Communities

CAMERAS HELP EL CAJON POLICE FIND DRIVER IN HIT-AND-RUN PEDESTRIAN FATALITY

By Miriam Raftery

December 17, 2024 (El Cajon) – The driver who fled the scene after hitting and killing a pedestrian on December 8 at 5:14 p.m. near 1368 East Main Street has been arrested for felony hit and run.  Police used information from a witness and the city’s Flock license plate reader system to obtain a photo of the white Dodge Ram truck involved in the collision, leading to the driver’s arrest.

The victim, 63-year-old Richard Michael Santana of El Cajon, died at the scene of the accident.  He was struck while crossing the street outside of the crosswalk. 


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WOMAN’S BODY FOUND OFF HIGHWAY IN DESCANSO

Update December 17, 2024 7 p.m.:  The victim has been identified as Jane Hannah Cronin of San Diego.

East County News Service

December 17, 2024 (Descanso) – The body of a 29-year-old woman was found on December 11 near the intersection of State Route 79 and Wildwood Glen Lane in Descanso.


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BB GUN SEIZED FROM LEMON GROVE STUDENT

East County News Service

December 17, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – Students at Lemon Grove Academy Middle School saw a student with what appeared to be a firearm in his backpack on Friday, December 13, but didn’t report it to school staff until Monday, December 16.

School administrators immediately contacted the Lemon Grove substation. Deputies questioned the 14-year-old student and his parents. The firearm turned out to be a plastic BB gun that the student showed to classmates. The BB gun was seized without incident, says Lieutenant Joe Barry.


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LESSONS FROM THE MAGIC HORSE



By Olivia Barnard

December 10, 2024 (Lakeside) -- I first met Robin Pawl and her horses Shelby, Indy, Ka Lio, and Phoenix on a Saturday afternoon. The faded Lakeside hills framed the riding center as hawks called out and the pepper trees swayed. I loved horses growing up, but I had never been on a ranch. I didn’t know what to expect from volunteering with horses or students with disabilities. But The Magic Horse website’s description of therapeutic riding practices was interesting, the place charming and intriguing, and I was going to give it a shot.

Upon meeting Robin and the horses, I couldn’t have predicted how much personal growth would come out of our experiences together. In sharing my experiences, I hope to inspire others to take the opportunity and discover the magic of the horse, just as I did.


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CITIES, COUNTY IN CROSSHAIRS BETWEEN FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS OVER AIDING MASS DEPORTATION OF IMMIGRANTS

 

County approves tough migrant protections, but Sheriff says state laws should prevail;  El Cajon Council weighs city’s legal and moral obligations

Update:  The letter sent by Mayor Wells to the Attorney General is now available here.The letter states that the City Council is considering a resolution declaring the city's intent to "comply with federal immigration laws and assist federal authorities in their enforcement efforts to the maximum extent possible."

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: Right, El Cajon Mayor Wells calls sanctuary policies "stupid and dangerous." He has voiced support for Trump's mass deportation policies but wants clarification on the city's legal obligations.

Left, Councilman Gary Kendrick does not support having police "dragging children out of schools or churches" or aiding in deportation of residents with no criminal records,only those guilty of serious crimes.

December 11, 2024 (San Diego) – Yesterday, San Diego County Supervisors and El Cajon’s City Council held discussions that could determine fates of many immigrant residents—and set the stage for showdowns among federal, state and local authorities. San Diego County has an estimated 169,000 undocumented residents, according to the Migration Policy Institute, based on 2019 data.

The incoming Trump administration has announced plans to deport millions of immigrants nationwide—and demands that local authorities cooperate in mass deportation efforts. But a California law, Senate Bill 54, passed during the last Trump term, prohibits state and local jurisdictions from cooperating with federal authorities on deportation,with notable exceptions for serious crimes. Local authorities are carefully weighing the legal and moral implications of potential actions.


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EL CAJON POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES $70,000 GRANT TO FIGHT ALCOHOL-RELATED HARM

El Cajon Police Department receives $70,000 grant to fight alcohol-related harm from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

Source:  City of El Cajon

December 11, 2024 (El Cajon) - The El Cajon Police Department announces they have been awarded $70,000 grant from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to reduce alcohol-related harm in their community.


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EL CAJON POLICE SHOOT SUSPECT WHO RAMMED VEHICLE, INJURING OFFICER

Update December 12, 2024 -- The suspect has died, San Diego Police have confirmed to ECM news partner 10 News.  Per protocol in officer-related shootings, SDPD is in charge of the investigation.

