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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
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
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
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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Nature Day on Mt. Helix March 14: Butterflies, plants galore and more
East County News Service March 6, 2026 (Mt. Helix) – You’re invited to celebrate Nature Day at the Mt. Helix Park, where Earth Day is…
SDSU hosts pow wow April 11
East County News Service March 6, 2026 (San Diego) — SDSU will host its 54th annual pow wow on Saturday, April 11 starting at 11…
ECM World Watch: national and global news
March 6, 2026 (San Diego) — As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news…
East County Roundup: local and statewide news
March 6, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) — East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published…
Spring Into El Cajon on April 18 celebrates Arbor Day and arrival of spring
East County New Service Image by Satheesh Sankaran from Pixabay March 6, 2026 (El Cajon) – The City of El Cajon invites community members and…
Chaldean Bishop arrested while trying to leave the U.S.
By Miriam Raftery Photo by Miriam Raftery: Bishop Shaleta in May 2024 at opening of incubator business center for refugees and immigrants in El Cajon…
Nature Day on Mt. Helix March 14: Butterflies, plants galore and more
East County News Service March 6, 2026 (Mt. Helix) – You’re invited to celebrate Nature Day at the Mt. Helix Park, where Earth Day is…
SDSU hosts pow wow April 11
East County News Service March 6, 2026 (San Diego) — SDSU will host its 54th annual pow wow on Saturday, April 11 starting at 11…
Spring Into El Cajon on April 18 celebrates Arbor Day and arrival of spring
East County New Service Image by Satheesh Sankaran from Pixabay March 6, 2026 (El Cajon) – The City of El Cajon invites community members and…
U.S. issues worldwide caution, urges Americans in Middle East to depart immediately—but cancelled flights, closed airports make evacuation difficult
By Miriam Raftery March 4, 2026 (Washington D.C.) – Following the U.S. and Israeli military attacks on Iran and Iran’s retaliatory bombings in cities across…
THREE ROBBERIES FRIDAY IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly version February 28, 2010 (La Mesa) –A Circle K Store was robbed at gunpoint Friday at 11 p.m. Earlier on the same date, two young men robbed, punched and kicked a juvenile on Spring Street. In yet another incident, a youth was robbed of a cell phone by five men at Water Street and Amaya Drive in La
FOR THE BIRDS? PROPOSED BAN ON LEAD SHOT IN STATE WILDLIFRE AREAS DRAWS CRITICISM & PRAISE
Printer-friendly version SENATOR HOLLINGSWORTH OPPOSES PLAN February 28, 2010 (Sacramento) –Assemblyman Pedro Nava (D-Ventura) has introduced a bill to ban use of lead shot by hunters of pheasant, quail, and other game birds in California wildlife areas. The measure is modeled after a federal ban enacted in 1991, which prohibits lead shot in hunting of ducks and other waterfowl. “It has
DEPUTY DIES IN PURSUIT OF WRONG-WAY DRIVER IN SANTEE
Printer-friendly version February 28, 2010 (Santee) –Sheriff’s Deputy Ken Collier has died following a rollover accident that occurred while he was in pursuit of a wrong-way driver on westbound State Route 52 around 3:20 this morning. Dispatcher Ryan Debillis, who was riding along, was injured. The driver, Jose Jasso Lopez, 23, will be charged with vehicular manslaughter and drunk
TSUNAMI ALERT ISSUED FOR SAN DIEGO: REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH 5:46 PM
Printer-friendly version Update 3 p.m.: The tsunami effect locall remains in effect through 5:46 p.m. today for the entire west coast following an 8.8 quake in Chile. An early tidal surge proved minor in San Diego though Santa Monica had tides 2.2 feet above normal sea level. In other regions, second and third waves were higher than the first.
VIOLENT 8.8 QUAKE ROCKS CHILE; TSUNAMI WARNING ISSUED
Printer-friendly version Japan also rattled by 7.0 quake today February 27, 2010 – A powerful earthquake struck Chile off the coast of Maule during the night. The U.S. Geological Survey has upgraded the quake to 8.8. A tsunami warning has been issued for coastal areas in Chile and Peru; a nine-foot tsunami wave has been reported. The capitol
2 DRIVE-BY SHOOTINGS IN RAMONA & ESCONDIDO
Printer-friendly version February 26, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Two violent crimes, both involving drive-by shooting, have been reported locally today. Two vehicles involved, a white Lincoln or Cadillac and a Toyota pickup truck, are sought by authorities. According to Incident Page Network, the first shooting occurred at 8:17 this evening at a home at North Broadway
GROSSMONT HOSPITAL WORKER WITH TB PROMPTS WARNING TO PATIENTS
Printer-friendly version February 26, 2010 (La Mesa) — The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) is working with Sharp Grossmont Hospital officials to notify patients, visitors and employees who may have been exposed to a hospital worker diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB). The period of concern is Oct. 4, 2009 to Jan. 20, 2010, and limited to individuals
PARENTS, POLICE ISSUE PUBLIC PLEA FOR HELP TO FIND MISSING TEEN
Printer-friendly version VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR SEARCH SATURDAY AFTERNOON February 26, 2010 (Rancho Bernardo) 6 p.m. – Chelsea King remains missing, more than 24 hours after she disappeared while jogging around Lake Hodges near the Rancho Bernardo Community Center on West Bernardo Drive, where her locked car was parked. The Poway High School honor student is described as “responsible, conscientious, loving, intelligent, cherished by all who
MAJOR SEARCH FOR TEEN WHO VANISHED WHILE JOGGING IN RANCHO BERNARDO
Printer-friendly version February 26, 2010 (4 a.m.)Sheriff Bill Gore has activated more than 100 Search and Rescue volunteers and deputies to locate missing Poway teen Chelsea King. King was reported missing by her family late Thursday after she did not return home from a run in the north Rancho Bernardo area. She is an avid long-distance runner and routinely
LOCAL JOBS ORDINANCE MOVES FORWARD
Printer-friendly version February 25, 2010 (San Diego) – By a unanimous vote, on Wednesday a local jobs policy ordinance won approval of the City’s Rules, Open Government and Intergovernmental Relations Committee. The Committee directed the City Attorney’s Office to draft the policy for the San Diego City Council to consider within 60 days. Proposed by City Council President Ben Hueso,
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