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AB 1959 moves along, inspired by 2001 school shooting at Santana
Printer-friendly version Story and photo by Karen Pearlman April 9, 2026 (Santee) — Twenty-five years after teenage student armed with
New leadership at County Dept. of Animal Services
East County News Service April 7, 2026 (San Diego County) — San Diego County is stabilizing the leadership of the Department of Animal Services, appointing…
News Issues
AB 1959 moves along, inspired by 2001 school shooting at Santana
Printer-friendly version Story and photo by Karen Pearlman April 9, 2026 (Santee) — Twenty-five years after teenage student armed with
Boulevard residents battle proposed Starlight Solar battery storage facility; urge community to attend town hall meeting April 15
By Miriam Raftery Photo: proposed Starlight Solar site, via County of San Diego April 4, 2026 (Boulevard) – Should a 588-acre solar project with one…
Politics
Latest No Kings rallies draw 70,000 in San Diego County, 8 million nationwide
70,000 San Diego County residents join 8 million nationwide in No Kings demonstrations, the largest ever U.S. protest By Miriam Raftery March 31, 2026 (San…
El Cajon City Council denies Afghan Center’s appeal for prayer tent extension
East County News Service March 30, 2026 (El Cajon ) — The El Cajon City Council last week unanimously upheld a decision by the city’s…
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
Cheers to the Valley Wine Festival April 18 in Ramona
East County News Service April 5, 2026 (Ramona) – The Ramona Chamber of Commerce is inviting the public to savor the 2026 Cheers to the…
Destination East County: Festive events in mid-April and May 2026
By Miriam Raftery April 5, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – As April continues, drifting into the merry month of May, there are many unique…
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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
AB 1959 moves along, inspired by 2001 school shooting at Santana
Printer-friendly version Story and photo by Karen Pearlman April 9, 2026 (Santee) — Twenty-five years after teenage student armed with
New leadership at County Dept. of Animal Services
East County News Service April 7, 2026 (San Diego County) — San Diego County is stabilizing the leadership of the
Features
Historic landmark to anchor new travel center in Jamul
Artist’s rendering of coming Barretts Travel Center in Jamul (Photo courtesy Kirvin Doak Communications ) East County News Service April
Photo of the week: Jacumba sunset
April 6, 2026 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Martin Eder sent in this photo, taken along Interstate 8 just west of
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Chaldean Bishop arrested while trying to leave the U.S.
By Miriam Raftery Photo by Miriam Raftery: Bishop Shaleta in May 2024 at opening of incubator business center for refugees and immigrants in El Cajon…
Chaldean Bishop arrested while trying to leave the U.S.
By Miriam Raftery Photo by Miriam Raftery: Bishop Shaleta in May 2024 at opening of incubator business center for refugees and immigrants in El Cajon…
U.S. issues worldwide caution, urges Americans in Middle East to depart immediately—but cancelled flights, closed airports make evacuation difficult
By Miriam Raftery March 4, 2026 (Washington D.C.) – Following the U.S. and Israeli military attacks on Iran and Iran’s retaliatory bombings in cities across…
U.S. issues worldwide caution, urges Americans in Middle East to depart immediately—but cancelled flights, closed airports make evacuation difficult
By Miriam Raftery March 4, 2026 (Washington D.C.) – Following the U.S. and Israeli military attacks on Iran and Iran’s retaliatory bombings in cities across…
Teamsters strike at SDSU impacts traffic on I-8
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery February 17, 2026 (San Diego) – Teamsters Local 2010 is holding a four-day unfair labor practice strike at 22 California State University campuses starting today, including San Diego State University and Cal State San Marcos. Campuses remain open, however an alert sent by SDSU cautions that traffic along I-8 near campus is backed up; students
City Of San Diego abruptly ends longstanding media ID and parking placard program, raising new questions about access, accountability, and press rights
Printer-friendly version Source: Sandiegoville February 26, 2026 (San Diego) – The City of San Diego has abruptly discontinued its Media Identification Card (Press Pass) Program and the blue parking placards that for decades helped local journalists cover breaking news safely and in real time. The change, effective February 13, is being framed by San Diego Police Department as an administrative modernization
The true State of the Union
Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr Screenshot: President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the Capitol during his State of the Union Speech “It is indeed a turnround for the ages,” President Donald Trump, 2026 February 27, 2026 (Washington, D.C.) — President Donald Trump gave his 2026 State of the Union address on Wednesday, touting the first year of his
U.S. and Israel attack Iran, reportedly kill Ayatollah Khamenei
Printer-friendly versionIran retaliates with strikes targeting U.S. military bases, Israel and civilian targets By Miriam Raftery Photo via U.S. Navy: USS Abraham Lincon aircraft based in San Diego has been dispatched to the region February 28, 2026 (Tehran) – The U.S. and Israel today launched massive air strikes in Iran. President Donald Trump has said the operation aims to overturn
