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HOW TO STAY SAFE IN RAINY CONDITIONS

Printer-friendly versionBy Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office February 11, 2025 (San Diego) – With rainy weather in the forecast, including the chance of flooding in some low-lying areas, emergency officials offer seven safety tips. If you must drive during heavy squalls, allow yourself extra time, turn on headlights even in the day, and give plenty of

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1,500 JOIN FAITH LEADERS IN PRAYERS, PROCESSION FOR IMMIGRANTS

Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photo via Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego on Facebook February 11, 2025 (San Diego, CA) – Multiple faith leaders and a crowd of around 1,500 people overflowed the St. Joseph Cathedral and then held a procession to the federal building downtown and prayers in support of undocumented immigrants, chanting “our neighbors, our coworkers, our

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CATHOLIC DIOCESE POSTS RIGHTS AND RESOURCES FOR IMMIGRANTS

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 11, 2025 (San Diego) — The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego is working to provide information for immigrants and their families in the wake of mass deportations and stringent immigration policies imposed by President Donald Trump. The information is available in English and Spanish, as well as translation options for other languages. Catholic

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SENATOR PADILLA INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN BILLS TO IMPROVE FIRE MITIGATION AND RESILIENCY

Printer-friendly version East County News Service Photo: Palisades Fire, courtesy of Lakeside Fire Dept. which helped battle the catastrophic wildfire in Los Angeles County in January February 11, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — As Southern California recovers from devastating wildfires, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, a California Democrat, has introduced a package of three bipartisan bills to bolster fire resilience and proactive

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ISSA BILL WOULD CUT ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS TO ALLOW FOREST, BRUSH CLEARING ON FEDERAL LANDS

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo, right:  Cleveland National Forest in San Diego County February 11, 2025 (San Diego) – Congressman Darrell Issa, a San Diego Republican, has introduced the “Green Tape Elimination Act” that seeks to prevent wildfires by exempting all fuel reduction activities on federal lands from these environmental regulations for 10 years. The National Environmental Policy Act 

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GUHSD BOARD MAJORITY ACCUSED OF VIOLATING LAWS AND POLICIES IN CREATING NEW CHIEF OF STAFF POSITION AFTER FIRING TEACHERS

Printer-friendly version By Alex Schorr Photo,Left to Right: Dr. Gary Woods (President, Area 3 Trustee), Robert Shield (Vice President, Area 4 Trustee), Scott Eckert (Clerk, Area 2 Trustee), Jim Kelly (Member, Area 5 Trustee), and Chris Fite (Member, Area 1 Trustee).   February 9, 2025 (El Cajon) – Teachers, parents, and community members leveled sharp criticism of the Grossmont Union

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Every 15 Minutes comes to Helix Charter High School on February 11th

Printer-friendly versionSource:  California Highway Patrol February 11, 2026 (La Mesa) – On February 11, 2026, the California Highway Patrol, in conjunction with Helix Charter High School and La Mesa Police Department will be conducting a simulated drunk driving crash as part of the Every 15 Minutes program. The crash will be staged on Highlander Way and will begin at approximately 10:27

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CONGRESSWOMAN SARA JACOBS INTRODUCES BILL TO PROTECT USAID AFTER TRUMP TEAM SHUTS DOWN LIFE-SAVING MEASURES

Printer-friendly version“Eliminating USAID means no more food for millions of Sudanese refugees who’ve fled a civil war, no more medical care for displaced Palestinians, no more HIV treatment on the African continent, and more.” — Congresswoman Sara Jacobs By Miriam Raftery Photo via X: Congresswoman Sara Jacobs speaks at a rally to save US Aid. February 11, 2025 (San Diego)

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THREE LOCAL TEENS DIE OF FLU; COUNTY URGES VACCINES FOR EVERYONE OVER 6 MOS. IN AGE

Printer-friendly versionBy Fernanda Lopez Halvorson, County of San Diego Communications Office February 11, 2025 (San Diego) — County public health officials are reminding everyone, particularly families with children and teenagers, that it is not too late to get the flu vaccine.  This flu season, which is between fall and winter, three teenagers have died from the flu. None were vaccinated.   “These

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AZTECS SWIM AND DIVE PROGRAM RECEIVES CSCAA SCHOLAR ALL-AMERICA TEAM RECOGNITION

Printer-friendly versionThe San Diego State swim and dive program was recognized by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) as a Scholar All-America Team, the organization announced Monday. Source:  goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com February 11, 2025 (San Diego) – The San Diego State swim and dive program was recognized by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of

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LAKESIDE POLICE SEEK MAN IN SILVER CAR WHO TRIED TO  LURE 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL INTO VEHICLE

