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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
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
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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Missing Spring Valley teen
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 7, 2025 (Spring Valley) – Public help is sought to local Angel Mauricio Reyes Mejicanos, 15, who vanished after walking his sister to school on September 29. He was reportedly sighted in the Encanto area on October 1. His family is pleading for public help to find him according to the RAD Movement, which
Charging your devices: Safety steps can prevent lithium-ion fires
Printer-friendly versionBy Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine contributed to this report Photo: firefighters purposely overloaded a lithium-ion battery to show what can happen. October 6, 2025 (San Diego) — Make sure you’re charging your lithium-ion batteries safely for devices such as cell phones and laptop computers. Using the wrong charger or one
No kidding–firefighters save goat trapped in boulders
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 6, 2025 (Descanso) – A goat trapped between boulders on Mizpah Lane in Descanso has been freed, thanks to the efforts of Cal Fire/San Diego Fire crews. Firefighters from Station 44 in Pine Valley and Station 45 in Descanso responded and performed a technical rescue to extricate the goat. “We are deeply honored to serve
Recall Ortiz effort in El Cajon fails to qualify for ballot
Printer-friendly versionAn effort to recall El Cajon City Council Phil Ortiz (seated, left) is not moving forward. By Karen Pearlman Oct. 6, 2025 (El Cajon) – A grass-roots effort begun in 2024 to recall El Cajon City Councilmember Phil Ortiz has fizzled after organizers failed to turn in signatures as required by last Friday to qualify a recall for the
Reduced Santee Council approves 285-unit condo project near Town Center Community Park
Printer-friendly versionBy Mike Allen October 5, 2025 (Santee) — The vacant lot behind the Cameron YMCA will soon be vacant no longer. The Santee City Council voted 3-0 to approve a 285-unit condominium project on the 22.17-acre site which had long been used by dog walkers, model car and plane users, and overspill parking during big events at the Town
Media Watch: Free speech groups denounce deportation of Emmy-award winning journalist for live-streaming ICE raids and protests
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 5, 2025 (Atlanta, GA) – In an action that has drawn condemnation from journalism and civil liberties organizations, the Department of Homeland Security on Friday deported Mario Guevara, an Emmy award-winning journalist, to El Salvador in retaliation for his live-streaming of ICE raids. “The government kept Mario unlawfully detained for weeks because of his
Lemon Grove School District wins Golden Bell Award
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 5, 2025 (Lemon Grove) — Lemon Grove School District has been honored with the California School Boards Association (CSBA) Golden Bell Award for advancing equitable student outcomes. This work has been led by Amy Fulinara, Executive Director of Educational Services. The CSBA Golden Bell Awards promote excellence in education by recognizing outstanding programs and
260,000 California 2nd graders awarded CalKIDS scholarship accounts
Printer-friendly versionSource: CalKids October 5, 2025 (Sacramento) — More than 260,000 California 2nd graders are starting this school year with their very first scholarship through CalKIDS, the state’s landmark program that helps families prepare for college and career training. Each eligible 2nd grader is automatically awarded a minimum of $500 in their CalKIDS Scholarship Account. Foster youth and students experiencing
Sheriff reports ninth in-custody death this year
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 4, 2025 (San Diego) — A 55-year-old man arrested Sept. 29 for public intoxication was found unresponsive at 11:55 p.m. on Oct. 1 in a holding cell at the San Diego Central Jail and later died. He was alone in the cell. Deputies called 911, requested additional help from the facility’s medical staff and
State sues city of El Cajon over sharing of data from license plate readers
Printer-friendly versionBy Jennifer Vigil, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: a San Diego intersection where there are two automated license plate reader cameras on the streetlights. (File photo by Gabrielle Wallace/Times of San Diego) October 4, 2025 (El Cajon) – California is suing El Cajon over the city’s lack of compliance with
GAME OF THE WEEK: MATADORS TAKE OVER IN SECOND HALF, BEAT HIGHLANDERS 44-21 TO CLOSE OUT REGULAR SEASON
