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Federal judge: Continued Border Patrol sweeps in California violated court order
Printer-friendly version By Wendy Fry and Sergio Olmos, CalMatters. This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: a line of
New Crisis Stabilization Unit opening in El Cajon
Printer-friendly versionApril 18, 2026 (El Cajon) — The County of San Diego will open its newest Crisis Stabilization Unit —
News Issues
‘Bill Walton Way’ coming to a street near you in La Mesa
Printer-friendly version The Boys & Girls Club of East County La Mesa Clubhouse honored local basketball star Bill Walton by naming
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
Politics
La Mesa City Council votes 5-0 approving e-bike safety pilot program
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman April 16, 2026 (La Mesa) — La Mesa is the latest city in San Diego County seeking
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
Wildfires and Emergencies
Cal State University San Marcos and nearby homes evacuated due to brush fire
East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts April 5, 2026 (San Marcos) – The #MoreeFire in San Marcos has led to evacuations, including the California State…
Help shape fire priorities in San Diego County
East County News Service April 4, 2026 (San Diego County) — With “fire season” now a year-round threat, public input is growing in importance as…
Events & Arts
Jamul Casino Resort gets two film awards
Printer-friendly versionWater Sweet – The Story of Jamul” Earns Top Honors at AAF Reno ADDY Awards East County News Service
Lionel’s Legacy hosting sleepover party and more in Lakeside April 18-19
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 14, 2026 (Lakeside) — East County-based senior dog rescue group Lionel’s Legacy is holding a
Visit East County
DESTINATIONS: Borrego and beyond — a beautiful backcountry day
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman, with photos by Karen Pearlman and Miriam Raftery Feb. 22, 2026 (San Diego County) — With
We need your help! We have more news tips for East County issues than our budget can cover
Printer-friendly versionLast year tapped our resources at East County Magazine more than any on record, with so many major news
People
Donate to help pets in need at Alpine Pet Food and Supply Drive April 4
East County News Service March 14, 2026 (Alpine) – Dog and cat food, treats, grooming supplies, new pet toys, feeding
Descanso resident named American Honey Queen
By Miriam Raftery February 18, 2026 (Descanso) — You could call it sweet success. The American Beekeeping Federation has chosen
Communities
New Crisis Stabilization Unit opening in El Cajon
Printer-friendly versionApril 18, 2026 (El Cajon) — The County of San Diego will open its newest Crisis Stabilization Unit —
La Mesa City Council votes 5-0 approving e-bike safety pilot program
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman April 16, 2026 (La Mesa) — La Mesa is the latest city in San Diego County seeking
Features
Federal judge: Continued Border Patrol sweeps in California violated court order
Printer-friendly version By Wendy Fry and Sergio Olmos, CalMatters. This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: a line of
How the fruit fly quarantine has impacted food donations — and how you can help
Printer-friendly version By Philicia Tonangoye Image: Tangerines, via Bing (cc) April 18, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – The Mexican
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NEW PALLATIVE MEDICINE HOTLINE IN SAN DIEGO
Printer-friendly version The Institute for Palliative Medicine in San Diego will operate California’s first statewide consultative service for palliative care resources July 8, 2009 (San Diego) – Communities in California lacking palliative medicine resources will now receive top quality palliative care consultative and educational support through a new hotline housed and operated by The Institute for Palliative Medicine. The pilot
HEALTH REFORM: THE DEVIL IS STILL IN THE DETAILS; AN AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION FORUM JULY 17 IN SAN DIEGO
Printer-friendly version July 8, 2009 (San Diego) — Health Reform will impact all of us. Proposals are emerging from Congress, the White House, organizations and groups across the country. By July, several strong proposals will be taking shape and major issues clearly on the table. Successful health reform should address not only how coverage and access to care will be
GUHSD BOARD TO VOTE ON REVOCATION OF HELIX HIGH CHARTER AT MEETING THURS. JULY 9
Printer-friendly version July 8, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Grossmont Union High School District’s Board of Trustees will vote Thursday on a notification to revoke Helix High School’s charter. The Helix High School Foundation and Alumni Association is planning a rally and urging supporters of Helix to attend the meeting at the East County Regional Educational Center, 924 East
