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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
Jamul Casino Resort gets two film awards
Printer-friendly version Water Sweet – The Story of Jamul” Earns Top Honors at AAF Reno ADDY Awards East County News

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
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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
Jamul Casino Resort gets two film awards
Printer-friendly version Water Sweet – The Story of Jamul” Earns Top Honors at AAF Reno ADDY Awards East County News

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
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CAR FIRE DOUSED IN ALPINE
Printer-friendly version January 31, 2010 (Alpine) – Firefighters from Viejas and the U.S. Forest service responded to a vehicle fire on Interstate 8 in Alpine this afternoon. Alpine firefighter/paramedics Broc Thorn and Colby Ross formed an attack line and quickly knocked down the fire before it spread into the nearby vegetation. The owner of the vehicle stated that he
PLANE WITH ENGINE OUT LANDS SAFELY
Printer-friendly version February 3, 2010 – An American Airlines MD-80 plane has just landed safely at San Diego’s Lindbergh Field after failure of one of its two engines, ECM has learned. There 111 people on board and 22,000 pounds of fuel, Incident Page Network reports. Emergency responders were dispatched and ECM notified readers via our Viejas Emergency Alert during
CONTROLLED BURN AT MIRAMAR FRIDAY NIGHT
Printer-friendly version January 29, 2010 (Miramar) – If you see smoke near I-15 this evening, don’t panic. Military emergency services crews at Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar will be conducted a controlled burn as part of a night-time training operation. The burn, on the base airfield, is slated to start at 6 p.m. and continue for several hours.
GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT UNVEILS NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART SCIENCE BUILDING FEB. 1
Printer-friendly version El Cajon Valley High is 1st of 8 East County campuses to get new science buildings through Prop H January 29, 2010 (El Cajon) Say goodbye to portable buildings and science classrooms built during the Eisenhower administration. Grossmont Union High School District ushers in a new era for its East County high schools with opening of the
BURGLARY RING BUSTED IN SANTEE; SHERIFF DEPUTIES SWEEP AREA, NAB 8 MORE
Printer-friendly version January 28, 2010 (Santee) – Yesterday morning, Sheriff’s detectives arrested eight people in Santee in connection with a burglary ring that has targeted homes in Santee, Lakeside, and unincorporated areas of El Cajon. Approximately 60 law enforcement officers participated, recovering many stolen property items as well as a firearm, heroin, and drug paraphernalia. All of the suspects

LOCAL DOCTORS DONATE MEDICAL SUPPLIES FOR HAITI, SEEK MONEY FOR SHIPPING
Printer-friendly version January 29, 2010 (Mt. Helix) – Dr. Carolle Jean-Murat, founder of Angels For Haiti and Health Through Communications, was among the first to bring food and water to quake victims. Now she has teamed up with other local doctors to obtain thousands of dollars in donated orthopedic supplies. They seek additional supplies–and money to pay shipping costs.
PRESIDENT PLEDGES TO MAKE JOBS, SMALL BUSINESSES PRIORITIES IN 2010; VOWS INVESTMENT IN “SKILLS AND EDUCATION OF OUR PEOPLE”
Printer-friendly version HIGHLIGHTS, NATIONAL & LOCAL REACTIONS TO SPEECH View video of speech: http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2010-state-union-address Read full text of speech: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-state-union-address January 28, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – In his State of the Union speech, President Barack Obama pledged to make job creation a priority, along with helping America’s families who have been shouldering “the burden of working harder and longer for less;
TOYOTA EXPANDS RECALL DUE TO STICKING ACCELERATOR ISSUE
Printer-friendly version Toyota has dramatically expanded earlier announced recalls of vehicles due to problems associated with a sticking accelerator. The design flaw made national news after a stuck accelerator caused a tragic accident in Santee that killed a law enforcement officer and his family. The Toyota recall now includes some RAV4, Corolla, Matrix, Avalon, Camry, Highlander, Tundra and Sequoia models
CA SENATE PASSES SINGLE-PAYER HEALTHCARE BILL
Printer-friendly version California OneCare Campaign Reveals Massive Campaign to Gain Support to Override a Likely Veto by Governor January 28, 2010 – While Congress struggles to pass a healthcare reform bill that has been gutted of its public option, California’s State Senate today passed passed landmark healthcare reform legislation, SB 810, that calls for sweeping changes in the financing of
GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT FACES PAINFUL BUDGET CUTS
Printer-friendly version January 28, 2008 (El Cajon) – “Tonight is a most difficult meeting,” GUHSD Superintendent Bob Collins told those present this evening at a special governing board budget workshop. Citing funding cuts from the state plaguing school districts throughout the state, he warned of a growing budget gap. “The current district surplus will be fully consumed in

