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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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East County Roundup: local and statewide news
Printer-friendly version December 17, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s round-up stories include: LOCAL Trump administration signs updated agreement with Mexico over Tijuana sewage (KPBS) Teacher at Christian Unified High School arrested for alleged sexual assault of family
Teacher at Christian high school in El Cajon arrested for alleged sexual assault of underage family member
Printer-friendly version East County News Service December 16, 2025 (Spring Valley) – Kevin G. Conover, 49, a Spring Valley resident and teacher at Christian Unified High School in El Cajon was arrested outside the school yesterday for alleged sexual abuse of a child under age 14 in his family. The alleged abuse was reported by a family member back
ECM World Watch: national and global news
Printer-friendly version December 16, 2025 (San Diego) — As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include: U.S. Trump’s DOJ has sued 18 states to try to access voter data (NPR) Trump Sued
GUHSD priorities: trustees give themselves a massive raise, nearly quadrupling salaries
Printer-friendly version By Alexander J. Schorr December 15, 2025 (El Cajon) — The Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) governing board voted unanimously to raise their own monthly salary of $534.04 to a proposed $2,000.00 each starting in January 2026. While California law does allow for school boards to increase their trustees’ compensation annually by up to 5% based
Santee approves contract to build $26.8 million community center and gives ok for new condos
Printer-friendly version By Mike Allen Image: rendering of new community center December 15, 2025 (Santee) — Santee’s City Council has unanimously approved a contract to build its long-planned Community Center next to the Cameron YMCA for a total cost of $26.8 million, or $3.3 million more than the city staff’s estimate given in April. At the Dec. 10 meeting,
Rabbi killed in Australian Hanukkah shooting was nephew of rabbi injured in Poway synagogue attack
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery File photo: Rabbi Ysroel Godstein of Poway December 15, 2025 (Poway) – Rabbi Eli Schlanger, the nephew of Chabad Poway’s founding Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, was among 16 people murdered in a mass shooting yesterday during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. Goldstein was injured during the April 2019 shooting at Chabad Poway, when he
The stress of apartment searching in San Diego: monthly rents and cost of living exceed national average, while scammers target renters
Printer-friendly version By Heidi Hope December 15, 2025 (San Diego) — Hunting for an affordable apartment in San Diego County is a recipe for aggravating stress. Rents and living expenses in the city of San Diego are among the highest in the nation. East County communities are also too expensive for a single person working a low-wage part-time job to
East County Jews to light Menorah today, stand against deadly shooting at Hanukkah celebration in Australia
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery December 15, 2025 (San Diego) – “Let the world see that when darkness tries to intimidate us, we answer with light,” Rabbi Rafi Andrusier from Chabad of East County said today following a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia. Rabbi Andrusier urged local community members to join in a local Menorah lighting at
Deputies respond to report of possible armed man at Sharp Rees-Stealy in Santee
Printer-friendly version Man detained due to mental health crisis; no weapon found Photo by Patrick Ward December 14, 2025 (Santee) – Sheriff’s deputies evacuated the Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group building on Cuyamaca Street in Santee yesterday afternoon, after receiving multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting a possible armed person. Deputies did not find a weapon. But during the search, deputies
Federal jury convicts Sheriff’s deputy of excessive force, violating inmate’s civil rights
Printer-friendly version Inmate suffered head and spinal injuries after being smashed head first into wall, left bleeding in cell without medical attention East County News Service December 13, 2025 (San Diego) — San Diego Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremiah Manuyag Flores was convicted by a federal jury yesterday of violating the civil rights of a man in pretrial custody at the San Diego Central Courthouse
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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