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Pumpkin Smash event turns Halloween waste into environmental wins

Printer-friendly versionLocal students join I Love A Clean San Diego to divert organic waste from landfills Story and photo via I Love a Clean San Diego   November 4, 2025 (Spring Valley)  — On Monday, November 3, students at Sweetwater Springs Elementary School participated in a unique post-Halloween event aimed at reducing organic waste and promoting environmental education. Hosted by I

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Grossmont and Cuyamaca College military and veteran students find connection and support

Printer-friendly versionThe colleges offer award-winning programs that celebrate and honor veterans Photo:  Grossmont College student veterans Source:  Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District November 4, 2025 (El Cajon) – Navy veteran Isaiah Nailon had one clear goal in mind when he enrolled at Cuyamaca College in the spring of 2018: taking the first step toward earning a bachelor’s degree. “That was it,” he

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Advancing Healthy Communities: From conflict to connection: Trauma-informed dialogue in a time of unrest

Printer-friendly versionBy Venture Griswold, Institute for Public Strategies Photo:  “Kitchen Table Conversation” by Peter Alfred Hess is licensed under CC BY 2.0. November 4, 2025 (San Diego) — If the world feels heavy to you lately, you are not alone. We are in a time of great political unrest, with attacks on marginalized groups, climate disasters, and misinformation spreading quickly. It is natural for

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Grossmont Healthcare District announces James Sly as CEO

Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman Nov. 4, 2025 (East County) – The Grossmont Healthcare District has a new Chief Executive Officer.  Santee resident James Sly was unanimously approved by the five-member GHD board to be the Grossmont Healthcare District CEO and lead the organization on Tuesday afternoon. Sly, who has been the CEO of the East County Economic Development Council since

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Thousands of San Diegans receive emergency food assistance at Snapdragon Stadium amid federal shutdown

Printer-friendly versionThe Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank partners with the State of California, City of San Diego, and San Diego State University to provide relief for CalFresh recipients impacted by the federal benefit pause.   East County News Service   November 3, 2025 (San Diego) — In a powerful show of community partnership and coordination, the Jacobs & Cushman San

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San Diego-based International Relief Teams responds to Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo via Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness on X November 3, 2025 (San Diego)  — International Relief Teams (IRT) in San Diego is actively responding to the widespread devastation in Jamaica caused by Hurricane Melissa.  Entire communities have been left without safe shelter, access to clean water, food, or basic medicines. A press release from

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San Diego FC to face Portland in MLS playoff game Sunday

Printer-friendly versionPhoto courtesy San Diego FC Instagram   East County News Service   Nov. 3, 2025 (San Diego) — San Diego FC and the Portland Timbers will be playing for the opportunity to advance in the Major League Soccer playoffs this Sunday after Portland beat SDFC 3-2 in a penalty shooutout Saturday night in Portland.   San Diego FC beat

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Reader’s Editorial: CalRTA delivers — from pension power to Social Security fairness, retired teachers get it done

Printer-friendly versionSource:  California Retired Teachers Association November 2, 2025 (San Diego) – During this year’s Retired Teachers Week, we proudly look back to January when the California Retired Teachers Association (CalRTA) achieved our biggest legislative victory when the Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law. CalRTA helped spearhead this successful national campaign and was the only West Coast organization

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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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