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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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MAKING MIRACLES HAPPEN: CHALLENGE CENTER TAKES THE “DIS” OUT OF DISABILITES
Printer-friendly version Story and photos by Miriam Raftery; videos by Leon Thompson and Rob Constantine. December 21, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) — “When I first had my stroke, I couldn’t speak or move my right side. I couldn’t walk,” recalled Austin Junkin, 80, of Lemon Grove. “Now I can do anything. I lift 100 pounds with ease,” he said,
STATE CUTS FIRE STAFFING DUE TO BUDGET CRISIS
Printer-friendly versionOnly 5 of 20 engines will be staffed this winter By Miriam Raftery December 11, 2008 (San Diego) — CAL FIRE will reduce staffing to winter preparedness levels in Southern Califiornia to address a one-time $6.3 million budget crisis. “This means additional seasonal employees will be laid off for a total of 17 weeks from mid-December to mid April,
Poway Sheriff’s Investigators Seek Public’s Help to Identify and Apprehend Burglary Suspects: $1,000 Reward
Printer-friendly versionDecember 4, 2008 (Poway) — San Diego County Crime Stoppers is joining forces with San Diego County Sheriff’s Department’s Poway detectives to help identify and apprehend the suspects responsible for burglarizing a jewelry store. The suspects’ vehicle was caught on store surveillance video. On November 11, 2008 at about 6:00 a.m., two suspects stole about $100,000 worth of jewelry
La Mesa Rotary Gives Donation to CHIP’s Organization
Printer-friendly version (left to right) Lynn Hamilton, current La Mesa Rotary President, Joel Tzinberg and Glenn Kellogg. December 10, 2008 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa Rotary Club donated $500.00 to the Community Health and Improvements Partners (CHIP’s) organization. CHIP is a collaboration of San Diego health care systems, hospitals, community clinics, insurers, physicians, universities, community benefit organizations and the
U.S. CRANBERRY MARKETING COMMITTEE PARTNERS WITH SAN DIEGO-BASED SOUPLANTATION
Printer-friendly versionPartnership promotes benefits of cranberries During the Month of December December 3, 2008 (SAN DIEGO) — San Diego-based Souplantation, voted one of “America’s Healthiest Restaurants” by Health magazine, has formed a partnership with the Cranberry Marketing Committee (CMC), a committee established by the federal government that works to promote and inform the public about the benefits of U.S. cranberries.
EAST COUNTY ROUND-UP – DECEMBER
Printer-friendly versionLinks to top stories in other publications on East County issues AUDITOR: CITY BOTCHED DEBRIS REMOVAL, At least $775,000 at issue after ’07 fires, report says San Diego Union-Tribune (December 20, 2008) — San Diego’s auditor has concluded that the city was not equipped to manage the large debris removal program it developed after the wildfires of 2007, and
SUPERVISORS VOTE TO ALLOW HOMEOWNERS TO SELL SURPLUS SOLAR POWER BACK TO UTILITY COMPANIES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery December 7, 2008 (San Diego) — A unanimous vote by the San Diego Board of Supervisors in November requires the County’s Chief Administrative Officer to provide county-sponsored legislation making it easier for residential power customers the ability to sell surplus solar energy back to utility companies. Supervisor Dianne Jacob, who represents East County, introduced the resolution
SAN DIEGO COUNTY’S INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS ADDRESSED AT NCA CONVENTION
Printer-friendly versionStory and photos by Thea Skinner Rev. Canon Mary Moreno-Richardson, coordinator for Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of San Diego speaks as other panelists are attentive during the National Communication Association’s 94th Annual Convention, "unCONVENTIONal" at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego Nov. 22. Dec 1, 2008 (San Diego) — Spirits ran high in higher education during
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS 2008 SCORECARD: A TO F FOR SAN DIEGO’S LEGISLATORS
Printer-friendly versionEnvironmental voting records for east San Diego County state legislators and Governor Schwarzenegger By Sylvia Hampton December 9, 2008 San Diego) — Environmental protection is very important to San Diego County voters. Every year the League of Conservation Voters publishes a "scorecard" on the voting records of all state level representatives: www.ecovote.org/scorecard_2008.pdf. Among Assembly members representing East County and
Tecate, our Neighbors South of the Border
Printer-friendly versionBy Dennis Moore December 7, 2008 (Tecate) — Between the desert and the sea beats the heart of Baja California: Tecate, Mexico (not to be confused with the American city by the same name just across the border). Located in the northern central part of the state, Tecate is the ideal starting destination to every other city or point
