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3 WATER MAIN BREAKS CAUSE FLOODING IN LA MESA

Printer-friendly version 48 HOMES WITHOUT WATER; SEVERAL ROADS CLOSED August 31, 2009 (La Mesa) –Three water line breaks have caused flooding in La Mesa, resulting in traffic congestion and leaving 48 homes without water.   “There are several areas cordoned off,” said Helix Water District spokesperson Kate Breece at 4 p.m. this afternoon. “We would expect this hopefully to be

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MAN ASSAULTED DURING ROBBERY IN LA MESA

Printer-friendly version POLICE SEEK DRIVER & PASSENGER OF BLUE PONTIAC VIBE  August 30, 2009 (La Mesa) — At 2:54 this morning,  La Mesa Police officers responded to a report of a pedestrian robbery in the 9500 block of Murray Drive, La Mesa.   According to La Mesa Police, the 25-year-old male victim was walking on the sidewalk west on Murray Drive when a Blue Pontiac Vibe with tinted windows drove up behind him.

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GUHSD CONSIDERS BUDGET-CUTTING STRATEGIES IN WAKE OF $40 MILLION IN STATE FUNDING CUTS OVER PAST 2 YEARS

Printer-friendly version  By Francine Phillips August 30, 2009 (El Cajon)–The Grossmont Union High School District School Board convened a special meeting at the East Country Regional Education Center on Wednesday, Aug. 26 starting at 2 p.m. The special meeting included a two-hour closed session that dealt mostly with labor negotiations between the Board and representatives of the Grossmont Education Association,

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SD FIREFIGHTING RESOURCES DISPATCHED TO BATTLE L.A. BLAZES

Printer-friendly version SD REGION STILL HAS “SURGE CAPACITY” RESOURCES TO COMBAT FIRE LOCALLY: CHIEF GHIO   August 30, 2009 (San Diego) – Firefighting resources from San Diego County’s region have been dispatched to battle the wildfires that have forced thousands to evacuate in the Los Angeles area. But August Ghio (photo, left), head of the San Diego County Fire Chiefs

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5-ACRE FIRE DOUSED IN RAMONA

Printer-friendly versionAugust 30, 2009 (Ramona) – A five-acre brush fire off Steffy Road near Wilson Road in the Ramona area has been contained shortly after it began, CAL-FIRE reports.   CAL-FIRE dispatched 12 engines, 2 fire crews, 1 bulldozer, 2 airtankers, 2 helicopter, 2 water tenders, and 2 chief officers for a total of approximately 100 fire fighters.   The U.S. Forest Service

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“BILLIONAIRES FOR WEALTHCARE” GROUP MOCKS OPPONENTS OF HEALTHCARE REFORM AT TOWNHALL FORUM HOSTED BY CONGRESSWOMAN DAVIS IN SPRING VALLEY

Printer-friendly version  By Miriam Raftery   August 30, 2009 (Spring Valley) – A rowdy crowd of approximately 1,500 turned out to cheer on and heckle Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) during a town hall meeting in Spring Valley Saturday afternoon. Protests from conservative “teabaggers” and signs with racist overtones were countered by a newly-formed group calling itself “Billionaires for Wealthcare.” (photos)  

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PROMISE OF PEACE CONFERENCE SEPT. 26 TO CELEBRATE 20 YEARS OF PEACE PATROL

Printer-friendly versionOPENING SPEAKER TO HONOR MEMORY OF SLAIN SANTANA STUDENT   By Marisa Kezirian   August 2009 – On September 26, The Promise of Peace Conference, celebrating 20 years of Peace Patrol, will be held in Chula Vista. The opening speaker, Dr. Carol L. Macagba (photo, left), will honor the memory of her nephew, Bryan Macagba Zuckor, who lost his

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RUN WOMEN RUN TO HOST CANDIDATE RECRUITFEST IN EAST COUNTY

Printer-friendly version  August 30, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — Whether you’ve played an active role in improving the state of our political and social environment or wanted to but didn’t know how to get involved, joining Run Women Run provides opportunities for you to make a difference.   On September 13, 2009, a Candidate Recruitfest will be held at

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CAR PLUNGES INTO RIVER IN SANTEE; 4 KILLED, BRUSH FIRE ENSUED

Printer-friendly version August 28, 2009 (Santee)–After striking another vehicle near I-125 and SR-52 in Santee at 3:47 p.m. this afternoon, a car plunged into the San Diego River in Santee. The car burst into flames, igniting a brush fire.  A call to 911 reported a stuck accelerator pedal.  Heartland Fire responded to the accident. Four victims were pronounced dead on

