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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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LAKESIDE HEARING FEB 18 ON SUNRISE POWERLINK PATH THROUGH EL MONTE VALLEY
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego Gas & Electric will be at the Lakeside Community Planning Group (LCGP) Mtg on February 18 at 7 PM at the Lakeside Community Center at 9841 Vine Street, Lakeside, CA to discuss the Sunrise Powerlink high-voltage power lines proposed for the El Monte Valley. A map and view of the proposed powerline path, which would include three
DON QUIXOTE FIGHTS THE WINDMILLS—AND SO DO THE FOLKS IN BOULEVARD
Printer-friendly versionby Gayle Early (photo by Miriam Raftery) February 10, 2009 (Campo)–Editor’s Note: Should wind turbines hundreds of feet tall –higher than the existing Kumeyaay wind farm turbines—be allowed in the rural McCain Valley/Boulevard region in East County? Does the nation’s critical need for “green” energy outweigh the concerns of residents seeking to preserve the rural character of their backcountry
FEB. 25 HEARING ON WIND TURBINES & WIND TESTING
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 2009 (San Diego)–The County Board of Supervisors will deliberate February 25 whether to ease permitting requirements for installing industrial-scale meteorological testing units (MET towers) on private and county properties. The county is also debating the turbine ordinance to allow for more options, such as industrial-scale turbines on private property or more than one turbine per lot, including the
LA MESA SAVES FLAG DAY PARADE: DONATIONS ROLL IN FROM RESIDENTS, BUSIENSSES AND CIVIC LEADERS
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 9, 2009 (Mesa) “ Thanks to the generosity of La Mesa citizens, business leaders and elected officials who donated out of their own pockets, La Mesa’s annual flag day parade has been saved from the budget chopping block. The 14th annual event will take place on Saturday, “We met the goal and then some,” an e-mail signed by
ART SALE FEB. 14: HERITAGE OF AMERICAS MUSEUM AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE
Printer-friendly versionFive East County artists will help raise money for the Heritage of the Americas Museum with an art sale from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14 at the museum, located on the campus of Cuyamaca College, 12110 Cuyamaca College Dr. West, in El Cajon. Admission is free. Printer-friendly version
PROP L SPARKS DEBATE AT LA MESA OPEN FORUM MEETING
Printer-friendly versionBy Yuliana Cerda February 6, 2009 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa City Council held an open forum meeting in the auditorium at Rolando Elementary School last Thursday night. The meetings are meant to provide an opportunity for citizens to voice concerns or input on issues throughout their city. La Mesa citizens voiced their views on an array of
SEX EDUCATION? HELIX DEFENDS ITS ACTIONS, DISPUTES REPORT RELEASED BY DISTRICT THAT CRITICIZED HELIX ADMINISTRATOR’S RESPONSE TO SEXUAL ABUSE, MISCONDUCT;
Printer-friendly versionBOARD TO CONSIDER CHARTER SCHOOL CURE CORRECT ORDERS AT FEB. 12 MEETING February 6, 2009 (La Mesa) Did administrators at Helix Charter High School respond appropriately to four incidents of sexual abuse and misconduct involving teachers and students and has enough been done to prevent similar problems in the future? The Grossmont Union-High School Governing Board will consider these
FILNER REINTRODUCES FAIR TAXES FOR SENIORS ACT
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 1, 2009 (San Diego) — Congressman Bob Filner has reintroduced the Fair Taxes for Seniors Act, H.R. 674, which will provide a one-time increase in the capital gains tax exemption on the sale of a home for citizens who are 50 years of age or more. “The Fair Taxes for Seniors Act would give many seniors the additional
STATE DEPARTMENT CANCELS BLACKWATER’S CONTRACT IN IRAQ: EAST COUNTY LEADERS, BLACKWATER WEST VP SHARE REACTIONS
Printer-friendly version Jan Hedlun, right, at victory celebration last year after Blackwater dropped plans to build a training base in Potrero. February 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) —–“Blackwater has been fired by the State Department from its job protecting U.S. diplomats in Iraq,” ABC News has reported. The U.S. State Department has announced it will not renew a $1.2
AL NASSER TO SPEAK IN LA MESA WEDNESDAY ON IRAQ WAR ISSUES
Printer-friendly versionDr. Farouk Al Nasser, an Iraq native and U.S. citizen, will speak on conditions in Iraq at the La Mesa Community Center on Wednesday, June 3rd. “Dr. Nasser will help us understand the situation on the ground in Iraq; he is in contact with his extended family of more than 400 living in Iraq,” said Linda Armacost, president of
