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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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7th DISTRICT FIGHT – EMERALD VS. BOLING: YOUR RINGSIDE GUIDE
Printer-friendly versionAccountant April Boling refuses to comment on allegations of “illegal and unethical bookkeeping”; opponent Marti Emerald shares vision for San Diego’s future By Joseph Rocha October 15, 2009 (San Diego)–Touted as “The Troubleshooter vs. the Accountant” by local media, San Diego’s 7th District Council race sounds more like a build-up to a Saturday night cage fight than a hotly contested
HIGHWAYS OPEN, FIRES 100% CONTAINED IN CAMPO AND RANCHO BERNARDO; FIREFIGHTERS STILL BATTLE JULIET BLAZE
Printer-friendly versionOctober 14, 2008, 11:00 p.m. — All major highways in San Diego County are open tonight. The Juliet Fire, which burned 3,980 acres in the Oceanside area after spreading from Camp Pendleton, is now 60% contained and evacuation orders in Fallbrook have been lifted. The Shockey Fire in Campo is 100% contained after burning 200 acres. A small fire
NEW FIRES BREAK OUT IN RANCHO BERNARDO AND OCEANSIDE, I-5 CLOSED
Printer-friendly versionOctober 14 (12:30 p.m.) – Santa Ana winds are fueling new fires in several portions of San Diego County, forcing closure of several major highways and evacuations in the Rancho Bernardo, Oceanside, Fallbrook and Campo areas last night and today. Police have ordered evacuation of homes on the west side of a fire on a hillside at Camino del
FIRE NEAR CAMPO 50% CONTAINED, HWYS 94 AND 8 CLOSED, 400 EVACUATED
Printer-friendly versionOctober 13 (Campo) 9:30 a.m. — Three hundred homes have been ordered to evacuate due to a 100-acre wildfire that began at Highway 94 near Shockey Truck Trail. The blaze has burned 100 areas on both sides of 94 and is 50% contained. No structures have been lost. Evacuation centers have been established at at the Potrero Library and
4,000 FLEE FIRES IN PENDLETON, OCEANSIDE, FALLBROOK
Printer-friendly version Fire in North County. Photo by Corina Squires October 14 (Camp Pendleton) 12:10 p.m. – The third blaze in there weeks to strike Camp Pendleton has charred over 1,500 acres, forcing evacution of over 4,000 people from Oceanside as well as base housing. Some schools in Oceanside may be closed tomorrow, ECM has learned. The Juliet fire forced
SDG&E THREAT TO CUT POWER DURING FIRE DANGER SPARKS HEATED OUTCRY AMONG EAST COUNTY RESIDENTS
Printer-friendly versionLarge crowd likely at CPUC meeting Tuesday in San Diego By Miriam Raftery October 13, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) – Backcountry residents are reacting with shock, praise and outrage to a notice sent by San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) to 45,000 customers warning that power lines may be shut off when fire danger is high. With red
HIGH FIRE DANGER, SANTA ANA WINDS STARTING TONIGHT
Printer-friendly versionCAL Fire gears up with extra airpower, asks homeowners to take defensive steps; SDG&E may cut power in high-risk areas Story and photos by Miriam Raftery October 12, 2008 (El Cajon) – CAL Fire has issued a warning that the danger of wildfire is high due to forecasts of Santa Ana winds starting tonight combined with already hot, dry
Great Debates: Congressional Candidates Square Off
Printer-friendly version Duncan Hunter Mike Lumpkin 52nd Congressional district candidates face off in a series of five debates. Here’s your chance to learn first-hand where candidates stand–or even ask a question yourself! Former U.S. Navy Seal Commander Mike Lumpkin, a Democrat, battles ex-USMC Captain Duncan D. Hunter, Republican, and Libertarian Mike Benoit to replace retiring Congressman Duncan Hunter in debates
WATER, PACE OF DEVELOPMENT TOP CONCERNS IN CAMPO/LAKE MORENA PLANNING GROUP RACE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Lake Morena October 6, 2008 (Campo) – Concerns over the impacts of new and proposed major developments on water supplies and community character have divided community members in this rural region. Tensions ran high at a forum for Campo/Lake Morena Planning Group candidates held on September 29th, where community members posed tough questions for candidates on
CITY, COUNTY SEE SHIFTS TOWARD DEMOCRATIC COLUMN – OCT. 20 DEADLINE FOR VOTER REGISTRATION
Printer-friendly versionCountywide, new voter registrations have been running ten to one Democratic over Republican for the past several months, even in traditionally “red” conservative areas including Santee and El Cajon. According to an October 1, 2008 report issued by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, Democrats now outnumber Republicans by 249,338 to 189,012 in the City of San Diego,
RETURN OF THE RESISTANCE STATE: WHAT ANOTHER TRUMP PRESIDENCY WILL MEAN FOR CALIFORNIA
Printer-friendly version By Alexei Koseff • CalMatters Photo by Gage Skidmore (CC via Wikipedia): Donald Trump at a June rally in Surprise, Arizona November 6, 2024 (Sacramento) — Former President Donald Trump won a second term after four years out of the White House, likely thrusting California back into leading the resistance against him. The Associated Press made its call at 3
SCHIFF WINS CALIFORNIA’S U.S. SENATE SEAT
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 6, 2024 (Sacramento) – Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff, who led impeachment efforts against Donald Trump, is poised to defeat former baseball player Steve Garvey, a Republican, to represent California in the U.S. Senate. Shiff has nearly 60% of the votes, with over half of all votes counted statewide, according to the California Secretary of
REPUBLICANS TAKE CONTROL OF U.S. SENATE; TRUMP WINS PRESIDENTIAL RACE
Printer-friendly version Update: Kamala Harris has congratulated Trump on his win. Republicans have also taken control of the House. By Miriam Raftery November 5, 2024 (Washington D.C.) – Former President Donald Trump has won two major battleground states, CNN and AP predict, and is edging closer to victory in the hotly contested presidential race. Currently Trump is projected to have
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
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