SOLAR ECLIPSE VIEWING PARTY

ATMOSPHERIC RIVER TO DRENCH REGION OVER EASTER WEEKEND

GROSSMONT HIGH SCHOOL BOARD SLASHES STAFFING, OVER OBJECTIONS OF VOCAL CROWD

CONSUMER ALERT FOR SAFELY FILING YOUR TAXES

VIEW OUR INTERVIEW: LA MESA ACTIVISTS OBJECT TO CITY COUNCIL BANNING REMOTE PARTICIPATION

WINTER STORM WARNING

EASTER BRUNCH AND EGG HUNT MARCH 30 IN EL CAJON

BIA SAN DIEGO PARTNERS WITH WORKFORCECONNECT TO UTILIZE JOBS PLATFORM, WHILE ADDRESSING CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WORKFORCE SHORTAGE

RECENT FIRE DEATHS HEIGHTEN CALLS FOR FIRE PROTECTION BALLOT MEASURE IN SANTEE

COUNTRY MUSIC LEGEND TANYA TUCKER LIVE AT THE MAGNOLIA MAY 19

MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK COMMUNITY NIGHT SLATED FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 4

184 GUNS TURNED IN AT SHERIFF’S LEMON GROVE GUN SAFETY EVENT

News

SANTEE COUNCIL GIVES OK TO UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

By Mike Allen

November 15, 2023 (Santee) -- A small congregation of Ukrainian American Catholics will make Santee their new home, once the church they have long planned is built in about a year.

The parish, St. John the Baptizer, which now holds its services in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood, purchased a lot at Carlton Oaks Drive and Pike Street in 2018.

On Nov. 8 the Santee City Council unanimously approved an application for a conditional use permit for the gold-domed church and connecting meeting hall to the applicants, technically a part of the Ukrainian Church of Chicago.


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PADRES OWNER AND COMMUNITY PHILANTHROPIST PETER SEIDLER DIES

By Miriam Raftery

November 14, 2023 (San Diego) – San Diego Padres chairman and owner Pete Seidler, beloved by fans for investing in star players and bringing the team to the National League Championship playoffs last year, died today at age 63.

Asked by a reporter last year about the Padres’ 2023 payroll, Seidler replied with a smile, ”I kind of like spending money. You can’t take it with you." 

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the family’s plan is for the Padres to remain in Seidler’s family for generations.

Padres CEO Erik Greupner stated in a press release that the Padres are mourning the loss of their “beloved” chairman, whom he recalled as a “kind and generous man” devoted to his family as well as for having a “heartfelt compassion for others, especially those less fortunate.  His impact on the city of San Diego and the baseball world will be felt for generations. His generous spirit is now firmly embedded in the fabric of the Padres.”


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SEVERE CANINE RESPIRATORY DISEASE AT SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY: ADOPTERS OR FOSTERS NEEDED FOR 100 DOGS

Dog owner surrender services on hold through Dec. 1 due to highly contagious disease

Source: San Diego Humane Society
 
November 13, 2023 (San Diego) -- San Diego Humane Society (SDHS) is temporarily pausing owner surrenders of dogs, except in emergencies that threaten the health of the pet, due to occurrences of a respiratory disease called Streptococcus Equi subspecies Zooepidemicus (also known as Strep zoo) and a bacterial infection called Mycoplasma. The two in combination have led to more severe disease than what the shelter might see with just one of these pathogens.

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BORDER PATROL ARRESTS SEX OFFENDER, A FORMER POLICE OFFICER, FOR SMUGGLING PEOPLE IN CAMPO



By Miriam Raftery

November 12, 2023 (Campo, CA) – A former Los Angeles Police Department officer convicted of rape was arrested by Border Patrol agents on November 6 in Campo for human smuggling. The convicted felon was also in possession of a ghost gun.

A local resident reported seeing human smuggling near the border involving an older model SUV. A agent responded and found a vehicle matching the description. The driver told the agent that he was an LAPD lieutenant and presented what appeared to be an LAPD badge, according to a press release from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Department’s San Diego sector.

The agent saw four people in the back seat of the SUV and conducted an immigration inspection. The individuals, three women and a man, told the agent that they had recently crossed the U.S./ Mexico border illegally. The agent placed the driver and passengers under arrest and transported them to a nearby Border Patrol station.


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RAIN FORECAST MIDWEEK, AS GUSTY WINDS CONTINUE

East County News  Service

November 12, 2023 (San Diego’s East County)—Santa Ana Winds and dry conditions early this week will keep fire risk elevated. But rain is forecast later this week, along with strong winds.

