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Senior resource fair coming to Grossmont Healthcare District on April 23
Printer-friendly version East County News Service April 20, 2026 (La Mesa) — Health advocates from across San Diego County will provide critical resources through the upcoming “Spring into Healthy Living 2026: Senior Conference & Resource Fair” on Thursday, April 23 at Grossmont Healthcare District headquarters. Hosted by the San Diego
East County-based physician Charles Hamori honored by American College of Physicians
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman April 21, 2026 (La Mesa) — When he was a teenager growing up in Muncie, Indiana, Charles Hamori performed his first successful medical diagnosis — on himself. Hamori was 14 when he correctly identified his own appendicitis, and it was at that moment (or soon
News Issues
San Diego Padres nearing record $3.9B sale
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo courtesy San Diego Padres Facebook page April 20, 2026 (San Diego) — The current owners of the San Diego Padres, the Seidler family, are reportedly in the final stages of an agreement to sell the team to a group led by private equity billionaire José
‘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 the gym after Walton in 2018. Walton died of colon cancer at age 71 in 2024. Story and photos by Karen Pearlman April 14, 2026 (La Mesa) — Bill Walton, who preferred
Politics
With Eric Swalwell’s scandalous implosion, Xavier Becerra surges in race for California governor
Printer-friendly versionBy Dan Walters This story was originally printed in CalMatters, the only nonprofit newsroom devoted solely to covering statewide issues that affect all Californians. Sign up for WeeklyMatters for a Saturday morning digest of the latest news and commentary from the Golden State. This story is part of California Voices, a commentary
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 to codify strict regulations on electric bicycles, specifically looking to protect riders under 12. On Tuesday, the La Mesa City Council unanimously voted to establish a new e-bike safety pilot program
Wildfires and Emergencies
Crest residents urged to take action against wildfire risks with free Home Assessment Program
Printer-friendly versionBy Morgan Dioli and Diana Griffin April 21, 2026 (Crest) – The Crest community is stepping up wildfire preparedness efforts by participating in the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County’s 2026 Home Assessment Program. It’s a free, voluntary service designed to help residents reduce wildfire risks and improve
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…
Events & Arts
Book review:The Mission at Home: Navigating Military Assignments, TRICARE, Education, Benefits and Everyday Life with Your Child on the Autism Spectrum
Printer-friendly version Book by Jaime B. & Elizabeth Tracy Parent Reviewed by Pennell Paugh April 20, 2026 (San Diego) – Local authors Jaime and Elizabeth Parent have written a major reference for persons who have disabilities, with particular focus on those who have autism. While the book specifically addresses the
Review of Ethan Talks to Animals: Eat Your Food Fussy Filo, by Nico Waters
Printer-friendly version Reviewed by Pennell Paugh April 20, 2026 (San Diego) — San Diego author Nico Waters has written a series of books for children. In Ethan Talks to Animals, second grader Ethan can talk to animals. Together with his dog, Chewie, Ethan helps their next-door neighbor’s cat eat his
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 an early wildflower bloom in Borrego, now is a perfect time for a day trip through San Diego County’s beautiful backcountry, including mountain and desert destinations. Making the pilgrimage to
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 stories. This year, we’ve had requests from readers to cover lots of important local issues, but costs have soared with inflation. We need your help to report on local news
People
Eight local women Honored at Soroptimist’s annual “Live Your Dream” Awards Celebration
Printer-friendly versionSoroptimist International of Valley de Oro recognizes women overcoming extraordinary obstacles to build better lives through education By Henri Migala Photo: Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award winners. Seated (left to right): Dr. Peggy Fischer, DVM, Valley de Oro Club Chair; Tenisha Back row (left to right): Sue Bucheman (member);
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 bowls, beds, blankets, crates/carriers, leashes,…
Communities
East County-based physician Charles Hamori honored by American College of Physicians
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman April 21, 2026 (La Mesa) — When he was a teenager growing up in Muncie, Indiana, Charles Hamori performed his first successful medical diagnosis — on himself. Hamori was 14 when he correctly identified his own appendicitis, and it was at that moment (or soon
Crest residents urged to take action against wildfire risks with free Home Assessment Program
Printer-friendly versionBy Morgan Dioli and Diana Griffin April 21, 2026 (Crest) – The Crest community is stepping up wildfire preparedness efforts by participating in the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County’s 2026 Home Assessment Program. It’s a free, voluntary service designed to help residents reduce wildfire risks and improve
