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Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber warns of ongoing threats to voting rights at East County Democratic Club meeting
Printer-friendly version Story and photo by Paul Levikow April 22, 2026 (Alpine) — California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber recently delivered an assessment of the challenges facing the state’s electoral system, while urging vigilance and civic participation ahead of the 2026 elections. About 30 attendees gathered at The Alpine Club for the East
Villa Musica expanding to East County for 20th anniversary
Printer-friendly version East County News Service April 22, 2026 (El Cajon) — For two decades, the halls of Villa Musica’s Sorrento Valley headquarters have been alive with a specific kind of beautiful chaos — the steady thumps on the drum, soaring scales of soprano singers and the first notes of
News Issues
Villa Musica expanding to East County for 20th anniversary
Printer-friendly version East County News Service April 22, 2026 (El Cajon) — For two decades, the halls of Villa Musica’s Sorrento Valley headquarters have been alive with a specific kind of beautiful chaos — the steady thumps on the drum, soaring scales of soprano singers and the first notes of
San Diego Padres nearing record $3.9B sale
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo courtesy San Diego Padres Facebook page April 20, 2026 (San Diego) — The current owners of the San Diego Padres, the Seidler family, are reportedly in the final stages of an agreement to sell the team to a group led by private equity billionaire José
Politics
Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber warns of ongoing threats to voting rights at East County Democratic Club meeting
Printer-friendly version Story and photo by Paul Levikow April 22, 2026 (Alpine) — California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber recently delivered an assessment of the challenges facing the state’s electoral system, while urging vigilance and civic participation ahead of the 2026 elections. About 30 attendees gathered at The Alpine Club for the East
With Eric Swalwell’s scandalous implosion, Xavier Becerra surges in race for California governor
Printer-friendly versionBy Dan Walters This story was originally printed in CalMatters, the only nonprofit newsroom devoted solely to covering statewide issues that affect all Californians. Sign up for WeeklyMatters for a Saturday morning digest of the latest news and commentary from the Golden State. This story is part of California Voices, a commentary
Wildfires and Emergencies
Crest residents urged to take action against wildfire risks with free Home Assessment Program
Printer-friendly versionBy Morgan Dioli and Diana Griffin April 21, 2026 (Crest) – The Crest community is stepping up wildfire preparedness efforts by participating in the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County’s 2026 Home Assessment Program. It’s a free, voluntary service designed to help residents reduce wildfire risks and improve
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…
Events & Arts
Villa Musica expanding to East County for 20th anniversary
Printer-friendly version East County News Service April 22, 2026 (El Cajon) — For two decades, the halls of Villa Musica’s Sorrento Valley headquarters have been alive with a specific kind of beautiful chaos — the steady thumps on the drum, soaring scales of soprano singers and the first notes of
Book review:The Mission at Home: Navigating Military Assignments, TRICARE, Education, Benefits and Everyday Life with Your Child on the Autism Spectrum
Printer-friendly version Book by Jaime B. & Elizabeth Tracy Parent Reviewed by Pennell Paugh April 20, 2026 (San Diego) – Local authors Jaime and Elizabeth Parent have written a major reference for persons who have disabilities, with particular focus on those who have autism. While the book specifically addresses the
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 an early wildflower bloom in Borrego, now is a perfect time for a day trip through San Diego County’s beautiful backcountry, including mountain and desert destinations. Making the pilgrimage to
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 stories. This year, we’ve had requests from readers to cover lots of important local issues, but costs have soared with inflation. We need your help to report on local news
People
Eight local women Honored at Soroptimist’s annual “Live Your Dream” Awards Celebration
Printer-friendly versionSoroptimist International of Valley de Oro recognizes women overcoming extraordinary obstacles to build better lives through education By Henri Migala Photo: Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award winners. Seated (left to right): Dr. Peggy Fischer, DVM, Valley de Oro Club Chair; Tenisha Back row (left to right): Sue Bucheman (member);
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 bowls, beds, blankets, crates/carriers, leashes,…
Communities
East County-based physician Charles Hamori honored by American College of Physicians
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman April 21, 2026 (La Mesa) — When he was a teenager growing up in Muncie, Indiana, Charles Hamori performed his first successful medical diagnosis — on himself. Hamori was 14 when he correctly identified his own appendicitis, and it was at that moment (or soon
Crest residents urged to take action against wildfire risks with free Home Assessment Program
Printer-friendly versionBy Morgan Dioli and Diana Griffin April 21, 2026 (Crest) – The Crest community is stepping up wildfire preparedness efforts by participating in the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County’s 2026 Home Assessment Program. It’s a free, voluntary service designed to help residents reduce wildfire risks and improve
Features
Villa Musica expanding to East County for 20th anniversary
Printer-friendly version East County News Service April 22, 2026 (El Cajon) — For two decades, the halls of Villa Musica’s Sorrento Valley headquarters have been alive with a specific kind of beautiful chaos — the steady thumps on the drum, soaring scales of soprano singers and the first notes of
Book review:The Mission at Home: Navigating Military Assignments, TRICARE, Education, Benefits and Everyday Life with Your Child on the Autism Spectrum
Printer-friendly version Book by Jaime B. & Elizabeth Tracy Parent Reviewed by Pennell Paugh April 20, 2026 (San Diego) – Local authors Jaime and Elizabeth Parent have written a major reference for persons who have disabilities, with particular focus on those who have autism. While the book specifically addresses the
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SLOW SMOKED TURKEY TIME AT CALI COMFORT THANKSGIVING DAY, NOV. 22
Printer-friendly versionNovember 16, 2012 (Spring Valley) – Cali Comfort BBQ Restaurant will be open to celebrate Thanksgiving the Cali Comfort Way from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. A catering package is available for dine in or take-out. The package feeds up to 6 people and includes slow smoked whole turkey, country stuffing, garlic mashed potatoes, gravy, wedding beans, mac-n-cheese and
ZEEK REWARDS: DID YOU “LIKE” IT?
