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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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A QUARTER CENTURY STRONG: LA MESA DEMOCRATS CELEBRATED 25th ANNIVERSARY; EMERALD STAFFER ADDRESSED COMMUNITY ISSUES
Printer-friendly versionApril 10, 2009 (La Mesa) – La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club celebrated its 25th anniversary with a celebration last week that included cake, a potluck dinner, recognition of key members and presentation by Councilwoman Marti Emerald’s chief of staff, Xema Jacobson. Special honorees included the club’s founding members, Claude Cassirer, a Holocaust survivor, and his wife, Beverly (photo). Songs
FACING FORECLOSURE? NEED INFO ON HOME LOANS? GET HELP AT FREE HOMEOWNER PRESERVATION SEMINAR APRIL 18 IN SAN DIEGO
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery April 13, 2009 (San Diego)—At a time when many lenders have evicted families and aggressively foreclosed on, one lender has taken a different approach, setting up a series of events to help families find ways to avoid foreclosure. On April 18th, Project Homeowner, a program to advise California homeowners facing foreclosure on how to keep their
GREEN BULIDING QUESTIONS ANSWERED AT ECO BUILD SAN DIEGO
Printer-friendly versionBy Rachel Hutman (California Center for Sustainable Energy) April 9, 2009 (San Diego) – The Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) hosted the EcoBuild San Diego on Saturday, April 4. Over 350 people attended the free expo to get straight answers about green building. Lauri Walker, Program Manager of the event, observed, “People will visit exhibitors and get a better
GET THE JUMP ON GOING GREEN: FEDERAL INCENTIVES FOR RENEWABLES AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Printer-friendly versionApril 10, 2009 (Washington D.C.) – Looking for your own version of a bail-out? How about a federal incentive to make your home, business or community more energy efficient and/or powered by renewable energy such as wind, solar or biomass? Here are some handy links to tax credits and grants available for homeowners, businesses and local governments to apply
CAREER DAY AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE TEAMS UP KIDS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES
Printer-friendly versionStory by Miriam Raftery, Photos by Andy Phemister SPAWAR Engineer meets with students April 8, 2009 (El Cajon) – Over 1,500 eighth grade students from Cajon Valley Union School District learned about careers first-hand from dozens of local companies during Career Day at Grossmont College last week. Sponsored by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, the event
TRADITION AND CONCEPT BRIDGED: ART EXHIBITION APRIL 13-30; ARTISTS RECEPTION APRIL 14 AT HYDE ART GALLERY
Printer-friendly versionApril 13, 2009 (El Cajon)–The Grossmont College Art Council presents “Traditon and Concept Bridged”, a ceramic exhibition by two very accomplished artists, Joanne Hayakawa and Kouta Shimazaki. “To term this exhibition a ceramics exhibition is to pare this collection of artwork down to it’s most minimal definition,” the gallery’s announcement states. “Even to use the title “Tradition and Concept
SDG&E PARTNERS WITH NISSAN TO GET SAN DIEGO ‘PLUG-IN’ READY
Printer-friendly versionNew, Zero-Emission Electric Vehicles to Reach San Diego Next Year April 1, 2009 (San Diego) – San Diego County will become one of the nation’s first “plug-in” ready green regions and start the transformation into a clean transportation community with San Diego Gas & Electric’s landmark partnership announced today with Nissan Motor Co. and the Renault-Nissan Alliance. As President
RENT YOUR HOME? DRIVE A CAR? OWN A CREDIT CARD? RENTER’S INSURANCE CAN COVER THEFT LOSSES ON MORE THAN JUST YOUR APARTMENT
Printer-friendly versionBy Dennis Volz Editor’s note: My daughter found out the hard way why having renter’s insurance would have been a good idea. When thieves stole her car, car insurance only covered damage to the vehicle—not replacing the IPOD, leather jacket, text books and other items that were taken,too. So we’ve asked insurance agent Dennis Volz to provide some tips
DO YOU OWN THESE DANGEROUS PRODUCTS? RECALLS ON LOG-SPLITTERS,HOME HEATING VENT PIPES, AND TOY BOXES ANNOUNCED
Printer-friendly versionApril 1, 2009 (Washington D.C.) – The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced recalls on the following items: 1. Brave Products Reannounces Recall of Log Splitters; Additional Incidents Prompt Urgent Warning of Amputation Hazard 2. May 1, 2009 Deadline Approaching for Remedy Change in Recall Program; Consumers Urged to Replace Dangerous Home Heating Vent Pipes 3. Lakeshore Learning Materials
EAST COUNTY ROUND-UP — MARCH PART TWO
Printer-friendly version East County Roundup highlights the best stories about East County issues found in other publications. JAMUL’S PLAN TO BUILD CASINO MAY NOT STAND TEST OF HISTORY San Diego Union-Tribune (March 30, 2009)— OVERVIEW Background: The Jamul Indian Village partnered with Lakes Entertainment to build a casino in East County that faced significant local opposition. What’s changing: A U.S.