TRUMP ORDERS MORE CENTRAL VALLEY WATER DELIVERIES–CLAIMING IT WOULD HELP LA FIRES
Printer-friendly versionBy Alastair Bland, CalMatters CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters Photo via Calif. Dept. of Water Resources: A drone provides a view of a section of the California Aqueduct within the California State Water Project, located near John R. Teerink Pumping Plant. January 27, 2025 (Central Valley,
SVP TO BE CONDITIONALLY RELEASED TO HOME IN JACUMBA HOT SPRINGS
Printer-friendly versionBy Brooke Binkowski, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: Herman Smith, San Diego County Sheriff’s Dept. January 27, 2025 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – A man classified as a sexually violent predator — or SVP — will be conditionally released to a home in Jacumba Hot Springs, likely displacing another SVP who was placed
LEMON GROVE CITY COUNCIL SHIFTS WINDOW ON TINY HOMES FEEDBACK
Printer-friendly versionBy Jessica Brodkin Webb January 27, 2025 (Lemon Grove) — Lemon Grove Mayor Alysson Snow called the Jan. 21 City Council meeting “very light,” yet there was time enough for staunch resident pushback against a historically controversial tiny homes project which was not on the agenda. The project, funded and in development by the County of San Diego,
SNOW FALLING IN EAST COUNTY MOUNTAINS
Printer-friendly version Photo by Craig S. Maxwell today: Snow in Rancho Cuyamaca State Park January 27, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory idue to snow falling across San Diego’s mountain areas, with more snow possible tomorrow. Areas impacted in the winter weather advisory range from high desert communities such as
TROOPS ARRIVE AT BORDER AFTER TRUMP DECLARES BORDER EMERGENCY, AUTHORIZES MIGRANT SEIZURES IN SCHOOLS, CHURCHES AND HOSPITALS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photo: screenshot of aerial video by ECM news partner 10 News shows military troops with razor wire at a staging site in the South Bay, as troops prepare to deploy to fortify U.S. – Mexico Border and aid in Trump crackdown on border crossings. January 26, 2025 (San Diego) – A tough crackdown on immigrants
TRUMP BLOCKS FLIGHTS TO U.S. FOR APPROVED REFUGEES, INCLUDING U.S. MILITARY FAMILY MEMBERS AND AFGHANS WHO HELPED OUR TROOPS
Printer-friendly version Impact has left refugee aid groups locally and nationally in shock By Miriam Raftery Photo via Pentagon: Troops evacuating Afghans after fall of Kabul January 26, 2025 (San Diego) – Following an executive order issued by Donald Trump to suspend refugee resettlement, the Trump administration has cancelled all flights for over 10,000 refugees already approved to resettle in
CAL FIRE HOLDS BORDER 2 FIRE TO 6,625 ACRES AS RAIN AIDS EFFORTS, BUT MUDSLIDES ARE POSSIBLE RISK
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo courtesy of Cal Fire Update January 30,2025 10 a.m.– All evacuation orders have been lifted. The fire is 100% contained. Update January 29, 2025 9 a.m.– The Border 2 Fire is now 90% contained, as rain helped firefighters’ efforts. Cal Fire says there is no risk to the public or structure threats. Update January 27,
WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN OFFERS FREE HAVEN FOR BORDER FIRE EVACUEES AND PETS
Printer-friendly version East County News Service January 25, 2025 (Rancho San Diego, CA) — In light of the ongoing evacuations at the Border Fire, the Water Conservation Garden on the campus of Cuyamaca College is opening its grounds with free admission to evacuees and their pets. Free Wifi is available. “We hope The Garden can provide a peaceful escape, a
BORDER PATROL REPORTS RESCUE OF HIKER SHOT IN JACUMBA WILDERNESS BY SUSPECTED CARTEL MEMBERS
Printer-friendly version East County News Service Photos courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol January 25, 2025 (Jacumba Hot Springs, CA) – Two hikers in the Jacumba Wilderness were robbed and attacked, with one man shot by “suspected Mexican cartel terrorists,” according to a press release issued by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. According to the CPB, agents from the
SDG&E RESTORES POWER TO ALL CUSTOMERS AFTER HISTORIC WEATHER EXTREMES
Printer-friendly versionSource: SDG&E January 25, 2025 (SDG&E) – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) announced this evening that power has been fully restored to all customers affected by recent Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). Over 19,000 customers were impacted in dozens of local communities. These shutoffs were implemented as a wildfire prevention measure in response to unprecedented weather conditions that
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