East County Magazine

Photo of the week: Jacumba sunset
April 6, 2026 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Martin Eder sent in this photo, taken along Interstate 8 just west of Jacumba near the San Diego-Imperial…

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…

Sunrise to sunset is theme of 2026 Lake Jennings photo contest
East County News Service March 15, 2026 (Lakeside) – Lake Jennings invites you to enter your best photos taken at Lake Jennings between April 1…

Photo of the Week: Here’s the buzz!
East County News Service February 7, 2026 (La Mesa) — Kristin Kjaero snapped this photo of a honeybee pollinating flowers in her succulent garden in…
Photo of the Week: Beaver moon
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 9, 2025 (Mt. Helix) — Dawn Sebaugh snapped this picture of the “Beaver Moon” on November 5, The November full moon was dubbed “Beaver Moon” because it’s the time when beavers are most active building their lodges for winter, and when the fur trading season was at its peak. The name has its origins

Photo of the week: Egret at Lake Morena amid dead plants and green water
Printer-friendly version East County News Service October 3, 2025 (Lake Morena) — Karen Pearlman snapped this photo of snowy white egret searching for fish at Lake Morena, casting a reflection in the deep green waters. The visit raises a curious question: Why are all the plants in the water at Lake Morena dead? It isn’t drought, since plants further up

Exclusive: ECM obtains video showing start of Coches Fire
Printer-friendly version View video September 17, 2025 (Lakeside) — East County Magazine photographer Patrick Ward has obtained surveillance video from a Lakeside homeowner who lives next to the spot where the Coches Fire began. The video from the homeowner, who asked to remain anonymous, shows vehicles on the roadway around 2:56 p.m. on September 8, 2025, followed by brush igniting

Photo of the week: Santee Fire Department’s new brush rig
Printer-friendly versionPhoto and story by Patrick Ward August 24, 2025 (Santee) – The Santee Fire Department this week held a push-in ceremony with its new home-type 3 brush engine, a symbol of the department’s commitment to safety and efficiency. The brush rig is designed to handle any emergency with precision and speed. The cost of the apparatus was

State Parks Photo Contest Running Through Sept. 30
Printer-friendly versionAnza-Borrego Desert State Park photo (left) by Karen Pearlman East County News Service July 15, 2025 (San Diego County) — California State Parks Foundation is inviting park visitors and photography enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels to capture the natural beauty, recreational activities and unique landscapes of California’s state parks. The California State Parks Foundation

Photos of the Week: Crest Celebrates Independence Day
Printer-friendly version July 6, 2026 (Crest, CA) – Paul Levikow sent in these photos from the 79th Crest Fourth of July Parade near Nancy Jane County Park. Parade watchers lined La Cresta Blvd. and Suncrest Blvd., to watch motorcycles, offroad vehicles, bicycles, classic cars, floats, and equestrians. The community event also included a live band, crafts, venders, food,
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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.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: PRESIDENT’S DAY PATRIOTISM
Printer-friendly versionPhoto by Robert Gehr February 29, 2024 (El Cajon) — El Cajon shows its patriotic spirit on President’s Day. Printer-friendly version

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: PRESIDENT’S DAY PATRIOTISM
Printer-friendly versionPhoto by Robert Gehr February 29, 2024 (El Cajon) — El Cajon shows its patriotic spirit on President’s Day. Printer-friendly version

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: WATERFALL AT MISSION TRAILS
Printer-friendly version East County News Service February 11, 2024 (San Diego) — January’s heavy rains created waterfalls in many rocky areas across East County. Rod Lagace sent in this beautiful photo of a waterfall that formed at Mission Trails Regional Park after the storm. You can find information on hiking trails at Mission Trails Regional Park at https://www.mtrp.org. Use caution

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: COYOTE PAIR
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 27, 2024 (Ramona) — Joe Cortez photographed this pair of coyotes chilling out in the Ramona Grasslands County Preserve. This biologically diverse 3,541 acre preserve also supports 23 butterfly species, 21 reptile species, six types of amphibians, 37 mammals, over 100 types of birds, and 408 plant species. You can visit on your own, or join a docent-led
EXTREME FLOODING IN ENCANTO
Printer-friendly version January 23, 2024 (Encanto) –Genevieve Jones-Wright, a San Diego mayoral candidate, sent in this video of extreme flooding in her east San Diego community of Encanto yesterday. She called for the mayor to declare an emergency, which Mayor Todd Gloria did later in the evening. The County of San Diego has also issued an emergency proclamation. Printer-friendly version

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY PARADE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery January 14, 2024 (San Diego) – Tim and Susan Taylor sent in these photos from this weekend’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade in San Diego. Participants carried messages in support of Reverend. King’s goals including freedom, equality, peace, and love triumphing over hate. Others called for an end to gun violence. Participants came from across

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: RESCUED PUPPIES IN RAMONA
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photos courtesy of CalFire San Diego December 20, 2023 (Ramona)—The crew from Cal Fire’s Station 80 rescued nearly 20 animals from a barn fire in Ramona earlier this week, including these adorable puppies. Unfortunately, one animal perished in the fire on Ramona Real. Printer-friendly version
THOUSANDS TURN OUT FOR LAKESIDE’S SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS ON MAINE
Printer-friendly version By Shiloh Ireland December 12, 2023 (Lakeside)– Thousands of merrymakers attended Lakeside’s Spirit of Christmas on Maine event December 2. The event along Maine Avenue featured vendors, local merchant displays, food trucks, dance and vocals from local middle schools, community information booths, animals, local dignitaries, a band, classic car show, Lakeside Rodeo And Bulls Only Queens, Lakeside pre-teen

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: BEAUTIFUL BOULEVARD
Printer-friendly versionNovember 5, 2023 (Boulevard, CA) — Benjamin Hayden took these scenic shots earlier this year in Boulevard, a high-desert town in San Diego’s East County. From colorful sunrises to dramatic sunbeams, the photos depict spectacular skies over mountains, rocky terrain, and ridges topped with wind turbines. Printer-friendly version
PHOTO OF THEWEEK: SOLAR ECLIPSE
Printer-friendly versionOctober 15, 2023 (San Diego’s East County)—Jake Christie of East County snapped this shot of yesterday’s solar eclipse, shot through a welder’s mask. Printer-friendly version
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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.