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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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HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
Printer-friendly versionApril 24, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH Virus that causes polio-like illness found in Bay Area as influenza cases spike (SF Gate) Tuberculosis cases in the US rose to their highest levels in more than a dozen years (AP) States
TRUMP AIMS TO DEPORT AMERICAN CITIZENS TO PRISONS IN EL SALVADOR
Printer-friendly version By G. A. McNeeley Photo: Prisoners at the El Salvador prison criticized for human rights violations and inhumane conditions, where Trump gas sent deported immigrants and now wants to send U.S. citizens. CC BY-SA via Bing April 23 2025 (Washington D.C.) — President Donald Trump says his administration is actively exploring a proposal to detain U.S. citizens and send them
22ND ANNUAL GRIP IT & RIP IT GOLF TOURNAMENT AT SINGING HILLS MAY 15
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 22, 2025 (El Cajon) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce invites you to the 22nd annual “Grip it and Rip it” golf tournament at Singing Hills Golf Club on May 15. The event for ages 21 and up includes one round of golf and lunch. The invitation states, “Challenge yourself on
POPE FRANCIS DIES ON MORNING AFTER EASTER
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 21, 2025 — The day after people of the Christian faith had their holiest celebration of resurrection and new life, Pope Francis passed away early this morning at age 88. The Holy See announced his death early this morning, saying the pontiff passed peacefully at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, where he had been
PASSAGES: THOMAS POWELL’S WAKE STATEMENT READ TO HIS SURVIVORS
Printer-friendly version Advocate led “Save Our Bolts” Chargers movement Submitted by Joe Gandelman, Editor-in-Chief of The Moderate Voice Photo: Thomas Powell with Noah, Sofia and Sammi April 20,2025 (San Diego) — My son, Thomas Powell, died February 27 after a brutal, many-years-long battle with congestive heart failure. He spent most of his last six months hospitalized.
ISSA SUIT AGAINST CALIFORNIA SEEKS TO STOP COUNTING OF BALLOTS AFTER ELECTION DAY
Printer-friendly versionLeague of Women Voters, groups representing veterans and seniors, and Issa’s Democratic opponent Curtis Morrison all oppose action in court By Miriam Raftery April 20, 2025 (San Diego) – Rep. Darrell Issa, a Republican representing the 48th Congressional district, has filed a lawsuit against California Secretary of State Shirley Weber. The suit, Issa v.Weber, seeks to halt California’s decade-long
SUP. ANDERSON: SIGN PETITION TO EXTEND PUBLIC NOTICE REVIEW PERIOD
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 19, 2025 (San Diego County) — San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson (photo, left) the county’s District 2 representative and voice, is asking for the public’s help to weigh in on extending public notice review time for the Board of Supervisors agenda. Anderson sent an email to constituents noting that “public engagement
WILD IN THE COUNTRY FUNDRAISER COMING MAY 17; GALA HELPS LIONS, TIGERS & BEARS
Printer-friendly version Photo and story by Karen Pearlman April 19, 2025 (Alpine) – The permanent refuge for a bevy of rescued wild animals, Lions, Tigers & Bears isn’t your average animal sanctuary — so don’t expect its annual fundraiser to be anything but extraordinary. The Alpine-based nonprofit will welcome visitors to its big cats and bears haven for the annual
SANTEE’S BEST LEAVING CITY MANAGER JOB
Printer-friendly versionSantee City Manager Marlene Best (left) By Mike Allen April 18, 2025 (Santee) – Marlene Best, Santee’s city manager for the past nine years, is leaving the job effective April 23. Following a closed session of the Santee City Council on April 18, Mayor John Minto announced he will sign a separation agreement with Best, and begin the process
DESCANSO MAN CONFRONTED BY MOUNTAIN LION IN CUYAMACA RANCHO STATE PARK
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman Image of Mountain Lion courtesy Pixabay April 17, 2025 (Descanso, CA) — A 31-year-old Descanso runner on Wednesday, April 16, came face-to-face with a mountain lion that he says charged at him, during an evening run on the Oak Trail in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. JJ Goodrich wrote on his Facebook page as well as in
Chicago ICE raid draws condemnation over tactics including zip-tying naked children and terrorizing residents, even citizens
