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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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Sharp HealthCare extends Sharp Mary Birch brand to East County with renaming of the Grossmont Women’s Hospital
Printer-friendly versionSource: Sharp HealthCare October 23, 2025 (La Mesa) – Sharp HealthCare is expanding the trusted Sharp Mary Birch brand across San Diego County—starting with the rebranding of Sharp Grossmont Hospital for Women & Newborns, now renamed Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns Grossmont. Sharp Mary Birch is one of the most recognized names in women’s health in
Feeding San Diego expands emergency food assistance to federal workers and Cal Fresh recipients during ongoing government shutdown
Printer-friendly versionAs the shutdown continues, the hunger relief non-profit is preparing for a massive surge in need with the delay of November CalFresh benefits Source: Feeding San Diego October 23, 2025 (San Diego) – As the government shutdown enters the fourth week, Feeding San Diego has expanded food assistance services to federal workers impacted by the loss in pay, including the over 110,000
County rejects supporting statewide ban on foreign investment in homes
Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow Photo, left: Supervisor Jim Desmond sought to restrict foreign investors from buying homes and driving up prices. October 23, 2025 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Board of Supervisors this week rejected a proposal by Supervisor Jim Desmond to support statewide bans or restrictions on foreign investment in entry-level and single-family housing, particularly when located
Hit-and-run driver causes major injuries to boy, 12
Printer-friendly versionEl Cajon Police seek help to find white or silver SUV with front-end damage East County News Service October 23, 2025 (El Cajon) – Around 8 p.m. last night, a 12-year-old boy was struck by an SUV in the 300 block of Ballantyne Street, suffering major head trauma. The vehicle, described by witnesses as a white or silver SUV
SNAP cuts in America and the future impacts on California
Printer-friendly versionOverall, this affects not only SNAP, but also WIC, federal workers, food banks, senior citizens, and grocery stores. By G. A. McNeeley October 22, 2025 (California) — Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the critical food assistance program, being halted is one of the biggest impacts of the ongoing government shutdown, and it’s about to affect tens of
Inmate firefighters get pay raise under bill signed by Governor
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Image: Inmate firefighter; cc via Bing October 14, 2025 (Sacramento) – They risk their lives to battle wildfires. Yet California’s inmate firefighters are currently paid just $1 to $10 for an entire day’s work, plus $1 an hour during active duty. A bill signed by Governor Gavin Newsom will raise the rate to $7.25 an hour (the federal minimum
Passages: Donuts to Dollars, Mary Hennessy had a sweet life
Printer-friendly versionStory and photos by Karen Pearlman Oct. 21, 2025 (Santee) – Making others happy was something Mary Hennessy did naturally, with no holds – or holes – barred. As founder and owner of the iconic Mary’s Donuts in Santee, Hennessy sprinkled joy to others – and not just by way of diverse donut toppings, fruity fritter fillings and cinnamon-dusted
County approves negotiations to buy land for Troy Street Sleeping Cabins in Lemon Grove
Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow Image, left: Rendering of Troy Street Sleeping Cabins Project October 22, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – The County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to approve negotiations with Caltrans to purchase land for the Troy Street Sleeping Cabins Project in Lemon Grove, after hearing comments overwhelmingly in opposition from residents and two City Councilmembers. The project plan
ECM World Watch: National and global news
Printer-friendly versionOctober 22, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include: U.S. Judge halts Trump’s planned layoffs of federal workers during government shutdown, calling them unlawful (CNN) Appeals
La Mesa Police officer killed while aiding motorists after collision on I-8
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery, with additional reporting by Karen Pearlman Photo: LMPD Officer Lauren Craven, courtesy of La Mesa Police Updated Oct. 21, 4 p.m. with comments from Chief Ray Sweeney, City Manager Greg Humora, and Governor Gavin Newsom October 21, 2025 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven, 25, was struck and killed last night after
