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Dia De Los Muertos Open House at Horses of Tir Na Nog

Printer-friendly version Nonprofit rescue organization Horses of Tir Na Nog cares for more than 100 animals, including Buttermilk the horse. The rescue group is having an Open House at its site in Guatay on Nov. 1. Photo by Karen Pearlman   East County News Service   Oct. 11, 2025 (Guatay) — Horses of Tir Na Nog, the equine-focused rescue in

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Gov. Newsom signs bills to stop the ‘Puppy Mill Pipeline’ in California

Printer-friendly version  At a recent companion animal adoption event at Grossmont Center, a dog waits for a chance to find a new home. California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed hree bills in the “Stop The Puppy Mill Pipeline” legislative package. Photo by Karen Pearlman   East County News Service   Oct. 11, 2025 (Sacramento) — Unscrupulous, exploitative and abusive “puppy mill”

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ICE Out of San Diego rally addresses federal government shutdown

Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow October 10, 2025 (San Diego) – The weekly ICE Out of San Diego rally at the San Diego Federal Building downtown yesterday focused on the government shutdown, while also including messages about ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents’ detention efforts. Dave Lagstein of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 221 was one of the event organizers.

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Governor Newsom signs groundbreaking bills expanding access to veterinary care in California

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 10, 2025 (San Diego) – Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law a package of bills expanding access to veterinary care and strengthening California’s commitment to animal welfare. The new legislation will address the state’s critical shortage of veterinary professionals, improve care for pets in need and ensure animals receive timely, affordable treatment. San Diego

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California State Parks photo contest deadline extended through Oct. 23

Printer-friendly versionAnza-Borrego Desert State Park photo (left) by Karen Pearlman   East County News Service   July 15, 2025 (San Diego County) — California State Parks Foundation(link is external)has extended its invitation to park visitors and photography enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels to capture the natural beauty, recreational activities and unique landscapes of California’s state parks.   The California

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Evacuations lifted in Rancho Fire

Printer-friendly version East County Wildfire & Emergency Alert Service Photo, right: Rancho Fire viewed from Julian, by Nancy Kramer October 9, 2025 (Ramona) – Evacuations have been lifted in the fast-moving #RanchoFire in Ramona, which has burned 105 acres and earlier threatened homes. The blaze, which started from a vehicle accident igniting brush, is 15% contained and forward spread is

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GUHSD agenda tonight includes restricting protests outside school board meetings, allowing prayers and other controversial measures

Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Image: On Facebook, a group seeking to recall GUHSD trustees posted a flyer calling tonight’s agenda items “frightful”, stating, “Here’s the tricks and not a treat in sight.” October 9, 2025 (El Cajon, CA) – At its 6 p.m. meeting tonight, the Grossmont Union High School District board of trustees will consider adopting a policy

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San Diego Humane Society urging adoptions during overcrowding crisis

Printer-friendly version Honeycomb is one of hundreds of animals at the San Diego Humane Society looking for a new home. Photo courtesy SDHS   East County News Service   Oct. 9, 2025 (San Diego County) — The San Diego Humane Society is asking the community to step up for animals in urgent need of homes.   To make adoption easier,

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Judge denies Grecia Figueroa’s civil harassment restraining order request against Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service File photo: Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher Updated October 9 with statement from Grecia Figueroa October 8, 2025 (San Diego) – Superior Court Judge Blair Soper yesterday denied a request by Grecia Figueroa for a civil harassment restraining order against Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, wife of former Supervisor Nathan Fletcher. This marks the second time Figueroa’s request has been rejected, following the initial

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Crest achieves Firewise USA® recognition, a communitywide commitment to wildfire preparedness

Printer-friendly versionBy Diana Griffin October 8, 2025 (Crest) — Every year, devastating wildfires sweep across the United States, threatening homes, landscapes, and lives. As more people live in wildfire-prone areas, communities like Crest are stepping up to reduce risk and strengthen resilience. While wildfires are an unavoidable part of living in fire-adapted regions, there are proven ways to make homes

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CAL-FIRE CANCELS NO BURN ORDER

Printer-friendly version  October 14, 2009 – It’s safe to light a campfire again, state fire officials have determined.  Today, CAL FIRE lifted its no-burn proclamation due to an improvement in fire conditions, including increased relative humidity and higher fuel moisture, as well as increased availability of fire protection resources.   The suspension of burning permits and other uses of open

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EAST COUNTY RESIDENTS FEATURED IN NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE CONFERENCE OCTOBER 16-17

Printer-friendly version  October 14, 2009 (San Diego)—Experts on near-death experiences will be in town for the annual conference of the International Association for Near Death Studies from October 15 – 17. There will be a pre-conference Healing/Arts day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 15th, followed by the full conference for the next two days. In addition, several

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GALA TO BENEFIT GROSSMONT COLLEGE FOUNDATION OCT. 24 AT BARONA

Printer-friendly versionThe Grossmont College Foundation, a fund-raising organization that supports Grossmont College students and educational programs, will host its 2009 Dinner Gala and Auction fund-raiser on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino. The public is invited to attend.   The Foundation’s Gala, the eighth annual, will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a reception and silent

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GROSSMONT ANNOUNCES OPENING ON CITIZENS BOND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

Printer-friendly version  October 13, 2009 (La Mesa)–The Grossmont Union High School District is seeking applications to fill an opening on the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC). The CBOC is responsible for implementation of Proposition H, the $274 million general obligation bond measure passed in 2004 to bring facility improvements and renovations to the district’s schools. In addition, the CBOC also oversees

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MWD TAKES PENSION HIKES OFF THE TABLE: WATER PENSION PROPOSAL FIRED UP CONTROVERSY

Printer-friendly version  By Francine Phillips Photos courtesy of Helix Water Distict October 13, 2009 (San Diego) – The Metropolitan Water District (MWD), which supplies water for most San Diegans, decided yesterday to re-visit labor negotiations rather than pass a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that outlined a pension arrangement that was retroactive and underfunded by 75 million. MWD’s action was the

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ASSEMBLYMEMBER SALAS HOSTS VETERANS HEALTH & RESOURCE FAIR OCT. 17

Printer-friendly versionOctober 14, 2009 (Otay) – Assemblymember Mary Salas, Chair of the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee, will host a Veterans Health and Resource Fair at Southwestern College 900 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista, CA 91910.  Over thirty representatives from health organizations and Veterans service organizations will be in attendance offering information, body mass index, blood pressure checks, and glucose screenings.

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FREE DOCUMENT SHREDDING SATURDAY

Printer-friendly version October 13, 2009 (El Cajon)- To help prevent identity theft, San Diego County Credit Union has announced that free shredding services will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, at its El Cajon branch, located at 312 West Main St.   The public is invited to bring a maximum of two boxes containing

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SHERIFF’S DEPT. OFFERS LANDLORD TRAINING SEMINAR

Printer-friendly version October 13, 2009 (San Diego)–Bill Gore, Sheriff, San Diego County, announces the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department sponsorship of a free one day Landlord Training Seminar for Mobile Home Park managers and staff. It will be held on Thursday October 22nd, at 9621 Ridgehaven Court in San Diego beginning at 8:00 a.m. Light refreshments will be served. The Landlord Training

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BETWEEN WILDFIRES: ASK QUESTIONS!

Printer-friendly version  Part 1 of an 8-part Series   By Anne S. Fege, Ph.D., M.B.A., wildfire ecologist/educator and retired Forest Supervisor, Cleveland National Forest October 13, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–By any accounts, we will always be “between wildfires” in southern California. That raises three wildfire questions that face San Diego. What will it take to keep houses from igniting?

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