East County Roundup: local and statewide news
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 15, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) — East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s round-up stories include: LOCAL Supervisor Floating Big Changes to County Leadership (Voice of SD) Congressman Juan Vargas denied access to Otay Mesa Detention Center during oversight visit ((KGTV) San Diego City Council leaders propose suspending paid parking at Balboa Park for residents (10 News) An Urgent Proposal for Reforming How Safety Information Reaches the Public (San Diego Slackers) The plan to build a massive data center in Imperial County — without environmental review (KPBS) San Diego sues federal agencies over razor wire fencing on city land (Cal Matters) Five questions with David Lampley: Building Jacumba’s musical oasis in the desert (Times of San Diego) Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino returning to position in El Centro: Sources (ABC) San Diego expands free parking for city residents in Balboa Park (KPBS) Where to celebrate Lunar New Year 2026 in San Diego (KPBS) San Diego Skater To Bring Disney Magic Home In Disney On Ice Tour (Patch.com) STATE California ballot proposal would exempt seniors from paying property taxes (CBS 8) ICE Secretly Leases Space In Advance Of Minneapolis-Style CA Surge: Report (Patch) Judge blocks California’s ban on federal agents wearing masks but requires badges be clearly seen (AP) California bill aims to prevent teachers, police from getting jobs if they worked for ICE (Fox KTVU) Gray wolf roams into north LA County for the first time in more than a century (ABC 7) For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down. LOCAL Supervisor Floating Big Changes to County Leadership (Voice of SD) County Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer is considering potential county policy changes including an extension of board term limits and an elected top county administrator. Congressman Juan Vargas denied access to Otay Mesa Detention Center during oversight visit ((KGTV) Congressman Juan Vargas was turned away from the Otay Mesa Detention Center on Friday morning when he attempted to conduct an oversight visit after his office received reports of substandard conditions inside the facility. San Diego City Council leaders propose suspending paid parking at Balboa Park for residents (10 News) Museums report 20-25% visitor drops since paid parking launched earlier this month An Urgent Proposal for Reforming How Safety Information Reaches the Public (San Diego Slackers) Why automated, unattended public signals are essential during emergencies The plan to build a massive data center in Imperial County — without environmental review (KPBS) For more than a year, a mammoth $10 billion data center project has been quietly moving forward in the heart of California’s Imperial Valley. The nearly-one million-square foot computing warehouse is intended to power artificial intelligence development for one of the country’s biggest tech companies. By some estimates, it could rank among the largest data centers in the world. San Diego sues federal agencies over razor wire fencing on city land (Cal Matters) The city of San Diego is suing the federal government for building razor wire fencing on city land near the Mexican border, arguing that the fence damages sensitive habitat and trespasses on city property. Five questions with David Lampley: Building Jacumba’s musical oasis in the desert (Times of San Diego) About an hour and a half east of downtown San Diego, the town of Jacumba Hot Springs stands out …because of its natural hot springs, it’s always been a tourist attraction — and now it’s becoming a hub for live music as well. Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino returning to position in El Centro: Sources (ABC) It comes as Bovino and some Border Patrol agents are leaving Minneapolis. San Diego expands free parking for city residents in Balboa Park (KPBS) The city of San Diego is walking back some of its controversial plan to charge for parking in Balboa Park. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria announced Friday he is expanding free parking zones for city residents and changing the hours parking will be enforced. Where to celebrate Lunar New Year 2026 in San Diego (KPBS_ From lion dances to cultural fairs, discover the best community events in San Diego to welcome the Year of the Fire Horse. San Diego Skater To Bring Disney Magic Home In Disney On Ice Tour (Patch.com) Patch talked with Hannah Clark, a 25-year-old skater from La Mesa who is bringing Disney magic to San Diego. STATE California ballot proposal would exempt seniors from paying property taxes (CBS 8) California voters could be asked during the Nov. election whether homeowners 60 and older should be exempt from property taxes on their primary residences. ICE Secretly Leases Space In Advance Of Minneapolis-Style CA Surge: Report (Patch) A Trump administration official told WIRED that California is “next” for the sort of ICE activity that has been seen in Minneapolis. Judge blocks California’s ban on federal agents wearing masks but requires badges be clearly seen (AP) A federal judge on Monday blocked a California law from going into effect that would ban federal immigration agents from covering their faces, but they will still be required to wear clear identification showing their agency and badge number. California bill aims to prevent teachers, police from getting