East County Magazine

Ilan-Lael Foundation hosts docent-led tour April 9 in Santa Ysabel
By Philicia Tonangoye Karen Pearlman contributed to this story. April 1, 2026 (Santa Ysabel) — The nonprofit Ilan-Lael Foundation will host an immersive art and…

Fallbrook artist loses 50 years of work in studio fire
“This is nothing compared to what is taking place in the world” — Jerome Gastaldi, who lost 50 years of work in a fire at…

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…

Magical Mystery Campout and Beatles Tribute Fair: festival April 4-5 in Jacumba
By Rebecca Person March 28, 2026 (Jacumba Hot Springs) — East County’s abuzz with a Beatles invasion. De Anza Springs Resort, a high desert retreat,…

Sheriff not investigating 7 reported rapes at Otay Mesa detention center
By Wendy Fry and Nigel Duara, CalMatters Photo: a CoreCivic vehicle at the Otay Mesa Detention Center. (File photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego)…

Meet candidates in Lakeside on April 22
East County News Service March 27, 2026 (Lakeside) – Voters are invited to the “Candidates to Constituents Town Hall” series. The series is hosted by…

East County public transportation guide to Padres Opening Day March 26
Skip Interstate 8 and ‘ride the rails’ with the Padres-wrapped Trolley East County News Service March 25, 2026 (San Diego) — With the San Diego…

Karnival of the Arts coming to DeAnza Springs April 30 through May 3
East County News Service March 24, 2026 (Jacumba Hot Springs) — Performance art and music will collide and combine in concert in the high desert…

The Circle Players present ‘The Conundrum on the Crackerjack Cruise’ April 17, 18 and 19
East County News Service March 24, 2026 (El Cajon) — The First Presbyterian Church of El Cajon’s theater outreach program, The Circle Players, will navigate…

Male lion joins pride at San Diego Zoo Safari Park
East County News Service View video: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1484962496593617 March 24, 2026 (San Pasqual) — The lion pride at the Safari Park just got a little louder…
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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting — not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine’s local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

Book review:The Mission at Home: Navigating Military Assignments, TRICARE, Education, Benefits and Everyday Life with Your Child on the Autism Spectrum
Printer-friendly version Book by Jaime B. & Elizabeth Tracy Parent Reviewed by Pennell Paugh April 20, 2026 (San Diego) – Local authors Jaime and Elizabeth Parent have written a major reference for persons who have disabilities, with particular focus on those who have autism. While the book specifically addresses the services and needs of families in any of the military

Review of Ethan Talks to Animals: Eat Your Food Fussy Filo, by Nico Waters
Printer-friendly version Reviewed by Pennell Paugh April 20, 2026 (San Diego) — San Diego author Nico Waters has written a series of books for children. In Ethan Talks to Animals, second grader Ethan can talk to animals. Together with his dog, Chewie, Ethan helps their next-door neighbor’s cat eat his new diet. Printer-friendly version

Eight local women Honored at Soroptimist’s annual “Live Your Dream” Awards Celebration
Printer-friendly versionSoroptimist International of Valley de Oro recognizes women overcoming extraordinary obstacles to build better lives through education By Henri Migala Photo: Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award winners. Seated (left to right): Dr. Peggy Fischer, DVM, Valley de Oro Club Chair; Tenisha Back row (left to right): Sue Bucheman (member); Nancy Waters (member); Kayleen; Susie Hoolihan (Club Treasurer); Metilde; Rasha;

Federal judge: Continued Border Patrol sweeps in California violated court order
Printer-friendly version By Wendy Fry and Sergio Olmos, CalMatters. This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: a line of federal immigration agents and protesters stand-off near the Glass House Farms facility outside Camarillo on July 10, 2025. Protesters gathered after federal immigration agents conducted an immigration raid earlier in the day. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local April 18,

How the fruit fly quarantine has impacted food donations — and how you can help
Printer-friendly version By Philicia Tonangoye Image: Tangerines, via Bing (cc) April 18, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – The Mexican fruit fly quarantine has reduced donations of fresh produce to local food pantries, since organizations such as Produce Good mainly rely on backyard harvests to help community members in need. Home growers are not allowed to move their backyard products

Jamul Casino Resort gets two film awards
Printer-friendly versionWater Sweet – The Story of Jamul” Earns Top Honors at AAF Reno ADDY Awards East County News Service April 1, 2026 (Jamul) – Jamul Casino Resort has been recognized with two prestigious ADDY Awards from AAF Reno, earning a Gold ADDY and Best of Show in the Corporate Social Responsibility category for “Water Sweet – The Story

Don’t miss Santa Ysabel and Wynola on your way to visit Julian
Printer-friendly versionTiny mountain towns often overlooked by travelers in East County’s back country By Paul Levikow Photos by Miriam Raftery and Paul Levikow April 10, 2026 (Santa Ysabel/Wynola) – Visitors travelling to Julian north from Ramona can oftentimes overlook two equally charming communities along the way. Some might even think Santa Ysabel, population around 600, and Wynola with about 200

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 a day of games, community and advocacy on Saturday, April 18 at the Rock House in Lakeside. The first-ever “Canine Carnival” is set for April 18 while a slumber party that starts that night will take visitors into more activities the morning

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, April 15 hosting the first-ever Mountain Empire Art Show 2026, opening at 4 p.m. and the Boulevard-Jacumba Town Hall Event at 6:30 p.m. The first annual Mountain Empire Art Show is an act of advocacy for the vibrant and sometimes hidden

San Diego County has free parking perks for seniors
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson holds up his senior parking pass at Mt. Woodson Gateway County Preserve in Ramona. (Photo courtesy Joel Anderson Facebook page) East County News Service April 10, 2026 (San Diego County) — While parking prices across the region seem to be climbing faster than a fit hiker scaling Iron Mountain, local seniors can count
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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting — not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine’s local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.