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Attacked by AI-cyberbots: Please help us fund critical security upgrades
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery April 10, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – Our East County Magazine website is being attacked
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
News Issues
Attacked by AI-cyberbots: Please help us fund critical security upgrades
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery April 10, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – Our East County Magazine website is being attacked
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
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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A sweet and Grand (Avenue) time in Escondido with the Chocolate Festival
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Jan. 22, 2026 (Escondido) – Wrappers will crinkle and corks will pop next month along Grand Avenue in Escondido. The Escondido Chocolate Festival is set for Feb 7, turning the city’s historic downtown into a literal moveable feast for those with a sweet tooth, a penchant for chocolate pairings and an appreciation for local flair. Hosted by
Fort Cross brings ‘Old Timey’ adventure to Julian region
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Jan. 22, 2026 (Santa Ysabel) – A family farm in the Julian mountains is bringing back its popular guided tour that brings rustic adventure and recreation education to the outdoors. Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures will host its popular Farm Tour Adventure on Jan. 31, a high-energy, two-hour guided circuit at its farm, nestled in the scenic landscape
Health and science highlights
Printer-friendly versionanuary 22, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH Pediatricians group sues federal government over cuts to child health funding (10 News) Health insurance CEOs to appear before House committees as premiums soar (NBC) County Public Health Lab Starts Testing Local Wastewater for Diseases (County News Center) SCIENCE
To comply with new state laws, GUHSD board passes protections for immigrant students by 3-2 margin
Printer-friendly version By Alexander J. Schorr File photo, left: Trustee Jim Kelly called the measure “anarchy” and voted against it, along with Trustee Gary Woods January 21, 2026 (El Cajon) — The Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) Board of Trustees on January 19 voted 3-2 to pass a resolution to establish new guidelines for responding to federal enforcement on campuses. This
City of San Diego secures $4 million in federal funds for stormwater infrastructure project along Chollas Creek
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo by Genevieve Jones-Wright: flooding in Encanto in January 2024 January 21, 2026 (San Diego) — New federal funding will support four critical stormwater infrastructure projects in the City of San Diego, including drainage improvements along Beta Street in Southcrest, which has been impacted by flooding during recent winter storms. The allocation of $4.36
What to know about flu and cold season
Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr Photo via CDC.gov January 21, 2026 (San Diego) — The current 2025–2026 flu season in the United States has seen high activity, primarily driven by a dominant influenza A(H3N2) strain known as subclade K. According to the latest CDC preliminary estimates as of January 12, at least 7,400 deaths have occurred due to flu so far this season.
California Governor’s race draws crowded field of contenders
Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J Schorr Updated January 25 with an additional candidate. January 20, 2026— As of January 2026, the race to succeed the term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom features a crowded field of candidates ahead of the June primary. California uses a nonpartisan blanket primary system, where the top two finishers regardless of party advance to the general election. Who are the
Cans of tuna recalled due to botulism sent to major retailers including California
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 20, 2026 (San Diego) – Cans of Genova yellowfin tuna that were recalled due to potentially fatal botulism were inadvertently shipped to stores by a distributor, including Safeway, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions in California. An earlier recall included some sold under the Trader Joe’s label in California. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
New Woodspring Suites now Santee’s largest hotel
Printer-friendly versionBy Mike Allen January 19, 2026 (Santee) — Santee’s newest hotel came in handy for a few local families who needed a temporary home because their regular abode sustained serious damage. “One guest stayed for two weeks because their house flooded, and another stayed three weeks because their house caught fire,” said Jesse Duenas, general manager of the Woodspring
Spring Valley Community Planning Group elects new officers amidst controversy over filling board vacancies
Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow January 19, 2026 (Spring Valley) – The Spring Valley Community Planning Group board elected executive officers for the 2026 term Tuesday, but not before some members expressed concerns about how they would fill vacancies. A few cited perceived interferences on behalf of District 1 County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre’s office. Lora Lowes, board member and former
New laws come to California in 2026
Printer-friendly versionBy Henri Migala Photo by Miriam Raftery: California state seal at capitol in Sacramento January 10, 2026 (Sacramento) — Nearly 800–900 bills were signed into law in 2025 in California spanning workers’ rights, consumer protections, public health, education, housing, tech/AI policy, immigration policy, environmental safety, and more. Below are major statutes that took effect on January 1, 2026, unless
GUHSD invites students, families, staff and community to participate in Portrait of a Graduate Survey
Printer-friendly versionSource: Grossmont Union High School District January 9, 2026 (El Cajon) – The Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) is inviting East County students, families, educators, school staff, and community members to participate in shaping its Portrait of a Graduate (POG) – a long-term, community-created vision that defines the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and mindsets every student needs to thrive in
North Island Credit Union Foundation offering scholarships to San Diego County students
Printer-friendly versionFoundation invites college-bound students to apply for $1,000 scholarships by March 6 Source: North Island Credit Union Foundation January 9, 2026 (San Diego) – North Island Credit Union Foundation is encouraging college-bound students in San Diego county to apply for its 2026 Student Scholarship Program. Through the program, the Foundation awards $10,000 in scholarships annually to recognize local students who
El Cajon brings on Jennifer Lyon as new city attorney
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Jan. 9, 2026 (El Cajon) — Jennifer M. Lyon has started taking on the role of City Attorney for the City of El Cajon. Lyon, who is part of the La Mesa-headquartered attorney group McDougal Boehmer Foley Lyon Mitchell & Erickson, succeeds Morgan L. Foley, who has retired from his role as the City of El Cajon’s City Attorney,
Detra Williams named San Diego County’s Chief Deputy of Tax Collection
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Jan. 9, 2026 (San Diego County) — Detra Williams has been appointed as San Diego County’s next Chief Deputy of Tax Collection, succeeding Chief Deputy David Baker, who has retired. Williams was appointed to the position effective Jan. 6. County Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Cohen announced the appointment on Jan. 6. Williams has worked for the
Shane Harris leading backlash against parking fees in Balboa Park
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Jan. 9, 2026 (San Diego County) — San Diego public advocate Shane Harris has introduced a new ordinance to fully repeal paid parking in Balboa Park and restore free public parking. To support this effort, Harris has launched this online petition to demonstrate broad public support for making Balboa Park parking free again. Harris has also called a
‘Reign of terror’: ICE builds appalling record of killings, beatings, kidnappings, and more
Printer-friendly versionBy Jake Johnson, Common Dreams Photo: Renee Good, 37, U.S. citizen and mother of a-6-year-old, was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minnnesota. January 9, 2026 (Minneapolis) – Federal immigration enforcement agents, unleashed and emboldened by President Donald Trump, have been rampaging through the streets of cities across the United States for months, racking up an appalling record of abuses and alleged crimes,
San Diego Superior Court seeks citizens for Civil Grand Jury
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Jan. 9, 2026 (San Diego County) — The San Diego Superior Court has announced an emergency extension for the 2026-27 Civil Grand Jury application deadline, moving the cutoff to Jan. 30, 2026. The move is an effort to bolster a dwindling pool of applicants for what is often called the county’s most powerful “watchdog” over
County public health officials urge childhood and adolescent vaccine schedule
Printer-friendly versionBy Fernanda Lopez Halvorson, County of San Diego Communications Office Image credit: Shutterstock January 9, 2026 (San Diego) – County public health officials continue to encourage childhood and adolescent vaccinations recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The County’s vaccine schedule aligns with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the West Coast Health Alliance. These recommendations follow a recent decision
Santana shooter granted resentencing hearing, may soon be freed
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 8, 2026 (Santee) – It’s been 25 years since 15-year-old Andrew “Andy” Williams shot and killed two students and injured 13 other people at Santana High School in Santee. He was sentence to 50 years to life in prison. But due to a new state law allowing juvenile offenders with life sentences to petition for resentencing, a Superior
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