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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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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
71-YEAR-OLD STABBING VICTIM SUCCUMBS TO INJURY; HOMELESS SUSPECT IN CUSTODY
Printer-friendly version By Rachel Williams October 17, 2024 (El Cajon) — In the seam of Benedict Ave’s 800 block at around 9:15 p.m. on Oct. 5, a chilly Saturday night two weekends ago, El Cajon police officers responded to a 911 call reporting the stabbing of a 71-year-old man, Steven Barron, who suffered a wound to his torso. He was
71-YEAR-OLD STABBING VICTIM SUCCUMBS TO INJURY; HOMELESS SUSPECT IN CUSTODY
Printer-friendly version By Rachel Williams October 17, 2024 (El Cajon) — In the seam of Benedict Ave’s 800 block at around 9:15 p.m. on Oct. 5, a chilly Saturday night two weekends ago, El Cajon police officers responded to a 911 call reporting the stabbing of a 71-year-old man, Steven Barron, who suffered a wound to his torso. He was
71-YEAR-OLD STABBING VICTIM SUCCUMBS TO INJURY; HOMELESS SUSPECT IN CUSTODY
Printer-friendly version By Rachel Williams October 17, 2024 (El Cajon) — In the seam of Benedict Ave’s 800 block at around 9:15 p.m. on Oct. 5, a chilly Saturday night two weekends ago, El Cajon police officers responded to a 911 call reporting the stabbing of a 71-year-old man, Steven Barron, who suffered a wound to his torso. He was
TRUMP CALLS FOR MILITARY TO BE USED ON HIS “ENEMIES WITHIN” ON U.S. SOIL; HIS JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF CHAIRMAN CALLS TRUMP “FASCIST” AND “MOST DANGEROUS PERSON TO THIS COUNTRY”
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photo, left: Screenshot of Trump at rally in Aurora,Colorado Friday where he threatened violence and military retribution against his enemies in America October 16, 2024 – Alarm bells are being sounded by former generals who served under Trump, who warn that his increasing threats of violence and retribution against political enemies and journalists are “fascist,”
TRUMP CALLS FOR MILITARY TO BE USED ON HIS “ENEMIES WITHIN” ON U.S. SOIL; HIS JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF CHAIRMAN CALLS TRUMP “FASCIST” AND “MOST DANGEROUS PERSON TO THIS COUNTRY”
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photo, left: Screenshot of Trump at rally in Aurora,Colorado Friday where he threatened violence and military retribution against his enemies in America October 16, 2024 – Alarm bells are being sounded by former generals who served under Trump, who warn that his increasing threats of violence and retribution against political enemies and journalists are “fascist,”
TRUMP CALLS FOR MILITARY TO BE USED ON HIS “ENEMIES WITHIN” ON U.S. SOIL; HIS JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF CHAIRMAN CALLS TRUMP “FASCIST” AND “MOST DANGEROUS PERSON TO THIS COUNTRY”
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photo, left: Screenshot of Trump at rally in Aurora,Colorado Friday where he threatened violence and military retribution against his enemies in America October 16, 2024 – Alarm bells are being sounded by former generals who served under Trump, who warn that his increasing threats of violence and retribution against political enemies and journalists are “fascist,”
SANTEE’S NEW TURF FIELDS READY FOR ACTION
Printer-friendly version By Mike Allen October 16, 2024 (Santee) — At least four Santee sports groups including the local Pop Warner club, the Ravens, and youth soccer teams will soon get to experience the newly installed synthetic turf fields at Town Center Community Park. The two new fields that feature lines for both football and soccer and can accommodate lacrosse
SANTEE’S NEW TURF FIELDS READY FOR ACTION
Printer-friendly version By Mike Allen October 16, 2024 (Santee) — At least four Santee sports groups including the local Pop Warner club, the Ravens, and youth soccer teams will soon get to experience the newly installed synthetic turf fields at Town Center Community Park. The two new fields that feature lines for both football and soccer and can accommodate lacrosse
SANTEE’S NEW TURF FIELDS READY FOR ACTION
Printer-friendly version By Mike Allen October 16, 2024 (Santee) — At least four Santee sports groups including the local Pop Warner club, the Ravens, and youth soccer teams will soon get to experience the newly installed synthetic turf fields at Town Center Community Park. The two new fields that feature lines for both football and soccer and can accommodate lacrosse
GARVEY, SCHIFF CLASH ON ABORTION, GUNS AND TRUMP IN ONLY ONE-ON-ONE DEBATE
Printer-friendly versionIn summary: In their only TV face-off before Election Day, U.S. Senate contenders Steve Garvey and Adam Schiff tussle over immigration and other issues. By Yue Stella Yu, Cal Matters View full debate Photo: U.S. Senate candidates Adam Schiff, left, and Steve Garvey, right; screenshot via C-Span October 14, 2024 (Glendale, CA) — The sparks started flying between U.S.
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