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SEMPRA ENERGY FOUNDATION SETS $1 MILLION ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGE FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Printer-friendly version  SAN DIEGO, Aug. 10, 2009 – If you had $100,000 what would you do to “green” Southern California? That is the challenge that the Sempra Energy Foundation has posed to non-profit organizations with an environmental focus. Those chosen will receive between $25,000 and $100,000, as part of a new $1 million Environmental Champions Awards program created to recognize

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PICTURE YOURSELF CRUISIN’ IN THIS COOL CONVERTIBLE!

Printer-friendly version BUY THIS CAR–AND BENEFIT EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE     This is the perfect East County cruiser. Whether you’re top-down cruising historic Highway 80, taking a favorite friend to the Santee Drive-in, or traveling to the coast and beyond, this is a car built for fun. The only other full-sized convertible on the planet is a Bentley! It’s priced

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NEWS BULLETIN: FIRE IN MEXICO

Printer-friendly versionAugust 10, 2009 (Campo) – If you see smoke over East County, don’t panic.  A large fire is burning in Mexico, just south of Campo. However it poses no threat to Americans on this side of the border since the wind is blowing in the opposite direction, CAL-FIRE Battalion Chief Nick Schuler assures us.   Should a threat arise that impacts

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BURNING ISSUE: LA MESA COUNCIL VOTES TUESDAY ON SDG&E PLAN TO SHUT-OFF POWER

Printer-friendly version  PLAN PITS URBAN VS. RURAL COMMUNITIES IN HIGH-STAKES, LIFE-OR-DEATH DECISIONS   By Miriam Raftery   August 9, 2009 (La Mesa) – On Tuesday, August 11th at 4 p.m. the La Mesa City Council will consider whether to approve a highly controversial proposal by SDG&E to shut off power to up to 60,000 homes for up to three days during high-risk conditions for wildfires. SDG&E contends pulling the

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GOVERNOR SIGNS 2 BILLS BY HOLLINGSWORTH INTO LAW; PROVIDES LAW ENFORCEMENT MORE RESOURCES TO MONITOR & PROSECUTE SEX OFFENDERS

Printer-friendly version August 9, 2009 (Sacramento) – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday announced the signing of two bills that will give law enforcement officials additional resources to more effectively monitor and prosecute registered sex offenders and sexually violent predators. Both were authored by Senator Dennis Holilngsworth (R-Murrieta) whose district includes East County, North County, and portions of San Diego.  

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ALPINE BUSINESSMAN’S CHAIN SAW CARVES OUT NEW CAREER

Printer-friendly version  Photos by Miriam Raftery and Marilyn Lukinich   August 8, 2009 (Alpine)–A little boredom turned into a roaring artistic success for ex-logger James Lukinich of Alpine. Using a chain saw, the owner of the White Wolf Tree Service now coaxes charming designs out of wood. Fanciful birds, appealing bears, clever alligators and other creations quickly take shape. Making the first cut

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DO YOU OWN THE TOP DOG? FIND OUT AUG. 16!

Printer-friendly version  August 5, 2009 (El Cajon) — Want to teach an old dog some new tricks?   Enter your canine companion in a fun-filled dog competition on Sunday, August 16 at 3 p.m. at the Challenge Ranch, 5973 Stallion Oaks Road in El Cajon.  Games, classes and contests are all part of the fun.       Entry categories include:

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2 COUNCIL CANDIDATES ADDRESS WATER ISSUES IN PUBLIC FORUM

Printer-friendly version By Ryan Lescure   Emerald defends vote for power-shut-off; tells opponents in backcountry to “bellayche to the County Supervisors” and urge use of Prop 172 funds for firefighting   August 6, 2009 (San Diego)–Water issues were the main topic of discussion at the  San Diego chapter of Democracy for America’s meeting last night. The event featured Marti Emerald,

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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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