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GOVERNOR VOWS TO VETO TAX INCREASE PROPOSAL THAT MAY KEEP STATE PARKS OPEN, STAVE OFF CUTS IN STATE SERVICES

Printer-friendly version    By Ryan Lescure   July 1, 2009 (San Diego)–Faced with the prospect of closing 220 state parks, including two in East County (Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Cuyamaca Rancho State Park), the California Legislature passed a bundle of tax and fee increases by a simple majority, though a two-thirds majority is required to raise taxes. Governor Arnold

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EAST COUNTY ROUND-UP, JULY 1, 2009

Printer-friendly version    Top Stories About East County in other publications, including: • FIRE SERVICES PARTNERSHIP EMERGING • LAKESIDE YOUTH IS COUNTY’S 44th WITH WHOOPING COUGH • OFFICIALS’ SUPPORT SCRIPTED BY SDG&E • WIND FARM SET FOR CAMPO RESERVATION • DESCANSO AREA TARGET OF USFS GRANT TO GREATER SAN DIEGO RCD • GOVERNMENT AGENCIES’ OPENNESS ON WEB VARIES • NEW

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M*A*S*H BASH! ACTOR/AUTHOR MIKE FARRELL IN LA MESA JULY 1

Printer-friendly versionJune 30, 2009 (La Mesa) – Actor Mike Farrell, who played Dr. B.J. Hunnicutt on the T.V. series M*A*S*H, will present his new book at the La Mesa Community Center on Wednesday, July 1st.   "We will have a ‘swamp’ set up for an ice-cream social, and Mike will be available to sign his books; Of Mule and Man

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THREE-ACRE FIRE DOUSED IN PAUMA VALLEY

Printer-friendly version  June 30, 2009 (Pauma Valley) – Cal Fire has extinguished a three-acre vegetation fire in the 32000 block of Pauma View Drive, Pauma Valley.   The fire was started by a tractor and burned portions of a grove, but did not threaten or damage any structures, Cal Fire Captain Nick Schuler reports.   The fire was reported at 4:06

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BILL TO CLEAN UP TOXIC WASTES, AIR & WATER POLLUTION & PROTECT NATURAL RESOURCES PASSES HOUSE; LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES SPLIT VOTES

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery   June 27, 2009 (Washington D.C.)–H.R. 2996, landmark legislation that aims to protect air, clean up waterways and restore our public lands, has passed the House of Representatives by a 254-173 vote. Among San Diego’s Congressional representatives, Bob Filner and Susan Davis voted in favor of the measure, while Brian Bilbray, Duncan Hunter and Darrell Issa

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REGISTER TO VOTE

Printer-friendly versionJune 27, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Voter registration will be held at several La Mesa locations this summer. If you’ve moved, never registered, been dropped off the Registrar’s rolls for failing to vote in several elections, or wish to change your political party, visit any of the following voter registration drives: Saturday, June 27th: Noon to 4:00pm

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LEAVE FIREWORKS TO EXPERTS, BURN INSTITUE WARNS

Printer-friendly versionAll fireworks illegal in County, from sparklers to bottle rockets   July 1, 2009 (San Diego) — The Fourth of July is almost upon us – a time for family picnics and fireworks displays. Yet all too often, the public fails to consider the harsh consequences when amateurs play with fireworks. In the wrong hands, fireworks can lead to property damage,

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COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TAKES THE HIGH ROAD ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA ISSUES

Printer-friendly versionBy Kyle Serzen   June 26, 2009 (San Diego)–The San Diego County Board of Supervisors lit up some controversy during its meeting on Tuesday, which included two medical marijuana issues. The first was a resolution passed unanimously 5-0 to allow patients to apply for a medical marijuana ID card beginning July 6th. The Board also passed a measure asking

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LANDMARK CLIMATE CHANGE BILL PASSES HOUSE BY SLIM MARGIN WITH HELP FROM 2 LOCAL DEMOCRATS; SD REPUBLICANS VOTE NO

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery   June 27, 2009 (Washington D.C.) – By a scant seven votes (219-212), the U.S. House of Representatives last night passed the landmark American Clean Energy and Security Act. The bill has been hailed by the Environmental Defense Action Fund as “the most important environmental and energy legislation in our nation’s history.”   Supporters say the

