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RED FLAG WARNING ISSUED FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY TUES.-THURS.; RISK OF “EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH”

Printer-friendly version  September 21, 2009 (San Diego) – The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning cautioning Southern California residents of “explosive fire growth potential” due to a combination of strong winds and low humidity, which will be in effect from 9 a.m. Tuesday through 9 p.m. Thursday due to gusty winds and low humidity. The red flag

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WOMEN’S HEALTH FAIR OCT. 3 TO BENEFIT CHASE AVE. FAMILY HEALTH CLINIC

Printer-friendly version September 24, 2009 (El Cajon) – A women’s health fair will be held on Saturday, October 3 at Andres Restaurant, 1235 Morena Blvd. in San Diego (www.andresrestaurantsdc.com). Proceeds will benefit the Chase Avenue Family Health Clinic in El Cajon.  The health fair is sponsored by San Diego Wedgies Chapter of the Blue Thong Society (www.bluethongsociety.com). Pledging to “blend

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Women’s Healthy Hour Seminar: Wellness in Your 50s and Beyond – Sept. 22

Printer-friendly version  Sept. 21, 2009 (La Mesa)– The risk of colon cancer is greater for those in their 50s, but the chances of survival increase with screenings and early detection. In this physician-led seminar on Tuesday, you can receive free life-saving information about risk factors for colon cancer, like lifestyle and family history, while learning how the latest screening options

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GAME OF THE WEEK: DONS INVADE HELIX HIGHLANDS IN 41-19 WIN

Printer-friendly versionStory and photo by Christopher Mohr (LA MESA) – Coming from behind to win games can lead to dramatic finishes, such as the wins Helix had in its first two games against Rancho Buena Vista and Mira Mesa. However, when you spot an opponent four touchdowns and that opponent is Cathedral Catholic, comebacks go from being difficult to nearly

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SHERIFF CANDIDATES TRADE SHOTS IN HEATED DEBATE

Printer-friendly version  Tent city jails, sonic weapons, border crimes, Las Colinas prison expansion, and cuts in deputy staffing among hottest issues   By Miriam Raftery Photos by Leon Thompson   September 15, 2009 (El Cajon) – Four candidates vying to be the top lawman in San Diego County faced off outside El Cajon’s civic center on Sept. 12, dueling verbally

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HELICOPTER CRASH IN VALLEY CENTER INJURES 2

Printer-friendly version By Mick Roberts Photos by Nick Schuler, Cal-Fire Battalion Chief     September 20, 2009 (Valley Center) – A helicopter has crashed in southeastern Valley Center at Orozco Ridge on a remote part of the Guijito Ranch. CAL-FIRE and Valley Center Fire Department responded at 2:40 p.m. San Diego County Sheriff’s ASTREA helicopter hoisted two patients from the crash

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NEW FIRE IN JAMUL ON HIGHWAY 94

Printer-friendly versionSeptember 20, 2009 (Jamul) 5:45 p.m. — A brush fire that started around 5:30 p.m. today has burned approximately one acre at Highway 94 near Jefferson in Jamul, CAL-FIRE Battalion Chief Nick Schuler has informed East County Magazine.  This is the second brush fire in two days for the area.     According to a second source, a radio report indicates

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RECORD TEMPERATURES PREDICTED FOR MID-WEEK, ELEVATING FIRE DANGER

Printer-friendly version September 19, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement for an Diego County mountains, deserts, valleys and coastal areas as well as other portions of Southern California. Heat 10-20 degrees over normal is predicted over the next week, with record highs predicted in some areas. Tuesday and Wednesday are

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FIRES NEAR JAMUL , RIVERSIDE SEND SMOKE BlLLOWING OVER SKIES IN EASTERN SD COUNTY

Printer-friendly version   HOMES BURN, EVACUATION CENTERS OPEN IN TEMECULA AS FIRE SWELLS TO 348 ACRES   Update 9 p.m. Sept. 19 – The fire in southeast Riverside County has expanded to 348 acres, burned 12 structures including at least two homes, and vehicles. Evacuations of 500 homes have been ordered.  The Red Cross has opened evacuation centers at the Temecula Community Recreation Center, 30875 Rancho Vista Rd. and at Rancho

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WE’VE GONE GREENER!

