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LOCAL RESIDENTS OBJECT TO TRUMP SLASHING FUNDS FOR LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo courtesy of Library Foundation San Diego March 26, 2025 (San Diego) – On Friday, March 14, President Trump issued an Executive Order intended to drastically reduce funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services. “Without IMLS funding, the 37-branch San Diego Public Library system

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WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN JPA CONSIDERS NEW FINANCIAL PATH FORWARD

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery March 25, 2025 (Rancho San Diego) – Today, the Joint Powers Authority (JPA) for the Water Conservation will meet to weigh opens for long-term funding and stability of the Garden at Cuyamaca College. At its Feb. 25 meeting, the board discussed future funding options after the City of San Diego’s representative Nicole Beaulieu DeSantis announced intent

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AMERICAN MARKETING ASSOCIATION SAN DIEGO SANDIE AWARDS CALL FOR ENTRIES; OPEN THROUGH APRIL 1

Printer-friendly versionThe Sandie Awards invites San Diego marketing professionals to submit their best campaigns and projects – from branding and creative to storytelling and social – to compete for top honors among their peers. East County News Service March 25, 2025 (San Diego) – The American Marketing Association (AMA) San Diego Chapter has opened a call for entries for its Sandie Awards, the

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CITY OF LA MESA TO LAUNCH E-BIKE INCENTIVE PROGRAM

Printer-friendly versionProgram to promote sustainable transportation Source:  City of La Mesa Image by raju shrestha on Pixabay March 24, 2025 (La Mesa) – The City of La Mesa is introducing a pilot E-Bike (Electric Bike) Incentive Program, designed to encourage biking as a primary mode of transportation for those who live and work in La Mesa. As transportation remains the largest

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REP. JACOBS, AT TOWN HALL, SEES ‘RED LINE’ FOR GOP IF TRUMP DEFIES COURTS

Printer-friendly versionBy Tesa Balc, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo:  Rep. Sara Jacobs in her congressional office. (File photo courtesy of Jacobs’ office via Facebook) March 24, 2025 (Jacumba) – A San Diego Democrat said Saturday that Republicans have told her they will not back President Donald Trump if he defies court orders.

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WIFE OF SLAIN CALFIRE CAPT. REBECCA MARODI ARRESTED IN MEXICO

Printer-friendly version By Jennifer Vigil, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association March 23, 2025 (Ramona) – The woman accused of killing her wife, a CalFire captain, has been arrested in Mexico more than a month after the slaying, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities had been searching since late Feb. 17 for

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USDA CANCELS PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDED LOCAL FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS AND FOOD BANKS

Printer-friendly versionThe USDA has cut funding for two programs that allowed schools and food banks to purchase fresh food from local farms, also halting deliveries to food banks.    By G. A. McNeeley    March 21, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Trump administration has cut two programs that provided more than $1 billion

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CITY OF LA MESA AND JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE LAUNCH LA MESA’S FIRST-EVER OLDER ADULT RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: LEARN MORE AT OFFICE HOURS MARCH 24, 26 AND 27

Printer-friendly versionEligible low-income residents aged 55, older may receive funds for housing   Source: City of La Mesa and Jewish Family Services   March 21, 2025 (La Mesa) – The City of La Mesa and Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) are launching the City’s first-ever Older Adult Rental Assistance Program, assisting seniors aged 55 and older who are at risk of homelessness. The

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ATTORNEY GENERAL BONTA URGENTLY ISSUES CONSUMER ALERT FOR 23ANDME CUSTOMERS

Printer-friendly versionSource: California Attorney General’s Office March 21, 2025 (Oakland) – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert to customers of 23andMe, a genetic testing and information company. The California-based company has publicly reported that it is in financial distress and stated in securities filings that there is substantial doubt about its ability to continue, which is a growing

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From the Fire Chief’s Corner: November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Printer-friendly versionBy Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna   November 17, 2025 (San Diego) — November is the time to spotlight early detection, community support, and lifesaving education. Local leaders and national organizations are rallying to raise awareness and reduce stigma about Lung Cancer.  Why Lung Cancer Awareness Matters in November   Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in

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East County Roundup: local and statewide news

Printer-friendly versionNovember 17, 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 More nurses, fewer drugs, no suicides: Sheriff touts jail reforms, upgrades before civilian review board (San Diego Union-Tribune) Community reacts to proposed façade changes at Goodwill

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Less water, more problems – California, six states miss key Colorado River deadline

Printer-friendly versionBy Rachel Becker, CalMatters Photo:  Drought-stricken Lake Mead on the Colorado River in August 2022. (File photo by Christopher Clark/U.S. Bureau of Reclamation) This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. November 16, 2025 (San Diego) – After two fraught years of negotiations amid dire projections for the Colorado River’s reservoirs, California and six other states that rely on the

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“Bolder Than Most” rapist back in state hospital for alleged parole violation

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo: Alvin Ray Quarles. (File photo courtesy of California Department of Corrections) November 15, 2025 (Borrego Springs) — Alvin Ray Quarles, a sexually violent sex offender who had been temporarily placed in a Borrego Springs home, has been arrested on an alleged parole violation. In Superior Court on Friday, Quarles, 63, pleaded not guilty to

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ECM World Watch: national and global news

Printer-friendly versionNovember 15,  2025 (San Diego) — 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. Trump drops tariffs on beef, coffee, tropical fruit as pressure builds on consumer prices (KSBW) Epstein Alleged in

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Long-awaited victory: Glorietta Canyon saved after two-decade quest

Printer-friendly version  Some native plants have already begun to show up in Glorietta Canyon, like this chinchweed that’s growing on the pad where the previous owner of the property had his trailer. Photo courtesy Anza Borrego Foundation East County News Service Nov. 18, 2025 (Borrego Springs) — A nearly two-decade conservation effort has culminated in a major victory for the

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Board of Supervisors to discuss land use on Nov. 19

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service   Nov. 14, 2025 (San Diego County) — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors is continuing a critical conversation about the future of housing and development in the unincorporated areas of the county, including Spring Valley, Lakeside and Casa de Oro.   The Board of Supervisors will discuss land use legislations at its meeting

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National aging summit calls on community leaders to present

Printer-friendly versionDec. 5 is deadline for proposals to inform local aging service agencies   East County News Service   Nov. 14, 2025 (San Diego County) — Regional input is being sought for a national conference happening in San Diego next July.   Because the most critical insights and best practices in community-based care typically come from the local level, the

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Completion of first inpatient psychiatric health facility funded in part by San Diego County opens

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 14, 2025 (Oceanside) — The first inpatient psychiatric health facility funded in part by San Diego County opened Nov. 13 in Oceanside. San Diego County Board of Supervisors leader Jim Desmond says, “When I came into office, I said we needed to stop leaving people on the streets and start getting them into treatment. Today,

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