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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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FREE LEGAL WORKSHOP FOR PROPERTY OWNERS & BUSINESS OWNERS IMPACTED BY POWERLINK

Printer-friendly versionJune 8, 2009 (Alpine)–The East County Community Action Coalition (ECCAC), in partnership with The Protect Our Communities Foundation and Backcountry Against Dumps is sponsoring a free legal rights workshop for individuals and businesses directly impacted by the Sunrise Powerlink. The workshop will be held on Thursday, June 11th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Alpine Community Center, 1830

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EL CAJON HUMAN RIGHTS LEADER JOINS NEW NATIONAL COALITION FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM; LEADERS TO MEET WITH OBAMA IN WASHINGTON THIS WEEKEND

Printer-friendly versionJune 2, 2009 (San Diego) – “This economy is built off immigrants, and immigration reform will benefit the economy,” El Cajon resident and Center for Social Advocacy spokesperson Estela De Los Rios said at a press conference Friday in San Diego, where community leaders announced launch of the Reform Immigration For America Campaign (www.immigrationforum.org). De Los Rios has traveled

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LABOR COUNCIL ANNOUNCES FREE JOB TRAINING FOR VETERANS

Printer-friendly versionJune 5, 2009 (San Diego) – The San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council is offering free job training for returning service men and women. The program is funded by the State of California Employment Development Department. Printer-friendly version

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SANDAG SEEKS VOLUNTEERS TO HELP PLAN REGION’S FUTURE

Printer-friendly versionJune 5, 2009 (San Diego)—The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is seeking public volunteers for its Regional Planning Stakeholders Working Group to serve in an advisory capacity to both the SANDAG Regional Planning and Transportation Committees on the development of the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and its components, and laying the foundation for the next Regional Comprehensive

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BE GREEN! EL CAJON OFFERS FREE RECYCLING OF E-WASTE JUNE 27

Printer-friendly versionEl Cajon (June 5, 2009) – Drop off your old computers and electronic gear on Saturday, June 27 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot at the 100 block of East Douglas Avenue. (Watch for signs.) All electronic waste will be safely disposed of by electronic recyclers. Drop off is free for: Computers, monitors, laptops, TVs,

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GOVERNOR’S PLAN TO CLOSE EAST COUNTY PARKS IRES RESIDENTS; ENVIRONMENTAL LEADER CALLS FOR INCLUSION INTO NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM

Printer-friendly versionBy Marisa Kezirian June 3, 2009 (San Diego)— Governor Schwarzenegger has proposed closing down 80 percent of California’s state parks due to the budget shortfall, including two of East County’s historic parks: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. As many as 279 parks may be closed statewide. Schwarzenegger anticipates cutting universal funding for state parks in

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WANTED: $12,116 BY JUNE 17th TO SAVE LAKE MURRAY FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS SHOW

Printer-friendly versionJune 4, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–“If I knew, I would have given,” some Lake Murray area residents lamented after the fireworks show was cancelled in 2004 due to a funding shortage. This year, organizers are asking the public’s help to save the Lake Murray Music Fest and Fireworks. The committee must raise an additional $12,116 by June 17th

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EAST COUNTY ROUND-UP — LATE-MAY

Printer-friendly version East County Roundup highlights the best stories about East County issues found in other publications. June 2009 (San Diego’s East County) Sycuan Wants Land Added to Reservation Pillars of Fire? Poway’s Twin Peaks Haven’t Burned since 1967 Officials Warn Against Wimpy Solar Goal; SANDAG Rewriting Regional Energy Strategy “It’s a Nightmare” (SD Unified School District Cuts) Proposed Santee

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CAL FIRE RESPONDS TO SEVERAL SMALL FIRES, ALL DOUSED QUICKLY

Printer-friendly versionJune 3, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)4 p.m. – Lightning started several small fires this afternoon in San Diego’s eastern region, including multiple blazes in the Deer Springs area, all extinguished at less than an acre apiece. “A couple of them actually hit power lines,” said Captain Nick Schuler of CAL-FIRE. Another lightning-sparked fire also burned approximately one acre

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