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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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Heartland Fire & Rescue achieves re-certification as ISO Class 1 department
Printer-friendly versionSource: Heartland Fire September 13, 2025 (San Diego) – Heartland Fire & Rescue (HFR) is proud to announce that it has once again been awarded an ISO Class 1 Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating by the Insurance Services Office (ISO). This designation is the highest rating possible and places the department among the top fire agencies in the nation for
Suspect arrested, victim identified in Ramona murder
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service September 11, 2025 (Ramona) – The victim of a fatal shooting in Ramona on Sept. 7 has been identified as Felipe Ascencio of Ramona. Deputies responding to a call reporting the shooting found him inside a home in the 700 block of Eighth St. and called for paramedics, but he died of a gunshot wound
Cottonwood sand mine in Rancho San Diego rejected by Board of Supervisors
Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow Karen Pearlman contributed to this report Sept. 10, 2025 (San Diego County) – The Cottonwood Sand Mine project in Rancho San Diego was rejected unanimously Wednesday by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. In a packed board room, the supervisors heard from more than 100 speakers in a span of over two hours,
Should more fire districts become part of Cal Fire/County Fire? The Grand Jury thinks so, but San Miguel and Alpine districts hotly contest that finding
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman September 11, 2025 (San Diego County) — San Miguel Fire Consolidated Protection District is taking the lead in challenging a San Diego County Civil Grand Jury report released earlier this year that recommends consolidation of fire protection districts around San Diego County, and recommending that “willing” districts become part of the San Diego County Fire
City of La Mesa gifting trees, hosting education series
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Sept. 10, 2025 (La Mesa) — La Mesa is hoping more trees will sprout up after it hosts a four-event educations series from September through November. As part of the series, thanks to partner Tree San Diego, 100 free trees will be distributed to La Mesa residents. La Mesa is partnering with Tree
Losses in Coches Fire show need for firewise upgrades to mobilehomes: County offers grants and loans to mobilehome owners
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photos and video by Josh Stotler View video Updated Sept. 10, 2025 with latest damage assessment based on a report from Lakeside’s Fire Marshal September 9, 2025 (Lakeside) – Swift action by firefighters including aerial attacks held yesterday’s Coches Fire to 5.3 acres, but the damage was substantial. Five homes were destroyed, including three mobilehomes at
CAL FIRE adds water truck to Shelter Valley station
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery September 9, 2025 (Shelter Valley) – The community of Shelter Valley, between Julian and Borrego Springs, is safer today thanks to a new 3,000-gallon water truck just added to Cal Fire’s Station 62 here. Cal Fire states on social media, “We couldn’t be more excited to have it alongside the engine and ambulance already looking after
Former San Diego City Attorney announces State Senate run to represent East County
Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow September 9, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – Former San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott on Thursday announced she’s running for the California State Senate District 40 seat, currently held by Republican Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, who will be leaving office due to term limits. The district encompasses much of East County, including Santee, Poway, Alpine, Pine Valley, and Ramona, as
STRUCTURE THREAT FROM COCHES FIRE IN LAKESIDE
Printer-friendly version Update: At least 3 mobile home parks are burning, per air attack, ECM has learned. Planes and helicopters are on scene. An addition 15 engines and 2 helicopters have been requested by incident command and air attack. Evacuees can go to Viejas Casino. September 8, 2025 (Lakeside) — There is an immediate structure threat from the #CochesFire that
Homicide investigation in Ramona
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service September 8, 2025 (Ramona) –The Sheriff’s Homicide Unit is investigating a deadly assault with a deadly weapon in Ramona yesterday afternoon. Around 2:35 p.m., deputies from the Ramona substation responded to a call reporting the assault in the 700 block of Eighth Street. They found a man suffering from traumatic injuries and requested paramedics, who
