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SD Democrats in Congress urge GOP to negotiate to avoid shutdown

Printer-friendly version by Chris Jennewein • Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association  Sept. 30, 2025 (San Diego) — Three Democratic members of Congress from San Diego called on their Republican colleagues to negotiate but acknowledged that a government shutdown is likely at midnight. Earlier this month Republicans in the House of Representatives passed

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Lawsuit led by Calif. Attorney General seeks to restore FEMA disaster funds cut by Trump

Printer-friendly version East County News Service Photo:  2007 Harris Fire in Potrero, one of many wildfires for which FEMA provided disaster relief funds in our region September 30, 2025 (Sacramento) — California Attorney General Rob Bonta, as part of a multistate coalition, yesterday sought emergency relief from the U.S. District Court for the District Court of Rhode Island to stop the

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A deadly month for roadway accidents

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery September 29, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – September has been a deadly month for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, with vehicle accidents claiming numerous lives across our inland region. Here are details, per the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s office. All died of blunt force injuries, with one driver also suffering multiple strokes.  These tragic deaths,

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East County Schools Federal Credit Union appoints Matt Lyons as new president & CEO

Printer-friendly versionSource:  East County Schools Federal Credit Union September 29, 2025 (El Cajon) – East County Schools Federal Credit Union (ECSFCUannounces the appointment of Matt Lyons as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 15, 2025. Lyons succeeds, who has served as ECSFCU’s President and CEO for 22 years and will retire on October 15, 2025. Following a

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SDG&E to conduct notification tests Sept. 30

Printer-friendly version East County News Service September 29, 2025 (San Diego) – SDG&E will conduct a test of its customer notification systems on Tuesday, September 30.  According to SDG&E’s press release, “ This test is part of SDG&E’s commitment to public safety, ensuring our customers have the information they need when emergencies arise. Regular testing ensures our notification systems are fully operational

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Orphaned Mountain Lion Cubs Return to Wild

Printer-friendly version   San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife program helps young big cats reclaim their place in nature Source:  San Diego Humane Society September 29, 2025 (Ramona)  — Two mountain lion cubs who arrived at San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center as orphans in March have been returned to the wild. The young carnivores were released into suitable habitat

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“We are immigrants” rally in Escondido celebrated immigrants’ contributions to America

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo via Indivisible North County San Diego and 50501 North County San Diego September 29, 2025 (Escondido) – Approximately 100 residents from Ramona, Temecula, Escondido, San Diego, and other locations joined in a ‘We are All Immigrants’ rally on September 27th in Escondido.  The rally was organized by the North County chapters of Indivisible and 50501. The

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10th annual East County Manufacturing Expo Sept. 30 celebrates innovation, workforce pathways and job creation at Cuyamaca College

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service September 29, 2025 (El Cajon) — On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, the East County Economic Development Council (ECEDC), in partnership with the San Diego and Imperial Small Business Development Center, will host the 10th Annual East County Manufacturing Expo at Cuyamaca College.  This year’s theme, Innovate, Integrate, Inspire – 10 Years of Manufacturing Growth, reflects a

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Building Hopes in the Golden State: How the New Federal Program Can Tackle Homelessness Among California Veterans

Printer-friendly version The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS New Hampshire returns to port at Naval Station Norfolk on May 7,2021. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Alfred A. Coffield)   By Cristina Johnson   September 29, 2025 (San Diego) — The noble sacrifices made by United States veterans have always been woven into the fabric of the nation.  

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Border Patrol agents rescue cyclist after harrowing fall off cliff

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service September 28, 2025 (Otay Lakes) — San Diego sector Border Patrol agents rescued an injured cyclist, Keith Leyva, after he fell over 40 feet from a cliff into a remote canyon. On Sept. 20, Border Patrol agents working in the vicinity of Otay Lakes County Park heard cries for help originating from a canyon adjacent

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CITY, COUNTY SEE SHIFTS TOWARD DEMOCRATIC COLUMN – OCT. 20 DEADLINE FOR VOTER REGISTRATION

Printer-friendly versionCountywide, new voter registrations have been running ten to one Democratic over Republican for the past several months, even in traditionally “red” conservative areas including Santee and El Cajon.  According to an October 1, 2008 report issued by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, Democrats now outnumber Republicans by 249,338 to 189,012 in the City of San Diego,

