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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
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
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
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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Trump aims to open California coast to oil drilling; Senator Padilla and Governor Newsom denounce plan
Printer-friendly versionDraft proposal seeks six California lease sales despite clear legal limits and decades of bipartisan coastal protections By Miriam Raftery Photo: dead seabirds killed by the Exxon Valdez oil spill off Alaska in 1989. Source. November 20, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – The Trump administration today released its draft 2027 to 2032 Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing plan, the most
Santee music store owner sentenced to 7 years in prison for domestic abuse
Printer-friendly version East County News Service November 20, 2025 (Santee) – Superior Court Judge Johnetta Anderson has sentenced Joseph “Joey” Carlos Veizaga to a term of seven years in state prison after he was found guilty of domestic violence causing great bodily injury to his wife. Veizaga is the owner of Mr. Joey’s Music Store in Santee and fo9under of Los Reyes
USDA Secretary Says SNAP Recipients Will Have To Reapply For Benefits
Printer-friendly version Additionally, President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” provisions could kick millions out of the program By G. A. McNeeley November 20 2025 (Washington D.C.) — After disruptions in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits due to the federal shutdown, recipients have been anticipating getting benefits restored now that the shutdown has ended. But U.S. Department of Agriculture
Tight budget? Check out clothing options at Goodwill
Printer-friendly version“Thrifting is a treasure hunt. You never know what you’ll find.” – Darlene Cossio, Goodwill Director of Marketing and Communications in La Mesa By Heidi Hope November 20, 2025 (La Mesa) – In today’s tight economy, with many people struggling financially, one of the best ways to stretch your dollars is by shopping at thrift stores. At Goodwill, you
Sara’s Selections: Mother-daughter duo strives for sustainability and women’s empowerment through fashion
Printer-friendly versionBy Heidi Hope November 20, 2025 (La Mesa) — The front window at Sara’s Selections in La Mesa proclaims ,”There are always flowers for those who want to see them.” The clothing boutique is filled with floral motifs, feminine touches and empowering quotes for women. The store sells chic Bohemian- styled fashions with a modern touch on classic pieces.
Reckless driver crashes into vehicles during pursuit from Santee to San Diego
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 19, 2025 (Santee) — A reckless driving suspect struck multiple vehicles while leading Sheriff’s deputies on a pursuit from Santee to San Diego on November 18th. According to Lieutenant Elizabeth Montoya, shortly after 4:30 p.m., the Sheriff’s Communications Center received several calls about a man recklessly driving a Chevy Silverado in Santee. Deputies from the
Passages: Randy Jones, Padres legend and Cy Young winner, dies at 75
Printer-friendly version Story and photo, left, by Karen Pearlman Nov. 19, 2025 (Poway) — Beloved San Diego Padres southpaw Randy Jones has passed away. The Padres’ first Cy Young Award winner in 1976, Randall “Randy” Leo Jones, a devoted community figure and the face of East County-based nonprofit Home of Guiding Hands, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 18.
Why hospital policies matter in states that ban abortion
Printer-friendly versionBy Kavitha Surana, Lizzie Presser and Andrea Suozzo, ProPublica Photo: Dr. Robyn Horsager-Boehrer, a retired maternal-fetal medicine specialist in Dallas. Photo by Lexi Parra for ProPublica This story was originally published by ProPublica. ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they’re published. November 18, 2025 (Dallas/Houston) – Nearly
ACT II provides budget-friendly and stylish women’s fashions
Printer-friendly version By Heidi Hope November 18, 2025 (La Mesa)– For 43 years, Act II has been a thriving and successful boutique offering women’s resale fashion in La Mesa’s downtown village. It is a trendy store started from a family business in 1982 by Dolores Buller and her daughter Deanne Ross, who still owns the store. Act II focuses on
Trump does damage control after newly released Epstein emails say Trump spent hours with sex trafficking victim at Epstein’s home
Printer-friendly versionNPR/PBS poll finds just 20% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of Epstein matter Update November 18, 2025: The House of Representatives voted to release the Epstein files by a 427 to 1 margin. It now goes to the Senate. The measure passed overwhelming after Pres. Trump withdrew his opposition once enough members had pledged support to assure passage.
HIGH RISES IN LA MESA VILLAGE?
