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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,
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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
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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Building together: local trades connect at Ram’s Hill Golf Cottages
Printer-friendly version Meet-and-Greet By Jennifer Sencion September 2, 2025 (Borrego Springs) – On July 31, Borrego Community Builders, in partnership with Skyline Construction, hosted a Subcontractor Meet-and-Greet in Borrego Springs to connect local tradespeople with a landmark hospitality project. The gathering brought together electricians, plumbers, painters, construction crews, and other skilled trades from Borrego Springs and neighboring desert communities,
Prop 36 proves effective: 98% of defendants accept addiction treatment
Printer-friendly versionSome retail outlets start unlocking high-end products East County News Service September 1, 2025 (San Diego) — San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan has released promising data on prosecutions and court-mandated treatment under news laws created by the passage of Proposition 36. Numbers show that of the hundreds of defendants who have pleaded guilty to drug-related offenses under
Woman arrested for vandalizing Santee Post Office
Printer-friendly version East County News Service August 31, 2025 (Santee) – A suspect accused of vandalizing the Santee Post Office on Mission Gorge Road last night was caught red-handed — or rather, black-handed – early this morning. Brandy Thomas, 52, was found in possession of black spray paint cans and had paint on her hands, legs and clothing when apprehended,
35-year-old man in custody dies
Printer-friendly version East County News Service Update Sept. 5, 2025 — The deceased has been identified as Steven Curren. He was facing charges of vehicle theft and posession of stolen property. August 31, 2025 (San Diego)—A 35-year-old man arrested Aug. 29 was found unresponsive in his cell yesterday afternoon at San Diego Central Jail and later died at a hospital. He
Homicide arrest in El Cajon
Printer-friendly version East County News Service August 31, 2025 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police have arrested a suspect for a deadly stabbing that occurred at 5:30 p.m. last night in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 900 block of South Sunshine, El Cajon. According to Lieutenant Eric Thornton, two men were in an altercation when one
Horses of Tir Na Nog Holds Fundraiser Sept. 20; Group also seeking support for moldy hay
Printer-friendly versionStory and photo by Karen Pearlman Aug. 30, 2025 (Descanso) –Horses of Tir Na Nog, the nonprofit animal rescue group with a ranch and more than 100 animals, is having a fundraiser at Kings Inn in September. The group is also trying to cover the cost of hay that was compromised during a storm in late August. The
Safe parking site reopens in El Cajon, serving people living out of their cars
Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow August 30, 2025 (El Cajon) – An overnight safe parking site for people living out of their vehicles reopened on Magnolia Avenue in unincorporated El Cajon Friday, after a yearlong, $3 million renovation project. It’s open daily from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. Improvements announced at a news conference include flushable restrooms with running water,
Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Substation holds ribbon cutting and grand reopening after flood damage
Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow Photo, left: Sheriff Kelly Martinez cuts ribbon on renovated Lemon Grove substation August 28, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez and Lemon Grove Mayor Alysson Snow presided over a ribbon cutting and grand reopening of the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Substation Thursday, 19 months after it was devastated by torrential rain. On
Drug toxicity caused death of woman in Las Colinas Detention Facility
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service August 29, 2025 (Santee) – The San Diego County Medical has completed an autopsy on Callen Lines, 31, who was found unresponsive in her cell at Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee on May 12 at 7:25 p.m. After emergency efforts by paramedics and Santee Fire Dept. personnel, she was pronounced dead at
Passages: Randy “Duke” Cunningham, Congressman and Decorated Aviator
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Services Aug. 29, 2025 (San Diego County) – Randall Harold (Randy) “Duke” Cunningham, a highly decorated naval aviator whose political career crashed after he was convicted of accepting more than $2 million in bribes during his tenure as a United States Congressman, has passed away. Cunningham, who won a seat as a Republican in
BRUSH FIRES IN JAMUL & VALLEY CENTER
Printer-friendly version August 28, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – A brush fire in Jamul has caused a power outage in the vicinity. The fire, caused by a traffic accident, has been contained at ¾ an acre, CAL-FIRE spokesperson Roxanne Provaznik reports. SDG&E is on the scene working to repair downed power lines and restore power to area residents.