Rainfall could begin as early as Wednesday, with heaviest rains Thursday and Saturday across San Diego County. There is potential for moderate to heavy rainfall in coastal and valley areas, that could cause urban roadway flooding and runoff. Minor flooding is also possible in desert areas.


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COUNTY MAKES HOME COOKING PROGRAM PERMANENT, EXPANDS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

By County News Center, County of San Diego Communications Office

November 9, 2023 (San Diego) - The Board of Supervisors voted to continue a temporary program set to expire in 2024 that supports home cooking as a small business. It also expanded the earning potential for its participants.   


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STEPPE WINNING SUPERVISOR SPECIAL ELECTION BY WIDE MARGIN

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of 10 News, an ECM news partner

November 8, 2023 (San Diego) – Monica Montgomery Steppe is poised to fill the vacancy in district 4 left by the resignation of Nathan Fletcher on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. Steppe has 61% of the vote,  while her opponent, Amy Reichert, a private investigator who led efforts to block COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates, has 39%. Steppe, an attorney and San Diego city councilmember, stands to become the first black woman to serve as a San Diego supervisor.

Although the race is officially nonpartisan, her victory will also restore a 3-2 Democratic majority on the board of Supervisors, which has been split since Fletcher resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment and assault by an MTS employee. Fletcher has denied guilt but faces a civil lawsuit.

On social media, Steppe posted, “As your Supervisor, I look forward to teaming up with you to tackle homelessness, promote holistic public safety, and invest in the county.”


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IS EAST SAN DIEGO COUNTY’S ILLEGAL MIGRANT SURGE SUBSIDING?

 

 By Rebecca Person 

A bleak landscape is what  migrants face. Photo: R. Person 

 

November 6, 2023 (Jacumba Hot Springs) -- The abandoned youth center building in Jacumba Hot Springs, which has been pressed into service as a staging area for emergency supplies going to undocumented border crossers, is crowded with bags and bags of donated clothing, sorted and marked, ready for coming waves of new migrants into the area. While a lower number of migrants seems to be arriving, there is no reason to believe it won’t increase.


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AS DEATH TOLL MOUNTS IN ISRAEL-HAMAS CONFLICT, SAN DIEGO’S CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES SPEAK OUT

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 5, 2023 (San Diego) – After the House of Representatives finally elected a new Speaker, Mike Johnson, the first action was a bipartisan resolution in support of  Israel’s war against Hamas, also condemning Iran for aiding Hamas and other terror groups.  The resolution passed 412-10, with all five of San Diego’s Congressional representatives voting in favor.

But the local members differ sharply on other aspects of the Israel-Hamas conflict, including whether aid to Israel should be linked to humanitarian aid for Gaza and support for Ukraine.


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COUNTY SUPERVISORS ASK PRESIDENT BIDEN TO ORDER FLAGS FLOWN AT HALF-STAFF FOR AMERICAN LIVES LOST IN HAMAS ATTACK ON ISRAEL

East County News Service



November 4, 2023 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Board of Supervisors, by a unanimous 4-0 vote, has approved a resolution asking President Biden to order U.S. flags flown at half-staff in remembrance of American lives lost at the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war. The resolution, introduced by Supervisor Joel Anderson at the Oct. 24 board meeting, has resulted in the County sending a letter to the White House requesting the half-staff order.  


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DID YOU ‘FALL BACK’ TO STANDARD TIME SUNDAY FOR AN EXTRA HOUR OF SLEEP?

 

by Chris Jennewein

Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association.

 

The historic Rotary International clock in Liberty Station. Photo by Chris Jennewein

November 5, 2023-- Daylight Saving Time for 2023 ended at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 4, in California, with clocks resetting to 1 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.


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SANTEE GETTING DUAL CAR DEALERSHIP

By Mike Allen

Image,left: Rendering of planned auto dealership project

November 4, 2023 (Santee) -- A long-vacant, rock strewn lot on Mission Gorge Road just west of Magnolia Avenue is slated to become the Santee Auto Center, following approval of the project by the City Council last week.

The 13.1 acre site at 10335 Mission Gorge Road once housed Santee Elementary School, which opened in 1891 and closed in 2003 due to declining enrollment. Santee-based Cameron Brothers Construction Co. plans to convert the site into two dealerships, one of which is Chevrolet.

The center includes two warehouse buildings of more than 33,000 square feet, an auto body shop, and car wash. It will have six entrances and 688 parking spaces, mostly for inventory and customer service.


