Thanks To Our Sponsors
Be a sponsor!
Breaking News
Explore What Matters
News Center
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
What East County Topic Matters Most to You?
Get East County Wildfire, Emergency Alerts
Latest Stories
Sponsorship Placement
Seven arrested for retail theft in Lemon Grove
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service December 11, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – Deputies from the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Substation’s Community Oriented Policing and Problem-Solving (COPPS) team ran a retail theft operation at multiple businesses throughout the city on December 10. During the eight-hour operation, deputies made seven arrests—six misdemeanors and one felony—averaging roughly one arrest per hour. “Retail theft remains
County share: Sustainability hacks during the holiday season
Printer-friendly versionSustainable gifts are always in. Photo from Pexels.com East County News Service Dec. 10, 2025 (San Diego County) — Going green and being sustainable poses some challenges, and can be especially difficult to navigate during the holiday season. Gving and receiving gifts and packages of all makes and models — and most come with wrapping of all types —
Recall effort dropped against Lemon Grove Mayor Snow
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman Dec. 10, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – A recall effort against Lemon Grove Mayor Alysson Snow, who was elected by voters in 2024, has failed. On Tuesday, Dec. 9, a group called the Lemon Grove Neighborhood Association shared a text message with East County Magazine that said, “Today marks the conclusion of the signature-gathering phase for
Lakeside firefighter/paramedic Jeff Reyes honored for heroism: saved fire captain who fell through floor in a burning building
Printer-friendly versionPhoto: Chief Don Butz, left, and Batallion Chief Eric Stamm commend firefighter/paramedic Jeff Reyes View video by Shiloh Ireland By Shiloh Ireland Miriam Raftery contributed to this report December 10, 2025 (Lakeside) – Lakeside firefighter/paramedic Jeff Reyes acted “without hesitation, drawing on instinct, training and sheer courage” to save the life of Captain Steven Russo, who fell through
Domestic violence suspect charged with attempted murder of victim and police officers in El Cajon
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service December 9, 2025 (El Cajon) – An El Cajon man, 38, is under arrest for allegedly trying to stab and kill a female victim in a domestic violence altercation, as well as attempted murder of a police officer after he rammed a police vehicle. El Cajon Police officers responded to a domestic violence call
La Mesa Police plans added holiday enforcement, urges drivers to celebrate responsibly
Printer-friendly versionNational “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign begins Source: City of La Mesa December 9, 2025 (La Mesa) – The holiday season can be dangerous for people on the roads. In December 2023 alone, 1,038 people were killed in the U.S. in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The La Mesa Police Department wants
Loveland Reservoir water transfer at 21% but coming to an end, SWA says
Printer-friendly versionPhoto of Loveland Reservoir by Ostan Patton By Karen Pearlman Dec. 9, 2025 (Alpine) – Sweetwater Authority’s plan to leave Loveland Reservoir with at least 25 percent of its water capacity during the most recent transfer of water into the Sweetwater Reservoir has not gone as originally planned, as shared with East County Magazine on Dec. 5. Sweetwater Authority (SWA), the
FDA creates hurdles for Americans to get COVID-19 vaccine, puts infants at risk with changes to Hepatitis-B vaccine recommendations
Printer-friendly versionA dozen former FDA commissioners and other experts weigh in, also debunking false claims about vaccines By G. A. McNeeley December 8, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — In an internal memo obtained by CNN, Dr. Vinay Prasad, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) chief medical & scientific officer said on November 28 that the FDA will change its vaccine approval
Palantir is rewriting security and privacy, creating massive database shared by federal agencies including ICE and the military
Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr Image: CC via Bing “Our Product is used to kill people.” — Palantir CEO Alex Karp, emphasizing the company’s role in enabling lethal military operations. December 8, 2025 (San Diego) — Palantir Technologies is building the U.S. Army’s next-generation ground station, TITAN, using artificial intelligence (AI) to process massive amounts of sensory data to improve targeting
As politics in San Diego has shifted blue over the last decades, local broadcast industry has turned MAGA red
Printer-friendly versionTrump Supporters Will Soon Control Most TV News Stations in San Diego By J.W. August December 7, 2025 (San Diego) – San Diego County’s voter makeup has gone from red to blue over the decades, and there’s no better example in recent years than the evolving Democratic majority on the San Diego City Council and county Board of Supervisors.