Printer-friendly version“It’s illegal. Unconstitutional. It’s dangerous. It’s wrong. This is not about deportation. This is not about safety. This is about authoritarianism. It’s about stoking fear. It’s about breaking the Constitution” – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson By Alexander J. Schorr October 8, 2025 (Chicago) — On Friday morning at 1:00 AM on Chicago‘s South Shore Drive, federal agents in military garb smashed through doors with flash-bangs, dragged residents
Law enforcement stands ready to respond to regional emergencies
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 8, 2025 (San Diego) — In the wake of recent high-profile incidents across the nation, Sheriff Kelly Martinez and local law enforcement agencies held a press conference yesterday to advise the community that they are prepared and ready to respond to any emergency in San Diego County. Sheriff Martinez was joined by San Diego Law Enforcement Coordination Center (LECC) Director Roy
Diet tea recalled for containing sugar, posing danger to diabetics
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 7, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – Over 2,854 cases of Lipton Green Tea Citrus made by PepsiCo have been recalled because they actually contain mislabeled bottles of Lipton Green Tea Mixed Berry. The berry flavor is supposed to contain zero sugar, but these drink bottles labeled “Diet” in the mixed berry flavor contain 25 grams
Bicyclist dies after collision in Lemon Grove
Printer-friendly versionSource: San Diego County Sheriff October 7, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – A bicyclist is dead after a collision with a black Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck shortly before 9:30 p.m. last night in the 8500 block of Troy Street in Lemon Grove. Deputies form the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s station responded to reports of a serious injury collision and found the
Missing Spring Valley teen
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 7, 2025 (Spring Valley) – Public help is sought to local Angel Mauricio Reyes Mejicanos, 15, who vanished after walking his sister to school on September 29. He was reportedly sighted in the Encanto area on October 1. His family is pleading for public help to find him according to the RAD Movement, which
Charging your devices: Safety steps can prevent lithium-ion fires
Printer-friendly versionBy Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine contributed to this report Photo: firefighters purposely overloaded a lithium-ion battery to show what can happen. October 6, 2025 (San Diego) — Make sure you’re charging your lithium-ion batteries safely for devices such as cell phones and laptop computers. Using the wrong charger or one
No kidding–firefighters save goat trapped in boulders
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 6, 2025 (Descanso) – A goat trapped between boulders on Mizpah Lane in Descanso has been freed, thanks to the efforts of Cal Fire/San Diego Fire crews. Firefighters from Station 44 in Pine Valley and Station 45 in Descanso responded and performed a technical rescue to extricate the goat. “We are deeply honored to serve
Recall Ortiz effort in El Cajon fails to qualify for ballot
Printer-friendly versionAn effort to recall El Cajon City Council Phil Ortiz (seated, left) is not moving forward. By Karen Pearlman Oct. 6, 2025 (El Cajon) – A grass-roots effort begun in 2024 to recall El Cajon City Councilmember Phil Ortiz has fizzled after organizers failed to turn in signatures as required by last Friday to qualify a recall for the
Reduced Santee Council approves 285-unit condo project near Town Center Community Park
Printer-friendly versionBy Mike Allen October 5, 2025 (Santee) — The vacant lot behind the Cameron YMCA will soon be vacant no longer. The Santee City Council voted 3-0 to approve a 285-unit condominium project on the 22.17-acre site which had long been used by dog walkers, model car and plane users, and overspill parking during big events at the Town
Media Watch: Free speech groups denounce deportation of Emmy-award winning journalist for live-streaming ICE raids and protests
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 5, 2025 (Atlanta, GA) – In an action that has drawn condemnation from journalism and civil liberties organizations, the Department of Homeland Security on Friday deported Mario Guevara, an Emmy award-winning journalist, to El Salvador in retaliation for his live-streaming of ICE raids. “The government kept Mario unlawfully detained for weeks because of his
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