jobs if they worked for ICE (Fox KTVU) The bill would disqualify anyone who is currently working for ICE from ever serving as a law enforcement officer for any state or local police agency in California. It also would prohibit current ICE employees from future roles in education in the state, including as educators or administrators. The restriction would apply to all public school districts and charter schools, from kindergarten through the University of California and California State University systems….Other lawmakers representing California have introduced anti-ICE legislation as well. Gray wolf roams into north LA County for the first time in more than a century (ABC 7) For the first time in more than a century, a gray wolf has ventured into Los Angeles County. A 3-year-old female gray wolf arrived in the northwestern part of Los Angeles County near Pyramid Lake Saturday morning, according to the data from her GPS collar. Printer-friendly version
San Diego State, San Diego Humane Society team up to support furry friends
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Feb. 15, 2026 (San Diego) — While many people chomped on chocolates and bequeathed bouquets of red roses on Valentine’s Day, a different kind of love was shared at the San Diego Humane Society. On Saturday, more than two dozen student-athletes from San Diego State University channeled their competitive edge and energy into a morning of service for animals waiting for their “forever” valentines. The volunteer group comprised of athletes from the Aztecs’ soccer, cross country, basketball, swim & dive, and football programs provided critical operational support to a shelter system currently pushed to its limits. The impact of the athletes was felt across several San Diego Humane Society departments. The group hand-crafted 460 meatballs (a crucial canine enrichment tool and a favorite afternoon snack), tackled two massive bins of laundry (ensuring clean bedding for the more than 700 dogs currently in the shelter’s care) and helped streamline the transition for new families, prepareing 100 adoption packets. The timing of the visit is no coincidence. SDHS is currently navigating a severe overcrowding crisis. With nearly 1,200 pets in care and 600 ready for adoption, the facility urgently needs community awareness to help find homes for the 713 dogs currently waiting for a second chance. To help bridge that gap, the athletes also traded their focused game-face stares for smiles in a Valentine’s Day-themed photo shoot. These photos will be used to highlight adoptable pets, showcasing their personalities to potential families. Community partners The service day was organized through Aztecs Going Pro, SDSU Athletics’ student-athlete development program. Proving that college athletics is not solely concerned with physical performance, AGP focuses on civic engagement and connecting students with their local community a well as personal growth and building networks and experiences. Since 1880, SDHS has been part of the community overseeing safety needs, rescuing and adoptions, while serving as a vital safety net for pet families, offering medical care, community education, and programs designed to prevent animal cruelty and neglect. In addition to its San Diego headquarters, the San Diego Humane Society also has campuses in El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside and Ramona. The nonprofit organization relies heavily on the type of community support demonstrated by the SDSU students on Valentine’s Day. To find out more about SDHS’s work, visit sdhumane.org Printer-friendly version
A sign of things to come in the La Mesa Village
Printer-friendly versionLa Mesa’s Downtown District Sign is coming soon. Among those at the Feb. 3 groundbreaking ceremony were, from left to right: Greg Humora, La Mesa City Manager; Pam Rader, La Mesa Village Association Board of Directors; Lauren Cazares, La Mesa Vice Mayor; Laura Lothian, La Mesa City Councilmember; John Bedlion, LMVA Board of Directors/Owner Johnny B’s; Misty Thompson, La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation Executive Director; Tony Gaipa, La Mesa District Sign committee member. CeCe Canton Photography By Karen Pearlman Feb. 15, 2026 (La Mesa) — The intersection of La Mesa Boulevard and Palm Avenue has always been a bustling corner, and the spot is about to draw even more visitors because that’s the site of the coming Downtown La Mesa District Sign. There is no firm ETA for the sign’s actual rise, but at least earlier this month the foundation for the legacy was laid. City officials, local business owners, residents and fans of the “Jewel of the Hills” gathered the morning of Feb. 3 to dig up and toss the first shovels of dirt from where the landmark archway will rise. The project has been offiicially in the making since 2018 but discussed previously for several decades. It has been designed to serve as a permanent front door to the city’s historic heart. More than a municipal marker, the collaborative archway will feature two massive support columns adorned with a “Community Quilt” of 1,512 hand-painted 4-inch by 4-inch tiles. The tiles were created by local residents and business owners during painting parties held at the local CeramiCafe, ensuring that the structure of the sign is built from the creativity of the people who live in or frequent La Mesa. “It is impossible to single out one story because the project’s true power is not in a single tile; it is in the collective memory,” said Pam