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2023 STORIES OF THE YEAR

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

December 30, 2023 (San Diego’s East County)—It’s been a turbulent year, from the resignation of a supervisor to a tropical storm slamming our region, from environmental impacts of a drained reservoir to a migrant crisis at the border, from homelessness challenges facing local cities to financial challenges shutting down a popular parade, to name just a few of the top local stories. National and international news stories also sent shock waves across our region, from a former president and current candidate indicted on criminal charges to the Israeli-Hamas war igniting anguish and protests.

Our reporting team has worked hard to bring you in-depth coverage on the most important stories of the year affecting residents across East County.

Here are the top news stories and issues that we covered in 2023.


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PASSAGES: LOCAL LEADERS AND LUMINARIES LOST IN 2023

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 31, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – As the year draws to a close, we honor the memories and legacies of local leaders and luminaries who passed away in 2023—gone but never forgotten.

This year's list of leaders lost includes several prominent elected officials, leaders in business and philanthropy, a tribal chairwoman, a Holocaust survivor, an SDSU professor, a BMX champion athlete, a sports team owner, a well-known community volunteer, an author and radio host, a former fire chief, and a popular musician.

Below are highlights of their remarkable accomplishments, listed in chronological order of their passing,  with links to full obituaries.


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THANKS FOR THE SANDBAGS, NOW WHAT WE CAN DO WITH THEM AFTER HILARY

By Chuck Westerheide, County of San Diego Communications Office

September 3, 2023 (San Diego) -- Thousands of San Diegans fortified their homes and property with sandbags before the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Hilary. More than 100,000 bags were gathered and used across the county.  But now the storm has passed and clear skies have returned.  That has led many to ask, “What should I do with the sandbags now?”


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STORIES OF THE YEAR 2022

By Miriam Raftery

January 1, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – It’s been a tumultuous year, as our region emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic only to face new challenges: drought, the homelessness crisis, wildfires, monkeypox, inflation and rising gas prices, the fentanyl crisis, concerns over sexual predators, human trafficking, and federal dumping of asylum seekers in our region.

 

Elections swept new faces into office from city councils to county sheriff. Development issues raged, from Fanita Ranch in Santee to proposed high rises in La Mesa and a hotel/event center at Jamul CasinoNational and international news sparked local protests and concerns, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the January 6 commission findings, and the Supreme Court’s overturning of abortion rights.  

Here are the top issues and stories we covered in 2022:


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PASSAGES: REMEMBERING LIVES LOST IN 2022


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PASSAGES: REMEMBERING LIVES LOST IN 2021

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 31, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – Lost but never forgotten, these are the prominent East County individuals who passed away in 2021, as well as two who died amid the pandemic in 2020 but were not memorialized until this year, when media was notified.

They came from all walks of life: journalists, educators, teachers, a priest, a tribal healer, a firefighter, a police officer, athletes, a musician, business leaders, students, philanthropists, an air ambulance crew, a veteran who survived the Pearl Harbor attack, and many more. Each left their own indelible mark on our region.

Click the name/title to view the full obituary for each of these local luminaries.


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STORIES OF THE YEAR: TURBULENT TIMES AND BRIGHT SPOTS IN 2021

By Miriam Raftery

December 29, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – Turbulent times continued in 2021, marred by a persistent pandemic, vaccine rollouts, political divisiveness including an insurrection at the nation’s capitol, and local controversies such as growing homelessness, a housing shortage, power outages, protests over mask mandates, and SANDAG’s proposed mileage tax, to name a few.

Some national issues, such as pandemic relief, the infrastructure bill, the end of the Afghanistan war, and court rulings on immigration had strong impacts on our region.

There were bright spots. California reopened its economy mid-year, allowing all businesses and event venues to finally reopen. Hometown hero Joe Musgrove pitched the Padres’ first no-hitter. Residents organized to halt sexually violent predators from being placed in a Mt. Helix community. La Mesa named a new police chief committed to rebuilding community trust. Major land acquisitions by the county preserved riverfront land in Lakeside and the former Starr Ranch in Campo for posterity.

Two new Congressional representatives from East County took office and a special election sent a new Assemblywoman to Sacramento, while redistricting at year’s end will bring even more sweeping changes in 2022. 

Below is a rundown on the top stories that impacted East County in 2021:


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PASSAGES: REMEMBERING THOSE LOST IN 2020

East County News Service

December 30, 2020 (San Diego’s East County) -- They include the famous and infamous-- community and business leaders, a sports star, a youth sports coach, a wildlife expert, a hiking leader, foster parent advocate, loving parents and children, a civil rights leader and a notorious racist who once ran for Congress. They died of causes ranging from COVID-19 to other illnesses, accidents and  murder.  These are the people with strong ties in San Diego’s inland region, who passed on in 2020.


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YEAR IN REVIEW: TOP NEWS STORIES IN 2020

By Miriam Raftery

December 29, 2020 (San Diego’s East County) – The most tumultuous year in recent memory began with the resignation of a local Congressman and the announcement that across the globe, China cancelled its Lunar New Year celebrations to mark the incoming Year of the Rat and ordered quarantine of 25 million people due to a dangerous new strain of coronavirus. 

Who could have imagined that the coming year would lead to a worldwide pandemic, widespread quarantines and economic lockdowns impacting virtually everyone?  

In addition, 2020 brought racial unrest, a riot in La Mesa, wildfires, and contentious elections, both locally and nationally. But there’s one point on which we can all agree:  we’re glad 2020 is finally over!

Below are the most significant news stories that impacted East County residents each month during this challenging year.


