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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
Lemon Grove Library hosting Sheriff’s reentry event
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 13, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office Reentry Services Division
News Issues
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
Lemon Grove Library hosting Sheriff’s reentry event
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 13, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office Reentry Services Division
Politics
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
Supporters flee Swalwell’s governor campaign amid allegations of sexual assault
Printer-friendly versionBy Jeanne Kuang and Yue Stella Yu, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: U.S. Rep. Eric
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
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
Mountain Empire Art Show Debuts April 15 in Boulevard
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 14, 2026 (Boulevard) — The Backcountry Resource Center in Boulevard will be busy this Wednesday,
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
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
Mountain Empire Art Show Debuts April 15 in Boulevard
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 14, 2026 (Boulevard) — The Backcountry Resource Center in Boulevard will be busy this Wednesday,
Features
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
Mountain Empire Art Show Debuts April 15 in Boulevard
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 14, 2026 (Boulevard) — The Backcountry Resource Center in Boulevard will be busy this Wednesday,
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Health and science highlights
Printer-friendly versionanuary 22, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH Pediatricians group sues federal government over cuts to child health funding (10 News) Health insurance CEOs to appear before House committees as premiums soar (NBC) County Public Health Lab Starts Testing Local Wastewater for Diseases (County News Center) SCIENCE
To comply with new state laws, GUHSD board passes protections for immigrant students by 3-2 margin
Printer-friendly version By Alexander J. Schorr File photo, left: Trustee Jim Kelly called the measure “anarchy” and voted against it, along with Trustee Gary Woods January 21, 2026 (El Cajon) — The Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) Board of Trustees on January 19 voted 3-2 to pass a resolution to establish new guidelines for responding to federal enforcement on campuses. This
City of San Diego secures $4 million in federal funds for stormwater infrastructure project along Chollas Creek
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo by Genevieve Jones-Wright: flooding in Encanto in January 2024 January 21, 2026 (San Diego) — New federal funding will support four critical stormwater infrastructure projects in the City of San Diego, including drainage improvements along Beta Street in Southcrest, which has been impacted by flooding during recent winter storms. The allocation of $4.36
What to know about flu and cold season
Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr Photo via CDC.gov January 21, 2026 (San Diego) — The current 2025–2026 flu season in the United States has seen high activity, primarily driven by a dominant influenza A(H3N2) strain known as subclade K. According to the latest CDC preliminary estimates as of January 12, at least 7,400 deaths have occurred due to flu so far this season.
California Governor’s race draws crowded field of contenders
Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J Schorr Updated January 25 with an additional candidate. January 20, 2026— As of January 2026, the race to succeed the term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom features a crowded field of candidates ahead of the June primary. California uses a nonpartisan blanket primary system, where the top two finishers regardless of party advance to the general election. Who are the
Cans of tuna recalled due to botulism sent to major retailers including California
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 20, 2026 (San Diego) – Cans of Genova yellowfin tuna that were recalled due to potentially fatal botulism were inadvertently shipped to stores by a distributor, including Safeway, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions in California. An earlier recall included some sold under the Trader Joe’s label in California. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
New Woodspring Suites now Santee’s largest hotel
Printer-friendly versionBy Mike Allen January 19, 2026 (Santee) — Santee’s newest hotel came in handy for a few local families who needed a temporary home because their regular abode sustained serious damage. “One guest stayed for two weeks because their house flooded, and another stayed three weeks because their house caught fire,” said Jesse Duenas, general manager of the Woodspring
Spring Valley Community Planning Group elects new officers amidst controversy over filling board vacancies
Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow January 19, 2026 (Spring Valley) – The Spring Valley Community Planning Group board elected executive officers for the 2026 term Tuesday, but not before some members expressed concerns about how they would fill vacancies. A few cited perceived interferences on behalf of District 1 County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre’s office. Lora Lowes, board member and former
Local rabbi disinvited from speaking at King breakfast over Israel connection
Printer-friendly versionBy Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Jewish World, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: Rabbi Hanan Leberman in Israel in 2018. Image from American Jewish Committee video January 19, 2026 (San Diego) – The rabbi of a local synagogue was disinvited from delivering a closing message at the All People’s Breakfast in Balboa Park Monday in honor of Dr.