Printer-friendly versionRegulators liken penny auction site to Ponzi scheme By Rebecca J. Williamson November 16, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) — What has 3,493 “likes” on one participant’s Facebook page that may turn into “hates” and lawsuits? The answer? ZEEK REWARDS — an online penny auction house that is under investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for financial fraud.
HOLIDAYS SERVE AS WAKE-UP CALL THAT LOCAL ELDERLY FAMILY MEMBERS NEED HELP
Printer-friendly version“10 Holiday Warning Signs” Your Senior Is In Trouble By Stacey Hilton November 16, 2012 (San Diego) — The holiday season may be one of the few times local families get together and realize their elderly loved ones are in deep trouble and need immediate help. Adult children who don’t live nearby often come home to holiday heartbreak with
ON THE SILVER SCREEN: STAND TALL AND DELIVER (LINCOLN)
Printer-friendly versionBy Brian Lafferty November 16, 2012 (San Diego) – Earlier this year I interviewed for a volunteer position. The interviewer looked at my resume and asked, “What’s your least favorite part of being a film critic?” I was stumped. My work at East County Magazine unites two of my biggest passions – movies and writing – and I love
WOOD’N’ LIPS HOSTS OPEN MIC THURSDAYS AT KAFFEE MEISTER IN SANTEE
Printer-friendly versionNovember 15, 2012 (Santee) – Kaffee Meister a5 9225 Carlton Oaks Blvd., Santee is hosting Open Mic nights every Thursday evening. The nights are hosted by the group Wood’n’ Lips, whose musicians, Gregory Gross, Bari Zwirn and Tim Woods, handle the lottery drawings for spaces and provide the guidelines for performers. It’s an opportunity to perform in front of
THANKSGIVING DINNER AT BLEU BOHEME NOVEMBER 22
Printer-friendly versionNovember 15, 2012 (San Diego) – Bleu Boheme, 4090 Adams Avenue, San Diego, will be serving dinner on Thanksgiving from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. The special prix fixe menu is $48.95 per person and $16.95 for the children’s menu. Menu items include: Soupe de Citrouille – pumpkin-hominy soup with crispy parsnips and chive crème fraiche Dindon a Prepare
CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL WARNS OF PHONY CALLS
Printer-friendly versionNovember 15, 2012 (San Diego) — The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has received calls from San Diego residents stating that they have been contacted by individuals claiming to be a law enforcement employee. The callers will identify themselves as members of the California Highway Patrol, will provide false information regarding a loved one or relative and make various demands.
