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Passages: Mark Ostrander, firefighter, backcountry leader, 69
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman April 15, 2026 (Boulevard) — Mark Ostrander, a dedicated public servant, retired Cal Fire Battalion Chief
Federal judge: Continued Border Patrol sweeps in California violated court order
Printer-friendly version By Wendy Fry and Sergio Olmos, CalMatters. This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: a line of
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
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
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
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
Passages: Mark Ostrander, firefighter, backcountry leader, 69
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman April 15, 2026 (Boulevard) — Mark Ostrander, a dedicated public servant, retired Cal Fire Battalion Chief
New Crisis Stabilization Unit opening in El Cajon
Printer-friendly versionApril 18, 2026 (El Cajon) — The County of San Diego will open its newest Crisis Stabilization Unit —
Features
Federal judge: Continued Border Patrol sweeps in California violated court order
Printer-friendly version By Wendy Fry and Sergio Olmos, CalMatters. This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: a line of
How the fruit fly quarantine has impacted food donations — and how you can help
Printer-friendly version By Philicia Tonangoye Image: Tangerines, via Bing (cc) April 18, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – The Mexican
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SAN DIEGO AUTHORITIES ASK PUBLIC TO REPORT THREATS IN WAKE OF NEW YEAR’S DAY TERROR ATTACKS IN NEW ORLEANS AND LAS VEGAS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo, left: surveillance footage from New Orleans terror attack January 3, 2025 (San Diego) – A U.S. military veteran drove a rented electric pickup truck into a crowd of New Year’s Day revelers in New Orleans shortly after 3 a.m. on New Year’s morning, killing 14 people before he was fatally shot by police officers. Authorities
STATE LAW EXPANDING INVOLUNTARY TREATMENT FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ROLLS OUT JANUARY 1 IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service County News Service contributed to this report January 2, 2025 (San Diego) — The County of San Diego’s Behavioral Health Services has spent the last year organizing extensive planning and training to prepare for the biggest update to California’s civil detention and conservatorship laws in more than 50 years. Advocates argue that the measure is needed
SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE NAMED SWEEPSTAKES WINNER IN 136TH ROSE PARADE® FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR
Printer-friendly versionThe Alliance’s Intricate Float Honored Historic Arrival of Giant Pandas Source: San Diego Zoo Wildflfe Alliance Photo by Emily Senninger, courtesy of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance January 2, 2025 (San Diego) – The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance won top honors at the 136th annual Rose Parade® Presented by Honda with a float commemorating the historic arrival of giant pandas.
VEHICLE COLLISION KILLS TWO PEDESTRIANS IN LEMON GROVE
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 2, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – A 20-year-old man and a 19-year old woman are dead as a result of a collision in Lemon Grove yesterday. According to the Sheriff’s department, two vehicles collided at the intersection of Buena Vista and Broadway shortly after 11 am. The impact sent one of the cars into the
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF PURCHASE OF COWLES MOUNTAIN AT MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo: Cowles Mountain by Gerry Tietje December 31, 2024 (San Diego) — Today, December 31, 2024, marks the 50th anniversary of Cowles Mountain at Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP). Its purchase and preservation in 1974 was a pivotal moment in the park’s history, and was the result of community members and local leaders uniting to save
SYRIAN COMMUNITY CELEBRATES LIBERATION OF SYRIA
Printer-friendly versionStory and photos by Henri Migala Video links of the event are found at the end of the article. December 31, 2024 (El Cajon) – Joy filled the air at Kennedy Park in El Cajon, where the Syrian community of San Diego County held a community gathering on December 21 to celebrate Syria’s liberation. Approximately 300-400 members of the
PASSAGES: LOCAL LEADERS LOST IN 2024
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service December 31, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – Our region lost civic leaders and luminaries this year in fields including a basketball superstar, an astronaut, a famous architect, a retired Sheriff’s deputy and Chamber of Commerce chairman, a World War veteran, an HVAC industry leader, a noted philanthropist, a former college president, a retired teacher,
MOST MEDICAL DEBT CAN NO LONGER HURT YOUR CREDIT SCORE UNDER NEW CALIFORNIA LAW
Printer-friendly versionBy Ana E. Ibarra, CalMatters CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay December 28, 2024 (Sacramento) – Everyday people across the country skip medical care because of cost. Those who do seek medical help may end up with a balance they can’t
BIG NEED FOR SMALL PET ADOPTERS: SDHS SEEKS HOMES FOR 135 GUINEA PIGS
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego Humane Society asks for community’s help following mass intake of guinea pigs Source: San Diego Humane Society Photo courtesy San Diego Humane Society December 27, 2024 (San Diego) — San Diego Humane Society is calling on community members to ring in the new year in a big way by welcoming a small pet into
SANTEE SCHOOL DISTRICT WELCOMES NEW BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER
Printer-friendly versionSource: Santee School District December 26, 2024 (Santee) – At the Organizational Meeting on December 17, 2024, Tracie Thill was sworn in to Seat No. 4 on the Santee School District Board of Education, with her term expiring in December 2028. “On behalf of the Board of Education, I welcome Tracie Thill to our team,” said President Barbara Ryan.
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
MAKING MIRACLES HAPPEN: CHALLENGE CENTER TAKES THE “DIS” OUT OF DISABILITES
Printer-friendly version Story and photos by Miriam Raftery; videos by Leon Thompson and Rob Constantine. December 21, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) — “When I first had my stroke, I couldn’t speak or move my right side. I couldn’t walk,” recalled Austin Junkin, 80, of Lemon Grove. “Now I can do anything. I lift 100 pounds with ease,” he said,
STATE CUTS FIRE STAFFING DUE TO BUDGET CRISIS
Printer-friendly versionOnly 5 of 20 engines will be staffed this winter By Miriam Raftery December 11, 2008 (San Diego) — CAL FIRE will reduce staffing to winter preparedness levels in Southern Califiornia to address a one-time $6.3 million budget crisis. “This means additional seasonal employees will be laid off for a total of 17 weeks from mid-December to mid April,
Poway Sheriff’s Investigators Seek Public’s Help to Identify and Apprehend Burglary Suspects: $1,000 Reward
Printer-friendly versionDecember 4, 2008 (Poway) — San Diego County Crime Stoppers is joining forces with San Diego County Sheriff’s Department’s Poway detectives to help identify and apprehend the suspects responsible for burglarizing a jewelry store. The suspects’ vehicle was caught on store surveillance video. On November 11, 2008 at about 6:00 a.m., two suspects stole about $100,000 worth of jewelry
La Mesa Rotary Gives Donation to CHIP’s Organization
Printer-friendly version (left to right) Lynn Hamilton, current La Mesa Rotary President, Joel Tzinberg and Glenn Kellogg. December 10, 2008 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa Rotary Club donated $500.00 to the Community Health and Improvements Partners (CHIP’s) organization. CHIP is a collaboration of San Diego health care systems, hospitals, community clinics, insurers, physicians, universities, community benefit organizations and the
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