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Senior resource fair coming to Grossmont Healthcare District on April 23
Printer-friendly version East County News Service April 20, 2026 (La Mesa) — Health advocates from across San Diego County will provide critical resources through the upcoming “Spring into Healthy Living 2026: Senior Conference & Resource Fair” on Thursday, April 23 at Grossmont Healthcare District headquarters. Hosted by the San Diego
East County-based physician Charles Hamori honored by American College of Physicians
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman April 21, 2026 (La Mesa) — When he was a teenager growing up in Muncie, Indiana, Charles Hamori performed his first successful medical diagnosis — on himself. Hamori was 14 when he correctly identified his own appendicitis, and it was at that moment (or soon
News Issues
San Diego Padres nearing record $3.9B sale
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo courtesy San Diego Padres Facebook page April 20, 2026 (San Diego) — The current owners of the San Diego Padres, the Seidler family, are reportedly in the final stages of an agreement to sell the team to a group led by private equity billionaire José
‘Bill Walton Way’ coming to a street near you in La Mesa
Printer-friendly version The Boys & Girls Club of East County La Mesa Clubhouse honored local basketball star Bill Walton by naming the gym after Walton in 2018. Walton died of colon cancer at age 71 in 2024. Story and photos by Karen Pearlman April 14, 2026 (La Mesa) — Bill Walton, who preferred
Politics
With Eric Swalwell’s scandalous implosion, Xavier Becerra surges in race for California governor
Printer-friendly versionBy Dan Walters This story was originally printed in CalMatters, the only nonprofit newsroom devoted solely to covering statewide issues that affect all Californians. Sign up for WeeklyMatters for a Saturday morning digest of the latest news and commentary from the Golden State. This story is part of California Voices, a commentary
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 seeking to codify strict regulations on electric bicycles, specifically looking to protect riders under 12. On Tuesday, the La Mesa City Council unanimously voted to establish a new e-bike safety pilot program
Wildfires and Emergencies
Crest residents urged to take action against wildfire risks with free Home Assessment Program
Printer-friendly versionBy Morgan Dioli and Diana Griffin April 21, 2026 (Crest) – The Crest community is stepping up wildfire preparedness efforts by participating in the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County’s 2026 Home Assessment Program. It’s a free, voluntary service designed to help residents reduce wildfire risks and improve
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…
Events & Arts
Book review:The Mission at Home: Navigating Military Assignments, TRICARE, Education, Benefits and Everyday Life with Your Child on the Autism Spectrum
Printer-friendly version Book by Jaime B. & Elizabeth Tracy Parent Reviewed by Pennell Paugh April 20, 2026 (San Diego) – Local authors Jaime and Elizabeth Parent have written a major reference for persons who have disabilities, with particular focus on those who have autism. While the book specifically addresses the
Review of Ethan Talks to Animals: Eat Your Food Fussy Filo, by Nico Waters
Printer-friendly version Reviewed by Pennell Paugh April 20, 2026 (San Diego) — San Diego author Nico Waters has written a series of books for children. In Ethan Talks to Animals, second grader Ethan can talk to animals. Together with his dog, Chewie, Ethan helps their next-door neighbor’s cat eat his
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 an early wildflower bloom in Borrego, now is a perfect time for a day trip through San Diego County’s beautiful backcountry, including mountain and desert destinations. Making the pilgrimage to
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 stories. This year, we’ve had requests from readers to cover lots of important local issues, but costs have soared with inflation. We need your help to report on local news
People
Eight local women Honored at Soroptimist’s annual “Live Your Dream” Awards Celebration
Printer-friendly versionSoroptimist International of Valley de Oro recognizes women overcoming extraordinary obstacles to build better lives through education By Henri Migala Photo: Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award winners. Seated (left to right): Dr. Peggy Fischer, DVM, Valley de Oro Club Chair; Tenisha Back row (left to right): Sue Bucheman (member);
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 bowls, beds, blankets, crates/carriers, leashes,…
Communities
East County-based physician Charles Hamori honored by American College of Physicians
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman April 21, 2026 (La Mesa) — When he was a teenager growing up in Muncie, Indiana, Charles Hamori performed his first successful medical diagnosis — on himself. Hamori was 14 when he correctly identified his own appendicitis, and it was at that moment (or soon
Crest residents urged to take action against wildfire risks with free Home Assessment Program
Printer-friendly versionBy Morgan Dioli and Diana Griffin April 21, 2026 (Crest) – The Crest community is stepping up wildfire preparedness efforts by participating in the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County’s 2026 Home Assessment Program. It’s a free, voluntary service designed to help residents reduce wildfire risks and improve
Features
Book review:The Mission at Home: Navigating Military Assignments, TRICARE, Education, Benefits and Everyday Life with Your Child on the Autism Spectrum