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HELP NEEDED TO IDENTIFY WOMAN HIT BY VEHICLE AND KILLED SEPT. 22 IN EL CAJON NEAR TROLLEY STOP ON CUYAMACA

By Chuck Westerheide, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  forensic sketch artist P.J. Puterbaugh created this image of the unidentified accident victim

November 3, 2023 (El Cajon) - San Diego County Medical Examiner’s investigators are asking for the public’s help to identify a woman fatally hit by a car while crossing Cuyamaca Street north of Weld Boulevard in El Cajon late in the evening of September 22.


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FRAUD CHARGES FOR CHULA VISTA COUNCIL MEMBER AND HER BROTHER, AN EX AIDE TO STEPHAN WHITBURN

 

by Brooke Binkowski

 Times of San Diego

Andrea and Jesus Cardenas. Photos from Facebook and LinkedIn pages

November 3, 2023 (Chula Vista)-- Two well-known Democratic political players and siblings in South Bay — a Chula Vista City Council member and a former San Diego City Council member’s chief of staff — are facing fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering charges, the San Diego District Attorney’s office announced yesterday.


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SHERIFF SEARCHING FOR MISSING RAMONA WOMAN, 66

East County News Service

November 2, 2023 (Ramona) -- The San Diego Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) Unit has been activated to help locate a missing person in Ramona. Shortly after 2:30 p.m. today, the Sheriff's Communications Center received a call from the family of 66-year-old Zita Swanson. They told a Sheriff's Dispatcher that Swanson had walked away from her home in the 700 block of G Street in Ramona. She has not returned home.

Swanson does not have any known access to vehicles. She is not believed to be carrying a cell phone or purse. She has a history of walking away from home.

 Swanson is a Hispanic woman standing about 5'5" tall and weighing around 174 pounds with gray hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a Navy blue sweater and blue pants.


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NIGHT AERIAL DROPS HOLD HIGHLAND FIRE TO 2,457 ACRES WITH 15% CONTAINMENT

Update November 4, 2023:  The fire is now 70% and has held at 2,487 acres.

Update November 3, 2023: The Highland Fire is now 40% contained and has burned 2,487 acres.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo via Cal Fire

November 1, 2023 (Aguanga) – What a difference night-time aerial drops can make. Two decades ago, the deadly Cedar Fire started at 5:37 p.m. and a decision was made not to put pilots at risk with night drops. That fire grew to 273,000 acres and destroyed 2,200 homes.

By contrast, last night, Cal Fire incident personnel made the decision to fight the fast-moving #HighlandFire in Aguanga by air throughout the night – preventing what could have become another regional inferno.

“The crew from Copter 301 in Cal Fire’s Riverside Unit dropped 4,200 gallons of water in an effort to slow the wind-driven fire,” Cal Fire posted on X.  At dawn this morning, “due to a combination of C301’s efforts and improved weather conditions, the fire had slowed significantly, allowing ground resources to make significant progress in stopping the fire.”


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BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES SANCTIONS ON HAMAS FUNDING SOURCES; ISSA INTRODUCES BILL TO FURTHER RESTRICT IRANIAN FUNDS

By Miriam Raftery

Image: Iranian flag 

November 1, 2023 (San Diego) – The Biden administration this week has imposed new sanctions  aimed at cutting off funding for Hamas, amid growing evidence that Iran provided weapons and training to Hamas prior to the terror group’s deadly attack on Israel. 

The New York Times reports that the new U.S. sanctions target:

  • Companies and investors that Hamas uses to hide its control of assets
  • Members of Iran’s military that train Hamas
  • Members of Hezbollah and Palestinian Jihad, which have also attacked Israel
  • A Jordanian national, Khaled Qaddoumi, who lives in Iran and acts as a liaison between Iran and Hamas.

The U.S.and Qatar have also agreed to block Iran’s access to $6 billion that was part of a deal to release five Americans imprisoned in Iran. None of that money has been spent, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has confirmed.


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THOUSANDS EVACUATED, STRUCTURES BURNED IN AGUANGA FIRE: HIGHWAY 79 CLOSED AT COUNTY LINE

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Josh Stotler

October 31, 2023 (Aguanga) – Evacuation orders have been issued for an estimated 4,000 residents of 1,300 homes due to the Highland Fire in Aguanga, within a few miles of the San Diego County line in Riverside County.  At least three structures have been destroyed and six others damaged, according to Riverside Fire Department spokesperson Jeff La Russo.

ECM reporter Josh Stotler, at the scene this afternoon, says the wind-whipped fire is being battled by fixed wing aircraft, helicopters and ground crew forces that have doubled in recent hours.  Hundreds of firefighters are now battling the fire, which swelled to 2,200 acres overnight fueled by Santa Ana winds. Cal Fire has not updated the acreage since this morning.

