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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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WOMAN ROBBED OF NECKLACE AT LA MESA TROLLEY STATION BY 2 TEEN GIRLS
Printer-friendly version Crimestoppers offers reward November 30, 2009 (La Mesa) – Yesterday at 11:05 a.m., a woman was robbed at the La Mesa Trolley Station at 8248 La Mesa Blvd. The victim had just gotten off the trolley and was robbed on the trolley platform by two female suspects. The victim tried to fight off the two female suspects but
EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: NOVEMBER 30, 2009
Printer-friendly version November 30, 2009 — East County Roundup includes the most important stories about San Diego’s eastern regions, or stories relevant to our readers, that are published by other media. Top stories from the past month include: Bilbray Billing Bilbray: North County Congress member pays his wife from campaign coffers SD Retailers Pleased with
PUBLIC HELP SOUGHT TO FIND GANG MEMBER WHO BEAT, STRANGLED RANCHO SAN DIEGO WOMAN ON THANKSGIVING
Printer-friendly version November 28, 2009 (Rancho San Diego) — an Diego Sheriff’s Department’s Domestic Violence Unit asks the public’s help to locate a suspect on the run. Early on Thanksgiving morning, November 26th, Francisco McCrary allegedly assaulted the mother of his five-year-old son at her home in Rancho San Diego. McCrary reportedly beat and strangled the 29 year-old victim to
BURGLARY SUSPECTS ARRESTED AT LA PRESA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN SPRING VALLEY
Printer-friendly version November 28, 2009 (Spring Valley) – Shortly after noon today, Sheriff deputies responded to a burglary alarm at La Presa Elementary School in Spring Valley. The alarm company reported their audio surveillance system was picking up voices from inside the school. Deputies set a perimeter around the school with the assistance of ASTREA. Shortly after the deputies’ arrival, four
SNOW ON I-8 TRIGGERS ACCIDENTS, TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Printer-friendly version November 28, 2009 (Alpine) — A traffic advisory has been issued on I-8 east of Alpine to the San Diego County line, due to multiple minor injury traffic collisions related to weather conditions. A light snow is falling in the area, but is not sticking, Incident Page Network reports early this afternoon. In addition, the National Weather Service
RANCHO SAN DIEGO-JAMUL CHAMBER HOSTS ANNUAL HOLIDAY BREAKFAST & TOY DRIVE DEC. 11
Printer-friendly version November 28, 2009 (Rancho San Diego) – Rusty Nails, a.k. “The Executive Imposter” will entertain guests at the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce annual holiday breakfast. Festivities take place on Friday, December 11 at Peter Piper Pizza, 2983 Jamacha Road in El Cajon from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. This is the happiest and funniest event of the
POINSETTIA BOWL DEC. 23 AT QUALCOMM STADIUM: SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION IS TITLE SPONSOR OF EVENT TO BENEFIT MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION
Printer-friendly version November 28, 2009 (San Diego) — San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU), with three local branch offices in El Cajon, La Mesa and Santee, has announced it has extended its title sponsorship of the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl through the 2010 game, with options for 2011 and 2012. Since the Poinsettia Bowl’s game inception
ROUGH WATER AHEAD? HELIX WATER BOARD VOTES FOR PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER NEW RATE HIKES
Printer-friendly version “Why can’t we charge people the right cost at the right time?” – Board member Kathleen Hedberg By Kristin Kjaero November 27, 2009 (La Mesa) – – On November 18, the Helix Water District Board dived into controversial waters, voting to hold a public hearing in June on a proposal to raise rates 12.6% effective July 10,
4th arrest made in Helix-area robberies
Printer-friendly version November 28, 2009 (La Mesa)–La Mesa Police have arrested a fourth individual, Johnny Stewart, a 20 year old man from La Mesa, in conjunction with a robbery that occured at Helix Charter High School on November 20. Stewart was arrested November 24 and has been charged with armed robbery; bail is set at $100,000. One adult and two juveniles were previously
SMALL BRUSH FIRE ON I-8 NEAR GOLDEN ACORN CASINO CONTAINED
Printer-friendly version November 26, 2009 – A traffic alert was issued at 10:34 a.m. Thanksgiving Day due to a small brush fire on the side of the freeway along I-8 eastbound near the Golden Acorn Casino in the Live Oaks Springs area. Lanes remained open but traffic slowed briefly due to smoke conditions. At 10:55 a.m., CAL-FIRE confirmed that the fire
Deadlock with Iran: U.S. military threats escalate tensions amid rising violence
Printer-friendly versionIranian-Americans in San Diego march for peace after Iran kills thousands By Alexander J. Schorr February 2, 2026 (San Diego) — After thousands of protesters and others were killed in Iran, Iranian-Americans have taken to the streets across the United States. including here in San Diego to take a stand for freedom. Tensions have been rising between Iran and
First-Ever Spring Valley Changemakers Summit Feb. 19 set to connect community and inspire action
Printer-friendly versionSource: Spring Valley Community Alliance February 2, 2026 (Spring Valley) – The Spring Valley Community Alliance and Spring Valley Chamber of Commerce along with SEEDS partners invite residents and community members to the first-ever Spring Valley Changemakers Summit, a free community gathering designed to connect neighbors with local organizations and nonprofit partners, offering opportunities to learn about local projects, share
First-Ever Spring Valley Changemakers Summit Feb. 19 set to connect community and inspire action
Source: Spring Valley Community Alliance February 2, 2026 (Spring Valley) – The Spring Valley Community Alliance and Spring Valley Chamber of Commerce along with SEEDS…
Lakeside school employee arrested for sexual abuse of minor
East County News Service January 28, 2026 (Lakeside) – Kent Cable, 55, an employee of the Lakeside Union School District in a non-teaching role, has…
Found: Missing woman Tiffanie Russ
Update February 2, 2026: Tiffanie Russ has been located. She is safe and back with her family, per La Mesa Police. East County News Service…
Get RAMped up and ready for a new radio station out of Borrego Springs
Printer-friendly versionGraphic courtesy Ram Media Foundation By Karen Pearlman Feb. 1, 2026 (Borrego Springs) – K-RAM 90.5 FM is hitting the airwaves this week. After years of radio static, the new station out of Borrego Springs will start broadcasting to the greater San Diego County desert community starting Wednesday, Feb. 11. Its license was granted March 19, 2025. Gabriel Wisdom,
La Mesa City Council unanimously approves changes to sidewalk dining guidelines
“This is so critical to La Mesa and to our businesses.” – Councilmember Laura Lothian By Armando Rasing II Photo by Miriam Raftery: Outdoor dining…
Get RAMped up and ready for a new radio station out of Borrego Springs
Graphic courtesy Ram Media Foundation By Karen Pearlman Feb. 1, 2026 (Borrego Springs) – K-RAM 90.5 FM is hitting the airwaves this week. After years…
Founder of Lions, Tigers and Bears urges public to oppose ‘Protecting Local Zoos Act’
Hearing set for Feb. 4 has “dangerous loopholes” that would allow exploitation of exotic animals Photo of Eddie the jaguar courtesy Lions, Tigers & Bears…
SDPD releases body cam video of officer-involved shooting in Spring Valley
East County News Service January 30, 2026 (Spring Valley) – A stolen car pursuit on January 22 ended with a San Diego Police officer shooting…
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