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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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Lemon Grove moving forward on plans to tackle homelessness, including grant to rehouse people living in camps along highway 94
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman Photo by Miriam Raftery: An outreach volunteer speaks with a homeless woman in Lemon Grove near State Route 94 September 6, 2025 (Lemon Grove) — Lemon Grove has released its new strategic Homeless Action Plan 2025, a comprehensive document helping the city address the growing issue of housing instability. The City Council has previously allocated
The future of vaccines under RFK Jr.: Millions of lives may be at risk
Printer-friendly version By Alexander J. Schorr “My opinions about vaccines are irrelevant. I don’t think people should be taking medical advice from me.” — Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Human Health Secretary. September 6, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — The future for vaccines and access to them in the U.S .is shaky at best after a clash between the Health and Human
Santee set to hire new city manager on Wednesday
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman Sept. 5, 2025 (Santee) — The Santee City Council is set to hire a new City Manager at its next City Council meeting. Wendy Kaserman, who has been assistant city manager for the city of Poway since 2016, has been tapped to lead Santee. The City Council will consider appointing Kaserman on Sept. 10.
Evacuations in Spring Valley due to fast-moving fire
Printer-friendly version Update: Forward progress has been halted. The fire has been mapped at 75 acres and evacuation orders have been lifted, Watch Duty App reports. East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts Photo, right by Henri Migala September 5, 2025 (Spring Valley ) — Level 3 “go now” evacuations have been ordered in zone SDC-2153 in Spring Valley due to
Local agencies tout cooperative firefighting efforts, urge public to help by preparing for wildfires
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photo: Fire officials with an SDG&E Blackhawk helicopter September 5, 2025 (El Cajon) – Firefighting helicopters from multiple agencies were on display during a press conference held Aug. 26 at SDG&E’s hangar at Gillespie Field in El Cajon. Officials touted aerial assets and cooperative efforts as we enter the highest danger season, though wildfires now
El Cajon receives SANDAG grants to improve streetscapes, revamp Parkway Plaza and add housing
Printer-friendly version Photo by Karen Pearlman East County News Service Sept. 4, 2025 (El Cajon) – El Cajon has been given a Notice of Intent to be awarded three grants through the San Diego Association of Governments TransNet Smart Growth Incentive Program. The city is expecting to receive one engineering grant and two planning grants as part
Man found dead after SWAT standoff in Ramona
Printer-friendly version East County News Service September 4, 2025 (Ramona) — An hours-long standoff that led to the evacuation of a Ramona elementary school yesterday has ended with the discovery of a deceased man inside a home. On September 3, just before 9:30 a.m., deputies from the Ramona Sheriff’s Substation responded to a call for a welfare check of a
Advancing Healthy Communities: Cannabis data shows significant impact on physical and mental health of youth and young adults
Printer-friendly versionBy Seraphina Eberhardt Photo: “Cannabis Understands – 2017” by Jurassic Blueberries is licensed under CC BY 2.0. September 4, 2025 (San Diego) — New data shows a concerning trend: today’s high-potency cannabis products are linked to sharp increases in youth mental health crises, hospital visits, and addiction. On July 16, community members gathered for an important briefing hosted by the San Diego Imperial Valley High
Evaluation, Performance, Analytics Office releases new strategic plan
Printer-friendly versionBy Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office September 4, 2025 (San Diego) – The County’s Office of Evaluation, Performance and Analytics has released a new plan listing 18 questions that will guide the County’s evaluation of important programs and services, ranging from homelessness to climate, public safety, and physical and mental health. The County created the office,
CAL FIRE joins partners in signing charter to reduce wildfire ignitions in Southern Calif.
Printer-friendly versionSource: CAL FIRE Sept. 3, 2025 (Riverside) — Earlier today, CAL FIRE Southern Region Chief Mike van Loben Sels signed the Southern California Ignition Reduction Program (SCIRP) charter at the Southern California Geographic Area Coordination Center in Riverside. The charter marks the launch of a public-private partnership created to reduce human-caused wildfire ignitions, particularly along roadways where
CIF SAN DIEGO SECTION ANNOUNCES FOOTBALL PLAYOFF MATCHUPS, EAST COUNTY WELL REPRESENTED
Printer-friendly version by Christopher Mohr (SAN DIEGO) November 14 – With the regular season for high school football coming to a close Friday night, Saturday morning meant the announcement of playoff seedings for high schools in the CIF San Diego Section. Coaches from across San Diego and Imperial counties came to the section offices in Linda Vista to
“CLEAN SHAVE DAY” NOV. 16 KICKS OFF MUSTACHES FOR KIDS FUNDRAISER IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly version November 16, 2009 (La Mesa) –Teachers at Helix Charter High School are growing mustaches for charity. Mustaches for Kids is a volunteer-run organization started in Los Angeles in 1999 to do good and have fun by growing mustaches for children’s charities. Since its humble beginnings, Mustaches for Kids satellite chapters have spread across the continent, a steady
CROWD TURNS OUT FOR NUTRITION ZONE OPENING IN SANTEE
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery November 15, 2009 (Santee) – Nutrition Zone, a retailer of discount sports nutrition and weight loss products, didn’t just talk about fitness at its grand opening last weekend. Guests climbed a rock wall, jumped and bounced on giant inflatable recreation devices. On hand were fitness and nutrition experts to advise on everything from
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 )
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