East County Chamber honors leaders, organizations at 114th annual soiree
Printer-friendly versionSycuan Casino Resort hosted the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce’s 114th annual East County Honors Awards Gala over the weekend. Photos and story by Karen Pearlman March 2, 2026 (El Cajon) — More than 400 business and nonprofit leaders, community advocates and public officials gathered at Sycuan Casino Resort last Saturday for the 114th Annual East County
Casualties mount across Middle East; Trump says military conflict could last months, won’t rule out ground troops
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, in press conference today March 2, 2026 (San Diego) – The U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in Operation “Epic Fury” which began Saturday are believed to have killed 49 senior Iranian officials, including the Ayatollah Khomeini, according to the White House. The USS Abraham Lincoln and stealth bombers based
DON QUIXOTE FIGHTS THE WINDMILLS—AND SO DO THE FOLKS IN BOULEVARD
Printer-friendly versionby Gayle Early (photo by Miriam Raftery) February 10, 2009 (Campo)–Editor’s Note: Should wind turbines hundreds of feet tall –higher than the existing Kumeyaay wind farm turbines—be allowed in the rural McCain Valley/Boulevard region in East County? Does the nation’s critical need for “green” energy outweigh the concerns of residents seeking to preserve the rural character of their backcountry
FEB. 25 HEARING ON WIND TURBINES & WIND TESTING
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 2009 (San Diego)–The County Board of Supervisors will deliberate February 25 whether to ease permitting requirements for installing industrial-scale meteorological testing units (MET towers) on private and county properties. The county is also debating the turbine ordinance to allow for more options, such as industrial-scale turbines on private property or more than one turbine per lot, including the
LA MESA SAVES FLAG DAY PARADE: DONATIONS ROLL IN FROM RESIDENTS, BUSIENSSES AND CIVIC LEADERS
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 9, 2009 (Mesa) “ Thanks to the generosity of La Mesa citizens, business leaders and elected officials who donated out of their own pockets, La Mesa’s annual flag day parade has been saved from the budget chopping block. The 14th annual event will take place on Saturday, “We met the goal and then some,” an e-mail signed by
ART SALE FEB. 14: HERITAGE OF AMERICAS MUSEUM AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE
Printer-friendly versionFive East County artists will help raise money for the Heritage of the Americas Museum with an art sale from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14 at the museum, located on the campus of Cuyamaca College, 12110 Cuyamaca College Dr. West, in El Cajon. Admission is free. Printer-friendly version
PROP L SPARKS DEBATE AT LA MESA OPEN FORUM MEETING
Printer-friendly versionBy Yuliana Cerda February 6, 2009 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa City Council held an open forum meeting in the auditorium at Rolando Elementary School last Thursday night. The meetings are meant to provide an opportunity for citizens to voice concerns or input on issues throughout their city. La Mesa citizens voiced their views on an array of
SEX EDUCATION? HELIX DEFENDS ITS ACTIONS, DISPUTES REPORT RELEASED BY DISTRICT THAT CRITICIZED HELIX ADMINISTRATOR’S RESPONSE TO SEXUAL ABUSE, MISCONDUCT;
Printer-friendly versionBOARD TO CONSIDER CHARTER SCHOOL CURE CORRECT ORDERS AT FEB. 12 MEETING February 6, 2009 (La Mesa) Did administrators at Helix Charter High School respond appropriately to four incidents of sexual abuse and misconduct involving teachers and students and has enough been done to prevent similar problems in the future? The Grossmont Union-High School Governing Board will consider these
FILNER REINTRODUCES FAIR TAXES FOR SENIORS ACT
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 1, 2009 (San Diego) — Congressman Bob Filner has reintroduced the Fair Taxes for Seniors Act, H.R. 674, which will provide a one-time increase in the capital gains tax exemption on the sale of a home for citizens who are 50 years of age or more. “The Fair Taxes for Seniors Act would give many seniors the additional
STATE DEPARTMENT CANCELS BLACKWATER’S CONTRACT IN IRAQ: EAST COUNTY LEADERS, BLACKWATER WEST VP SHARE REACTIONS
Printer-friendly version Jan Hedlun, right, at victory celebration last year after Blackwater dropped plans to build a training base in Potrero. February 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) —–“Blackwater has been fired by the State Department from its job protecting U.S. diplomats in Iraq,” ABC News has reported. The U.S. State Department has announced it will not renew a $1.2
AL NASSER TO SPEAK IN LA MESA WEDNESDAY ON IRAQ WAR ISSUES
Printer-friendly versionDr. Farouk Al Nasser, an Iraq native and U.S. citizen, will speak on conditions in Iraq at the La Mesa Community Center on Wednesday, June 3rd. “Dr. Nasser will help us understand the situation on the ground in Iraq; he is in contact with his extended family of more than 400 living in Iraq,” said Linda Armacost, president of
SDG&E THREATENS TO SUE WILDFIRE VICTIMS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery February 2, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–San Diego Gas & Electric Company has notified attorneys representing fire victims that the utility company plans to sue victims of the 2007 wildfires. The announcement has sparked an angry response from some elected officials and residents in burned-out areas of East County. “Predictably, SDG&E’s lawyers are stooping as low
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