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The rights of women are under assault: leadership that distrusts its people

Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr Image: suffragists rallied outside White House in 1917, calling for the right to vote. August 29, 2025 (Washington. D.C.) — Women’s rights in the United States are in danger of being eliminated or rolled back to pre-1960s, before women gained civil rights, equal pay rights, and reproductive rights. Even women’s right to vote has been

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International postal services suspend deliveries to U.S. after Trump ends tariffs exemption

Printer-friendly versionSuspensions are temporary and in some cases, indefinite By G. A. McNeeley  August 29, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — Australia, Japan, Mexico, and Taiwan have joined a growing list ofcountries that are suspending certain parcel shipments to the United States, following the implementation of new rules under President Donald Trump’s Administration that will end tariff exemptions, according to CNN. Dozens of

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Rollback of “Roadless Rule” to allow logging and road construction in National Forests draws opposition from tribes and ecologists

Printer-friendly version  Trump administration opens 21-day public comment period Aug. 29-Sept. 19 By Miriam Raftery Photo: Cedar Creek Falls, one of the most scenic hiking destinations  in San Diego’s East County, is in a roadless portion of Cleveland National Forest.  August 29, 2025 (San Diego) — The Trump administration announced it is seeking public comment on its proposal to rescind the

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Santee approves warehouse distribution center at drive-in-theater site, despite community opposition

Printer-friendly version  By Mike Allen Image, left:  Aerial rendering of planned new warehouse site August 29, 2025 (Santee) — Santee traded a defunct drive-in theater/swap meet for an industrial distribution center with 42 dock bays and the promise of 185 jobs following approvals from the City Council this week. The fact that the 13.5 acre site at 10990 North Woodside

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Supervisors Anderson, Aguirre Supporting Cease-and-Desist Order to Expand Sewage Treatment from Tijuana River

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Services   Aug. 28, 2025 (San Diego County) — San Diego County Supervisors Paloma Aguirre and Joel Anderson (photo, left) are praising the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board for approving a cease-and-desist order that will expand treatment capacity at the International Boundary and Water Commission’s South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant.   The order

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San Diego County Fire Protection District deploys new Zell AutoPulse NXT Resuscitation Systems

Printer-friendly versionSource:  San Diego County Fire August 28, 2025 (Kearny Mesa) — The San Diego County Fire Protection District has upgraded a lifesaving tool to their advanced life support (ALS) ambulances and its jointly operated county helicopters with the deployment of 35 new Zoll AutoPulse NXT Resuscitation Systems. Funded through the department’s capital replacement budget at a cost of $23,000

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San Diego Trolley improvements coming to East County Orange line

Printer-friendly versionRiders should plan for weekend delays during construction through early 2028 By Paul Levikow August 27, 2025 (El Cajon) — The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System Wednesday announced details of the San Diego Trolley Orange Line Improvement Project, or Rail Ready, on the stretch of tracks from San Diego to El Cajon. The $151 million improvement project will modernize

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Toxic Algae Bloom at Mission Trails Dam Site

Printer-friendly versionSource: San Diego River Park Foundation August 28, 2025 (San Diego) – Water samples collected last week at Old Mission Dam in Mission Trails Regional Park have tested positive for a cyanotoxin that can be harmful to people and pets. The San Diego River Foundation has posted caution signs, in cooperation with the California Water Boards San Diego Region

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East County Neighborhoods Could Be Impacted By Proposed State Law to Allow Significantly More Multi-Family Housing Projects

Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow Image, left, via United Neighbors August 26, 2025 (East County) – Large-scale, high-rise apartment complexes could soon be built within a half mile of a bus stop or trolley station near you, under a proposed state law that would take away local control of developments and turn single-family neighborhoods into high-density housing. State Senate Bill 79,

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GROSSMONT COLLEGE STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT NAMED TO CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES’ BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Printer-friendly version Student leader tasked with keeping state board attuned   August 1 2009 (El Cajon) – Marc Valenzuela, Grossmont College’s new student body president, has a busy year ahead–including his latest appointment as a student liaison to the California Community Colleges’ Board of Governors.   Valenzuela, who also represents the nine community colleges in San Diego and Imperial counties

