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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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BLOCK’S BILLS ADVANCE IN LEGISLATURE

Printer-friendly version   July 24, 2009 (Sacramento) – Keyl measures introduced by Assemblyman Marty Block (D-Lemon Grove) have moved forward in the California Legislature.  His bills include education measures aimed at preventing high school drop-outs, helping cash-strapped after-school programs, and establishing a feasibility study for a future California State University campus in the South Bay. Others address health issues, including safety of human egg

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SAN DIEGO SENIOR WOMEN’S BASEKTBALL TEAMS GO FOR FIFTH GOLD MEDAL; ORGANIZERS HOPE TO START SENIOR LEAGUE IN EAST COUNTY

Printer-friendly version   By Linda Cord, SWBA Player, NSWBA Chief Operations Officer July 24, 2009 (San Diego)–Have you ever heard of a basketball team with women players over 50 years old? How about over age 80? San Diego’s legendary “Splash” team has nine members—all over 80. These spry octogenarians will be going for their unprecedented record fifth gold medal at the

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EMERALD ASKS SAN DIEGO COUNCIL TO HEAR EVIDENCE ON SDG&E SHUT-OFF PROPOSAL ON MONDAY; SDG&E PLANS TO PROCEED WITH SHUT-OFF WITHOUT WAITING FOR CPUC APPROVAL

Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery   July 24, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)—The San Diego City Council will consider Monday whether to take a stand for or against SDG&E’s controverisal proposed plan to shut off power to rural residents during high fire-risk conditions.  The plan is supported by at least two Councilmembers.    A July 23 San Diego Union-Tribune article

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STATE BUDGET BATTLE CONTINUES; COMMUNITIES MAY PAY A HEFTY PRICE

Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery July 22, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger posted a knife-wielding video to exemplify his willingness to sign a budget with deep cuts to services for Californians. The latest budget, negotiated by legislative leaders in both parties, proposes to close the $24 billion budget gap in part by forcing cities and counties to loan the state

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HUNTER AMENDS HEALTHCARE BILL TO BENEFIT SMALL BUSINESS

Printer-friendly versionJuly 23, 2009 (Washington DC) – On July 17, the House Education and Labor Committee voted unanimously to accept an amendment offered by Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) aimed at protectingt small businesses from employer mandates included in comprehensive health care reform legislation currently under consideration in the House. Hunter has stated that he opposes a public option for healthcare

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GUHSD BOARD VOTES 5-0 TO HALT CHARTER REVOCATION FOR HELIX HIGH

Printer-friendly versionJuly 23, 2009 (El Cajon)– The Grossmont Union High School District Board voted unanimously (5-0)  to halt the charter revocation process for Helix Charter High School.   "We agreed that the actions taken by the Helix board satisfied the cure and correct letters and there was no need for a hearing," GUHSD trustee Richard Hoy told East County Magazine this evening. "Both Helix and our board are

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TREE TRIMMER SAVED FROM SUFFOCATION AFTER TRAPPED 40 FEET UP

Printer-friendly version  July 23, 2000 (Bonita)–It is a too common occurrence, but this time it did not end in death. Just before 10 AM members of the Bonita-Sunnyside Fire District responded to the report of a man trapped in a palm tree, in the 5600 block of Sweetwater Road. While the victim could not be seen from the ground Firefighters

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SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RECEIVES GRANT TO COMBAT SOUTHWEST BORDER VIOLENCE

Printer-friendly version  July 22, 2009 (San Diego)—San Diego County Sheriff William D. Gore announced Friday that of a $5 million federal grant to combat drug-related criminal activity along the international border. San Diego County shares a 60-mile border with Mexico, which begins at the Pacific Ocean and traverses rugged terrain to the Imperial County line. The grant, provided as part

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ARREST MADE IN LA MESA TROLLEY SHOOTING

Printer-friendly version July 22, 2009 (La Mesa)—A suspect has been arrested and charged with attempted murder and robbery of a transit guard at the trolley station on Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa, near Grossmont Center. San Diego Police Department apprehended Marquis Loftis, 18. The suspect has also been charged with criminal threats and battery.   The shooting occurred Saturday night

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