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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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Youth from San Diego region invited to Black College Expo February 12
East County News Service February 9, 2026 (San Diego) – More than 2,500 students are expected to attend the 9th annual Black College Expo on…
Long-time El Cajon City Councilman Gary Kendrick denounces Republican Party, switches affiliation to Democrat
Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow February 9, 2026 (El Cajon) – El Cajon City Councilman Gary Kendrick, a life-long Republican, announced Monday that he is switching his party affiliation and joining the Democratic Party. Kendrick made the declaration at a news conference in front of El Cajon City Hall surrounded by supporters and Democratic Party officials. He cited the city’s
After Minneapolis killings by federal agents, El Cajon residents rally as Councilman Kendrick speaks out
Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J Schorr Councilmember Gary Kendrick addresses crowd in El Cajon February 8, 2026 (El Cajon) — An El Cajon Council meeting has once again set the stage for heightened tensions between the public and elected officials over the federal government’s crackdown on immigrants the violence committed by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE). At a rally outside before last
Plane lands on freeway in Lakeside
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo via CalTrans camera February 7,2026 (Lakeside) — A small plane has made an emergency landing on State Route 67 south in Lakeside at Winter Gardens Blvd., Cal Trans reports. Traffic is backed up to Mapleview, with the plane blocking the right lane and shoulder. A SIG alert has been issued. No cause of
Over 20 guns, military armored vests, stolen vehicles, drugs and fraud lab recovered during high-risk search in Spring Valley
East County News Service February 7, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Sheriff’s Deputies have arrested Bruce Brian Ron, 34, on drug, weapon and fraud charges after…
With measles at Disneyland and LAX, San Diego County urges residents to update vaccines: some adults may need boosters
By Miriam Raftery Photo: Child with measles, via CDC (public domain) February 7, 2026 (San Diego) – Measles, declared eradicated in the U.S. in 2000,…
Trump administration’s new version of food pyramid draws criticism from health experts on fats and alcohol, praise for advice to “eat real foods” and avoid processed products
By G. A. McNeeley February 6, 2026 (Washington D.C.) — Health and Human Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last month announced new dietary guidelines for…
With measles at Disneyland and LAX, San Diego County urges residents to update vaccines: some adults may need boosters
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo: Child with measles, via CDC (public domain) February 7, 2026 (San Diego) – Measles, declared eradicated in the U.S. in 2000, has made a comeback, with 2,267 cases last year—nearly all in unvaccinated people. So far this year, 588 cases are confirmed so far—including Los Angeles County. An international traveler with measles visited crowded venues
Sheriff’s deputies to conduct increased Super Bowl DUI Patrols on Sunday
Printer-friendly versionSource: San Diego County Sheriff February 6, 2026 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office will be keeping our roadways safe this Super Bowl Sunday by looking for impaired drivers. Look for increased impaired driving patrols beginning on Sunday, February 8 at 3:00 p.m. and lasting through 5:00 a.m. the following day. In 2025, 7,394 people were arrested
La Mesa hosting Home Energy Fair in March
East County News Service February 5, 2026 (La Mesa) — With San Diego County residents navigating some of the highest utility rates in the nation,…
SDG&E SHUTS OFF POWER DUE TO FIRE DANGER; MORE COMMUNITIES FACE POTENTIAL OUTAGES INCLUDING MOST OF EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery, East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts December 9, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – With a red flag warning in effect from the National Weather Service due to high fire danger today through Friday, SDG&E has begun public safety power shutoffs affecting 8,949 customers in Alpine, Boulevard, Campo, Descanso, Jacumba and Jamul. There are also unplanned
COUSIN OF ECM PHOTOGRAPHER MAULED BY PACK OF PIT BULL DOGS; FUNDS NEEDED TO HELP PAY MEDICAL BILLS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery December 9, 2024 (San Diego) – A 15-year-old San Marcos girl is fighting for her life after suffering serious injuries. After running away from a treatment facility in North County, she was found in Mendocino “on the side of a highway, barely alive, some 600 miles away. Marielynn Watson was the victim of a horrific
READER’S EDITORIAL: JIM MILLER’S COMMENTS DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY—OUR SCHOOL BOARD MUST ACT
Printer-friendly version By Tom Varallo, Commander, U.S. Navy (retired) Photo, left: CVUSD trustee Jim MIller December 9, 2024 (El Cajon) — As a citizen and former Special Education Local Planning Area (SELPA) Representative in the Cajon Valley Union School District, I am stunned by the recent comments made by Jim Miller, the current President of our School Board, on his
PASSAGES: JIM WIEBOLDT, SHERIFF’S DEPUTY AND LA MESA CIVIC LEADER, 1957-2024
Printer-friendly versionCelebration of Life to be held December 28 in La Mesa By Ben Perez Photo of Jim Wieboldt and his pug, Frank The Felon, courtesy Amanda Allsberry December 12, 2024 (La Mesa) — A respected deputy in the San Diego County Sheriff’s Crime Prevention Unit for more than a dozen years, James “Jim” Warren Wieboldt was much more than
CITIZENS OVERSIGHT TO AUDIT “SPLIT TICKET” BALLOTS IN SWING STATES
Printer-friendly version Audits to focus on “split ticket” swing states where Trump won while down-ballot Republicans lost; donations sought to support effort Hear our interview with Ray Lutz, originally aired on KNSJ Radio, on his election audit efforts and potential consequences File photo: Ray Lutz, founder of Citizens Oversight Projects December 8, 2024 (El Cajon) — Citizens Oversight, a nonprofit
COUNTY PROVIDES REFURBISHED LAPTOPS TO FOSTER YOUTH
Printer-friendly version By Anita Lightfoot, County of San Diego Communications Office Video by Suzanne Bartole December 7, 2024 (San Diego) – Christmas arrived a little early on December 7 for some of the region’s foster youth and foster families. An annual pre-holiday laptop giveaway was held this morning by the County of San Diego and the Futures Foundation.
UNIONS BRING HOLIDAY CHEER TO OVER 500 WORKING FAMILIES IN NEED AT ANNUAL FOOD & TOY DRIVE
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council Rallies Community Solidarity to Support Working Families Struggling to Make Ends Meet, Including Striking Workers East County News Service December 7, 2024 (San Diego) — Today, more than 350 San Diego County families received a holiday meal and toys at the United Labor Center in San Diego, thanks to the generosity of
ANGRY PETE’S EXITS SANTEE LAKES
Printer-friendly version By Mike Allen December 6, 2024 (Santee) –Another concession vendor bites the dust at Santee Lakes No. 4. Angry Pete’s exercised its option not to renew its lease at the scenic decked outpost in the middle of the park last month, then closed down its window effective Dec.1. On his Facebook page, Angry Pete’s owner Pete Harbison said
PUBLIC’S HELP SOUGHT TO IDENTIFY TRAIN VICTIM
Printer-friendly versionBy Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office Photo: the Medical Examiner’s Office is asking the public to help them identify this woman who died in August. December 6, 2024 (San Diego) – The County Medical Examiner’s Office is asking if anyone recognizes the woman with the script tattoo depicted in a forensic rendering of
CUCUMBERS AND CUCUMBER PRODUCTS RECALLED DUE TO SALMONELLA
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery December 5, 2024 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that 68 cases of salmonella have been linked to cucumbers, including 18 people who were hospitalized. SunFed Produce, Baloian Farms of Arizona Co. and Russ Davis Wholesale have issued voluntary recalls of all sizes of fresh American/slicer cucumbers grown by Agrotato and
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