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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
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
AN EVENING WITH GEORGE MCGOVERN: NOV. 4 IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly version October 30, 2009 (La Mesa)–Former Democratic Presidential candidate George McGovern will speak at the La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club on Wednesday, November 4. McGovern will discuss his latest book, "Abraham Lincoln" as well as current topics. Besides running for President in 1972 against Richard Nixon, McGovern also served as a U.S. Senator and two-term Congressman, as well as the
LEFT IN THE WAKE: SANTEE COUNCIL APPROVES CABLE SKI, WAKEBOARDING & RESTAURANT FACILITIES AT SANTEE LAKES OVER OBJECTIONS OF NEIGHBORS
Printer-friendly version Mayor Randy Voepel, Vice Mayor Brian Jones and Councilman Hal Ryan voted in favor, Council members Jack Dale and John Minto voted against controversial project By Miriam Raftery October 29, 2009 (Santee) – By a 3-2 vote, the Santee City Council voted last night to approve a major use permit for Sudweeks Development to construct a cable ski
NEW SPORTS BOOK SCORES WINNING LOCATION FOR LAUNCH PARTY
Printer-friendly versionSAN DIEGO, CA October 20, 2009 Join author Joey Seymour in celebrating the launch of his new book San Diego’s Finest Athletes: Five Exceptional Lives on Thursday, November 5th. The launch party for the book, published by Sunbelt Publications of El Cajon, will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the San Diego Hall of Champions. The San Diego
MEETING SET FOR NOV. 9 ON SDSU AXING GUARANTEED ADMISSION FOR LOCAL STUDENTS
Printer-friendly version San Diego Unified School Board invites parents, high school students and SDSU students impacted by changes to a special district-wide meeting October 29, 2009 (San Diego) – San Diego Unified School Board wants to hear from parents and students impacted by San Diego State University changing its admission policies to eliminate guaranteed admissions for students who
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