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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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GROSSMONT HEALTHCARE DISTRICT BOARD REJECTS PLEAS TO MOVE MEETINGS TO EVENINGS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery January 8, 2025 (La Mesa) – Dozens of public speakers at yesterday’s Grossmont Healthcare District meeting urged the board to move its 9 a.m. meetings to evenings in order to accommodate people with full-time jobs. The proposal was made by newly elected director Nadia Farjood, a working mother who says her new full-time job at the
PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNS JAMUL TRIBAL LANDS BILL INTO LAW
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photo, left: Jamul tribal chairwoman Erica Pinto January 8, 2025 (Jamul) – On December 23, President Joe Biden signed into law the bipartisan Jamul Indian Village Land Transfer Act, which places 172 acres of land in East County, San Diego into tribal trust for the Jamul Indian Village. “Thank you to Senators Padilla and Butler,
ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 8, 2025 — As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include: U.S. Jimmy Carter, Peacemaking President Amid Crises, Is Dead at 100 (New York Times) Trump Won’t Rule Out Military Action in
EAST COUNTY LEADERS BRACE FOR LEGAL LIMBO, POLICY CHANGES REGARDING UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS
Printer-friendly version By Jessica Brodkin Webb January 7, 2025 (El Cajon) –In 13 days, President-elect Donald Trump could potentially begin to make good on his campaign promise to pursue mass deportations of immigrants and refugees living in the United States. “As President I will immediately end the migrant invasion of America,” Trump said in a Sept, 2024 speech and although
RED FLAG WARNING, 6 SCHOOL DISTRICTS CLOSE DUE TO FIRE RISK AND HIGH WINDS
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 8, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for San Diego County mountains and valleys today and tomorrow due to high winds and extreme fire danger. The strong winds that have fueled two large wildfires decimating Los Angeles County are forecast to move into San Diego County next. This
HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 8, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH How drinking alcohol can affect your health (AP) Newsom targets ultra-processed foods to promote healthier living across California (CBS 8) Louisiana forbids public health workers from promoting COVID, flu and mpox shots (NPR)
30,000 HOMES EVACUATED AS PALISADES FIRE SCORCHES OVER 2,900 ACRES; GOVERNOR DECLARES EMERGENCY
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photo by Henri Migala January 7, 2025 (Los Angeles) – The fast-moving Palisades Fire has burned 2,921 acres as of tonight, according to Cal Fire. The wildfire that began around 10:30 a.m. in Pacific Palisades has now forced evacuation of approximately 10,000 residents from 30,000 homes in Malibu, Topanga and Pacific Palisades, also forcing closure
CAL FIRE PREPARES FOR CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Printer-friendly versionAs CAL FIRE positions resources and staff, residents are urged to prepare too Source: CAL FIRE January 7, 2025 (Sacramento) – In response to a forecast of critical fire weather conditions, CAL FIRE has increased firefighter staffing and pre-positioned resources throughout Southern California. The National Weather Service predicts strong offshore winds, low humidity, and high fire risk from Tuesday through Thursday.
