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CAL FIRE joins partners in signing charter to reduce wildfire ignitions in Southern Calif.

Printer-friendly versionSource: CAL FIRE   Sept. 3, 2025 (Riverside) —  Earlier today, CAL FIRE Southern Region Chief Mike van Loben Sels signed the Southern California Ignition Reduction Program (SCIRP) charter at the Southern California Geographic Area Coordination Center in Riverside.   The charter marks the launch of a public-private partnership created to reduce human-caused wildfire ignitions, particularly along roadways where

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Mosquitos in Imperial County test positive for St. Louis Encephalitis virus

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service September 3, 2025 (Imperial County, CA) – Multiple pools of  mosquitos in both Brawley and Holtville have tested positive for Saint Louis Encephalitis (SLE), the Imperial County Public Health Department announced on August 29. In rare cases, SLE can cause swelling of the brain or spinal cord, leading to long-term disability or death, though most

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Cajon Cruise returns next week in El Cajon, hosted by Downtown Café

Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow September 3, 2025 (El Cajon) – East County car enthusiasts have cause for celebration, after the El Cajon City Council on Tuesday approved a two-month extension of the Cajon Cruise on Main Street and Prescott Promenade, this time hosted by Downtown Café. The revived car show will rev up on Wednesday nights Sept. 10 through

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California, Oregon, Washington to launch West Coast Health Alliance

Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow September 3, 2025 – (East County) The governors of California, Oregon and Washington today announced they will launch a West Coast Health Alliance aimed at recommendations about immunizations, in response to recent cuts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). California Governor Gavin Newsom, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, and Washington Governor Bob Ferguson

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ECM World Watch: National and global news

Printer-friendly version September 3, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — 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.  Epstein accusers put pressure on Congress to release the files (NBC) DHS to States: Follow

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East County Roundup: Local and statewide news

Printer-friendly versionSeptember 3, 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  Supervisors vote to allow San Diego County to tap into financial reserves (Times of San Diego) How San Diego’s Congressional districts could change under redistricting

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Proposed Lakeside Sand Mine Owner Sues City of San Diego for Damages From Water Release at El Capitan Dam

Printer-friendly version  91-year-old dam is too dangerous for city to keep reservoir filled, leading to massive water waste and now, damage claims downstream   Updated Sept. 5, 2025 with additional seismic risk details.   By Karen Pearlman   Sept. 1, 2025 (Lakeside) – A lawsuit against the city of San Diego is highlighting safety and management concerns at the El

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California Attorney General sounds alarm over state’s “health care emergency”

Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow September 2, 2025 (East County) – California Attorney General Rob Bonta and health care activists from the nonprofit Protect Our Care California held a virtual news conference Tuesday regarding the “ongoing Trump-GOP health care emergency,” which they say puts 28 hospitals and 15 nursing homes at risk of closure statewide.  Pioneers Memorial Hospital in Brawley in

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Director of CDC has been fired by HHS Secretary Kennedy: 9 former CDC directors criticize action

Printer-friendly version  This action prompted other top CDC officials to resign in protest, while Kennedy hires a replacement who has no medical background.  By G. A. McNeeley  September 3, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — The Trump Administration is facing bipartisan pushback over the firing of Susan Monarez, the Director of The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which prompted dozens

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Health and Science Highlights

Printer-friendly versionSeptember 3, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH Medicare Will Require Prior Approval for Certain Procedures (New York Times) New CDC chief picked without medical credentials as vaccine panel faces shake-up (AP/Scripps News) Sen. Cassidy calls for vaccine advisory meeting to

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BOMB SQUAD AT ZION & MISSION GORGE ROAD

Printer-friendly version October 20, 2009 – San Diego Police have evacuated the Postal Annex at 6549 Mission Gorge Road after discovery of a suspicious device. “We have secured the Annex . Metro Arson Strike Team (MAST) is on site and evaluating,” Detective Gary Hassen told East County Magazine at 2:45 p.m. today. The Postal Annex opened a package and found

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WHERE DOES YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE STAND ON HEALTHCARE REFORM?