Printer-friendly version Mitsubishi Eclipse with spoiler, vehicle possibly driven by suspect. January 15, 2009 (Lakeside) — Lakeside deputies responded to a radio call of a possible kidnapping at 10133 Maine Avenue in Lakeside shortly before 7 a.m.  Upon arrival, deputies contacted the victim, a 15-year-old ninth grade female who attends El Capitan High School. The victim reported an unknown male

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MARCH 17 HEARING SET IN SAN DIEGO ON SDG&E PLAN TO SHUT OFF POWER ON DRY, WINDY DAYS

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery January 23, 2009 (San Diego) — An administrative law judge has issued orders requiring the California Public Utilities commission to hold three public hearings on SDG&E’s proposed shut-off of power to back country communities during high-wind events with low humidity. “Many Santa Ana events will qualify, some of which last 7-10 days in a row,” said

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2 FEDERAL AGENCIES APPROVE POWERLINK; SCHWARZENEGGER ASKS U.S. FOREST SERVICE TO EXPEDITE OK TO BUILD POWERLINK THROUGH CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery January 24, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–In the last days of the Bush administration, two federal agencies gave a parting gift to Sempra Energy. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission designated a vast swath of San Diego’s East County as a federal energy corridor, paving the way for the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to approve

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EAST SAN DIEGO COUNTY RESIDENTS FLOCK TO BE PART OF HISTORY AT LOCAL INAUGURAL EVENTS; SHARE REACTIONS TO OBAMA SPEECH

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Antoinette Curry and Dupreesha Jones have hope for their futures.(Leon Thompson) Sunny Farrand, San Diego Heroes To Hometown, clasps hands with fellow onlooker as Obama is sworn in. Crowd at Malcolm X shows emotion as Barack Obama is sworn in as America’s first African-American President. January 21, 2009 (San Diegoâ’s East County) — Cheers and tears

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Congressman Hunter Bill Would Prevent Transfer of Guantanamo Prisoners to Camp Pendleton

Printer-friendly versionJanuary 21, 2009 (Washington D.C.)– On his first day in office, President Barack Obama ordered that the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay be closed down within a year. Closure of the now-infamous detention facility could result in some of the 245 prisoners held there being transferred to Camp Pendleton in San Diego, according to a Pentagon study. Newly elected

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POLICE SEEK ROBBER WHO ATTACKED CLERK WITH HAMMER AT LA MESA SHELL STATION

Printer-friendly versionJanuary 21, 2009 (La Mesa) — A man attempted to rob the Shell Gas Station at 5302 Lake Murray Boulevard, La Mesa at 6:32 this morning by threatening the clerk there with a hammer.  The suspect entered the business and demanded money.  The suspect threatened to hit the clerk, 28, with a ten-inch-long sheet rock hammer.  A struggle ensued

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SAN DIEGO CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER SHARES SENTIMENTS ON OBAMA VICTORY

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Carrol W. Waymon, PhD January 20, 2009 (San Diego) — Watching the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama holds special meaning for Carrol W. Waymon, PhD, San Diego’s most prominent living civil rights leader. ”It’s incredible to me,” said Waymon, who led efforts to desegregate schools and housing in San Diego as head of San Diego’s Human

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DEMOCRATIC OFFICIALS & INSIDERS REFLECT ON WHAT OBAMA WIN MAY MEAN FOR STATE, CITY GOVERNMENT

Printer-friendly versionStory and photos by Miriam Raftery and Leon Thompson Marty Block January 20, 2009 — At the Malcolm X Library inauguration viewing, East County Magazine asked elected officials and legislative insiders whether state and local governments are likely to see change as a result of the Barack Obama presidency. Newly elected Assemblyman Marty Block, who represents the 78th district,

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FREE “MVP” HAIRCUTS AT SPORTS CLIPS IN SANTEE; STORE CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING JAN 24-25: DONATE $5 TO SANTEE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB AND GET A HAIRCUT FREE

Printer-friendly versionJanuary 19, 2009 (Santee) — Sport Clips, providers of “championship haircuts” for men and boys in a sports-themed environment, announced today a Cut-A-Thon at their new Santee-area store to benefit the local Boys & Girls Club. Customers that donate $5 to the organization on either Saturday, January 24 from 9 to 6 p.m. or Sunday, January 25 from 10

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125 PRODUCTS RECALLED FOR SALMONELLA; FDA PUBLISHES LIST OF TAINTED PEANUT BUTTER PRODUCTS; WAL-MART BAKERY PRODUCTS, MAJOR SNACK FOOD BRANDS & DOG BISCUITS ON LIST

Printer-friendly versionCALIFORNIA HAS MOST CASES IN NATION, CDC REPORTS January 19, 2009 (Washington D.C.) — The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has created a searchable list of products and brands associated with the expanded recall of products containing peanut butter made by Peanut Corporation of America(PCA). This list is available on the FDA website at: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm and will be

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