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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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BILL TO EXTEND UMPLOYMENT BENEFITS PASSES HOUSE
Printer-friendly version 4 San Diego Congressional representatives vote “aye”; Hunter votes “no” September 24, 2009 (Washington D.C.)—San Diego Democrats Bob Filner and Susan Davis joined with Republicans Brian Bilbray and Darrell Issa in voting to stimulate the local economy and provide stability to American families by extending unemployment insurance benefits to those hit hardest by the recession. Rep. Duncan
ANDERSON BILL ON GOVERNOR’S DESK WOULD MAKE WORK PERMITS EASIER FOR HOME-SCHOOLED AND CHARTER SCHOOL STUDENTS TO OBTAIN
Printer-friendly versionSeptember 25, 2009 (Sacramento)–Assembly Bill 66, authored by Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) has passed the Legislature unanimously and is now on the Governor’s desk. “ The bill changes the way schools issue student work permits, giving control over the process to local educators who can best to protect students’ grades,” said Assemblyman Anderson. The current system requires all
LA MESA TEEN VICTIM OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
Printer-friendly version September 25, 2009 (La Mesa) – At 3:15 PM yesterday a 16 year-old La Mesa boy was walking home from school near Amaya Drive and Water Street, when he was confronted by at least four teenage suspects. The suspects first demanded the victim’s cell phone. When the victim refused, one of the suspects hit the victim with his
HELIX PIPELINE UPGRADE SENDS WATER FLOWING FOR 3 DAYS IN EL CAJON NEIGHBORHOOD
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery September 24, 2009 (El Cajon) –Why was water left to flow for three days from a pipeline on Pepper Drive? After a reader e-mailed East County Magazine to say that Helix Water had failed to repair an apparently ruptured pipeline a day and a half after it was first reported, we contacted Helix Water District
FIRE DEVASTATES SANTEE HOME
Printer-friendly version Story by Peter Diehl, Incident Page Network Photos by Scott Bolle, www.code3photos.com September 24, 2009 (Santee)–An early morning fire in Santee on Thursday required a response of engines and trucks from Santee, El Cajon, and Lakeside. The first engine arrived on the fire scene at 10530 Flora Veda, minutes after a call came into the Heartland communications center.
FIX THE MEDIA! MEDIA POLICY REFORM PANEL IN SD SEPT. 26
Printer-friendly version Media Reform Panel at San Diego Grassroots Democratic Convention Saturday September 24, 2009 San Diego)– The topics of, “Why do cities like San Diego have five or six talk radio stations with conservative viewpoints, but no progressive talk radio?” and “What can we do about it?” will be discussed by a panel of experts at the San Diego Grassroots
SOLAR ENERGY CONFERENCE SEPT. 29
Printer-friendly version September 24, 2009 – As part of Solar Energy Week, the California Center for Sustainability is sponsoring an all-day Solar Energy Conference featuring keynote speakers and high-level experts who will be exploring the latest policy, trends, technologies and other issues. Learn the latest in solar trends, and network with solar industry insiders. The conference promises something for everyone
WHAT’S THE FUTURE OF GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT? FIND OUT OCT. 3
Printer-friendly version September 24, 2009 (El Cajon) – Grossmont Union High School District will host a free public forum Oct. 3 on the future of the district. The public is invited to learn more about projects planned for each campus and school project timelines, as well as celebrate the future of Grossmont schools. Imagery of design guidelines for specialty classrooms
PAROLED ARSONIST IN EAST COUNTY SPARKS CRY FOR REFORM
Printer-friendly version September 24, 2009 (Boulevard) –On Monday, CAL FIRE Battalion Chief and acting Boulevard Fire Chief John Francois informed Boulevard Fire Board members that a paroled arsonist had been living in the community. The arsonist is now back in custody for violating his parole terms. “Several suspicious fires are still under investigation,” Donna Tisdale, Chair of the Boulevard Planning Group informed East
CALIFORNIA’S FIREFIGHTING CAPACITY IS STRESSED AND FIREFIGHTERS STRETCHED THIN BY BUDGET CUTS, FIRE CHIEFS WARN LEGISLATIVE PANEL IN SAN DIEGO
Printer-friendly version State Fire Experts Urge Adoption of Emergency Response Initiative (ERI) By Miriam Raftery September 23, 2009 (San Diego) – With major wildfires burning in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties and red flag warnings locally due to high fire danger, State Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) chaired a joint legislative committee hearing on emergency management in San Diego
