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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
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
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
Supporters flee Swalwell’s governor campaign amid allegations of sexual assault
Printer-friendly versionBy Jeanne Kuang and Yue Stella Yu, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: U.S. Rep. Eric
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
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
Mountain Empire Art Show Debuts April 15 in Boulevard
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 14, 2026 (Boulevard) — The Backcountry Resource Center in Boulevard will be busy this Wednesday,
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
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
Mountain Empire Art Show Debuts April 15 in Boulevard
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 14, 2026 (Boulevard) — The Backcountry Resource Center in Boulevard will be busy this Wednesday,
Features
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
Mountain Empire Art Show Debuts April 15 in Boulevard
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 14, 2026 (Boulevard) — The Backcountry Resource Center in Boulevard will be busy this Wednesday,
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GROW THE GREAT PUMPKIN: VALLEY CENTER FARMERS’ MARKET HOSTS PUMPKIN GROWING CONTEST—FREE SEEDS IN APRIL!
Printer-friendly versionApril 8, 2009 (Valley Center) – Remember Charlie Brown’s quest to grow the Great Pumpkin? Now you can grow your own jumbo-sized jack-o-lantern. The San Diego County Farm Bureau is putting on the first Valley Center Pumpkin Growing Contest at the Valley Center Certified Farmers’ Market. Anyone interested in participating can pick up free pumpkin seeds from the farmers’
COMPOSTING IS EASIER AND MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU THINK
Printer-friendly versionBy Rachel Hutman April 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Sure, you recycle, but do you compost? You probably know a little about composting and have heard it’s important for the environment. However you have always pushed it into the back of your brain saying “maybe someday” or “I don’t know how to start.” However composting is much
TAKING ROOT: VICTORY GARDENS SPROUT IN SAN DIEGO
Printer-friendly versionApril 2, 2009 (San Diego)–San Diego Roots, in coordination with several grassroots food and gardening groups, announces the formation of Victory Gardens San Diego. The group’s mission is to encourage and assist in the development of sustainable, healthy, Earth-friendly home, community and school food gardens throughout the San Diego area. The movement aims to foster appreciation for the taste
EAST COUNTY CITIES VIE TO LURE SHOPPERS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery April 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – A sales tax hike that takes effect today in La Mesa and El Cajon, has sparked competition among East County cities and Chambers of Commerce vying for shoppers’ business. A statewide sales tax increase boosts sales tax county-wide to 8.75%. In El Cajon and La Mesa, voters approved
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS EXTENDED AN EXTRA 20 WEEKS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery March 27, 2008 (Sacaramento) – With the state’s unemployment rate at 10.5%, jobless Californians will be eligible to receive unemployment benefits for an additional 20 week. Legislation signed by Governor Schwarzenegger will bring help to more than 400,000 California families, the California Labor Federation reports. California workers generated nearly 3,000 letters to legislators and the governor
ANZA-BORREGO DESERT STILL BLOOMING IN HIGHER ELEVATIONS
Printer-friendly versionWildflower Hike Planned April 16. April 1, 2009 (Borrego Springs) – It’s not too late to see Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in bloom. As we move past the peak flower time, the show is moving from the desert floor to canyons and higher elevations, where there are a wide variety of plants just beginning to bloom. Anza-Borrego Institute will
COURTS LIKELY TO OVERTURN SUNRISE POWERLINK APPROVAL, CONSUMER ATTORNEY PREDICTS TO CROWD OF 600 PROTESTORS IN ALPINE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Sign expresses residents’ outrage over fire dangers posed by Powerlink April 8, 2009 (Alpine)—A coalition of more than 600 people packed the community center in Alpine last night to protest Sunrise Powerlink, the high-voltage line that SDG&E plans to build through the heart of this mountain community. Attorney Michael Shames from the Utility Consumers Action Network
VIEJAS TRIBAL MEMBER RECEIVES HEALTH HERO AWARD
Printer-friendly version Charlie Brown is honored for his ongoing contribution to the Burn Institute. March 23, 2009 (San Diego, Calif.) – Charlie Brown, a Viejas Tribal Member and Director of Viejas Community Relations, was awarded the Health Hero Award by the Combined Health Agencies for his contributions to the local health industry and community activism. Brown, nominated on behalf