“The winds are pushing it west,” he says, adding that there are no evacuations in San Diego County currently.  But he indicates the winds make this fire unpredictiable, and notes, ”Still no containment number yet, if any.”

A SIG alert is in effect for Highway 79, which is fully closed between the San Diego/Riverside County lines and Sage Road.  Highway 371is also closed  at 79 due to the wildfire, the CHP incident page reports.


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FDA WARNS CONSUMERS NOT TO BUY OR USE EYE DROPS FROM SEVERAL MAJOR BRANDS DUE TO RISK OF EYE INFECTION, POTENTIAL BLINDNESS

Source: U.S. .Food and Drug Administration

Photo:  Public domain image via Bing

October 31,2023 (Washington D.C.)  --The U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA) is warning consumers not to purchase and to immediately stop using 26 over-the-counter eye drop products sold at major retailers and online, due to the potential risk of eye infections that could result in partial vision loss or blindness. Patients who have signs or symptoms of an eye infection after using these products should talk to their health care provider or seek medical care immediately. These products are marketed under the following brands:

  • CVS Health
  • Leader (Cardinal Health)
  • Rugby (Cardinal Health)
  • Rite Aid
  • Target Up & Up
  • Velocity Pharma

See full list of product names at the bottom of this article.


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DE ANZA COUNTRY CLUB DESTROYED BY FIRE

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left, via Cal Fire

October 31, 2023 (Borrego Springs) – Yesterday morning’s fire destroyed the historic clubhouse at de Anza Country Club in Borrego Springs.  The club posted on Facebook, “Sad news to report. Our beautiful clubhouse at de Anza has burned…Bighorn Room,  Coyote Den, Ballroom, offices, locker rooms were all ruined.  Golf Shop is okay. We are all devastated; members, employees and friends of de Anza.”


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HIGHLAND FIRE IN AGUANGA SWELLS TO 2,200 ACRES OVERNIGHT

By Miriam Raftery, East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

October 31, 2023 (Aguanga) -- The #HighlandFire  in Aguanga has swelled to over 2,200 acres overnight and is 0% contained in Riverside County just over the San Diego County line. Aguanga is just north of Warner Springs; smoke is impacting areas west of Aguanga including Escondido and Palomar.  Highway 79 is closed in both directions.

Road closures are in effect and evacuation orders have been issued north of the San Diego County line, south of State Route 79, east of Forest Route 8S07 and west of Crosley Truck Trail.  (See evacuation details at https://www.rvcfire.org/incidents/fact-sheets/HighliandFire-Oct2023.)

A reception and care center has opened at: Great Oak High School 32555 Deer Hollow Way, Temecula, Ca 92592. Large and small animals can be taken to: San Jacinto Animal Shelter 581 South Grand Avenue, San Jacinto, Ca 92582

Video posted by FirePhotoGirl on social media shows structures in flames. Cal Fire reports structures remain threatened threatened. 


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FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE COMMERCIAL FIRE AT DE ANZA SPRINGS COUNTRY CLUB

Correction:  An earlier version of this story stated that the fire was at DeAnza Springs Resort in Jacumba; in fact it is at De Anza Springs Country Club in Borrego Springs.

By Miriam Raftery

October 30, 2023 (Borrego Springs) – Sixty firefighters are at the scene of an early morning commercial structure fire at De Anza Springs Country Club in Borrego Springs. When Cal Fire arrived, 75% of the structure was engulfed in flames.

Firefighters are making good progress and have kept the fire from spreading to other buildings or vegetation.


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PEDESTRIAN KILLED BY VEHICLE ON I-8 IN LA MESA

East County News Service

October 29, 2023 (La Mesa) – A 38-year-old San Diego man was struck by a vehicle on Interstate 8 east., east of Baltimore Drive n La  Mesa on October 24. The victim  was walking in the #4 lane at 8:38 a.m. when he was hit by a white 2004 Chevrolet pickup truck.


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SANTA ANA WINDS, DRY WEATHER BRING FIRE DANGER THIS WEEK

By Miriam Raftery

October 29, 2023 (San Diego) – Santa Ana winds, along with low humidity and above average daytime temperatures, will bring heightened fire risks this week to our region.

The highest risks will be on Monday and Tuesday, when wind gusts of 40-60 miles per hour are forecast in San Diego’s inland valleys areas such as Alpine and Ramona, as well as mountain areas such as Julian and Mt. Laguna.


