law Firm and the

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WINTER WONDERLAND DAY CAMP AT HILLSIDE RECREATION CENTER IN EL CAJON

Printer-friendly version  December 5, 2009 (El Cajon) — The City of El Cajon Recreation Department is offering a safe and fun camp to engage the kids during the winter break. Hillside Center will be hosting “Winter Wonderland” Day Camp for ages 6-12 on December 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.   Each day

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HEAVY SNOW FORECAST FOR EAST COUNTY MOUNTAINS

Printer-friendly version SNOW LEVEL COULD BLANKET AREAS DOWN TO 4,000 FEET By Miriam Raftery   December 4, 2009 (San Diego) – A white Christmas appears likely for San Diego’s mountain communities.  Wet weather is forecast for Southern California next week, with heavy snowfall possible in mountain areas from a series of storms, the National Weather Service predicts.   The first storm system is predicted to bring

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MAN ARRESTED FOR STABBING 2 IN LAKESIDE

Printer-friendly version December 4, 2009 (Lakeside) – Jacob Otto Hume, 22, has been arrested and will be booked on two counts of attempted murder, San Diego County Sheriff Department reports. Hume will be charged in the stabbing yesterday of David H. F Fleming, Jr., 29, and another young adult male victim.     According to preliminary information from the Sheriff’s

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HOLIDAY IN THE GARDEN TONIGHT, DEC. 4 AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE

Printer-friendly version  Low-energy holiday lights set garden aglow; children’s activities include cookie decorating December 4, 2009 (El Cajon) – The public is invited to attend this year’s Holiday in the Garden event at the Water Conservation Garden, 12122 Cuyamaca College Dr. West, in El Cajon on Friday, December 4, 5-8pm. The Garden’s meandering paths and exhibits will glow with thousands

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WIN A FREE COLLEGE PREP COURSE: WRITE YOUR WAY INTO COLLEGE

Printer-friendly version Sylvan Learning Center in La Mesa is sponsoring a “Write Your Way into College” essay contest. It is open to all students in grades 8-12 in the County of San Diego. Separate prizes will be awarded to the high school and middle school winners.   The deadline is January 15, 2010.  Winner receives a free college prep course.  

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