CAL-FIRE SUSPENDS BURNING PERMITS & OPEN FIRES
Printer-friendly version OFFICIALCITE FIRE DANGER, DEPLOYMENT OF LOCAL FIREFIGHTING RESOURCES TO BATTLE BLAZES ELSEWHERE IN CALIFORNIA August 27, 2009 (San Diego County) – No roasting marshmallows in your backyard BBQ pit–for now. Mike Bratton, division chief of CAL-FIRE’s San Diego union, yesterday issued orders to suspend burning permits and other uses of open fire in all areas within San Diego and Imperial Counties for which Cal-Fire is responsible. Incorporated cities are
CA VETERANS TO GET FULL GI BENEFIT
Printer-friendly version Agreement between State of California and VA Will Result in Dramatic Increase in Benefits for Yellow Ribbon Program August 27, 2009 (Washington, D.C.) – A recent agreement between the State of California and the Veterans Administration will result in a dramatic increase in benefits for the Yellow Ribbon program, which helps veterans afford tuition and fee costs at
100-ACRE FIRE AT PENDLETON; NO THREATS TO STRUCTURES AT THIS TIME
Printer-friendly version August 27, 2009 (Camp Pendleton) –If you’re driving north and see smoke, don’t panic. A slow moving brush fire in the Whiskey Impact Area is currently burning on Camp Pendleton. The brush fire started at approximately 1 p.m., Aug. 26 and has burned approximately 100 acres. The Whiskey Impact Area is located in the Northeastern portion of the
VIEJAS ADDS A “STRIKING” NEW DEVELOPMENT
Printer-friendly version VIEJAS BOWL continues Viejas Outlet Center’s transformation into “lifestyle center” August 27, 2009 (Alpine) – Viejas announced plans today for a new, boutique bowling center, to be called Viejas Bowl, at the Viejas Outlet Center, across from the award winning Viejas Casino. The new development boasts 15,667 square feet of space and will include 12 United
GARAMENDI OFFERS SOLUTIONS TO ATTAIN A SUSTAINABLE CALIFORNIA
Printer-friendly version GARAMENDI OFFERS SOLUTIONS TO ATTAIN A SUSTAINABLE CALIFORNIA By Jackie Hanson August 26, 2009 (San Diego) – What would it take for California to become energy self-sustaining? As surfers caught waves just a few yards away, Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi spoke at the new Scripps Seaside Forum in La Jolla on August 5th, offering ideas to
MISSING GIRLS RETURN HOME
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery August 27, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Two girls missing since Friday have returned home, police now report. The teens left home voluntarily and no charges have been filed, according to police. "Unfortunately, it is with sad and scary news that I am contacting you,” Michael Bailey, regional golf course superintendent at Warner
YO-HO! A PIRATE’S LIFE: EAST COUNTY RESIDENT SAM SPARROW FINDS LUCRATIVE CAREER AS “CAPTAIN JACK” CELEBRITY IMPERSONATOR
Printer-friendly version “Stay the course to your dreams.” – Sam Mejia Sparrow Editor’s Note: Want a pirate for your next corporate event, motivational meeting or private party? We’ll be auctioning off swashbuckling Sam Sparrow at our “Celebrate East County” event Saturday! Register here. Story and inside photos by Miriam Raftery August 25, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) –
PHOTOS OF MOTEL SHOOTING SUSPECT & VEHICLE RELEASED BY LA MESA POLICE
Printer-friendly versionATTEMPTED MURDER BELIEVED TO BE GANG-RELATED August 25, 2009 (La Mesa) — Surveillance photos and video of a shooting suspect and his vehicle have been released today by the La Mesa Police. The suspect is wanted for alleged attempted murder at the Heritage Inn, 7851 Fletcher Parkway that occurred on August 23, 2009. A photo shows the suspect, who wore a horizontal striped
DEMOLITION OF DEPRESSION-ERA BUILDING AT GROSSMONT HIGH SCHOOL MAKES WAY FOR STATE-OF-THE-ART SCIENCE CLASSROOMS
Printer-friendly version Project Funded by Prop H School Bond El Cajon, Calif. – It was out with the old and in with the new at Grossmont High School as a 70-year-old relic came down. The aging Building 900, which was a concrete structure constructed on the La Mesa campus in the mid-1930s, was recently cleared to make way for
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