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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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READER’S EDITORIAL: DENALI NAME SHOULD BE RESTORED
Printer-friendly versionFormer national park worker speaks out on Trump renaming tallest U.S. peak By Walt Meyer March 2, 2025 (San Diego) — Because I worked in Denali National Park during the summer of 2024, lately people have asked me about the naming of Mount McKinley. I talked about this in one of the lectures I gave at the Denali Education
ARREST MADE FOR SUSPECTED ARSON IN PALA AND LILAC FIRES
Printer-friendly versionSource: Cal Fire March 2, 2025 (San Diego) – Cal Fire law enforcement investigators have arrested Ruben Vasquez on multiple felony arson charges following an extensive investigation into two wildland fires that ignited on January 21. The fires, known as the Pala Fire and the Lilac Fire, started 25 minutes apart near Interstate 15 and State Route 76 in
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HALTS FEMA PAYMENTS TO SAN DIEGO COUNTY, ALONG WITH HOUSING FUNDS AND HEALTH DATA
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service March 2, 2025 (San Diego) – Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer held a public briefing this week to inform the community on how the Trump Administration is disrupting essential local services in San Diego County. This includes active federal funding freezes, administrative delays, and policy changes that are “making it harder for us to protect public health,
SANTEE FUNDS TEMPORARY FIRE STATION, SETS NEW PLAN FOR TOWN CENTER
Printer-friendly versionBy Mike Allen Photo: Santee Fire Department responding in 2023 March 1, 2025 (Santee) — The chaos and disruption happening daily at the federal government isn’t permeating to the local level in Santee, where the City Council took several significant actions this week, including funding the remaining balance on a $2 million temporary fire station, adopting a new specific
READER’S EDITORIAL: AMERICA IN RETREAT, AN APPALLING DISPLAY
Printer-friendly versionBy Mel Gurtov March 1, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — Imagine that during World War II, at the height of Nazi Germany’s blitz of Britain, President Roosevelt invited PM Winston Churchill to Washington and humiliated him with derisive comments about Britain’s looming defeat and failure to thank the President for US support. Unthinkable, of course, but that’s exactly what happened when
NATURE DAY ON MT. HELIX MARCH 15
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service March 1, 2025 (Mt. Helix) — Mt. Helix Park invites you to Nature Day atop Mt. Helix on March 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event will feature live animals, a butterfly release, booths from over 30 nature organizations, activities, crafts and a native plant sale. Shuttles for the public are available (free)
KALASHOS ORDERED TO APPEAR IN COURT JUNE 9 TO SERVE JAIL SENTENCE
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery File photo: Ben and Jessica Kalasho Updated Feb. 28 at 7:20 p.m. with additional details and clarifications. February 28, 2025 (San Diego) – Former El Cajon Councilman Besmon “Ben” Kalasho and his wife, Jessica, appeared via video at a San Diego Superior Court hearing today, asking the court to set aside arrest bench warrants
GUHSD BOARD VOTES TODAY ON ELIMINATING 49 POSITIONS, INCLUDNG ALL HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARIANS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery February 27, 2025 (El Cajon) — At 4:30 today, the Grossmont Union-High School District is holding a special meeting to considering firing 49 employees including all high school librarians. Others targeted include English teachers, psychologists and more. Opponents of cutting librarians have set up a website at https://sites.google.com/view/save-guhsd-librarians/home. It includes a petition which has gathered
READER’S EDITORIAL: TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS NOT PRO-LIFE: ACTIONS HARM INFANTS AND CHILDREN
Printer-friendly version By S.E. Michael Photos: CC via Bing February 27, 2025 (San Diego) — Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress ran on a pro-life platform. But it’s clear from recent actions of the Trump administration that its leaders don’t care about babies. Its actions are putting lives and wellbeing of millions of infants and children at risk, both around
TOMATOMANIA RETURNS MARCH 7 AND 8 AT THE GARDEN—NOW WITH TOMATO COOKING CLASS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery February 27, 2025 (Rancho San Diego) – Tomatomania returns to the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College on Friday and Saturday, March 7-8. The free, two-day event celebrates 75-80 incredible varieties of your favorite summer treat—tomatoes. You can purchase tomato plants including some rare varieties, cherished heirlooms and legendary classics—plus get tips from experts on how to grow the most flavorful
