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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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Body armor coming to El Cajon Police Department’s K9 Titan
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Jan. 15, 2026 (El Cajon) — Titan, the El Cajon Police Department’s resident K9, will receive a bullet and stab protective vest through a charitable donation from nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Titan’s vest will come within the next 10 weeks and will be embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of Milo.” Since
Supervisors advance ordinance to limit federal law enforcement’s access at county facilities
Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow January 14, 2026 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Tuesday advanced a new law that would prohibit federal agents from accessing non-public areas at County facilities unless they have a warrant or court order. The Civil Liberties Enforcement and Accountability Rules (CLEAR) Ordinance is based on the city of San Diego’s
Damon Brown named new San Diego County Counsel
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Jan. 14, 2026 (San Diego County) — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has approved the appointment of Damon M. Brown as County Counsel. Brown was chosen after the county launched a national recruitment, bringing broad and diverse experience at the national, state and local levels. A trial attorney and policy executive with more than
Navy officials meet with Warner Springs community to address PFAS in water
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman with additional reporting by Miriam Raftery Jan. 14, 2026 (Warner Springs) — Dozens of local residents and business owners visited the CAL Fire Station in Warner Springs on Jan. 12 to glean information from the United States Navy and several other federal groups as well as state and county water agencies about PFAS and their impact
Democrats line up to unseat incumbent Rep. Darrell Issa in 48th Congressional District: several speak at candidate forum
Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow Photo, left to right: Ammar Campa-Najjar, Marni Von Wilpert, Abel Chavez, Brandon Riker, Mark Iannarino, Ferguson Porter, Corinna Contreras, and Jerlilia Ryans January 13, 2026 (San Diego) – When the Primary Election is held June 2 for the 2026 midterms, more than a handful of Democrats will be on the ballot in an effort to
Free America Walkout January 20
Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr January 11, 2026 (San Diego) — The “Free America Walkout” is a nationwide protest initiative scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. local time across the United States. Being organized by groups like The Women’s March and the 50501 movement, the event encourages people to walk out of work, school, and commence to protest fascism and the policies of the Trump administration. At least seven
Horse rescued in Alpine by San Diego Humane Society’s Emergency Response Team
Printer-friendly version East County News Service Jan. 10, 2026 (Alpine) — A 38-year-old horse that went down and could not get back up in Alpine has been rescued by the San Diego Humane Society’s Emergency Response Team. The nonprofit’s ERT successfully completed a technical rescue today (Jan. 10) for the Palomino horse named Jasmine — also affectionately known as “Jazzy.”
New laws come to California in 2026
Printer-friendly versionBy Henri Migala Photo by Miriam Raftery: California state seal at capitol in Sacramento January 10, 2026 (Sacramento) — Nearly 800–900 bills were signed into law in 2025 in California spanning workers’ rights, consumer protections, public health, education, housing, tech/AI policy, immigration policy, environmental safety, and more. Below are major statutes that took effect on January 1, 2026, unless
GUHSD invites students, families, staff and community to participate in Portrait of a Graduate Survey
Printer-friendly versionSource: Grossmont Union High School District January 9, 2026 (El Cajon) – The Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) is inviting East County students, families, educators, school staff, and community members to participate in shaping its Portrait of a Graduate (POG) – a long-term, community-created vision that defines the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and mindsets every student needs to thrive in
North Island Credit Union Foundation offering scholarships to San Diego County students
Printer-friendly versionFoundation invites college-bound students to apply for $1,000 scholarships by March 6 Source: North Island Credit Union Foundation January 9, 2026 (San Diego) – North Island Credit Union Foundation is encouraging college-bound students in San Diego county to apply for its 2026 Student Scholarship Program. Through the program, the Foundation awards $10,000 in scholarships annually to recognize local students who
BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY BUILDING AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE OPENS JAN. 20
Printer-friendly version January 1, 2010 (El Cajon) – Cuyamaca College will host a grand opening of its newest facility, the Business and Technology Building, on January 20th at 11 a.m.Guests are invited to view the "initial public offering" of this new facility on the "Cuyamaca Exchange." “The Business and Technology Building is the last of our four new, spectacular,
2010 FORECAST: WHAT RETAILERS & BUSINESSES SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ECONOMIC CONDITIONS FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS
Printer-friendly versionBy Frank V.V. Boss, Jr. January 1, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) –As the holiday season ends, retailers and business are hoping that 2010 will bring better prospects and spending by consumers in San Diego and East County. So as the rest of the nation still feels the affects of a rough winter and slow-moving economy, consumers are predicted
NATIONAL PLAN TO CREATE JOBS: LOCAL JOB CREATION MIRRORS NATIONAL MOVEMENT
Printer-friendly version December 31, 2009 (San Diego) — The Economic Policy Institute (EPI has issued a nationwide local jobs initiative called the American Jobs Plan. The five-point plan to create jobs for Americans has been embraced by the Obama administration following a recent jobs summit and is under consideration in Congress. Last month, EPI issued a statement in collaboration
NATIONAL LABOR LEADER TO ADDRESS RALLLY FOR JOBS IN SAN DIEGO JAN. 6
Printer-friendly version December 31, 2009 (San Diego) – On Wednesday, January 6th at 10:30 a.m. Richard Trumka, national president of the American Federation for Labor-Congress of Industrial Occupations (AFL-CIO) will speak about putting San Diegans back to work. “The first priority of 2010 for San Diego must be to build on those efforts and find new ways to put
H1N1 VACCINES AT WALGREENS PHARMACY
Printer-friendly version December 31, 2009 (Santee) Walgreens iin Santee has received 300 doses of H1N1 vaccine, according to press release issued by the Santee Chamber of Commerce. "There is no longer any restrictions on who can get it," the release advises. The shot is free but there is an $18 administration fee. Many insurances, including Medicare and Medi-Cal,
DUI ARRESTS UP; NEW YEAR’S EVE CHECKPOINT & PATROLS ANNOUNCED
Printer-friendly version December 30, 2009 (San Diego) – Sheriff Bill Gore announced that a holiday crackdown on drinking in the first 13 days of the “AVOID” campaign (Dec. 16-29) has resulted in 605 individuals into custody for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, up from last year’s 363 DUI (driving under the influence) bookings during the first weekend
POWERLINK OPPONENTS ACCUSE SDG&E OF EXCLUDING OPPONENTS FROM POWERLINK COUNCILS
Printer-friendly version December 30, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – SDG&E has named 110 people to serve on community councils to make recommendations on how areas should deal with disruptions caused by Sunrise Powerlink, the $1.88 billion high voltage power line project that the utility company wants to build. But many of the project’s most vocal opponents were not invited
VICTIM OF BARONA SHOOTING NAMED
Printer-friendly version December 30, 2009 (Lakeside) – The County Coroner’s office has identified Raymundo Casillas, 43, Executive Director of the Barona Gaming Commission, as the victim who was shot and killed in his office yesterday. The gunman, Donnell Roberts, a former employee, killed himself after fatally wounding Casillas. “This is a very difficult time for the Barona family and
NAUGHTY NEWSMAKERS: EAST COUNTY’S TOP 10 IN 2009
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery, Editor December 27, 2009 – We’ve made our list and checked it twice, finding out who’s been naughty or nice. Below is our list of “naughty newsmakers” who made headlines for antics that were seamy, steamy, or just plain unseemly. Some of these folks from San Diego’s eastern region accomplished good deeds in their
“NICE” NEWSMAKERS OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS SOUGHT
Printer-friendly version Which East County residents have been good citizens in 2009, striving to make our commuity or our world a better place? Please send us your nomination –along wih a one-paragraph description of why you believe your nominee is deserving of praise. We’re looking for nominees in all categories –including education, business and labor, politics, philanthropy, healthcare,
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