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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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FREE FOOD! SPRING VALLEY LIBRARY TO HOST VEGETARIAN DAY
Printer-friendly versionApril 1, 2009 (Spring Valley)–The Spring Valley Library, 836 Kempton Street, will host “Vegetarian Day @ Your Library” on Saturday, April 25 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. This one-day free event will offer a wide variety of presentations on the ethical, environmental, health and humanitarian benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle. The public is invited to sample a variety
CA DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO CONSIDER RESOLUTION TO PROMOTE ON-SITE RENEWABLE POWER GENERATION AS ALTERNATIVE TO NEW TRANSMISSION LINES, MASSIVE WIND OR SOLAR FARMS
Printer-friendly versionMarch 20, 2009 (El Cajon)—The East County Democratic Club has adopted a resolution calling for local, on-site generation of solar and wind power as alternatives to massive wind and solar farms, which would require new transmission lines including Sunrise Powerlink. Advocates hope to persuade the State Party’s Resolutions Committee to allow the measure to be considered by delegates at
GREYHOUND FOUND BY EL CAJON POLICE
Printer-friendly versionApril 11, 2009 (El Cajon)—Holly, a former racing greyhound lost Thursday morning at Bradley Street and Highway 67 near Gillespie Field airport, has been found by El Cajon police following a doggedly determined search effort involving volunteers across the country. The brindle (brown striped) dog had only been in her new home for one day. “Volunteers from the
MORE THAN PUPPY LOVE: FREE CANINE COMPANION SERVICE DOGS BENEFIT LOCAL SENIORS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery (Canine Companions for Independence) April 1, 2009 (San Diego County) – Disabled seniors and organizations that serve senior citizens can obtain free service dogs thanks to a grant provided by the Gary and Mary West Foundation. Canine Companions for Independence will provide dogs to help seniors throughout San Diego County with tasks such as opening doors,
SPRING EGGSTRAVAGANZA AT SANTEE LAKES
Printer-friendly versionApril 9, 2009 (Santee)—Carnival rides, a petting zoo, crafts, food, inflatables and pony rides are among the attractions planned for “Eggstravaganza at Santee Lakes” on Saturday, April 11th. Continuous egg hunts will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Egg hunts are limited to children eight and younger. The Easter Bunny will also be on hand—and “hoppy” to
ESTRANGED BEDFELLOWS: KEHOE DEFENDS BLOCK, BUT SAYS SHE’S “DISAPPOINTED” WITH LACK OF VOTE FOR GAY MARRIAGE LEGISLATION
Printer-friendly versionBy E.A. Barrera April 2, 2009 (San Diego)—Openly gay San Diego State Senator Christine Kehoe defended newly elected 78th District Assemblyman Marty Block, even as she scolded Block for his refusal to support a resolution calling on the California Supreme Court to overturn Proposition 8, the voter-approved measure which invalidated gay marriages in California. Kehoe said she “had not
EDIITORIAL: SDGE’S PROPOSAL TO SHUT-OFF POWER DURING TIMES OF SEVERE, FIRE-PRONE WEATHER RAISED IRE OF HUNDREDS OF BACKCOUNTRY RESIDENTS AT CPUC HEARING
Printer-friendly versionBy George Barnett April 8, 2009 (Alpine)—Over 300 people attended a California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) hearing in Alpine tonight on SDG&E’s proposal to shut off power during fire-prone weather conditions. People turned out from El Cajon to In-ko-pah in the desert and the mountain community of Julian; with a smattering from areas unaffected by the proposal, such
HELIX SPEECH TEAM NAMED LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
Printer-friendly version March 20, 2009 (La Mesa)—Helix Charter High School’s speech team has won the League Championship in a three-day tournament, earning its fourth League title in the past six years. Nineteen Helix students have qualified to compete at the California High School Speech Association State Tournament in Culver City at the end of April. Nate Howard, a third-year speaker and senior
O’DUNN FINE ART GALLERY OPENS IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly versionBy Rachel Ford Hutman Photo by Tim Thomas Pastelist Molly Lipsher, oil painter Jack Jordan, Paul Henricksen, La Mesa Chamber CEO Mary England, gallery owner Shannon O’Dunn, Mayor Art Madrid, Miss La Mesa Stephanie Packard, and Miss La Mesa Teen Katrina Schweitzer. March 29, 2009 (La Mesa)—Art aficionados flocked to the grand opening of O’Dunn Fine Art Gallery Thursday
LA MESA CHAMBER MIXER AT VIEJAS DRAWS CROWD
Printer-friendly version La Mesa Chamber of Commerce President Mary England and Viejas spokesman Charlie Brown By Miriam Raftery March 26, 2009 (Alpine) —“We don’t just hold mixers. We make cash registers ring,” La Mesa Chamber of Commerce president Mary England told a crowd of approximately 100 members and guests at a mixer hosted by the Chamber at the Dreamcatcher Lounge
TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER ISSUED AGAINST MAN WITH CO2 GUN AFTER LOCKDOWN AT HILLSDALE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Printer-friendly version East County News Service February 7, 2025 (Rancho San Diego) – Hillsdale Middle School on Brabham Street in Rancho San Diego was placed on lockdown for about 15 minutes due to a call reporting a man with what appeared to be a gun in front the school shortly before 3:30 p.m. yesterday. Deputies from the Rancho San Diego
SENATOR BRIAN JONES INTRODUCES BILL TO END EARLY RELEASE OF VIOLENT SEX OFFENDERS AND MURDERS
Printer-friendly version East County News Service February 6, 2025 (Sacramento, CA) — Today, Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) introduced Senate Bill 286, which will close what he calls a “dangerous loophole” in California’s Elderly Parole program that allows violent sex offenders and murderers as young as age 50 to be released early. Click here to read the
SHARP GROSSMONT HOSPITAL HOLDS CLOTHING DRIVE FOR PATIENTS IN NEED
Printer-friendly versionBy G. A. McNeeley Photo: screenshot of video courtesy of Sharp Grossmont Hospital February 6, 2025 (La Mesa) – Aiming to help patients be “discharged with dignity,” Sharp Grossmont Hospital held a clothing drive on February 1st. If you missed the event, you can still donate clothing and shoes at the hospital’s thrift store, Thrift Korral, 8693-A, La Mesa
BARONA OAKS RACEWAY SEEKS COMMENTS ON GRANT APPLICATION FOR MOTOCROSS FACILITY
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 6, 2025 (Lakeside) — The Barona Oaks Raceway, LLC is inviting review and public comments on a preliminary grant application to the state of California’s Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division. The park is requesting funds for ground operations and maintenance and infrastructure development at the Barona MX Motocross Facility at 1800 Wildcat Canyon Rd, Lakeside,
ADVANCED WATER PURIFICATION PROJECT BURSTS PAST $1 BILLION
Printer-friendly versionBy Mike Allen Photo: construction at night for Advanced Water Purification program February 6, 2025 (Santee) — East County’s biggest infrastructure project, Advanced Water Purification, is officially costing more than $1 billion after the Joint Powers Authority that oversees it approved about $80 million in changes to its construction contract. AWP, planned since 2015 to provide water reliability to
TRUMP CALL FOR U.S. TO TAKEOVER GAZA, RESETTLE PALESTINIANS FACES GLOBAL PUSHBACK
Printer-friendly version Updated February 7, 2025 with statement from the Council on Islamic Relations in San Diego. By Miriam Raftery February 6, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – Many world leaders as well as Congressional leaders in both parties are pushing back on President Donald Trump’s call for the U.S. to “takeover” Gaza, relocate Palestinians to neighboring nations and turn Gaza into
ALTAMIRANO APPOINTED TO SERVE ON LEMON GROVE CITY COUNCIL–AGAIN
Printer-friendly version Update: An earlier version of this article contained information added by our editor stating that the vote violated California’s Brown Act. The City has disputed this and indicated that a public vote was held. Our earlier report was based on a text from a Councilmember indicating that the vote was “anonymous” after ECM’s editor asked whether the vote
ARRESTS MADE AT HOMELESS CAMP IN UNINCORPORATED EL CAJON
Printer-friendly version Source: San Diego County Sheriff February 6, 2025 (El Cajon) — Several people have been arrested due to criminal activity at a homeless encampment near Willow Glen Drive in unincorporated El Cajon on a variety of charges. On Tuesday, February 4, around 2 p.m., a small fire broke out at the encampment. Firefighters quickly knocked down the flames.
PASSAGES: CHALDEAN BISHOP EMERITUS SARHAD JAMMO 1941-2025
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 5, 2025 (El Cajon) – Sarhad Yawsip Jammo, the Bishop who led the Chaldean Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle for the western U.S. from 2002 until his retirement in 2016, has died at the age of 83. Born in Iraq and later based at St. Peter’s Chaldean Cathedral in El Cajon, Bishop Jammo
PAROLEE ARRESTED AFTER TRASHING SANTEE HAIR SALON
Printer-friendly versionScreenshot from YouTube video: suspect hurls shampoo bottle at employee View videos: https://www.instagram.com/daygotv/reel/DFgPb6JoFCl/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKPxJKrzI30 East County News Service February 5, 2025 (Santee) – August Marriott, 27, has been arrested for becoming violent and threatening employees at a hair salon in Santee. On January 29, after being told he was late for an appointment at Great Clips on Mission Gorge
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