Padres cruise to 11-1 win, move into first place in NL West
Printer-friendly versionScreenshot from official MLB video of a Ramón Laureano home run during Wednesday’s 11-1 Padres win in San Francisco By Karen Pearlman Aug. 13, 2025 (San Diego) – Don’t look now but the San Diego Padres are back in first place in the National League West. After a mid-season slump, the Padres (69-52) have rediscovered their winning form and are
Protestors demand El Cajon repeal ICE cooperation amidst recall effort against city councilmember
Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow August 13, 2025 (El Cajon) – Dozens of East County residents filled El Cajon City Council chambers Tuesday, demanding the City repeal a resolution allowing police to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The effort was organized by Latinos en Accion and Activist San Diego to urge speakers to address the Council during
Caltrans moving ahead on SR 125/94 upgrades
Printer-friendly versionLa Mesa City Council hears update from Caltrans By Karen Pearlman Aug. 13, 2025 (La Mesa) – Road changes long planned for state Routes 94 and 125 in La Mesa at the junction with Spring Valley are starting to move again. The SR 94/125 Interchange Project, in the works for several decades by the California Department of Transportation in
Momentum Tutoring hosts Youth Business Fair at Santee Lakes Aug. 16
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service August 12, 2025 (Santee) – Momentum Tutoring (www.momentumtutoring.org) invites the community to the Santee Youth Business Fair at Santee Lakes, a dynamic one-day marketplace where young entrepreneurs will showcase their creativity, hustle, and heart. The event takes place on Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Lake #2, Santee Lakes Recreation
Lemon Grove is now accepting applications to fill vacancy left by Councilman Faiai’s death
Printer-friendly versionApplications accepted now through through Sept. 4; forum for applicants Aug. 13 By Karen Pearlman Aug. 12, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – Lemon Grove is actively seeking applicants to fill the vacant City Council seat of Sitivi “Steve” Faiai, who passed away on July 8. Faiai, who was elected in 2024, had just begun his political career when he died
Trump orders fedoral takeover of Washington D.C. police
Printer-friendly versionNational Guard to also be deployed in nation’s capital city By Miriam Raftery August 11, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – President Donald Trump has issued an executive order to put Washington D.C.’s police force under federal control, claiming a need to reduce crime, CNN reports. However, according to a Newsweek report, violent crime in Washington D.C. was the lowest in
70 and strong as ever at Sharp Grossmont Hospital
Printer-friendly versionSHARP Grossmont Hospital employees stand atop the helicopter pad atop its Emergency Room on Aug. 11 as part of a celebration of the hospital’s 70 years of service to the community. Photo courtesy SHARP Grossmont Hospital By Karen Pearlman Aug. 11, 2025 (La Mesa) — Grossmont Hospital just hit 70 years, but the venerable facility is looking sharper than
Spring Valley woman facing animal cruelty charges
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Services Aug. 10, 2025 (Spring Valley) — San Diego County Department of Animal Services has taken custody of a Chihuahua and is pursuing animal cruelty charges against a Spring Valley woman after a disturbing video surfaced which appeared to show a dog being struck with a wooden plank, then covered with a container and kicked. On
Santee gets a new brush fire engine
Printer-friendly versionBy Mike Allen Photo: Members of Santee Fire Dept, SD Regional Fire Foundation and the SD River Conservancy with new brush rig funded through the city along with grants from the two nonprofits. August 11, 2025 (Santee)– The city of Santee has another key tool in its goal of protecting the city from wildfires, a new brush fire engine. City
Fire devastates condo in Lakeside
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo by Shiloh Ireland August 10, 2025 (Lakeside) – A fire on August 7 heavily damaged a unit in a condominium on Mapleview Street in Lakeside. Crews from Lakeside Fire and San Miguel Fire departments responded to the blaze. Since the residence is located less than two miles from a fire station,
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