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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
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 —
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 —
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
Features
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
How the fruit fly quarantine has impacted food donations — and how you can help
Printer-friendly version By Philicia Tonangoye Image: Tangerines, via Bing (cc) April 18, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – The Mexican
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services changes recommended vaccine schedule for children
Printer-friendly version HHS justifies its decision, but health experts including American Academy of Pediatrics criticizes action By G.A. McNeeley January 8, 2026 (Washington D.C.) — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on January 5 announced that it is slashing the number of diseases for which vaccines are recommended for children from 17 to 11. The action drew swift condemnation from
Reader’s Editorial: Venezuela could yield more profits from ecotourism than from oil
Printer-friendly version By Renee Owens, wildlife biologist Photo by Renee Owens: capybaras and sunset in Venezuela’s llanos January 7, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) — Having lived and worked in Venezuela, I can no longer remain silent amidst all the clueless rhetoric. Venezuela is more than a cliché of dictators and oil. It is a wondrous place and a cautionary tale
San Diego Automotive Museum to hold “Garage Night” fundraiser
Printer-friendly versionEvening event at new IGNITE Academy campus (see photo, left, showing students from the academy) will support automotive career training for local youth East County News Service Jan. 7, 2026 (Santee) — The San Diego Automotive Museum will host its first Garage Night from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at the recently opened IGNITE Academy campus, 8630 Argent St.
Helix High cheer team reaches summit — and looking for support
Printer-friendly versionLa Mesa squad wins first CIF championship, now sets sights on national competition in Las Vegas. Photo courtesy Helix High Cheer Team East County News Service Jan. 7, 2026 (La Mesa) — After three consecutive years of finishing as runners-up, the Helix Charter High School competitive cheer team finally reached the top of the podium, capturing first place in
Calif. Attorney General Bonta wins permanent injunction against Trump administration over unlawful NIH funding cuts for universities and research institutions
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 6, 2026 (San Diego) – A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has unanimously affirmed a lower court decision which permanently barred the Trump administration from decimating funds that supported cutting-edge research and public health research at universities and research institutions across the country — including at the University of
Passages: Dr. Harry Paul Cuero Jr., former Campo tribal chair
Printer-friendly versionPhoto via SDSU 2011 news release January 6, 2026 (Campo) – Dr. Harry Paul Cuero Jr., former chair of the Campo Band of the Kumeyaay nation, spiritual leader and educator dedicated to preserving Kumeyaay sovereignty culture and leading efforts to share indigenous Bird Songs with future generations, died on December 6 at age 65. Cuero, known as Junior, dedicated
Local leaders lost in 2025
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Updated January 6 to add two leaders whose December deaths we learned of after this was originally published. January 1, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) — Our region lost leaders in many fields during 2025 – two tribal chairmen, La Mesa’s long-serving Mayor, a Chaldean bishop, a Padres pitching star, a Lemon Grove Councilman, a Congressman
Dog training tips from the San Diego Humane Society
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego Humane Society shares how to start the new year on the right paw. Photo courtesy SDHS East County News Service Jan. 5, 2026 (San Diego County) — Behavior challenges left unaddressed can become the reason dog owners surrender their pet to a shelter like the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services. With January being National
Unidentified man struck, killed by vehicle in La Mesa on January 1
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 5, 2026 (La Mesa) – An unidentified male pedestrian has died after being struck by a vehicle on Interstate 8 east in La Mesa, west of Jackson Drive. California Highway Patrol Officers responding to a call found him lying in the roadway at 1:20 a.m. on New Year’s morning. He died of his injuries
Single mom dies three weeks after being hit by car in El Cajon
