March 21, 2024 (La Mesa) -- Starting this week, the City of La Mesa will begin the process of repairing and sealing approximately 2.65 million square feet of roads around the city. They say this project highlights their ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance La Mesa's infrastructure.
March 20, 2024 (Lemon Grove) -- The San Diego County Sheriff's Department teamed up with its law enforcement partners to help get unwanted weapons off our streets through a Gun Safety Event in Lemon Grove on March 4.
A total of 184 unwanted firearms were turned in by the public during the event at the First Baptist Church of Lemon Grove.
March 20, 2024 (Lakeside) — An all-night search by the Sheriff’s volunteer Search and Rescue unit resulted in safely locating a man who had been missing for over 14 hours in Sycamore Canyon Preserve.
The search began after the 57-year-old man failed to return from a hike in Sycamore Canyon. He had begun his hike at 9 a.m. and his family reported him missing at 1 p.m.
March 20, 2024 (San Diego) – The San Diego Registrar of Voters this evening released unofficial results from the primary election. Final results will be certified by 5 p.m. on April 4.
The only ballots not yet counted countywide are 3,750 mail-in ballots returned with a missing or non-matching signature. Those voters were mailed letters giving them until April 2 to provide signatures. Once verified, these “cured” ballots will then be tallied. It is unclear how many of those ballots will be cured and counted, and how many are in any given district.
Below is an update on close races in East County, where flips in two key Assembly races since election night appear to have held.
Cancino Castellar v. Mayorkas settlement will ensure Immigrants in DHS custody have prompt first appearances before immigration judges
East County News Service
March 20, 2024 (San Diego) -- A federal judge on March 14 approved a settlement in a long-running class action lawsuit affirming the constitutional due process rights of people in immigration custody in San Diego and Imperial Counties.
Photo by Miriam Raftery: Campo tribe's original wind project; the tribe hopes to build a new project connected to the substation challenged by rural activists.
March 20, 2024 (Campo) — An Appellate Court has found that a trial court wrongfully dismissed a lawsuit against San Diego County challenging Supervisors’ approval of Terra-Gen’s Boulder Brush substation in rural East County. The substation would connect to Terra-Gen’s Campo Wind project on Campo tribal land.
Earlier plans called for the substation to also connect to the proposed Torrey Wind project in Campo, but Terra-Gen has since withdrawn its application for that project after a deadline expired.
March 13, 2024 (El Cajon) — CSA San Diego, a nonprofit based in El Cajon, will host “Home Sweet Home,” an online workshop for first-time homebuyers. The free online workshop will be held on Friday, March 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Known as a visionary educator and philosopher during his 15-year tenure as president, Weber leaves a legacy of academic excellence and service.
Photo: SDSU led the country in improved graduation rates during Stephen Weber's 15-year tenure. (SDSU)
March 20, 2024 (Jersey City, NJ) -- Stephen Lewis Weber died March 17 surrounded by family at his home in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Weber was born on St. Patrick’s Day, 1942, in Boston, Massachusetts. After the death of his father, when Weber was 9 years old, his mother moved Weber and his two younger brothers, John and Roger, to her hometown of Stony Ridge, Ohio. She built a home next to Weber’s grandparent’s farm. They would prove to be excellent role models, along with Weber’s three uncles and their families.
March 19, 2024 (Chicago, IL) — An analysis of over 20,000 U.S. adults found that people who limited their eating across less than 8 hours per day, a time-restricted diet, were 91% more likely to die from cardiovascular disease compared to people who ate across 12-16 hours per day, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention│Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Scientific Sessions 2024, March 18- 21, in Chicago.
March 19, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media. This week's round-up stories include:
March 19, 2024 (Lemon Grove) -- Are you a fan of cooking or eating delicious chili? Then this announcement is for you! Join the Lemon Grove Lions Club and Lemon Grove Forward Club for a Chili Cook-Off event. If you're confident in your chili-making skills, this is your opportunity to showcase them by participating in their contest. For those who simply love savoring tasty chili, there will be plenty available for sampling!
