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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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CONGRESSMEN VOICE CONCERNS OVER PROPOSED EAST COUNTY ENERGY PROJECTS
Printer-friendly version “It simply is not prudent to introduce new projects into an area that is already prone to wildfire and will also reduce the ability of fire fighting agencies…”—Congressman Duncan Hunter, on impacts of the proposed Tule wind energy and Sunrise Powerlink transmission line projects “Sempra’s track record does not show that it will develop or manage the
2 INJURED, 11 DISPLACED BY SPRING VALLEY FIRE
Printer-friendly version February 15, 2010 (Spring Valley) – Two men were injured in an apartment fire yesterday morning in the 9200 block of Kenwood Drive in Spring Valley. One injured his leg after jumping from a second story balcony; the other suffered smoke inhalation. Both were taken to a hospital. Firefighters from San Miguel arrived and began evacuating residents
SPECIAL DELIVERY ON VALENTINE’S DAY: BABY ELEPHANT BIRTH AT SAN DIEGO ZOO’S WILD ANIMAL PARK SURPRISES CAMPERS
Printer-friendly version February 15, 2010 (San Pasqual) — It was a wild stay for campers at the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park over the weekend. On Valentine’s morning, they were awakened by festive trumpeting of the park’s African elephant herd at around 2 a.m. when a calf was born. “The herd was celebrating,” said Brittany Trawick, San Diego
MARKETING MATTERS: DEVELOPING YOUR 30-SECOND “ELEVATOR PITCH”
Printer-friendly version TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS AND GROWTH By Rama Beerfas February 15, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Anyone who has participated in a business networking event of any kind has heard about the all-important 30-Second Commercial, sometimes known as the “Elevator Pitch.” The purpose of this commercial is to make people aware of what
BRUSH FIRE CONTAINED IN OTAY MESA HAD SUSPICIOUS CAUSE
Printer-friendly version February 15, 2010 (Otay) 6:15 p.m. – San Diego Fire Department has contained a brush fire to 1.5 acres in a river bottom near old Jana Ranch Road, just south of Otay Lakes Road. “We initially dispatched two type-1 engines, then added a type-3 engine and a helicopter,” said dispatcher Mike Young. Crews remain on scene to
MAN WITH MASK, SCAR, ROBS PETCO IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly version February 14, 2010 (La Mesa) – A masked man armed with a handgun robbed the PETCO store at 8501 Fletcher Parkway shortly after 7 p.m. tonight, then fled on foot. A witness who saw him shortly before the crime, without the mask, said he had a large scar over his right eye, down to his cheek. He is described as
PEDESTRIAN SKY BRIDGE TO GROSSMONT CENTER BREAKS GROUND, THANKS TO STIMULUS FUNDS
Printer-friendly version February 14, 2010 (La Mesa)—A groundbreaking will be held Wednesday, February 17 at 11:30 a.m. for improvements including an elevator tower, stairs, and a pedestrian bridge connecting the Grossmont Transit Center trolley stop and residential community to Grossmont Shopping Center shops and nearby businesses. SANDAG Chair Lori Holt Pfeiler, who is also Mayor of Escondido, will be
HELIX WATER DISTRICT TO DISCUSS 2010-11 WATER RATES & WATER BUDGETS AT FEB 17 & MARCH 17 MEETINGS
Printer-friendly version By Kristin Kjaero February 14, 2010 (La Mesa) — How will water rates change as of July 1, 2010, and will individual water budgets be imposed as part of the process? The Helix Water District (HWD) Board will discuss these February 17 and March 17, 2010 respectively. Staff is presenting a schedule for both
OIL TANKER COLLISION ON 54 NEAR 805; ADDITIONAL ACCIDENTS IN CREST & NORTH COUNTY
Printer-friendly version Update 8 pm: The tanker accident has been cleared and all lanes are now open. February 14, 2010 6:20 p.m. – A collision between a gasoline tanker truck and a van that has rolled over is obstructing traffic in the center lands on southbound 54 at the I-805 onramp in Chula Vista. An ambulance is en route. Three
GROSSMONT COLLEGE BASEBALL: LABARRE THROWS SIX INNINGS OF ONE-HIT, SHUTOUT BALL; GRIFFINS WIN 7-0
Printer-friendly versionby Christopher Mohr (EL CAJON) – A common baseball axiom states that good pitching always beats good hitting. Six innings of one-hit shutout pitching by Grossmont College starter Greg LaBarre made it difficult to argue with such reasoning. His dominant performance on the mound helped the Griffins to a 7-0 win Saturday over the visiting Lancers of Pasadena
