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ECM World Watch: national and global news
Printer-friendly versionApril 9, 2026 (San Diego) — As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include

Three arrested in child abuse investigation, drugs also uncovered
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 9, 2026 (Spring Valley) — Three Spring Valley residents are in custody following an
News Issues

Three arrested in child abuse investigation, drugs also uncovered
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 9, 2026 (Spring Valley) — Three Spring Valley residents are in custody following an

AB 1959 moves along, inspired by 2001 school shooting at Santana
Printer-friendly version Story and photo by Karen Pearlman April 9, 2026 (Santee) — Twenty-five years after teenage student armed with
Politics

Latest No Kings rallies draw 70,000 in San Diego County, 8 million nationwide
70,000 San Diego County residents join 8 million nationwide in No Kings demonstrations, the largest ever U.S. protest By Miriam Raftery March 31, 2026 (San…

El Cajon City Council denies Afghan Center’s appeal for prayer tent extension
East County News Service March 30, 2026 (El Cajon ) — The El Cajon City Council last week unanimously upheld a decision by the city’s…
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

Cheers to the Valley Wine Festival April 18 in Ramona
East County News Service April 5, 2026 (Ramona) – The Ramona Chamber of Commerce is inviting the public to savor the 2026 Cheers to the…

Destination East County: Festive events in mid-April and May 2026
By Miriam Raftery April 5, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – As April continues, drifting into the merry month of May, there are many unique…
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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

Three arrested in child abuse investigation, drugs also uncovered
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 9, 2026 (Spring Valley) — Three Spring Valley residents are in custody following an

AB 1959 moves along, inspired by 2001 school shooting at Santana
Printer-friendly version Story and photo by Karen Pearlman April 9, 2026 (Santee) — Twenty-five years after teenage student armed with
Features

Historic landmark to anchor new travel center in Jamul
Artist’s rendering of coming Barretts Travel Center in Jamul (Photo courtesy Kirvin Doak Communications ) East County News Service April

Photo of the week: Jacumba sunset
April 6, 2026 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Martin Eder sent in this photo, taken along Interstate 8 just west of
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Automated license plate reader technology helps ECPD arrest burglary suspects
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 28, 2025 (El Cajon) – Officers from El Cajon Police Department responded to reports of a home burglary in progress, with the family inside on November 23 around 9:14 a.m. Whey they arrived, officers learned that two suspects—a woman who fled on foot and a man who stole the victims’ SUV—had already left the

Keep pets safe throughout the holiday season
Printer-friendly versionBy Sir Milo Loftin, County of San Diego Communications Office November 28, 2025 (San Diego) – The holidays are a time for food, family and celebration. But the extra activity, rich meals and decorations can create hazards for pets. County Animal Services is sharing safety tips to help keep cats, dogs and other pets safe from Thanksgiving through New

Hearing and new website showcase County housing efforts
Printer-friendly versionBy Donna Durckel, County of San Diego Communications Office Image credit: Shutterstock November 28, 2025 (San Diego) – The Board of Supervisors held a housing workshop that focused on unincorporated land use policy and the need for regional housing solutions in support of the County’s commitment to address the region’s housing crisis. The informational workshop set the stage ahead

Border Patrol apprehends escaped felon in Descanso
Printer-friendly version East County News Service September 27, 2025 (Julian)— U.S. Border Patrol agents from the San Diego sector have apprehended a felon who escaped from a Cal Fire work camp in Julian early on Nov. 24. The escapee, Joseph Lee Randall, was serving time for crimes including corporal injury, petty theft, vehicle theft, and grand theft. Using the Border

Mount Miguel High School to become “Mount Miguel Early College High School,” expanding college opportunities
Printer-friendly versionBoard approval marks a major milestone for Spring Valley school, enhancing college readiness programs and building on past successes Source: Grossmont Union High School District November 26, 2025 (Spring Valley) – Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) Governing Board President Dr. Gary C. Woods announced the Board’s official approval to rename Mount Miguel High School as Mount Miguel Early College

Sharp HealthCare nurses begin strike
Printer-friendly version Photo of striking nurses by Lauren Cazares Facebook page East County News Service Nov. 26, 2025 (San Diego County) — Thousands of nurses at Sharp HealthCare in San Diego began a strike today that is expected to last through Thanksgiving weekend. The strike is likely to impact hospital operations during one of the busiest times of the year.