East County News Service

Photo via ECM news partner 10 News:  officers beside suspect’s vehicle, a black 4-door pickup truck

December 11, 2024 (El Cajon) – During preparations for a retirement celebration for an El Cajon Police captain outside ECPD headquarters this afternoon, multiple officers opened fire on a black Toyota pickup truck after it rammed an ECPD officer and tried to hit another officer, according to public information officer Keith MacArthur.


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WIND-DRIVE FIRE IN BARRETT JUNCTION

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Update December 11, 2024 -- The fire is 70% contained at 38 acres. All evacuation notices have been lifted, per Cal Fire.

Update 12:57 p.m.- All evacuation orders have been lifted, per Genasys. The fire is 10% contained.

Update 12:15 p.m.  An Evacuation Order has been issued for Zone SDC-2605 and an Evacuation Warning has been issued for Zone SDC-2545 - per the Genasys Evacuation Map. Temporary Evacuation Point at 2951 Jamacha Road Edwards Theatre. Details: https://www.alertsandiego.org/en-us/incident-page.1348.html 

Update 10:59 a.m.  -- #Border79Fire is now 30 acres with a critical rate of spread and a potential for a major fire, Cal Fire reports.

December 10, 2024 (San Diego's East County) -- The #Border79Fire has burned 25 acres near State Route 94 and Barrett Smith Road in Barrett Junction.  The fire is fueled by strong winds.

Watch Duty App reports that an additional 10 engines, 6 crews and 4 water tenders have been requested.


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BOMB THREAT AT HARRAH’S IN VALLEY CENTER PROVES HOAX

East County News Service

File photo by Miriam Raftery

 

December 10, 2024 (Valley Center) — A bomb threat from an anonymous caller yesterday morning prompted a safety sweep at Harrah’s Resort Southern California on the Rincon tribe’s reservation in Valley Center. Resort staff found a backpack in an unauthorized area.


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SDG&E SHUTS OFF POWER DUE TO FIRE DANGER; MORE COMMUNITIES FACE POTENTIAL OUTAGES INCLUDING MOST OF EAST COUNTY

By Miriam Raftery, East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

December 9, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – With a red flag warning in effect from the National Weather Service due to high fire danger today through Friday, SDG&E has begun public safety power shutoffs affecting 8,949 customers in Alpine, Boulevard, Campo, Descanso, Jacumba and Jamul. There are also unplanned outages in Julian and Borrego Springs. However, up to 108,619 more customers may face planned power outages between now and December 13 at noon, according to SDG&E, including most East County communities.

Communities at risk of outages in San Diego County include the Barona reservation, Borrego Springs, the Campo reservation, Capitan Grande reservation, Cardiff, Chula Vista, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Fallbrook, Granite Hills, Jamul Indian Village, Julian, La Jolla Reservation, Lakeside, La Mesa, La Posta reservation, Lakeside, Los Coyotes Reservation, Manzanita reservation, Mesa Grande reservation, Pala,

Pala reservation, Pauma Valley, Pauma reservation, Poway, Ramona, Ranchita, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Santa Fe, Rincon reservation, San Diego, San Marcos, San Pasqual Reservation, Santa Ysabel, Santa Ysabel reservation, Santee, Solana Beach, Sycuan  reservation, Valley Center, Viejas Reservation, and Warner Springs.

Community Resource Centers are open in many communities.  For a list of community resource centers, see https://www.sdge.com/psps-dashboard.


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COUSIN OF ECM PHOTOGRAPHER MAULED BY PACK OF PIT BULL DOGS; FUNDS NEEDED TO HELP PAY MEDICAL BILLS

By Miriam Raftery

December 9, 2024 (San Diego) – A 15-year-old San Marcos girl is fighting for her life after suffering serious injuries. After running away from a treatment facility in North County, she was found in Mendocino “on the side of a highway, barely alive, some 600 miles away. Marielynn Watson was the victim of a horrific attack from a pack of off-leash dogs,” says Ron Logan, an East County Magazine photographer and cousin of the injured teen.

Logan, along with Marielynn’s father, David Watson, have started a GoFundMe site to help cover medical expenses for Marielynn, who remains hospitalized after multiple surgeries, with more needed.

