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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
Jamul Casino Resort gets two film awards
Printer-friendly version Water Sweet – The Story of Jamul” Earns Top Honors at AAF Reno ADDY Awards East County News
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
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
Jamul Casino Resort gets two film awards
Printer-friendly version Water Sweet – The Story of Jamul” Earns Top Honors at AAF Reno ADDY Awards East County News
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
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POWERLINK REVELATIONS SPARK HEATED DEBATE IN ALPINE
Printer-friendly version By Diana Barreto and Miriam Raftery “Who is going to move to Alpine and put their kids in a school 40 or 50 feet from a high-voltage line?” – Michelle Steinbuck, mother and Alpine resident “We have done everything we can to make sure everyone here, and everyone else who is not here, gets to know exactly
WANT TO GET PUBLISHED? 2010 SDSU WRITER’S CONFERENCE JAN. 29-31 SHOWS YOU HOW
Printer-friendly version Sharpen your pencils, grab your manuscripts and laptops for the 26th annual San Diego State University Writer’s Conference January 29-31 at the SDSU campus. The conference provides a rare opportunity for writers to have their works read by editors from some of the nation’s major publishing houses—and meet in person with editors and agents handling fiction, nonfiction,
SCAM ARTIST TARGETS DONORS AT SAN DIEGO HOSPICE AND GROSSMONT HOSPITAL
Printer-friendly version A woman posing as a nurse or medical employee has been approaching people outside Grossmont Hospital, San Diego Hospice and other locations to request donations or money for a ride, according to Hospice representatives. Numerous area residents have been burned by the scam. Victims describe the woman as medium to heavy build, 5’4 to 5’6 inches,
LA MESA GAS STATION ROBBED AT GUNPOINT; REWARD OFFERED
Printer-friendly version January 18, 2009 (La Mesa) At approximately 1:31 this morning, La Mesa Police received a report of a robbery at the Arco Station at 9600 Murray Drive. A white male suspect entered the store and displayed a black semi-automatic handgun, demanding money and cigarettes. The clerk handed the suspect an undetermined amount of money from the register and
2 SAN DIEGO RESCUE TEAMS HEAD TO HAITI
Printer-friendly version January 17, 2009 (San Diego) – Two San Diego organizations, International Relief Teams (IRT) and Rescue Task Force (RTF) are dispatching teams to aid victims of the devastating 7.0 earthquake that rocked Haiti last Tuesday. The situation is criticial with infrastructure destroyed including most hospitals, the major port, roadways and the palace. Hundreds of thousands are
SEMPRA DONATES $50,000 TO HELP HAITIAN EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS
Printer-friendly version January 17, 2010 – Sempra Energy Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Sempra Energy (parent company of San Diego Gas & Electric Co.) has pledged $50,000 in disaster-relief assistance funds to victims of the devastating Haitian earthquake. Sempra Energy Foundation will direct the funds through the San Diego—Imperial County Chapter of the American Red Cross International Relief
IF YOU NEED SANDBAGS, EQUIPMENT OR OTHER HELP DURING STORMS…
Printer-friendly version January 17, 2010 – CAL FIRE and the San Diego County Fire Authority have filled thousands of sandbags and are gearing up for the expected stormy weather with heavy equipment and manpower on hand to help in the event of emergencies. Sandbags were filled at the following locations and remain available to the public, though the
HAZARDOUS WEATHER WATCH ISSUED: SERIES OF STORMS TO BRING HEAVY RAINS, SNOW, HIGH WINDS & FLOODING
Printer-friendly version January 17, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather watch for southwestern California due to a series of storms slated to strike our region starting Monday. The powerful storms are predicted to dump 15 to 25 inches of rain and snow in mountain areas and bring wind gusts of
“BELIEVE” CHARGER GEAR HELPS BENEFIT COPLEY YMCA IN CITY HEIGHTS
Printer-friendly version January 17, 2009 (San Diego) — Pacific Sportswear & Emblem Company has created a line of Chargers hats, t-Shirts and silicone “charity” wristbands with the “BELIEVE” message to keep sports fans’ spirit alive in San Diego. A percentage of the sale of each “BELIEVE” item will benefit the Copley Family YMCA, which primarily serves children, teens and
FIRE DAMAGES SPRING VALLEY HOME
Printer-friendly version January 17, 2010 (Spring Valley) — A two story house fire in Spring Valley triggered a two-alarm response Saturday afternoon, resulting in $100,000 of damage, according to a preliminary estimate. No injuries were reported. The location and construction type showed potential for tremendous destruction. The fire was reported at 1:25 PM on the 3500 block of Saddle
EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE’S 2008 NEWSMAKERS OF THE YEAR
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery January 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–For better or worse, these are the East County people who made headlines in 2008. Some are famous–elected officials and sports stars. Others are unsung heroes and ordinary citizens who found themselves in extraordinary situations, battling foes ranging from cancer to large-scale developments in their communities. Some have aspired to amazing feats,
2008 NEWSMAKERS OF THE YEAR: HONORABLE MENTIONS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Each of these individuals has attained remarkable achievements. Some have sparked controversy for their views or actions. Many are working to make our community, our nation, or our world a better place. Our list includes people who triumphed over disabilities, animal protection advocates, artists and musicians, business leaders, citizen watchdogs, educators, fire heroes, healthcare reformers, humanitarians,
EIGHT YEAR OLD BOY KIDNAPPED BY STRANGER IN LA MESA ;CHILD ESCAPED, POLICE SEEK SUSPECT
Printer-friendly versionUPDATE: Police have determined that this reported kidnapping was a hoax. La Mesa Police Officers responded to an attempted kidnapping that occurred at 4827 Parks Avenue in the city of La Mesa on January 1st at 6:55 p.m.. Officers met with the eight-year-old male victim and his aunt at the Parks Avenue address. The victim told officers he was
THREE TIPS FOR MAKING NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS STICK
Printer-friendly versionBy Carole Carson January 1, 2009 (San Diego) — Who hasn’t sat down on New Year’s Day and come up with changes–such as losing weight and exercising more–they’d like to make? Our good intentions, though, can pass as quickly as the weeks on the calendar. Before we know it, we’re facing yet another New Year with the same old
JUMPSTART YOUR RESOLUTION TO GET IN-SHAPE: EAST COUNTY FAMILY YMCA OFFERS FREE 12-WEEK PERSONAL FITNESS PROGRAM FOR MEMBERS
Printer-friendly version January 1, 2009 (Santee) — The East County Family YMCA wants to help kick start your exercise program in the New Year with their 12-Week Personal Fitness Program. The program is designed for the beginning exerciser or anyone who has been away from exercise for awhile as well as those individuals who are looking for guidance and structure
FEMALE CARJACKING SUSPECT ARRESTED BY LA MESA POLICE—THANKS TO TIP RECEIVED THROUGH CRIMESTOPPERS
Printer-friendly version December 30, 2008 — (La Mesa) On December 29, a woman was arrested for charges stemming from a carjacking that occurred at Grossmont Center a week ago. La Mesa Police Detectives and members of the Department’s Special Enforcement Detail arrested Crystal Buckingham, a 28 year old female, without incident at an apartment in the 1000 block of Peach
GROSSMONT HEALTHCARE DISTRICT BOARD OFFICERS NAMED FOR ’09
Printer-friendly versionDecember 26, 2008 (La Mesa) — The five-member board of directors for the Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD), a public agency that supports health-related community programs and services in San Diego’s East County, has elected its board officers for 2009. Elected unanimously were Jim Stieringer as president, Gloria Chadwick as vice president and Deborah McElravy as secretary. Stieringer appointed board
ARMED ROBBERY AT SUPER OSCAR’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT IN LA MESA; REWARD OFFERED
Printer-friendly versionDecember 27, 2008 (La Mesa) — Three armed men robbed the Super Oscar’s Restaurant located at 7102 University Avenue in La Mesa on Saturday, December 27th at 7:52 p.m. A customer in the drive-thru reported that armed subjects entered the front doors of the restaurant with handguns. Suspects pointed the weapons at three employees, jumped over the counter and
TOP 25 EAST COUNTY STORIES OF 2008
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery December 31, 2008–It’s been a tumultuous year for East County and the nation. Here are our choices for the most important news stories of 2008 that had broad impacts on San Diego’s eastern region–from heartwarming to heart-wrenching. (Note: watch for a separate "East County Newsmakers" feature next week on individuals making a difference in our region,
CALIFORNIA BUDGET IMPASSE CAUSES PARTISAN DIVIDE:
Printer-friendly version Governor refuses to sign measure with tax/fee increases to avoid deep cuts in education Republicans, Democrats trade sharp criticisms Senate leader seeks help from federal government to fund public works projects and jump start California economy By Miriam Raftery December 23, 2008 (San Diego’s East County)–Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez (D-Shafter) has written to Henry Paulson, Secretary of
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