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Trump’s claims on autism disputed by medical experts and autism patient advocates

Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr Miriam Raftery contributed to this report September 28, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has just approved a version of Leucovorin for autism treatment of children. This action comes after President Donald Trump claimed that Tylenol taken during pregnancy can cause autism, despite the fact that numerous studies have found Tylenol

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County public safety leader recognized with national justice award

Printer-friendly versionBy Sir Milo Loftin, County of San Diego Communications Office September 28, 2025 (San Diego) – San Diego County Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Andrew Strong has been honored with the inaugural Partners for Justice Champion Award for his leadership and innovative support of public defense. The national nonprofit Partners for Justice (PFJ) launched the award to highlight public policy

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Dental to mental, affordable health insurance coverage is available with Covered California

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Sept. 27, 2025 (San Diego County) — Health insurance can feel confusing and daunting, and typically is expensive. But Covered California, the state’s Affordable Care Act Marketplace, offers a less stressful way to shop for and compare plans, and works with all the major health insurance companies to negotiate the lowest possible prices for coverage, helping reduce costs

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Chance for showers, thunderstorms expected in East County; mountains and deserts under Flash Flood Watch

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service   Sept. 27, 2025 (San Diego County) — The latest National Weather Service forecast for the San Diego area shows below-seasonal temperatures and a chance of thunderstorms, especially over the mountains and deserts, with a Beach Hazard Statement for coastal areas due to elevated surf.   A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for the

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Jones sexually violent predator housing law heads to Governor for approval

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo:  sign posted by East County residents when two sexually violent predators were proposed for release in their neighborhood September 27, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) announced the passage of his Senate Bill 380, which directs the Department of State Hospitals to examine placing sexually violent predators in state-run

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Lemon Grove teen reports suspicious person following them

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service   Sept. 26, 2025 (Lemon Grove) — A teenager in Lemon Grove reportedly was being followed by a suspicious person in a car earlier this week and the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Substation is now investigating the matter.   Just after 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 23, a 13-year-old student was walking to Lemon Grove Middle

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Senate passes bipartisan Padilla, Mullin bill strengthening cybersecurity for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Printer-friendly versionSource:  Alex Padilla September 26, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), co-founder of the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus, and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) announced that the Senate unanimously passed their bipartisan legislation to strengthen the cybersecurity protocols for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in response to previous outages that resulted in a day-long outage for those in crisis. The 9-8-8

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FBI offering reward for information about assault and robbery in Jacumba

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service   Sept. 26, 2025 (Jacumba) — The Federal Bureau of Investigation is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information on the individual or individuals who shot at and robbed four hikers, injuring one, earlier this year in Jacumba.   The FBI’s San Diego Field Office, Imperial County Resident Agency, in coordination with federal law

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Prebys Foundation, others ‘Unite for San Diego’ to help protect families

Printer-friendly version East County News Service   Sept. 26, 2025 (San Diego County) – Three of San Diego County’s largest foundations — Prebys Foundation, Price Philanthropies and San Diego Foundation — along with members of the Robert Price family, have formed a group to help local families during a time of challenging cuts in services.   The group — United for

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The San Diego Field Office ports of entry seized nearly 10,000 pounds of dangerous drugs worth $24M during month of August

Printer-friendly versionSource:  U.S. Customs and Border Protection September 26, 2025 (San Diego) – The U.S. Customs and Border Protection San Diego Field Office has released its monthly recap for August 2025, highlighting CBP’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding the nation’s borders. A reported 155 seizures, including nearly 10,000 pounds of narcotics valued at $24 million and more than $340,000 in unreported currency,

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GOLFERS PLAY TO PROTECT SCRIPPS RANCH COMMUNITY

Printer-friendly version  September 3, 2009 (Scripps Ranch)–On Saturday, September 26th 2009 at 8:00 am, the Scripps Ranch Fire Safe Council will host its third annual “PLAY TO PROTECT” Charity Golf Tournament at the Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Course.   Proceeds help the nonprofit Council fulfill its mission to protect 12,000 Scripps Ranch homes by establishing firebreaks, clearing overgrown trails, cutting