Features
Book review:The Mission at Home: Navigating Military Assignments, TRICARE, Education, Benefits and Everyday Life with Your Child on the Autism Spectrum
Printer-friendly version Book by Jaime B. & Elizabeth Tracy Parent Reviewed by Pennell Paugh April 20, 2026 (San Diego) – Local authors Jaime and Elizabeth Parent have written a major reference for persons who have disabilities, with particular focus on those who have autism. While the book specifically addresses the
Review of Ethan Talks to Animals: Eat Your Food Fussy Filo, by Nico Waters
Printer-friendly version Reviewed by Pennell Paugh April 20, 2026 (San Diego) — San Diego author Nico Waters has written a series of books for children. In Ethan Talks to Animals, second grader Ethan can talk to animals. Together with his dog, Chewie, Ethan helps their next-door neighbor’s cat eat his
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PROJECT WILDLIFE INVITES YOU TO A WILDLIFE BABY SHOWER APRIL 6
Printer-friendly version By Ariele Johannson March 25, 2013 (San Diego)–Project Wildlife is planning for some new arrivals. Each year during nesting and birthing season, the center receives thousands of animals that are sick, injured, or orphaned. Project Wildlife staff and volunteers give these wildlife babies a second chance. You are invited to view these adorable baby birds and mammals
HUNDREDS PROTEST POSTAL SERVICE CUTS AT “DELIVERING FOR AMERICA” RALLY IN SAN DIEGO
Printer-friendly version Rural areas could have major impacts, loss of service; Postal Rep says San Diego Congressman blocks reforms By Nadin Abbott March 25, 2013 (San Diego)—Over 600 people from as far away as Brawley and Los Angeles turned out at Sunday’s “Delivering for America” rally to protest impending slashing of postal services that could leave some rural residents
GREEN TRAVEL OPTIONS ARE SPROUTING EVERYWHERE
Printer-friendly version By Laura Chapman March 28, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)–We all know about going “green” around our homes. Recycling newspapers, plastic and aluminum has become so commonplace that we actually look for recycling bins when we’re out and about. How many times have you gone to a dinner party and helped with the cleanup by asking, “Do you
SANTEE LAKES HOSTS EGGSTRAVAGANZA EVENT MARCH 30
Printer-friendly version March 29, 2013 (Santee)–Santee Lakes hosts an “Eggstravaganza” event this Saturday complete with continuous egg hunts, live entertainment, pony rides, petting zoo, craft booths and carnival rides. This event is brought to you by Padre Dam Municipal Water District and the City of Santee. Click here for more information. Printer-friendly version
LA MESA CITY COUNCIL REQUESTS UPDATE OF PARK STATION PROJECT
Printer-friendly version By Janis Mork March 27, 2013 (La Mesa)- At yesterday’s La Mesa City Council meeting, Councilmember Ernie Ewin requested an update on the status of the Park Station project, a proposed 18-story mixed use building. City manager David Witt asked Bill Chopyk, Community Development Director, to discuss the process. Chopyk provided some background. “The first season project
AZTECS BASEBALL: MOUNTAIN WEST CO-LEADERS SDSU AND UNM SET FOR THREE-GAME SERIES
Printer-friendly version Freshman third baseman Ty France leads the Aztecs in home runs and is tied for the team RBI lead. March 27, 2013 Complete Release and Season Statistics – SDSU Athletics WHAT’S ON TAP THIS WEEKEND IN AZTEC BASEBALL SDSU will be on the road this week for Mountain West play with a three-game series at conference
96TH ANNUAL SUNRISE SERVICE ON MT. HELIX EASTER MORNING
Printer-friendly version March 30, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) — For nearly a century, Easter sunrise service has been an annual tradition atop Mt. Helix. This year’s service will be held at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 31 and will be hosted by Christ Luthern Church of La Mesa. Free shuttle service will be provided starting at 5:30 a.m.
DREAMS HAVE COME TRUE AT HACIENDA DE LAS ROSAS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery March 24, 2013 (Ramona) –“It all started with my horses,” Tammy Rimes told ECM at the grand opening of Hacienda de las Rosas Winery’s new Mission-style tasting room in Ramona. In addition to Spanish-style wines, the opening featured dazzling displays of horsemanship, including riders in Peruvian-style attire demonstrating the Peruvian Paso breed’s unique
ALPINE BUSINESS OWNERS FILE SUIT OVER SUNRISE POWERLINK IMPACTS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery March 24, 2013 (Alpine)—Seven Alpine businesses have filed a lawsuit alleging that SDG&E failed to adequately reimburse business owners for losses caused by the two-year project to underground the high-voltage Sunrise Powerlink lines along Alpine Boulevard. Plaintiffs allege that some businesses were forced out of business, while others suffered hundreds of thousands of dollars
CHILIS HOSTS FUNDRAISER TODAY FOR TAYLOR CUNNINGHAM, TEEN PAGEANT WINNER STRUCK BY WRONG-WAY DRIVER IN SANTEE
