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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
Jamul Casino Resort gets two film awards
Printer-friendly version Water Sweet – The Story of Jamul” Earns Top Honors at AAF Reno ADDY Awards East County News
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
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
Jamul Casino Resort gets two film awards
Printer-friendly version Water Sweet – The Story of Jamul” Earns Top Honors at AAF Reno ADDY Awards East County News
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
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Firefighters rescue workers trapped on roof of burning T.J. Maxx building under construction in La Mesa
Printer-friendly version Story and photos by Josh Stotler August 25, 2025 (La Mesa) — Just before 3:30 p.m. , a structure fire broke out in the under-construction building slated to house T. J. Maxx and an Ulta beauty store on the former site of the Toys “R” Us at 8800 Grossmont Center Drive in La Mesa. As the first
Staying the course: Our guide to golf in San Diego’s inland region
Printer-friendly versionThere are plenty of greens to tee off from in San Diego County’s eastern areas By Karen Pearlman With more than two dozen golf courses scattered across the foothills and valleys of inland San Diego County, players of all skill levels will find affordable and diverse landscapes away from the coast for putting and driving amid scenic mountain, valley,
270 firearms turned in at La Mesa gun safety event
Printer-friendly versionSource: San Diego County Sheriff August 24, 2025 (La Mesa) — Last weekend, the San Diego County Sheriff’s department teamed up with local law enforcement agencies to help get unwanted weapons off our streets through a Gun Safety Event in La Mesa. A total of 270 unwanted firearms were turned in by the public during Saturday’s event at the
Does the San Diego region have adequate aerial firefighting capability for the coming fire season?
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery August 24, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — As we approach peak fire season, Cal Fire/County Fire has a press conference set for Tuesday to discuss the many preparations the agencies have made. But questions have been raised over air power readiness, due to temporary closure of the Ramona airport due to expansion and SDG&E losing
Photo of the week: Santee Fire Department’s new brush rig
Printer-friendly versionPhoto and story by Patrick Ward August 24, 2025 (Santee) – The Santee Fire Department this week held a push-in ceremony with its new home-type 3 brush engine, a symbol of the department’s commitment to safety and efficiency. The brush rig is designed to handle any emergency with precision and speed. The cost of the apparatus was
Amid remap push, Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar files to run against Rep. Issa
Printer-friendly versionBy Chris Jennewein and Ken Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: Ammar Campa-Najjar (left) and Darrell Issa. (Times of San Diego file photos) August 24, 2025 (San Diego) – With his prospects enhanced by potential redistricting, Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar on Friday filed papers for a rematch against Rep. Darrell Issa in the 48th
Maggie T. Watkins is newest GHD board member
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman Aug. 22, 2025 (La Mesa) – Maggie T. Watkins is a familiar name in the San Diego County healthcare world, and now she is the Grossmont Healthcare District’s newest board member. The GHD Board voted 4-0 on Thursday, Aug. 21 to appoint Watkins to fill the seat of Gloria Chadwick, a registered nurse who
Reichert’s Restore San Diego newsletter spreads misleading claims about AB 495
Printer-friendly version By Jesse Kendrick Image: Restore San Diego founder Amy Reichert August 23, 2025 (El Cajon) – “State-sponsored kidnapping loophole” is the epithet lobbed at Assembly Bill 495 by local “Restore San Diego” newsletter. The bill, officially entitled AB 495: Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025, outlines a series of revisions to existing laws surrounding parental
Supervisors to weigh reducing County reserve funds in wake of federal cuts to Food and Health programs for those in need
Printer-friendly version Update: Supervisors approved dipping into reserve funds by a 3-2 vote, with Supervisors Anderson and Desmond opposed. By Miriam Raftery August 22, 2025 (San Diego) – On Tuesday, Aug. 26, San Diego Supervisors will consider a proposal to revise the county’s reserve policy to allow use of some reserve funds to cover critical services being cut by the
Calif. Congressional district maps favoring Democrats approved by state legislators, signed by Governor, heads to special election in November
Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow August 21. 2025 (Sacramento) — The California Senate and Assembly voted in favor of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s state congressional redistricting plan Thursday, in an effort to counter balance the Texas legislature’s efforts to turn five Democratic leaning districts to favor Republicans. The vote went mostly along party lines. Among East County legislators, State Senator Brian
Building together: local trades connect at Ram’s Hill Golf Cottages
Printer-friendly version Meet-and-Greet By Jennifer Sencion September 2, 2025 (Borrego Springs) – On July 31, Borrego Community Builders, in partnership with Skyline Construction, hosted a Subcontractor Meet-and-Greet in Borrego Springs to connect local tradespeople with a landmark hospitality project. The gathering brought together electricians, plumbers, painters, construction crews, and other skilled trades from Borrego Springs and neighboring desert communities,
Prop 36 proves effective: 98% of defendants accept addiction treatment
Printer-friendly versionSome retail outlets start unlocking high-end products East County News Service September 1, 2025 (San Diego) — San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan has released promising data on prosecutions and court-mandated treatment under news laws created by the passage of Proposition 36. Numbers show that of the hundreds of defendants who have pleaded guilty to drug-related offenses under
Woman arrested for vandalizing Santee Post Office
Printer-friendly version East County News Service August 31, 2025 (Santee) – A suspect accused of vandalizing the Santee Post Office on Mission Gorge Road last night was caught red-handed — or rather, black-handed – early this morning. Brandy Thomas, 52, was found in possession of black spray paint cans and had paint on her hands, legs and clothing when apprehended,
35-year-old man in custody dies
Printer-friendly version East County News Service Update Sept. 5, 2025 — The deceased has been identified as Steven Curren. He was facing charges of vehicle theft and posession of stolen property. August 31, 2025 (San Diego)—A 35-year-old man arrested Aug. 29 was found unresponsive in his cell yesterday afternoon at San Diego Central Jail and later died at a hospital. He
Homicide arrest in El Cajon
Printer-friendly version East County News Service August 31, 2025 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police have arrested a suspect for a deadly stabbing that occurred at 5:30 p.m. last night in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 900 block of South Sunshine, El Cajon. According to Lieutenant Eric Thornton, two men were in an altercation when one
Horses of Tir Na Nog Holds Fundraiser Sept. 20; Group also seeking support for moldy hay
Printer-friendly versionStory and photo by Karen Pearlman Aug. 30, 2025 (Descanso) –Horses of Tir Na Nog, the nonprofit animal rescue group with a ranch and more than 100 animals, is having a fundraiser at Kings Inn in September. The group is also trying to cover the cost of hay that was compromised during a storm in late August. The
Safe parking site reopens in El Cajon, serving people living out of their cars
Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow August 30, 2025 (El Cajon) – An overnight safe parking site for people living out of their vehicles reopened on Magnolia Avenue in unincorporated El Cajon Friday, after a yearlong, $3 million renovation project. It’s open daily from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. Improvements announced at a news conference include flushable restrooms with running water,
Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Substation holds ribbon cutting and grand reopening after flood damage
Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow Photo, left: Sheriff Kelly Martinez cuts ribbon on renovated Lemon Grove substation August 28, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez and Lemon Grove Mayor Alysson Snow presided over a ribbon cutting and grand reopening of the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Substation Thursday, 19 months after it was devastated by torrential rain. On
Drug toxicity caused death of woman in Las Colinas Detention Facility
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service August 29, 2025 (Santee) – The San Diego County Medical has completed an autopsy on Callen Lines, 31, who was found unresponsive in her cell at Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee on May 12 at 7:25 p.m. After emergency efforts by paramedics and Santee Fire Dept. personnel, she was pronounced dead at
Passages: Randy “Duke” Cunningham, Congressman and Decorated Aviator
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Services Aug. 29, 2025 (San Diego County) – Randall Harold (Randy) “Duke” Cunningham, a highly decorated naval aviator whose political career crashed after he was convicted of accepting more than $2 million in bribes during his tenure as a United States Congressman, has passed away. Cunningham, who won a seat as a Republican in
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