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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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7th DISTRICT FIGHT – EMERALD VS. BOLING: YOUR RINGSIDE GUIDE
Printer-friendly versionAccountant April Boling refuses to comment on allegations of “illegal and unethical bookkeeping”; opponent Marti Emerald shares vision for San Diego’s future By Joseph Rocha October 15, 2009 (San Diego)–Touted as “The Troubleshooter vs. the Accountant” by local media, San Diego’s 7th District Council race sounds more like a build-up to a Saturday night cage fight than a hotly contested
HIGHWAYS OPEN, FIRES 100% CONTAINED IN CAMPO AND RANCHO BERNARDO; FIREFIGHTERS STILL BATTLE JULIET BLAZE
Printer-friendly versionOctober 14, 2008, 11:00 p.m. — All major highways in San Diego County are open tonight. The Juliet Fire, which burned 3,980 acres in the Oceanside area after spreading from Camp Pendleton, is now 60% contained and evacuation orders in Fallbrook have been lifted. The Shockey Fire in Campo is 100% contained after burning 200 acres. A small fire
NEW FIRES BREAK OUT IN RANCHO BERNARDO AND OCEANSIDE, I-5 CLOSED
Printer-friendly versionOctober 14 (12:30 p.m.) – Santa Ana winds are fueling new fires in several portions of San Diego County, forcing closure of several major highways and evacuations in the Rancho Bernardo, Oceanside, Fallbrook and Campo areas last night and today. Police have ordered evacuation of homes on the west side of a fire on a hillside at Camino del
FIRE NEAR CAMPO 50% CONTAINED, HWYS 94 AND 8 CLOSED, 400 EVACUATED
Printer-friendly versionOctober 13 (Campo) 9:30 a.m. — Three hundred homes have been ordered to evacuate due to a 100-acre wildfire that began at Highway 94 near Shockey Truck Trail. The blaze has burned 100 areas on both sides of 94 and is 50% contained. No structures have been lost. Evacuation centers have been established at at the Potrero Library and
4,000 FLEE FIRES IN PENDLETON, OCEANSIDE, FALLBROOK
Printer-friendly version Fire in North County. Photo by Corina Squires October 14 (Camp Pendleton) 12:10 p.m. – The third blaze in there weeks to strike Camp Pendleton has charred over 1,500 acres, forcing evacution of over 4,000 people from Oceanside as well as base housing. Some schools in Oceanside may be closed tomorrow, ECM has learned. The Juliet fire forced
SDG&E THREAT TO CUT POWER DURING FIRE DANGER SPARKS HEATED OUTCRY AMONG EAST COUNTY RESIDENTS
Printer-friendly versionLarge crowd likely at CPUC meeting Tuesday in San Diego By Miriam Raftery October 13, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) – Backcountry residents are reacting with shock, praise and outrage to a notice sent by San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) to 45,000 customers warning that power lines may be shut off when fire danger is high. With red
HIGH FIRE DANGER, SANTA ANA WINDS STARTING TONIGHT
Printer-friendly versionCAL Fire gears up with extra airpower, asks homeowners to take defensive steps; SDG&E may cut power in high-risk areas Story and photos by Miriam Raftery October 12, 2008 (El Cajon) – CAL Fire has issued a warning that the danger of wildfire is high due to forecasts of Santa Ana winds starting tonight combined with already hot, dry
Great Debates: Congressional Candidates Square Off
Printer-friendly version Duncan Hunter Mike Lumpkin 52nd Congressional district candidates face off in a series of five debates. Here’s your chance to learn first-hand where candidates stand–or even ask a question yourself! Former U.S. Navy Seal Commander Mike Lumpkin, a Democrat, battles ex-USMC Captain Duncan D. Hunter, Republican, and Libertarian Mike Benoit to replace retiring Congressman Duncan Hunter in debates
WATER, PACE OF DEVELOPMENT TOP CONCERNS IN CAMPO/LAKE MORENA PLANNING GROUP RACE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Lake Morena October 6, 2008 (Campo) – Concerns over the impacts of new and proposed major developments on water supplies and community character have divided community members in this rural region. Tensions ran high at a forum for Campo/Lake Morena Planning Group candidates held on September 29th, where community members posed tough questions for candidates on
CITY, COUNTY SEE SHIFTS TOWARD DEMOCRATIC COLUMN – OCT. 20 DEADLINE FOR VOTER REGISTRATION
Printer-friendly versionCountywide, new voter registrations have been running ten to one Democratic over Republican for the past several months, even in traditionally “red” conservative areas including Santee and El Cajon. According to an October 1, 2008 report issued by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, Democrats now outnumber Republicans by 249,338 to 189,012 in the City of San Diego,
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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