Printer-friendly version by Christopher Mohr (LA MESA) November 13th – Success can be simple, even in the game of football. For all the complexity the game provides with its playbooks, schemes and systems, sometimes all a team may really need to win is keep giving the ball to one of its best players. In Friday night’s game at
GARDEN FARMS MARKET CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING IN LAKESIDE
Printer-friendly version November 15, 2009 (Lakeside) – Community leaders turned out for a grand opening at Garden Fresh Market in Lakeside last weekend, where children frolicked down a giant inflatable slide as parents shopped and savored free barbecued hotdogs and tacos. “We have more products now,” said owner Noko Kako, an Iraqi Chaldean immigrant who also owns markets in Chula
HIGH WIND WARNING, RED FLAG ALERTS ISSUED FOR EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly version November 14, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a red flag alert for high fire danger area Sunday and Monday in San Diego County’s mountain areas, due to low humidity and gusty winds. In addition, a high wind warning has been issued for San Diego County mountains and valleys from Sunday morning
MEMORIAL SERVICE SATURDAY AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE FOR KYRSTIN GEMAR, STAR SOFTBALL PLAYER WHO DROWNED IN A POND IN N. DAKOTA
Printer-friendly version November 13, 2009 (El Cajon) — — A public memorial service for former Grossmont College softball player Kyrstin Gemar, 22, will be held at on Saturday morning, November 14, 2009 11 a.m. at Grossmont College, 8800 Grossmont College Dr., El Cajon. The public memorial service will be held at the college’s Main Quad area, where graduation ceremonies are
REOPENING EL CAJON TRANSIT CENTER TO SAVE MTS $400,000 AND BRING NEW REVENUES, JOBS
Printer-friendly version November 14, 2009 (El Cajon) – Originally slated for demolition, the newly renovated San Diego Metropolitan Transit System’s El Cajon Transit Center was reopened Wednesday. Renovated by BriceHouse Kobey, LCC, a partnership of two San Diego-based companies, The Kobey Corporation and BriceHouse Starboard, the revamped Transit Center and will include a full-service convenience store. The “A-Mart” outlet
SUMMIT SEEKS HELP FOR GROWING REFUGEE POPULATION IN EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly version Nearly 85% of local refugees are from war-torn Iraq, straining resources on schools and social services; local leaders call for major changes in treatment of refugees "We can create a national model," — Sunny Cooke, president, Grossmont College November 12, 2009 (El Cajon) – Impacts of the Iraq War are hitting home in East County, where so
LOCAL LEADERS SHARE REACTIONS, PROGNOSIS OF HEALTHCARE BILL PASSED BY HOUSE
Printer-friendly version November 12, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – East County and San Diego leaders offer diverse views on the landmark healthcare reform bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. Some praised the bill, others criticized it, while many hope to see changes made in the Senate. (For East County Magazine’s analysis of the bill, see http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/2211 )
UNEMPLOYED SAN DIEGO MAN BASKS IN SAVINGS FROM LEASING ROOF FOR SOLAR PRODUCTION
Printer-friendly version November 12, 2009 – San Diego resident Michael Huff, who is unemployed, found a way to save 1,400 a year on his utility bills with just a $1,000 up front investment. “It all started when I read an article in the Union Trib about 1BOG (One Block Off Grid),” said Huff. He obtained a group discount through the
LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES CHAMPS TO SERVE AS GRAND MARSHALS IN EL CAJON’S MOTHER GOOSE PARADE NOV. 22
Printer-friendly version November 12, 2009 (El Cajon)–The Mother Goose Parade Association has announced the Grand Marshals for the 63rd Annual Mother Goose Parade on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 – the “Chula Vista Park View All-Stars.” The Chula Vista Park View All Stars became the first Little League World Series champions from San Diego County in 48 years, defeating Taoyuan,
GAME OF THE WEEK: NORSEMEN WIN LEAGUE TITLE FOR FIRST TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY WITH 14-7 WIN AT STEELE CANYON
Printer-friendly version by Christopher Mohr (RANCHO SAN DIEGO) November 6th – High school football coaches often remind their players that the game is 48 minutes long and to achieve success, you must play hard for all 48 of those minutes. Friday night’s football game at Steele Canyon High School between the host Cougars and the visiting Norsemen of Valhalla High School was a
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