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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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Federal jury convicts Sheriff’s deputy of excessive force, violating inmate’s civil rights
Printer-friendly version Inmate suffered head and spinal injuries after being smashed head first into wall, left bleeding in cell without medical attention East County News Service December 13, 2025 (San Diego) — San Diego Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremiah Manuyag Flores was convicted by a federal jury yesterday of violating the civil rights of a man in pretrial custody at the San Diego Central Courthouse
Seven arrested for retail theft in Lemon Grove
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service December 11, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – Deputies from the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Substation’s Community Oriented Policing and Problem-Solving (COPPS) team ran a retail theft operation at multiple businesses throughout the city on December 10. During the eight-hour operation, deputies made seven arrests—six misdemeanors and one felony—averaging roughly one arrest per hour. “Retail theft remains
County share: Sustainability hacks during the holiday season
Printer-friendly versionSustainable gifts are always in. Photo from Pexels.com East County News Service Dec. 10, 2025 (San Diego County) — Going green and being sustainable poses some challenges, and can be especially difficult to navigate during the holiday season. Gving and receiving gifts and packages of all makes and models — and most come with wrapping of all types —
Recall effort dropped against Lemon Grove Mayor Snow
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman Dec. 10, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – A recall effort against Lemon Grove Mayor Alysson Snow, who was elected by voters in 2024, has failed. On Tuesday, Dec. 9, a group called the Lemon Grove Neighborhood Association shared a text message with East County Magazine that said, “Today marks the conclusion of the signature-gathering phase for
Lakeside firefighter/paramedic Jeff Reyes honored for heroism: saved fire captain who fell through floor in a burning building
Printer-friendly versionPhoto: Chief Don Butz, left, and Batallion Chief Eric Stamm commend firefighter/paramedic Jeff Reyes View video by Shiloh Ireland By Shiloh Ireland Miriam Raftery contributed to this report December 10, 2025 (Lakeside) – Lakeside firefighter/paramedic Jeff Reyes acted “without hesitation, drawing on instinct, training and sheer courage” to save the life of Captain Steven Russo, who fell through
Domestic violence suspect charged with attempted murder of victim and police officers in El Cajon
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service December 9, 2025 (El Cajon) – An El Cajon man, 38, is under arrest for allegedly trying to stab and kill a female victim in a domestic violence altercation, as well as attempted murder of a police officer after he rammed a police vehicle. El Cajon Police officers responded to a domestic violence call
La Mesa Police plans added holiday enforcement, urges drivers to celebrate responsibly
Printer-friendly versionNational “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign begins Source: City of La Mesa December 9, 2025 (La Mesa) – The holiday season can be dangerous for people on the roads. In December 2023 alone, 1,038 people were killed in the U.S. in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The La Mesa Police Department wants
Loveland Reservoir water transfer at 21% but coming to an end, SWA says
Printer-friendly versionPhoto of Loveland Reservoir by Ostan Patton By Karen Pearlman Dec. 9, 2025 (Alpine) – Sweetwater Authority’s plan to leave Loveland Reservoir with at least 25 percent of its water capacity during the most recent transfer of water into the Sweetwater Reservoir has not gone as originally planned, as shared with East County Magazine on Dec. 5. Sweetwater Authority (SWA), the
FDA creates hurdles for Americans to get COVID-19 vaccine, puts infants at risk with changes to Hepatitis-B vaccine recommendations
Printer-friendly versionA dozen former FDA commissioners and other experts weigh in, also debunking false claims about vaccines By G. A. McNeeley December 8, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — In an internal memo obtained by CNN, Dr. Vinay Prasad, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) chief medical & scientific officer said on November 28 that the FDA will change its vaccine approval
Palantir is rewriting security and privacy, creating massive database shared by federal agencies including ICE and the military
Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr Image: CC via Bing “Our Product is used to kill people.” — Palantir CEO Alex Karp, emphasizing the company’s role in enabling lethal military operations. December 8, 2025 (San Diego) — Palantir Technologies is building the U.S. Army’s next-generation ground station, TITAN, using artificial intelligence (AI) to process massive amounts of sensory data to improve targeting
SDSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM ADVANCES TO NCAA POST-SEASON FOR 1ST TIME IN 12 YEARS
Printer-friendly versionMarch 19, 2009 (San Diego)–San Diego State University’s women’s basketball team, the Aztecs, will play in the NCAA Basketball Championships for the first time since 1997 and the seventh time in the team’s history. The team will face off against DePaul University’s Blue Demons at 5 p.m. at Cox Arena on Saturday. "To be able to play at
ANDERSON BILL TO BLUR GOOGLE EARTH IMAGES SPARKS NATIONAL CONTROVERSY
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery March 18, 2009 (San Diego)–Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) has introduced AB 255, a bill that seeks to prevent terrorist acts by blurring online images of schools, government buildings, churches and medical facilities through Google Earth and other online aerial mapping technologies. The measure has drawn the attention of CNN News and sparked a debate among high-tech
FILNER BLOCKS OBAMA PLAN TO CHARGE INSURERS FOR TREATMENT OF WOUNDED VETS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery March 18, 2009 (Washington D.C.)–East County Magazine contacted Congressman Bob Filner’s office after receiving an e-mail from the American Legion which stated that President Obama intended to require private insurance carriers to reimburse the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for treatment of military veterans who suffered service-related injuries or disabilities. Filner (D-San Diego), is Chairman of
TWO-ALARM FIRE AT PRECISION METAL IN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly versionMarch 17, 2009 (El Cajon)–Just after 12:30 p.m. today El Cajon Fire crews responded to a structure fire reported at 850 West Bradley Avenue in El Cajon. Upon arrival,flames and heavy black smoke were seen coming from the roof area of the business, Precision Metal Products, and a second alarm was issued. It took about 30 firefighters 30 minutes
SDSU AND VIEJAS BAND OF KUMEYAAY INDIANS AGREE ON NAMING RIGHTS TO SDSU ARENA: ON CAMPUS VENUE TO BE CALLED VIEJAS ARENA STARTING JULY 1, 2009
Printer-friendly versionMarch 17, 2009 (San Diego)–The on campus sports and entertainment venue at San Diego State University will be renamed Viejas Arena, under a new agreement between the university and the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, the two announced today. "We’re very pleased that the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, who are such an important member of the San Diego
EAST COUNTY ROUND-UP — MID-MARCH
Printer-friendly version East County Roundup highlights the best stories about East County issues found in other publications. SDG&E SAYS ITS EQUIPMENT STARTED 167 FIRES IN 5½ YEARS Union-Tribune (March 14, 2009) — Nearly 170 fires have been started by San Diego Gas & Electric Co. power lines or transformers in the past 5½ years, according to a report the utility
BE INVENTIVE: SCIENCE FESTIVAL AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE MARCH 20-21
Printer-friendly versionMarch 1, 2009 (El Cajon) — The public is invited to experience hands-on scientific demonstrations and view exhibits that celebrate science in our everyday lives at the 2009 Grossmont College Science Festival on Friday, March 20, and Saturday, March 21, to be held on the college campus. Admission and parking are free. Families with students of all ages are
MORE THAN PLANTS AT WATER-WISE PLANT FAIR
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Flowering perennials from Daylily hill Maic Palmiere of Crest displays baskets and jewelry made from pine needles March 14, 2009 (El Cajon) — Birdhouses, eco-friendly jewelry, and water-saving wizardry awaited visitors at the Water-Wise Plant Fair, held today at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College. If you thought low-water landscaping means gravel and cacti, think
IT’S NO LONGER SANTEE, BUT MORE LIKE SANTREE
Printer-friendly versionBy Karla Moran (Karla Moran) March 14, 2009 (Santee) —The working power of a city makes a difference–as evidenced at the 8th annual SanTree Fest and Earth Day Celebration. Sponsored by the City of Santee, this year’s event had its best turn out yet. The community worked together to improve the environment and create a cleaner tomorrow. Parents and
MEDIA REFORM, INITIATIVE PROCESS & CLEAN ELECTIONS TOP COMMON CAUSE AGENDA
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery March 16, 2009 (San Diego)–At a San Diego fundraising dinner for Common Cause last week, speakers addressed the latest priorities taken on by the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to protecting the public interest and holding government accountable to the voters. Media reform (including a conference this weekend in Southern California), clean elections and revising the California
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