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City of San Diego secures $4 million in federal funds for stormwater infrastructure project along Chollas Creek
Photo by Genevieve Jones-Wright: flooding in Encanto in January 2024
To comply with new state laws, GUHSD board passes protections for immigrant students by 3-2 margin
File photo, left: Trustee Jim Kelly called the measure “anarchy” and voted against it, along with Trustee Gary Woods
News Issues
New Woodspring Suites now Santee’s largest hotel
One guest stayed for two weeks because their house flooded, and another stayed three weeks because their house caught fire
Santee bank robbery suspect arrested
January 16, 2026 (Santee) – Bruce Clark Furze, 31, was arrested last night while trying to cross the international border
Politics
Tony Winney to be interim City Manager in Lemon Grove
Jan. 17, 2026 (Lemon Grove) -- The Lemon Grove City Council will formally appoint former Coronado Assistant City Manager Tony Winney as interim City Manager, with a start date of Jan. 26.
County looking for people to help with Point-in-Time count
Jan. 17, 2026 (San Diego County) -- San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson is looking for residents to help in the county's annual Point-in-Time Count
Wildfires and Emergencies
Strengthening San Diego County fire preparedness while protecting taxpayer dollars
January 16, 2026 (San Diego) – San Diego County is facing increased budget challenges when it comes to providing fire
Passages: Sam DiGiovanna, fire chief and author of “From the Fire Chief’s Corner” column
January 5, 2026 (San Diego) — Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna, an expert on fire safety and author of East County Magazine’s “From the Chief’s Corner” column
Events & Arts
Wildlife Research Institute announces 2026 "HawkWatch" series at Ramona Grasslands
Jan. 21, 2026 (Ramona) — The Wildlife Research Institute (WRI) began its annual "HawkWatch" program on Jan. 3 and has had two more events since then
San Diego Automotive Museum to hold "Garage Night" fundraiser
Evening event at new IGNITE Academy campus (see photo, left, showing students from the academy) will support automotive career training for local youth
Visit East County
Our guide to Animal Sanctuaries and Wildlife Centers in San Diego’s inland region
From world-renowned conservation hubs to intimate, family-friendly rescues, San Diego's East County and inland region is a vibrant
Our guide to lodging in East County
odging opportunities in San Diego’s inland region have dramatically expanded in recent years. Several Native American tribes
People
Mas-Issge Deuseyo! New JJang Korean Barbecue in La Mesa provides yummy Korean dishes and culturally artful moments
December 21, 2025 (La Mesa) - JJang BBQ, a new all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue restaurant in La Mesa, delivers a traditional
Advancing Healthy Communities: Building resilience in the backcountry
December 17, 2025 (Campo) -- In the Mountain Empire, where long bus rides, rugged terrain, and rising temperatures shape daily life, a new effort is underway to protect community health and strengthen resilience against extreme heat.
Communities
https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/taxonomy/term/73
January 21, 2026 (El Cajon) — The Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) Board of Trustees on January 19 voted 3-2
Man, 21, fatally struck while walking on freeway in El Cajon
January 20, 2026 (El Cajon) – A 21-year-old man from Kaibeto, Arizona walked onto Interstate 8 west from Mollison Avenue, a
Features
New leash on life for seven dogs rescued from dire conditions in La Mesa
There was a sendoff to a foster home for this lucky dog and several others rescued at the end of last year from an apartment in La Mesa. Photo courtesy San Diego Humane Society
La Mesa Chamber's Casino Royale coming to El Cajon in February
The night of gaming, with presenting sponsor Kirk Paving, Inc., is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Courtyard by Marriott in El Cajon.
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Elderly man who died in custody had urinary tract infection, high blood pressure and heart disease
By Miriam Raftery November 22, 2025 (San Diego) – The Medical Examiner has concluded that 82-year-old Karim Talib died of natural causes in the San Diego Central Jail on July 28. The autopsy determined that the cause of death was high blood pressure and heart disease complicated by acute kidney disease due to a urinary tract infection. ECM has emailed
San Diego River Park Foundation takes action to protect homeless; hundreds in jeopardy from storms
East County News Service November 22, 2025 (San Diego) – The San Diego River Park Foundation is leading efforts to help 323 people living along the San Diego River who are at risk from flooding in upcoming storms. In addition to checking on homeless camps and getting warnings out ahead of storms, the nonprofit holding a care package drive and
Sheriff deputies kill Alpine resident Robert Liddell during wellness check
CA Attorney General is investigating the shooting East County News Service November 21, 2025 (Alpine, CA) – A concerned neighbor called 911 to request a wellness check on her neighbor on November 5, after she found his door partially open and he did not answer. The incident ended tragically. Sheriff’s deputies fatally shot the resident, 72-year-old Robert Edmund Liddell, after
Supervisors discuss future housing and development in unincorporated county
By Paul Levikow Photo: map shows targeted areas to be prioritized for housing November 20, 2025 (San Diego) – With San Diego County experiencing a housing crisis, the Board of Supervisors held a workshop Wednesday aimed at finding solutions for the unincorporated areas, including several in East County. The Valle de Oro/Casa de Oro neighborhood was identified as being positioned
County Supervisors Extend Behavioral Health Services Contracts
By Paul Levikow November 20, 2025 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Tuesday voted unanimously to extend mental health and substance use services contracts. The County Health and Human Services Agency’s Behavioral Health Services (BHS) department provides services to vulnerable populations, including individuals who are experiencing homelessness, people involved in the justice system, and children and
Hannah Shirley the pygmy hippo, turns 52
East County News Service Nov. 20, 2025 (Ramona) — San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center celebrated the coming 52nd birthday of Hannah Shirley (photo, left, courtesy San Diego Humane Society), the world’s oldest living pygmy hippopotamus in managed care. Hannah enjoyed a festive “Hungry Hungry Hippos”-themed party that included floating fruit treats and colorful decorations inspired by
Trump aims to open California coast to oil drilling; Senator Padilla and Governor Newsom denounce plan
Draft proposal seeks six California lease sales despite clear legal limits and decades of bipartisan coastal protections By Miriam Raftery Photo: dead seabirds killed by the Exxon Valdez oil spill off Alaska in 1989. Source. November 20, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – The Trump administration today released its draft 2027 to 2032 Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing plan, the most aggressive
USDA Secretary Says SNAP Recipients Will Have To Reapply For Benefits
Additionally, President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” provisions could kick millions out of the program By G. A. McNeeley November 20 2025 (Washington D.C.) — After disruptions in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits due to the federal shutdown, recipients have been anticipating getting benefits restored now that the shutdown has ended. But U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary
Why hospital policies matter in states that ban abortion
By Kavitha Surana, Lizzie Presser and Andrea Suozzo, ProPublica Photo: Dr. Robyn Horsager-Boehrer, a retired maternal-fetal medicine specialist in Dallas. Photo by Lexi Parra for ProPublica This story was originally published by ProPublica. ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they’re published. November 18, 2025 (Dallas/Houston) – Nearly four
Trump does damage control after newly released Epstein emails say Trump spent hours with sex trafficking victim at Epstein’s home
NPR/PBS poll finds just 20% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of Epstein matter Update November 18, 2025: The House of Representatives voted to release the Epstein files by a 427 to 1 margin. It now goes to the Senate. The measure passed overwhelming after Pres. Trump withdrew his opposition once enough members had pledged support to assure passage. By
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