“When I first saw her, I almost passed out,” Watson told ECM, adding that he was unemployed at the time of the attack by several pit bull dogs and has no insurance to cover his daughter’s medical bills. In addition to worrying about his daughter’s health, he is concerned that he could face financial ruin as the medical bills mount.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: JIM MILLER’S COMMENTS DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY—OUR SCHOOL BOARD MUST ACT

 By Tom Varallo, Commander, U.S. Navy (retired) 

Photo, left: CVUSD trustee Jim MIller

December 9, 2024 (El Cajon) -- As a citizen and former Special Education Local Planning Area (SELPA) Representative in the Cajon Valley Union School District, I am stunned by the recent comments made by Jim Miller, the current President of our School Board, on his public Facebook page.  Furthermore, as a parent of a now-adult son with autism who successfully matriculated from two schools in Cajon Valley, I am outraged at Miller’s comments. 

 His remarks, referring to a fellow Board Member as an "uneducated, on-the-spectrum, goose-stepping kook" and claiming that the schools this individual represents "don’t deserve" his representation, are a disgrace to the leadership of our district. 

 These words are not merely an attack on one individual; they are an attack on the principles of inclusion, respect, and dignity that we expect from our schools and their leaders. 

 Most egregiously, Miller’s use of “on-the-spectrum” as an insult demonstrates a profound ignorance and insensitivity toward autism and neurodiversity.


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PASSAGES: JIM WIEBOLDT, SHERIFF’S DEPUTY AND LA MESA CIVIC LEADER, 1957-2024

Celebration of Life to be held December 28 in  La Mesa

By Ben Perez

Photo of Jim Wieboldt and his pug, Frank The Felon,  courtesy Amanda Allsberry

December 12, 2024 (La Mesa) -- A respected deputy in the San Diego County Sheriff's Crime Prevention Unit for more than a dozen years, James “Jim” Warren Wieboldt was much more than just an officer of the law. Wiebolt was a civic and business community leader, serving as founding chairman of the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the city’s Parking Commission, and Chair of the La Mesa Centennial Project’s Events and Calendar Committee. He was also active in the La Mesa Village Merchants Association.

Wieboldt died of an unknown cause at his home in Fallon, Nev., on Dec. 7. He was 67.

Guided by faith and spending countless hours as a youth pastor in East County, he was a father figure to countless children and young adults through the years and a devoted parent to the three biological children he raised  in La Mesa with his wife of 42 years and high school sweetheart, Kelly, who preceded him in death four years ago.


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ANGRY PETE'S EXITS SANTEE LAKES

By Mike Allen

December 6, 2024 (Santee) --Another concession vendor bites the dust at Santee Lakes No. 4.

Angry Pete’s exercised its option not to renew its lease at the scenic decked outpost in the middle of the park last month,  then closed down its window effective Dec.1.

On his Facebook page, Angry Pete’s owner Pete Harbison said his business and himself were stretched too thin to keep the outlet going.

“The hard truth is that like many businesses, we've faced a challenging and rough road. The ever-increasing food and labor costs have made it harder and harder to maintain our business at a break-even level. We don't want to get rich, but we do need to at least break even,” Harbison said. “On top of that, despite pouring all of my time, energy and finances into staying open, I've had to face the reality that I’ve left very little for my own family—in both time & security.”


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VIDEO OF THE WEEK: INTERVIEWS WITH FIRE CHIEFS AT BARONA CONTROLLED BURN

Click here to view video full screen, or scroll down:  https://youtu.be/n_au8Pk7gCM

December 5, 2024 (Lakeside) – Shiloh Ireland interviewed Barona Fire Chief Ken  Kremensky and Cal Fire Division Chief Eric on December 3 during a 160-acre controlled burn on the Barona reservation in Lakeside.

Burning old brush has ecological benefits, also protecting communities from wildfires since it’s far easier to conduct a prescribed burn during winter conditions instead of battling a raging wildfire during high winds and heat when Santa Ana winds can drive hurricane-force gusts.


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MISSING SENIOR FOUND DEAD NEAR I-8 ONRAMP IN LA MESA

East County News Service

December 3, 2024 (La Mesa) – The body of Vivian Crowder, a 71-year-old woman with dementia who has been missing since October 29th was found this morning by workers from  Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol along the onramp from La Mesa Boulevard to eastbound Interstate 8.


