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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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CRASH LANDING: GIANT OAK DESTROYS RAMONA HOME: WAS SDG&E’S TREE-TRIMMING TO BLAME?
Printer-friendly version February 7, 2010 (Ramona) — It’s a good thing residents of this Ramona home weren’t hosting a SuperBowl party this afternoon, when a massive tree scored an unforeseen touchdown. At 1:30 p.m. Cal Fire responded to a report of a tree fallen into the residence, located in the 13000 block of Fernbrook. When firefighters arrived, they found
SPRING VALLEY RESTAURANT KICKS OFF SUPERBOWL SUNDAY WITH A PARTY
Printer-friendly version February 7, 2010 (Spring Valley) – Cali Comfort Restaurant & Sports Bar in Spring Valley invites football fans to party hearty and watch today’s SuperBowl—while leaving the clean-up to their crew. To spice up the offer, Cali’s is offering $8 pitchers of beer, 50 cent wings, and a crowd-pleasing assortment of discounted appetizers. To kick off
EL CAJON CONTRACTOR KIDNAPPED BY ISLAMIC MILITANTS IN IRAQ
Printer-friendly version ISSA SALOMI BELIEVED TO BE CAPTIVE SHOWN IN VIDEO Updated February 7, 2010 8 a.m. February 6, 2010 – The U.S. military confirms that Issa Salomi, 60, of El Cajon has been kidnapped by a militant Islamic organization, the Washington Post reports. Salomi was working as a contractor in Bagdhad, but disappeared January 23. Now a video posted
TORRANCE JONES, 33, ARRESTED FOR MURDER IN ROLANDO AREA
Printer-friendly version February 7, 2010 (San Diego) – Following a three-day manhunt, San Diego Police have arrested Torrance Jones, 33, and charged him with the murder of LaDonte Ellese Collins, 22. Collins and two friends had a flat tire and called for a taxi outside the Ace Budget Motel, according to authorities. When it arrived, Jones and a woman came
LA MESA MAN FOUND DEAD IN CAR WITH BABY DIED OF HEROIN & ALCOHOL, CORONER SAYS
Printer-friendly version February 7, 2010 (La Mesa) James Robinson, 29, of La Mesa died of acute heroin and alcohol intoxication, the San Diego County Medical Examiner has found. Robinson was found slumped over his infant child at Gas Depot, a gas station on in San Diego on January 4. Police and paramedics were called, but Robinson was confirmed dead
TWO “LUCKY” MOTORISTS ESCAPE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS ON HIGHWAY 54
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery February 6, 2010 (National City) — A vehicle rolled over 100 feet off the freeway at 3:41 this morning at Highway 54 west of Highland, trapping one victim under the vehicle. Emergency responders from multiple jurisdictions arrived, with National City Fire Department arriving first on the scene. "When personnel made contact with the victim, they
SIG ALERT CANCELLED ON I-8 AT MURRAY DRIVE
Printer-friendly version February 6, 2010 (El Cajon) Updated 11:45 p.m.. – A serious accident involving several vehicles caused CHP to shut down all lanes on I-8 westbound at Murray Drive in El Cajon, diverting traffic onto 125. CHP’s website reports one vehicle flipped over and a person was trapped inside with fluid leaking. Fortuantely, injuries were not serious,
BIG HIT: PRESIDENT OBAMA WELCOMES WORLD CHAMPION LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM FROM CHULA VISTA
Printer-friendly version February 6, 2010 – As snow fell on the nation’s capitol, Chula Vista’s Park View Little League players, coaches and family members received a warm welcome at the White House from President Barack Obama. Each player on the world champion team was greeted personally by the President. “He said that he was proud of us for representing the
HEAD-ON COLLISION IN LAKESIDE INJURES 3
Printer-friendly version February 6, 2010 (Lakeside) – A high-speed, head-on traffic collision with entrapment on a rain-slicked road brought a multi-agency response to Lake Jennings Park Road in Lakeside. Crews used hydraulic rescue tools to extricate the front seat passenger of one vehicle. Firefighter/paramedics provided advanced life support care and transported a total of three patients to the trauma
COUNCILMEMBER EMERALD TACKLES COLLEGE AVE TRAFFIC
Printer-friendly version GREEN LIGHT! TWO NEW TRAFFIC SIGNALS TO BE INSTALLED February 6, 2010 (San Diego)–San Diego City Councilmember Marti Emerald announces an important step in securing funds for the installation of two traffic lights on College Avenue, one at Arosa Street and one at Adams Avenue. The Crossroads Redevelopment Project Area Committee has voted to recommend funding for the lights. The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee,
