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SLEEK AND GREEN: ECO-CAR SHOW POWERS UP DEMAND FOR ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery San Diego (June 12, 2009)—If you thought driving an eco-friendly car meant settling for a small, boxy vehicle, think again. Vehicles powered by alternative fuels on display at last weekend’s Street Smart San Diego show included sleek, sporty new styles, race cars, and electric conversions of prestigious name brand models. “We’re doing conversions,” said Michael Kadie

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HOW PREPARED IS EAST COUNTY FOR THE NEXT WILDFIRE? BUDGET CUTS BURN SOME LOCAL AGENCIES

Printer-friendly version   ”It’s outrageous and it’s irresponsible. That’s cold, that’s hard, that’s the truth. There are many other areas where life is not at stake.” –Leonard Villareal, San Miguel Fire District spokesman, on state budget cuts’ impact on fire protection.   An East County Magazine special report   By Miriam Raftery   June 11, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)

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LOCAL LEADERS SHARE REACTIONS TO PREJEAN LOSING MISS CALIFORNIA CROWN

Printer-friendly versionJune 11, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Carrie Prejean, a senior at San Diego Christian College in El Cajon, has been dethroned as Miss California USA. Her turbulent reign, which weathered revelations of topless photos and a controversy over her statements opposing gay marriage, came to an end over the beauty queen’s alleged refusal to honor commitments for

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“CASH FOR CLUNKERS” VOUCHER BILL PASSES HOUSE; MEASURE AIMS TO REDUCE POLLUTION, SAVE JOBS AND FUEL

Printer-friendly versionLocal Representatives Split Votes By Miriam Raftery June 10, 2009 (Washington D.C.)–Three local representatives have voted in favor of a “cash for clunkers” program that will allow consumers to trade in their old, gas-guzzling cars for vouchers worth up to $4,500 to help people buy new, more fuel-efficient vehicles. The Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act (HR 2751)

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EAST COUNTY’S LARGEST FREE HEALTHCARE FAIR SATURDAY JUNE 13

Printer-friendly versionJune 11, 2009 (La Mesa)–The public is invited to attend the 9th annual Summer Healthcare Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, June 13, at the Grossmont Center shopping mall, 5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa. Free health screenings will include diabetes, blood pressure and stroke prevention. Free information will be available on such topics as nutrition, body

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CALIFORNIA-FRIENDLY® LANDSCAPES WIN BIG PRIZES

Printer-friendly versionJune 1, 2009 (El Cajon) – Winners of the sixth annual California-Friendly® Landscape Contest gathered to collect their prizes at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College on May 16th. Twenty homeowners from across the county received honors for outstanding examples of beautiful, drought-tolerant landscapes. Photographs of the winning landscapes adorned a display in The Garden’s Plaza, and garden

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EQUALITY TORCH RELAY SPARKS ARREST IN LEMON GROVE; GAY RIGHTS ADVOCATES CARRY TORCH TO RALLIES AT 4 EAST COUNTY CITY HALLS

Printer-friendly version June 9, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)—A protester was arrested in Lemon Grove Saturday for assaulting San Diego Pride director Ron DeHarte during an equality relay for gay rights. (View a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E91X_cD-tqk&feature=related). Overall, however, the relay through four East County cities was peaceful, organizer Eve Parker reported. “We had such a wonderful and supportive day in East

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SWEET SUCCESS: GROVE PASTRY SHOP

Printer-friendly versionJune 7, 2009 (Lemon Grove)—“What is special about this place is that we make the most challenging cakes—cakes that nobody else around town will take,” said Luis Francisco Montero, baker at the Grove Pastry Shop in Lemon Grove. Montero spoke with East County Magazine during an East County Chamber of Commerce reception earlier this week at the bakery, which

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SKINCARE & WOUND CARE PRODUCTS INFECTED BY BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION, FDA WARNS

Printer-friendly versionConsumers advised not to use any skin products by Clarcon, marketed under several other brand names listed here June 8, 2009 (Washington D.C.)–The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that Clarcon Biological Chemistry Laboratory Inc. of Roy, Utah, is voluntarily recalling some skin sanitizers and skin protectants marketed under several different brand names because of high levels of

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DUI CHECKPOINT IN FALLBROOK NETS ARRESTS & CITATIONS; MORE CHECKPOINTS PLANNED