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MAN DIES IN FALL FROM ALPINE VIEWPOINT

Printer-friendly version September 3, 2009 (Alpine) – A man plunged 200 feet to his death from a viewpoint off Eastbound I-8 east of Willows Road in Alpine this afternoon. U.S. Forest Service and Border Patrol officials responded at 12:30 p.m., when a technical rescue was attempted. However the patient was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later. Further

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HORTICULTURAL HELP LINE NOW ACCESSIBLE 24-HOURS A DAY

Printer-friendly version Water Smart Pipeline has new message option RANCHO SAN DIEGO, CA—The Water Conservation Garden’s Water Smart Pipeline is now accessible to the public 24 hours a day. Callers may record their questions day or night on the “Pipeline’s” voicemail, and will get a return phone call during Pipeline hours from local gardening expert, Nan Sterman, author of the

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2 ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS GET KIDS INVOLVED IN KEEPING AREA CLEAN & GREEN

Printer-friendly version “Sustain La Mesa” Environmental Festival – Sept. 12 Coastal Cleanup Day at Lake Murray – Sept. 19   By Kristin Hobbs Kjaero   If young people are our future, then the environment will ultimately be in their hands. Two events in East County this month provide perfect opportunities for families to spend quality time together, and for community

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DON’T MOVE OAK WOOD IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY! AUTHORITIES SEEK TO STEM SPREAD OF GOLD-SPOTTED OAK BORER

Printer-friendly version Dead, Dying, and Diseased Oaks May Be Infested San Diego, CA- August 31, 2009…The gold-spotted oak borer is a newly detected insect pest that affects California black oaks, coast live oaks, and canyon live oaks in southern California.  This pest is believed to be responsible for significant tree mortality in San Diego County. Over 17 thousand trees have been

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GAME OF THE WEEK: VALHALLA NORSEMEN TAKE AIM AT FALCONS FROM OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL (OLNEY, MD)

Printer-friendly version  by Christopher Mohr   Editor’s Note:  Starting this week, East County Magazine will have a Game of the Week article covering a football game featuring at least one high school team from the area.   September 2,  2009 (San Diego’s East County)–Our first Game of the Week takes place this Friday, when the Norsemen of Valhalla High School take on the

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WATER WARS: LEGISLATURE TO VOTE NEXT WEEK ON BILLS TO REVAMP STATE WATER SYSTEM

Printer-friendly version PERIPHERAL CANAL & DELTA PUMPING AMONG KEY POINTS OF CONTENTION   By Miriam Raftery   It’s being billed as fish vs. farmers—or, in San Diego, where water supplies have been slashed while prices soar—people vs. the Delta smelt. Senator Dennis Hollingsworth (R-Murrieta), who represents East County, has even asked the Governor to convene a “God Squad” to ease environmental

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ANDERSON IOU BILL CLEARS COMMITTEE

Printer-friendly version  September 1, 2009 (Sacramento) – Residents, business owners, charities and other organizations from around the state flooded the office of Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) with over 1,500 letters in support of AB 1506. The bill, authored by Anderson, would require California to accept its own IOUs as payment for taxes or fees owed to the state.   Thursday,

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21% WATER RATE HIKE TAKES EFFECT TODAY FOR HELIX WATER DISTRICT CUSTOMERS

Printer-friendly version CONSERVATION IS WORKING AS CUSTOMERS CUT WATER USE COUNTYWIDE   By Miriam Raftery September 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) –If you’re going to be a water hog, it’s going to cost you.  But even those who have already conserved will see a water rise on their next bills. Homeowners and businesses in the Helix Water Distirct will

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BOOK REVIEW: FIRE, CHAPARRAL, AND SURVIVAL IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Printer-friendly version  by Richard W. Halsey   Second Edition, Revised and Updated Sunbelt Publications, San Diego. 2008. 232 pages, illustrated, color plates.   Reviewed by Walter Hall   “The Viejas fire in ’01, the Galivan fire in ’02, and then again during the Cedar fire in ’03. It’s always the same damn thing.” — A weary incident commander back on

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