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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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Suspect arrested, victim identified in Ramona murder
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service September 11, 2025 (Ramona) – The victim of a fatal shooting in Ramona on Sept. 7 has been identified as Felipe Ascencio of Ramona. Deputies responding to a call reporting the shooting found him inside a home in the 700 block of Eighth St. and called for paramedics, but he died of a gunshot wound
Cottonwood sand mine in Rancho San Diego rejected by Board of Supervisors
Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow Karen Pearlman contributed to this report Sept. 10, 2025 (San Diego County) – The Cottonwood Sand Mine project in Rancho San Diego was rejected unanimously Wednesday by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. In a packed board room, the supervisors heard from more than 100 speakers in a span of over two hours,
Should more fire districts become part of Cal Fire/County Fire? The Grand Jury thinks so, but San Miguel and Alpine districts hotly contest that finding
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman September 11, 2025 (San Diego County) — San Miguel Fire Consolidated Protection District is taking the lead in challenging a San Diego County Civil Grand Jury report released earlier this year that recommends consolidation of fire protection districts around San Diego County, and recommending that “willing” districts become part of the San Diego County Fire
City of La Mesa gifting trees, hosting education series
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Sept. 10, 2025 (La Mesa) — La Mesa is hoping more trees will sprout up after it hosts a four-event educations series from September through November. As part of the series, thanks to partner Tree San Diego, 100 free trees will be distributed to La Mesa residents. La Mesa is partnering with Tree
Losses in Coches Fire show need for firewise upgrades to mobilehomes: County offers grants and loans to mobilehome owners
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photos and video by Josh Stotler View video Updated Sept. 10, 2025 with latest damage assessment based on a report from Lakeside’s Fire Marshal September 9, 2025 (Lakeside) – Swift action by firefighters including aerial attacks held yesterday’s Coches Fire to 5.3 acres, but the damage was substantial. Five homes were destroyed, including three mobilehomes at
CAL FIRE adds water truck to Shelter Valley station
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery September 9, 2025 (Shelter Valley) – The community of Shelter Valley, between Julian and Borrego Springs, is safer today thanks to a new 3,000-gallon water truck just added to Cal Fire’s Station 62 here. Cal Fire states on social media, “We couldn’t be more excited to have it alongside the engine and ambulance already looking after
Former San Diego City Attorney announces State Senate run to represent East County
Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow September 9, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – Former San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott on Thursday announced she’s running for the California State Senate District 40 seat, currently held by Republican Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, who will be leaving office due to term limits. The district encompasses much of East County, including Santee, Poway, Alpine, Pine Valley, and Ramona, as
STRUCTURE THREAT FROM COCHES FIRE IN LAKESIDE
Printer-friendly version Update: At least 3 mobile home parks are burning, per air attack, ECM has learned. Planes and helicopters are on scene. An addition 15 engines and 2 helicopters have been requested by incident command and air attack. Evacuees can go to Viejas Casino. September 8, 2025 (Lakeside) — There is an immediate structure threat from the #CochesFire that
Homicide investigation in Ramona
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service September 8, 2025 (Ramona) –The Sheriff’s Homicide Unit is investigating a deadly assault with a deadly weapon in Ramona yesterday afternoon. Around 2:35 p.m., deputies from the Ramona substation responded to a call reporting the assault in the 700 block of Eighth Street. They found a man suffering from traumatic injuries and requested paramedics, who
Frosted Faces Foundation opens Community Veterinary Center to care for senior dogs and cats
Printer-friendly versionAdopt a senior pet and receive free veterinary services East County News Service September 7, 2025 (Ramona) — Frosted Faces Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping senior animals and the people who love them, unveiled its new Community Veterinary Center next door to the organization’s rescue facility at 1448 Pine Street in Ramona. Realizing that senior animals face many
WOMAN ARRESTED IN LA MESA FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER; ALLEGEDLY STABBED BOYFRIEND WHILE CHILDREN OVERHEARD
Printer-friendly version November 21, 2009 (La Mesa) – Tomika Carey has been arrested and charged with the attempted murder of her boyfriend, Sergeant Hanson at the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Station has confirmed. On November 20th around 1:52 a.m., deputies responded to a call of a stabbing at an apartment complex in an unincorporated area of La Mesa. Parties at the
SHERIFF’S OFFICERS SHUT DOWN TRANSIENTS ENCAMPMENT IN LAKESIDE
Printer-friendly version CRITICS ASK WHY HOMELESS ARE TREATED LIKE CRIMINALS INSTEAD OF RECEIVING HELP November 21, 2009 (Lakeside) The Santee COPPS Unit, Santee Sheriff Crime Prevention and 50 community service workers provided through Cal-Trans started a large scale clean up of transient encampments in open space southeast of Old Highway 80 and Pecan Park Drive in Lakeside on November 12th.
