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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 federal immigration agents and protesters stand-off near the Glass House Farms facility outside Camarillo on July 10, 2025. Protesters gathered after federal immigration agents conducted an immigration raid earlier in

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 — the first located in East County — on Monday in  El Cajon. The 14,000-square-foot behavioral health treatment facility is located at the corner of South Magnolia and West Douglas avenues. The unit

News Issues

‘Bill Walton Way’ coming to a street near you in La Mesa

Printer-friendly version The Boys & Girls Club of East County La Mesa Clubhouse honored local basketball star Bill Walton by naming the gym after Walton in 2018. Walton died of colon cancer at age 71 in 2024. Story and photos by Karen Pearlman April 14, 2026 (La Mesa) — Bill Walton, who preferred

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 seeking to codify strict regulations on electric bicycles, specifically looking to protect riders under 12.  On Tuesday, the La Mesa City Council unanimously voted to establish a new e-bike safety pilot program

Wildfires and Emergencies

Events & Arts

Jamul Casino Resort gets two film awards

Printer-friendly versionWater Sweet – The Story of Jamul” Earns Top Honors at AAF Reno ADDY Awards East County News Service   April 1, 2026 (Jamul) – Jamul Casino Resort has been recognized with two prestigious ADDY Awards from AAF Reno, earning a Gold ADDY and Best of Show in the

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 a day of games, community and advocacy on Saturday, April 18 at the Rock House in Lakeside. The first-ever “Canine Carnival” is set for April 18 while a slumber party that starts

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 an early wildflower bloom in Borrego, now is a perfect time for a day trip through San Diego County’s beautiful backcountry, including mountain and desert destinations. Making the pilgrimage to

People

Communities

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 — the first located in East County — on Monday in  El Cajon. The 14,000-square-foot behavioral health treatment facility is located at the corner of South Magnolia and West Douglas avenues. The 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 federal immigration agents and protesters stand-off near the Glass House Farms facility outside Camarillo on July 10, 2025. Protesters gathered after federal immigration agents conducted an immigration raid earlier in

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Trump administration rescinds Casa de Oro grant for Campo Road improvements

Printer-friendly versionEast County’s Casa de Oro, which was going to benefit from a demonstration project for Campo Road road improvements, saw a grant from the federal government rescinded. ECM photo Local residents and officials voice disappointment in decision By Karen Pearlman Oct. 14, 2025 (Casa de Oro) — Campo Road, one of San Diego County’s historic thoroughfares, was the unfortunate

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Senator Jones’ sexually violent predator placement reform bill signed by Governor

Printer-friendly versionLegislation requires in-depth study on state-run transitional housing options East County News Service   October 14, 2025 (Sacramento) — Today, Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) announced his Senate Bill 380 has been signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom and will take effect immediately.  The bill directs the Department of State Hospitals to investigate placing sexually

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Ramona woman killed, man injured when pickup struck pedestrians

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 14, 2025 (Ramona) – Ramona resident Ashley Rose Dietze, 35, died after being struck by a pickup truck while she was crossing the 700 block of Main Street  (westbound highway 78) in Ramona on October 11 at 9:20 p.m.  A 42-year-old male pedestrian was also hit and suffered major injuries. They were struck by

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Cyclist killed in Lemon Grove crash identified

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service   October 14, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – Marco Lorenzo Quintero, 35, died at a hospital after being struck by a pickup truck while riding a bicycle in Lemon Grove. The truck was making a rich turn at the intersection of Troy St. and Camino De Las Palmas when it struck Quintero on October 5 around

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Fatal motorcycle crash in Julian kills Jamul man

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 14, 2025 (Julian) – A Jamul man, 49 died at the scene of a collision in Julian on October 12. He was driving a Yamaha R6 motorcycle that crossed a double yellow line, colliding head-on with a Chevrolet Silverado towing a travel trailer. The driver was ejected from the motorcycle and was pronounced dead

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Local children’s book author and filmmaker named finalist in San Diego Magazine’s “Celebrating Women” Awards

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 14, 2025 (San Diego) — Anat Tour, a children’s book author, singer, documentary filmmaker, and math teacher based in East County, has been named a finalist in San Diego Magazine’s “Celebrating Women” Awards in the Education category. In addition to her writing and filmmaking, Anat is a passionate singer and host of East County

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Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa presents Copenhagen Oct. 17 – Nov. 9: The moment that changed the world