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A FIERY ARGUMENT

Printer-friendly versionFire Chief, City and County leaders debate pros and cons of fire tax By Miriam Raftery 2007 San Diego wildfires destroyed over 3,400 structures and killed 15 people (photo: La Mesa Fire Dept.) October 1, 2008 (SAN DIEGO) – “We have to stop turning to others to solve our problems,” said Ron Roberts, Chair of  San Diego’s Board of

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GREEN HOUSES

Printer-friendly versionASID Kitchen and Bath Tour Oct. 25 Features “Green” Kitchen on Mt. Helix By Miriam Raftery Recycled glass adds sparkle to natural slate backsplash October 11, 2008 (Mt. Helix) – A Mount Helix kitchen/great room featuring natural materials, solar screens and and energy-efficient features is among 11 kitchens featured on the 2008 Fall Kitchen Tour on October 25th.  Sponsored

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Editorial – SDG&E SHUT-DOWN THREAT FIRES UP BACKCOUNTRY OBJECTIONS

Printer-friendly versionBy Donna Tisdale La Mesa Fire Department In response to SDG&E’s announced plans to shut off-power to "remote areas" during high wind events: SDG&E and their urbanite supporters want to run the Sunrise Powerlink through the most HIGH RISK FIRE ZONES of our highly flammable backcountry. In addition to the 500-1000 estimated turbines already proposed in this area, SDG&E is also

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BATTLE OF THE WATCHDOGS: WILL THE REAL CONSUMER CHAMPION PLEASE STAND UP?

Printer-friendly version  By Miriam Raftery Anderson Lutz October 10, 2008 (Assemblyman Joel Anderson considers himself a watchdog for taxpayers.  His opponent, Ray Lutz, founded a citizens’ watchdog group.  Both claim to represent the public interest.  The differences in their views reflect a core question being asked more and more amid today’s challenging economic times:  just what is the proper role of

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LOCAL RESIDENTS JOIN NATIONAL PROTEST OF WALL STREET BAIL-OUT BILL

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery September 26, 2008 (El Cajon) – East County residents angered by the Bush administration’s proposed $700 billion bail-out bill for Wall Street financial firms took to the streets yesterday as part of a national protest action organized by True Majority.  Thousands protested across the nation (photo: New York protest, taken by Jeremy Scahill.) “Many people in

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PENDLETON FIRE 100% CONTAINED

Printer-friendly versionOctober 9, 2008 (Camp Pendleton) 9:30 a.m. — A wildfire that began late yesterday afternoon at Camp Pendleton is now 100% contained, though firefighters continue to douse hotspots. “Between 900 and 1,000 acres have burned,” Major Kristen Lasica, Public affairs officer told East County Magazine last night. ECM activated our wildfire alert system last night after learning that aircraft

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HUNTER OPENS DOOR FOR SMALL BUSINESS CONTRACTORS

Printer-friendly versionBorder Fence creates opportunities for some, but draws criticisms from others, with waivers of environmental reviews by Gayle Early Gayle Early. October 1, 2008 (El Cajon) – Congressman Duncan Hunter’s office hosted an informal briefing by the Army Corps of Engineers on September 18 on the status of the border fence construction and possible subcontracting opportunities for local businesses.

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EDITORIAL – ARNOLD “SWEENEY TODD” Schwarzenegger:

Printer-friendly versionGovernor Vetoes Health Reforms, Terminates Consumer Protection Bills By Senator Sheila Kuehl On September 30, the Governor finished wielding his veto pen and, in one sweeping move, eliminated virtually every health reform measure that would have regulated the health insurance company monopoly. Health reform was not alone, bill after bill that would have benefited consumers, drivers, people who breathe,

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EDITORIAL – PICKIN’ ON PICKENS’ PLAN

Printer-friendly versionBy Ken Sobel It’s impossible to turn on the TV or radio lately without being barraged by T. Boone Pickens presenting his ambitious plan to save the world from global warming and wean us off foreign oil. But the decision we need to make in the days and weeks to come is between creating the energy we need locally—or

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