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Passages: Mark Ostrander, firefighter, backcountry leader, 69
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman April 15, 2026 (Boulevard) — Mark Ostrander, a dedicated public servant, retired Cal Fire Battalion Chief
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
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
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
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 version Water Sweet – The Story of Jamul” Earns Top Honors at AAF Reno ADDY Awards East County News
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
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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
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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
Passages: Mark Ostrander, firefighter, backcountry leader, 69
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman April 15, 2026 (Boulevard) — Mark Ostrander, a dedicated public servant, retired Cal Fire Battalion Chief
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 —
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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GROSSMONT COLLEGE AND GCCCD RECEIVE STATEWIDE AWARD FOR PROGRAMS TO BOOST STUDENT SUCCESS
Printer-friendly versionMarch 26, 2009 (El Cajon) – – A nonprofit group with a goal to increase college attendance in California has honored two local educational programs as among the best in the state. Grossmont College’s Project Success Learning Communities and the district’s Cal-PASS Freshman Composition Alignment Project are among 15 “working solutions” chosen by the statewide Campaign for College Opportunity
FDA ALERTS CONSUMERS TO RECALL OF PISTACHIOS: SALMONELLA FOUND IN CA NUTS
Printer-friendly versionMarch 30, 2009 (Washington D.C.)–The FDA and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) are investigating Salmonella contamination in pistachio products sold by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc, Calif. The company has stopped all distribution of processed pistachios and will issue a voluntary recall involving approximately 1 million pounds of its products. Because the pistachios were used as
WORKING IN THE GARDEN THIS SPRING? WATCH OUT FOR BURIED GAS LINES, THE GAS COMPANY WARNS
Printer-friendly versionMarch 30, 2009 (San Diego) – Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company), a subsidiary of Sempra Energy in San Diego, is encouraging customers to “call 811 before they dig” to avoid damaging buried natural gas lines when pursuing projects in their yard, such as putting up a new wall or fence, planting or re-working landscaping, putting in a
LOCAL GROUPS FILE APPEAL, ASK BLM TO REVERSE POWERLINK APPROVAL
Printer-friendly versionMarch 24, 2009 (Boulevard) — An appeal to the U.S. Department of the Interior over its Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approval of San Diego Gas & Electric’s Sunrise Powerlink transmission project was filed Monday by three local organizations in San Diego County. The appeal notice to the Interior Board of Land Appeals is the first step to a
ALL SMILES: LAUREN SMYLE AMONG 16 FINALISTS FOR NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP: READERS VOTES CAN HELP HER WIN
Printer-friendly version March 28, 2009 (East County)–Thanks in part to East County Magazine readers, West Hills High School Student Lauren Smyle has made it into the "Sweet 16" finals as one of 16 finalists trying to win a $20,000 national scholarship sponsored by Zinch.com. The competition began with 1,700 students nationwide. Now after several weeks of online voting, Smyle's family
SPRING VALLEY BOY, 8, SHOT IN HIS BED BY INTRUDER
Printer-friendly versionMarch 27, 2009 (Spring Valley)–An eight-year-old boy was shot in the foot while sleeping in his bed at 4:34 this morning. Suspects knocked on the door at Villas at Casa De Oro Apartments (3860 Helix Street, Spring Valley)., then began firing into the apartment using a rifle and a handgun, according to the San Diego Sheriff’s Department. The boy
TOWN HALL MEETING ON SUNRISE POWERLINK SET FOR APRIL 6 IN ALPINE
Printer-friendly versionMarch 28, 2009 (Alpine, CA) –The East County Community Action Coalition (ECCAC) has scheduled a Town Hall meeting on Monday, April 6, 2009, from 6-8pm at the Alpine Community Center. The meeting will be a chance for East County residents to get more information about the Sunrise Powerlink’s Southern Route. The route affects communities and towns such as Alpine,
HOW DO YOUR CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS RATE ON MIDDLE CLASS ISSUES? GRADES FOR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES VARY FROM ZERO TO 100%
Printer-friendly versionApril 1, 2009 (WASHINGTON, DC)–San Diego Congressional members Bob Filner and Susan Davis have received an “A” from the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy. The organization’s Congressional Scorecard evaluates each Member of Congress based on their support for policies that help our nation’s middle class. Democrats Filner and Davis voted in support of middle class issues 100% of
SPRING GARDEN FESTIVAL APRIL 25: CONSERVATION IN BLOOM
Printer-friendly versionMarch 26, 2009 (El Cajon) – If you haven’t yet experienced the Spring Garden Festival, be sure to mark your calendars for April 25th. The annual event drew more than 7,000 people last year and is quickly becoming one of East County’s premier attractions. Live music, Native American dancing, arts and crafts, food, plant sales, water-wise gardening, tree-care advice
POLICE SEEK MAN WHO APPROACHED GIRL AT LA MESA BIG LOTS STORE
Printer-friendly versionMarch 22, 2009 (La Mesa)–La Mesa Police ask the public’s help in identifying a man who solicited a phone number from a young teen outside the Big Lots store on Lake Murray Boulevard last night. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward. Printer-friendly version
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,
DO YOU OWN ANY OF THESE DANGEROUS PRODUCTS?
Printer-friendly version December 31, 2009 (Washington D.C.) — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports recalls on the following products, including wooden toys, dehumidifiers, play yards, bassinets, diving equipment, water heater valves, knives, and high chairs. Get details: Wooden Toys Recalled by Kendamaspot Due to Violation of Lead Paint Ban http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10095.html Dehumidifiers Recalled by LG Electronics
TOYOTA OF EL CAJON HONORED BY BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU
Printer-friendly version December 30, 2009 (El Cajon)–Toyota of El Cajon has been honored for ethical business practices by the San Diego Better Business Bureau (BBB), San Diego’s largest county wide business organization. The local auto dealership managed by brothers Gary and Greg Kaminsky was selected as a winner of a 2009 BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics in the 100-to-249
POWAY WOMAN ARRESTED FOR ROBBING BANKS
Printer-friendly version December 30, 2009 (Poway) – Roxanne Pennock, 37, was arrested near her Poway resident today for suspected armed robbery of two local banks. The first occurred at the San Diego National Bank (Community Road & Poway Road) on September 30th. The second robbery occurred at the US Bank (Scripps Poway Parkway & Pomerado Road) on October 13th.
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