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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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El Cajon brings on Jennifer Lyon as new city attorney
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Jan. 9, 2026 (El Cajon) — Jennifer M. Lyon has started taking on the role of City Attorney for the City of El Cajon. Lyon, who is part of the La Mesa-headquartered attorney group McDougal Boehmer Foley Lyon Mitchell & Erickson, succeeds Morgan L. Foley, who has retired from his role as the City of El Cajon’s City Attorney,
Detra Williams named San Diego County’s Chief Deputy of Tax Collection
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Jan. 9, 2026 (San Diego County) — Detra Williams has been appointed as San Diego County’s next Chief Deputy of Tax Collection, succeeding Chief Deputy David Baker, who has retired. Williams was appointed to the position effective Jan. 6. County Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Cohen announced the appointment on Jan. 6. Williams has worked for the
Shane Harris leading backlash against parking fees in Balboa Park
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Jan. 9, 2026 (San Diego County) — San Diego public advocate Shane Harris has introduced a new ordinance to fully repeal paid parking in Balboa Park and restore free public parking. To support this effort, Harris has launched this online petition to demonstrate broad public support for making Balboa Park parking free again. Harris has also called a
‘Reign of terror’: ICE builds appalling record of killings, beatings, kidnappings, and more
Printer-friendly versionBy Jake Johnson, Common Dreams Photo: Renee Good, 37, U.S. citizen and mother of a-6-year-old, was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minnnesota. January 9, 2026 (Minneapolis) – Federal immigration enforcement agents, unleashed and emboldened by President Donald Trump, have been rampaging through the streets of cities across the United States for months, racking up an appalling record of abuses and alleged crimes,
San Diego Superior Court seeks citizens for Civil Grand Jury
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Jan. 9, 2026 (San Diego County) — The San Diego Superior Court has announced an emergency extension for the 2026-27 Civil Grand Jury application deadline, moving the cutoff to Jan. 30, 2026. The move is an effort to bolster a dwindling pool of applicants for what is often called the county’s most powerful “watchdog” over
County public health officials urge childhood and adolescent vaccine schedule
Printer-friendly versionBy Fernanda Lopez Halvorson, County of San Diego Communications Office Image credit: Shutterstock January 9, 2026 (San Diego) – County public health officials continue to encourage childhood and adolescent vaccinations recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The County’s vaccine schedule aligns with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the West Coast Health Alliance. These recommendations follow a recent decision
Santana shooter granted resentencing hearing, may soon be freed
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 8, 2026 (Santee) – It’s been 25 years since 15-year-old Andrew “Andy” Williams shot and killed two students and injured 13 other people at Santana High School in Santee. He was sentence to 50 years to life in prison. But due to a new state law allowing juvenile offenders with life sentences to petition for resentencing, a Superior
“Forever chemical” crisis seeps into Southern California: from Sweetwater Reservoir to Orange County, districts grapple with how to protect drinking water supplies
Printer-friendly versionPhoto: PFAS have been detected in Sweetwater Reservoir, via Sweetwater Water Authority By Karen Pearlman Jan. 8, 2025 (San Diego County) — “Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink” goes the line from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s 1798 poem, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, describing sailors surrounded by undrinkable ocean water. That old phrase also fits today. Obtaining clean,
Gavin Newsom forecasts a rosier California budget and banks on AI boom continuing
Printer-friendly versionBy Yue Stella Yu, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters Photo: Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during the State of the State address in the Assembly chamber at the state Capitol in Sacramento on Jan. 8, 2026. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters January 9, 2026 (Sacramento) – Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office on Friday forecast a “modest shortfall”
Tensions with Greenland rise: the United States is escalating conflict globally
Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr January 8, 2026 (Washington, D.C.) — After repeated threats by Trump administration officials to invade Greenland by military force if necessary, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers the President hopes to purchase Greenland, not attack it. Rubio’s statement came after Denmark’s Defense Ministry’s confirmation that its military is under a standing order to “shoot
STORM BATTERS COUNTY; SUNNY SKIES FORECAST BY SUNDAY
Printer-friendly versionMore rain, snow, and flooding possible tonight; free sandbags available throughout East County for residents January 21, 2010 (San Diego County) 5 p.m. — High winds and heavy rain ravaged San Diego County today, prompting disruptions in transit service, flights, and closure of numerous roads, schools and businesses in East County and throughout our region. In East County and
EL CAJON POSTPONES MEETING ON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER UNTIL WED. JAN. 27
Printer-friendly version January 21, 2009 (El Cajon) – A community meeting on the future of the East County Performing Arts Center has been postponed until Wed. Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. due to tonight’s stormy weather. For details, see our previous story at http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/2603. Printer-friendly version
SDG&E GEARS UP FOR NEXT WAVE OF STORM, OFFERS SAFETY TIPS
Printer-friendly version January 21, 2010– Heavy rain and high winds are expected to keep San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) crews busy as forecasters predict the worst of this week’s series of storms will sweep through the region today. Utility crews are being staged at operations centers for staffing around-the-clock to coordinate service restoration, communications and logistical support throughout
WINTER STORM WARNING: HEAVY SNOW IN MOUNTAINS, COASTAL FLOODING
Printer-friendly version January 21, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued an urgent alert for a winter storm warning in San Diego County mountains from 6 p.m. tonight through 6 p.m. Friday evening. Heavy snow measuring 8 to 16 inches is possible above 4,000 feet with greater amounts in some areas. Winds with gusts up
FIREFIGHTERS RESCUE 2 TRAPPED IN STREAM
Printer-friendly version January 21, 2010 (Valley Center) – Two people have been rescued from a Toyota four runner that became stuck after the driver attempted to cross a stream and water began flowing inside the vehicle. Cal Fire and the Valley Center Fire Department responded to the call at 9:21 p.. and found the vehicle partially submerged in a
MAN FOUND DEAD ON MT. WOODSON
Printer-friendly version January 20, 2010 (Poway) – Donald Allen Forbes, 60, of Oceanside was found dead on the Mt. Woodson hiking trail yesterday morning in Poway. A hiker discovered him lying unresponsive on the trail and notified authorities. Sheriff’s deputies and fire officials responded and confirmed death at the scene. The coroner’s office reports that death resulted from natural
NEW HAZARDS TONIGHT: BOULDERS BLOCK ROADWAYS, FREEWAY RAMPS FLOOD
Printer-friendly version January 20, 2010 (San Diego County) 9:10 p.m. – Shortly after we issued an earlier alert about hazardous traffic conditions, CHP posted updates of several new hazards. EAST COUNTY UPDATE: Boulders are reported in the roadway at the junction of Sunrise Highway and Interstate 8. There are also large rocks in the roadway on Highway 78 near Sentenac
FLOODED ROADS, SNOW, ROAD CLOSURES POSE HAZARDS FOR DRIVERS
Printer-friendly version January 20, 2010 (San Diego County, 7:45 p.m.) – Severe storms have left many roads flooded throughout the county, prompting road closures and rescue operations. CHP reports the following areas are flooded in East County: • RAMONA: junction of Ramona St. and H St. • EL CAJON: W. Bradley at N.. Magnolia • LAKESIDE: Willows Rd. and Bobcat
MAN ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly version January 20, 2010 – Jared Shelton has been arrested for assaulting a man who attempted to come to the aid of Shelton’s girlfriend during an altercation outside the 7/Eleven Store at 4610 Avocado Boulevard in the unincorporated area of the County aound 1:30 a.m. on January 19th. According to the San Diego County Sheriff’s office, Shelton was arguing
CHARTER MEMBERSHIPS NOW ON SALE FOR NEW MCGRATH FAMILY YMCA
Printer-friendly version January 20, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – A grand opening is slated for April at the McGrath Family YMCA, 12012 Campo Road in Rancho San Diego, 9. The East County Family YMCA is offering special discounts to the first 1,000 people who sign up as charter members. Charter members will receive a $99 discount off the membership fee,
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