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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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MAJOR ACCIDENTS SNARL COMMUTE ON 3 AREA FREEWAYS
Printer-friendly versionNovember 18, 2009 (San Diego)-SigAlerts have been issued following serious accidents on area freeways this evening including I-8, I-805, and SR 163. Two cars have rolled over, trapping passengers inside on southbound I-805 at Murray Ridge Road. The accident also involves a motorcycle and there are multiple injuries, IPN reported at 6:38 p.m. Traffic remains slow
MAN ROBS OFFICE DEPOT IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly version November 18, 2009 (La Mesa) — At approximately 2:52 p.m. yesterday, a man robbed the Office Depot store at 8481 Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa. The robber demanded money from a store clerk, displaying a simulated gun under his shirt. The clerk gave the suspect approximately $334.00 in cash. The suspect fled eastbound and was last seen running running
SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT: LAUGHTER IS FOCUS AT ALPINE BUSINESS NETWORKING MEETING NOV. 19
Printer-friendly version November 18, 2009 (Alpine) Alpine Business Networking Meeting is offering a tour of Alpine Fitness Club (www.AlpineFitnessClub.com), 1620 Alpine Blvd., location of the organization’s next meeting on November 19 (upstairs at "Mike’s Place") from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The meeting will feature Michael Coleman from Laughing in San Diego, as well as a 15 minute Laughing Yoga session focused
INVESTIGATIONS INTO LOBBYIST SCANDAL DROPPED
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery The U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI and the California Fair Political Practices Commission have all dropped investigations into boasts made on tape by former Assemblyman Mike Duvall (R-Orange County), who claimed to have had sexual relationships with lobbyists. An Orange County newspaper and other media reported that one of those lobbyists worked for Sempra Energy/SDG&E.
EX-ECM INTERN JOSEPH ROCHA LEADS NATIONAL EFFORT TO HALT ABUSE OF U.S. SOLDIERS
Printer-friendly version BREAKING NEWS: TODAY SERVICE MEMBERS LEGAL DEFENSE FUND SENT A LETTER TO DEFENSE SECRETARY GATES, URGING NEW INVESTIGATION OF CHIEF PETTY OFFICER WHO ABUSED ROCHA AND OTHERS By Miriam Raftery November 17, 2009 – In an exclsuvie interview with ECM yesterday, Joseph Rocha shared details of abuses he and other endured during Naval training as a dog handler in Bahrain. Defense documents reveal more than 93 counts of humiliating physical and sexual abuse against U.S. soldiers—gay and straight, men and
SUICIDE PROMPTS TRAFFIC ALERT ON I-15 AT ESCONDIDO
Printer-friendly versionUpdate 2:40 p.m. Traffic is now moving without delay in this location, IPN has informed ECM. November 17, 2009 (Bonsall) – A traffic alert has been issued around 12:30 p.m. today following death of a man who jumped off an overpass at I-15 southbound near old highway 395 near Bonsall, north of Escondido, Incident Protection Network reports. California Highway
CRACKDOWN ON TEEN DRIVERS TODAY, SANTEE SHERIFF STATION ANNOUNCES
Printer-friendly versionNovember 17, 2009 – Today the Santee traffic deputies along with area school resource officers and the Santee COPPS Unit will be conducting a juvenile driver enforcement detail. Special attention will be given to all drivers near schools. Drivers will be stopped and cited for all traffic violations including use of cell phones and texting while driving. Juvenile drivers
SHERIFF’S K-9 VOLUNTEER RESCUE DOG RECEIVES AKC’S ACE AWARD
Printer-friendly version November 17, 2009 (San Diego) – William D. Gore, Sheriff, San Diego County, today announces one of the department’s K-9 Search and Rescue volunteers has received an American Kennel Club ACE Award ~ Honorable Mention. Only five dogs are selected for the honor. Sheriff Gore commented, “We are extremely fortunate to have Snickers and his owner, Pam
TERM LIMITS INITIATIVE FOR SUPERVISORS REACHES SIGNATURE GOAL FOR JUNE BALLOT
Printer-friendly version November 16, 2009 (San Diego) – Organizers of an initiative to require term limits for San Diego County’s Board of Supervisors will hold a press conference tomorrow to announce that they have gathered approximately 120,000 signatures—far more than the 77, 587 required to qualify for the June ballot, East County Magazine has learned. “We know that the signatures
WATER, WATER EVERY WHERE: WATER MAIN LEAKS CAUSE FLOODING IN LA MESA & LAKESIDE
Printer-friendly version November 16, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – A series of water main breaks in East County over the weekend have led some area residents to ask what’s caused so many infrastructure failures. On Friday, November 13th, a water main break at the corner of La Mesa Blvd. and 4th Street sent large amounts of water flowing down