East County Chamber honors leaders, organizations at 114th annual soiree
Printer-friendly versionSycuan Casino Resort hosted the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce’s 114th annual East County Honors Awards Gala over the weekend. Photos and story by Karen Pearlman March 2, 2026 (El Cajon) — More than 400 business and nonprofit leaders, community advocates and public officials gathered at Sycuan Casino Resort last Saturday for the 114th Annual East County

Casualties mount across Middle East; Trump says military conflict could last months, won’t rule out ground troops
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, in press conference today March 2, 2026 (San Diego) – The U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in Operation “Epic Fury” which began Saturday are believed to have killed 49 senior Iranian officials, including the Ayatollah Khomeini, according to the White House. The USS Abraham Lincoln and stealth bombers based

KNSJ community radio suffers catastrophic damage when winter storm topples its rented tower
Printer-friendly version Station is still streaming online, but restoring broadcast signal requires urgent funding for engineering, equipment, and a possible new site East County News Service February 28, 2026 (Descanso) – “The tower where KNSJ rented space since beginning broadcasting on July 4th, 2013, is now a crumpled pile of steel and cabling,” states a press release from KNSJ 89.1

San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce hosts 114th annual East County Honors Awards gala
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 27, 2026 (El Cajon) — On Saturday, February 28, the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the 114th anniversary of its annual East County Honors event at Sycuan Casino Resort at 5 p.m. Since 1912, the Chamber has held the tradition of swearing in the new Chamber Board of Directors and recognizing

City of San Diego leaders moving toward safety overhaul on Jackson Drive, other streets
Printer-friendly versionA memorial of bouquets of flowers, stuffed animals, notes and religious candles for the children who were hit by a car, with one killed, at the site of an October accident on Jackson Drive. The city of San Diego continues to make changes for safety. Photo by Karen Pearlman By Karen Pearlman Feb. 27, 2026 (San Carlos) — The

“ICE Out” rallies Feb. 28 at Home Depot stores across San Diego County
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 27, 2026 – Community members and local civic advocacy groups will rally at over a dozen Home Depot locations across San Diego County on Saturday, February 28, including three East County locations, calling on the company to condemn ICE activities at their properties, and stop immigration enforcement actions at these and all locations. Organizers say ICE agents have

Reader’s Editorial: Cajon Valley’s compensation vote raises questions about priorities
Printer-friendly versionBy Alex Welling February 26, 2026 (El Cajon) — Last week, the Cajon Valley Union School District Board of Trustees voted to increase its monthly compensation from $630 to $2,000 — the maximum amount permitted under state law for a district of its size. That figure does not include their taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits. Several months ago, district educators

El Cajon Mayor Wells and city leaders outline achievements and goals during State of City address
By Kevin A. Green Miriam Raftery contributed to this report Photos via elcajon.gov The mayor and city officials outline planned actions to benefit the community…

Jeep thefts surge in La Mesa: Thieves using fob hacking to target autos
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Feb. 26, 2026 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa Police Department is sounding the alarm to the community about rising thefts of recent models of Jeeps. The police department shares that residents in La Mesa as well as surrounding East County neighborhoods need to be informed of a sophisticated spike in vehicle thefts targeting high-end,

Donating blood in March could save YOUR life, too
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Feb. 26, 2026 (San Diego County) — The American Red Cross is turning a routine blood donation into a lifesaving health diagnostic in March. Amid a severe national blood shortage which saw supply levels plummet by 35% in early 2026 due to winter blizzards and a heavy flu season the organization is offering a dual
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