Join the fun event Saturday, April 6, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at St. John of the Cross Parish Hall, located at 8086 Broadway, Lemon Grove, CA 91945. All proceeds will go toward Lemon Grove Charities. The fun event will feature a chili tasting contest, where you get to help pick the best chili in Lemon Grove, music, cash bar, a raffle and silent auction.
Photo: I dedicate this article to one of my best friends from childhood, Andy Troncale, every year. I know Capt. Troncale (Arcadia Fire Dept. Truck Co. 105) would like you to follow the advice here to help you maintain your wellness.
March 17, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – It’s a beautiful season to get outside and enjoy beautiful East County. This week’s Destination East County includes desert wildflower walks, Easter egg hunts in El Cajon and at Lake Jennings, Daffodil Days in Julian, a star party at Mission Trails, La Mesa’s Earth Day Fair, Cajon Classic Cruises, the Ramona Open Studios art tour, and a Lyle Lovett concert at the Magnolia.
March 18, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:
DA has found no cases on San Diego County tribal lands, but nationally, an estimated 40% of women sex trafficking victims are Native Americans.
By David R. Shorey, East County Program Director, Institute for Public Strategies
March 17, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery that continues to plague communities worldwide. Tribal Nations are not immune. In the shadows of our society, traffickers exploit vulnerabilities. Among the most vulnerable are those grappling with substance use disorders. The correlation between addiction and trafficking is not merely coincidental but deeply intertwined, perpetuating a cycle of exploitation and suffering.
March 17, 2024 (Lakeside) -- Supervisors Wednesday approved construction of the Willow Recreational Vehicle (RV) Senior and Family Parking site in a County-owned site located in the unincorporated Lakeside community at the intersection of Willow Road and Ashwood Street. A concept design has been prepared showing 17 safe RV parking sites, an office space, storage, and restrooms.
March 17, 2024 (Lemon Grove) --Are you looking for that perfect spot to eat that the whole family will love? Look no further than The Barn House BBQ in Lemon Grove’s downtown district that is quickly becoming a foodie destination. The Barn House BBQ offers wonderfully smoked in-house meats and traditional sides, craft beers, wine, craft cocktails and even a game room the whole family will enjoy! Come for the food and stay for the fun.
Photo, left: ECM Editor MIriam Raftery with Santee Favorites award
March 17, 2024 (Santee) – East County Magazine received a “Santee’s Favorites” award for best business resources at the Santee Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Awards Night on March 7 at Sycuan Casino Resort’s Heritage Event Center.
East County Magazine offers affordable sponsorship opportunities on our news site, which averages 5-10 million hits and a quarter million visits each month. Our news coverage includes highlighting East County businesses, business news and events.. Next up, ECM is planning to add a business directory, to help our readers easily locate business services in San Diego’s inland region.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by the Santee Chamber as the favorite for Business Resources, an award chosen by popular vote,” says East County Magazine editor and founder Miriam Raftery. “We are constantly striving to find more ways to help local businesses. We welcome tips and story ideas, which can be sent to editor@eastcountymagazine.org.” For sponsorship information, businesses owners and nonprofits can call (619)698-7617.
Sycuan was the title sponsor of the event. Santee Chamber President/CEO, Kristen Dare, alongside past Board Chair, Eddie Vandiver, co-hosted onstage as the organization welcomed over 250 guests.
Photo: San Diego independent film producer Jennifer Linch (R), stands with actor Eddie Lane during last year's Comic-Con. Photo by Michael Howard
March 17, 2024 (San Diego) -- San Diego’s own Jennifer Linch, the creative force behind the acclaimed comedy action martial arts film "Kung Fu Ghost," has navigated the complex landscape of independent filmmaking in San Diego with determination and passion, overcoming numerous obstacles along the way to end up with a successful title streaming on Peacock, Prime Video, and Apple TV.
March 17, 2024 (Spring Valley) -- The program provides a one-time payment to buy food for those experiencing challenges from the January flood. Income limits apply.
All CalFresh recipients and new Disaster CalFresh recipients can use their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card to purchase hot and prepared food until Wednesday, April 17, 2024 due to the Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for the Jan. 22 storms and flooding.
