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City of San Diego secures $4 million in federal funds for stormwater infrastructure project along Chollas Creek
Photo by Genevieve Jones-Wright: flooding in Encanto in January 2024
To comply with new state laws, GUHSD board passes protections for immigrant students by 3-2 margin
File photo, left: Trustee Jim Kelly called the measure “anarchy” and voted against it, along with Trustee Gary Woods
News Issues
New Woodspring Suites now Santee’s largest hotel
One guest stayed for two weeks because their house flooded, and another stayed three weeks because their house caught fire
Santee bank robbery suspect arrested
January 16, 2026 (Santee) – Bruce Clark Furze, 31, was arrested last night while trying to cross the international border
Politics
Tony Winney to be interim City Manager in Lemon Grove
Jan. 17, 2026 (Lemon Grove) -- The Lemon Grove City Council will formally appoint former Coronado Assistant City Manager Tony Winney as interim City Manager, with a start date of Jan. 26.
County looking for people to help with Point-in-Time count
Jan. 17, 2026 (San Diego County) -- San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson is looking for residents to help in the county's annual Point-in-Time Count
Wildfires and Emergencies
Strengthening San Diego County fire preparedness while protecting taxpayer dollars
January 16, 2026 (San Diego) – San Diego County is facing increased budget challenges when it comes to providing fire
Passages: Sam DiGiovanna, fire chief and author of “From the Fire Chief’s Corner” column
January 5, 2026 (San Diego) — Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna, an expert on fire safety and author of East County Magazine’s “From the Chief’s Corner” column
Events & Arts
Wildlife Research Institute announces 2026 "HawkWatch" series at Ramona Grasslands
Jan. 21, 2026 (Ramona) — The Wildlife Research Institute (WRI) began its annual "HawkWatch" program on Jan. 3 and has had two more events since then
San Diego Automotive Museum to hold "Garage Night" fundraiser
Evening event at new IGNITE Academy campus (see photo, left, showing students from the academy) will support automotive career training for local youth
Visit East County
Our guide to Animal Sanctuaries and Wildlife Centers in San Diego’s inland region
From world-renowned conservation hubs to intimate, family-friendly rescues, San Diego's East County and inland region is a vibrant
Our guide to lodging in East County
odging opportunities in San Diego’s inland region have dramatically expanded in recent years. Several Native American tribes
People
Mas-Issge Deuseyo! New JJang Korean Barbecue in La Mesa provides yummy Korean dishes and culturally artful moments
December 21, 2025 (La Mesa) - JJang BBQ, a new all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue restaurant in La Mesa, delivers a traditional
Advancing Healthy Communities: Building resilience in the backcountry
December 17, 2025 (Campo) -- In the Mountain Empire, where long bus rides, rugged terrain, and rising temperatures shape daily life, a new effort is underway to protect community health and strengthen resilience against extreme heat.
Communities
https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/taxonomy/term/73
January 21, 2026 (El Cajon) — The Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) Board of Trustees on January 19 voted 3-2
Man, 21, fatally struck while walking on freeway in El Cajon
January 20, 2026 (El Cajon) – A 21-year-old man from Kaibeto, Arizona walked onto Interstate 8 west from Mollison Avenue, a
Features
New leash on life for seven dogs rescued from dire conditions in La Mesa
There was a sendoff to a foster home for this lucky dog and several others rescued at the end of last year from an apartment in La Mesa. Photo courtesy San Diego Humane Society
La Mesa Chamber's Casino Royale coming to El Cajon in February
The night of gaming, with presenting sponsor Kirk Paving, Inc., is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Courtyard by Marriott in El Cajon.
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Trump administration allows PFAS “forever chemicals” in pesticides used on food and eliminates asbestos testing in cosmetics
By Alexander J Schorr Image: Harmful health effects of PFAS, via European Enviornmental Agency November 30, 2025— The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently approved new pesticide products containing “forever chemicals” (PFAS) for use on major food crops, sparking significant controversy. The approvals, announced this month, have been met with criticism from scientists and environmental advocates due the potential
Hearing and new website showcase County housing efforts
By Donna Durckel, County of San Diego Communications Office Image credit: Shutterstock November 28, 2025 (San Diego) – The Board of Supervisors held a housing workshop that focused on unincorporated land use policy and the need for regional housing solutions in support of the County’s commitment to address the region’s housing crisis. The informational workshop set the stage ahead of
Border Patrol apprehends escaped felon in Descanso
East County News Service September 27, 2025 (Julian)— U.S. Border Patrol agents from the San Diego sector have apprehended a felon who escaped from a Cal Fire work camp in Julian early on Nov. 24. The escapee, Joseph Lee Randall, was serving time for crimes including corporal injury, petty theft, vehicle theft, and grand theft. Using the Border Patrol’s specialized
Sharp HealthCare nurses begin strike
Photo of striking nurses by Lauren Cazares Facebook page East County News Service Nov. 26, 2025 (San Diego County) — Thousands of nurses at Sharp HealthCare in San Diego began a strike today that is expected to last through Thanksgiving weekend. The strike is likely to impact hospital operations during one of the busiest times of the year. The hospital
Grossmont District’s high schools experience first semester without teacher librarians
“They meant to hurt us, but they’re hurting our kids.” –Jason Balisteri, Mount Miguel history teacher and former teacher-librarian By Armando Rasing II Photos, left: protest signs at GUHSD board meeting when the majority voted to fire all teacher-librarians. November 25, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The 2025-26 school year marks the first school year that the Grossmont Union
San Diego plans 322% housing boom for College Area amid SDSU’s continued growth
By Calista Stocker, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: an aerial view of the College Area. Photo courtesy of the city. November 25, 2025 (San Diego) – San Diego is set to update the College Area’s blueprint for future development, and San Diego State University’s enrollment forecasts are driving city planners’ push to
New City Sinfonia and Downbeat Big Band swing into the holidays with Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker
East County News Service Nov. 25, 2025 (El Cajon) — The sounds of the holiday season will get a swinging upgrade next month, as the New City Sinfonia and the Downbeat Big Band team up for a special performance featuring Duke Ellington’s jazz interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s classic, The Nutcracker Suite. Organizers of the Dec. 10 event at Grossmont
Escaped inmate sought after leaving Cal Fire work camp in Julian
East County News Service November 24, 2025 (Julian) — California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are searching for an incarcerated man who walked away today from La Cima Conservation Camp run by Cal Fire in Julian. Joseph Lee Randall, 28, was last seen wearing an orange T-shirt, gray sweatpants and could be in white tennis shoes or black
Recall Eckert effort falls short: Where GUHSD moves from here
By Alexander J. Schorr November 24, 2025 (El Cajon) — The recall effort against trustee Scott Eckert on the Grossmont Union High School District Governing Board failed to meet the required amount of 9,600 signatures on Monday November 17, 2025. The grassroots effort needed signatures from 15% of registered voters in La Mesa to spur a recall action: volunteers who
La Mesa Chamber bringing cheer to homebound seniors
East County News Servie Nov. 23, 2025 (La Mesa) – The spirit of giving is starting already in East County with the launch of the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce’s Homebound Seniors Holiday Project 2025. The community initiative aims to bring comfort and joy to some of the region’s most isolated residents, providing festive gift baskets filled with essential
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