MOTORCYCLE IGNITES FIRE IN OTAY MESA
Printer-friendly version July 8, 2009 (Otay)—A motorcycle accident has sparked a vegetation fire on Otay Lakes Road that is currently eight acres, CAL-FIRE informed East County Magazine at 5:43 p.m. “Firefighters do not anticipate the fire getting any larger,” CAL-FIRE Captain Nick Schuler said, adding that no additional resources will be required to extinguish the blaze. The motorcyclist was
SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE WITHOUT ARCHITECTS: JULY 13 PROGRAM SHINES LIGHT ON ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOME DESIGN TECHNIQUES FROM IRAN
Printer-friendly version July 8, 2009 (San Diego)–Architect Simi Razavian will demonstrate how people of Tabbas, Iran used micro-climate and local materials to create energy-efficient homes. She will illustrate how they used sun, wind, and water, along with thermal mass to create not only zero energy consumption buildings but also private and comfortable homes. Razavian has a Master of Science
ASSEMBLYMEMBER BLOCK TO HOST 2 PUBLIC EVENTS THIS WEEK: OPEN HOUSE & FREE CLINIC FOR DISTRESSED HOMEOWNERS
Printer-friendly version July 5, 2009 (Lemon Grove)– Assemblymember Marty Block (D-78) will host an open house at his DistOffice in Lemon Grove on Friday, plus a free clinic in Bonita on Saturday for homeowners facing foreclosure. "We had a very successful open house in December," commented the Assemblymember, "and would like to repeat that while introducing residents to our
TACKLE THIS: NFL PLAYER & FORMER ALL-AMERICAN QUARTERBACK HOLDS FOOTBALL PASSING CAMP AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE
Printer-friendly version July 6, 2009 (El Cajon)–The Grossmont College Athletics Dept. and assistant Grossmont football coach Akili Smith, a former Grossmont College All-American quarterback and National Football League player, will host a football passing camp and tournament for high school football athletes starting at 9 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, July 10 and 11, at the college’s football field.
GROSSMONT COLLEGE ANNOUNCES NEW SCHOLARSHIPS & MATCHING FUNDS UP TO $25 MILLION TO HELP EAST COUNTY STUDENTS AFFORD AN EDUCATION
Printer-friendly versionJuly 5, 2009 (El Cajon)–The Grossmont College Foundation has announced that $83,500 has been raised so far –mostly from five local entities — for six perpetual, $1,000-a-year scholarships for Grossmont College students as part of a partnership with the San Francisco-based Bernard Osher Foundation. Additional scholarship monies raised over the next two years by the Grossmont College Foundation
“MAGNIFICENT MILKY WAY” WITH ASTRONOMER DENNIS MAMMANA AT BORREGO SPRINGS AUG. 15
Printer-friendly version July 5, 2009 (Borrego Springs)–Few celestial sights are as stunning as an August desert sky. On Saturday, August 15, famed astronomer and night sky photographer Dennis Mammana offers an evening of galactic viewing along the Milky Way. Mammana invites guests to "witness some of the most magnificent scenery anywhere" from “the nearest of stars and glowing
DOIUBLE TRAGEDY IN DELUZ: MAN AND 3-YEAR OLD CHILD DROWN
Printer-friendly version July 4, 2009 (Deluz) – A three-year-old child airlifted by helicopter last night to Palomar Hospital has died, CAL-FIRE reports today. The child, a drowning victim, was driven to CAL-FIRE’s Deluz station last night, after relatives found the youngster at Tenaja Reservoir in Deluz, not breathing. Firefighters performed CPR, but were unable to save the youngster. Engine companies and
EARTHQUAKE EXPERT WARNS ELSINORE FAULT IN EAST COUNTY IS CAPABLE OF MUCH STRONGER QUAKE
Printer-friendly versionBy G. A. McNeeley Map via Miracosta College April 16, 2025 (Julian) — While the 5.2 earthquake centered in Julian Monday was minor, the Elsinore Fault that produced it is capable of an 7.5 magnitude earthquake. Another thing to consider is that each point on the Richter scale is exponential, which means it’s 10 times stronger than
CA SENATOR SCHIFF INTRODUCES FIREWALL ACT
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo: Getty Fire, courtesy of LA Fire April 14, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) — U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) has introduced his first bill. The Firewall Act aims to help homeowners hit by climate-fueled disasters such as recent Southern California fires. It would provide a tax credit for upgrades to make houses more resilient. “By getting
WINDY AND WET WEATHER FORECAST; SNOW POSSIBLE IN MOUNTAINS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery April 14, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – As a cooling trend continues, the National Weather Service predicts strong winds, rain, and snow for our mountain areas later this week. There is a chance of rain countywide and mountain snow on Thursday, increasing on Friday, with possible rain in the mountains as late as Saturday morning.
