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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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Supervisor Joel Anderson and Sheriff Kelly Martinez to host Wildfire Safety Town Hall in Ramona on Monday, Oct. 6
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo, L-R: CalFire Chief Tony Mecham, Sheriff Kelly Martinez, & Supervisor Joel Anderson October 3, 2025 (Ramona) – San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson and Sheriff Kelly Martinez are hosting a wildfire safety town hall during Fire Prevention Week in Ramona on Monday, October 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the Ramona Library (1275 Main St., Ramona).
Padres’ World Series dream ends in Chicago
Printer-friendly versionThe Chicago Cubs celebrate after beating the Padres 3-1 to clinch a spot in the NLDS. Photo courtesy Official Wrigley Field Instagram East County News Service Oct. 3, 2025 (Chicago) — The San Diego Padres’ 2025 season, a 90-win campaign filled with promise and frustration, came to an abrupt halt on Thursday at Wrigley Field. The Padres lost 3-1
ECM World Watch: National and global news
Printer-friendly versionOctober 3, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include: U.S. Immigration and detention Hundreds of Alligator Alcatraz detainees drop off the grid after leaving site (Miami
Trump threatens to fire workers amid shutdown; Newsom says shutdown has halted critical wildfire programs in peak fire season
Printer-friendly versionHealthcare premiums will double for millions of Americans if Republicans don’t renew subsidies By Alexander J. Schorr Photo: Cedar Fire in October, 2003 burned over 276,000 acres, destroyed 2,232 homes and killed 15 people. October is peak wildfire season in our region, yet the shutdown threatens wildfire preparedness and disaster relief. October 2, 2025— The US federal government has
Chief’s Corner: Charge into Safety National Fire Prevention Week Oct 6th
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East County Roundup: Local and statewide news
Printer-friendly versionOctober 3, 2025, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s round-up stories include: LOCAL ICE arrests rise at a higher rate in San Diego than across the U.S., data shows (NBC San Diego) Out with the old and
Health and Science Highlights
Printer-friendly versionOctober 2, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH What the shutdown means for Medicare, Medicaid and other health programs (NBC) American Health Insurance Providers issues statement on vaccines (AHIP) How Trump Boosted Bizarre ‘Medbed’ Conspiracy Theory With Deleted Post (Forbes) Scientists create
Pack the Pantry virtual food drive launches to help local college students facing food insecurity
Printer-friendly versionSource: Cal Coast Credit Union October 2, 2025 (San Diego) – Imagine being a college student, striving for a better future, yet unsure where your next meal will come from. Research shows this is the heartbreaking reality for nearly half of our local college students who face food insecurity every day. Without reliable access to food, many are forced
Harmony Grove Village South development approved by Board of Supervisors despite controversy
Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow Photo, left: Brenda Wright October 2, 2025 (San Diego) — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Wednesday unanimously approved a housing development in the North County community of Harmony Grove, despite objections by several residents who expressed concerns about the lack of a second evacuation route during wildfires. The Harmony Grove Village South development
Why has the federal government been shut down and what is affected?