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BURNING ISSUE: ECM EDITOR SPEAKS ON SDG&E SHUT-OFF PROPOSAL IN TV, RADIO SHOWS

Printer-friendly version  July 31, 2009 (San Diego) – Hosts of two radio programs and a TV show today interviewed East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery on some of the hottest topics in town– including a fiery East County issue: SDG&E’s proposal to shut-off power during fire-prone weather. Audio, video and transcripts from KPBS and KCBQ are available below.   (cartoon reprinted with

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VIEJAS CASINO NAMED “BEST CASINO” 10 YEARS IN A ROW; ALSO TAKES TOP HONORS FOR DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

Printer-friendly version  August 1, 2009 (San Diego) – Viejas Casino (http://www.viejas.com) has been named the “Best Casino” for the tenth year in a row. Viejas also picked up awards for “Best Casino Dining,” “Best Live Music Venue” (for Concerts-in-the-Park), “Best Steakhouse” (for The Grove Steakhouse), “Best Dance Club/Entertainment” (for the DreamCatcher Lounge). The highly-coveted honors were announced today as part

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GOVERNOR USES LINE-ITEM VETO POWER TO SLASH FUNDS: DISABLED, CHILDREN’S HEALTH, SENIORS & HIV/AIDS PATIENTS HARDEST HIT; 100 STATE PARKS MAY CLOSE

Printer-friendly version    By Miriam Raftery   July 30, 2009 (Sacramento)—Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently told the New York Times that he felt “perfectly fine” and said that no matter what happens with California’s budget crisis, he would still " sit down in my Jacuzzi tonight” and “lay back with a stogie.”   Now the Governor has wielded his veto power

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MEG WHITMAN, REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR AND EX-EBAY CEO, TO SPEAK AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE AUG. 5

Printer-friendly version  August 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – The East County Chamber of Commerce and Cuyamaca College invite the public to meet Meg Whitman, Republican candidate for Governor. Whitman, former CEO of E-Bay, will speak at the Cuyamaca College Student Center from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5th.  This event is free to the public. Whitman,

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REWARDS OFFERED FOR GUN TAKEN FROM SLAIN BORDER PATROL AGENT & FOR INFO LEADING TO CONVICTION OF KILLER(S)

Printer-friendly version    FUNDRAISER PLANNED FRIDAY IN SAN DIEGO TO HELP ROSAS' FAMILY July 29, 2009 (San Diego)–The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the death of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas, who was murdered near Shockey Truck Trail in Campo on Thursday, July 23, 2009. In addition, a $10,000 reward has been

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JOHN DEAN SPEAKS IN EAST COUNTY ON BUSH ADMINISTRATION USE OF TORTURE

Printer-friendly version FORMER NIXON WHITE HOUSE LAWYER & AUTHOR TO SIGN BOOKS, OFFERS NEW REVELATIONS ON WATERGATE   By Miriam Raftery   July 29, 2009 (La Mesa)–John W. Dean, former White House Counsel to President Richard Nixon from 1970 to 1973 and the key government witness in the Watergate prosecution, will speak in La Mesa on Wednesday, August 5th.  The author, columnist and political commentator will speak on the

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NATIONAL NIGHT OUT–KROC CENTER AUG. 4

Printer-friendly version July 29, 2009 (San Diego)–Join Crime Stoppers, Target and the Salvation Army Kroc Center for the free National Night Out Against Crime. Meet your neighbors and enjoy giveaways, games, face painting, live entertainment, police K-9s, rockclimbing, balloon animals, community booths and more.   This free community event will be held on Tuesday Aug. 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. at

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A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR CALIFORNIA? LT. GOVERNOR JOHN GARAMENDI SPEAKS IN SAN DIEGO AUG. 5

Printer-friendly version  July 28, 2009 (San Diego)–How can California achieve energy sustainability?  Our state’s lieutenant governor, John Garamendi, wll speak on this topic in San Diego on Wednesday, August 5 from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m.  This special event will take place at the new Scripps Seaside Forum at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography on the UCSD Campus.    The event is organized

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