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Passages: Mark Ostrander, firefighter, backcountry leader, 69
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman April 15, 2026 (Boulevard) — Mark Ostrander, a dedicated public servant, retired Cal Fire Battalion Chief
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
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
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
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 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
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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
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Passages: Mark Ostrander, firefighter, backcountry leader, 69
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman April 15, 2026 (Boulevard) — Mark Ostrander, a dedicated public servant, retired Cal Fire Battalion Chief
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 —
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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Passages: Mark Ostrander, firefighter, backcountry leader, 69
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman April 15, 2026 (Boulevard) — Mark Ostrander, a dedicated public servant, retired Cal Fire Battalion Chief and cornerstone of the San Diego backcountry, passed away after having a heart attack on Feb. 1, 2026. He was 69. A man defined by what friends describe as a “servant’s heart,” Ostrander left a deep mark in the region
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 federal immigration agents and protesters stand-off near the Glass House Farms facility outside Camarillo on July 10, 2025. Protesters gathered after federal immigration agents conducted an immigration raid earlier in the day. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local April 18,
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 — the first located in East County — on Monday in El Cajon. The 14,000-square-foot behavioral health treatment facility is located at the corner of South Magnolia and West Douglas avenues. The unit will be open 24 hours a day, seven
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 fruit fly quarantine has reduced donations of fresh produce to local food pantries, since organizations such as Produce Good mainly rely on backyard harvests to help community members in need. Home growers are not allowed to move their backyard products
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 Service April 1, 2026 (Jamul) – Jamul Casino Resort has been recognized with two prestigious ADDY Awards from AAF Reno, earning a Gold ADDY and Best of Show in the Corporate Social Responsibility category for “Water Sweet – The Story
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 to codify strict regulations on electric bicycles, specifically looking to protect riders under 12. On Tuesday, the La Mesa City Council unanimously voted to establish a new e-bike safety pilot program as part of Assembly Bill 2234, which passed
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 East County Advanced Water Purification Program Story and photos by Paul Levikow April 13, 2026 (Santee) — After more than a half-century of water reuse in East County, the Ray Stoyer Water Recycling Facility has been decommissioned, marking the end
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 is holding a public event aimed at bridging the gap between life behind bars and life as a productive neighbor. From 4 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 14 at the Lemon Grove Library, the community is being invited to meet
Man arrested for threatening deputies, firing shots in Santee
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 13, 2026 (Santee) — With help from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Detail (SWAT) team, an armed man who threatened deputies was arrested April 11 at his security systems business in Santee. Deputies responded to reports of possible gunshots near North Magnolia Avenue around 12:33 a.m. Upon arrival, deputies checked the area
Hearing May 15 on proposed release of sexually violent predator Gary Snavely in Borrego Springs: public comments sought
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 11, 2026 (Borrego Springs) – The San Diego Superior Court has ordered the conditional release of Sexually Violent Predator Gary Snavely. The California Department of State Hospitals has recommended the placement of Snavely at 3406 Running M Road in Borrego Springs He was convicted of lewd and lascivious acts with two girls ages 8 and
EL CAJON COUNICLMEMBERS REELECTED
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery November 5, 2024 (El Cajon) – All three incumbent El Cajon City Councilmembers have won reelection. Councilmembers Michelle Metschel and Phil Ortiz ran unopposed. Councilmember Steve Goble has more than twice as many votes as his opponent, Courtney Hall, 69.64% to 30.36%. According to the Registrar of Voters, 855,948 ballots have been counted thus far,
SALES TAX MEASURES PASSING IN LEMON GROVE, EL CAJON AND LA MESA, FAILING IN SANTEE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery November 5, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – All four East County cities had measures on the ballot to raise or extend sale taxes, and three of the four are winning by large margins. In Lemon Grove, which experienced flooding tied to storm drains in January, voters overwhelmingly support passage of Measure to raise sales taxes,
SANTEE INCUMBENTS WINNING HANDILY, MEASURE S SALES TAX INITIATIVE FAILING IN EARLY RETURNS
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 5, 2024 (Santee) – Santee Mayor John Minto has won reelection over challenger Kelli O’Brien, with 79.39% of the votes tallied thus far. Councilman Dustin Trotter appears cruising to victory over Padre Dam Water Board member Augie Scalzitti, with 61.85%. Laura Koval has also been reelected, running unopposed. Minto is a 29-year veteran of
CLOSE COUNCIL RACE IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery November 5, 2024 (La Mesa) – Four candidates are vying for two open seats on the La Mesa City Council, and the race is too close to call. With 855, 948 ballots counted out of the county’s 1,983,767 registered voters counted in early returns, Lauren Cazares and Genevieve Suzuki lead with 32.03% and 31.27% respectively,
SNOW TAKES BIG LEAD IN LEMON GROVE MAYORAL RACE; COUNCIL RACES REMAIN CLOSE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery November 5, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – Councilmember Alysson Snow may be poised to oust incumbent Mayor Racquel Vasquez in Lemon Grove, if early election returns hold. With 855, 948 ballots counted out of the county’s 1,983,767 registered voters, Snow has 41.27%, Vasquez 30.34%, and Councilmember Liana LeBaron 28.39%. In the City Council race, where four candidates
INCUMBENTS LEAD IN LOCAL CONGRESSIONAL RACES
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 5, 2024 (San Diego) – All five incumbent Congressional members countywide appear cruising to reelection, including East County representatives Darrell Issa and Sara Jacobs. Below are results for all five San Diego Congressional races with 855, 948 ballots counted out of the county’s 1,983,767 registered voters. UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE 48TH
EARLY RESULTS IN EAST COUNTY’S STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 5, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – With 844,948 ballots counted out of 1.9 million registered voters in the county, Akilah Weber, a Democrat, appears breezing to a win in the 39th State Senate district with 61.53% of the votes over Republican Bob Divine at 38.47%. Conservative talk radio firebrand Carl DeMaio, a former
SDG&E WARNS POWER SHUTOFFS POSSIBLE WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY TO 24,740 CUSTOMERS
Printer-friendly version East County Wildfire & Emergency Alert Service November 5, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – SDG&E warns that high fire risk weather conditions amid a red flag warning may result in public safety power shutoffs to prevent fires starting Wed. Nov. 6 at 4 a.m. through Friday, Nov. 8 at 5 p.m. Communities at risk of power shutoffs
SDG&E WARNS POWER SHUTOFFS POSSIBLE WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY TO 24,740 CUSTOMERS
Printer-friendly version East County Wildfire & Emergency Alert Service November 5, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – SDG&E warns that high fire risk weather conditions amid a red flag warning may result in public safety power shutoffs to prevent fires starting Wed. Nov. 6 at 4 a.m. through Friday, Nov. 8 at 5 p.m. Communities at risk of power shutoffs
RED FLAG WARNING ISSUED WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY DUE TO EXTREME FIRE DANGER
Printer-friendly versionBy Chuck Westerheide, County of San Diego Communications Office November 5, 2024 (San Diego) – The National Weather Service in San Diego has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov 7. The Red Flag Warning has been issued due to strong gusty winds, low humidity and
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