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County approves purchase of firefighting helicopter with nighttime capabilities

Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow October 21, 2025 (San Diego) — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved the purchase of a firefighting helicopter with nighttime capabilities, which will be upgraded to accommodate a full crew for fire and rescue missions. The Sikorsky S70 Firehawk, to be purchased from SDG&E, will add to a fleet of 12 firefighting helicopters

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Full Moon Walk in Anza Borrego’s South Palm Wash Nov. 5

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 21, 2025 (Anza Borrego)—You’re invited to walk by the light of a full moon in Anza Borrego Desert State Park’s South Palm Canyon Wash on November 5 from 6:30 to  8:30 p.m.. The hike will be led by Mike McElhatton, education director at the Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association (ABDNHA). “Experience the unique

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East County Roundup: Local and statewide news

Printer-friendly versionOctober 21, 2025, 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 Local Congressional members denied access to federal courthouse basement amid detention concerns (10 News) One dog dead, another ill following methamphetamine exposure at Ocean

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Fish advisory for Hodges Reservoir offers safe eating advice for 4 species

Printer-friendly versionSource: Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment  October 21, 2025 (Sacramento) – Today, the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) issued a new fish consumption advisory for Hodges Reservoir, located approximately four miles south of Escondido, in San Diego County. The advisory provides safe-eating advice for black bass species, Channel Catfish, Common Carp and Threadfin Shad.

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La Mesa raises parking meter fees

Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery October 20, 2025 (La Mesa) — If you plan to park in La Mesa, you’ll be paying more for meters starting in January. The City Council has approved doubling parking meter rates from 75 cents an hour to $1.50 an hour for all 433 meters in the downtown village.  It’s the first price rise in

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Health and Science Highlights

Printer-friendly versionOctober 20, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH California company recalls nearly 245,000 pounds of pasta tied to listeria outbreak (AP) Officials confirm first US cases of more severe mpox strain with no travel history The CDC says people must consult a

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Artillery round from Camp Pendleton celebration explodes over I-5, hits CHP vehicle

Printer-friendly versionAccident comes after Governor Gavin Newsom raised safety concerns and closed freeway By Miriam Raftery Photo:  Shrapnel that struck CHP vehicle October 20, 2025 (Camp Pendleton, CA) – An artillery round exploded prematurely over I-5 on Saturday, causing metal shrapnel to strike a California Highway Patrol vehicle. The incident occurred while  Vice President J.D. Vance was at Camp Pendleton

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Advancing Healthy Communities: 2025 substance use and overdose report card released

Printer-friendly versionSan Diego County sees progress in overdose prevention, but challenges remain By Seraphina Eberhardt Photo:  District Attorney Summer Stephan, standing with other county officials, speaks at a press conference recognizing International Overdose Awareness Day.  Photo courtesy of Marla Kincade, Substance Abuse and Overdose Taskforce October 19, 2025 (San Diego) — San Diego County is seeing progress in the efforts to

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Trump aims to slash refugee admissions and add racist criteria

Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Image left:  Refugee issues covered by ECM over the years includes persecution of Iraqi Christians, Kurdish immigrations fleeing ISIS, a migrant crisis at the Mexican border, asylum seekers fleeing violence in Africa, efforts to help African women refugees, Afghan refugees starting new lives in East County–many after helping the U.S. military, Ukrainians in Santee after

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DONATE CELL PHONES & BATTERIES TO HELP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS: HOPELINE DRIVE ANNOUNCED TODAY

Printer-friendly version  October 9, 2009 (San Diego) – In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the San Diego Family Justice Center is working with the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program to collect no-longer used wireless phones, batteries and equipment from any wireless provider in a month-long phone drive during October 2009. Verizon Wireless will donate the refurbished wireless phones and airtime

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STATE LAUNCHES PROBE OF ANDERSON FINANCES; CASE PROMPTS CALL FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery   October 8, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)—The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) has launched an investigation into allegations that Assemblyman Joel Anderson’s campaign may have received funds funneled illegally through the Fresno County Republican Central Committee. (Read details.) Anderson (R-Alpine) has announced plans to run for the State Senate. The news sparked heated

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ANDERSON BILL TO PROTECT HOMEOWNERS FROM FORECLOSURE AWAITS GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE

Printer-friendly versionOctober 8, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)—AB 1046, authored by Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) has passed both houses of the Legislature unanimously and is now on the Governor’s desk. If enacted, would protect homeowners from having their home seized by creditors as payment for debt that is unrelated to their mortgage.   “Hard times can fall on anyone and

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GREEN BUILDING PRODUCTS MANUFACTURER DONATES MATERIALS TO BUILD HOME FOR EL CAJON FAMILY IN NEED

Printer-friendly version  October 8, 2009 (El Cajon)– Cali Bamboo, a premier manufacturer of green building materials made entirely from bamboo for residential and commercial projects, has announced its partnership with the San Diego Habitat for Humanity. The company will provide $15,000 worth of flooring and fencing materials as well as volunteer employees to help build the final Jimmie Johnson Foundation

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PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM CAL-FIRE: MAKE SURE YOUR ADDRESS IS VISIBLE

Printer-friendly version  October 8, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — October is fire safety month.  CAL FIRE reminds everyone who lives in the backcountry that State law requires that every building must have an address number posted. This number needs to be a minimum of four inches in height, contrasting in color to the background, and clearly visible from the street.   Your fire

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GAME OF THE WEEK BONUS COVERAGE – EAGLES SLOWED BUT NOT STOPPED BY HILLERS

Printer-friendly version  by Christopher Mohr   (SOLANA BEACH) September 26 – One of the most common sports cliches is that some opponents can’t be stopped; they can only be contained. Anyone who defended Michael Jordan, pitched to Tony Gwynn or golfed against Tiger Woods knows the concept all too well. So do Santa Fe Christian’s first three opponents this season.

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ADOPT A SEARCH AND RESCUE DOG: SHERIFF’S TEAM WORKS WITH CHILDREN

Printer-friendly version October 7, 2009 (San Diego)–San Diego County Sheriff William D. Gore is announcing a unique educational program called “Adopt an SAR Dog.”   In its third year, the San Diego Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Detail will participate in a program which offers a local elementary school class the unique opportunity to learn all about the various aspects of

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H1N1 FLU VACCINE NOW AVAILABLE IN EAST COUNTY & SAN DIEGO

Printer-friendly version  October 6, 2009 (San Diego) — The first allotment of H1N1 flu vaccine has arrived in San Diego County and will be administered starting today. (View video) According to state guidelines, the initial doses of H1N1 nasal spray vaccine are designated for children 2-18 years of age who are healthy and healthy household contacts of infants younger than

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