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4TH OF JULY EAST COUNTY “TEA” PARTY TAX PROTEST PLANNED

Printer-friendly versionJune 23, 2009 (El Cajon) –San Diego Republican Party chair Tony Krvaric has invited the public to a “TEA Party” tax protest on July 4th. Despite the most severe budget cuts and fiscal shortfall in the state’s history, The California Republican Party has held firm against raising taxes and refused to fund reelections for legislators who vote for any increases

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Evacuations Lifted in Steele Fire; Drone Hampered Firefighters

Printer-friendly versionUpdate:  All evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted. Story, videos and photos by Josh Stotler View videos: https://youtu.be/usGRn-FQPg0   and https://youtu.be/2vITCTQMPl4 July 9, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – Firefighters have held the #SteeleFire to 28 acres. As of this evening, the fire is 25% contained, with no structures lost, according to Cal Fire, despite interference by a drone temporarily

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Over 4,700 Under Evacuation Orders from Steele Fire

Printer-friendly version East County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts July 9, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The Steele Fire has prompted evacuations of over 4,700 residents in Jamul and Rancho San Diego due to structure threast.  The fire began on Star Acres Drive in Rancho San Diego View map of areas under evacuation orders or warnings. Evacuees can go to

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Homicide investigation leads to arrest of 2 suspects

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service July 7, 2025 (El Cajon) — The El Cajon Police Department is looking for tips related to an April shooting in the city that led to the death of a man.   El Cajon PD Lt. Will Guerin reporterd that at about 9:47 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, El Cajon police officers responded to multiple

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County to Spray for Mosquitoes in Rolando Areas of La Mesa and San Diego to Reduce Risk of West Nile Virus

Printer-friendly version  Source: County of San Diego July 7, 2025 (La Mesa) — To protect the public and keep mosquitoes from potentially spreading West Nile virus, which was recently detected in Rolando, the County is scheduled to conduct ultra-low volume, truck-mounted, pesticide-mist treatments this week. The spraying aims to reduce the number of adult mosquitoes on about 4,000 parcels in

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Ramona Robbery Victim Spots Suspect at Bank, Leading to Arrest

Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery July 6, 2025 (Ramona) – Ramon Jimenez Jr. is in custody on suspicion of robbery and threatening the victim with a metal pole. According to Lieutenant Alex Navarro with the San Diego County Sheriff’s department, a resident of Terre Oak Apartments in Ramona was taking out trash when the suspect approached him, brandishing a metal

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Alligator Alcatraz: A Florida ‘Concentration Camp’

Printer-friendly version By Alexander J Schorr July 4, 2025 (Everglades, FL)  — Nearby President Trump’s Miami resort in the swamplands of the Florida Everglades sits a makeshift detention facility dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” the latest in his administration’s immigration enforcement efforts. Andrea Pitzer, author of One Long Night: A Global History of Concentration Camps, writes in an editorial published on MSNBC, “I

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Owner Identified in Dog-Dragging Case; Animal Cruelty Charges to Be Filed

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service July 5, 2025 (Spring Valley) — San Diego County Animal Services has identified the person responsible for the horrific July 2 incident in Spring Valley in which a dog was dragged behind a vehicle.  After seeing video coverage of the incident on television, the dog’s owner contacted County Animal Services and admitted that it was his truck

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TRUMP SIGNS BUDGET BILL ON JULY 4 THAT INFLATES DEFICIT, CUTS SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME AMERICANS AND MAKES TAX CUTS FOR WEALTHY PERMANENT

Printer-friendly version By G. A. McNeeley  July 6, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – President Donald Trump on July 4 signed the highly contentious budget bill into law. The measure passed the Senate by a one-vote margin and on July 3, the House of Representatives approved the measure.  All San Diego representatives voted no, with the exception of Rep. Darrell Issa, who voted

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Pizzabilities in Alpine Serves Up Build-Your-Own Pizza and Inclusive Opportunities for Employees

Printer-friendly version Pam Baker and her granddaughter Grace Baker at Pizzabilities in Alpine   Story and photos by Karen Pearlman   July 2, 2025 (Alpine) – Any way you slice it, Pizzabilities, Alpine’s newest addition to the culinary scene, is about to serve the community in some of the most delicious and unexpected ways.   While Pizzabilities serves delicious pies,

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