Printer-friendly version Don’t have plans for lunch or dinner today? The Miss San Diego Cities Pageant in conjunction with the Miss San Diego Pageant and Scholarship Association invites the community to a fundraiser to support Taylor Cunningham and the Cunningham Family, today Tuesday, March 26 all day at the Chilis restaurant in Santee on Mission George Road. Chilis will
RESIDENTS STAGE PROTEST IN LAKESIDE OVER POWERLINK; SUPERIVSOR JACOB LEADS FIGHT TO HALT SEMPRA/SDG&E PROJECT
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery "This line is really about bringing fossil fuels up from the plant owned by SDG&E in Mexico," said Dianne Jacob, chair of the County Board of Supervisors. "We do not need this line to meet San Diego County’s energy needs now or in the future…Follow the money to see who supports Sunrise Powerlink." February 28, 2009
BANK ROBBER CAUGHT ON TAPE: UP TO $1,000 REWARD OFFERED FOR FALLBROOK, ESCONDIDO SUSPECT
Printer-friendly versionMarch 3, 2009 (San Diego)–San Diego County Crime Stoppers is joining forces with San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Fallbrook detectives to help identify and apprehend the suspect responsible for robbing the Washington Mutual Bank in Fallbrook. This same suspect may also be responsible for another bank robbery that occurred on January 30, 2009 at about 5:46 p.m. at
BURNED UP: LAKESIDE PLANNERS, FIRE OFFICIALS AND RESIDENTS VENT ANGER OVER STATE’S APPROVAL OF POWERLINK WITH NO NOTICE TO THEIR COMMUNITY
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Before and After images of El Monte Valley February 18, 2009 (Lakeside) — Lakeside planners, fire officials and residents expressed shock and outrage that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved construction of Sunrise Powerlink through the El Monte Valley, a designated scenic area, without ever notifying officials or the public in Lakeside. Sempra Energy/SDG&E added
WILDFIRE AT SAN DIEGO/TEMECULA COUNTY LINE NOW 50% CONTAINED
Printer-friendly versionUPDATE MARCH 3, 7 a.m.: Fire officials have reduced the acreage estimate to 77. The fire is now 80% contained with full containment expected by 6 p.m. this evening. March 2, 2009 (Temecula)–A fire urning in the Deluz area of Temecula north of Fallbrook in Riverside County, just one mile from the San Diego County line, has engulfed 100
LEARN TO GO GREEN AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE ON MARCH 7
Printer-friendly versionBy Pari Sanati Before & After March 1, 2009 (San Diego)— For many of us, recycling and watching energy and water consumption are now regular practices, far from the days when all these were new and perhaps daunting concepts. As the world makes the inevitable "greening" shift, environmentally conscious home and business owners are looking for new and interesting
PHOTOGRAPHERS FOCUS ON BORDER WALL’S IMPACT ON WILDLIFE AND ENVIRONMENT
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery © Krista Schlyer © Roy Toft March 1, 2009 (San Diego) — A team of 10 international nature photographers has just completed a three-week trip from San Diego to Texas, photographing and documenting impacts that the U.S.-Mexican border wall and immigration are having on wildlife, ecology, and landscape across the Southwest. To expedite construction of a
CONGRESSMAN FILNER REINTRODUCES THE VISITORS INTERESTED IN STRENGTHENING AMERICA ACT
Printer-friendly versionMarch 1, 2009 (Washington, DC — Congressman Bob Filner has re-introduced H.R. 937, the Visitors Interested in Strengthening America (VISA) Act. The bill gives Port Directors the discretion to issue humanitarian visa waivers to Mexican children making brief, pre-scheduled visits to the United States for medical, educational or recreational purposes. This legislation does not affect the number of legal
ECM SPECIAL REPORT: INVESTIGATOR-TURNED-WHISTLEBLOWER CLAIMS FAULTY POWER LINE INSTALLATIONS CAUSED 2003 CEDAR AND PARADISE FIRES AS WELL AS WILDFIRES IN 2007; SDG&E DISPUTES CLAIM
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Clark testified at CPUC hearing that he believes a design flaw in SDG&E lines is responsible for several major fires, including the Witch, Paradise and Cedar fires. February 24, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — For $50,000, the cost of a single fire engine, SDG&E could fix an allegedly dangerous problem on power lines in San
TWO ELECTRICAL EXPERTS CONFIRM CLARK’S CONTENTION THAT SDG&E INSTALLATIONS ARE DANGEROUS, CAN IGNITE FIRES; SDG&E INSISTS ITS LINES ARE SAFE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Clark contends that the installation shown here, with two down guy wires connected by a single bolt, is dangerous. SDG&E denies that contention. February 24, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — Ed Clark, an electrical protection engineer-turned-whistleblower, contends that inappropriate power line installations by SDG&E/Sempra Energy have caused multiple wildfires in San Diego County – and
THE ROLLING REVIEWER: A PRICK OF CONSCIOUSNESS
Printer-friendly versionBy Janelle Eckardt March 1, 2009 (El Cajon) — Hello friends! Are you tired, run-down, listless? Do you poop out at parties? The answer to all your problems is in this little needle. Really! Acupuncture just might be your ticket to feeling better and living better. I’ve discovered a respectable acupuncture facility right here in the East County that
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