SAN DIEGO COUNTY TURNS BLUE: MORE REGISTERED DEMOCRATS THAN REPUBLICANS, REGISTRAR REPORTS
Printer-friendly version Democratic voter registration volunteers cheer as Party Chair Jess Durfee announces San Diego County now has more registered Democrats than Republicans. NOVEMBER 2, 2008 (San Diego) — “We have, after 24 years, returned San Diego County to the blue column,” San Diego County Democratic Party Chairman Jess Durfee announced at a press conference today. According to the latest
DANGERS OF LIVING NEAR CELL PHONE TOWERS RAISED
Printer-friendly versionLa Mesa Council holds hearing Nov. 5 on proposal to erect cell phone tower in Lake Murray area By Miriam Raftery When Mom asked me to look into possible health hazards posed by cell phone panel antennas that a church in her neighborhood wants to put up, I expected to find reassuring facts to allay Mom’s concerns. Instead, I
REMEMBER TO VOTE! ELECTION DAY TUESDAY NOV. 4TH
Printer-friendly versionTIPS FOR VOTERS: Forgot to mail your absentee ballot? Do NOT put it in the mail! Ballots received late will NOT be counted. Instead, take it to any polling place or to the Registrar of Voters office. Have to work on Election Day? California law requires that your employer let you take time off from work to vote. Disabled
EARLY VOTING LINES
Printer-friendly versionWhy does a County with 4,261 square miles have only 1 early voting place? Two San Diego Assemblymembers call for changes after ECM inquiry By Miriam Raftery Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña vowed to take action in Sacramento to require that San Diego have more early voting locations to avoid long lines in the future. November 2, 2008 (San Diego) —
GREEN HOUSES: DEL CERRO DESIGNER COOKS UP A GREEN KITCHEN
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery November 1, 2008 (Del Cerro) — “Clients will ask, `How can we go green and still make it beautiful? That’s really the trick,” observes designer Rick Fahmie of Kitchen Expo. Fahmie designed a green kitchen in his own Del Cerro home, using utilizing natural and eco-friendly materials as well as maximizing energy efficiency. “Granite is as
EAST COUNTY ROUND-UP – NOVEMBER
Printer-friendly versionLinks to top stories in other publications on East County issues POWERLINK GETS PUMMELED ECM Editor’s note: The CPUC decision leaves the door open for a southern route to be built, which would impact East County communities near the border, so stay tuned. Voice of San Diego (November 1, 2008) — San Diego Gas & Electric’s proposed $1.2 billion
FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE, CITIES & BOARDS TAKE STANDS ON PROP 8
Printer-friendly versionEvents planned this weekend by supporters and opponents of initiative to overturn same-sex marriage By Miriam Raftery Art Madrid, La Mesa Mayor November 1, 2008 (La Mesa) – La Mesa’s City Council voted unanimously to take a neutral stance on Proposition 8, drawing applause from most of the crowd assembled at council chambers last week. “The city of La
A CONSERVATIVE AGAINST PROP. 8!
Printer-friendly versionBy the Rev. Michael C. Boblett Editor’s Note: Proposition 8 seeks to overturn the legality of same-sex marriages in California. I believe that Proposition 8 is a perfect example of an important fault line dividing the conservative movement in America today. On one side of this line are people like me, fiscal conservatives who prefer a government that does
HUNGRY IN EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly versionStory and photos by Gayle Early November 1, 2008 (La Mesa/Spring Valley) – It’s 7:00 a.m., third Saturday of the month. The line behind Crosspointe Life Church in La Mesa snakes through the parking lot and all the way down the alley. Feeding America, a nonprofit agency formerly known as Second Harvest, has dropped off its monthly food distribution
EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE’S EDITORS AND WRITERS SWEEP SAN DIEGO PRESS CLUB AWARDS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 22, 2008 (San Diego) – Q: Who are those grinning people posing with San Diego State University icon Monty Montezuma at the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park? A: East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery and consulting editor Jamie Reno, who collectively received 14 awards in San Diego Press Club’s 2008 Excellence in Journalism competition.
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