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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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Cottonwood Sand Mine Backers Fail to Dredge Up Enough Votes, as Planners Deadlock
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman …”I have never seen such a destructive project with such negative impacts on the people who live in a community.” — former Supervisor Dianne Jacob, a Jamul resident (photo, left) July 9, 2025 (San Diego) – The Cottonwood Sand Mine is a wash, at least for now. After nearly six hours of testimony, presentations and
Over 4,700 Under Evacuation Orders from Steele Fire
Printer-friendly version East County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts July 9, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The Steele Fire has prompted evacuations of over 4,700 residents in Jamul and Rancho San Diego due to structure threast. The fire began on Star Acres Drive in Rancho San Diego View map of areas under evacuation orders or warnings. Evacuees can go to
Homicide investigation leads to arrest of 2 suspects
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service July 7, 2025 (El Cajon) — The El Cajon Police Department is looking for tips related to an April shooting in the city that led to the death of a man. El Cajon PD Lt. Will Guerin reporterd that at about 9:47 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, El Cajon police officers responded to multiple
County to Spray for Mosquitoes in Rolando Areas of La Mesa and San Diego to Reduce Risk of West Nile Virus
Printer-friendly version Source: County of San Diego July 7, 2025 (La Mesa) — To protect the public and keep mosquitoes from potentially spreading West Nile virus, which was recently detected in Rolando, the County is scheduled to conduct ultra-low volume, truck-mounted, pesticide-mist treatments this week. The spraying aims to reduce the number of adult mosquitoes on about 4,000 parcels in
Ramona Robbery Victim Spots Suspect at Bank, Leading to Arrest
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery July 6, 2025 (Ramona) – Ramon Jimenez Jr. is in custody on suspicion of robbery and threatening the victim with a metal pole. According to Lieutenant Alex Navarro with the San Diego County Sheriff’s department, a resident of Terre Oak Apartments in Ramona was taking out trash when the suspect approached him, brandishing a metal
Alligator Alcatraz: A Florida ‘Concentration Camp’
Printer-friendly version By Alexander J Schorr July 4, 2025 (Everglades, FL) — Nearby President Trump’s Miami resort in the swamplands of the Florida Everglades sits a makeshift detention facility dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” the latest in his administration’s immigration enforcement efforts. Andrea Pitzer, author of One Long Night: A Global History of Concentration Camps, writes in an editorial published on MSNBC, “I
Owner Identified in Dog-Dragging Case; Animal Cruelty Charges to Be Filed
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service July 5, 2025 (Spring Valley) — San Diego County Animal Services has identified the person responsible for the horrific July 2 incident in Spring Valley in which a dog was dragged behind a vehicle. After seeing video coverage of the incident on television, the dog’s owner contacted County Animal Services and admitted that it was his truck
TRUMP SIGNS BUDGET BILL ON JULY 4 THAT INFLATES DEFICIT, CUTS SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME AMERICANS AND MAKES TAX CUTS FOR WEALTHY PERMANENT
Printer-friendly version By G. A. McNeeley July 6, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – President Donald Trump on July 4 signed the highly contentious budget bill into law. The measure passed the Senate by a one-vote margin and on July 3, the House of Representatives approved the measure. All San Diego representatives voted no, with the exception of Rep. Darrell Issa, who voted
Pizzabilities in Alpine Serves Up Build-Your-Own Pizza and Inclusive Opportunities for Employees
Printer-friendly version Pam Baker and her granddaughter Grace Baker at Pizzabilities in Alpine Story and photos by Karen Pearlman July 2, 2025 (Alpine) – Any way you slice it, Pizzabilities, Alpine’s newest addition to the culinary scene, is about to serve the community in some of the most delicious and unexpected ways. While Pizzabilities serves delicious pies,
Animal Services Seeks Help to Find Animal Abuse Suspect Who Dragged Dog Behind Jeep Cherokee in Spring Valley
Printer-friendly version Source: County News Service July 4, 2025 (Spring Valley) — San Diego County Animal Services is asking for the public’s help in identifying the person responsible for a horrific act of animal cruelty in Spring Valley. On July 2 around 5:45 p.m., witnesses observed a red and brown Doberman being dragged behind a vehicle traveling at an estimated