GROSSMONT HEALTHCARE DISTRICT’S NEW BOARD MEMBER SEEKS TO CHANGE MEETING TIMES, BUT BOARD MAJORITY OBJECTS
Printer-friendly version East County News Service January 6, 2025 (La Mesa) – Tomorrow at 9 a.m., the Grossmont Healthcare District board of directors will consider a proposal by newly elected board member Nadia Farjood to change the board’s meeting times to evenings or weekends. But a survey of board members shows no support for that plan. The board previously experimented
HAITIAN IMMIGRANT COUSINS MOURNED AFTER DEADLY LEMON GROVE CRASH
Printer-friendly version Update January 7, 2025 A GoFundMe site has been set up to help the victims’ families with funeral costs, emotional support, and legal costs to pursue justice. East County News Service January 6, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – The victims of a fatal pedestrian crash on New Year’s Day in Lemon Grove have been identified as Nadia Charles and
EL CAJON MAN ARRESTED FOR ROBBING HOLIDAY SHOPPER IN TOYS R US PARKING LOT
Printer-friendly versionDecember 18, 2008 (La Mesa) — La Mesa Police Officers responded to a robbery that occurred at 11:47 a.m. in the parking lot of Toys R Us on Grossmont Boulevard in La Mesa. When officers arrived, they found that security officers had chased the suspect on foot northbound on Jackson Drive. The security officers lost the suspect under the I-8
Armed Subject at Helix High School Determined to be a Hoax
Printer-friendly versionDecember 17, 2008 (La Mesa) — A report of an armed man on the Helix High School campus yesterday has now been determined to be a hoax. Further investigation by Helix staff and the La Mesa Police Department confirmed that the student who reported seeing a man with a gun had fabricated the incident. It is not known why
GROSSMONT-CUYAMACA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT PASSES AUDITS; BUDGET FOCUSES ON COST-CUTTING STRATEGIES
Printer-friendly versionDecember 17, 2008 (El Cajon ) — Grossmont Cuyamca Community College District today announced it has passed five separate 2007-2008 audits. The audits presented to the governing board cover the district’s general audit, its part-time employees’ pension plan, Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges foundations, and the district’s auxiliary. Two more audits relating to the district’s Prop. R facilities bond program
Bill Garrett to lead Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District board in 2009
Printer-friendly versionDecember 17, 2008 (El Cajon) — The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board has unanimously re-elected Bill Garrett board president, Deanna Weeks board vice president, and Greg Barr board clerk for 2009. “Because of the severity of the state budget, this coming year will be a particularly difficult one for our district”, said Garrett, who first joined the board
SNOW FALLING IN EAST COUNTY! ACCIDENTS CLOG I-8, CHAINS REQUIRED ON MOUNTAIN HIGHWAYS
Printer-friendly versionUPDATE 9 p.m. A winter storm warning remains in effect through Thursday morning. I-8, closed earlier in portions of East county due to snow, has been reopened, according to the California Department of Transportation website, though many accidents are reported and conditions remain hazardous-. State Route 79 remains closed from I-8 to 11.9 miles south of the junction of
NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR SAN DIEGO EXCELLENCE IN ENERGY AWARDS
Printer-friendly versionDecember 18, 2008 — Are you an Energy All-Star? Take credit for your green efforts and submit a nomination for the 5th Annual San Diego Excellence in Energy (SANDEE) Awards. The SANDEE Awards recognize outstanding projects and activities that have achieved significant energy efficiency or energy conservation savings, implemented renewable energy and reduced CO2 emissions in San Diego County.
COMMUNITY LEADERS FLOCK TO ATTEND EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE’S VIP HOLIDAY PARTY
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery, Editor Education leaders at ECM’s holiday party (left to right): Henri Migala, executive dean, Cuyamaca College, Alan Ridley, Student Services Specialist, Cuyamaca College, Mary Kay Rosinski, board member, Grossmont-Cuyamaca College District, and Doug Dean, education chair, East County Chamber of Commerce with musician Gene Warren. December 15, 2008 (La Mesa) — It was a leap of
FOUNDER OF STONEY’S KIDS HONORED DURING EAST COUNTY TOY & FOOD DRIVE EVENT AT VIEJAS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Stoney Stone and his Wife. Photo Credit: Leon Thompson December 10, 2008 (Alpine) — Community members from throughout East County gathered at the Viejas Dreamcatcher Lounge for a holiday party and auction to help needy families locally. In addition, community leaders paid tribute to B.W. “Stoney” Stone, founder of Stoney’s Kids and long-time organizer of the
Cuyamaca College dedicates Wendell Cutting Center in honor of East County humanitarian
Printer-friendly version From left: nephew L.G. Wayne Cutting; Cuyamaca Interim President Cristina Chiriboga; brothers Larry and Wayne Cutting; sister Ruth Anne Cutting; GCCCD Governing Board Trustee Deanna Weeks; TRUSTEE Bill Garrett; and student trustee Chuck Taylor. December 12, 2008 (El Cajon) Former governing board member Wendell Cutting was remembered Friday for his generosity of spirit and caring for humanity
THE WILL POWER REPORT – Prescription Medicine Costs
Printer-friendly versionNothing but the Truth! By Will Power January 1, 2008 (San Diego) — I am at the end of my rope with Big Pharma. They are the greediest, least efficient, most corrupt corporations going, and that included Big Oil. They sell bad, unsafe, overpriced drugs that kill people and don’t allow people who need drugs to get them. I went
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