MAN SHOT AFTER ALTERCATION IN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly version East County News Service April 14, 2025 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police homicide detectives are investigating a fatal shooting. Officers responded to call reporting the shooting in the 1100 block of East Madison Ave. at 9:47 p.m. last night. “Officers arrived on the scene within minutes and located an adult male in a parking lot suffering from
TRUMP PAUSES MOST TARIFFS FOR 90 DAYS AFTER BACKLASH, BUT STIFF TARIFFS ON CHINESE GOODS REMAIN
Printer-friendly versionEast County business leaders speak out on impacts of tariffs By G. A. McNeeley April 14, 2025 (San Diego) – On Wednesday, April 9, President Donald Trump temporarily dropped tariff rates on imports from most of the United States’ trade partners to 10% (for 90 days), to allow trade negotiations with those countries. Trump announced the pause hours
EARTHQUAKE NEAR RAMONA SHUTS DOWN HIGHWAY 76
Printer-friendly versionLast updated April 14, 2025 8 p.m including reports from readers, local authorities, and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. April 14, 2025 (Ramona) — A 5.2 earthquake struck at 10:08 a.m about 2 miles south of Julian. The jolt was felt across the county, knocking pictures off walls and bottles off shelves at homes in La Mesa. California
SAN DIEGO SLAMS SHUTOUT, IMPROVES TO 13-3 IN RED-HOT START
Printer-friendly versionPadres lead NL west division in team’s best season start By Karen Pearlman Photo courtesy of San Diego Padres: Winning pitcher Michael King gets Gatorade ice bath after complete-game shutout of Colorado Rockies Sunday at Petco Park April 13, 2025 (San Diego) – The San Diego Padres are all alone in first place in the National League West, above
RESIDENTS CHARGED UP OVER PROSPECT OF BATTERY STORAGE SITE IN LA MESA NEIGHBORHOOD
Printer-friendly versionStory and Photos By Karen Pearlman April 11, 2025 (La Mesa) — “No matter how it’s sugarcoated, battery storage facilities are dystopian looking, loud, detrimental to real estate values and potentially deadly,” La Mesa City Councilmember Laura Lothian says. For several years, Lothian (pictured above, with Heartland Fire & Rescue Fire Chief Bent Koch) has been a
SANTEE SELF FUNDS $23.5M COMMUNITY CENTER; DELAYS VOTE ON PAY HIKE
Printer-friendly version By Mike Allen Image: Rendering of planned community center April 10, 2025 (Santee) — The Santee City Council did a bit of creative financing to fund a planned community center at its April 9 meeting. The project, behind the Cameron YMCA that has been planned for some 20 years, could go out to bid by this
HIMALAYAN RESTAURANT CELEBRATES 18TH ANNIVERSARY
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery April 10, 2025 (La Mesa) – Khem Kharel, owner of Himalayan Cuisine in La Mesa, pulled out all the stops to celebrate the popular restaurant’s 18th anniversary with a lavish party on March 26. The restaurant that first opened in 2007 and expanded in 2012 specializes in Nepalese, Indian and Tibetan dishes.
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