READER’S EDITORIAL: GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT’S PLAN TO CUT 22 COUNSELORS PUTS STUDENTS’ LIVES AT RISK
Printer-friendly version By a school counselor, who asked to remain anonymous Photo:CC by SA via Bing February 13, 2025 (El Cajon, CA) — The Grossmont Union High School District is set to eliminate 22 school counseling positions next year. This is not just a number—these are people who are on the frontlines, working day in and day out to support
HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 13, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH How close are we to another pandemic? (New York Times) USDA detects second type of bird flu in dairy cows (NBC) Senate confirms RFK Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary (CNN) Pro-RFK
COMMUNITY CLEAN ENERGY GRANTS CREATE MORE SUSTAINABLE SAN DIEGO THROUGH GREEN JOBS, ENERGY EDUCATION
Printer-friendly version Community Power and SDF will host a webinar for prospective applicants on Feb. 13 at 12 p.m. to provide an overview of the grant guidelines and application questions. Please register here. February 12, 2025 (San Diego) — San Diego Community Power, San Diego Foundation (SDF) and Calpine Community Energy announced today that they anticipate awarding $600,000 in grants
FROM THE FIRE CHIEF’S CORNER: JAM FOR LA CONCERT BENEFITS FIRE RELIEF EFFORTS, FEB. 23 IN TEMECULA
Printer-friendly versionBy Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna February 12, 2025 (Temecula) — Come join us on February 23 at the beautiful South Coast Winery Resort and Spa in Temecula Ca. This event is supported by the California State Firefighters’ Association: CSFA. Smooth Jazz legend Dave Koz will be cohosting this event with Michael Paulo who have added Rick Braun, David Benoit,
COUPLE FROM TIFERETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE KILLED IN I-8 PILEUP MONDAY NIGHT
Printer-friendly versionDeveloping story By Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Jewish World, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: Roz Allina, second from left, at a Sisterhood luncheon at Sheldon’s Service Station in La Mesa hours before her death. (Photo: Sue Cherlin) February 12, 2025 (La Mesa) – Hours after attending a birthday gathering for Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s Sisterhood
SAN DIEGO HISTORY CENTER ACQUIRES BORREGO SUN NEWSPAPER ARCHIVE TO PRESERVE THE HISTORY OF THE REGION’S DESERT COMMUNITY
Printer-friendly versionFunds sought to digitalize archived articles Source: San Diego History Center February 12, 2025 (Borrego Springs) – The San Diego History Center and Desert Media Holdings Inc, owner of the Borrego Sun newspaper, have reached an agreement forthe transfer of the Borrego Sun archive ensuring the preservation of the San Diego County community’s history for future generations. The Borrego
FLOOD WATCH ISSUED FOR THURSDAY AND FRIDAY
Printer-friendly version East County News Service February 12, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — An atmospheric river is moving into our region, bringing rain today with heavier rain late Thursday and Friday. A flood watch has been issued starting Thursday afternoon through Friday. The Pacific storm could bring up to 7 inches on Mt. Palomar, up to 5 inchesin
TWO LA MESA SENIORS DEAD AFTER FOUR-CAR COLLISION ON I-8
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 11, 2025 (La Mesa) – Two La Mesa residents, ages 79 and 77, have died as the result of a four-car accident that occurred last night around 7:18 p.m. on Interstate 8 east, just east of 70th Street in La Mesa. They were the driver and passenger in a 2004 Toyota. According to the
ELON MUSK’S TEAM DECIMATES EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ARM THAT TRACKS NATIONAL SCHOOL PERFORMANCE
Printer-friendly versionThis story was originally published by ProPublica. By Jodi S. Cohen and Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they’re published. February 11, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – The Trump administration has terminated more than $900 million in Education Department contracts, taking away a
HOW TO STAY SAFE IN RAINY CONDITIONS
Printer-friendly versionBy Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office February 11, 2025 (San Diego) – With rainy weather in the forecast, including the chance of flooding in some low-lying areas, emergency officials offer seven safety tips. If you must drive during heavy squalls, allow yourself extra time, turn on headlights even in the day, and give plenty of
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