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EL CAJON NAMES NEW CHIEF OF POLICE

East County News Service

December 3, 2024 (El Cajon) - The City of El Cajon announces Captain Jeremiah Larson’s promotion to Chief of Police, effective December 18. Larson has served the El Cajon community for over two decades and will succeed the current Chief of Police, Mike Moulton, who announced his retirement earlier this year.


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EAST COUNTY ARSONIST ARRESTED, CHARGED WITH SETTING NINE FIRES IN NOVEMBER

By Miriam Raftery

December 2, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – Cal Fire investigators have arrested a serial arsonist accused of setting nine fires across East County between Nov. 10 and Nov. 30.

Allen Dinoyo, a transient resident of San Diego, will be charged with multiple felonies. He is accused of starting vegetation fires on Nov.10 in Jamul, followed by six fires on Nov. 20 in Rancho San Diego, Jamul, and Dehesa, as well as two more fires on Nov.30 in San Diego and La Mesa.


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SCOTT CHADWICK, NEW CEO AT HELM OF PORT AUTHORITY, IS ANCHORED IN EAST COUNTY

By Miriam Raftery

December 1, 2024 (El Cajon) – San Diego Port Commissioners have named Scott Chadwick to serve as the new CEO of the San Diego Port Authority, starting in January. Born and raised in El Cajon,  Chadwick graduated from Valhalla High School and Grossmont College, later obtaining a B.A. in political science from Purdue University. 

Currently he is the city manager for Carlsbad and previously served as the City of San Diego’s chief operating officer, human resources director and labor relations director. Prior to his 20 years of city government intelligence, he served as a U.S. Army intelligence analyst and also worked for AFSCME, a labor union representing state county and municipal employees.

Public service runs in the family.  Chadwick’s mother, Gloria Chadwick, is an elected member of the Grossmont Healthcare District’s board of directors  in district 4.

In an interview with San Diego Business Journal, Scott Chadwick stated, ”As a leader I have always been focusing on continuous improvement and customer service.” He said he is “thrilled” at the opportunity to “serve all who live, work, and play on and around the beautiful and vibrant San Diego Bay waterfront. It is an exciting time at the Port of San Diego."


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MAN ARRESTED AFTER THREATENING OFFICERS AT GROSSMONT CENTER

By Miriam Raftery

November 30, 2024 (La Mesa) -- A man who reportedly threatened police officers and security officers was arrested this afternoon at Grossmont Center.

According to La Mesa Police Lieutenant Matt Conlon, police were summoned after the suspect caused a commotion in the food court and other stores, also threatening security officers. When La Mesa Police officers arrived, "He threatened our officers and charged at security personnel, resulting in a tussle," Lt. Conlon told ECM.


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EL CAJON POLICE RESPOND TO VANDALISM OF BUS

By Robert Gehr

November 30, 2024 (El Cajon) – A man was taken into custody for smashing windows on an MTS bus on November 26 around 6:30 a.m. He was transported by American Medical Response to a hospital.


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EL CAJON POLICE INVESTIGATE STABBING DEATH

East County News Service

November 28, 2024 (El Cajon) – A 28=year-old El Cajon man has died of injuries sustained in a stabbing that occurred on November 28.  El Cajon Police officers responded to the scene in the 500 block of North Mollison around 6 p.m.and found the victim with a life-threatening stab wound.

Paramedics from Heartland Fire transported the victim to a hospital, where he later died of his injuries.

The reporting party and another witness were interviewed at the scene. Two men were taken to the El Cajon Police Department for questioning.


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CAROLING ON BROADWAY: DEC. 13 AND 21 IN LEMON GROVE

By Miriam Raftery

November 30, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – ‘Tis the season to be jolly – so Revitalize Broadway invites singers (no experience required) to join in spreading some holiday cheer. Caroling on Broadway will take place Friday, December 13 and Saturday, December 21.


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SAN DIEGO BLOOD BANK HOSTS BLOOD DRIVES ACROSS EAST COUNTY IN DECEMBER

East County News Service

 

November 26, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – This holiday season, you can give the gift of life.  The San Diego Blood Bank is hosting a series of blood drives across East County between December 18 and December 24 in locations including Spring Valley, La Mesa, El Cajon, Lakeside, Alpine and Ramona.  Below are details.


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LA MESA CITY COUNCIL ADOPTS 2024 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE 

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC.

November 27, 2024 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa City Council on Tuesday adopted the 2024 Climate Action Plan (CAP) Update, a roadmap for reducing community-wide greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in La Mesa.

