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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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International postal services suspend deliveries to U.S. after Trump ends tariffs exemption
Printer-friendly versionSuspensions are temporary and in some cases, indefinite By G. A. McNeeley August 29, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — Australia, Japan, Mexico, and Taiwan have joined a growing list ofcountries that are suspending certain parcel shipments to the United States, following the implementation of new rules under President Donald Trump’s Administration that will end tariff exemptions, according to CNN. Dozens of
Rollback of “Roadless Rule” to allow logging and road construction in National Forests draws opposition from tribes and ecologists
Printer-friendly version Trump administration opens 21-day public comment period Aug. 29-Sept. 19 By Miriam Raftery Photo: Cedar Creek Falls, one of the most scenic hiking destinations in San Diego’s East County, is in a roadless portion of Cleveland National Forest. August 29, 2025 (San Diego) — The Trump administration announced it is seeking public comment on its proposal to rescind the
Santee approves warehouse distribution center at drive-in-theater site, despite community opposition
Printer-friendly version By Mike Allen Image, left: Aerial rendering of planned new warehouse site August 29, 2025 (Santee) — Santee traded a defunct drive-in theater/swap meet for an industrial distribution center with 42 dock bays and the promise of 185 jobs following approvals from the City Council this week. The fact that the 13.5 acre site at 10990 North Woodside
Local Musician/Music Store Owner/Student Teacher Found Guilty of Domestic Violence With Great Bodily Injury
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Aug. 28, 2025 (Santee) — Joseph Carlos “Joey” Veizaga, CEO and owner of Mr. Joey’s Music Store in Santee, was found guilty of domestic violence against his spouse on June 25, 2025 by a jury in Riverside County Superior Court. Veizaga is the founder of Los Reyes del Ritmo, a Gypsy Kings-style band that
Supervisors Anderson, Aguirre Supporting Cease-and-Desist Order to Expand Sewage Treatment from Tijuana River
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Services Aug. 28, 2025 (San Diego County) — San Diego County Supervisors Paloma Aguirre and Joel Anderson (photo, left) are praising the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board for approving a cease-and-desist order that will expand treatment capacity at the International Boundary and Water Commission’s South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant. The order
San Diego County Fire Protection District deploys new Zell AutoPulse NXT Resuscitation Systems
Printer-friendly versionSource: San Diego County Fire August 28, 2025 (Kearny Mesa) — The San Diego County Fire Protection District has upgraded a lifesaving tool to their advanced life support (ALS) ambulances and its jointly operated county helicopters with the deployment of 35 new Zoll AutoPulse NXT Resuscitation Systems. Funded through the department’s capital replacement budget at a cost of $23,000
San Diego Trolley improvements coming to East County Orange line
Printer-friendly versionRiders should plan for weekend delays during construction through early 2028 By Paul Levikow August 27, 2025 (El Cajon) — The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System Wednesday announced details of the San Diego Trolley Orange Line Improvement Project, or Rail Ready, on the stretch of tracks from San Diego to El Cajon. The $151 million improvement project will modernize
Toxic Algae Bloom at Mission Trails Dam Site
Printer-friendly versionSource: San Diego River Park Foundation August 28, 2025 (San Diego) – Water samples collected last week at Old Mission Dam in Mission Trails Regional Park have tested positive for a cyanotoxin that can be harmful to people and pets. The San Diego River Foundation has posted caution signs, in cooperation with the California Water Boards San Diego Region
East County Neighborhoods Could Be Impacted By Proposed State Law to Allow Significantly More Multi-Family Housing Projects
Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow Image, left, via United Neighbors August 26, 2025 (East County) – Large-scale, high-rise apartment complexes could soon be built within a half mile of a bus stop or trolley station near you, under a proposed state law that would take away local control of developments and turn single-family neighborhoods into high-density housing. State Senate Bill 79,
Firefighters rescue workers trapped on roof of burning T.J. Maxx building under construction in La Mesa
Printer-friendly version Story and photos by Josh Stotler August 25, 2025 (La Mesa) — Just before 3:30 p.m. , a structure fire broke out in the under-construction building slated to house T. J. Maxx and an Ulta beauty store on the former site of the Toys “R” Us at 8800 Grossmont Center Drive in La Mesa. As the first
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
READY TO GO SOLAR? “ONE BLOCK OFF THE GRID” RETURNS TO SAN DIEGO , PARTNERS WITH HELIOPOWER TO OFFER GROUP DISCOUNTS FOR HOMEOWNERS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery November 10, 2009 (San Diego) – One Block Off the Grid (1BOG), the nation’s largest solar buying collective, today announced launch of its second solar community buying campaign to help San Diego County homeowners and small business owners purchase solar energy at group discount rates of $5.29 per watt from now through February 12,
ECM’S HEALTHCARE REFORM BILL ANALYSIS : WHO WILL BE COVERED–AND HOW WLL IT IMPACT YOU?
Printer-friendly versionCOSTS, DIFFERENCES BETWEEN KEY REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC PLANS ALSO WEIGHED November 8, 2009 (Washington D.C.) –H.R. 3962, The Affordable Health Care for America Act approved Saturday by the House of Representatives is widely deemed the most significant social reform since the enactment of Social Security and Medicaid. The bill will next be considered by the Senate. While much media coverage has focused on a public option
OVER $27 MILLION FOR WITCH CREEK FIRE SURVIVORS RECOVERED BY CA DEPT. OF INSURANCE
Printer-friendly version November 10, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner yesterday announced that the Department of Insurance (CDI) has recovered more than $27 million from insurance companies for consumers. The recoveries were made through the department’s complaint process in the aftermath of the devastating Witch Creek fire in San Diego County that killed two people, destroyed 1,650 structures
NEW RULES ISSUED BY FDA TO PROTECT FOOD SAFETY
Printer-friendly version Updated code to serve as model for state, city, county, tribal, territorial agencies and food industry November 9, 2009 – Restaurant owners and others who serve food to the public will want to be aware of publication of a new FDA Food Code announced today by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The document includes new rules for
GUHSD ACADEMIC LEAGUE COMPETITION KICKS OFF
Printer-friendly versionNovember 7, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Grossmont Union High School District’s Academic League competition kicked off on November 4th. The 11-round event will culminate in televised coverage next February. “Congratulations to first year coaches Brianne Jones (Grossmont) and Dena Rosenberger (El Capitan) for their very first wins. We are looking forward to another great season!” said Steve
COLLEGE-AREA BRUSH FIRE EXTINGUISHED; ARSON PROBE LAUNCHED
Printer-friendly version November 8, 2009 (San Diego) – A fire in an canyon on Adobe Falls Road near San Diego State University has been extinguished. Firefighters made repeated water drops last night to douse the blaze, preventing it from spreading to nearby homes. Authorities are investigating the blaze as possible arson, San Diego News Network reports. Printer-friendly version
BREAKING NEWS: HOUSE PASSES LANDMARK HEALTHCARE BILL; LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES DIVIDED
Printer-friendly version November 8, 2009 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Affordable Healthcare for All Act last night by a 220-215 margin. Local Democratic representatives Bob Filner and Susan Davis voted for the landmark measure, while local Republicans Duncan Hunter, Darrell Issa and Brian Bilbray voted no. In the House, only a single Republican (Joseph Cao of New Orleans)
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