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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

Lemon Grove Library hosting Sheriff’s reentry event
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 13, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office Reentry Services Division
News Issues

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

Lemon Grove Library hosting Sheriff’s reentry event
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 13, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office Reentry Services Division
Politics

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

Supporters flee Swalwell’s governor campaign amid allegations of sexual assault
Printer-friendly versionBy Jeanne Kuang and Yue Stella Yu, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: U.S. Rep. Eric
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

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

Mountain Empire Art Show Debuts April 15 in Boulevard
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 14, 2026 (Boulevard) — The Backcountry Resource Center in Boulevard will be busy this Wednesday,
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

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

Mountain Empire Art Show Debuts April 15 in Boulevard
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 14, 2026 (Boulevard) — The Backcountry Resource Center in Boulevard will be busy this Wednesday,
Features

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

Mountain Empire Art Show Debuts April 15 in Boulevard
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 14, 2026 (Boulevard) — The Backcountry Resource Center in Boulevard will be busy this Wednesday,
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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,
A FIERY ARGUMENT
Printer-friendly versionFire Chief, City and County leaders debate pros and cons of fire tax By Miriam Raftery 2007 San Diego wildfires destroyed over 3,400 structures and killed 15 people (photo: La Mesa Fire Dept.) October 1, 2008 (SAN DIEGO) – “We have to stop turning to others to solve our problems,” said Ron Roberts, Chair of San Diego’s Board of
GREEN HOUSES
Printer-friendly versionASID Kitchen and Bath Tour Oct. 25 Features “Green” Kitchen on Mt. Helix By Miriam Raftery Recycled glass adds sparkle to natural slate backsplash October 11, 2008 (Mt. Helix) – A Mount Helix kitchen/great room featuring natural materials, solar screens and and energy-efficient features is among 11 kitchens featured on the 2008 Fall Kitchen Tour on October 25th. Sponsored
Editorial – SDG&E SHUT-DOWN THREAT FIRES UP BACKCOUNTRY OBJECTIONS
Printer-friendly versionBy Donna Tisdale La Mesa Fire Department In response to SDG&E’s announced plans to shut off-power to "remote areas" during high wind events: SDG&E and their urbanite supporters want to run the Sunrise Powerlink through the most HIGH RISK FIRE ZONES of our highly flammable backcountry. In addition to the 500-1000 estimated turbines already proposed in this area, SDG&E is also
BATTLE OF THE WATCHDOGS: WILL THE REAL CONSUMER CHAMPION PLEASE STAND UP?
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Anderson Lutz October 10, 2008 (Assemblyman Joel Anderson considers himself a watchdog for taxpayers. His opponent, Ray Lutz, founded a citizens’ watchdog group. Both claim to represent the public interest. The differences in their views reflect a core question being asked more and more amid today’s challenging economic times: just what is the proper role of
LOCAL RESIDENTS JOIN NATIONAL PROTEST OF WALL STREET BAIL-OUT BILL
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery September 26, 2008 (El Cajon) – East County residents angered by the Bush administration’s proposed $700 billion bail-out bill for Wall Street financial firms took to the streets yesterday as part of a national protest action organized by True Majority. Thousands protested across the nation (photo: New York protest, taken by Jeremy Scahill.) “Many people in
PENDLETON FIRE 100% CONTAINED
Printer-friendly versionOctober 9, 2008 (Camp Pendleton) 9:30 a.m. — A wildfire that began late yesterday afternoon at Camp Pendleton is now 100% contained, though firefighters continue to douse hotspots. “Between 900 and 1,000 acres have burned,” Major Kristen Lasica, Public affairs officer told East County Magazine last night. ECM activated our wildfire alert system last night after learning that aircraft
HUNTER OPENS DOOR FOR SMALL BUSINESS CONTRACTORS
Printer-friendly versionBorder Fence creates opportunities for some, but draws criticisms from others, with waivers of environmental reviews by Gayle Early Gayle Early. October 1, 2008 (El Cajon) – Congressman Duncan Hunter’s office hosted an informal briefing by the Army Corps of Engineers on September 18 on the status of the border fence construction and possible subcontracting opportunities for local businesses.
EDITORIAL – ARNOLD “SWEENEY TODD” Schwarzenegger:
Printer-friendly versionGovernor Vetoes Health Reforms, Terminates Consumer Protection Bills By Senator Sheila Kuehl On September 30, the Governor finished wielding his veto pen and, in one sweeping move, eliminated virtually every health reform measure that would have regulated the health insurance company monopoly. Health reform was not alone, bill after bill that would have benefited consumers, drivers, people who breathe,
EDITORIAL – PICKIN’ ON PICKENS’ PLAN
Printer-friendly versionBy Ken Sobel It’s impossible to turn on the TV or radio lately without being barraged by T. Boone Pickens presenting his ambitious plan to save the world from global warming and wean us off foreign oil. But the decision we need to make in the days and weeks to come is between creating the energy we need locally—or

