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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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SDG&E THREATENS TO SUE WILDFIRE VICTIMS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery February 2, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–San Diego Gas & Electric Company has notified attorneys representing fire victims that the utility company plans to sue victims of the 2007 wildfires. The announcement has sparked an angry response from some elected officials and residents in burned-out areas of East County. “Predictably, SDG&E’s lawyers are stooping as low
LA MESA HOSTS 2 TOWNHALL MEETINGS & BUDGET WORKSHOP
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 1, 2009 (La Mesa) — As part of La Mesa’s commitment to staying in touch with the community, the City Council has scheduled two Town Hall Meetings for 2009. These open forum meetings provide an opportunity for citizens to provide input on issues in their neighborhood and throughout the City. The two meetings are held in different parts
SHERIFF SEEKS PUBLIC HELP TO FIND KIDNAPPERS OF TEEN IN POWAY
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 30, 2009 (Poway) — Three men reportedly forced a 12-year-old girl into a van in Poway yesterday near Scots Way and Midland Road. According to the Poway Sheriff, the victim was walking home between 5:25 and 5:45 p.m.. Three Hispanic male adults in older white box-type utility van stopped and forced the juvenile into the van. The suspects
RANCHO SAN DIEGO RESTAURANT INFURIATES CHAINS BY GIVING AWAY HUNDREDS OF FREE MEALS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery February 1, 2009 (Rancho San Diego) — We have seen many types of restaurant promotions to grab our attention. However, Brenda Nason, owner of Bistro D’Vine in Rancho San Diego, simply takes the cake. Her goal is to give one free meal to every household in the Rancho San Diego area that has not already been
HAWK WATCH 2009
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 1, 2009 (Ramona)–Each Saturday in February from 9 a.m to noon, the public is invited to visit the Ramona Grasslands with the Wildlife Research Institute, Inc. for a free educational program. You will see raptors such as the Golden Eagle, the wintering Ferruginous Hawk, the Red-tailed Hawk, Prairie Falcon and the Red-shouldered Hawk. Nineteen (19) species of raptors
FACE OFF: SHOULD CONGRESS SUPPORT PRESIDENT OBAMA’S ECONOMIC STIMULUS PROPOSAL?
Printer-friendly versionDual views on hot topics The President’s proposed economic stimulus plan has split Congress down party lines, with Democrats overwhelmingly in favor and House Republicans unanimously opposed. San Diego’s Democratic Congressman Bob Filner and San Diego County Republican Party Chairman Tony Krvaric face off with drastically divergent views on the stimulus proposal. Texts below were submitted to ECM as
FLAG DAY PARADE IN JEOPARDY: LA MESA SEEKS SPONSORS, DONORS TO SAVE ANNUAL EVENT
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 31, 2009 (La Mesa) — Faced with a budget gap, La Mesa’s City Council has voted not to provide financial support for the City’s Flag Day Parade this year. To save the popular community event, some councilmembers and community leaders have launched a one-week fundraising drive in hopes of saving the community’s parade. Printer-friendly version
BURLINGTON COAT FACTORY ROBBED AT GUNPOINT
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 29, 2009 (La Mesa) — At 7:39 PM, La Mesa Police responded to a report of an armed robbery from the Burlington Coat Factory located at 7938 El Cajon Boulevard. Several La Mesa Police officers and the Sheriff’s helicopter ASTREA responded to the scene, but the suspect had fled prior to their arrival. The suspect entered the open
FILNER REINTRODUCES BILL TO HONOR FALLEN HEROES FROM VIETNAM
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 28, 2009 (San Diego) — Congressman Bob Filner has reintroduced legislation to honor the service and sacrifice of many members of the United States Armed Forces who fought in Vietnam, the “In Memory Medal for Forgotten Veterans Act” (H.R. 671). The bill recognizes veterans who died as a result of their service in the Vietnam War but who
FRIENDSHIP PARK
Printer-friendly versionDespite Border Patrol Ban, Communion Celebrations Continue at Historic Border Park–”For Now (Karl W. Hoffman) Editor’s Note: Impacts of the border wall are important nationally and internationally, as well as for people in San Diego County. Each Sunday afternoon, Friends of Friendship Park gather at the historic venue to celebrate communion through the U.S.-Mexico border fence. Rev. John Fanestil,
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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