City Manager Lydia Romero to leave Lemon Grove
Printer-friendly versionCity Manager Lydia Romero (right) and City Council member Yadira Altamirano in 2019 Photo and story by Karen Pearlman Dec. 23, 2025 (Lemon Grove) — Lemon Grove City Manager Lydia Romero, hired in 2015, is leaving the city at the end of this year. After 10 years of leading Lemon Grove, Romero has announced her departure effective Dec. 31,
Light does not need permission to shine: San Diego leaders unite against hate at Hanukkah ‘Rally for Light’
Printer-friendly versionPhotos and story by Karen Pearlman Dec. 22, 2025 (San Diego) — Across the street from the calm San Diego Bay but amid a rising tide of global concern, some of San Diego County’s top elected officials, law enforcement and multi-faith leaders gathered Monday at the County Administration Center to send a singular message: Hate has no sanctuary in
Atmospheric River bringing heavy rains, gusty winds through Christmas:flooding is possible in low-lying areas
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service December 22, 2025 (San Diego) – Be prepared for potentially heavy rains this week and take precautions if traveling due to rain-slicked highways and possible flooding in low-lying areas across southern California. Heaviest rainfall is expected Christmas Eve, with scattered showers on Christmas Day. San Diego’s mountains could get 3 to 6 inches of rain,
New Santee City Manager Wendy Kaserman has no time to nap
Printer-friendly versionBy Mike Allen December 21, 2025 (Santee) — Santee’s new city manager says she’s still getting up to speed in her new position, but there’s one item that puzzles her: her new office comes with a couch. “I never had an office with a couch or worked somewhere where the city manager had an office with a couch,”
Republicans ask federal court to overturn California’s new Prop. 50 maps
Printer-friendly versionBy Maya C. Miller and Mikhail Zinshteyn, CalMatters Photo: a “No on Prop 50” sign at the Kern County Republican Party booth at the Kern County Fair in Bakersfield on Sept. 26, 2025. Republicans are seeking to overturn the congressional maps voters approved last month. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. December
Trump administration sets goal to denaturalize thousands of U.S. citizens in 2026
Printer-friendly versionImmigration officials have reportedly issued guidance setting a quota of 100 to 200 denaturalization cases a month By Sharon Zhang This article was originally published by Truthout. December 20, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – The Trump administration has reportedly set a goal of yanking citizenship away from over a thousand naturalized Americans in fiscal year 2026, in yet another escalation in
ACA plan hikes loom as Congress unable to agree
Printer-friendly version By Suzanne Potter, California News Service December 18, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — Health care premiums for an estimated 1.7 million Californians are set to skyrocket on January 1, as Congress has been unable to agree on a fix. On Wednesday, four Republicans joined Democrats to force a vote on a proposal to extend COVID-era subsidies, which won’t likely
La Mesa Police share results of DUI checkpoint
Printer-friendly versionSource: La Mesa Police December 17, 2025 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa Police Department held a DUI Checkpoint on Friday, December 12, between 6:30 p.m. and midnight, at 4900 Spring Street. Although no motorists were found driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, 880 vehicles were screened, and one driver was arrested for having a D.U.I. warrant.
How Southeast San Diego reduced gun violence
Printer-friendly version “We’re here to save lives.” – Cornelius Bowser, pastor at Charity Apostolic Church and the City of San Diego’s commissioner on gang prevention and intervention By Armando Rasing II Photo, left, by Armando Rasing II: Bishop Cornelius Bowser leading a service at Charity Apostolic Church December 17, 2025 (Southeast San Diego) – On a Friday night in early
San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office mourns passing of retired County Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister
Printer-friendly versionSource: San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Cohen December 17, 2025 (San Diego) – Retired longtime San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister passed away earlier this morning. Mr. McAllister served as San Diego County’s Treasurer-Tax Collector for twenty-three years, before retiring in August 2025. “This is a sad day at the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office, and for San Diego,” said San Diego
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