NO CITIZENSHIP SWEARING-IN CEREMONY AT THIS YEAR’S AMERICA ON MAIN STREET FESTIVAL
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo: Naturalization citizenship ceremony, cc via Bing May 16, 2025 (El Cajon) – This year, El Cajon’s America on Main Street celebration won’t include a mass swearing-in ceremony for new citizens. “The City reached out to the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services to make our annual request for their participation,” city manager Graham Mitchell told ECM.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO SELL FEDERAL LANDS, SLASHES FUNDING FROM FOREST AND PARK SERVICES
Printer-friendly versionThe Trump Administration is trying to sell off federal lands, while its budget cuts are severely impacting national parks and forests By G. A. McNeeley Photo: Staircase Escalante National Monument, Utah May 16, 2025 (San Diego) – House Republicans have approved a provision to their budget that would allow the federal government to sell thousands of acres of public
DESCANSO RESIDENTS OPPOSE CALTRANS PLAN TO DRASTICALLY CUT PARKING SPACES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery May 16, 2025 (Descanso, CA) – Tammy and Brett Cooker opened their Descanso Junction Restaurant in 2003, in a century-old building on State Route 79. Days later, the Cedar Fire roared through the region, destroying many homes and closing down I-8. But the Cookers swiftly earned the community’s loyalty, keeping their doors open to serve up
PASSAGES: BO MAZZETTI, 77, RINCON CHAIRMAN AND LEADING ADVOCATE FOR NATIVE AMERICANS
Printer-friendly version East County News Service Photo: Chairman Bo Mazzetti, courtesy of the Rincon band of Luiseño Indians May 15, 2025 (Valley Center, CA) –Bo Mazzetti, Chairman of the Rincon band of Luiseño Indians for over 16 years, passed away on May 1 at age 77 after battling cancer. A leading voice for Native Americans statewide over several decades, he was
CALIFORNIA BUDGET IS $12 BILLION IN THE RED AMID TRUMP TARIFFS AND RISING COSTS
Printer-friendly version by Alexei Koseff This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Gov. Gavin Newsom addresses the media during a press conference unveiling his revised 2025-26 budget proposal at the Capitol Annex Swing Space in Sacramento on May 13, 2025. Photo by Fred Greaves for CalMatters In summary California is experiencing unexpectedly shaky economic conditions, as
WOMAN, 31, DIES DAY AFTER ADMISSION TO LAS COLINAS DETENTION FACILITY
Printer-friendly version East County News Service Update May 15: The deceased has been identified as Callen Lines. May 14, 2025 (Santee) – A 31-year-old woman died in a hospital on May 12, one day after she was arrested for vehicle theft and resisting arrest. According to Lt. Juan Marquez with the San Diego County Sheriff’s department, sergeants at the Las Colinas
PASSENGER, 86, DIES OF INJURIES FROM ACCIDENT ON I-8 IN PINE VALLEY
Printer-friendly version East County News Service May 12, 2025 (Pine Valley) – James Michel, 86, from Yuma, Arizona was a passenger in a vehicle that rear-ended a stopped vehicle on I-8 west near Buckman Springs Road on April 24 shortly before 10 a.m. He was transported to UCSD Medical Center in San Diego, where he died two weeks later, on
LA MESA MOTORCYCLIST KILLED, TWO INJURED IN COLLISION ON AVOCADO
Printer-friendly version East County News Service May 12, 2025 (La Mesa) – A collision between a motorcycle and an SUV Saturday night proved deadly for a 22-year-old La Mesa man. He was riding a 2017 Ducati motorcycle northbound on Avocado Blvd. just south of Explorer Road in La Mesa with a female passenger, 20, from El Cajon just after 8
FIRE DAMAGES APARTMENT BUILDING IN SPRING VALLEY
Printer-friendly version East County News Service May 12, 2025 (Spring Valley) – A fire on Saturday, May 10 cause significant damage to an apartment building in the 400 block of Grand Avenue. San Miguel Fire and Sheriff’s deputies from the Rancho San Diego station responded at 9 a.m. and found two rear patios of the apartment building in flames. “The
HEARING MAY 19 ON CITY’S PLAN TO CLOSE LAKE MURRAY ON WEEKDAYS; OTHER LOCAL LAKES FACE CUTS
Printer-friendly versionResidents launch petition to keep lake open By Karen Pearlman Photo, left, by Miriam Raftery: Lake Murray May 12, 2025 (San Diego) – Lake Murray is one of several local reservoirs that may see their hours of operation get slashed starting next year because of budget issues in the city of San Diego. To cover the city’s $258 million
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