Grossmont District’s high schools experience first semester without teacher librarians
Printer-friendly version“They meant to hurt us, but they’re hurting our kids.” –Jason Balisteri, Mount Miguel history teacher and former teacher-librarian By Armando Rasing II Photos, left: protest signs at GUHSD board meeting when the majority voted to fire all teacher-librarians. November 25, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The 2025-26 school year marks the first school year that the Grossmont

San Diego plans 322% housing boom for College Area amid SDSU’s continued growth
Printer-friendly versionBy Calista Stocker, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: an aerial view of the College Area. Photo courtesy of the city. November 25, 2025 (San Diego) – San Diego is set to update the College Area’s blueprint for future development, and San Diego State University’s enrollment forecasts are driving city planners’ push

Warner Springs opens historic adobe doors for inaugural Holiday Tour
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Nov. 25, 2025 (Warner Springs) — The community of Warner Springs will open its proverbial doors next month and offer the public an unprecedented look inside its architectural soul. Six private historic adobe homes — some dating back to the 1890s — will be part of the community’s inaugural Holiday Adobe Home Tour

New City Sinfonia and Downbeat Big Band swing into the holidays with Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Nov. 25, 2025 (El Cajon) — The sounds of the holiday season will get a swinging upgrade next month, as the New City Sinfonia and the Downbeat Big Band team up for a special performance featuring Duke Ellington’s jazz interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s classic, The Nutcracker Suite. Organizers of the Dec. 10 event at

County approves new traffic signals, road improvements and filtration project
By Donna Durckel, County of San Diego Communications Office Photo: rendering of final road improvements February 12, 2026 (San Diego) – The Board of Supervisors…

Treasure hunters wanted at Parkway Collectibles event
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Feb. 12, 2026 (El Cajon) — Whether you are hunting for a rare holographic Pokémon Charizard or looking to add the latest vaulted Funko Pop to your shelf, Parkway Plaza is the place to be later this month. Parkway Collectibles, the monthly pop-up event hosted by The Coin Toss, is set to return from 11 a.m. to 7

Treasure hunters wanted at Parkway Collectibles event
East County News Service Feb. 12, 2026 (El Cajon) — Whether you are hunting for a rare holographic Pokémon Charizard or looking to add the…

Supervisors OK updating ordinance for amplified music at boutique wineries
Grapes at Sierra Roble Winery in Warner Springs Photo and story by Karen Pearlman Feb. 11, 2026 (San Diego County) — The silence will at…

County approves new traffic signals, road improvements and filtration project
Printer-friendly versionBy Donna Durckel, County of San Diego Communications Office Photo: rendering of final road improvements February 12, 2026 (San Diego) – The Board of Supervisors approved three major infrastructure projects to improve safety, mobility and sustainability in unincorporated communities: new traffic signals in Lakeside and Fallbrook, road upgrades in Valley Center and a stormwater filtration project in Fallbrook. New Traffic Signals

Alcohol a factor in head-on crash in Crest that killed Ramona woman, 72
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo via San Diego Fire Protection District February 12, 2026 (Crest) – A Ramona woman, 72, has died of injuries sustained in a head-on crash that occurred February 11 in the Crest area of unincorporated El Cajon. An El Cajon woman, 30, driving a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado eastbound on La Cresta Road east of Coyote

Supervisors OK updating ordinance for amplified music at boutique wineries
Printer-friendly versionGrapes at Sierra Roble Winery in Warner Springs Photo and story by Karen Pearlman Feb. 11, 2026 (San Diego County) — The silence will at last be broken at some of East County’s smallest vineyards. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday voted unanimously to amend the County Zoning Ordinance, allowing amplified live music at boutique wineries. The decision

Court finds San Diego rodeo practices ‘cruel,’ ‘illegal’
Bucking bronco horse at Calgary Stampede; Creative Commons image by SA 3.0 via Wikipedia By Karen Pearlman Feb. 11, 2026 (San Diego) — In a…

Every 15 Minutes comes to Helix Charter High School on February 11th
Source: California Highway Patrol February 11, 2026 (La Mesa) – On February 11, 2026, the California Highway Patrol, in conjunction with Helix Charter High School…

California opens $2.5M in grants to reimagining State Parks through art and culture
East County News Service Feb. 10, 2026 (Sacramento) – Looking to literally bridge the gap between nature and the diverse communities of the state, California…
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