RED FLAG WARNING ISSUED FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY TUES.-THURS.; RISK OF “EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH”
Printer-friendly version September 21, 2009 (San Diego) – The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning cautioning Southern California residents of “explosive fire growth potential” due to a combination of strong winds and low humidity, which will be in effect from 9 a.m. Tuesday through 9 p.m. Thursday due to gusty winds and low humidity. The red flag
WOMEN’S HEALTH FAIR OCT. 3 TO BENEFIT CHASE AVE. FAMILY HEALTH CLINIC
Printer-friendly version September 24, 2009 (El Cajon) – A women’s health fair will be held on Saturday, October 3 at Andres Restaurant, 1235 Morena Blvd. in San Diego (www.andresrestaurantsdc.com). Proceeds will benefit the Chase Avenue Family Health Clinic in El Cajon. The health fair is sponsored by San Diego Wedgies Chapter of the Blue Thong Society (www.bluethongsociety.com). Pledging to “blend
Women’s Healthy Hour Seminar: Wellness in Your 50s and Beyond – Sept. 22
Printer-friendly version Sept. 21, 2009 (La Mesa)– The risk of colon cancer is greater for those in their 50s, but the chances of survival increase with screenings and early detection. In this physician-led seminar on Tuesday, you can receive free life-saving information about risk factors for colon cancer, like lifestyle and family history, while learning how the latest screening options
GAME OF THE WEEK: DONS INVADE HELIX HIGHLANDS IN 41-19 WIN
Printer-friendly versionStory and photo by Christopher Mohr (LA MESA) – Coming from behind to win games can lead to dramatic finishes, such as the wins Helix had in its first two games against Rancho Buena Vista and Mira Mesa. However, when you spot an opponent four touchdowns and that opponent is Cathedral Catholic, comebacks go from being difficult to nearly
SHERIFF CANDIDATES TRADE SHOTS IN HEATED DEBATE
Printer-friendly version Tent city jails, sonic weapons, border crimes, Las Colinas prison expansion, and cuts in deputy staffing among hottest issues By Miriam Raftery Photos by Leon Thompson September 15, 2009 (El Cajon) – Four candidates vying to be the top lawman in San Diego County faced off outside El Cajon’s civic center on Sept. 12, dueling verbally
HELICOPTER CRASH IN VALLEY CENTER INJURES 2
Printer-friendly version By Mick Roberts Photos by Nick Schuler, Cal-Fire Battalion Chief September 20, 2009 (Valley Center) – A helicopter has crashed in southeastern Valley Center at Orozco Ridge on a remote part of the Guijito Ranch. CAL-FIRE and Valley Center Fire Department responded at 2:40 p.m. San Diego County Sheriff’s ASTREA helicopter hoisted two patients from the crash
NEW FIRE IN JAMUL ON HIGHWAY 94
Printer-friendly versionSeptember 20, 2009 (Jamul) 5:45 p.m. — A brush fire that started around 5:30 p.m. today has burned approximately one acre at Highway 94 near Jefferson in Jamul, CAL-FIRE Battalion Chief Nick Schuler has informed East County Magazine. This is the second brush fire in two days for the area. According to a second source, a radio report indicates
RECORD TEMPERATURES PREDICTED FOR MID-WEEK, ELEVATING FIRE DANGER
Printer-friendly version September 19, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement for an Diego County mountains, deserts, valleys and coastal areas as well as other portions of Southern California. Heat 10-20 degrees over normal is predicted over the next week, with record highs predicted in some areas. Tuesday and Wednesday are
FIRES NEAR JAMUL , RIVERSIDE SEND SMOKE BlLLOWING OVER SKIES IN EASTERN SD COUNTY
Printer-friendly version HOMES BURN, EVACUATION CENTERS OPEN IN TEMECULA AS FIRE SWELLS TO 348 ACRES Update 9 p.m. Sept. 19 – The fire in southeast Riverside County has expanded to 348 acres, burned 12 structures including at least two homes, and vehicles. Evacuations of 500 homes have been ordered. The Red Cross has opened evacuation centers at the Temecula Community Recreation Center, 30875 Rancho Vista Rd. and at Rancho
WE’VE GONE GREENER!
Printer-friendly versionSeptember 18, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – We’re proud to announce that our server is now powered 100% by wind energy. Since our online publication is already paperless and green, we’re definitely the most eco-friendly news publication in town! Did you know that nearly 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. are produced by the paper
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