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As politics in San Diego has shifted blue over the last decades, local broadcast industry has turned MAGA red

Printer-friendly versionTrump Supporters Will Soon Control Most TV News Stations in San Diego By J.W. August December 7, 2025 (San Diego) – San Diego County’s voter makeup has gone from red to blue over the decades, and there’s no better example in recent years than the evolving Democratic majority on the San Diego City Council and county Board of Supervisors.

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East County AWP construction boosts cost, but officials say recycled water supply is worth the price

Printer-friendly versionBy Mike Allen Photo: Education Center at AWP plant December 5, 2025 (Santee) — Three years into construction, the massive East County Advanced Water Purification Program is approaching the finish line late next year when the region’s sewage now being treated at Point Loma will be pumped to a new Santee plant and converted to drinkable, purified water.  

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Loveland Reservoir draining underway brings pushback from East County residents

Printer-friendly version Loveland Reservoir showing what is left of the public fishing zone. Photo by Ostan Patton By Karen Pearlman Dec. 5, 2025 (Alpine) – It’s been three years since Loveland Reservoir was drained by Sweetwater Authority to “deadpool” level for the first time ever, leaving the area susceptible to environmental challenges, killing fish and increasing fire hazards. Now another extreme draining is underway by Sweetwater

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Fiery crash in Ranchita kills girl, 8, injures seven others

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service December 4, 2025 (Ranchita) – An 8-year-old girl has died and seven other people injured, including children, in a multi-vehicle collision Sunday afternoon, November 30 on San Felipe Road south of Montezuma Valley Road. Alcohol is suspected as a factor in the crash, according to the California Highway Patrol.   “Dozens of first responders worked

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County officials respond to November coyote attack at UTC

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service A coyote peers out from near Cowles Mountain in 2023. Photo by Karen Pearlman Dec. 4, 2025 (San Diego County) — San Diego County officials are sharing information in response to a recent coyote attack that took place in the Westview UTC mall parking lot on Nov. 25. The coyote attack injured two children and

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Grossmont Healthcare District Awards Nearly $4 Million to Strengthen Health and Wellness Services Across East County

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Dec. 3, 2025 (La Mesa) —  The Grossmont Healthcare District has approved nearly $4 million in community grants and sponsorships for fiscal year 2025–26. GHD officials say that the grant shares mark the largest single-year investment in its history to support the health and well-being of East County residents. The awards were finalized at the GHD governing

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Shredded cheeses recalled in 31 states due to possible metal fragments: Cheese were sold at major retailers under several brand names

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service December 3, 2025 (San Diego) – Great Lakes Cheese Co. has recalled shredded cheeses sold in 31 states due to possible metal fragments in the products. The cheese was sold under multiple brand names, including Borden, Good & Gather, Great Value, Publix, Food Lion and Food Club, and at stores such as Walmart, Target, Aldi,

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Trump administration allows PFAS “forever chemicals” in pesticides used on food and eliminates asbestos testing in cosmetics

Printer-friendly version   By Alexander J Schorr Image: Harmful health effects of PFAS, via European Enviornmental Agency November 30, 2025— The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently approved new pesticide products containing “forever chemicals” (PFAS) for use on major food crops, sparking significant controversy. The approvals, announced this month, have been met with criticism from scientists and environmental advocates due

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Holiday season safety tips & reminders from the California Fire Foundation and PSA program

Printer-friendly versionSource: California Fire Foundation November 29, 2025 (San Diego) – The holiday season is a time of joy, family gatherings, and cherished traditions. As families across California prepare for festive celebrations, it’s essential to prioritize safety—especially in a state prone to wildfires. Here are some key holiday safety tips from the California Fire Foundation:   1. Kitchen Safety The kitchen

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Automated license plate reader technology helps ECPD arrest burglary suspects

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 28, 2025 (El Cajon) – Officers from El Cajon Police Department responded to reports of a home burglary in progress, with the family inside on November 23 around 9:14 a.m.  Whey they arrived, officers learned that two suspects—a woman who fled on foot and a man who stole the victims’ SUV—had already left the