POWERLINK REVELATIONS SPARK HEATED DEBATE IN ALPINE
Printer-friendly version By Diana Barreto and Miriam Raftery “Who is going to move to Alpine and put their kids in a school 40 or 50 feet from a high-voltage line?” – Michelle Steinbuck, mother and Alpine resident “We have done everything we can to make sure everyone here, and everyone else who is not here, gets to know exactly
WANT TO GET PUBLISHED? 2010 SDSU WRITER’S CONFERENCE JAN. 29-31 SHOWS YOU HOW
Printer-friendly version Sharpen your pencils, grab your manuscripts and laptops for the 26th annual San Diego State University Writer’s Conference January 29-31 at the SDSU campus. The conference provides a rare opportunity for writers to have their works read by editors from some of the nation’s major publishing houses—and meet in person with editors and agents handling fiction, nonfiction,
SCAM ARTIST TARGETS DONORS AT SAN DIEGO HOSPICE AND GROSSMONT HOSPITAL
Printer-friendly version A woman posing as a nurse or medical employee has been approaching people outside Grossmont Hospital, San Diego Hospice and other locations to request donations or money for a ride, according to Hospice representatives. Numerous area residents have been burned by the scam. Victims describe the woman as medium to heavy build, 5’4 to 5’6 inches,
LA MESA GAS STATION ROBBED AT GUNPOINT; REWARD OFFERED
Printer-friendly version January 18, 2009 (La Mesa) At approximately 1:31 this morning, La Mesa Police received a report of a robbery at the Arco Station at 9600 Murray Drive. A white male suspect entered the store and displayed a black semi-automatic handgun, demanding money and cigarettes. The clerk handed the suspect an undetermined amount of money from the register and
2 SAN DIEGO RESCUE TEAMS HEAD TO HAITI
Printer-friendly version January 17, 2009 (San Diego) – Two San Diego organizations, International Relief Teams (IRT) and Rescue Task Force (RTF) are dispatching teams to aid victims of the devastating 7.0 earthquake that rocked Haiti last Tuesday. The situation is criticial with infrastructure destroyed including most hospitals, the major port, roadways and the palace. Hundreds of thousands are
SEMPRA DONATES $50,000 TO HELP HAITIAN EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS
Printer-friendly version January 17, 2010 – Sempra Energy Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Sempra Energy (parent company of San Diego Gas & Electric Co.) has pledged $50,000 in disaster-relief assistance funds to victims of the devastating Haitian earthquake. Sempra Energy Foundation will direct the funds through the San Diego—Imperial County Chapter of the American Red Cross International Relief
IF YOU NEED SANDBAGS, EQUIPMENT OR OTHER HELP DURING STORMS…
Printer-friendly version January 17, 2010 – CAL FIRE and the San Diego County Fire Authority have filled thousands of sandbags and are gearing up for the expected stormy weather with heavy equipment and manpower on hand to help in the event of emergencies. Sandbags were filled at the following locations and remain available to the public, though the
HAZARDOUS WEATHER WATCH ISSUED: SERIES OF STORMS TO BRING HEAVY RAINS, SNOW, HIGH WINDS & FLOODING
Printer-friendly version January 17, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather watch for southwestern California due to a series of storms slated to strike our region starting Monday. The powerful storms are predicted to dump 15 to 25 inches of rain and snow in mountain areas and bring wind gusts of
“BELIEVE” CHARGER GEAR HELPS BENEFIT COPLEY YMCA IN CITY HEIGHTS
Printer-friendly version January 17, 2009 (San Diego) — Pacific Sportswear & Emblem Company has created a line of Chargers hats, t-Shirts and silicone “charity” wristbands with the “BELIEVE” message to keep sports fans’ spirit alive in San Diego. A percentage of the sale of each “BELIEVE” item will benefit the Copley Family YMCA, which primarily serves children, teens and
FIRE DAMAGES SPRING VALLEY HOME
Printer-friendly version January 17, 2010 (Spring Valley) — A two story house fire in Spring Valley triggered a two-alarm response Saturday afternoon, resulting in $100,000 of damage, according to a preliminary estimate. No injuries were reported. The location and construction type showed potential for tremendous destruction. The fire was reported at 1:25 PM on the 3500 block of Saddle
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