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CAL FIRE BURN DEMO IN SPRING VALLEY DRAMATIZES DIFFERENCE PREPARING YOUR HOME’S EXTERIOR FOR WILDFIRE CAN MAKE

Printer-friendly version By Alexander J. Schorr Photos courtesy of CalFire Image: Side-by-side demonstration shows how unprepared structure  surrounded by bark on left was rapidly engulfed in flames, unlike structure on right, with hardscaping May 7, 2025 (Spring Valley) — On May 6,  The Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety partnered for

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SAN DIEGO MAN DIES IN FIERY LAKESIDE ROLLOVER ACCIDENT

Printer-friendly version East County News Service May 7, 2025 (Lakeside) – A 24-year-old man from San Diego died in a solo-vehicle crash around 1:22 this morning.  He was driving west on I-8 near Old Highway 80 in Lakeside when for unknown reasons, he lost control and his vehicle plunged down an embankment. “The BMW overturned down the embankment, crashed into

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ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

Printer-friendly versionMay 7, 2025 — As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include: U.S. National Security DOGE employees gain accounts on classified networks holding nuclear secrets (NPR) Supreme Court allows Trump ban on transgender

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GROSSMONT INVESTIGATED HIM, HE RESIGNED AND NOW HE’S CHIEF OF STAFF

Printer-friendly version  After resigning from the Grossmont Union High School District in 2018, Jerry Hobbs found his way back seven years later. All it took was a law firm, a new investigation, a settlement and an entirely new position.  Updated May 8, 2025 with comments from Hobbs sent to ECM. by Jakob McWhinney for  Voice of San Diego Photo by

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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS

Printer-friendly versionMay 6, 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 Man arrested in ICE raid near El Cajon is back with his family (KPBS) San Diego County Budget reserves proposal fails after Supervisors vote (KPBS)

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COUNTY AHEAD OF SCHEDULE TO MEET STATE HOUSING GOALS

Printer-friendly version  County of San Diego Communications Office May 6, 2025 (San Diego) — The County recently reported its 2024 housing totals through the General Plan & Housing Element Annual Progress Report. This information is required annually by the state of California to track housing production across various income levels, which shows how local governments are meeting the state-defined housing needs

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HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Printer-friendly versionMay 6, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH This Infectious Disease Has Increased 1,500% Nationwide: See CA Data (Patch.com) The Vietnam War ended 50 years ago, but the battle with Agent Orange continues (AP) US Justice Department unit for drug and

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RECALL ORTIZ EFFORT PASSES FIRST VERIFICATION HURDLE; OPPONENTS CRITICIZE RECALL ORGANIZER FOR “DIE OFF” COMMENTS

Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery May 5, 2025 (El Cajon) – The initial round of 60 signatures to recall El Cajon Councilmember Phil Ortiz have been validated, City Clerk Angela Cortez confirms. The organizers, Latinos en Accion, now must publish their intent in a local newspaper and have 120 days to gather signatures from 20% of the 11,320 registered voters

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GETTING READY TO RUN? : COUNTY DEMOCRATS OFFER CANDIDATE TRAINING JULY 11

Printer-friendly versionThe County Democratic Party seeks community-minded Democrats to serve on city councils, school boards, water boards and other local boards and commissions. In its efforts to recruit candidates for 2010, the Party is holding a training event for local Democrats planning or considering running for office. The event will be held Saturday, July 11, from 9 a.m. to 3

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FOOTSORE NO MORE: CUSTOMERS & CHAMBER MEMBERS JOIN IN 5-YEAR CELEBRATION WITH Z-COIL PAIN RELIEF FOOTWEAR

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery June 27, 2009 (La Mesa)—“We’re changing many people’s lives. Our customers are getting off of canes, back on their feet, and back to work,” Linda Telge, a registered nurse and owner of Z-Coil Pain Relief Footwear in La Mesa, told me at the store’s five year anniversary party hosted by the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce

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SANTEE WOMAN FIGHTS OFF RAPIST, NEIGHBOR ARRESTED

Printer-friendly versionSantee (June 26, 2009)–A woman who was attacked as she slept in her apartment in Santee on Wednesday afternoon, June 24 successfully fought off an assailant who attempted to rape her, according to the San Diego County Sheriff. The victim,42, identified her attacker as a neighbor, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. He was arrested shortly afterward in his apartment

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HUNTER SUCCESSFULLY OFFERS MEDAL OF HONOR AMENDMENT

Printer-friendly version June 27, 2009 (Washington DC) – The House Armed Services Committee has accepted an amendment offered by Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-Alpine) requiring the Secretary of Defense to review the Medal of Honor awards process. Since the start of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, there has not been a single living recipient of the Medal of Honor.

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SANTEE LEADERS VOTE TO FILE NEW LAWSUIT AFTER SUPERVISORS VOTE TO EXPAND LAS COLINAS PRISON

Printer-friendly versionJune 26, 2009 (Santee, California) – On Wednesday, June 24, 2009, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved a plan to replace and expand the Las Colinas Detention Facility from 15 acres to 45 acres and certified the final environmental impact report (EIR) for the facility. The vote was 4-1 with Supervisor Dianne Jacob opposing the expansion. On

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A ROARING WILD TIME: SPEND THE NIGHT AT LIONS, TIGERS & BEARS JULY 10 & 24

Printer-friendly versionJune 27, 2009 (Alpine_ Looking for a wild time? East County’s only big cat sanctuary invites you to spend a wild night in the country with Raja and Bakari at Lions Tigers & Bears. Pitch a tent and set-up camp next to the big cats–or opt for more luxurious lodging–complete with wine and dinner. Accommodations for campers include a

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WATCH FINE PRINT ON OFFER OF “FREE” MONTH TRASH SERVICE SERVICE

Printer-friendly versionJune 25, 2009 (Deerhorn Valley) – Waste Management has sent a notice to customers offering a free month’s service to customers who sign and return a letter agreement mailed to residents asking help to“update our records”—but there’s a big catch. “Read the fine print on the back,” warns Rob Deason, webmaster for www.deerhornvalley.net , a community website in East

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HUNDREDS PROTEST BUDGET CUTS IMPACT ON POOR, SICK & DISABLED AT GOVERNOR’S SAN DIEGO OFFICE

Printer-friendly version  By Miriam Raftery   June 23, 2009 (San Diego)– An estimated 200 to 300 people turned out to protest state budget cuts in San Diego, outside Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s office downtown. Some carried coffins and a skeleton sign—grim symbols of the consequences they believe will result from severe cuts to health and social services programs.   Ann Menasche,

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SUPERVISORS URGE CPUC TO PULL PLUG ON SDG&E PLAN TO SHUT OFF POWER DURING HIGH FIRE RISK DAYS

Printer-friendly version""There is no evidence that the shut-off plan will prevent fires. But…in a matter of hours, we will be left without electricity and our customers will be left without water…SDG&E will create actual emergencies," – Jennifer Healy, Padre Dam Municipal Water District   By Miriam Raftery ECU Intern Kyle Sezian also contributed to this story June 23, 2009 (San

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RALLY & MARCH TUESDAY JUNE 23 TO STOP STATE BUDGET CUTS: SIT-IN PLANNED AT GOVERNOR’S OFFICE IN SAN DIEGO

Printer-friendly versionJune 20, 2009 (San Diego)–People United Against Cuts is a local coalition formed to oppose the Governor’s recent “All Cuts” budget. A press released issued by the group states, “The Governor’s proposed budget will have a catastrophic impact on children, seniors, people with disabilities, low income families, college students and HIV/AIDS patients. On June 23, 2009, we will hold

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