East County Magazine
La Mesa hosting Home Energy Fair in March
East County News Service February 5, 2026 (La Mesa) — With San Diego County residents navigating some of the highest utility rates in the nation,…
Navy officials meet with Warner Springs community to address PFAS in water
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman with additional reporting by Miriam Raftery Jan. 14, 2026 (Warner Springs) — Dozens of local residents and business owners visited the CAL Fire Station in Warner Springs on Jan. 12 to glean information from the United States Navy and several other federal groups as well as state and county water agencies about PFAS and their impact
“Forever chemical” crisis seeps into Southern California: from Sweetwater Reservoir to Orange County, districts grapple with how to protect drinking water supplies
Printer-friendly versionPhoto: PFAS have been detected in Sweetwater Reservoir, via Sweetwater Water Authority By Karen Pearlman Jan. 8, 2025 (San Diego County) — “Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink” goes the line from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s 1798 poem, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, describing sailors surrounded by undrinkable ocean water. That old phrase also fits today. Obtaining clean,
Reader’s Editorial: Venezuela could yield more profits from ecotourism than from oil
Printer-friendly version By Renee Owens, wildlife biologist Photo by Renee Owens: capybaras and sunset in Venezuela’s llanos January 7, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) — Having lived and worked in Venezuela, I can no longer remain silent amidst all the clueless rhetoric. Venezuela is more than a cliché of dictators and oil. It is a wondrous place and a cautionary tale
The Water Conservation Garden gears up for a blooming 2026
Printer-friendly version Photo of a buttefly at the Dorcas E. Utter Butterfly Pavilion at The Water Conservation Garden and story by Karen Pearlman Jan. 3, 2025 (Rancho San Diego) — The Water Conservation Garden, the 6-acre botanical showcase of sustainable landscaping and water-wise gardening adjacent to Cuyamaca College, has rooted out its slate of events for Winter and Spring 2026. The schedule includes educational opportunities,
PFAS “forever chemicals” found in Warner Springs groundwater: Navy to host open house January 12 and provide testing of wells at nearby properties
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Updated Dec. 31 with comments from the Warner Spring Community Sponsor Group chair and a local winery representative, plus a statement from the Vista Irrigation District. December 27, 2025 (Warner Springs) — The U.S. Navy has announced that PFAS, known as “forever chemicals” have been detected in groundwater in Warner Springs. The contamination is believed to be linked to a
County share: Sustainability hacks during the holiday season
Printer-friendly versionSustainable gifts are always in. Photo from Pexels.com East County News Service Dec. 10, 2025 (San Diego County) — Going green and being sustainable poses some challenges, and can be especially difficult to navigate during the holiday season. Gving and receiving gifts and packages of all makes and models — and most come with wrapping of all types —
Loveland Reservoir water transfer at 21% but coming to an end, SWA says
Printer-friendly versionPhoto of Loveland Reservoir by Ostan Patton By Karen Pearlman Dec. 9, 2025 (Alpine) – Sweetwater Authority’s plan to leave Loveland Reservoir with at least 25 percent of its water capacity during the most recent transfer of water into the Sweetwater Reservoir has not gone as originally planned, as shared with East County Magazine on Dec. 5. Sweetwater Authority (SWA), the
East County AWP construction boosts cost, but officials say recycled water supply is worth the price
Printer-friendly versionBy Mike Allen Photo: Education Center at AWP plant December 5, 2025 (Santee) — Three years into construction, the massive East County Advanced Water Purification Program is approaching the finish line late next year when the region’s sewage now being treated at Point Loma will be pumped to a new Santee plant and converted to drinkable, purified water.
Loveland Reservoir draining underway brings pushback from East County residents
Printer-friendly version Loveland Reservoir showing what is left of the public fishing zone. Photo by Ostan Patton By Karen Pearlman Dec. 5, 2025 (Alpine) – It’s been three years since Loveland Reservoir was drained by Sweetwater Authority to “deadpool” level for the first time ever, leaving the area susceptible to environmental challenges, killing fish and increasing fire hazards. Now another extreme draining is underway by Sweetwater
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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.
