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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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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

VIDEO OF THE WEEK: INTERVIEWS WITH FIRE CHIEFS AT BARONA CONTROLLED BURN
Printer-friendly version Click here to view video full screen, or scroll down: https://youtu.be/n_au8Pk7gCM December 5, 2024 (Lakeside) – Shiloh Ireland interviewed Barona Fire Chief Ken Kremensky and Cal Fire Division Chief Eric on December 3 during a 160-acre controlled burn on the Barona reservation in Lakeside. Burning old brush has ecological benefits, also protecting communities from wildfires since it’s far

DECEMBER IS NATIONAL IDENTITY THEFT PREVENTION AND AWARENESS MONTH; SDCCU OFFERS DEC. 18 WEBINAR AND RESOURCES TO HELP YOU STAY SAFE
Printer-friendly versionWebinar on identity theft prevention will detail ways to protect your information Source: San Diego County Credit Union December 4, 2024 (San Diego) – San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU), one of San Diego’s largest locally-owned financial institutions, is offering free resources and raising awareness regarding identity theft crimes during National Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness Month. On Wednesday, December 18

REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT CULTURAL HUB MODEL TO BE UNVEILED DECEMBER 7
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo: screenshot from video by the Aja Project on the Refugee and Immigrant Cultural Hub December 3, 2024 (San Diego) – A 3-D model of a planned Refugee and Immigrant Cultural Hub (RICH) will be unveiled on December 7 at 5555 University Avenue in San Diego’s mid-city community to serve the diverse needs of San Diego’s

MISSING SENIOR FOUND DEAD NEAR I-8 ONRAMP IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service December 3, 2024 (La Mesa) – The body of Vivian Crowder, a 71-year-old woman with dementia who has been missing since October 29th was found this morning by workers from Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol along the onramp from La Mesa Boulevard to eastbound Interstate 8. La Mesa Police department expressed profound sadness at

EL CAJON NAMES NEW CHIEF OF POLICE
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service December 3, 2024 (El Cajon) – The City of El Cajon announces Captain Jeremiah Larson’s promotion to Chief of Police, effective December 18. Larson has served the El Cajon community for over two decades and will succeed the current Chief of Police, Mike Moulton, who announced his retirement earlier this year. Larson grew up in El

EAST COUNTY ARSONIST ARRESTED, CHARGED WITH SETTING NINE FIRES IN NOVEMBER
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery December 2, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – Cal Fire investigators have arrested a serial arsonist accused of setting nine fires across East County between Nov. 10 and Nov. 30. Allen Dinoyo, a transient resident of San Diego, will be charged with multiple felonies. He is accused of starting vegetation fires on Nov.10 in Jamul,

SCOTT CHADWICK, NEW CEO AT HELM OF PORT AUTHORITY, IS ANCHORED IN EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery December 1, 2024 (El Cajon) – San Diego Port Commissioners have named Scott Chadwick to serve as the new CEO of the San Diego Port Authority, starting in January. Born and raised in El Cajon, Chadwick graduated from Valhalla High School and Grossmont College, later obtaining a B.A. in political science from Purdue University. Currently

MAN ARRESTED AFTER THREATENING OFFICERS AT GROSSMONT CENTER
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery November 30, 2024 (La Mesa) — A man who reportedly threatened police officers and security officers was arrested this afternoon at Grossmont Center. According to La Mesa Police Lieutenant Matt Conlon, police were summoned after the suspect caused a commotion in the food court and other stores, also threatening security officers. When La Mesa Police officers

EL CAJON POLICE RESPOND TO VANDALISM OF BUS
Printer-friendly versionBy Robert Gehr November 30, 2024 (El Cajon) – A man was taken into custody for smashing windows on an MTS bus on November 26 around 6:30 a.m. He was transported by American Medical Response to a hospital. It took multiple police officers to restrain the man, who eventually had what appeared to be a spit mask or possible head protection device put on. Broken glass and

Postcards sent to registered voters for June gubernatorial primary
Printer-friendly versionBy Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office February 26, 2026 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Registrar of Voters office has mailed more than two million postcards to the County’s registered voters, outlining voting options for the June 2 Gubernatorial Primary Election. Every active registered voter will receive a ballot by mail and can return it in one of three

New leader at East County EDC in Matt Sanford
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Feb. 26, 2026 (El Cajon) — The East County Economic Development Council has named Matt Sanford as its new President and CEO, with plans coming for a new chapter as the region’s economic growth continues Following a competitive nationwide search that drew more than 300 applicants, Sanford was selected to succeed James Sly, who departed late last year to

Chaldean bishop under investigation for alleged embezzling, personal misconduct
East County News Service Photo by Miriam Raftery: Bishop Shaleta in May 2024 at opening of incubator business center for refugees and immigrants in El…

Chaldean bishop under investigation for alleged embezzling, personal misconduct
East County News Service Photo by Miriam Raftery: Bishop Shaleta in May 2024 at opening of incubator business center for refugees and immigrants in El…

After Supreme Court overturns some of Trump’s tariffs, Democrats push for refunds to U.S. businesses
By G. A. McNeeley Image created with ChatGPT February 24, 2026 (Washington D.C.) — Three Senate Democrats released legislation on Monday, February 23 that would…

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo by Miriam Raftery: Bishop Shaleta in May 2024 at opening of incubator business center for refugees and immigrants in El Cajon February 25, 2026 (El Cajon) – Bishop Emmanuel Shaleta, the top official at St. Peter the Apostle of San Diego Chaldean church in El Cajon, is under investigation by the Sheriff’s fraud unit

ICE agents outside local school campuses raise concerns
Printer-friendly version By Alexander J. Schorr February 25, 2026 (San Diego) — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity has increased in surrounding school areas, which includes the occupying of parking lots, monitoring of bus routes, and arrests occurring blocks away from schools. At least 3,800 children have been booked into ICE detention between January 2025 and early 2026. Families have expressed anxiety over “haunting and taunting” by

AI glasses: another potential power that poses threats to schools
Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr Photo: screenshot of Meta’s Ray Ban AI Glasses analysis by Surfshark February 25, 2026 (San Diego) — AI in the United States has the potential for great power and change in the nation. It is very much a new “wild west,” and because there are no significant guardrails, there is great danger from it facing human

Public input sought on La Cresta Road safety following head-on fatal collision
Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow Photo via San Diego Fire Protection District February 25, 2026 (Crest) – The Crest Dehesa Granite Hills Harbison Canyon Planning Group is seeking public input on the safety of La Cresta Road, following a recent fatal head-on collision in Crest. Josefina Sanchez, 72, was killed by an alleged drunk driver in the crash Feb. 11, 2026 while visiting her son

Unidentified driver dies in Dulzura collision
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 25, 2026 (Dulzura) – An unidentified male driver of a 2009 Nissan Cube has died in a hospital of injuries sustained February 23 around 2:55 p.m. He was driving eastbound on State Route 94, west of Little Tecate Road in Dulzura, when he veered into ongoing traffic and struck a 2003 Dodge Ram driven
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