BRIDGING THE WORLD: LOCAL WOMAN BRINGS HELP TO CHILDREN IN GHANA
Printer-friendly version GHANA TRIBAL CHIEF TO SPEAK AT FEB. 25 FUNDRAISER IN SAN DIEGO January 12, 2010 (San Diego)–While living in Encinitas in 2008, Jacqueline Prairie decided to act upon a life-long dream of helping children in Africa. At 21, long before mobile phones or internet connective, shetraveled to numerous African countries. She later found a career in
100,000 OR MORE FEARED DEAD IN HAITI QUAKE; LOCAL GROUPS, SAN DIEGO-BASED NAVY SHIP JOIN RELIEF EFFORTS
Printer-friendly version Looking for a missing family member? Search hotline, online database set up By Miriam Raftery January 13, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Over 100,000 people have been killed in a 7.0 earthquake that struck the island of Haiti in the Caribbean, CNN reports. The quake is the strongest to rock the region in two centuries.
NEW! LOOK UP STATE LEGISLATORS’ VOTING RECORDS ONLINE
Printer-friendly version January 13, 2010 (Sacramento) – The Sacramento Bee has launched a new database where you can look up the voting record of every state legislator in California. Wondering how often your legislator broke party ranks, missed a vote or voted to support your interests instead of special interests? Look up your State Senator or State Assemblymember’s voting record by
5 WILD MICE TEST POSITIVE FOR HANTAVIRUS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Printer-friendly version January 13, 2010 (San Diego) — County Vector Control officials confirmed today that five wild mice trapped during routine monitoring tested positive for Hantavirus. “As the weather cools, rodents will begin to seek shelter indoors. It is important to keep mice out of houses, garages and sheds to prevent infection.” said Jack Miller, Director of the
HOW MUCH CRIME IS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD? FIND OUT AT CRIMEMAPPING.COM
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego Sheriff Announces New E-Tool January 13, 2010 (San Diego) — Sheriff Bill Gore today announces the initiation of a new Internet tool for the residents of San Diego County. Crimemapping.com, a creation of San Diego-based Omega Group, retrieves crime data, maps it by address, and positions it in crime categories for web users to view. Sensitive
BOOK REVIEW: POLICE AND PUBLIC SECURITY IN MEXICO
Printer-friendly version Edited by Robert A. Donnelly and David A. Shirk Book Review by: Dennis Moore January 13, 2010 (San Diego’s East County)–Yajaira Mota Orozco,a San Diego mother of two children, lost her life while eating at a restaurant in Tijuana. During December, she became the 88th victim of alleged gang and drug violence in a single month, underscoring
GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: WOLFPACK GANGS UP ON LADY SULTANS
Printer-friendly versionby Christopher Mohr January 12, 2010 (Santee) – What started out as a competitive game between two rival schools from Santee soon became a rout as the host Wolfpack of West Hills High School surged past the Lady Sultans of Santana High School with a comfortable 54-31 win. In a contrast of strategies, both teams played a tight game
$1,000 REWARD FOR INFO ON DECEMBER THEFT OF TRAILER FROM GROUP HELPING WILDFIRE VICTIMS REBUILD
Printer-friendly version Mennonite Disaster Services trailer has Pennsylvania plates January 12, 2009 (San Diego)–San Diego County Crime Stoppers is joining forces with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Ramona detectives to help identify and apprehend the suspect(s) responsible for a theft of a gray tow trailer and about $10,000 worth of tools belonging to a volunteer group that was
“ACTIVE SHOOTER” EXERCISE AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE TODAY
Printer-friendly version January 12, 2009 (El Cajon)–The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District (GCCCD) is conducting a practice exercise with local public safety agencies on Tuesday, January 12, 2010, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Cuyamaca College. The GCCCD Police, San Diego County Sheriffs’ Department, San Miguel Fire Department, El Cajon Police Department, El Cajon Fire Department, and other East County
KROC CENTER HOSTS OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY JAN. 9
Printer-friendly version The Salvation Army Kroc Center is opening its doors to the community for FREE on Saturday, January 9. Guests can take guided tours, and enjoy special membership savings as well as a free all-venue pass for the day. Visitors can also experience skateboarding, ice skating, rock climbing, swimming, fitness classes, weight lifting, arts and crafts, an acting workshop
Get Wildfire Alerts & Wildfire Emergency News
Partner To ECM
Our Engaged Audience
5 to 10 million hits
per month!
5 to 10 million hits
per month!
A quarter million visits
each month
Most widely read news site dedicated to
San Diego’s East County
Winner of over 150
journalism awards
“Sponsoring East County Magazine is a great way to reach our loyal and engaged readers, who value organizations and businesses that support nonprofit, independent news in the public interest and wildfire/emergency alerts that keep people safe and informed. Sponsors can choose to underwrite our community news site, support a favorite section or a new special section, underwrite an event, or sponsor our wildfire and emergency alerts.”
— Miriam Raftery, Founder of East County Magazine
Community Links
Thanks To Our Major Sponsors
📬 Subscribe to ECM – 100% Free, Trusted by East County Since 2008
- Emergency alerts
- Breaking news
- No spam ever