GUHSD BOARD CALLS SPECIAL MEETING ON BUDGET THURS. JAN. 28
Printer-friendly version January 24, 2010 (El Cajon) — Grossmont Union High School District’s board of trustees will hold a special meeting this Thursday, January 28th on budget issues. A closed session will be held at 5 pm, followed by a public session at 6 pm. The meeting will be held at the East County Regional Education Center, 924 East
SHOPPER STABBED DURING PURSE-SNATCHING AT GROSSMONT CENTER; REWARD OFFERED
Printer-friendly version January 24, 2010 (La Mesa) – Two white men, one with a mustache, stole a purse and injured a woman who was walking from Walmart to her vehicle in the parking lot at Grossmont Center on Thursday, January 22nd. A green older model Chevy or Ford pickup pulled up in front of the woman and a
2 ARCO ROBBERS ARRESTED; LA MESA POLICE SEEK 3 ACCOMPLICES
Printer-friendly version Januuary 24, 2010 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police have arrested two men suspected of robbing an Arco AM/PM store on Massachusetts Street on January 22nd. Punckey Donnell, 23, of Lemon Grove and Devon Brown, 27 of San Diego were booked into San County Jail for robbery. Three other unknown suspects fled in a blue Honda and have
GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: LADY SULTANS COME UP SHORT IN UPSET BID AGAINST VISITING EAGLES
Printer-friendly version by Christopher Mohr January 24, 2010 (Santee) – You cannot fault Santana High School’s Lady Sultans basketball team for a lack of effort in last Tuesday night’s game against the visiting Granite Hills Eagles. They overcame a huge deficit and came close to pulling off what would have been a monumental upset. In the end, effort wasn’t enough
3 EAST COUNTY INNS/HOTELS WIN AAA FOUR-DIAMOND AWARD
Printer-friendly version January 23, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Nineteen hotels in San Diego County have received the prestigious American Automobile Association (AAA) four-diamond award, including three in San Diego’s eastern region: Orchard Hill Country Inn in Julian, Pala Casino Spa & Resort on the Pala Indian reservation, and Harrah’s Rincon Casino & Resort in Valley Center. The
HEAD-ON COLLISION NEAR STEELE CANYON HIGH SCHOOL KILLS DAVID NORMAN REID, 50, AND INJURES 3 TEENS
Printer-friendly version “In the fraction of a second, life’s changed for two families.” – Leonard Villareal, San Miguel Fire Dept. January 23, 2010 (Spring Valley)—Andrew Bellati, 18, gained fame for his fast-ball pitches clocked at 88 mph. The Steele Canyon High School graduate recently signed with the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team. But speed proved deadly in a head-on
LOCAL HEROES HELP SAVE BOY, 5, FROM HAITI RUBBLE 8 DAYS AFTER QUAKE
Printer-friendly version IRT leader shares details in exclusive interview By Marisa Kezirian and Miriam Raftery January 21, 2010 (Haiti) – Last night a local rescue worker from International Rescue Team (IRT) in San Diego helped treat a five-year-old boy pulled from beneath a collapsed building in Haiti. Miraculously the child survived eight days without food or water,
SCHOOLS CLOSE TODAY DUE TO WEATHER
Printer-friendly version January 22, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) –All schools in the Julian School and District and Mountain Empire Unified School District will be closed today due to stormy weather and snow. A severe winter weather alert remains in effect for mountain areas in East County due to drifting snow and poor visibility. Printer-friendly version
SEMPRA ENERGY AND SUBSIDIARIES ANNOUNCE ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES
Printer-friendly version January 24, 2010 – Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE) and its subsidiaries have announced realignments designed to bolster their organizations and enhance management experience. All changes are effective March 29, 2010. “A critical part of the success of the Sempra Energy companies over the years has been their ability to adapt to the needs of the changing marketplace and
LUCKY DOGS: 2 PETS SAVED FROM FLOODED VEHICLE BY CAL-FIRE RESCUERS
Printer-friendly version December 21, 2010 (Valley Center) – A truck attempting to cross a flooded creek stalled and was swept sideways downstream in swift-flowing water at the same spot where an earlier rescue was made yesterday. At 3:37 p.m. today, Cal Fire and the Valley Center Fire Department responded and found two dogs trapped in the vehicle. An adult
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