Printer-friendly version Democrats take stand to protect healthcare coverage as Republicans adjourn with negotiating By G. A. McNeeley October 1, 2025 — The Democratic and Republican proposals that would’ve funded the government beyond Tuesday, September 30, failed within The Senate during the eleventh hour, which effectively shut the government down at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1. The federal government
ELKS NATIONAL “HOOP SHOOT” PROGRAM
Printer-friendly version November 5, 2009 (El Cajon)–The Elks National “Hoop Shoot” Program is America’s largest non-commercial co-educational sports program. It offers kids ages 8-13 regardless of race, color, or creed an opportunity for character and skill development, healthy spirited athletic competition, social relationships, quality family time and travel with minimal expense to participants and parents. The El Cajon Elks
LEMON GROVE SUICIDE VICTIM IDENTIFIED; FELL FROM BRIDGE AS OFFICERS TRIED TO TALK HER DOWN
Printer-friendly versionNovember 5, 2009 (Lemon Grove) – The coroner’s office has identified Jessica Eve Louise Kuntz, 29, as the woman who fell to her death from a bridge in Lemon Grove on October 28th. Kuntz was witnessed to climb over the safety fence of an overpass at Lemon Grove Avenue above Highway 94. According to the County Coroner, Kuntz resident
LAKESIDE FIRE CHARS 5 ACRES
Printer-friendly version November 4, 2009 (Lakeside) – A fire that started near San Vicente Reservoir shortly after noon charred five acres north of Lakeside. CAL FIRE dispatched five engines, two fire crews, one bulldozer, three air tankers, three helicopters and a chief officer to quell the blaze, assisted by Heartland Fire Agencies, the U.S. Forest Service and San Diego Sheriff’s
MAN FOUND HANGED IN POWAY ON HALLOWEEN STILL NOT IDENTIFIED
Printer-friendly version November 6, 2009 (Poway) – A City of Poway worker clearing brush in a secluded area of Hilleary Park on Community Road on Halloween Eve, October 31st, made a grisly discovery. A man’s partially skeletized body was hanging by the neck from a tree. The Coroner’s Office reports that the death was a suicide, however the victim
CAR SEATS SAVE INFANT, TODDLER IN HEAD-ON CRASH ON HIGHWAY 67
Printer-friendly version Story By: Captain Mark Grow November 4, 2009 (Lakeside) –The Lakeside Fire Protection District received a call of a multi-patient vehicle accident at the intersection of State Highway 67 and Gold Bar Way. This accident was a high velocity head-on collision between two SUV- type vehicles. One vehicle was occupied by a mother, small child, and an infant.
SCORE A TOUCHDOWN TO BEAT BREAST CANCER
Printer-friendly versionNovember 4, 2009 (La Mesa) – Gio Bistro in La Mesa invites the public to watch the Chargers vs. Giants game on Sunday, November 8 from 12:30 to 4:30 and join a three-day breast cancer walking team. The event includes game viewing on big screen TV, food, live auction of items including sports memorabilia, football pool, kids’games and prizes, karaoke music, and
NEW LAW ALLOWS FIREFIGHTERS & OTHER EMERGENCY WORKERS TO VOTE WHERE THEY SERVE
Printer-friendly version November 4, 2009 (Sacramento) — Beginning next year, firefighters, medics, and others responding to state emergencies will be able to vote wherever they are serving, thanks to the Governor’s signature on Assembly Bill 1440 (Swanson), which Secretary of State Debra Dowen sponsored in the Legislature. The new law allows emergency workers who are responding to a government-declared
GAME OF THE WEEK: STEELE CANYON AND MT. MIGUEL TIE 21-21 IN NAIL-BITER
Printer-friendly versionMt. Miguel Wins Overtime Period, Gains Tiebreaker Advantage for League and Playoffs by Christopher Mohr (RANCHO SAN DIEGO) October 30 – Tonight’s football game at Steele Canyon High School between the host Cougars and the visiting Matadors from Mt. Miguel High School turned out to be a very exciting matchup between two Grossmont South league rivals. Both teams played
LOCAL HEROES, BUSINESSES HONORED AT SANTEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AWARDS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery November 3, 2009 – “All of you had a piece of making this happen,” Santee Chamber of Commerce executive director Warren Savage said to more than 200 guests in attendance at an awards presentation held October 16th at Barona Resort. In addition to naming businesses of the year, the Chamber also honored citizens
ALLAN OPTS NOT TO RUN
Printer-friendly version November 2, 2009 (La Mesa) Councilman David Allan called today to inform East County Magazine that after further reflection and conversations with friends and colleagues over the weekend, he has decided not to pursue plans to run for Supervisor. Allan had filed a notice of intent for candidacy last week, as ECM reported. “My decision to file was due to
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