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LOCAL LEADERS SHARE REACTIONS, PROGNOSIS OF HEALTHCARE BILL PASSED BY HOUSE

Printer-friendly version  November 12, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – East County and San Diego leaders offer diverse views on the landmark healthcare reform bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. Some praised the bill, others criticized it, while many hope to see changes made in the Senate. (For East County Magazine’s analysis of the bill, see http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/2211 )  

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LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES CHAMPS TO SERVE AS GRAND MARSHALS IN EL CAJON’S MOTHER GOOSE PARADE NOV. 22

Printer-friendly version  November 12, 2009 (El Cajon)–The Mother Goose Parade Association has announced the Grand Marshals for the 63rd Annual Mother Goose Parade on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 – the “Chula Vista Park View All-Stars.”   The Chula Vista Park View All Stars became the first Little League World Series champions from San Diego County in 48 years, defeating Taoyuan,

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GAME OF THE WEEK: NORSEMEN WIN LEAGUE TITLE FOR FIRST TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY WITH 14-7 WIN AT STEELE CANYON

Printer-friendly version by Christopher Mohr   (RANCHO SAN DIEGO) November 6th – High school football coaches often remind their players that the game is 48 minutes long and to achieve success, you must play hard for all 48 of those minutes. Friday night’s football game at Steele Canyon High School between the host Cougars and the visiting Norsemen of Valhalla High School was a

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READY TO GO SOLAR? “ONE BLOCK OFF THE GRID” RETURNS TO SAN DIEGO , PARTNERS WITH HELIOPOWER TO OFFER GROUP DISCOUNTS FOR HOMEOWNERS

Printer-friendly version  By Miriam Raftery   November 10, 2009 (San Diego) – One Block Off the Grid (1BOG), the nation’s largest solar buying collective, today announced launch of its second solar community buying campaign to help San Diego County homeowners and small business owners purchase solar energy at group discount rates of $5.29 per watt from now through February 12,

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ECM’S HEALTHCARE REFORM BILL ANALYSIS : WHO WILL BE COVERED–AND HOW WLL IT IMPACT YOU?

Printer-friendly versionCOSTS, DIFFERENCES BETWEEN KEY REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC PLANS ALSO WEIGHED   November 8, 2009 (Washington D.C.) –H.R. 3962, The Affordable Health Care for America Act approved Saturday by the House of Representatives is widely deemed the most significant social reform since the enactment of Social Security and Medicaid. The bill will next be considered by the Senate. While much media coverage has focused on a public option

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OVER $27 MILLION FOR WITCH CREEK FIRE SURVIVORS RECOVERED BY CA DEPT. OF INSURANCE

Printer-friendly version November 10, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner yesterday announced that the Department of Insurance (CDI) has recovered more than $27 million from insurance companies for consumers. The recoveries were made through the department’s complaint process in the aftermath of the devastating Witch Creek fire in San Diego County that killed two people, destroyed 1,650 structures

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NEW RULES ISSUED BY FDA TO PROTECT FOOD SAFETY

Printer-friendly version  Updated code to serve as model for state, city, county, tribal, territorial agencies and food industry November 9, 2009 – Restaurant owners and others who serve food to the public will want to be aware of publication of a new FDA Food Code announced today by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The document includes new rules for

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GUHSD ACADEMIC LEAGUE COMPETITION KICKS OFF

Printer-friendly versionNovember 7, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Grossmont Union High School District’s Academic League competition kicked off on November 4th. The 11-round event will culminate in televised coverage next February. “Congratulations to first year coaches Brianne Jones (Grossmont) and Dena Rosenberger (El Capitan) for their very first wins. We are looking forward to another great season!” said Steve

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COLLEGE-AREA BRUSH FIRE EXTINGUISHED; ARSON PROBE LAUNCHED

Printer-friendly version  November 8, 2009 (San Diego) – A fire in an canyon on Adobe Falls Road near San Diego State University has been extinguished. Firefighters made repeated water drops last night to douse the blaze, preventing it from spreading to nearby homes. Authorities are investigating the blaze as possible arson, San Diego News Network reports.   Printer-friendly version

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