FROM THE CHIEF’S CORNER: FIRE PREVENTION AND FLU PREVENTION
Printer-friendly versionNovember 15, 2012 (San Diego) – Fire prevention and flu prevention stages? We just changed our smoke detector batteries with daylight savings this weekend for fire preventive measures. Flu season is among us and like fire prevention, it’s important to take cold/flu preventive measures. Emergency rooms become saturated this time of year due to those with the flu. Unfortunately
BIRD TALK: RARE BIRDS IN EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly versionBy Greg Dunne November 15, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)–We have our share of rare bird sightings now and then in our East County. The three I am going to talk about are the Greater White-Fronted Goose, the Nutmeg Mannikin, and the Vermilion Flycatcher. The Vermilion Flycatcher and the Nutmeg Mannikin are going to be the hardest to spot
SPORTSPLEX USA DONATES $1410 TO SANTEE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUNDATION
Printer-friendly versionNovember 15, 2012 (Santee) – On October 29, Sportsplex USA will made a donation to the Santee School District Foundation in the amount of $1410.00. Sportsplex USA and the Santee School District Foundation (SSDF) have partnered with the goal of offering affordable recreational youth indoor soccer programs to all parents and children in Santee. Since the partnership with the
NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR EL CAJON CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Printer-friendly versionSource: San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce December 24, 2024 (El Cajon) — The El Cajon community of volunteers will once again select its Citizen of the Year from among the many that donate time and talent for the betterment of El Cajon. Nominations will be made by volunteer organizations based or active in El Cajon
BILL WALTON TRIBUTE TO HONOR BASKETBALL GREAT AT HELIX HIGH ON JANUARY 3
Printer-friendly versionTickets on sale now at https://www.gofan.co/event/2594824?schoolId=CA22796 By Ben Perez December 23, 2024 (La Mesa) –Always saying he was honored to be from East County, “Billy from La Mesa” is how Bill Walton wanted people to know him and greet him. So it’s only fitting that his high school alma mater in La Mesa is honoring him
HEAR OUR INTERVIEWS WITH LOCAL LABOR LEADERS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery December 21, 2024 (San Diego) – Our guests on our East County Magazine Radio Show on KNSJ 89.1 FM this week were Brigette Browning, President of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, along with Ollivia Aguirre, a striking worker, mother of two young children, and psychosocial clinician currently on strike at Kaiser Healthcare
POLICE RELEASE NAME OF SUSPECT FATALLY SHOT BY EL CAJON POLICE AFTER RAMMING OFFICER
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo by Robert Gehr: skid marks where suspect’s vehicle drove onto sidewalk outside SDPD headquarters, moments before the deadly incident. December 21, 2024 (El Cajon) – The individual who was shot and killed by El Cajon Police officers on December 11 has been identified as 24-year-old Benjamin Grube. Earlier reports had listed the suspect as a woman.
COUNTY WARNS AGAINST RAW MILK PRODUCTS AMID BIRD FLU RISK
Printer-friendly versionBy Fernanda Lopez Halvorson, County of San Diego Communications Office Photo courtesy of the CDC December 21, 2024 (San Diego) – County public health officials are warning San Diegans not to eat or drink raw milk products or give them to their pets because of the heightened risk for H5N1, or bird flu. Because raw milk and raw milk
SUPERVISORS’ CHAIR NORA VARGAS TO STEP DOWN OVER “SAFETY AND SECURITY” CONCERNS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Times of San Diego and Voice of San Diego contributed to this report Photo by Chris Stone, Times of San Diego: Nora Vargas at a 2022 rally December 20, 2024 (San Diego)—In an announcement that surprised even her staff, San Diego County Supervisors’ Chair Nora Vargas today announced she will step down January 6 at
GKN AEROSPACE OPENS NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART PLANT, BRINGING AEROSPACE JOBS TO EL CAJON
Printer-friendly versionBy Mike Allen Photo: Workers at GKN opening ceremony December 18, 2024 (El Cajon) — The site that was once planned as an Amazon warehouse is taking shape to house some of the most sophisticated machinery in the world, as well as the skilled workers to run it. Just across the street from Gillespie Field at the confluence of
LEGISLATION TO PRESERVE JAMUL TRIBAL LAND PASSES HOUSE, HEADS TO PRESIDENT’S DESK
Printer-friendly version East County News Service December 18, 2024 (Washington D.C.) — Today, legislation authored by Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) to place 172 acres of land in East County, San Diego into tribal trust for the Jamul Indian Village passed the House and heads to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law, after a companion measure authored by
CAMERAS HELP EL CAJON POLICE FIND DRIVER IN HIT-AND-RUN PEDESTRIAN FATALITY
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery December 17, 2024 (El Cajon) – The driver who fled the scene after hitting and killing a pedestrian on December 8 at 5:14 p.m. near 1368 East Main Street has been arrested for felony hit and run. Police used information from a witness and the city’s Flock license plate reader system to obtain a photo
WOMAN’S BODY FOUND OFF HIGHWAY IN DESCANSO
Printer-friendly versionUpdate December 17, 2024 7 p.m.: The victim has been identified as Jane Hannah Cronin of San Diego. East County News Service December 17, 2024 (Descanso) – The body of a 29-year-old woman was found on December 11 near the intersection of State Route 79 and Wildwood Glen Lane in Descanso. “We are withholding her name until next of
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