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AB 1959 moves along, inspired by 2001 school shooting at Santana
Printer-friendly version Story and photo by Karen Pearlman April 9, 2026 (Santee) — Twenty-five years after teenage student armed with
New leadership at County Dept. of Animal Services
East County News Service April 7, 2026 (San Diego County) — San Diego County is stabilizing the leadership of the Department of Animal Services, appointing…
News Issues
AB 1959 moves along, inspired by 2001 school shooting at Santana
Printer-friendly version Story and photo by Karen Pearlman April 9, 2026 (Santee) — Twenty-five years after teenage student armed with
Boulevard residents battle proposed Starlight Solar battery storage facility; urge community to attend town hall meeting April 15
By Miriam Raftery Photo: proposed Starlight Solar site, via County of San Diego April 4, 2026 (Boulevard) – Should a 588-acre solar project with one…
Politics
Latest No Kings rallies draw 70,000 in San Diego County, 8 million nationwide
70,000 San Diego County residents join 8 million nationwide in No Kings demonstrations, the largest ever U.S. protest By Miriam Raftery March 31, 2026 (San…
El Cajon City Council denies Afghan Center’s appeal for prayer tent extension
East County News Service March 30, 2026 (El Cajon ) — The El Cajon City Council last week unanimously upheld a decision by the city’s…
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
Cheers to the Valley Wine Festival April 18 in Ramona
East County News Service April 5, 2026 (Ramona) – The Ramona Chamber of Commerce is inviting the public to savor the 2026 Cheers to the…
Destination East County: Festive events in mid-April and May 2026
By Miriam Raftery April 5, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – As April continues, drifting into the merry month of May, there are many unique…
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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
AB 1959 moves along, inspired by 2001 school shooting at Santana
Printer-friendly version Story and photo by Karen Pearlman April 9, 2026 (Santee) — Twenty-five years after teenage student armed with
New leadership at County Dept. of Animal Services
East County News Service April 7, 2026 (San Diego County) — San Diego County is stabilizing the leadership of the
Features
Historic landmark to anchor new travel center in Jamul
Artist’s rendering of coming Barretts Travel Center in Jamul (Photo courtesy Kirvin Doak Communications ) East County News Service April
Photo of the week: Jacumba sunset
April 6, 2026 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Martin Eder sent in this photo, taken along Interstate 8 just west of
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Reader’s Editorial: Venezuela could yield more profits from ecotourism than from oil
Printer-friendly version By Renee Owens, wildlife biologist Photo by Renee Owens: capybaras and sunset in Venezuela’s llanos January 7, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) — Having lived and worked in Venezuela, I can no longer remain silent amidst all the clueless rhetoric. Venezuela is more than a cliché of dictators and oil. It is a wondrous place and a cautionary tale
San Diego Automotive Museum to hold “Garage Night” fundraiser
Printer-friendly versionEvening event at new IGNITE Academy campus (see photo, left, showing students from the academy) will support automotive career training for local youth East County News Service Jan. 7, 2026 (Santee) — The San Diego Automotive Museum will host its first Garage Night from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at the recently opened IGNITE Academy campus, 8630 Argent St.
