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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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Storm drops nearly 6 inches of rain at Cuyamaca, 3 inches of snow on Mt. Laguna with more forecast
By Miriam Raftery February 19, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – A winter storm advisory remains in effect for San Diego’s mountain areas, with additional…
Cognitive decline disproportionately affects Black Americans–why this is happening and how you can help
By Kristen Romea, LCSW, Director of Supportive Services , and l eaders of the Encanto 4 th Thursday Caregivers Support Group : Linda Cochran-Johnson ,…
Storm drops nearly 6 inches of rain at Cuyamaca, 3 inches of snow on Mt. Laguna with more forecast
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery February 19, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – A winter storm advisory remains in effect for San Diego’s mountain areas, with additional snow and rain forecast through early Friday morning. From Monday through Wednesday evening, the storm system dropped three inches of snow on Mt. Laguna, with snow even along Interstate 8 from Alpine east to the county
Cognitive decline disproportionately affects Black Americans–why this is happening and how you can help
Printer-friendly versionBy Kristen Romea, LCSW, Director of Supportive Services, and leaders of the Encanto 4th Thursday Caregivers Support Group: Linda Cochran-Johnson, Naomi Rogers-Bea, and Roberta Stokes Photo courtesy Alzheimer’s San Diego February 18, 2026 (San Diego) — Black History Month is a time to celebrate the culture and contributions of Black Americans. However, these celebrations are also an opportunity to examine the disparities many
San Diegans remember civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, 1941-2026
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Image: Jesse Jackson addresses United Nations in 2012; US Mission Geneva. Creative Commons license 2.0 February 18, 2026 (San Diego) –San Diego leaders are praising the life and legacy of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader and protégé of Martin Luther King Jr., who died yesterday after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Rev. Shane Harris, a San Diego-based
More storms on the way, free sandbags available
By Gig Conaughton , County of San Diego Communications Office February 17, 2026 (San Diego) – With more and potentially heavy rains still forecasted this…
Teamsters strike at SDSU impacts traffic on I-8
By Miriam Raftery February 17, 2026 (San Diego) – Teamsters Local 2010 is holding a four-day unfair labor practice strike at 22 California State University…
Hazardous weather system moves into region
East County News Service February 16, 2026 (San Diego)—A wind advisory is in effect today across San Diego County through 8 p.m., with another wind…
More storms on the way, free sandbags available
Printer-friendly version By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office February 17, 2026 (San Diego) – With more and potentially heavy rains still forecasted this week, the County and CAL FIRE are providing free bags and/or sand at numerous fire stations for people who live in the unincorporated areas. Rain can cause flooding and erosion, particularly in areas that are not covered
ECM World Watch: national and global news
February 16, 2026 (San Diego) — As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news…
TRUMP MASS DEPORTATIONS COULD INCLUDE SPECIAL PROTECTED STATUS IMMIGRANTS FROM AFGHANISTAN, HAITI, UKRAINE, IRAQ AND MORE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miram Raftery January 15, 2025 (San Diego) – President-elect Donald Trump has pledged “mass deportations” of 11 million undocumented immigrants, most of whom do not have criminal backgrounds. But many people are unaware that he has also threatened to revoke temporary protected status (TPS) from some immigrants who are here legally. San Diego’s East County is home to
BIDEN ANNOUNCES CEASE FIRE DEAL AND HOSTAGE EXCHANGE TO END WAR IN GAZA
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photo, left: Gaza bombing by Israel, WAFA for news agency APA, creative commons via WIkiPalestine January 15, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – President Joe Biden today announced, “After many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage deal.” The deal is slated
BE A WEATHER-WATCHING GARDENER
Printer-friendly versionBy Melinda Myers Photo: rain barrels can help manage the water on your property and provide water to use in your gardens. Photo courtesy melindamyers.com January 14, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Each gardening season seems to offer new growing challenges. Our gardens are exposed to more drastic and variable weather with changing weather patterns. Floods, droughts, wind,
SCHOOL BOND REFINANCING SAVES GUHSD TAXPAYERS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 13, 2025 (El Cajon) — Grossmont Union High School District’s governing board has approved a major bond refinancing plan which will save East County taxpayers nearly $19 million by reducing long-term interest costs on its existing school construction bonds. Dr. Gary Woods, board president, says, “These savings are exceptional. East County taxpayers’ investment in
FIRST LOCAL DETECTION OF HANTAVIRUS IN 2025
Printer-friendly versionBy Shauni Lyles, County of San Diego Communications Office Image Credit: Shutterstock January 13, 2025 (Julian) – A deer mouse collected on Jan. 3, 2025, in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, has tested positive for the potentially deadly hantavirus. Finding hantavirus in wild rodents is not uncommon in San Diego County, there were a total of 25 cases
SANTEE RACE WALKERS BLOW AWAY RECORDS
Printer-friendly versionBy Mike Allen Photo: Winners of 10K race: 1) Celina Lepe-Corvera 2) Mina Shull 3) Johanna Flipsen. All photos by Mike Allen January 13, 2025 (Santee) — Under sun drenched skies, some of the best race walkers in the world shattered several records as they traversed the Santee Trolley Square course on Jan. 12. The USA Track & Field National
POWER RESTORED TO ALL SDG&E CUSTOMERS, THOUGH MORE OUTAGES ARE POSSIBLE
Printer-friendly version Source: SDG&E January 12, 2025 (San Diego) –On Friday, San Diego Gas & Electric reported that it had restored power to all customers affected by Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). Despite the restorations, unprecedented and prolonged dry conditions continue. SDG&E encourages customers to remain prepared with the potential for future shutoffs in the coming days. SDG&E began de-energizing
VIDEO RELEASED OF DRIVER RAMMING ECPD SERGEANT, OFFICERS FATALLY SHOOTING DRIVER
Printer-friendly version Suicidal suspect had doused self in gasoline before intentionally ramming officer, ECPD reports By Miriam Raftery Photo, left: Two officers train guns on driver after Sergeant Maxwell was struck. January 11, 2025 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police Department has released surveillance and body cam video from the officer-involved shooting outside ECPD headquarters on December 11 during preparations
13 DEAD, 12,000 STRUCTURES BURNED IN L.A. WILDFIRES; CREWS FROM SAN DIEGO, MEXICO AND CANADA AMONG THOSE BATTLING BLAZES
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photos by Lakeside Fire Department, which has sent firefighters to battle the Palisades wildfire January 11, 2025 (Los Angeles) – After days of massive destruction and widespread evacuations, firefighters are finally making progress on four remaining wildfires in the Los Angeles area. At least 13 people have died in the fires, which have destroyed an
TAKING A TRIP? DON’T SHOP AT BURLINGTON
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery January 10, 2025 (La Mesa) – When a luggage wheel split open just three weeks after I purchased the large suitcase for $68, I tried to return it to Burlington in La Mesa. After waiting nearly an hour in line (since they have no customer service desk for returns), Burlington’s employee refused to refund my
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