Printer-friendly version City to hold public scoping meeting Wed. Dec. 9 on proposed 18-story project By Kristin Hobbs-Kjaero December 3, 2009 (La Mesa)—Should the City of La Mesa waive height restrictions and grant a density increase to allow a mixed-use hotel, retail, office and residential project soaring up to 18 stories high? The City has received an application to develop
TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS CLAIM LIVES OF 2 EAST COUNTY RESIDENTS; CHULA VISTA COUNCILMAN WAS DRIVER WHO STRUCK, KILLED DULZURA MAN
Printer-friendly version December 5, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Two traffic accidents on December 3rd killed Thomas Edwin Klopfstein, 58, of Dulzura and an El Cajon man whose name has not been release pending notification of kin. Klopfstein, a pedestrian, was struck by a Toyota pickup truck while trying to cross Highway 94 against traffic at the Community
COMMUNITY FORUMS SET FOR EAST COUNTY PERFORMING ART CENTER RENOVATIONS: DEC. 16 AND 21
Printer-friendly version December 4, 2009 (El Cajon) — The City of El Cajon has been working on a master plan for the Civic Center area that will include major renovations to the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) including closure of the theater for up to two years. The City iwill be hosting two community forums to share goals of
ANDERSON TO OWE $20,000 FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE VIOLATIONS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery December 3, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – California’s Fair Political Practices commission staff has recommended that Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) pay a $20,000 fine for collecting campaign donations that violated state law. Anderson has already refunded around $150,000 in donations made by non-local Republican Central Committees that funneled money received from major donors
“HOMETOWN HERO” & NASCAR CHAMPION JIMMIE JOHNSON DONATES $500,000 TO LOCAL SCHOOLS
Printer-friendly version December 2, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Jimmie Johnson, the first driver in history to win four consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup titles, has donated half a million dollars to local schools. Johnson made several local appearances this week, including an event honoring him in Santee hosted by Lowe’s Tuesday night. “We are most proud of you,”
SALAS DONATES $6,000 TO VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS
Printer-friendly version December 2, 2009 (San Diego)–Assemblymember Mary Salas (D-Chula Vista) raised $6000 with proceeds from her annual Veteran of the Year Luncheon. In early November she presented the California State Military Museum Foundation and the Purple Heart Memorial Fund with checks for $3000 each. “Not only is it important to recognize the Veterans themselves with events such as the Veteran
November Capitol Report: How They Voted
Printer-friendly versionNovember 29, 2009 (Washington and Sacramento) – Do you know how your Congressional and State Legislative representatives voted on important recent bills? Find out here! For more information on these and other bills, visit www.vote-smart.org, www.govtrack.us, www.opencongress.org and www.aroundthecapitol.com. FEDERAL BILLS & VOTES (CONGRESS) H.R. 3548: WORKER, HOMEOWNER AND BUSINESS ASSISTANCE ACT Status: Signed into law by President Obama
LOCAL ANTI-WAR PROTESTS PLANNED TONIGHT IN RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT’S ESCALATION OF AFGHANISTAN WAR
Printer-friendly version Rep. Hunter supports greater troop escalation than President seeks to deploy December 2, 2009 – Local peace activists are staging rallies to protest President Obama’s announcement yesterday to increase troops in Afghanistan. Organizers say that funds would be better spent to address serious domestic issues, such as the healthcare crisis, unemployment, and more. San Diego Coalition
BOOK REVIEW: SAN DIEGO BAY: A CALL FOR CONSERVATION
Printer-friendly version San Diego Bay: A Call for Conservation By the Students at Jacobs High Tech High. Foreword by E. O. Wilson. Preface by Jane Goodall. University of California San Diego Sea Grant Program. San Diego. 2009. Paperback. Illustrated. 344 pages. $24.95. Distributed by Sunbelt Publications, El Cajon, CA. Reviewed by Walter Hall Part history, part politics,
CUYAMACA COLLEGE NAMES NEW PRESIDENT
Printer-friendly version Pennsylvania community college leader Stuart Savin is unanimous choice December 1, 2009 (El Caj on)– The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board has unanimously approved appointment of Dr. Stuart J. Savin as Cuyamaca College president, effective April 12, 2010. Savin, who, for the last three years, has been the chief executive officer of Harrisburg Area Community
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