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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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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.
NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR EL CAJON CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Printer-friendly versionSource: San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce December 24, 2024 (El Cajon) — The El Cajon community of volunteers will once again select its Citizen of the Year from among the many that donate time and talent for the betterment of El Cajon. Nominations will be made by volunteer organizations based or active in El Cajon
BILL WALTON TRIBUTE TO HONOR BASKETBALL GREAT AT HELIX HIGH ON JANUARY 3
Printer-friendly versionTickets on sale now at https://www.gofan.co/event/2594824?schoolId=CA22796 By Ben Perez December 23, 2024 (La Mesa) –Always saying he was honored to be from East County, “Billy from La Mesa” is how Bill Walton wanted people to know him and greet him. So it’s only fitting that his high school alma mater in La Mesa is honoring him
HEAR OUR INTERVIEWS WITH LOCAL LABOR LEADERS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery December 21, 2024 (San Diego) – Our guests on our East County Magazine Radio Show on KNSJ 89.1 FM this week were Brigette Browning, President of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, along with Ollivia Aguirre, a striking worker, mother of two young children, and psychosocial clinician currently on strike at Kaiser Healthcare
POLICE RELEASE NAME OF SUSPECT FATALLY SHOT BY EL CAJON POLICE AFTER RAMMING OFFICER
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo by Robert Gehr: skid marks where suspect’s vehicle drove onto sidewalk outside SDPD headquarters, moments before the deadly incident. December 21, 2024 (El Cajon) – The individual who was shot and killed by El Cajon Police officers on December 11 has been identified as 24-year-old Benjamin Grube. Earlier reports had listed the suspect as a woman.
COUNTY WARNS AGAINST RAW MILK PRODUCTS AMID BIRD FLU RISK
Printer-friendly versionBy Fernanda Lopez Halvorson, County of San Diego Communications Office Photo courtesy of the CDC December 21, 2024 (San Diego) – County public health officials are warning San Diegans not to eat or drink raw milk products or give them to their pets because of the heightened risk for H5N1, or bird flu. Because raw milk and raw milk
SUPERVISORS’ CHAIR NORA VARGAS TO STEP DOWN OVER “SAFETY AND SECURITY” CONCERNS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Times of San Diego and Voice of San Diego contributed to this report Photo by Chris Stone, Times of San Diego: Nora Vargas at a 2022 rally December 20, 2024 (San Diego)—In an announcement that surprised even her staff, San Diego County Supervisors’ Chair Nora Vargas today announced she will step down January 6 at
“HISTORIC” AGREEMENT SIGNED: ALLOWS NIGHT-FLYING HELICOPTERS TO FIGHT WILDFIRES ON STATE LANDS IN EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery San Diego Fire Chief Tracy Jarmon shakes hands with CAL-FIRE Chief Howard Windsor as Mayor Jerry Sanders looks on October 1, 2008 (El Cajon) — “This is a historic occasion,” said Fire Chief Howard Windsor with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). Speaking at the San Diego Sheriff’s facility at Gillespie Field
La Mesa City Council Candidate Forum Video
Printer-friendly versionCandidates for the La Mesa City Council answered questions from the public in a September forum hosted by the East County League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women. View the complete video, provided courtesy of Citizens Oversight Projects: www.copswiki.org/twiki/bin/view/Common/M646 Printer-friendly version
October Capitol Report – How They Voted
Printer-friendly versionHow did your elected officials vote on the most important bills in Congress and the California Legislature? Find out here! Congress weighed in on bills to fund the border fence, bring accountability to the commodities market, allocate money for the Defense budget including a pay raise for military personnel, protect consumers from credit card companies, allow offshore drilling and
HEALTHCARE FOR ALL BILL PASSES- GOVERNOR THREATENS VETO
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery September 8, 2008 (SAN DIEGO) – A landmark bill to provide guaranteed universal healthcare coverage for every man, woman and child in California (including medical, dental, mental health and eye care coverage) has been approved by the State Legislature. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has until September 30th to sign the measure, SB 840 by Senator Sheila Kuehl,
EAST COUNTY LEADERS ORGANIZE FUTURE SAN DIEGO: GREEN ECONOMY
Printer-friendly versionOct. 18 event at UCSD to feature Lt. Governor John Garamendi, green jobs fair and more By Miriam Raftery Event organizers Chuck Brands (left) of El Cajon and Mark Hanson of Lakeside (right) with keynote speaker, Lt. Governor John Garamendi (center) October 1, 2008 (San Diego) – Looking for a “green” job? Own a business seeking to save energy
White Rabbit Candy Sold in California Recalled Due To Melamine Contamination
Printer-friendly versionSeptember 29, 2008 (BURLINGAME, CA) – The California Department of Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are urging consumers not to eat White Rabbit Candies sold in California. Queensway Foods Co. of Burlingame, California is recalling White Rabbit Candy after tests revealed that some of the products are contaminated with melamine–the same deadly toxin in infant formula
OBAMA OPENS NEW OFFICE IN EAST SAN DIEGO
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photos by Leon Thompson October 1, 2008 (San Diego) – The Obama-Biden campaign hosted a presidential debate-watching party to kick-off the opening of a new campaign office at 1744 Euclid Street in East San Diego. “We’ve had a larger than expected turnout,” Vince Hall, spokesperson for Obama for President in San Diego County told East County
NEW BLACKWATER PROTESTS MARK ANNIVERSARY OF NISOUR SQUARE SHOOTINGS
Printer-friendly versionCongressman Bob Filner and Assembly candidate Ray Lutz of East County speak out against Blackwater at Otay Mesa Rally Story and photos by Gayle Early Sign from a military families organization opposed to Blackwater. October 1, 2008 (Otay Mesa) – In September 2007, 17 people were shot to death in the Nisour Square traffic circle in Baghdad, Iraq, by
LOCAL RESIDENTS JOIN NATIONAL PROTEST OF WALL STREET BAIL-OUT BILL
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery September 26, 2008 (El Cajon) – East County residents angered by the Bush administration’s proposed $700 billion bail-out bill for Wall Street financial firms took to the streets yesterday as part of a national protest action organized by True Majority. Thousands protested across the nation (photo: New York protest, taken by Jeremy Scahill.) “Many people in
FDA ALERT: DEADLY TOXIN FOUND IN COFFEE & TEA; CANDY & INFANT FORMULA MAY ALSO BE TAINTED
Printer-friendly version September 25, 2008 (SAN DIEGO) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a consumer alert today warning that numerous products have been found to be contaminated with melamine – the same deadly toxin that killed thousands of cats and dogs in contaminated pet food last year. The FDA found that seven Mr. Brown instant coffee and milk
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