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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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SDG&E LOBBYIST ACCUSED OF BEDDING ASSEMBLYMAN OVERSEEING UTILITIES
Printer-friendly version September 9, 2009 (San Diego) – Shock and snickers greeted news reports today revealing that a lobbyist for SDG&E/Sempra Energy is accused of granting sexual favors to Republican legislator Mike Duvall, Vice Chair of the Assembly Utilities & Commerce Committee. If true, the relationship would be a direct conflict of interest and a clear ethical violation, since the
SHERIFF GORE AIMS FOR A BIG GOAL: MAKE SAN DIEGO THE SAFEST MAJOR COUNTY IN AMERICA
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photo by Leon Thompson In an exclusive interview, San Diego’s new top law enforcement offer shares his goals with East County Magazine–including priorities and new initiatives for East County. Appointed to replace retiring Sheriff William Kolender, Bill Gore brings 42 years of law enforcement expertise to the job. As Assistant Director of the FBI in
SHERIFF GORE SHARES DRAMATIC MOMENTS FROM HIS 42-YEAR CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photo by Leon Thompson September 9, 2009 (San Diego)–Sheriff William "Bill" Gore was destined for a career in law enforcement. His father and brother were both San Diego police officers; another brother was a deputy Sheriff. He met his wife while both were serving as FBI agents. The couple raised a son (now 25),
FREE WHEELCHAIR BALLROOM DANCE CLASSES AT GROSSMONT REHAB CENTER START SEPT 10
Printer-friendly version San Diego’s Only Wheelchair Ballroom Dance Group Provides Social Connection Between Able-bodied Dancers and Wheelchair Users September 9, 2009 (La Mesa)–The Sharp Grossmont Rehab Center will offer a free, eight-week session of ballroom dance instruction every Thursday beginning on September 10, 2009. Students and their able-bodied dance partners will learn to do the Fox Trot, Swing, Cha-Cha, and
LA MESA MURDER SUSPECT SOUGHT; CONSIDERED ARMED & DANGEROUS, SHERIFF WARNS
Printer-friendly version September 8, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–William D. Gore, Sheriff, San Diego County, today announced a manhunt initiated by the San Diego Fugitive Task Force to locate Richard Dean Neff. Neff is suspected of a murder which occurred in La Mesa early yesterday morning. Neff, a transient and known drug user, according to the Sheriff’s special bulletin, is
LA MESA-SPRING VALLEY BOARD NIXES AIRING OBAMA’S LIVE NATIONAL ADDRESS TO SCHOOLS; CENSORSHIP SPARKS OUTRAGE, CALL TO REPLACE BOARD MEMBERS
Printer-friendly version As Controversy Grows, Ex-First Lady Laura Bush Defends Presidential Address to Students by Gayle Early A special Board meeting convened on Labor Day to debate airing the President’s live broadcast. In a 3-2 vote, the majority voted to censor today’s speech, citing concerns that it was “unconstitutional,” “indoctrination,” and “inappropriate.” The move sparked outrage and a call to
BRUSH FIRE HALTED IN FALLBROOK
Printer-friendly version September 7, 2009 (Fallbrook) A brush fire in Fallbrook burning in heavy brush has been extinguished at less than an acre, Cal Fire spokesman Darrell Pena has informed East County Magazine at 4:50 p.m. today. The fire, initially reported shortly before 4 p.m., put up heavy smoke and was visible throughout the Fallbrook area, said Pena. The fire
GAME OF THE WEEK: FALCONS SLOW DOWN NORSEMEN IN 28-16 WIN
Printer-friendly versionby Christopher Mohr (EL CAJON) – Friday night’s football game at Valhalla High School between the host Norsemen and the visiting Falcons from Our Lady of Good Counsel of Olney, MD drew a lot of interest from local fans. Good Counsel was ranked sixth in the state of Maryland while Valhalla has a good shot at a return
PROTECTING YOUR PROPERTY AFTER A FIRE: RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE CALIFORNIA LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
Printer-friendly version September 7, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–Fire destroys hundreds of homes each year in California and often burns thousands of acres of land. If your property was damaged by fire, the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) is pleased to offer some recommendations to help your landscape recover and to help protect your property. In general, many plants and trees
FATAL CRASH ON 94
Printer-friendly version September 6, 2009 (Dulzura) – A motorcyclist has died from a head-on collision at high speed on Highway 94 at Dulzura, one mile west of the Barrett Junction Café. Emergency medical personnel attempted CPR, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Identification of the victim is withheld pending notification of kin. Printer-friendly version