 

The 2024 CAP Update introduces six comprehensive strategies, an expansion from the five outlined in the original 2018 CAP. These strategies include: 

  • Building Energy Efficiency 
  • Clean and Renewable Energy 
  • Clean and Efficient Transportation 
  • Water Efficiency 
  • Waste Reduction 
  • Urban Natural Environment. 


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SEX OFFENDER MERLE WAKEFIELD RELEASED IN JACUMBA HOT SPRINGS

East County News Service

November 27, 2024 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Yesterday, sexually violent predator Merle Wakefield was conditionally released from Coalinga State Hospital as a transient.  He has been temporarily placed at a home at 42920 Desert Rose Ranch in Jacumba Hot Springs.

He will have 24-hour supervision by Liberty Healthcare,  a private company contracted by the state. There are several conditions for his release, including that Liberty Healthcare will provide a security employee to accompany Wakefield on a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week basis.


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SHERIFF RELEASES VIDEO OF SUSPECT SHOT AND KILLED IN SPRING VALLEY

View video (viewer discretion advised)

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of ECM news partner ABC 10 News

November 27, 2024 (Spring Valley) – The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has released video from November 15,  when seven deputies opened fire and killed Victor Rendon, Jr., 34.  Rendon had fired shots inside his ex-girlfriend’s home on Leland Street in Spring Valley and later pointed a gun at deputies, according to the Sheriff’s department. The video appears to show Rendon waving a gun shortly before deputies opened fire.

Deputies responded to a call at 3:18 p.m. from Rendon’s former girlfriend reporting that he was trespassing and behaving erratically, while children were present. He was reportedly suffering from mental issues and under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Deputies removed the children from the home to protect their safety. The suspect then fired his gun several times in the backyard shortly before 5 p.m. with deputies just 15 feet away, though it’s unclear in what direction he was firing, according to a press release from the Sheriff.  An initial report that the suspect fired through the front door, however, was inaccurate. The investigation found that he did, however, throw items including luggage at the front door. When he later came out and raised the gun toward deputies, the deputies fired their weapons, striking the suspect multiple times.


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LA MESA SENIOR MISSING SINCE OCT. 29 WAS LAST SEEN ON FREEWAY; POLICE ASK ANYONE WHO GAVE HER A RIDE TO NOTIFY AUTHORITIES

Newly released photo shows Vivian Crowder on day she went missing

East County News Service

November 27, 2024 (La Mesa) – Vivian Crowder, 71, who has dementia, has been missing for four weeks. La Mesa Police have released a photo of Crowder when shew as last seen on Oct. 29 at 12:14 p.m. walking along the shoulder of state route 125 north, near the I-8 overpass. She was wearing a blue denim jacket, headwrap, floral shirt, black stretch pants and turquoise shoes.

California Highway Patrol received a report of a pedestrian on the freeway and checked the area at the time, but did not locate her.  Lieutenant Katy Lynch with La Mesa Police says, “We are hoping that a good Samaritan picked her up and drove her someplace, and if so, we hope they will contact us and let us know where they took her.”


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HOLIDAY ART WALK NOV. 30 IN EL CAJON, FOLLOWED BY AN ARTIST’S RECEPTION

 

East County News Service

November 27, 2024 (El Cajon) – East County Arts Association invites you to enjoy strolling down Main street in downtown El Cajon for a holiday art walk with 28 participating vendors offering everything from handmade jewelry to vibrant paintings, pottery and more.  The event takes place Saturday, November 30 from 2 p.m.to 8 p.m.  

Then at 5 p.m., the East County Art Gallery at 124 E. Main St. will have a reception featuring the creative abstract paintings of Ross Adcock and his private collection of Juan Quezada and the Potters of Northern Chihuahua. 


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CHRISTMAS AT THE GERMAN-AMERICAN SOCIETIES IN EL CAJON DEC. 7-8

By Miriam Raftery

November 27, 2024 (El Cajon) – The German-American Societies of San Diego and Dia Rasselbande Preschool invite you to a traditional Christmas Market. This festive event features shopping for handmade gifts, delicious German dishes, holiday beer and Glühwein, choral performances,  kids’ activities, and photos with Santa.

This festive event will be held at the German American Societies’ headquarters at 1017 S. Mollison Avenue in El Cajon on Saturday, December 7 from 2 to 7 p.m. and again on Sunday, December 8 from 2 to 6 p.m.


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