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Breaking News

AB 1959 moves along, inspired by 2001 school shooting at Santana

AB 1959 moves along, inspired by 2001 school shooting at Santana

Historic landmark to anchor new travel center in Jamul

Historic landmark to anchor new travel center in Jamul

New leadership at County Dept. of Animal Services

New leadership at County Dept. of Animal Services

Two dead from Shelter Valley collision

Two dead from Shelter Valley collision

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AB 1959 moves along, inspired by 2001 school shooting at Santana

April 9, 2026

Printer-friendly version Story and photo by Karen Pearlman April 9, 2026 (Santee) — Twenty-five years after teenage student armed with a gun opened fire at Santana High School, survivors and prosecutors are closer to closing a legal loophole they say allows the state’s most violent juvenile offenders to exploit the justice system for early release. On Tuesday in Sacramento, the Assembly

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The Water Conservation Garden gears up for a blooming 2026

January 3, 2026

Printer-friendly version Photo of a buttefly at the Dorcas E. Utter Butterfly Pavilion at The Water Conservation Garden and story by Karen Pearlman Jan. 3, 2025 (Rancho San Diego) — The Water Conservation Garden, the 6-acre botanical showcase of sustainable landscaping and water-wise gardening adjacent to Cuyamaca College, has rooted out its slate of events for Winter and Spring 2026. The schedule includes educational opportunities,

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Cause of death released on 35-year-old man who died in county jail Aug. 30

January 3, 2026

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 1, 2026 (San Diego) – The County Medical’s office has determined that Steven Curren, 35, died of natural causes at a hospital on August 30, less than an hour and a half after he was found unresponsive in his cell at San Diego County’s Central Jail.  An autopsy found the cause of death was

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Give to support our award-winning reporting in 2026!

January 2, 2026

Printer-friendly versionIt’s been a challenging year, with more important news stories to cover than ever before. We need your support to bring you in-depth coverage on important topics in 2026! Please give now with a tax deductible donation or become a monthly donor to assure that we can cover the most important news stories in the new year. All gifts are appreciated,

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Sycuan Tribe unveils new Sycuan Health Center to serve East County residents, including tribal members and broader community

January 2, 2026

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photos courtesy of Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation December 31, 2025 (El Cajon) — The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation held a ribbon cutting ceremony on December 19 at its new, expanded and relocated healthcare facility. The state-of-the-art healthcare center is located at 4921 Dehesa Road in El Cajon, continuing Sycuan’s commitment to high-quality, culturally

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Give to support our award-winning reporting in 2026!

January 1, 2026

Printer-friendly versionIt’s been a challenging year, with more important news stories to cover than ever before. We need your support to bring you in-depth coverage on important topics in 2026! Please give now with a tax deductible donation or become a monthly donor to assure that we can cover the most important news stories in the new year. All gifts are appreciated,

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Fundraiser to help Marine’s family devastated by crash that killed daughter, 8, near Julian: accused DUI driver charged with murder and faces deportation

December 31, 2025

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service December 31, 2025 (Julian) – An online fundraiser at GoFundMe has been set up to help Oscar Cruz Acencio, a U.S. Marine, and his family. On November 30, the family was traveling on San Felipe Road near Julian when a Tacoma truck crossed the center line and hit their vehicle head-on, killing their 8-year-old daughter, Arya.  Acencio,

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Forty dogs rescued from unsanitary conditions in La Mesa

December 31, 2025

Printer-friendly versionPhoto of some of the 40 dogs rescued from La Mesa courtesy San Diego Humane Society East County News Service Dec. 31, 2025 (La Mesa) — San Diego Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement rescued 40 dogs and puppies from an apartment in La Mesa on Tuesday, Dec. 30, following a welfare check by community police officers. The rescue comes at

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Lakeside school district moves to stop bullying, defiance and more

December 30, 2025

Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman Dec. 30, 2025 (Lakeside) – Looking to reclaim local classrooms from a rising tide of student misconduct, the Lakeside Union School District Board of Trustees earlier this month passed a sweeping resolution aimed at curbing bullying, “death notes” and chronic defiance. Lakeside Union School Board member Andrew Hayes championed the policy, adopted Dec. 11, and said

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Mail might not be postmarked until days after you send it, under new rules that could cause tax penalties, result in ballots not counted

December 30, 2025

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery December 30, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – Don’t wait until the last minute to mail in a ballot, tax return or other important documents. A change in U.S. Postal Service regulations that took effect December 24 means that mail is no longer considered postmarked on the date that you drop it in a mailbox or at a post office

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CRASH ON PINE VALLEY BRIDGE DELAYS MOTORISTS

December 30, 2025

Printer-friendly versionEast County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts Image via CHP on X Dec. 30, 2025 (Pine Valley) — A motorhome accident on the Pine Valley bridge has shut down one lane of I-8 east and knocked down 80 feet of guardrail, per the California Highway Patrol. Westbound lanes remain open. Motorists traveling east are advised to take an alternative route

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“I believe in investigative journalism, but it’s under attack right now...When corporations are only interested in the bottom line, they’re going to cut investigative journalism…The good news is the rise of online nonprofit journalism organizations like East County Magazine.”
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You guys are fast! Often I get your alerts before I hear from dispatch. I forward many of your Viejas Wildfire & Emergency alerts to all our people.”
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