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POWER OUTAGES IMPACT 2,403 IN EAST COUNTY & SAN DIEGO

Printer-friendly version August 28, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Power outages have been reported in multiple locations through San Diego County. A map of affected areas can be viewed here: http://www.sdge.com/outages/outageMap.shtml One outage is impacting the following communities: Casa De Oro/ Rancho San Diego,Jamacha/ W Jamul/ Indian Springs, Jamul/ N Jamul/ Lyons Valley, La Presa/ Spring Valley/ Rancho San

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SEMPRA ENERGY FOUNDATION SETS $1 MILLION ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGE FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Printer-friendly version  SAN DIEGO, Aug. 10, 2009 – If you had $100,000 what would you do to “green” Southern California? That is the challenge that the Sempra Energy Foundation has posed to non-profit organizations with an environmental focus. Those chosen will receive between $25,000 and $100,000, as part of a new $1 million Environmental Champions Awards program created to recognize

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PICTURE YOURSELF CRUISIN’ IN THIS COOL CONVERTIBLE!

Printer-friendly version BUY THIS CAR–AND BENEFIT EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE     This is the perfect East County cruiser. Whether you’re top-down cruising historic Highway 80, taking a favorite friend to the Santee Drive-in, or traveling to the coast and beyond, this is a car built for fun. The only other full-sized convertible on the planet is a Bentley! It’s priced

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NEWS BULLETIN: FIRE IN MEXICO

Printer-friendly versionAugust 10, 2009 (Campo) – If you see smoke over East County, don’t panic.  A large fire is burning in Mexico, just south of Campo. However it poses no threat to Americans on this side of the border since the wind is blowing in the opposite direction, CAL-FIRE Battalion Chief Nick Schuler assures us.   Should a threat arise that impacts

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BURNING ISSUE: LA MESA COUNCIL VOTES TUESDAY ON SDG&E PLAN TO SHUT-OFF POWER

Printer-friendly version  PLAN PITS URBAN VS. RURAL COMMUNITIES IN HIGH-STAKES, LIFE-OR-DEATH DECISIONS   By Miriam Raftery   August 9, 2009 (La Mesa) – On Tuesday, August 11th at 4 p.m. the La Mesa City Council will consider whether to approve a highly controversial proposal by SDG&E to shut off power to up to 60,000 homes for up to three days during high-risk conditions for wildfires. SDG&E contends pulling the

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GOVERNOR SIGNS 2 BILLS BY HOLLINGSWORTH INTO LAW; PROVIDES LAW ENFORCEMENT MORE RESOURCES TO MONITOR & PROSECUTE SEX OFFENDERS

Printer-friendly version August 9, 2009 (Sacramento) – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday announced the signing of two bills that will give law enforcement officials additional resources to more effectively monitor and prosecute registered sex offenders and sexually violent predators. Both were authored by Senator Dennis Holilngsworth (R-Murrieta) whose district includes East County, North County, and portions of San Diego.  

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ALPINE BUSINESSMAN’S CHAIN SAW CARVES OUT NEW CAREER

Printer-friendly version  Photos by Miriam Raftery and Marilyn Lukinich   August 8, 2009 (Alpine)–A little boredom turned into a roaring artistic success for ex-logger James Lukinich of Alpine. Using a chain saw, the owner of the White Wolf Tree Service now coaxes charming designs out of wood. Fanciful birds, appealing bears, clever alligators and other creations quickly take shape. Making the first cut

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DO YOU OWN THE TOP DOG? FIND OUT AUG. 16!

Printer-friendly version  August 5, 2009 (El Cajon) — Want to teach an old dog some new tricks?   Enter your canine companion in a fun-filled dog competition on Sunday, August 16 at 3 p.m. at the Challenge Ranch, 5973 Stallion Oaks Road in El Cajon.  Games, classes and contests are all part of the fun.       Entry categories include:

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2 COUNCIL CANDIDATES ADDRESS WATER ISSUES IN PUBLIC FORUM

Printer-friendly version By Ryan Lescure   Emerald defends vote for power-shut-off; tells opponents in backcountry to “bellayche to the County Supervisors” and urge use of Prop 172 funds for firefighting   August 6, 2009 (San Diego)–Water issues were the main topic of discussion at the  San Diego chapter of Democracy for America’s meeting last night. The event featured Marti Emerald,

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