Printer-friendly versionSeptember 18, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – We’re proud to announce that our server is now powered 100% by wind energy. Since our online publication is already paperless and green, we’re definitely the most eco-friendly news publication in town! Did you know that nearly 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. are produced by the paper

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Chicago ICE raid draws condemnation over tactics including zip-tying naked children and terrorizing residents, even citizens

Printer-friendly version“It’s illegal. Unconstitutional. It’s dangerous. It’s wrong. This is not about deportation. This is not about safety. This is about authoritarianism. It’s about stoking fear. It’s about breaking the Constitution” – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson   By Alexander J. Schorr   October 8, 2025 (Chicago) —   On Friday morning at 1:00 AM   on Chicago‘s South Shore Drive, federal agents in military garb smashed through doors with flash-bangs, dragged residents

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Law enforcement stands ready to respond to regional emergencies

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service  October 8, 2025 (San Diego) — In the wake of recent high-profile incidents across the nation, Sheriff Kelly Martinez and local law enforcement agencies held a press conference yesterday to advise the community that they are prepared and ready to respond to any emergency in San Diego County. Sheriff Martinez was joined by San Diego Law Enforcement Coordination Center (LECC) Director Roy

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Diet tea recalled for containing sugar, posing danger to diabetics

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 7, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – Over 2,854 cases of Lipton Green Tea Citrus made by PepsiCo have been recalled because they actually contain mislabeled bottles of Lipton Green Tea Mixed Berry. The berry flavor is supposed to contain zero sugar, but these  drink bottles labeled “Diet” in the mixed berry flavor contain 25 grams

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Bicyclist dies after collision in Lemon Grove

Printer-friendly versionSource: San Diego County Sheriff October 7, 2025  (Lemon Grove) – A bicyclist is dead after a collision with a black Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck shortly before 9:30 p.m. last night in the 8500 block of Troy Street in Lemon Grove. Deputies form the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s station responded to reports of a serious injury collision and found the

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Missing Spring Valley teen

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 7, 2025 (Spring Valley) – Public help is sought to local Angel Mauricio Reyes Mejicanos, 15, who vanished after walking his sister to school on September 29.  He was reportedly sighted in the Encanto area on October 1.  His family is pleading for public help to find him according to the RAD Movement, which

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Charging your devices: Safety steps can prevent lithium-ion fires

Printer-friendly versionBy Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine contributed to this report Photo:  firefighters purposely overloaded a lithium-ion battery to show what can happen. October 6, 2025 (San Diego) — Make sure you’re charging your lithium-ion batteries safely for devices such as cell phones and laptop computers. Using the wrong charger or one

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No kidding–firefighters save goat trapped in boulders

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 6, 2025 (Descanso) – A goat trapped between boulders on Mizpah Lane in Descanso has been freed, thanks to the efforts of Cal Fire/San Diego Fire crews. Firefighters from Station 44 in Pine Valley and Station 45 in Descanso responded and performed a technical rescue to extricate the goat.  “We are deeply honored to serve

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Recall Ortiz effort in El Cajon fails to qualify for ballot

Printer-friendly versionAn effort to recall El Cajon City Council Phil Ortiz (seated, left) is not moving forward.  By Karen Pearlman Oct. 6, 2025 (El Cajon) – A grass-roots effort begun in 2024 to recall El Cajon City Councilmember Phil Ortiz has fizzled after organizers failed to turn in signatures as required by last Friday to qualify a recall for the

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Media Watch: Free speech groups denounce deportation of Emmy-award winning journalist for live-streaming ICE raids and protests

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 5, 2025 (Atlanta, GA) – In an action that has drawn condemnation from journalism and civil liberties organizations, the Department of Homeland Security on Friday deported Mario Guevara, an Emmy award-winning journalist, to El Salvador in retaliation for his live-streaming of ICE raids.   “The government kept Mario unlawfully detained for weeks because of his

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