FBI and law enforcement partners arrest members of Mexican mafia prison gang
Printer-friendly version East County News Service July 25, 2025 (San Diego) – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in San Diego and its law enforcement partners yesterday arrested five people believed to be associated with the Mexican Mafia prison gang, the latest in string of related arrests and indictments. The latest five suspects have been indicted for allegedly running an
Public participation meeting on long-term gas system planning
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service July 24, 2025 (San Diego County) — The California Public Utilities Commission will hold a public forum August 7 on long-term gas system planning. As California moves toward a shift away from fossil fuels, gas utilities including San Diego Gas & Electric were to submit maps of their gas distribution systems including foreseeable gas pipeline
Congresswoman Sara Jacobs hosts town hall July 27 in Escondido, since Issa won’t hold live session with his constituents
Printer-friendly versionFive candidates running against Rep. Issa are also expected to be there East County News Service July 23, 2025 (Escondido) – Since Republican Representative Darrell Issa has repeatedly refused to hold a townhall in his 49th Congressional district, Indivisible North County has organized “The Town Hall We Deserve” with Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, a Democrat representing the 51st Congressional district,
Upgrades to Ramona air attack base planned for new Cal Fire tanker
Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow Creative Commons image of C-130H air tanker July 24, 2025 (Ramona) – Enhanced wildfire response capabilities are coming to Southern California, after CAL FIRE announced a significant construction project at the Ramona Air Attack Base that will prepare for a new tanker to be based there. Construction is tentatively set to begin Aug. 1 and take
Passages: Keith and Priscilla Webb, owners of Julian Hard Cider
Printer-friendly version East County News Service July 24, 2025 (Julian) – Keith and Priscilla Webb, best known locally as owners of Julian Hard Cider, the nation’s first craft cider company in Julian, passed away two days apart earlier this month. They also owned Apple Lane Orchard, a popular wedding and vacation rental destination in the mountain community in San Diego’s
Supervisors to weigh in on Cottonwood sand mine in September
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman July 23, 2025 (Rancho San Diego) — The final public hearing on the fate of the Cottonwood Golf Course and whether it will be turned into a sand mine is going to be held later this summer. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors will hear from residents as well as the developers
Pedestrian death in Ramona
Printer-friendly version East County News Service July 23, 2025 (Ramona) – A 40-year-old Ramona man is dead after being struck by a vehicle shortly before midnight on July 18. The victim was standing in the roadway on northbound State Route 67 north of Archie Moore Road in Ramona, an area with low lighting, when a Dodge Challenger driven by an
Three-vehicle crash on Dehesa Road kills El Cajon woman
Printer-friendly version Update July 27, 2025: The victim has been identified as Marie Anderson, 60, of El Cajon. East County News Service July 23, 2025 (San Diego) – An El Cajon woman, 60, is dead and three others injured as a result of a three-vehicle crash that occurred July 19 on Dehesa Road, east of Sloan Canyon Road in unincorporated
Fanita Ranch challenged again in new lawsuit
Printer-friendly version By Mike Allen July 23, 2025 (Santee) — As expected, a coalition of environmental groups including Preserve Wild Santee have filed a new legal challenge against Santee’s biggest residential project, Fanita Ranch, which the City Council most recently approved in June. It was the third time in five years that the Santee City Council gave its approval to
Santee takes high road, approves four cannabis shops
Printer-friendly versionBy Mike Allen Image,left: Rendering of Buzz’s planned cannabis store interior July 23, 2025 (Santee) — Santee has concluded what Mayor John Minto called “an exhaustive process” to award four business permits for the sale of cannabis and related products to four groups, all of which have experience in retailing the highly regulated lines of liquor and gasoline. The
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