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BUY HOLIDAY WREATHS TO HONOR LOCAL VETERANS

 

By Shiloh Ireland

October 29, 2023 (Lakeside) -- Wreaths Across America is offering an opportunity for  San Diego County residents, businesses, schools, fraternal organizations to celebrate the holidays and honor local veterans.There are over 120,000 souls interred at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery and over 16,000 at Miramar National Cemetery. Join me in sharing this link and viewing QR code and contributing.

How does this work? You may purchase one or two wreaths for either Rosecrans or Miramar (either for someone you name, or a gravesite they will choose).  You can add information about the veteran.  If you buy two wreaths, a third wreath will be placed at a deserving veteran’s grave chosen by the cemetery.

The wreaths are genuine wreaths that arrive fresh from Maine. The deadline is November 26th. to place your order. Please consider this special gift and memory honoring our Veterans.


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TWO DEAD IN SUSPECTED GANG SHOOTING AFTER PARTY IN EL CAJON

East County News Service

October 29, 2023 (El Cajon) – Two teens have died after being shot by an assailant outside a house party in El Cajon last night.

Shortly before midnight,  El Cajon Police officers responded to a series of 9-1-1 calls reporting a loud house party and multiple gunshots in the 700 block of Mahogany Drive.

“Upon arrival, officers saw numerous people fleeing from the area.  Tragically, two victims, a 16-year-old male, and an 18-year-old male were found critically wounded, one in the street and the other in the front yard of a residence,” says Lieutenant Will Guerin.  “Despite swift medical attention, both victims succumbed to their injuries after being transported to local trauma hospitals.”


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COULD MIDEAST MILITANTS CROSS BORDER IN OUR REGION?

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Supervisor Jim Desmond at press conference calling for border closure

October 28,2023 (San Diego) – The Israel-Hamas war has inflamed anti-U.S. sentiments around the world, sparking protests outside U.S. embassies in several nations,. NBC news reports. That’s led some local conservative politicians including Supervisor Jim Desmond and Supervisorial candidate Amy Reichert to call for closure of the border to new immigrants, citing fears that militants allied with terrorist groups supporting Hamas could potentially cross the border into the U.S. with an aim to harm Americans.

How credible are those concerns?


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HOUSING, HEALTHCARE AND HIGHWAY UPGRADES ADDRESSED BY SUPERVISORIAL CANDIDATES IN FORUM

 

By Cecilie Shamanow 

WATCH FULL VIDEO HERE https://youtu.be/6cpLhfRzn1E?si=sHaKaOP2VCIITChb

 

October 28, 2023 (El Cajon) --- In a forum held Oct. 18 at Cuyamaca College, District 4 supervisorial candidates Monica Montgomery Steppe, a Democrat, and Republican Amy Reichert answered questions from the public ranging on health care, homelessness, housing, highway improvements, and diversity.


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COUNTY ARCHIVE READING ROOM IN SANTEE DEDICATED TO LEGACY OF ERNEST J. DRONENBURG, JR.

By Shiloh Ireland

Photo, left:  Former San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/Clerk Ernest J. Dronenberg cuts ribbon to dedicate the Archive Reading Room in Santee

October 25, 2023 (Santee) – A ceremony was held today at the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder’s office in Santee, where Assessor/Recorder/Clerk Jordan Marks dedicated the Archive Reading Room to his predecessor, Ernest J. Dronenberg, Jr.  The event also celebrated Dronenburg’s legacy of public service.

The facility was full of guests, local county politicians and officials including Mayor Bill Wells of El Cajon, Santee City Councilmembers Ronn Hall and Vice Mayor Laura Koval,  Andrew Hayes, staffer for  Senator Brian Jones as well as an Assembly candidate and Lakeside Union School Board President,  Padre Dam Director Bill Pommering, Jordan Gascon, Chairman of the San Diego Republican Party, and others.

Bow ties were requested to be worn, since that was Dronenburg’s  signature look during his tenure.  Dronenburg was accompanied by his wife. His colleagues described him as a “numbers guy” and praised his service.


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PASSAGES: THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF SANDRA BURR, CO-FOUNDER OF EDCO AND COMMUNITY PHILANTHROPIST

By Jessyka Heredia

Photo, left:  The late Ed and Sandy Burr

October 27, 2023 (La Mesa)— San Diego’s East County has lost one of its most beloved philanthropists and local business owners, Sandy Burr. Burr passed away at Sharp Grossmont Hospital on October 11, 2023, at 84. Sandra Burr and her late husband, Edward “Ed” Gene Burr, founded EDCO, creating a legacy of giving back and engaging with East County that shaped the way EDCO is viewed today as a company for the customers they serve.


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