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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
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
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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2 SAN DIEGO RESCUE TEAMS HEAD TO HAITI
Printer-friendly version January 17, 2009 (San Diego) – Two San Diego organizations, International Relief Teams (IRT) and Rescue Task Force (RTF) are dispatching teams to aid victims of the devastating 7.0 earthquake that rocked Haiti last Tuesday. The situation is criticial with infrastructure destroyed including most hospitals, the major port, roadways and the palace. Hundreds of thousands are
SEMPRA DONATES $50,000 TO HELP HAITIAN EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS
Printer-friendly version January 17, 2010 – Sempra Energy Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Sempra Energy (parent company of San Diego Gas & Electric Co.) has pledged $50,000 in disaster-relief assistance funds to victims of the devastating Haitian earthquake. Sempra Energy Foundation will direct the funds through the San Diego—Imperial County Chapter of the American Red Cross International Relief
IF YOU NEED SANDBAGS, EQUIPMENT OR OTHER HELP DURING STORMS…
Printer-friendly version January 17, 2010 – CAL FIRE and the San Diego County Fire Authority have filled thousands of sandbags and are gearing up for the expected stormy weather with heavy equipment and manpower on hand to help in the event of emergencies. Sandbags were filled at the following locations and remain available to the public, though the
HAZARDOUS WEATHER WATCH ISSUED: SERIES OF STORMS TO BRING HEAVY RAINS, SNOW, HIGH WINDS & FLOODING
Printer-friendly version January 17, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather watch for southwestern California due to a series of storms slated to strike our region starting Monday. The powerful storms are predicted to dump 15 to 25 inches of rain and snow in mountain areas and bring wind gusts of
“BELIEVE” CHARGER GEAR HELPS BENEFIT COPLEY YMCA IN CITY HEIGHTS
Printer-friendly version January 17, 2009 (San Diego) — Pacific Sportswear & Emblem Company has created a line of Chargers hats, t-Shirts and silicone “charity” wristbands with the “BELIEVE” message to keep sports fans’ spirit alive in San Diego. A percentage of the sale of each “BELIEVE” item will benefit the Copley Family YMCA, which primarily serves children, teens and
FIRE DAMAGES SPRING VALLEY HOME
Printer-friendly version January 17, 2010 (Spring Valley) — A two story house fire in Spring Valley triggered a two-alarm response Saturday afternoon, resulting in $100,000 of damage, according to a preliminary estimate. No injuries were reported. The location and construction type showed potential for tremendous destruction. The fire was reported at 1:25 PM on the 3500 block of Saddle
EL CAJON MAN KILLED IN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT IN ALPINE
Printer-friendly version January 16, 2010 (Alpine) – Virgil Frank Garrett of El Cajon has been identified by the County Coroner’s office as the victim who died in a January 9th accident in Alpine. Today would have been his 50th birthday. According to authorities, Garrett was the driver and sole occupant of a motorcycle traveling eastbound on Alpine Boulevard
CHALLENGE CENTER, LA MESA RECEIVES $11,000 DONATION FROM LOCAL DOCTOR
Printer-friendly version January 16, 2010 (La Mesa) – Roy Springer, MD, a doctor with Center for Family Health in La Mesa, has presented an $11,000 check to the challenge Center, a nonprofit fitness club in La Mesa dedicated to helping people with disabilities achieve independence. “This give will provide a lot of health and life skills for those most often
CLASSES, TOURS, & MORE OFFERED AT THE WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN
Printer-friendly version January 14, 2010 (Rancho San Diego)—The Water Conservation Garden, located at Cuyamaca Collegei in El Cajon, invites the public to enjoy its 2010 winter and spring events. Classes offered help residents save water and money by focusing on water smart landscaping techniques and plants. Classes are taught by experts and topics include lawn removal, water-smart landscape design, backyard composting, irrigation
EARLY MORNING FIRE LIGHTS UP SKY IN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly version December 16, 2010 (El Cajon) — San Miguel Firefighters laid enough hose to cover the length of seven football fields during the fight to save a home in the Granite Hills neighborhood of El Cajon. The fire was reported at 12:51 Saturday morning on the 800 block of Van Horn Road. As crews responded, witnesses reported seeing
Man arrested for sexually battering two women in Spring Valley after passerby intervenes to stop assault
East County News Service February 23, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Andres Sandoval, 47, has been arrested for reportedly sexually assaulting two women Saturday morning near…
Unfounded threat locked down Monte Vista High School
East County News Service February 23, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Shortly before noon today, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office was made aware of a…
Rehabilitated bobcat released after 4-month recovery in Ramona
Photo courtesy San Diego Humane Society East County News Service Feb. 23, 2026 (Ramona) — A bobcat kitten was returned to her native habitat yesterday…
Lemon Grove City Council appoints two new Planning Commission members
“I love Lemon Grove, and I always like to think the glass is half full, not half empty.” – David Eckler, newly appointed Lemon Grove…
Man arrested for sexually battering two women in Spring Valley after passerby intervenes to stop assault
East County News Service February 23, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Andres Sandoval, 47, has been arrested for reportedly sexually assaulting two women Saturday morning near…
El Cajon Mayor Wells and city leaders outline achievements and goals during State of City address
Printer-friendly version By Kevin A. Green Miriam Raftery contributed to this report Photos via elcajon.gov The mayor and city officials outline planned actions to benefit the community February 23, 2026 (El Cajon) — El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells addressed public safety, homelessness, the economy and more during his State of the City address February 3 at the Ronald Reagan Community Center.
Lemon Grove City Council appoints two new Planning Commission members
Printer-friendly version“I love Lemon Grove, and I always like to think the glass is half full, not half empty.” – David Eckler, newly appointed Lemon Grove planning commissioner. Photo by Armando Rasing II: The Lemon Grove City Council introducing the new planning commission candidates one-by-one on Tuesday night By Armando Rasing II February 23, 2026 (Lemon Grove) – David Eckler
Rehabilitated bobcat released after 4-month recovery in Ramona
Printer-friendly versionPhoto courtesy San Diego Humane Society East County News Service Feb. 23, 2026 (Ramona) — A bobcat kitten was returned to her native habitat yesterday (Feb. 22) after undergoing four months of intensive medical treatment at the San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center. The release marked the end of a recovery process that began under critical conditions. On Oct. 14,
San Diegans remember civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, 1941-2026
By Miriam Raftery Image: Jesse Jackson addresses United Nations in 2012; US Mission Geneva. Creative Commons license 2.0 February 1 8 , 2026 (San Diego)…
San Diego FC starts 2026 MLS season with 5-0 win
Photo courtesy San Diego FC Instagram East County News Service Feb. 22, 2026 (San Diego) — If Saturday night’s match at Snapdragon Stadium was any…
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