Thanks To Our Sponsors
Be a sponsor!
Breaking News
Explore What Matters
News Center
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
What East County Topic Matters Most to You?
Get East County Wildfire, Emergency Alerts
Latest Stories
Sponsorship Placement
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 days a
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 versionWater 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 in 2024
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 and the
‘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 the gym after Walton in 2018. Walton died of colon cancer at age 71 in 2024. Story and photos by Karen Pearlman April 14, 2026 (La Mesa) — Bill Walton, who preferred being known as “Billy from La Mesa,” will be memorialized with an
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
HELP NEEDED TO IDENTIFY MAN KILLED BY CAR IN LAKESIDE ON AUGUST 30
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 28, 2024 (Lakeside) — San Diego County Medical Examiner’s investigators are asking for the public’s help to identify a man hit by a car on Mapleview Street in Lakeside back on August 30. They want to notify his family of his death. The decedent appears to be a Caucasian or Hispanic male approximately 55
HELP NEEDED TO IDENTIFY MAN KILLED BY CAR IN LAKESIDE ON AUGUST 30
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 28, 2024 (Lakeside) — San Diego County Medical Examiner’s investigators are asking for the public’s help to identify a man hit by a car on Mapleview Street in Lakeside back on August 30. They want to notify his family of his death. The decedent appears to be a Caucasian or Hispanic male approximately 55
SHERIFF’S VOLUNTEER SEARCH TEAM FINDS WOMAN HIKER LOST FOR TWO DAYS NEAR LAKE MORENA
Printer-friendly versionSource: San Diego Sheriff’s Department October 27, 2024 (Campo) – The San Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers have found and rescued a woman who was lost in San Diego’s backcountry for almost two days. On Saturday, October 26, just before 2 p.m., deputies with the Sheriff’s Rural Enforcement Division received a call from the family of a 50-year-old
SHERIFF’S VOLUNTEER SEARCH TEAM FINDS WOMAN HIKER LOST FOR TWO DAYS NEAR LAKE MORENA
Printer-friendly versionSource: San Diego Sheriff’s Department October 27, 2024 (Campo) – The San Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers have found and rescued a woman who was lost in San Diego’s backcountry for almost two days. On Saturday, October 26, just before 2 p.m., deputies with the Sheriff’s Rural Enforcement Division received a call from the family of a 50-year-old
SHERIFF’S VOLUNTEER SEARCH TEAM FINDS WOMAN HIKER LOST FOR TWO DAYS NEAR LAKE MORENA
Printer-friendly versionSource: San Diego Sheriff’s Department October 27, 2024 (Campo) – The San Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers have found and rescued a woman who was lost in San Diego’s backcountry for almost two days. On Saturday, October 26, just before 2 p.m., deputies with the Sheriff’s Rural Enforcement Division received a call from the family of a 50-year-old
39 VOTE CENTERS NOW OPEN FOR NOVEMBER 5 PRESIDENTIAL GENERAL ELECTION; 200 MORE TO OPEN NOV. 2
Printer-friendly version By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office October 27, 2024 (San Diego)– You don’t have to wait until Election Day to vote in person. Voters can take advantage of early voting at 39 vote centers that opened Oct. 26 and will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. around the county until Election Day, November 5. On
39 VOTE CENTERS NOW OPEN FOR NOVEMBER 5 PRESIDENTIAL GENERAL ELECTION; 200 MORE TO OPEN NOV. 2
Printer-friendly version By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office October 27, 2024 (San Diego)– You don’t have to wait until Election Day to vote in person. Voters can take advantage of early voting at 39 vote centers that opened Oct. 26 and will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. around the county until Election Day, November 5. On
EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE JOURNALISTS TAKE HOME MULTIPLE AWARDS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery October 27, 2024 (San Diego)—Four members of East County Magazine’s journalism team won awards at the San Diego Press Club’s Excellence in Journalism Awards presented on October 22. Their coverage encompassed public safety issues in La Mesa, the future of the Water Conservation Garden, international migrants in Jacumba, and La Mesa’s ban on public
EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE JOURNALISTS TAKE HOME MULTIPLE AWARDS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery October 27, 2024 (San Diego)—Four members of East County Magazine’s journalism team won awards at the San Diego Press Club’s Excellence in Journalism Awards presented on October 22. Their coverage encompassed public safety issues in La Mesa, the future of the Water Conservation Garden, international migrants in Jacumba, and La Mesa’s ban on public
EAST COUNTY CHAMBER HAS AN ARRAY OF EVENTS COMING UP
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 27,2024 (San Diego’s East County) –The East County Regional Chamber of Commerce has several events coming up including First Friday breakfasts, business after hours mixers, coffee connect, a veterans’ awards luncheon, and holiday mixers. Go to https://business.eastcountychamber.org/events/calendarcatgid/Chamber-Events-6 to see all upcoming events and to register. Below are links for details on the individual events.
Get Wildfire Alerts & Wildfire Emergency News
Partner To ECM
Our Engaged Audience
5 to 10 million hits
per month!
5 to 10 million hits
per month!
A quarter million visits
each month
Most widely read news site dedicated to
San Diego’s East County
Winner of over 150
journalism awards
“Sponsoring East County Magazine is a great way to reach our loyal and engaged readers, who value organizations and businesses that support nonprofit, independent news in the public interest and wildfire/emergency alerts that keep people safe and informed. Sponsors can choose to underwrite our community news site, support a favorite section or a new special section, underwrite an event, or sponsor our wildfire and emergency alerts.”
— Miriam Raftery, Founder of East County Magazine
Community Links
Thanks To Our Major Sponsors
📬 Subscribe to ECM – 100% Free, Trusted by East County Since 2008
- Emergency alerts
- Breaking news
- No spam ever