Helix High cheer team reaches summit — and looking for support
Printer-friendly versionLa Mesa squad wins first CIF championship, now sets sights on national competition in Las Vegas. Photo courtesy Helix High Cheer Team East County News Service Jan. 7, 2026 (La Mesa) — After three consecutive years of finishing as runners-up, the Helix Charter High School competitive cheer team finally reached the top of the podium, capturing first place in
Calif. Attorney General Bonta wins permanent injunction against Trump administration over unlawful NIH funding cuts for universities and research institutions
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 6, 2026 (San Diego) – A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has unanimously affirmed a lower court decision which permanently barred the Trump administration from decimating funds that supported cutting-edge research and public health research at universities and research institutions across the country — including at the University of
Passages: Dr. Harry Paul Cuero Jr., former Campo tribal chair
Printer-friendly versionPhoto via SDSU 2011 news release January 6, 2026 (Campo) – Dr. Harry Paul Cuero Jr., former chair of the Campo Band of the Kumeyaay nation, spiritual leader and educator dedicated to preserving Kumeyaay sovereignty culture and leading efforts to share indigenous Bird Songs with future generations, died on December 6 at age 65. Cuero, known as Junior, dedicated
Local leaders lost in 2025
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Updated January 6 to add two leaders whose December deaths we learned of after this was originally published. January 1, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) — Our region lost leaders in many fields during 2025 – two tribal chairmen, La Mesa’s long-serving Mayor, a Chaldean bishop, a Padres pitching star, a Lemon Grove Councilman, a Congressman
Dog training tips from the San Diego Humane Society
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego Humane Society shares how to start the new year on the right paw. Photo courtesy SDHS East County News Service Jan. 5, 2026 (San Diego County) — Behavior challenges left unaddressed can become the reason dog owners surrender their pet to a shelter like the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services. With January being National
Unidentified man struck, killed by vehicle in La Mesa on January 1
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 5, 2026 (La Mesa) – An unidentified male pedestrian has died after being struck by a vehicle on Interstate 8 east in La Mesa, west of Jackson Drive. California Highway Patrol Officers responding to a call found him lying in the roadway at 1:20 a.m. on New Year’s morning. He died of his injuries
Single mom dies three weeks after being hit by car in El Cajon
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 5, 2026 (El Cajon) — Susana Gascon, 39, was crossing Mollison Street in El Cajon on December 6 when she was struck by a sedan. Paramedics transported her to Sharp Memorial Hospital, where she died on December 28. “This tragic incident resulted in a severe brain injury and multiple bone fractures,” her sister, Alicia
Venezuelan president captured in U.S. military attack on Caracas: Trump says U.S. will run the nation and take over oil production, but critics contend action violates U.S. and international law
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro aboard USS Iwo Jima after his capture, via U.S. Dept. of War January 4, 2025 (San Diego) – Without notifying Congress and in apparent violation of international law, President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes and a ground raid on Venezuela’s capital city that resulted in capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Madura and his wife, Cilia Flores,
The No Kings march on March 28 aims to be biggest yet, protesting authoritarianism across U.S.
By Alexander J. Schorr March 24, 2026— On Saturday, March 28, 2026, a massive nationwide mobilization called “No Kings 3” is scheduled across the United…
San Diego County leaders share concerns ahead of World TB Day
East County News Service March 23, 2026 (San Diego County) –While tuberculosis (TB) is often dismissed as a disease of the past, San Diego County…
Walden Family Services marks 50 years with golf tournament and ‘No Place Like Home’ gala
East County News Service March 22, 2026 (San Diego) — Nonprofit Walden Family Services , which has supported more than 100,000 foster children and families…
Santee School District awarded grant to launch Career Technical Program
East County News Service March 21, 2026 (Santee) — Santee School District was awarded a $215,000 grant through the Strong Workforce Program to launch a…
La Mesa ‘State of the City’ address: Crime rates drop, infrastructure work surges
Story and photos by Karen Pearlman March 21, 2026 (La Mesa) — A double-digit decline in property crime and a record-breaking year for road repairs…
San Diego-based USS Boxer with Pendleton Marines deploys to Mideast
by Chris Jennewein • Times of San Diego , a member of the San Diego Online News Association The USS Boxer underway in March 2024…
Health and Science Highlights
March 20, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future….
ECM World Watch: national and global news
March 20, 2026 (San Diego) — As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news…
East County Roundup: local and statewide news
March 20, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) — East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published…
El Cajon pushing for state to look deeper at SB 54
By Karen Pearlman March 19, 2026 (El Cajon) — A deepening rift between local autonomy and state mandate is in the spotlight in El Cajon…
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