Printer-friendly versionJune 8, 2009 (Fallbrook)—Law enforcement officials issued 19 citations at a driving under the influence (DUI)/driver’s license checkpoint Friday in Fallbrook, also towing 16 vehicles. Additional DUI checkpoints are planned for the Fallbrook area, the San Diego Sheriff’s office confirms. Law enforcement agencies from throughout San Diego County joined forces to conduct an AVOID – DUI Campaign Task Force

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PASSAGES: ART MADRID, FORMER LA MESA MAYOR WHO SERVED THE CITY FOR OVER 30 YEARS

Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman June 10, 2025 (La Mesa) – Leaving behind a legacy of service, prolific leadership and unwavering commitment to civic matters, longtime La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid has passed away at age 90. His leadership shaped the city, earning admiration and respect from residents, businesses and civic leaders around the region and across the country. He

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SANTEE REPLACES LOW-INCOME APARTMENTS WITH CONDO PROJECT

Printer-friendly version   An infill condo project for 52 units is coming to Santee    Photo and story by Mike Allen   June 9, 2025 (Santee) — The Santee City Council unanimously approved another infill condominium project recently, this one for 52 units on the site that once housed the PureFlo Water dispensary, and had previously been approved for low-income apartments.

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‘EVERYBODY STOOD UP’: WHY A UNION LEADER’S ARREST GALVANIZED CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATS ON IMMIGRATION

Printer-friendly versionThis story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. By Jeanne Kuang June 9, 2025 (San Diego County) — The union leader federal agents detained at an immigration protest in Los Angeles last week is well known to California’s Democratic leadership from his years of activism in and out of the Capitol.   That’s one reason so many leading

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CALIFORNIA COMPANY’S EGGS RECALLED DUE TO SALMONELLA OUTBREAK

Printer-friendly version East County News Service   June 9, 2025 (San Diego County) — California-based August Egg Company in Hilmar is recalling 1.7 million eggs tied to a multi-state outbreak of salmonella, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Food and Drug Administration.   The FDA said brown cage-free and brown certified organic eggs were distributed by

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LATINOS EN ACCION HELPING THEIR COMMUNITY

Printer-friendly versionFrom left to right: Mairene Branham, Violeta Lombrera and Eva Pacheco. (Photo by Mimi Pollack) By Mimi Pollack  June 8, 2025 (El Cajon) — Latinos en Acción, a group in El Cajon, is led by three mothers who want to make a difference in their diverse community.   These three very different women came together with the same goals in

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CONCERNS LEAD JEWISH COMMUNITY TO PULL SUPPORT OF SD PRIDE

Printer-friendly versionControversial Headline Performer, Safety Concerns Cited as Reasons for Withdrawal By Karen Pearlman June 7, 2025 (San Diego) – Many local Jewish organizations from across San Diego County that have traditionally been part of the annual San Diego Pride event will not be joining in this year. Jewish community leaders say that because the Pride Festival chose musical artist

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TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGES COMING TO CAMPO ROAD IN CASA DE ORO

Printer-friendly versionArtistic rendering of coming changes to Campo Road (Courtesy County of San Diego) By Karen Pearlman June 7, 2025 (Casa de Oro) – The County of San Diego is moving into the next phase of the ambitious Campo Road Corridor Revitalization Specific Plan, aimed at transforming the Campo Road corridor into a safer, more walkable and vibrant community hub.

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COMMUNITY PANCAKE BREAKFAST TO LAUNCH YOUTH FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Sevice   June 7, 2025 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa Juneteenth Foundation is inviting families and community members to a Pancake Breakfast Celebration later this month.   The celebration, in partnership with Mission Federal Credit Union, is set for 9 a.m. until noon, Thursday, June 19, at MacArthur Park in La Mesa.   There is

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PANCAKE BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER IN LA MESA

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service   June 6, 2025 (La Mesa) — Heartland Firefighters of La Mesa will host a pancake breakfast fundraiser and emergency preparedness training on Sunday, June 8, at La Mesa Fire Station 11.   The event, which will run from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 8034 Allison Ave., is open to all ages. Tickets are

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SD SUPERIOR COURT WARNS ABOUT SCAMS

Printer-friendly versionLatest scam concerns traffic court fees, previous scams have concerned jury duty or warrants   East County News Service   June 6, 2025 (San Diego County) – The San Diego Superior Court is warning the public about new scams that are making the rounds around the county.   The court has received complaints about individuals trying to scam members

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