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 14, 2025 (La Mesa) – The Tony-award-winning play Copenhagen explores explores an explosive confrontation inspired by actual events that have intrigued and baffled historians for more than 50 years: a 1941 meeting between two brilliant physicists, Niels Bohr of Denmark and Germany’s Werner Heisenberg. The two men were long-time friends whose work together opened the way to the atomic bomb,

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County offering two no-cost flu vaccination events this week

Printer-friendly versionLocations are in Spring Valley and San Diego By Anita Lightfoot, County of San Diego Communications Office October 14, 2025 (San Diego) – Cooler temperatures have arrived in San Diego, and influenza is already threatening to make this another rough flu season. The County is hosting two cost-free flu vaccine events in local communities.  Up to 200 doses of flu

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Every San Diego County-born baby has a scholarship in wait via CalKIDS

Printer-friendly versionPhoto courtesy CalKIDS   East County News Service   Oct. 14, 2025 (San Diego County) — California-born babies can getting an early start on saving and investing.   Through the California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program, every baby born in the state of California on or after July 1, 2022, automatically has a scholarship waiting in their name,

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CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES ADDRESS ECONOMY, WAR, WILDFIRE AND OTHER ISSUES IMPACTING EAST COUNTY

Printer-friendly versionBy Joseph Rocha   Duncan Hunter Mike Lumpkin October 28, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) – For better or for worse, come November 4th, the 27-year stronghold on the 52nd Congressional seat will be released.  Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter is retiring.  Now, East County finds itself under siege in one of the hottest Congressional races of the season as

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LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON? LEGACY OF DUNCAN HUNTER, SR. AT ISSUE IN CONGRESSIONAL RACE — AND THE RECORD MAY SURPRISE YOU

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 28, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) – Duncan Duane Hunter seeks to capture the 52nd Congressional seat being vacated by his father, 27-year Congressman Duncan Hunter.   He has voiced support for his father’s voting record yet chided his principal opponent, Michael Lumpkin, for claiming that the Hunter family seeks a monarchy-like transfer of power. The

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CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE VIDEO — VIEW THE BATTLING VETS!

Printer-friendly versionOctober 28, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) – Two dueling veterans–Navy Seal Mike Lumpkin, Democrat and Marine Captain Duncan D. Hunter, Republican (son of the retiring Congressman)–plus Libertarian Michael Benoit share views on key issues in a 52nd Congressional District debate held at Cuyamaca College on October 22.  View the full debate, sponsored by the East County Chamber of

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MUTINY AT THE GOP?

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery November 1, 2008 (San Diego) – San Diego Republican Party Chair Tony Krvaric is alleged to have rigged endorsements including a mayoral race, violated state election law and party rules.  A complaint filed by a Central Committee member calls for Krvaric’s ouster.  Will the GOP Central Committee make its chairman, who has previously been implicated in

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FIRE OFFICIALS SAY SHOCKEY FIRE CAUSE CAN’T BE DETERMINED; PRAISE CAMPO RESIDENTS FOR SAVING HOMES

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Cal Fire Captain Richard Stephan October 27, 2008 (Campo) – The cause of the Shockey Fire, which burned approximately 400 acres on October 15, will likely never be conclusively determined, California Fire and Forestry  (Cal Fire) officials informed East County Magazine’s editor during a recent visit at Campo’s fire station. “We found the area of origin

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EL CAJON VOTERS TO DECIDE ON SALES TAX HIKE

Printer-friendly versionCouncilman blasts Assembly Rep for opposing Prop J without consulting Council or Mayor By Miriam Raftery 77th District Assemblyman Joel Anderson Voters in El Cajon will decide whether or not to approve Proposition J, which would raise sales tax by one-half cent on the dollar. “The decision to place a sales tax increase on the ballot for El Cajon

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11 CANDIDATES VIE FOR 3 SEATS ON EL CAJON COUNCIL

Printer-friendly versionContenders clash on budget solutions, jobs, housing, and religion in politics   By Miriam Raftery How should El Cajon address its budget shortfall?  Should public jobs be privatized, or services cut?  Or can new revenues and employment be created with an industrial park, green jobs, a new hospital, a university, or other innovative solutions?  Candidates differ sharply on these

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Editorial – Seizing the Moment

Printer-friendly versionSan Diego County’s Green Energy Future By Martha Sullivan The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is poised to take action any day now on Sempra Energy’s proposed Sunrise Powerlink project, which the CPUC’s own ratepayers’ advocate division has concluded is unnecessary. In this editorial, Martha Sullivan, former CPUC staffer, lays out a plan of action for consumers interested in

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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

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