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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HANTAVIRUS

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery County News Service contributed to this report March 12,2025 (San Diego) — An autopsy has determined that actor Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. The disease linked to exposure to rodents is rare, often fatal, and has been detected in nine rodents so far this year in San Diego County. The couple

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STORM SERIES MOVING INTO AREA: FLOOD WATCH ISSUED

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Last week’s storms brought 6-10 inches of snow to our mountains with up to 1.5 inches in urban portions of our county.  Now, multiple new storms are moving into the area, with rain now falling across the region and multiple atmospheric rivers soon to drench  our region, with the heaviest rains Thursday, the National Weather

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GROSSMONT HEALTHCARE DISTRICT APPOINTS INTERIM CEO

Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman  Photo, left:  Aaron  J. Byzak, Interim CEO, Grossmont Healthcare District Updated March 11, 2025 with comments from Christian Wallis. March 10, 2025 (La Mesa) — The Grossmont Healthcare District’s communications strategy consultant Aaron J. Byzak is adding a title, acting for a short time as the public agency’s interim CEO.  At a GHD Board of Directors special meeting

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IMPACTS FELT LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY FROM TRUMP TARIFFS AND TRADE WAR

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery March 10, 2025 (San Diego) — As President Donald Trump rolls out hefty tariffs on imported goods from America’s biggest trading partners—Mexico, Canada, and China,  American businesses and consumers are bearing the brunt, with higher prices on everything from steel and lumber to food and consumer products. The action has drawn opposition even from the U.S.

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MAN ARRESTED FOR KIDNAPPING LYFT DRIVER, WHO TEXTED 911 FOR HELP

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service March 10, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Shane Capezio, 22, has been arrested after allegedly kidnapping a ride-share driver in East County.  The Lyft driver texted 9-1-1 and told the dispatcher that she was being held against her will by a passenger she picked up in Spring Valley, who told the driver that he

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READER’S EDITORIAL: THE ELIMINATION OF LIBRARIANS IN GUHSD IS A DISSERVICE TO STUDENTS

Printer-friendly versionBy Abagail Wojnowski Photo by Miriam Raftery:  protesters at Grossmont High School this morning oppose the district sending lay-off notices to librarians, teachers, and other employees. March 10, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — I am writing to express my deep frustration and disappointment over the Grossmont Union High School District’s recent decision to eliminate all credentialed teacher librarian

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GREATER SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS HONORS GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE TONI ATKINS WITH `PROPERTY CHAMPION’ AWARD

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service March 10, 2025 (San Diego) – The Greater San Diego Association of Realtors (SDAR), San Diego County’s largest trade association for San Diego-area real estate professionals, recently honored California Senator Pro Tem Emeritus Toni Atkins with the “Golden State Private Property Champion Award” for her dedication and significant contributions to protect California’s private property rights for homeowners and

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EDUCATORS SUE TO BLOCK TRUMP ANTI-DEI POLICY

Printer-friendly versionBy Suzanne Potter, California News Service March 9, 2025 (Los Angeles) — The American Federation of Teachers and the American Sociological Association are suing the Trump administration over a threat of funding cuts and investigations of schools that integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into their policies or lessons. The letter schools received purports to reinforce anti-discrimination laws – but

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They want to be California’s next governor. Here’s what they’d do about health care

Printer-friendly versionBy Ana B. Ibarra, CalMatters Photo:  from left, former U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services Xavier Becerra, California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former Mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa, and former Speaker of the California State Assembly and former California State Controller Betty T. Yee speak during the “Health Matters: A Conversation With Our Next Governor”

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GUHSD board rejects Fite’s resolution to protect students from ICE agents

Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr Screenshot: Student Board Trustee Sage Larson and Board Trustee Chris Fite November 14, 2025 (El Cajon) — The conservative board majority of the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) last night rejected a resolution proposed by Trustee Chris Fite that would have offered protection to vulnerable students and their families facing the looming presence of

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Health and Science Highlights

Printer-friendly versionNovember 14, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH Head of RFK Jr.’s vaccine panel: School mandates ‘not necessary’ (The Hill)  Bird flu surges among poultry amid a scaled back federal response  (NPR) FDA restricts use of kids’ fluoride supplements citing emerging health

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The Vault, La Mesa’s new resale boutique, helps you dress well on a budget and go green

Printer-friendly versionBy Heidi Hope  November 13, 2025 (La Mesa) – If you’re looking for men’s and women’s vintage and contemporary fashions, you’ll find a treasure trove of resale clothing and accessories at The Vault.  Run by Michelle La Bruno, The Vault is located at the corner of Lemon Avenue and Nebo Drive in La Mesa’s downtown village, tucked behind the

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Governor Newsom attends COP30 Climate Summit that President Trump skips, after UN warns of highest C02 spikes in history

Printer-friendly versionCalifornia has reduced greenhouse gas emissions 20% since 2000, while state’s GDP rose 81%   By G. A. McNeeley   November 13, 2025 (Brazil) — Heat-trapping carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere jumped by the highest amount on record last year, soaring to levels never seen in human civilization. That’s “turbocharging” the earth’s climate and causing more extreme weather,

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Shutdown ends as Trump signs spending bill, without extending healthcare subsidies

Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photo via White House:  President Trump at signing ceremony November 13, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — President Donald Trump has signed a bill to reopen the federal government and end the longest-ever government shutdown that lasted 43 days, sidelined federal workers, delayed food aid, and snarled air travel.   The deal has drawn criticism for failing to

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In fiery debut after 50-day delay, Rep. Adelita Grijalva slams House speaker’s ‘abuse of power’

Printer-friendly versionBy Grace Berry and Nick Karmia, Cronkite News Photo:  Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Tucson, delivers her first floor speech moments after Speaker Mike Johnson swore her in on Nov. 12, 2025 — 50 days after her landslide win in a special election to fill the vacancy left by the death of her father, Raúl Grijalva. (from U.S. House of Representatives video)

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County crews are ready for storm, County offers tips to stay safe

Printer-friendly versionBy Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office November 12, 2025 (San Diego) – With the County’s first winter storm predicted to stretch through the weekend and into early next week, County of San Diego road crews are ready to respond if needed and the County is offering tips to help people stay safe. The County and CAL

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County urges parents and stores to throw away formula linked to a national infant botulism outbreak

Printer-friendly versionBy Fernanda Lopez Halvorson, County of San Diego Communications Office November 12, 2025 (San Diego) – San Diego County is urging residents and retailers to throw out ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. This includes all lots, can sizes and single-serve “anywhere” sticks.   As of November 10, the formula is linked to 15 nationwide cases of infant botulism. While California

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