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 5, 2026 (El Cajon) — Susana Gascon, 39, was crossing Mollison Street in El Cajon on December 6 when she was struck by a sedan. Paramedics transported her to Sharp Memorial Hospital, where she died on December 28. “This tragic incident resulted in a severe brain injury and multiple bone fractures,” her sister, Alicia
LET THERE BE LIGHT! SD’S RESCUE TASK FORCE TEAM TURNS ON POWER IN HAITI
Printer-friendly version January 25, 2010 (San Diego) –Rescue Task Force, the humanitarian organization established in East County that has since merged with World Emergency Relief, is now working to restore electricity in Haiti. “Lack of power can cost lives,” RTF’s Andrea Stone observed. RTF’s on-the-ground team brings unique and much needed experience to the humanitarian relief mission in
MORE RAIN: HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK ISSUED
Printer-friendly version January 25, 2010 (San Diego) – Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water or drive on our mountain highways, the National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather alert for all of southwestern California. Rain will begin late Tuesday afternoon and evening with snow at higher mountain elevations. Snow levels are
WOMAN STRUCK AND KILLED BY CAR ON HIGHWAY 125 NEAR GROSSMONT COLLEGE
Printer-friendly version January 25, 2010 (El Cajon) – Rebecca Ann Phillips, 23, died after being hit by a red Chevrolet Metro on southbound Highway 125 shortly after 9:30 last night. According to witnesses, she was a passenger in a green Ford Taurus sedan that had pulled onto the shoulder just north of Grossmont College Drive. For unknown reasons, she stepped
LOCAL LEGISLATORS MAKE CALIFORNIA SMALL BUSINESS ASSOC. HONOR ROLL
Printer-friendly version January 25, 2010 (San Diego) – Ten out of 11 local legislators made the California Small Business Association Honor Roll for 2009, in recognition of their voting records to protect the interests of small businesses. Conspicuously absent from the list was State Senator Dennis Hollingsworth (R-Murrieta), whose district encompasses the bulk of East County. The
SD RELIEF WORKERS DELIVER LIFE-SAVING CARE IN HAITI, PROVIDE EYE-WITNESS REPORTS ON TRAGEDIES & TRIUMPHS
Printer-friendly version “We do not rest much. Every minute is the difference between life and death.” – Darryl Hall, team leader, Rescue Task Force By Miriam Raftery January 23, 2010 (San Diego) –International Relief Teams (IRT) and Rescue Task Force (RTF), two San Diego-based humanitarian organizations, were among the first to reach Haiti after the earthquake struck. Both
WATCH EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE EDITOR MIRIAM RAFTERY’S INTERVIEW ON PROGRESS SAN DIEGO TV!
Printer-friendly version Walter Davis, host of Progress for San Diego, interviewed East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery on January 22 about our online publication’s accomplishments and goals for the future. Our thanks to Walter for this in-depth interview, which covered many important issues in our region–and how you can get involved in being the media! Click image to view
SANTANA VARISTY TEAM ON TOP AFTER 8TH WEEK OF ACADEMIC LEAGUE; GRANITE HILLS AND WEST HILLS LEAD IN JV
Printer-friendly version By Steve Haiman Academic League Co-Coordinator January 24, 2010 (San Diego’s East County)–Rain did not dampen the Academic League spirit or acumen last week. The brain power exhibited at the host schools gave off more than enough heat to fight off the winter cold outside! In Junior Varsity action, Granite Hills and West Hills remain undefeated both
FIRED UP: EAST COUNTY FIREFIGHTING STUDENTS LEARN THE ROPES AT 20th ANNUAL HEARTLAND FIRE ACADEMY
Printer-friendly version By Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District originally published at Heartland Zone News January 24, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) — On January19th, the Tom Owen Training Facility, in cooperation with Miramar College, kicked off the 20th Heartland Fire Academy. Heartland has a long academy tradition dating back to the the mid-1970’s. Originally coordinated as part
WESTERN STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE: GULLS SHUT OUT CONDORS WITH 4-0 WIN
Printer-friendly versionby Christopher Mohr (ESCONDIDO) – Saturday night’s hockey game at Iceoplex Escondido between the host San Diego Gulls and visiting Bakersfield Junior Condors was almost the exact opposite of Friday night’s game between these two teams, a 13-3 rout by the Gulls. Such scores make fans who missed the game do double takes and wonder if there will
FUN WITH FIDO: GROUP DOG WALKS ANNOUNCED IN POWAY
Printer-friendly version January 24, 2010 (Poway) – Now you can hit the trail with your best buddy and meet some new companions—both canine and human. The City of Poway announces a free dog-walking group at the Blue Sky Ecological Reserve. Dog walks will be held the first Sunday of each month at 9 a.m., starting February 7th and
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