Tony Winney to be interim City Manager in Lemon Grove
Printer-friendly version Photo of Tony Winney from Winney’s LinkedIn page By Karen Pearlman 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. The City Council is expected to hire Winney at an annualized base salary of $215,000
ACTIVISTS TO HOLD EMPTY CHAIR TOWN HALL MARCH 23, AFTER REP. ISSA REFUSES CONSTITUENTS’ REQUESTS FOR MEETING
Printer-friendly version LIVESTREAMING UPDATE: For those unable to attend in-person, here are platforms where organizers plan to livestream this event: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/groups/indivisiblencsd/ TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@indivisiblencsd Youtube Live – https://www.youtube.com/@IndivisibleNCSanDiego Twitch.tv – https://www.twitch.tv/indivisiblencsandiego; By Miriam Raftery March 14, 2025 (Escondido) – After weeks of rebuffed requests for Congressman Darrell Issa (R-48)to hold a community townhall to discuss constituents’ concerns, activists have scheduled an “Empty
GUHSD BOARD REFUSES TO RECONSIDER MASS FIRINGS, DESPITE PICKETING, PROTESTS, AND ANGRY CROWD AT MARCH 11 MEETING
Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr Photo, left, via Grossmont Education Association: angry crowd turns back on Acting Superintendent Sandra Huezo and the GUHSD board March 13, 2025 (El Cajon) – The Grossmont Union High School district staff and its students have been protesting the board majority’s controversial firings of teaching, librarian, and counseling positions in recent days, including student walk-outs, picketing
URBAN TIMBER FINDS RURAL SALVATION IN CAMPO
Printer-friendly versionBy Leorah Gavidor March 13, 2025 (Campo) — When Urban Timber partners Jessica Van Arsdale and Dan Herbst learned they had just a few months to move their well-established tree salvage business, the couple had to scramble to find a place to move hundreds of tons of logs that they had saved from the landfill. The company that saves
READER’S EDITORIAL: YES, IT’S TIME TO BLOCK DESTRUCTIVE BUDGET
Printer-friendly versionAn open letter sent to California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff By Chuck Brown, Spring Valley March 13, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – The House passed legislation to fund the government through Sept. 30 and thereby avert a shutdown at the end of this week. The measure now goes to the Senate, where Democrats must decide whether to support
KRISTEN DARE EXITS SANTEE CHAMBER
Printer-friendly version By Mike Allen March 12, 2025 (Santee) — Kristen Dare, who led the Santee Chamber of Commerce as CEO for the past six years, resigned from the position to take a new job at Waste Management Corp. In an email sent to chamber members March 3, Chamber Chair Susie Parks said she is grateful for Dare’s decade of
EL CAJON CITY COUNCIL MAJORITY VOTES TO SUPPORT ‘PIG IN A POKE’ IMMIGRATION BILL IN CONGRESS
Printer-friendly versionUpdate April 4, 2025: The text of the bill is now available here. By Miriam Raftery March 12, 2025 (El Cajon) – Four members of El Cajon’s City Council yesterday voted to send letters of support for H.R. 1680 to its author, Colorado Republican Gabe Evans, and ask local Congressman Darrell Issa to co-sponsor the bill–even though the text
EL CAJON BANS SALE OF VAPING DEVICES DISGUISED AS OTHER PRODUCTS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery March 12, 2025 (El Cajon) – By a unanimous vote, El Cajon’s City Council yesterday voted to adopt an ordinance prohibiting the sale of vaping or e-cigarette devices disguised as other products. According to the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, teens are using stealth vaping products. Some are hidden in backpacks or hoodies. Others resemble flash drives,
EL CAJON MOVES FORWARD ON MEASURE DENOUNCING ANTISEMITISM, DESPITE CONCERNS OVER WORDING
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo: Doris Bittar, a Lebanese-Palestinian woman with a Jewish husband, wants a resolution that protects everyone equally without infringing on free speech rights. March 12, 2025 (El Cajon) – El Cajon’s City Council once again waded into contentious waters at yesterday’s meeting, weighing a resolution to condemn antisemitism, with the Council majority refusing to remove a
ADVANCING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: DRINKING ALCOHOL INCREASES THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE
Printer-friendly versionBy Seraphina Eberhardt, Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies East County March 17, 2025 (San Diego) — The U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory in January highlighting the cancer risks associated with even small amounts of alcohol consumption, noting that alcohol links to at least seven types of cancer. However, alcohol does not only increase the risk of cancer.
GROUP THAT HELPED TRANSFORM LITTLE ITALY POISED TO COLLABORATE ON REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman Photo, left, by Miriam Raftery: El Cajon’s downtown district March 12, 2025 (El Cajon) – A new city vibe is expected to come to the more than 100-year-old city of El Cajon. Earlier this month, the Downtown El Cajon Business Partners, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting a safe and prosperous downtown El Cajon, announced that
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