March 17, 2024 (San Diego) -- Ocean Beach resident Cornelia Feye writes a post-apocalyptic story.
After a massive solar storm causes a catastrophic global blackout, Greg and Vega escape with their extended family to their solar powered, self-sufficient mountain cabin. Their survival is threatened when a dead body is found on the path behind their home, and a gang of lawless neo-Nazis threaten to take over their property.
March 16, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – The 79th Assembly district race is still too close to call. While La Mesa Councilman Colin Parent is still solidly in first place with 39.65% of the vote (21,745 votes). Educator Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins has overtaken Lemon Grove Mayor Racquel Vasquez to move into second place.
Currently Sharp-Collins has 30.27% (16,597 votes), while Vasquez has 30.08% (16,494 votes).
March 16, 2024 (El Cajon) — An elderly woman died in an early morning fire Friday at her home in the 1700 block of North First Street in unincorporated El Cajon.
Deputies from the Lakeside Sheriff's Substation along with the San Miguel, Lakeside, Santee and Heartland Fire Departments responded to the location after receiving a call around 1 a.m. Units arrived within minutes and found the home fully engulfed in flames.
March 16, 2024 (San Diego) -- The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to extend the Emergency Temporary Lodging Program.
The program, which was launched on Feb. 10, has provided safe and secure lodging for more than 840 families who were displaced by flooding from the Jan. 22 storm.
March 16, 2024 (Borrego Springs) – Those heavy winter rains have resulted in one of the most beautiful bloom seasons in recent memory in the Anza-Borrego Desert. I visited earlier this month, finding the desert floor along Henderson Canyon Road bursting with colorful purple verbena, white primroses and yellow sunflowers.
Many of the most spectacular wildflower fields are not in the Anza-Borrego State Park, but just outside it on the outskirts of Borrego Springs.
March 16, 2024 (La Mesa) -- The City of La Mesa is inviting residents, visitors, sponsors and vendors to join its family-friendly Earth Day Fair on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at MacArthur Park, 4900 Memorial Drive, La Mesa CA 91942. The festival is a celebration of the city’s commitment to environmental stewardship and a showcase of local businesses that offer eco-friendly products and services.
By Shauni Lyles, County of San Diego Communications Office
Photo: Bing Copilot
March 15, 2024 (San Diego) -- County Supervisors voted this week to make improvements for pedestrians at four intersections in the unincorporated communities of La Presa, Spring Valley and Fallbrook, and to make additional improvements at 17 different locations to improve pedestrian safety.
March 15, 2024 (Campo) -- Want to learn about the colorful lives (and deaths) of some of the early settlers in the Campo area? The Mountain Empire Historical Society (MEHS), a 501c3 organization, will provide 2 ½ to 3 hour long guided tours of three private historic cemeteries: the Milquatay Pioneer Cemetery (see photo left), the Old Campo Cemetery, and the Ortega Cemetery at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 6th and then again at 9 a.m. on Sunday, April 14th.
March 15, 2024 (Spring Valley) -- I Love a Clean San Diego announces the upcoming Household Hazardous and Electronic Waste Collection Event organized by the County of San Diego for unincorporated residents. This event provides an excellent opportunity for you to safely dispose of hazardous materials and electronic waste from your home.
Here are the event details:
Date: Saturday, March 30, 2024
Location: Steele Canyon High School – Back Parking Lot
Source: City of La Mesa
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
Cancino Castellar v. Mayorkas settlement will ensure Immigrants in DHS custody have prompt first appearances before immigration judges 
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
By Weber Family
Source: American Heart Association
March 19, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media. This week's round-up stories include:
East County News Service
No Excuses – Time for a Screening!
By Miriam Raftery
March 18, 2024 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.
March 18, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:
DA has found no cases on San Diego County tribal lands, but nationally, an estimated 40% of women sex trafficking victims are Native Americans.
East County News Service
Are you looking for that perfect spot to eat that the whole family will love? Look no further than 
By Miriam Raftery
By Michael Howard
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
East County News Service
By 
Source: Mountain Empire Historical Society
East County News Service
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