MTS HOLDS PUBLIC MEETINGS OVER PLAN TO CUT SUNDAY BUS & TROLLEY SERVICE
Printer-friendly version November 21, 2009 (San Diego) — Sales tax shortfalls and the improper elimination of State Transit Assistance funds are forcing the Metropolitan Transit System to reduce its expenses by more than $7 million. To preserve the network of weekday services and to impact as few riders as possible, MTS is proposing to substantially reduce service on Sundays. The
ACADEMIC LEAGUE #3: RESULTS AND FEATURED MATCH: GRANITE HILLS AT EL CAPITAN
Printer-friendly version November 18, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) By Steve Haiman, co-coordinator The moderator for today’s Grossmont Union-High School Academic League Match pitting the Granite Hills “Eagles” against the El Capitan “Vaqueros” was Valhalla math teacher extraordinaire Brian Andersen. He kept the match moving and in good order with a good sense of humor. In Junior Varsity
MEFDLY LARVAE FOUND IN FALLBROOK
Printer-friendly version November 20, 2009 (Fallbrook) — A fruit stripping and cutting operation in Fallbrook has lead to the discovery of 68 Mediterranean fruit fly larvae. “This is actually good news because it allows us to stop the Medfly from producing another generation and reduces the chance of residents moving infested fruit,” said Robert Atkins, County Agricultural Commissioner. California
MORE H1N1 VACCINES RECEIVED: INFANT GIRL IS LATEST FATALITY
Printer-friendly version November 20, 2009 (San Diego) — The County’s six Public Health Centers and one immunization clinic have each received 200 additional doses of injectable H1N1 vaccine. The limited vaccine is prioritized for use in the CDC priority groups of: children and young adults four to 24 years old; adults 25 to 64 years old with chronic medical
CIF FOOTBALL PLAYOFF MATCHUPS
Printer-friendly version(SAN DIEGO) – The following is a list football playoff pairings for CIF San Diego Section. We will update it with each round of the playoffs. The team’s seeding, name and overall win-loss record are shown for each team. The top four teams in each division get a first round bye. Teams within East County Magazine’s coverage area
SPRING VALLEY SCHOOL GIRL STALKED BY MAN IN DARK BLUE MINIVAN
Printer-friendly version November 20, 2009 (Spring Valley) – The Sheriff’s Department has released the following information about a report of a man who tried to pick up a Spring Valley school girl and told her he had been watching her and her sisters. According to the police report, on November 18th around 8:53 a.m., the girl was walking to school
ARREST MADE IN ROBBERY OF SPRING VALLEY LIQUOR STORE
Printer-friendly version November 20, 2009 (Spring Valley) – Joshua Kimble, 21, has been arrested on suspicion of robbing the La Presa Liquor Store at 9410 Jamacha Blvd. in Spring Valley on November 18. At 11:33 a.m., deputies responded to an armed robbery call, where the suspect reportedly brandished a pistol and was last seen on foot in an unknown direction.
4 SAN DIEGO CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES VOTE TO INVEST IN FIREFIGHTING GRANTS TO BOOST FIRE PROTECTION; ISSA VOTES NO
Printer-friendly version November 18, 2009 (Washington, DC) – The Fire Grants Reauthorization Act passed by a 395-31 vote in the House of Representatives today, providing local firefighters with tools and resources to prevent and fight fires, enhancing community safety. At a time when many cities face budget shortfalls and cuts to basic services, the Act invests in programs that allow
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