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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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Less water, more problems – California, six states miss key Colorado River deadline
By Rachel Becker, CalMatters Photo: Drought-stricken Lake Mead on the Colorado River in August 2022. (File photo by Christopher Clark/U.S. Bureau of Reclamation) This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. November 16, 2025 (San Diego) – After two fraught years of negotiations amid dire projections for the Colorado River’s reservoirs, California and six other states that rely on the river’s
“Bolder Than Most” rapist back in state hospital for alleged parole violation
East County News Service Photo: Alvin Ray Quarles. (File photo courtesy of California Department of Corrections) November 15, 2025 (Borrego Springs) — Alvin Ray Quarles, a sexually violent sex offender who had been temporarily placed in a Borrego Springs home, has been arrested on an alleged parole violation. In Superior Court on Friday, Quarles, 63, pleaded not guilty to the
Board of Supervisors to discuss land use on Nov. 19
East County News Service Nov. 14, 2025 (San Diego County) — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors is continuing a critical conversation about the future of housing and development in the unincorporated areas of the county, including Spring Valley, Lakeside and Casa de Oro. The Board of Supervisors will discuss land use legislations at its meeting at
National aging summit calls on community leaders to present
Dec. 5 is deadline for proposals to inform local aging service agencies East County News Service Nov. 14, 2025 (San Diego County) — Regional input is being sought for a national conference happening in San Diego next July. Because the most critical insights and best practices in community-based care typically come from the local level, the USAging
Completion of first inpatient psychiatric health facility funded in part by San Diego County opens
East County News Service November 14, 2025 (Oceanside) — The first inpatient psychiatric health facility funded in part by San Diego County opened Nov. 13 in Oceanside. San Diego County Board of Supervisors leader Jim Desmond says, “When I came into office, I said we needed to stop leaving people on the streets and start getting them into treatment. Today, that
They want to be California’s next governor. Here’s what they’d do about health care
By Ana B. Ibarra, CalMatters Photo: from left, former U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services Xavier Becerra, California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former Mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa, and former Speaker of the California State Assembly and former California State Controller Betty T. Yee speak during the “Health Matters: A Conversation With Our Next Governor” debate
GUHSD board rejects Fite’s resolution to protect students from ICE agents
By Alexander J. Schorr Screenshot: Student Board Trustee Sage Larson and Board Trustee Chris Fite November 14, 2025 (El Cajon) — The conservative board majority of the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) last night rejected a resolution proposed by Trustee Chris Fite that would have offered protection to vulnerable students and their families facing the looming presence of Immigration
Governor Newsom attends COP30 Climate Summit that President Trump skips, after UN warns of highest C02 spikes in history
California has reduced greenhouse gas emissions 20% since 2000, while state’s GDP rose 81% By G. A. McNeeley November 13, 2025 (Brazil) — Heat-trapping carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere jumped by the highest amount on record last year, soaring to levels never seen in human civilization. That’s “turbocharging” the earth’s climate and causing more extreme weather, the
Shutdown ends as Trump signs spending bill, without extending healthcare subsidies
By Miriam Raftery Photo via White House: President Trump at signing ceremony November 13, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — President Donald Trump has signed a bill to reopen the federal government and end the longest-ever government shutdown that lasted 43 days, sidelined federal workers, delayed food aid, and snarled air travel. The deal has drawn criticism for failing to assure extension
In fiery debut after 50-day delay, Rep. Adelita Grijalva slams House speaker’s ‘abuse of power’
By Grace Berry and Nick Karmia, Cronkite News Photo: Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Tucson, delivers her first floor speech moments after Speaker Mike Johnson swore her in on Nov. 12, 2025 — 50 days after her landslide win in a special election to fill the vacancy left by the death of her father, Raúl Grijalva. (from U.S. House of Representatives video) For
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