Printer-friendly version Book by Jaime B. & Elizabeth Tracy Parent Reviewed by Pennell Paugh April 20, 2026 (San Diego) – Local authors Jaime and Elizabeth Parent have written a major reference for persons who have disabilities, with particular focus on those who have autism. While the book specifically addresses the
Review of Ethan Talks to Animals: Eat Your Food Fussy Filo, by Nico Waters
Printer-friendly version Reviewed by Pennell Paugh April 20, 2026 (San Diego) — San Diego author Nico Waters has written a series of books for children. In Ethan Talks to Animals, second grader Ethan can talk to animals. Together with his dog, Chewie, Ethan helps their next-door neighbor’s cat eat his
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‘IT’S FINALLY OVER, I’M GOING HOME’: BIDEN GRANTS COMMUTATION–BUT NO PARDON–FOR PELTIER
Printer-friendly version“The victory of freeing Leonard Peltier is a symbol of our collective strength—and our resistance will never stop,” vowed one Indigenous organizer. By Brett Wilkins, Common Dreams January 28, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – Just minutes before leaving office, Joe Biden on Monday commuted the life prison sentence of Leonard Peltier, the elderly American Indian Movement activist who supporters say was
ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 28, 2025 — As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include: U.S. U.S. puts virtually all foreign aid on 90-day hold, issues ‘stop-work’ order (NPR) DOJ halts legal programs for detained immigrants,
HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 28, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH Trump funding freeze could disrupt education, housing, disaster aid (Reuters) Nonprofits Sue Trump Administration Over Federal Grants Freeze (Democracy Docket) How are H5N9 and H5N1 different? What to know after California bird flu
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: BORDER 2 FIRE
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 28, 2025 (Jamul) — Robert Hobbs sent in these images of the Border 2 Fire, which burned over 6,500 acres after starting on Otay Mountain in San Diego County on Jan. 23. These photos were taken Jan. 23 and 24 from Jamul.
MTS INCREASES TROLLEY SERVICE WITH MORE LATE NIGHT AND WEEKEND FREQUENCY
Printer-friendly versionGreen, Orange and Blue Lines now offer added flexibility and reliability for transit riders Source: MTS January 27, 2025 (San Diego) – San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is increasing Trolley service for the Green, Blue and Orange lines, offering additional late night and weekend service to provide riders with more options to take transit. The Green Line Trolley will
TRUMP ORDERS MORE CENTRAL VALLEY WATER DELIVERIES–CLAIMING IT WOULD HELP LA FIRES
Printer-friendly versionBy Alastair Bland, CalMatters CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters Photo via Calif. Dept. of Water Resources: A drone provides a view of a section of the California Aqueduct within the California State Water Project, located near John R. Teerink Pumping Plant. January 27, 2025 (Central Valley,
SVP TO BE CONDITIONALLY RELEASED TO HOME IN JACUMBA HOT SPRINGS
Printer-friendly versionBy Brooke Binkowski, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: Herman Smith, San Diego County Sheriff’s Dept. January 27, 2025 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – A man classified as a sexually violent predator — or SVP — will be conditionally released to a home in Jacumba Hot Springs, likely displacing another SVP who was placed
LEMON GROVE CITY COUNCIL SHIFTS WINDOW ON TINY HOMES FEEDBACK
Printer-friendly versionBy Jessica Brodkin Webb January 27, 2025 (Lemon Grove) — Lemon Grove Mayor Alysson Snow called the Jan. 21 City Council meeting “very light,” yet there was time enough for staunch resident pushback against a historically controversial tiny homes project which was not on the agenda. The project, funded and in development by the County of San Diego,
SNOW FALLING IN EAST COUNTY MOUNTAINS
Printer-friendly version Photo by Craig S. Maxwell today: Snow in Rancho Cuyamaca State Park January 27, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory idue to snow falling across San Diego’s mountain areas, with more snow possible tomorrow. Areas impacted in the winter weather advisory range from high desert communities such as
TROOPS ARRIVE AT BORDER AFTER TRUMP DECLARES BORDER EMERGENCY, AUTHORIZES MIGRANT SEIZURES IN SCHOOLS, CHURCHES AND HOSPITALS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photo: screenshot of aerial video by ECM news partner 10 News shows military troops with razor wire at a staging site in the South Bay, as troops prepare to deploy to fortify U.S. – Mexico Border and aid in Trump crackdown on border crossings. January 26, 2025 (San Diego) – A tough crackdown on immigrants
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…
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…
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…
Found: Missing woman Tiffanie Russ
Printer-friendly versionUpdate February 2, 2026: Tiffanie Russ has been located. She is safe and back with her family, per La Mesa Police. East County News Service January 30,2026 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police seek public help to find Tiffanie Russ, 24, who was last seen leaving her room at the Heritage Inn, 7851 Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa shortly
SDPD releases body cam video of officer-involved shooting in Spring Valley
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 30, 2026 (Spring Valley) – A stolen car pursuit on January 22 ended with a San Diego Police officer shooting and injuring the suspect. SDPD has released video on the department’s YouTube channel within hours of the shooting. The car theft occurred outside the YMCA on Euclid and Imperial Avenue around 12:40. SDPD officers spotted
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