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ALUMNI NOMINEES SOUGHT FOR GROSSMONT COLLEGE WALK OF FAME

Printer-friendly version    March 1, 2010 (El Cajon)–Grossmont College Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises funds for educational programs benefiting students at Grossmont College in El Cajon, is seeking nominations for its 2010 Walk of Fame Alumni Award. The Walk of Fame, located on campus in the Main Quad area, is a display of several bronze plaques embedded in concrete

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POLITICAL WRANGLING

Printer-friendly version    By Buck Shott A Roundup of the latest national, state and local political news   March 1, 2010 — As filing deadlines fast approach, who’s in, who’s out, and who’s still on the fence?  Find out here! Blast from the Past: While a trio of Republicans are vying for the Governor’s spot in the June primary, Democrats still have

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PROGRAM TO HELP UNINSURED IN EAST COUNTY GETS $100,000 GRANT FROM GROSSMONT HEALTHCARE

Printer-friendly version  The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) board of directors has unanimously voted to approve a $100,000 grant to Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) to help cover expenses for X-ray and ultrasound tests, as well as diagnostic lab fees and medical supplies, for uninsured East County residents who are treated at an El Cajon clinic by retired physicians and nurses who

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BEWARE OF FRAUDULENT FIRE INSPECTIONS

Printer-friendly version   March 1, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) — The San Miguel Fire District has received complaints from several businesses about fraudulent fire inspections. This is happening all over the State of California, according to Fire Marshal Marsha Larsen. In 2006, the City of Torrance prosecuted two individuals and a fire protection company for posing as firefighters performing

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DEPUTIES ARREST SPRING VALLEY RAPE SUSPECT

Printer-friendly version  March 1, 2010 – Jose Luis Covarruibias, 46, of Chula Vista has been arrested and will be charged with raping a Spring Valley woman on February 27. Sheriff’s deputies from the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s station responded to a 911 call from the woman at 6:46 a.m. on Saturday.  According to police, she was hysterical and reported she had

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WINTER RAINS BRING DESERT BLOOMS

Printer-friendly version    February 28, 2010 (Anza Borrego) – record rainfall in January and February is expected to produce a banner season for wildflowers in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Blooms are expected to peak through mid-March, so plan your trip east to the desert on any clear day over the next couple of weeks.   Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

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DEADLY WEEK: 5 DIE ON EAST COUNTY ROADWAYS

Printer-friendly version February 28, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Motor vehicle accidents claimed the lives of five people in San Diego’s eastern regions during the past week, the San Diego County Coroner’s office reports. Sarah Rachelle Phillips, 31, lost control when her vehicle struck a puddle on the I-805 connector to southbound I-15 on February 27. The vehicle left

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SEX OFFENDER ARRESTED IN CHELSEA KING CASE

Printer-friendly version      February 28, 2010 (Poway) – John Albert Gardner III, 30, a registered sex offender, was arrested at 4:30 p.m. today by the San Diego County Sheriff’s fugitive task force.   He is being held on suspicion of rape and murder and is being questioned by homicide investigators about evidence linking him to Chelsea King’s disappearance. However

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MANAGING THE FEAR OF FINDING ANOTHER JOB

Printer-friendly version    By: Stanley Popovich   February 28, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) — Layoffs in today’s business world are common–and with a lay-off comes the fear and anxiety of finding another job. With this in mind, here are some ways for you to manage those stresses involved in finding a new job.   Take it step by step:

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LAKESIDE FIREFIGHTERS RESCUE 2 FROM ROLLOVER CRASH

Printer-friendly version  February 28, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) –Lakeside firefighters rescued two passengers from a rollover accident February 22. At 10:08 PM, the Heartland Communications Center dispatched one engine company, one rescue company, and an ALS ambulance and Battalion Chief to the 14000 block of Highway 8 business in the Johnston community, Captain Mark Grow of Lakeside Fire District

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Padre Dam’s Ray Stoyer Water Recycling Facility decommissioned after more than a half-century of use

Printer-friendly versionRay Stoyer Water Recycling Facility at Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Santee Lakes Community event makes way for the East County Advanced Water Purification Program Story and photos by Paul Levikow April 13, 2026 (Santee) — After more than a half-century of water reuse in East County, the Ray Stoyer Water Recycling Facility has been decommissioned, marking the end

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Lemon Grove Library hosting Sheriff’s reentry event

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 13, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office Reentry Services Division is holding a public event aimed at bridging the gap between life behind bars and life as a productive neighbor. From 4 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 14 at the Lemon Grove Library, the community is being invited to meet

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Man arrested for threatening deputies, firing shots in Santee

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 13, 2026 (Santee) — With help from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Detail (SWAT) team, an armed man who threatened deputies was arrested April 11 at his security systems business in Santee. Deputies responded to reports of possible gunshots near North Magnolia Avenue around 12:33 a.m. Upon arrival, deputies checked the area

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Hearing May 15 on proposed release of sexually violent predator Gary Snavely in Borrego Springs: public comments sought

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 11, 2026 (Borrego Springs) – The San Diego Superior Court has ordered the conditional release of Sexually Violent Predator Gary Snavely.  The California Department of State Hospitals has recommended the placement of Snavely at 3406 Running M Road in Borrego Springs  He was convicted of lewd and lascivious acts with two girls ages 8 and

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Supporters flee Swalwell’s governor campaign amid allegations of sexual assault

Printer-friendly versionBy Jeanne Kuang and Yue Stella Yu, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo:  U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell speaks to a crowd during a town hall he hosted at the Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center in downtown Fresno on Dec. 15, 2025. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local April 10, 2026 (Fresno) – Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell, one

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Attacked by AI-cyberbots: Please help us fund critical security upgrades

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery April 10, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – Our East County Magazine website is being attacked by AI-cyberbots that have repeatedly crashed it. Our new website designed in WordPress is ready to launch with great new features for readers – but we can’t launch without critical security upgrade programs that cost thousands of dollars.  Please help!

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San Diego County has free parking perks for seniors

Printer-friendly versionSan Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson holds up his senior parking pass at Mt. Woodson Gateway County Preserve in Ramona. (Photo courtesy Joel Anderson Facebook page) East County News Service April 10, 2026 (San Diego County) — While parking prices across the region seem to be climbing faster than a fit hiker scaling Iron Mountain, local seniors can count

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CHP urges drivers to follow hands-free cell phone law; officers report more violations as distracted driving causes hundreds of crashes annually

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 10, 2026 (San Diego County) — Distracted driving causes hundreds of crashes across California each year, and violations of the state’s hands-free cellphone law remain an ongoing concern. As part of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the California Highway Patrol is urging drivers to put down their phones and stay attentive to help make roads safer

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Learn how to use the county’s ‘Tell Us Now!’ app on April 13

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 10, 2026 (Rancho San Diego) — We’ve all been there: you’re driving through somewhere in San Diego County and run over a jagged pothole, spot a flooded culvert or keep seeing the same abandoned vehicle on a street corner…. but the thought of trying to find the right County department to call and report

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ECM World Watch: national and global news

Printer-friendly versionApril 9, 2026 (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’s VA killed a home loan program. Vets are now losing their homes because of it (NPR) Eligible young

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