Printer-friendly version  By Miriam Raftery   October 18, 2009 – The House and Senate are grappling with several versions of major healthcare reform measures that could dramatically transform our nation’s healthcare system. Four of the five measures would include a public option, which give Americans a choice between private health insurance or opting for coverage under a government-run system similar to

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I-5 CLOSED IN BOTH DIRECTIONS DUE TO POTENTIAL SUICIDE

Printer-friendly versionOctober 20, 2009 – California Highway Patrol has issued a SigAlert and closed down all lanes of Interstate 5 in both directions at the Pershing Drive S-curve in Golden Hill. Commuters are advised to take alternative routes. Police are trying to talk down a woman spotted on a pedestrian bridge who is considering throwing herself off the freeway overpass.

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GAME OF THE WEEK: VALHALLA HOLDS ON TO BEAT MT. MIGUEL IN THRILLER, 36-29

Printer-friendly versionby Christopher Mohr   (RANCHO SAN DIEGO) October 16 – Friday night’s game between Valhalla High School’s Norsemen and the Mt. Miguel Matadors had nearly everything a fan could want: a closely contested match between two competitive, talented teams that would not be decided until almost the last minute. It was a game that truly lived up to all

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BILBRAY AMENDMENT TO SUPPORT INNOVATION IN FUEL-EFFICIENT VEHICLES PASSES HOUSE

Printer-friendly versionPoway’s Aptera among companies that will benefit from measure October 18, 2009 (Washington D.C) .–The United States House of Representatives passed a bi-partisan measure led by North County Congressman Brian Bilbray (R-CA) and Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) that will expand production of domestic fuel-efficient vehicles.   The amendment, included in the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act (H.R. 3183)

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ASSEMBLY JOBS COMMITTEE TO HOLD HEARING IN SAN DIEGO MONDAY ON STATE EFFORTS TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES

Printer-friendly version  October 18, 2009 (San Diego) — On Monday, October 19, members of the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy, including Chairperson V. Manuel Pérez (D-Coachella), Marty Block (D-San Diego) and Mary Salas (D-Chula Vista) will hold a hearing and press conference in San Diego. Both focus on small business development during the recession and state

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GOVERNOR SIGNS FIVE KEHOE BILLS INTO LAW

Printer-friendly versionSACRAMENTO – Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) announced today that Gov. Schwarzenegger recently signed five of her bills into law, including ones dealing with redevelopment funds, solar energy, and hybrid vehicles.   “I’m grateful for the governor’s support of these bills that will improve the quality of life for Californians,” Kehoe said. “Government can work for the people, and

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XE (BLACKWATER) CONTRACT CANCELED BY SOUTHWESTERN COLLLEGE

Printer-friendly version College Board responds to Public Outcry   October 18, 2009 (Chula Vista) – On October 14, Southwestern College District Governing Board approved cancellation of its agreement with Xe . The agreement allowed the college’s law enforcement students to use a training facility in Otay Mesa operated by Xe Systems LLC, the company formerly known as Blackwater. Blackwater, which

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY FOR EL CAJON

Printer-friendly version  October 17, 2009 – The City of El Cajon has issued a traffic advisory for October 17, 21 and 24 due to pouring a concrete foundation for the City’s new Public Safety Center downtown.  Some streets around City Hall will be closed during the high volume concrete pour. View a time-lapse video of construction.   There will be

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THREE EAST COUNTY CITIES SIGN JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT FOR SHARED FIRE PROTECTION

Printer-friendly version  Photos by Monica Zech October 15, 2009 ) — In La Mesa today, city leaders, fire department chiefs and staff from El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove, gathered for the official signing of a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JPA). This agreement will create a shared management team to coordinate fire and emergency medical services, firefighter training,

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