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Three arrested in child abuse investigation, drugs also uncovered
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 9, 2026 (Spring Valley) — Three Spring Valley residents are in custody following an
Temporary cease fire reached in Iran after Trump threatened “a whole civilization will die;” conflict takes toll on U.S. economy
Printer-friendly versionBy Alex J. Schorr April 9, 2026 — As of yesterday, the United States and Iran have agreed to
News Issues
Three arrested in child abuse investigation, drugs also uncovered
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 9, 2026 (Spring Valley) — Three Spring Valley residents are in custody following an
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
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…
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
Three arrested in child abuse investigation, drugs also uncovered
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 9, 2026 (Spring Valley) — Three Spring Valley residents are in custody following an
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
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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Woman, 63, critically injured in El Cajon hit-and-run collision
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 29, 2025 (El Cajon) — On Thursday evening, October 23, a vehicle traveling westbound on Main Street in El Cajon struck a pedestrian who was crossing southbound. After the collision, the driver of the vehicle failed to stop and fled in the vehicle, says Lt. Joe Crawford with El Cajon Police. The pedestrian, a
Deer mouse tests positive for Hantavirus in Rancho Cuyamaca State Park
Printer-friendly version By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office October 29, 2025 (Cuyamaca) — A deer mouse collected in routine monitoring Oct. 22 at the Los Vaqueros Group Horse Campground in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park has tested positive for the potentially deadly hantavirus. Finding hantavirus in wild rodents is not uncommon in San Diego County. And people rarely come
Apostille pop-up shop returns to San Diego for final 2025 event
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Oct. 29, 2025 (San Diego County) — Need international document authentication? Now’s your chance. San Diego County residents needing international document authentication will have an opportunity to have a one-stop-shop for it on Wednesday, Nov. 5, as the California Secretary of State’s Apostille pop-up shop returns for a fifth and final 2025 appearance.
Candlelight vigil, funeral procession held for fallen LMPD Officer Lauren Craven
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Oct. 29, 2025 (La Mesa) — This past week has marked one of the most challenging stretches of time for the La Mesa Police Department as it mourns the loss of fallen La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven. Candlelight vigil photos by Karen Pearlman Craven, 25, died the night of Monday, Oct. 20 in San
A lethal pattern of neglect in San Diego county jails
Printer-friendly version By Alexander J. Schorr October 28, 2025— A San Diego County Sheriff deleted 57 hours of video footage that may have shed light on a 22-year-old man’s death in a San Diego County jail. US District Judge Dana Sabraw and Magistrate Judge Allison Goddard have sanctioned San Diego County for erasing this footage, which could have shown whether deputies
El Cajon City Council denies request to increase size of retail tobacco displays
Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow Photo, left: Vince Kattoula displays hookahs, advocating for more space to display them in retail stores October 28, 2025 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon City Council voted Tuesday to deny a proposal that would have increased the allowable display space for tobacco products such as hookahs in retail stores that are not designated smoke
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District fall surplus property auction now live
Printer-friendly versionSource: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District October 29, 2025 (El Cajon) – The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District has officially launched its fall surplus property auction, now live. The auction is open to the public, and both businesses and individuals are encouraged to bid on the inventory. The District conducts regular surplus sales as part of its sustainability efforts in an effort to reduce
ECM wins 6 awards in San Diego Press Club’s Excellence in Journalism competition
Printer-friendly version East County News Service “The massive reporting effort on this piece is evident…The two reporters on this story are truly an asset to their community.” – Judge’s comments on ECM’s first-place Education article October 28, 2025 (San Diego) – East County Magazine received six journalism awards, including three first place winners, in San Diego Press Club’s 2025 Excellence
Goodwill stores host Little Black Dress Event
Printer-friendly versionLittle Black Dress (LBD) Event featuring a custom gown by top designer Evan Hirsch East County News Service October 28, 2025 (San Diego) – Goodwill San Diego is proud to host its annual Little Black Dress Event, just in time for the holiday season. All Goodwill retail stores will showcase a wide selection of LBDs, shoes, and accessories at
Lemon Grove City Council vacancy application process reopened: New filing deadline Nov. 13
Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow October 28, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – The Lemon Grove City Council reopened the process for filling a vacancy, after efforts to appoint a candidate failed the first time. The vacancy will fill the seat held by Councilmember Steve Faiai, who passed away in July. The difference in the next selection process will rely on ranked choice
San Diegans protest against Iran war, call for peace
By Kevin A. Green March 9 , 2026 (San Diego) — Jonathan Chavez, a Marine Corps veteran and senior member of the Party for Socialism…
San Diegans protest against Iran war, call for peace
By Kevin A. Green March 9 , 2026 (San Diego) — Jonathan Chavez, a Marine Corps veteran and senior member of the Party for Socialism…
Traffic stop leads to drug arrests in Spring Valley, including convicted felon
East County News Service March 9, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Two people have been arrested for possession of methamphetamines following a traffic stop for an…
County begins construction on Edgemoor Acute Psychiatric Unit
By Fernanda Lopez Halvorson , County of San Diego Communications Office Video by Alex Aguirre March 9, 2026 (San Diego) – Construction is underway to…
Traffic stop leads to drug arrests in Spring Valley, including convicted felon
East County News Service March 9, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Two people have been arrested for possession of methamphetamines following a traffic stop for an…
County begins construction on Edgemoor Acute Psychiatric Unit
By Fernanda Lopez Halvorson , County of San Diego Communications Office Video by Alex Aguirre March 9, 2026 (San Diego) – Construction is underway to…
Brain-eating Rat Lungworms found in wildlife across region, including East County
Residents, gardeners should take precautions to protect against deadly disease transmitted by snails, slugs, and animals that ingest them By Miriam Raftery March 9, 2026…
Brain-eating Rat Lungworms found in wildlife across region, including East County
Residents, gardeners should take precautions to protect against deadly disease transmitted by snails, slugs, and animals that ingest them By Miriam Raftery March 9, 2026…
Issa retires, shaking up political map while endorsing Desmond in his shift to 48th District
By Jennifer Vigil, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association March 7, 2026 (Washington, D.C.) – County Supervisor Jim…
Issa retires, shaking up political map while endorsing Desmond in his shift to 48th District
By Jennifer Vigil, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association March 7, 2026 (Washington, D.C.) – County Supervisor Jim…
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