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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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The Water Conservation Garden gears up for a blooming 2026
Printer-friendly version Photo of a buttefly at the Dorcas E. Utter Butterfly Pavilion at The Water Conservation Garden and story by Karen Pearlman Jan. 3, 2025 (Rancho San Diego) — The Water Conservation Garden, the 6-acre botanical showcase of sustainable landscaping and water-wise gardening adjacent to Cuyamaca College, has rooted out its slate of events for Winter and Spring 2026. The schedule includes educational opportunities,
Cause of death released on 35-year-old man who died in county jail Aug. 30
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 1, 2026 (San Diego) – The County Medical’s office has determined that Steven Curren, 35, died of natural causes at a hospital on August 30, less than an hour and a half after he was found unresponsive in his cell at San Diego County’s Central Jail. An autopsy found the cause of death was
Give to support our award-winning reporting in 2026!
Printer-friendly versionIt’s been a challenging year, with more important news stories to cover than ever before. We need your support to bring you in-depth coverage on important topics in 2026! Please give now with a tax deductible donation or become a monthly donor to assure that we can cover the most important news stories in the new year. All gifts are appreciated,
Sycuan Tribe unveils new Sycuan Health Center to serve East County residents, including tribal members and broader community
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photos courtesy of Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation December 31, 2025 (El Cajon) — The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation held a ribbon cutting ceremony on December 19 at its new, expanded and relocated healthcare facility. The state-of-the-art healthcare center is located at 4921 Dehesa Road in El Cajon, continuing Sycuan’s commitment to high-quality, culturally
Give to support our award-winning reporting in 2026!
Printer-friendly versionIt’s been a challenging year, with more important news stories to cover than ever before. We need your support to bring you in-depth coverage on important topics in 2026! Please give now with a tax deductible donation or become a monthly donor to assure that we can cover the most important news stories in the new year. All gifts are appreciated,
Fundraiser to help Marine’s family devastated by crash that killed daughter, 8, near Julian: accused DUI driver charged with murder and faces deportation
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service December 31, 2025 (Julian) – An online fundraiser at GoFundMe has been set up to help Oscar Cruz Acencio, a U.S. Marine, and his family. On November 30, the family was traveling on San Felipe Road near Julian when a Tacoma truck crossed the center line and hit their vehicle head-on, killing their 8-year-old daughter, Arya. Acencio,
Forty dogs rescued from unsanitary conditions in La Mesa
Printer-friendly versionPhoto of some of the 40 dogs rescued from La Mesa courtesy San Diego Humane Society East County News Service Dec. 31, 2025 (La Mesa) — San Diego Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement rescued 40 dogs and puppies from an apartment in La Mesa on Tuesday, Dec. 30, following a welfare check by community police officers. The rescue comes at
Lakeside school district moves to stop bullying, defiance and more
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman Dec. 30, 2025 (Lakeside) – Looking to reclaim local classrooms from a rising tide of student misconduct, the Lakeside Union School District Board of Trustees earlier this month passed a sweeping resolution aimed at curbing bullying, “death notes” and chronic defiance. Lakeside Union School Board member Andrew Hayes championed the policy, adopted Dec. 11, and said
Mail might not be postmarked until days after you send it, under new rules that could cause tax penalties, result in ballots not counted
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery December 30, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – Don’t wait until the last minute to mail in a ballot, tax return or other important documents. A change in U.S. Postal Service regulations that took effect December 24 means that mail is no longer considered postmarked on the date that you drop it in a mailbox or at a post office
CRASH ON PINE VALLEY BRIDGE DELAYS MOTORISTS
Printer-friendly versionEast County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts Image via CHP on X Dec. 30, 2025 (Pine Valley) — A motorhome accident on the Pine Valley bridge has shut down one lane of I-8 east and knocked down 80 feet of guardrail, per the California Highway Patrol. Westbound lanes remain open. Motorists traveling east are advised to take an alternative route
‘Americans and the Holocaust’ exhibition coming to Grossmont College
East County News Service March 19, 2026 (El Cajon) — The Grossmont College Library was selected as one of only 50 libraries across the United…
Dolores Huerta issues statement on Cesar Chavez abuse
East County News Service Photo via Dolores Huerta’s press office March 19, 2026 (San Diego) – Dolores Huerto, cofounder of the United Farm Workers Union,…
County warns of measles exposure at Sharp Memorial Hospital’s emergency room
Photo courtesy County of San Diego East County News Service March 18, 2026 (San Diego) — Local p ublic health officials have issued an urgent…
Tainted legacy: César Chávez sexual abuse allegations prompt leaders to cancel events, pursue justice for survivors
By Miriam Raftery Photo: Cesar Chavez in 1972, public domain image by Cornelius M. Keyes via National Archives and Records Administration March 18, 2026 (San…
Aerial treatments starting to halt mosquitoes
East County News Service March 18, 2026 (San Diego County) — H elicopters will soon become a familiar sound over San Diego County wetlands as…
Jamul shooting victim dies after traveling to Alpine
By Miriam Raftery March 18, 2026 (San Diego East County) – Deputies from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Station responded to a report of an…
Record-breaking March heat wave gripping San Diego County
Photo of Lake Murray on March 17 by Karen Pearlman East County News Service March 17, 2026 (San Diego County) — Baby, it’s hot outside!…
Peak rattlesnake s-s-s-s-season slithering up
Photo courtesy County of San Diego East County News Service March 17, 2026 (San Diego County) — As the marine layer thins and temperatures climb…
Trump suggests takeover of Cuba as U.S. blockade collapses nation’s power grid
By G. A. McNeeley Image: Havana, Cuba by Anselmo Guvaldo via Pixabay March 17, 2026 (Washington D.C.) — Cuba’s power grid has collapsed, leaving the…
Supervisor Joel Anderson runs for Treasurer-Tax Collector
By Miriam Raftery March 15, 2026 (San Diego) – East County Supervisor Joel Anderson is running for county Treasurer-Tax Collector. Anderson, who holds a degree…
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