LEMON GROVE COUNCIL CANDIDATES OFFER FRESH PERSPECTIVES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 25, 2008 (Lemon Grove) – Who has the best fresh ideas for Lemon Grove? Which candidate can squeeze the most benefits out of shrinking tax dollars? What seeds of future development should be planted for the city’s future—and was the Council’s vote to raise its pay 40% a sweet or sour deal? These are among
LIBRARY FRIENDS ANNOUNCE ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS
Printer-friendly versionNovember 1, 2008 (San Diego) – The Library Friends of San Diego County (LFSDC) announced the winners of its annual essay contest, with this year’s theme, "Libraries, Loud or Quiet?" First, second and third place winners in the youth, teen and adult categories will be honored by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors at the Tuesday, November 18
A QUESTION OF POWER ON SDG&E’S PROPOSED SUNRISE POWERLINK:
Printer-friendly version Video documentary distributed to CPUC is now online October 23, 2008 (San Diego, CA) – Stubborn Mule Productions and Backcountry Against the Dump, Inc. announce that “A Question of Power” is now available online. This one-hour locally produced grassroots documentary about the ongoing battle over the 150-mile “Sunrise Powerlink” transmission line proposed by San Diego Gas & Electric
THE RENO REPORT: MORNING HAS BROKEN
Printer-friendly versionBy Jamie Reno Exclusive for East County Magazine October 15, 2008 (Tierrasanta) – Morning has broken. As the sun rises over the East County, a sense of calm permeates my body. Yesterday morning, when I started writing this column for East County Magazine on the new fire threats, it was a different story. I was filled with anxiety. The
CONTROL OF GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL BOARD HANGS IN BALANCE
Printer-friendly versionElection creates rift among Republicans By Miriam Raftery Five candidates are vying for two seats on the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) Board of Trustees. The stakes are high. The outcome of this election may determine if a popular superintendent will be retained, if a new high school will be built in Alpine, and if divisive forces will
PROPOSITION U SEEKS FUNDS FOR CLASSROOM UPGRADES, NEW BUILDINGS IN GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Grossmont Union High School District’s superintendent and four of five GUHSD school board trustees agree that Proposition U is critical to repair and replace aging buildings throughout the district—and build a long-awaited new high school for Alpine. “We can’t modernize the old industrial classrooms abandoned years ago without Proposition U,” GUHSD Superintendent Robert Collins said
ETHICS, BUDGET CUTS, & CHOOSING NEW CHANCELLOR TOP ISSUES IN GROSSMONT-CUYAMACA COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD RACE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery The race: Four candidates are running for two seats on the Grossmont-Cuyamaca College Board of Trustees. Challengers Mary Kay Rosinski and Moe Bakeer face off against incumbents Tim Caruthers and Bill Garrett, board president. ECM interviewed Rosinski, Caruthers and Garrett; Bakeer did not respond to interview requests. What’s at stake: Community colleges face tough times amid
Remember “L” is on “La Mesa” ballots
Printer-friendly versionCity faces low reserves; bond rating, city jobs at stake if measure fails to pass By Kristin Hobbs Kjaero The proposition Proponents call it the “Vital City Services Measure,” and opponents call it a “Pension Tax.” The impartial ballot analysis identifies it as a “general tax,” which means revenue would go into La Mesa’s general fund and “the City
STATE OF DISUNION: WAR VETERANS SPEAK OUT AGAINST MILITARY ABUSE OF TROOPS IN LOCAL STOP ON NATIONAL TOUR
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Editor’s Note: Military authorities declined to speak with East County Magazine regarding this story. We also requested permission to interview veterans at Balboa Naval Hospital to obtain a diverse range of views on conditions in mlitary service. Our request was denied. October 18, 2008 (San Diego)–Army intelligence officer Selena Coppa has risked her freedom to speak out.
SAN DIEGO SOLAR HOMES TOUR: SATURDAY OCT. 18
Printer-friendly version The San Diego Solar Homes Tour is quite possibly the longest running and most popular tour in California. Celebrating the ninth year of the free tour, over 40 homes throughout San Diego County are participating—including many in East County and San Diego’s Eastern region. This self-guided tour, sponsored by the California Center for Sustainable Energy, offers real-life, working
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