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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
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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

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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SHERIFF REMOVES SONIC WEAPON STATEMENT FROM HIS WEBSITE, RAISING QUESTIONS OVER STATUS OF DEVICE
Printer-friendly version Is the LRAD disabled, or not? By Miriam Raftery January 28, 2010 (San Diego) San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore drew sharp criticism from the public and his three political opponents following an article we published last fall, revealing that his office purchased a long-range acoustic device (LRAD) and rolled it out at Congressional healthcare forums and other
HOMELESS IN EAST COUNTY: ONE WOMAN’S STORY
Printer-friendly version This is the first in a series of interviews profiling people who are homeless in East County. If you know of a homeless person willing to be interviewed, please contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org By Miriam Raftery January 28, 2010 (El Cajon) – “I’m trying to get off the street,” says Dawn Marie (last name withheld), who has been homeless
NO BRAINER: GROSSMONT HOSPITAL FINED FOR OPERATING ON WRONG SIDE OF PATIENT’S SKULL
Printer-friendly version January 28, 2010 (La Mesa) – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has fined three local hospitals (Grossmont Hospital, UC San Diego Medical Center, and Sharp Memorial Hospital in Kearny Mesa) $50,000 each for mistakes that could cause serious injury or death to patients. In East County, Grossmont Hospital was penalized for performing brain surgery on the
RAMONA MOTHER KILLED IN HIGHWAY 67 COLLISION
Printer-friendly version January 27, 2010 (Ramona) – Bridgette T. Hale, 36, was killed in a head-on collision on State Route 67 near Johnson Lake Road in Lakeside on Tuesday. Hale was driving southbound in her Chevy Astro Van when she was struck head-on by an Oldsmobile that had crossed a double-yellow line, according to the California Highway Patrol. Emergency responders
THE GAS COMPANY OFFERS HELP WITH POST-HOLIDAY UTILITY BILLS
Printer-friendly version Customers Urged to Enroll in Assistance, Energy-efficiency Programs January 27, 2010 (San Diego) – As post-holiday bills arrive in mailboxes this month, some families will be faced with tough financial decisions, struggling to make payments in a difficult economy. Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company) urges customers to take advantage of the utility’s assistance programs — programs
FINANCIAL AID REQUESTS UP 31%, GROSSMONT COLLEGE REPORTS
Printer-friendly version A new report from Grossmont College says the number of Grossmont students applying to receive financial aid is increasing, along with the amount of dollars disbursed in tuition assistance. Michael Copenhaver, Grossmont College director of financial aid, said the number of students completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is 31 percent higher for
ARE YOU COVERED? GET INFORMED BEFORE THE NEXT STORM
Printer-friendly version By Tod Aubin Editors note: Recent storms proved eye-openers for many local residents. Are you covered if a tree falls on your roof? What if your house floods? Will insurance pick up the tab if you drive through deep water and get stuck or worse, washed away? Find out what you need to know about storm insurance in this informative piece
MEMORIAL SUNDAY AT STEELE CANYON FOR DAVID REID; SCHOLARSHIP FUND ESTABLISHED IN HIS MEMORY
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery January 27, 2010 (Spring Valley) – A memorial service for David Norman Reid will be held on Sunday, January 31st at 2 p.m. at the Steele Canyon High School theater (see address below). Reid was killed last Friday when a car driven by Andrew Bellati, 18, crossed the center line at a high speed and
“COFFEE HOUSE FOR HAITI” AT SALVATION ARMY KROC CENTER FRI. JAN. 29
Printer-friendly version January 21, 2009 – Over 700 Salvation Army relief workers are in Haiti, bringing food and medical attention to earthquake survivors. Amid the devastation, there are some tiny miracles –including three babies born at the Salvation Army clinic since the quake struck (photo, left). Locally, The Salvation Army Kroc Center’s Verge Theater Company invites you to
SAVE A HEART: ONLINE CPR CLASSES
Printer-friendly version January 26, 2010 (San Diego)–Would you know how to respond if your child stopped breathing or someone you love had a heart attack? As parents we all want the very best for our children. But when it comes to knowing what to do if our child stops breathing, we panic and call 911. Every year, we hear

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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