COUNTY HOPES NEW LAW WILL SPUR HOME SOLAR, WIND
Printer-friendly version Governor signs AB 920 to compensate solar and wind powered homes for surplus energy SAN DIEGO— Owners of home solar and wind energy systems that generate extra kilowatts can soon turn those surplus electrons into compensation thanks to new legislation signed by the Governor this week. Assembly Bill 920, which earned strong backing from Chairwoman Dianne Jacob
NAACP CALLS ON SDSU TO REVERSE POLICY CURTAILING LOCAL STUDENT ADMISSIONS; SAN DIEGO NAACP PLANS PROTESTS OCT. 13 & 14
Printer-friendly version San Diego (October 11, 2009)—The San Diego branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is reacting strongly against San Diego State University’s (SDSU) recent decision to eliminate the guaranteed admissions policy for local students who meet CSU eligibility criteria. The University’s new admissions policy will cap local enrollment in the incoming freshman class
FIRST BOOK SAN DIEGO TEAMS WITH SALVATION ARMY KROC CENTER TO PROMOTE LITERACY, PROVIDE FREE BOOKS TO CHILDREN
Printer-friendly version October 11, 2009 (San Diego) — The San Diego chapter of First Book is reaching out to children from low-income families across San Diego County with little or no access to books through its 2009 book grants. Starting this fall, First Book will be providing over 5,000 brand new books to be distributed to children ages 6 to 10
5-CAR CRASH ON I-15 RESULTS IN DEATH OF FALLBROOK WOMAN
Printer-friendly version October 11, 2009 (Escondido) – Sarah Garcia, 22, of Fallbrook died from injuries sustained in an accident yesterday at 4:14 a.m. Garcia was the driver and sole occupant of a sports utility vehicle involved in a multi-vehicle accident on northbound I-15 at the Gopher Canyon exit. She lost control at the edge of a hillside and plunged into
POLICE CHASE ENDS IN CRASH, DEATH OF SAILOR FROM LA MESA
Printer-friendly version October 11, 2009 (La Mesa) – La Mesa resident Herb Anthony McClenningham, 20, died after losing control of his vehicle during a police chase. McClenningham, an active duty member of the U.S. Navy, was driving erratically eastbound on El Cajon Boulevard in San Diego on October 9th. San Diego Police officers attempted to pull him over and he
LA MESA WOMAN CRUSHED BY BUS ON HIGHWAY 94
Printer-friendly version October 11, 2009 (Dulzura) – La Mesa resident Debra Louise Allen, 42, died yesterday morning after being run over by a bus that struck the motorcycle on which she was a passenger. The accident occurred on eastbound 94 east of Tecate Road in Dulzura at 10 a.m. on October 10th. According to the San Diego County Coroner’s office,
HOUSE PASSES FILNER’S BILL TO SECURE TIMELY FUNDING FOR VETERANS’ HEALTH CARE
Printer-friendly version 2ND BILL TO BUILD MORE V.A. CLINICS ALSO APPROVED October 11, 2009 (Washington D.C.)– On Thursday, the House of Representatives approved an amendment to H.R. 1016, a bill to secure timely funding for veterans’ health care delivered through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). “Today, the House of Representatives took action to respond to years of chronic underfunding
MILITARY TO BE HONORED WITH GOLF, DINNER & PRIZES AT OCT. 16 EVENT SPONSORED BY RANCHO SAN DIEGO-JAMUL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Printer-friendly version Public invited to participate – or sponsor a military member or veteran October 11, 2009 (Rancho San Diego) – “It’s in the Hole” golf tournament tees off this Friday at the newly-renovates Lakes course at Cottonwood Golf Club in Rancho San Diego. “We expect a perfect autumn day, “ said chamber president Valerie Harrison, who seeks additional sponsors
TOWN HALL MEETING ON 3 STRIKES LAW OCT. 22
Printer-friendly version On Thursday, October 22, the Judicial Reform Committee of the United African-American Ministerial Action Council (UAAMAC) will host a town hall meeting on Califiornia’s three strikes law to encourage a change in sentencing practices. Panelists will include Karen Bass, Speaker of the Assembly, Assembly member Lori Saldana (D-San Diego), Bishop George D. McKinney, Frank Courser and Sue Reams, Families
GAME OF THE WEEK: EAGLES RECOVER FROM SLOW START, ROUT SPARTANS 38-13
Printer-friendly versionby Christopher Mohr October 2, 2009 (El Cajon)– After twenty minutes of game time had elapsed, it seemed that Friday night’s game between Granite Hills and Central High would be closely contested, with a final score in the 20s. Fortunately for the Granite Hills Eagles, that trend did not continue. After a slow start by both teams, Granite Hills
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