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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 federal immigration agents and protesters stand-off near the Glass House Farms facility outside Camarillo on July 10, 2025. Protesters gathered after federal immigration agents conducted an immigration raid earlier in
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 — the first located in East County — on Monday in El Cajon. The 14,000-square-foot behavioral health treatment facility is located at the corner of South Magnolia and West Douglas avenues. The unit
News Issues
‘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
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 East County Advanced Water Purification Program Story and photos by Paul Levikow April 13, 2026 (Santee) — After more than a half-century of water reuse in East County, the Ray
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 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
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 East County Advanced Water Purification Program Story and photos by Paul Levikow April 13, 2026 (Santee) — After more than a half-century of water reuse in East County, the Ray
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 versionWater Sweet – The Story of Jamul” Earns Top Honors at AAF Reno ADDY Awards East County News Service April 1, 2026 (Jamul) – Jamul Casino Resort has been recognized with two prestigious ADDY Awards from AAF Reno, earning a Gold ADDY and Best of Show in the
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 a day of games, community and advocacy on Saturday, April 18 at the Rock House in Lakeside. The first-ever “Canine Carnival” is set for April 18 while a slumber party that starts
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
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);
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 — the first located in East County — on Monday in El Cajon. The 14,000-square-foot behavioral health treatment facility is located at the corner of South Magnolia and West Douglas avenues. The unit
Features
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);
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 federal immigration agents and protesters stand-off near the Glass House Farms facility outside Camarillo on July 10, 2025. Protesters gathered after federal immigration agents conducted an immigration raid earlier in
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Sheriff identifies man found hanged in jail cell
East County News Service March 14, 2026 (San Diego) – A man who died of an apparent suicide by hanging in the San Diego Central…
Sunrise to sunset is theme of 2026 Lake Jennings photo contest
East County News Service March 15, 2026 (Lakeside) – Lake Jennings invites you to enter your best photos taken at Lake Jennings between April 1…
Cognitive behavioral therapy: healing through poetry
CBT Self-Therapy Poetry: A Right Brain Approach to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and DBT Self-Therapy Poetry: A Right-Brain Approach to Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Books by Dharlene…
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,…
U.S. casualties mount in Iran conflict
By Miriam Raftery Photo via U.S. Navy: F/A-18E Super Hornet on flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in support of Operation Epic…
California teachers ‘tread lightly’ for America’s 250th as they navigate competing narratives
By Carolyn Jones, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters . Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: San Lorenzo High School teacher Judy Smith…
German Cabaret returns to El Cajon with ‘No Train to Anywhere’
East County News Service March 12, 2026 (El Cajon) — The German Theater Group San Diego has announced its 2026 production, a German-language cabaret titled…
Ethan Talks to Animals: Eat Your Food Fussy Filo
Book by Nico Waters Reviewed by Pennell Paugh March 12, 2026 (San Diego) — San Diegan Nico Waters has written a series of children’s books….
U.S. casualties mount in Iran conflict
By Miriam Raftery Photo via U.S. Navy: F/A-18E Super Hornet on flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in support of Operation Epic…
California teachers ‘tread lightly’ for America’s 250th as they navigate competing narratives
By Carolyn Jones, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters . Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: San Lorenzo High School teacher Judy Smith…
POLITICAL WRANGLING
Printer-friendly version By Buck Shott A Roundup of the latest national, state and local political news March 1, 2010 — As filing deadlines fast approach, who’s in, who’s out, and who’s still on the fence? Find out here! Blast from the Past: While a trio of Republicans are vying for the Governor’s spot in the June primary, Democrats still have
PROGRAM TO HELP UNINSURED IN EAST COUNTY GETS $100,000 GRANT FROM GROSSMONT HEALTHCARE
Printer-friendly version The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) board of directors has unanimously voted to approve a $100,000 grant to Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) to help cover expenses for X-ray and ultrasound tests, as well as diagnostic lab fees and medical supplies, for uninsured East County residents who are treated at an El Cajon clinic by retired physicians and nurses who
BEWARE OF FRAUDULENT FIRE INSPECTIONS
Printer-friendly version March 1, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) — The San Miguel Fire District has received complaints from several businesses about fraudulent fire inspections. This is happening all over the State of California, according to Fire Marshal Marsha Larsen. In 2006, the City of Torrance prosecuted two individuals and a fire protection company for posing as firefighters performing
DEPUTIES ARREST SPRING VALLEY RAPE SUSPECT
Printer-friendly version March 1, 2010 – Jose Luis Covarruibias, 46, of Chula Vista has been arrested and will be charged with raping a Spring Valley woman on February 27. Sheriff’s deputies from the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s station responded to a 911 call from the woman at 6:46 a.m. on Saturday. According to police, she was hysterical and reported she had
WINTER RAINS BRING DESERT BLOOMS
Printer-friendly version February 28, 2010 (Anza Borrego) – record rainfall in January and February is expected to produce a banner season for wildflowers in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Blooms are expected to peak through mid-March, so plan your trip east to the desert on any clear day over the next couple of weeks. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
DEADLY WEEK: 5 DIE ON EAST COUNTY ROADWAYS
Printer-friendly version February 28, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Motor vehicle accidents claimed the lives of five people in San Diego’s eastern regions during the past week, the San Diego County Coroner’s office reports. Sarah Rachelle Phillips, 31, lost control when her vehicle struck a puddle on the I-805 connector to southbound I-15 on February 27. The vehicle left
SEX OFFENDER ARRESTED IN CHELSEA KING CASE
Printer-friendly version February 28, 2010 (Poway) – John Albert Gardner III, 30, a registered sex offender, was arrested at 4:30 p.m. today by the San Diego County Sheriff’s fugitive task force. He is being held on suspicion of rape and murder and is being questioned by homicide investigators about evidence linking him to Chelsea King’s disappearance. However
MANAGING THE FEAR OF FINDING ANOTHER JOB
Printer-friendly version By: Stanley Popovich February 28, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) — Layoffs in today’s business world are common–and with a lay-off comes the fear and anxiety of finding another job. With this in mind, here are some ways for you to manage those stresses involved in finding a new job. Take it step by step:
LAKESIDE FIREFIGHTERS RESCUE 2 FROM ROLLOVER CRASH
Printer-friendly version February 28, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) –Lakeside firefighters rescued two passengers from a rollover accident February 22. At 10:08 PM, the Heartland Communications Center dispatched one engine company, one rescue company, and an ALS ambulance and Battalion Chief to the 14000 block of Highway 8 business in the Johnston community, Captain Mark Grow of Lakeside Fire District
MULTIPLE SERIOUS INJURIES IN 3 EAST COUNTY ACCIDENTS THIS WEEKEND
Printer-friendly version February 28, 2010 – Eight people were injured, two with major trauma, in a major accident at Glencoe and Jamacha at 11:15 p.m. last night. Earlier in the day, at 4:40 p.m., a head-on collision at Highway 94 and Steele Canyon Road injured multiple patients, including several with serious injuries, Incident Page Network reported. In yet a third
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