PEDAL POWER: BIKE TO WORK DAY MAY 21
Printer-friendly version May 12, 2010 (San Diego) – National Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 21st. Locally, SANDAG and the San Diego County Credit Union have teamed up to offer prizes and info for commuters who register at www.iCommuteSD.com. Registrants will be eligible to win an electric bicycle, spa gift certificate and more – plus a free Bike to
GARDENING IN GYM CLASS: A HIGH SCHOOL IS MAKING TRADITIONAL PE CLASSES GREENER
Printer-friendly version By Rachel Ford May 10, 2010 (New Jersey) — Imagine switching compost bins instead of sides on the tennis court? Planting vegetables in place of goals in the net. That’s exactly what Princeton High School kids in New Jersey are doing. In an elective program, they can choose to take Gardening in place of traditional PE classes.
MEET EAST COUNTY’S “ECO-WARRIOR” JIM MUMFORD
Printer-friendly version First came green roofs; now edible walls join pioneering urban farming trends By Gayle Falkenthal May 8, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) — Plenty of people told Jim Mumford he was nuts building a green roof project in the middle of a Kearny Mesa industrial park. Three years later, the roof is thriving and Mumford’s
RUN FOR THE RIVER – SATURDAY, MAY 8
Printer-friendly version May 5, 2010 (Lakeside) – Hundreds of runners and walkers will gather this Saturday in Lakeside to celebrate the 3rd Annual Run for the San Diego River 5K Trail Run and Walk. The event starts at 8 a.m. with registration at 6:30 a.m and celebrates local efforts to preserve and restore the biological integrity and beauty of the San
WAL-MART TO PAY RECORD $27 MILLION SETTLEMENT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL VIOLATIONS
Printer-friendly version Employees Illegally Dumped Pesticides and Hazardous Chemicals May 3, 2010 (San Diego) — San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis (photo, left), California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. and 18 other District Attorneys throughout the state announced today that a $27.6 million settlement has been reached with Wal-Mart for violations of environmental laws and regulations. It
ELECTRONICS RECYCLING & DOCUMENT SHREDDING AT HELIX HIGH THIS WEEKEND
Printer-friendly versionA free e-waste recycling is being held at Helix Charter High School on Saturday and Sunday, May 1-2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Document shredding is also available for $10 per bankers box. Proceeds from this fundraiser will go to the school’s Speech and Debate Team. For more details please see the flyer below. Printer-friendly version
ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION TODAY
Printer-friendly version April 30, 2010 (El Cajon)—The City of El Cajon invites the public to its 13th year of receiving the Tree City USA award and the 21st Annual Arbor Day ceremony. Festivities will begin at 3:00 p.m., next to the Ronald Reagan Community Center, located at 195 East Main Street. In celebration of Arbor Day, over 125 trees will
CONSERVATION IN BLOOM AT THE 17TH ANNUAL SPRING GARDEN FESTIVAL
Printer-friendly versionSan Diegans are invited to celebrate spring with a bloom of activities at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College on Saturday, April 24, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The College’s Nursery, run by Ornamental Horticulture students, will feature a large selection of ornamental plants, including drought tolerant varieties and the iconic Matilija poppy, or “fried egg plant”. Horticultural
SPRING FESTIVAL AT CRESTRIDGE ECOLOGICAL RESERVE
Printer-friendly versionApril 19, 2010 (Crest CA) — The Earth Discovery Institute at Crestridge Ecological Reserve is hosting a Spring Festival celebrating Art and Kids on April 24, 2010 from 9 to 12:00 a.m. Festivities will include: • Native Plant & Backyard Habitat Sale • Kids Activities. • Art for Sale • Science Demonstrations • Native American Dances and Storytellers
EDITORIAL: GOLDEN EAGLES FALL PREY TO WIND INDUSTRY
Printer-friendly version By Jim Wiegand, wildlife biologist April 17, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) — The controversy surrounding wind farms in America has been brewing for over 25 years. The debate centers around the use of the deadly propeller style wind turbines and the large death toll to what are supposedly protected species. One of these species, the federally protected
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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.