SEIU LOCAL 221 RATIFIES CONTRACTS WITH SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Printer-friendly version March 20, 2009 (El Cajon)—Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 221 members have ratified their contract with the County of San Diego. Voting on the contract took place March 17-19, and of the members who voted, 89% voted to ratify the contract. The new contract will extend the currently existing contract by two years and will include
GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY: INTRODUCTION TO FARMING WORKSHOP SERIES AT LA MILPA FARM IN ESCONDIDO STARTS APRIL 4
Printer-friendly version April 1, 2009 (Escondido)—San Diego Roots and La Milpa Organica are pleased to announce a new educational program for our community. Whether you are a beginning gardener or experienced farmer, this program will take you full circle through a seasonal planting and harvest on a farm. If you are interested in learning more about food production but only
BOMB SQUAD CALLED AFTER AMMO FOUND IN BURNING HOME
Printer-friendly version Smoke alarm alerted resident to blaze October 31, 2009 (El Cajon)—The Sheriff’s Bomb & Arson squad was dispatched Saturday after cases of ammunition were found in an El Cajon house fire started by Halloween decorations inadvertently left on a stove. Members of the San Miguel Fire District responded Saturday morning to a structure fire on 1124
DAVID ALLAN, LA MESA COUNCILMAN, AIMS TO RUN AGAINST SUPERVISOR DIANNE JACOB
Printer-friendly version November 1, 2009 (La Mesa) – Can a career firefighter and long-time La Mesa Council member defeat Supervisor Dianne Jacob, who has held the office for 17 years? Allan has filed candidate intention paperwork (form 501) to launch fundraising for the race. In an interview with East County Magazine, he confirmed that he is running because he believes
DO YOU KNOW WHAT’S IN THE HEALTHCARE BILL? TOP 14 PROVISIONS THAT WOULD TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY
Printer-friendly version October 31, 2009 (Washington D.C.) – Many Americans are not aware that The Affordable Health Care for America Act now before Congress has many provisions to help people afford healthcare costs right away. A public option (or choice between government-run healthcare and private insurance) if passed would take time to set up. This week, Speaker Nancy Pelosi released
SAN DIEGANS TO CONFRONT INSURANCE GIANT: POLICY HOLDERS & ACTIVISTS PLAN 3-DAY PROTEST AT BLUE CROSS; HAUNT BEGINS ON HALLOWEEN
Printer-friendly versionSit-In Slated for Monday morning October 30, 2009 (San Diego) –“Is there anything scarier than thinking you might need medical care, and getting canceled by a health insurance corporation who spent your premiums on TV ads and lobbying?” asks San Diegan Mike Copass, co-organizer of a 45-hour haunt of Blue Shield’s office at 2275 Rio Bonito Way in Mission
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME REMINDER: SET YOUR CLOCKS BACK SATURDAY NIGHT
Printer-friendly version Daylight Savings Time officially ends at 2:00 am on Sunday, November 1st,, when we revert back to Standard Time. Don’t forget to set your clocks back an hour on Saturday night–and enjoy an extra hour of sleep. Printer-friendly version
MORE H1N1 VACCINE ARRIVES IN UNEXPECTED SHIPMENT TODAY
Printer-friendly version Additional Doses Going to Primary Care Providers, Emergency Workers 2 new deaths announced, including a pregnant woman October 30, 2009 (San Diego) — The County of San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) has received an additional unexpected shipment of 78,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine. About 10,000 of those doses were distributed directly to
LOCAL JOBS CREATED BY STIMULUS ACT TO BE POSTED OCT. 30
Printer-friendly version CPI will analyze San Diego County data October 29, 2009 (San Diegoi)–In a watershed moment for government transparency, the first reports from recipients of stimulus funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) will be made public Friday, Oct. 30. The Center on Policy Initiatives will analyze the data as soon as it is released
THE GREENEST EDUCATIONAL FACILITY IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Printer-friendly version Green Technology Complex at Scripps Ranch High Will Be An Interactive Teaching Tool on Green Careers By Miriam Raftery October 29, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Students at Scripps Ranch High School will soon be learning about sustainable technology careers in the greenest educational facility in San Diego County. A model of the school’s planned Green Technology Complex
BITTERSWEET REMEMBRANCE: A CEDAR FIRE SURVIVOR’S ANNIVERSARY ESSAY
Printer-friendly version An essay by Vickie Bradeen October 26, 2003 (San Diego’s East County)–Today is a day of bittersweet remembrance of October 26, 2003, when I watched the home I grew up in, my parents home of 34 yrs at the time, burn completely to the ground as the powerful, almost angry Cedar Fire consumed every inch of it right before my
URGENT PLEA ISSUED TO HELP FAMILIES WITHOUT FOOD
Printer-friendly version Need for emergency food boxes has more than doubled in the past year at Salvation Army Kroc Center October 28, 2009 (San Diego)—"So far, thanks to the generosity of San Diegans, The Salvation Army Kroc Center has been able to meet the increasing need for emergency food assistance in the surrounding community. But as the need continues
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