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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
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
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
Supporters flee Swalwell’s governor campaign amid allegations of sexual assault
Printer-friendly versionBy Jeanne Kuang and Yue Stella Yu, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: U.S. Rep. Eric
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
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
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
Mountain Empire Art Show Debuts April 15 in Boulevard
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 14, 2026 (Boulevard) — The Backcountry Resource Center in Boulevard will be busy this Wednesday,
Features
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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SUNNY WEATHER FORECAST FOR THANKSGIVING DAY
Printer-friendly version East County News Service November 27, 2024 (San Diego) – The National Weather Service in San Diego tweeted today, “We are thankful for sunny skies across Southern California this Thanksgiving!” High temperatures will generally be in the 50s for the mountains, 60s for the coastline, and 70s for inland valleys and deserts. That’s great news for all who
SEX OFFENDER MERLE WAKEFIELD RELEASED IN JACUMBA HOT SPRINGS
Printer-friendly version East County News Service November 27, 2024 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Yesterday, sexually violent predator Merle Wakefield was conditionally released from Coalinga State Hospital as a transient. He has been temporarily placed at a home at 42920 Desert Rose Ranch in Jacumba Hot Springs. He will have 24-hour supervision by Liberty Healthcare, a private company contracted by the
SHERIFF RELEASES VIDEO OF SUSPECT SHOT AND KILLED IN SPRING VALLEY
Printer-friendly version View video (viewer discretion advised) By Miriam Raftery Photo courtesy of ECM news partner ABC 10 News November 27, 2024 (Spring Valley) – The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has released video from November 15, when seven deputies opened fire and killed Victor Rendon, Jr., 34. Rendon had fired shots inside his ex-girlfriend’s home on Leland Street in
LA MESA SENIOR MISSING SINCE OCT. 29 WAS LAST SEEN ON FREEWAY; POLICE ASK ANYONE WHO GAVE HER A RIDE TO NOTIFY AUTHORITIES
Printer-friendly version Newly released photo shows Vivian Crowder on day she went missing East County News Service November 27, 2024 (La Mesa) – Vivian Crowder, 71, who has dementia, has been missing for four weeks. La Mesa Police have released a photo of Crowder when shew as last seen on Oct. 29 at 12:14 p.m. walking along the shoulder of
MAN EXTRADITED FOR 1991 MURDER DIES IN COUNTY JAIL
Printer-friendly version East County News Service November 27, 2024 (San Diego) – The suspect in a 1991 Emerald Hills murder investigated by San Diego Police Department was extradited from El Salvador and booked into the Sheriff’s custody on Sept. 23. On November 15, while incarcerated at the George Bailey Detention facility, he developed shortness of breath and was transported to
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN ABLOOM FOR ANNIVERSARY EVENT
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo, left: Mark Robak, chair of the Water Conservation Garden’s joint powers authority November 21, 2024 (Rancho San Diego) – The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College celebrated its 25th anniversary on November 9 with a free celebration commemorating a quarter century of educating the public on water conservation and more. Visitors filled the garden to
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: RESTORED FISHING FLOAT RETURNS TO LOVELAND RESERVOIR
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery November 26, 2024 (Alpine) – Nearly two years after a severe storm damaged the floating fishing dock at Loveland Reservoir in Alpine back in January 2023, a restored fishing dock is back. When Sweetwater Water Authority drained the reservoir to dead pool status in late 2022, the fishing dock was left on dry land, subsequently torn
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: CONTROLLED BURN IN CAMPO
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 24, 2024 (Campo) – Eileen Martinez of Boulevard took these photos of controlled burn conducted by Cal Fire in the Cal Fire area on November 22. She wrote after receiving our alert, “Thanks for keeping us up to date! I was driving thru Campo this evening and this fire was visible all
95,000 COUNTERFEIT CHOCOLATE BARS LACED WITH MAGIC MUSHROOMS SEIZED
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery November 24, 2024 (San Diego) – Drug testing on “Polka Dot” labeled chocolate bars seized back in September by narcotics detectives from the Sheriff’s department from a Chula Vista business found that the products had been adulterated with several controlled substances, including Amanita Muscaria mushrooms, better known as “magic mushrooms,” a strong psychedelic drug and hallucinogen.
SCHOOL THREAT IN ALPINE
Printer-friendly versionSource: San Diego Sheriff’s Department November 22, 2024 (Alpine) – On Thursday, November 21, around 5:30 p.m., the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the administration of Shadow Hills Elementary School in Alpine about threats made by two students against a group of students and teachers. School administrators told deputies from the Alpine Sheriff’s Station they had identified
U.S. Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s tariffs. Here’s how they’ve affected California
Printer-friendly version By Levi Sumagaysay, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: The cellar room of Tablas Creek Vineyard in Paso Robles on July 30, 2025. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local February 20, 2026 (Sacramento) – In a major blow against President Donald Trump, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday that he does not have the authority
Storm drops nearly 6 inches of rain at Cuyamaca, 3 inches of snow on Mt. Laguna with more forecast
By Miriam Raftery February 19, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – A winter storm advisory remains in effect for San Diego’s mountain areas, with additional…
Cognitive decline disproportionately affects Black Americans–why this is happening and how you can help
By Kristen Romea, LCSW, Director of Supportive Services , and l eaders of the Encanto 4 th Thursday Caregivers Support Group : Linda Cochran-Johnson ,…
Storm drops nearly 6 inches of rain at Cuyamaca, 3 inches of snow on Mt. Laguna with more forecast
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery February 19, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – A winter storm advisory remains in effect for San Diego’s mountain areas, with additional snow and rain forecast through early Friday morning. From Monday through Wednesday evening, the storm system dropped three inches of snow on Mt. Laguna, with snow even along Interstate 8 from Alpine east to the county
Cognitive decline disproportionately affects Black Americans–why this is happening and how you can help
Printer-friendly versionBy Kristen Romea, LCSW, Director of Supportive Services, and leaders of the Encanto 4th Thursday Caregivers Support Group: Linda Cochran-Johnson, Naomi Rogers-Bea, and Roberta Stokes Photo courtesy Alzheimer’s San Diego February 18, 2026 (San Diego) — Black History Month is a time to celebrate the culture and contributions of Black Americans. However, these celebrations are also an opportunity to examine the disparities many
San Diegans remember civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, 1941-2026
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Image: Jesse Jackson addresses United Nations in 2012; US Mission Geneva. Creative Commons license 2.0 February 18, 2026 (San Diego) –San Diego leaders are praising the life and legacy of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader and protégé of Martin Luther King Jr., who died yesterday after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Rev. Shane Harris, a San Diego-based
More storms on the way, free sandbags available
By Gig Conaughton , County of San Diego Communications Office February 17, 2026 (San Diego) – With more and potentially heavy rains still forecasted this…
Teamsters strike at SDSU impacts traffic on I-8
By Miriam Raftery February 17, 2026 (San Diego) – Teamsters Local 2010 is holding a four-day unfair labor practice strike at 22 California State University…
Hazardous weather system moves into region
East County News Service February 16, 2026 (San Diego)—A wind advisory is in effect today across San Diego County through 8 p.m., with another wind…
More storms on the way, free sandbags available
Printer-friendly version By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office February 17, 2026 (San Diego) – With more and potentially heavy rains still forecasted this week, the County and CAL FIRE are providing free bags and/or sand at numerous fire stations for people who live in the unincorporated areas. Rain can cause flooding and erosion, particularly in areas that are not covered
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