Rader, representative for the district sign committee. “When you look at the base of the sign, you are not seeing one person’s contribution; you are seeing a community that left a piece of themselves behind.” The road to the archway The journey toward making the sign a reality involved myriad design options, community input and engineering studies. It also needed about $400,000 to come to life, a goal it did reach. While some residents wondered why the sign has taken four years to move from concept to concrete, Rader, photo below right, noted that the scale of a community-funded project requires great care. “It is just that it takes more time for a construction project than most people think,” Rader explained, citing the jump from early drawings to geotechnical studies and formal permits. “There is a lot that goes into it from conceptual, community engagement, approvals, funding, engineering… and the RFQ.” The project is a partnership between the La Mesa Village Association and the La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation, which served as the fiscal sponsor. In 2021, the La Mesa City Council approved a partnership between the LMVA, which has the type of nonprofit status that prohibits it from accepting tax-deductible donations, and the 501c-3 nonprofit LMPRF, an entity able to collect donations. La Mesa’s Village vibe Incorporated in 1912, La Mesa has long been defined by its unique balance of small-town charm and urban vibrancy. Known for its rolling hills and a walkable downtown district filled with mid-century architecture mom & pop stores, the city has become a premier destination for dining and independent, community-centered shopping. According to Michelle Huey, vice president of the La Mesa Village Association, the sign will act as a beacon for that continued growth. “The La Mesa Downtown District Sign will highlight our vibrant community as a must-see destination for shopping, dining, and exploration, showcasing the unique charm of La Mesa,” Huey said. For Rader, the goal is for visitors to feel the city’s identity the moment they arrive. “The sign is not just a piece of infrastructure; it is a three-year labor of love from the community,” she said. “When a visitor rounds that corner and sees it for the first time, it should feel like the ‘front door’ to a place that actually has a soul.” Looking toward the reveal While a date for the official ribbon-cutting has yet to be announced, the anticipation is already building. As construction crews begin the installation of the archway, Rader said she knows the community is looking forward to the moment the scaffolding finally comes down. “The split second of silence when the cloth drops from the sign and tiles, followed by the immediate chatter of families scurrying to find ‘their’ tile, will be pure magic,” Rader said. “It is the ultimate ‘We did this’ moment.” For updates on the construction progress, visit the La Mesa Village Association website here. Printer-friendly version
Early desert wildflowers abloom in Borrego area
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery February 16, 2026 (Borrego Springs) – Heavy winter rains have brought an early start to wildflower blooming season in the Anza Borrego Desert. During a trip there on Super Bowl Sunday, I found flower fields abloom with purple verbena on Henderson Canyon Road, as well as some white evening primroses, purple lupine and various yellow blossoms all against a dramatic backdrop of rugged mountains. Desert dwellers say that more rains in recent days have resulted in even more flowers blooming over the past week, leading to hopes of a possible super bloom. If you go, here are some tips. Find current bloom info at the Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association’s website: https://abdnha.org/blooms/ , Their shop on Christmas Circle also has helpful info and a demonstration garden out back. Check the Anza Borrego Foundation’s wildflower page as well for updates and a wildflower map you can download: https://theabf.org/experience-anza-borrego/wildflowers/ Anza Borrego Desert State Park’s visitor center has info on wildflowers, wildlife, geology, hiking trails and more: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1016 In addition to the famed flower fields east of Borrego Springs, you may also spot other flowers at higher elevations in Anza Borrego Desert State Park, such as purple lupine, barrel cactus. Some species, such as ocotillo, typically bloom later, around March or April. Be aware that the road sign at Henderson Canyon Rd. and S22 was down. Don’t miss this turn—unless you want to visit Ocotillo Wells and the Salton Sea! Don’t go during a rainstorm, due to the very real danger of flash flooding. Wear sturdy shoes and watch where you step, since the desert has rattlesnakes and scorpions. Bring sun protection including sunscreen, a hat, a lightweight long-sleeve shirt. Always carry plenty of water when traveling in the desert. It’s about a two and a half hour drive from downtown San Diego to Borrego Springs and the state park, but it’s a trip well worth taking. Besides wildflowers, you can enjoy activities such as hiking, viewing whimsical metal statutes in Galleta Meadows, and stargazing in Borrego Springs, an internationally designed ark skies community. Consider staying over at one of the many resorts or campgrounds in the area. Learn more in our Lodging Guide at https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/our-guide-lodging-east-county. Printer-friendly version