Mail might not be postmarked until days after you send it, under new rules that could cause tax penalties, result in ballots not counted
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery December 30, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – Don’t wait until the last minute to mail in a ballot, tax return or other important documents. A change in U.S. Postal Service regulations that took effect December 24 means that mail is no longer considered postmarked on the date that you drop it in a mailbox or at a post office

CRASH ON PINE VALLEY BRIDGE DELAYS MOTORISTS
Printer-friendly versionEast County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts Image via CHP on X Dec. 30, 2025 (Pine Valley) — A motorhome accident on the Pine Valley bridge has shut down one lane of I-8 east and knocked down 80 feet of guardrail, per the California Highway Patrol. Westbound lanes remain open. Motorists traveling east are advised to take an alternative route

Cities can’t punish outreach workers for helping homeless Californians under new law
Printer-friendly versionBy Marisa Kendall, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: Physician assistant Brett Feldman checks Carla Bolen’s blood pressure at her encampment on the Figueroa Street Viaduct above Highway 110 in Elysian Valley Park in Los Angeles on Nov. 18, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local December 30, 2025 (Sacramento) – Senate Bill 634 would have made a

County warns residents about deadly wild mushrooms
Printer-friendly versionBy Fernanda Lopez Halvorson, County of San Diego Communications Office Photo courtesy California Department of Public Health December 30, 2025 (San Diego) – County public health officials are urging residents to avoid foraging for, or eating, wild mushrooms as some could contain a dangerous toxin called amatoxin that causes severe liver damage and can even lead to death. Winter rainfall creates

House Republicans pass healthcare bill without extending Affordable Care Act subsidies that expire December 31: costs set to double or triple for many Californians
Printer-friendly versionBy G.A. McNeeley and Miriam Raftery Image: CC via bing December 28, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – With both houses of Congress adjourned until January, 22 million Americans can expect to see large increases in Affordable Care Act (ACA) healthcare premiums, since subsidies will expire on December 31. While Democrats fought to extend the subsidies, House Republicans passed their own

PFAS “forever chemicals” found in Warner Springs groundwater: Navy to host open house January 12 and provide testing of wells at nearby properties
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Updated Dec. 31 with comments from the Warner Spring Community Sponsor Group chair and a local winery representative, plus a statement from the Vista Irrigation District. December 27, 2025 (Warner Springs) — The U.S. Navy has announced that PFAS, known as “forever chemicals” have been detected in groundwater in Warner Springs. The contamination is believed to be linked to a

Federal cuts and reversals upend California health care in 2025
Printer-friendly versionPhoto: CC by NC-ND via Bing This story was originally published by Cal Matters. Sign up for their newsletters. By Ana B. Ibarra for CalMatters Dec. 27, 2025 (San Diego County) — After a decade of expanding health coverage and safety net programs, the Golden State took a sharp detour in 2025. As federal funding reductions and policy changes rippled through the

Ring in the new year safely with free transit rides New Year’s Eve after 6 p.m. throughout San Diego
Printer-friendly versionSource: MTS December 26, 2025 (San Diego) – The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and the North County Transit – San Diego Railroad (NCTD) announced plans to offer free transit rides and extended late-night service on New Year’s Eve, giving the region a safe, convenient and affordable way to celebrate and get home. “We want everyone to enjoy New Year’s Eve and celebrate responsibly,”

Escaped felon in Lemon Grove
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Dec. 24, 2025 (Lemon Grove) — The Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Substation is looking to the public for help in locating a wanted felon who escaped from custody. Just after 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18, Sheriff’s Deputies observed Hiram Sanchez, 36, in the 7100 block of Broadway in Lemon Grove. He was wanted on an

SDG&E urges caution around downed power lines
Printer-friendly versionSource: SDG&E December 24, 2025 (San Diego) – With the current rainstorm approaching our region, SDG&E is urging the public to exercise caution around downed power lines. During rainstorms, power lines may become damaged or fall, potentially posing a threat to those nearby. It is crucial for customers to stay safe, be vigilant and take necessary precautions to avoid potential
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