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STORIES OF THE DECADE: 2009-2019

By Miriam Raftery

January 1, 2020 (San Diego's East County) -- Our site was in its infancy when the past decade began in 2009, just three months after our launch. What a difference a decade makes! 

We've been there through it all, covering the burning issues impacting our region:  fire protection, energy projects, housing, homelessness, immigration, healthcare, actions of local city councils, school boards, and more. 

Our coverage has led to expansion of veteran's services in rural East County, saved local state parks from closing, stopped community planning groups from being abolished, and got fire stations closed during fire season reopened.  We've documented major social movements of the era, from the Tea Party to Occupy, from gay rights to gun rights. We've covered the issues of refugees from around the world, Native American tribes, immigrants at the border, Iraqi and Syrian immigrants in our local communities. We've covered national issues felt locally, such as healthcare reform controversies, government  shutdowns, climate change and impeachment. 

We've also had in-depth coverage of local land use issues, such as sand mines, major housing projects, and industrial-scale wind and solar.  ECM chronicled the achievements of local sports stars with East County ties, from Tony Gwynn to Jimmie Johnson.

We've covered election campaigns and political candidates, education issues, natural disasters from earthquakes to wildfires, power outages, extreme weather, shocking crimes, reform movements, our growing wine industry, historical milestones such as centennials celebrated by local cities, and so much more. 

We took a trip down memory lane, and invite you to join us.

Here are the top stories we covered in the past 10 years:


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PASSAGES: LOCAL LEADERS LOST IN 2019

By Miriam Raftery 
December 29, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) –  These local leaders who passed on in 2019 left their indelible marks on our communities, gone but never forgotten.
 
GEORGE BAILEY  -- Shortly after celebrating his 100th birthday, former La Mesa Mayor and San Diego County Supervisor died at his home on March 11th of congestive heart failure.  He served on the San Diego Association of Regional Governments (SANDAG), chaired the California Councils of Government and was director of the National Association of Regional Councils.. The George Bailey Detention Center was named in his honor, due to his support for winning voter approval to fund  construction.  He was also instrumental in preserving the cross atop Mt. Helix and improving traffic in our region. He is remembered as a leader who left behind an indelible stamp on East County and the San Diego region, drawing respect from colleagues on both sides of the political aisle. 
 
JIM BELL -- Jim Bell, ecological designer and internationally recognized expert on sustainable development who twice ran for mayor of San Diego, was a graduate of El Capitan High School in Lakeside. His vision was vast:  to transform the San Diego/Tijuana Regional economy” from one that relied almost entirely on imported water and energy into an economy that would be prosperous and 100% renewable--energy, water and food self-sufficient--creating a model for others to emulate around the world. He died at age 77 of complications from a stroke. 
 

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STORIES OF THE YEAR IMPACTING EAST COUNTY IN 2019

By Miriam Raftery, Editor, East County Magazine

December 26, 2019 (San Diego's East County) --As 2019 draws to a close, we look back at the top news stories and issues impacting San Diego’s East County region and residents, as well as the people making headline news-- for better and for worse.

Here are the top local stories across all news and features categories this year:


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EAST COUNTY STORIES OF THE YEAR IN 2018





By Miriam Raftery, Editor

December 20, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – It’s been a turbulent year across East County.  Some of our top stories were purely local issues – a fire that ravaged Alpine, battles to stop sand mines in Lakeside and Rancho San Diego, debate over the future of Julian’s fire department, the controversies embroiling El Cajon Councilman Ben Kalasho, the indictment of Congressman Duncan Hunter, growing pains in Santee, and protests over a proposed parole office in La Mesa, to name a few. 

Other top stories reflect local impacts of national  and statewide actions, such as  impacts of marijuana legalization, concerns over a child migrant detention center in El Cajon, protests over gun violence in schools, the e-scooter craze, homelessness, and new faces swept into office during the election.

Here are the issues and events with the biggest impacts across East County that East County Magazine has covered in 2018, from January 1st through year's end.


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GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: LEADERS WE LOST IN 2018

 

 

East County News Service

December 9, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) - They were prominent in business, government, nonprofit, educationand community activism  beloved local leaders who passed away in 2018, though their legacies live onClick each name for a full obituary.


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STORIES OF THE YEAR IN 2017

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 7, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – 2017 was a tumultuous year by any standard – from storms and wildfires that impacted our region to political turmoil at the national, state and local levels.

There have also been positive and inspiring stories, lawmakers embroiled in controversies, and important community actions.

Here are the top stories, arranged alphabetically by category, that impacted people in our region.


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PASSAGES: PROMINENT EAST COUNTY LIVES LOST IN 2017

 

 

East County News Service

December 24, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Far too many local leaders and luminarieswho touched our lives and made a difference in our community took leave of this earth in 2017. 

Below are some of the most prominent and noteworthy East County figures who passed on in the past year, listed in alphabetical order:


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PASSAGES: LOCAL LEADERS AND LUMINARIES LOST IN 2016

 

East County News Service

December 28, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Their lives made a different to countless people across East County.  Though these noted community leaders passed on in 2016, their legacies live on. 


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EAST COUNTY 2016 NEWSMAKERS OF THE YEAR

 

East County News Service

December 27, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – These are the people whose actions made headlines across our region this year—community leaders and ordinary citizens who worked tireless to help others, whose actions led to changes in our communities, or the promise of changes in the future.


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EAST COUNTY 2016 STORIES OF THE YEAR

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 24, 2016 (San Diego's East County ) --It’s been a tumultuous year across our nation and our world. East County has also seen many changes in 2016.  Here are the top stories locally that most impacted our local communities in San Diego's inland region this year--many of which may result in more changes in 2017 and beyond:


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EAST COUNTY NEWSMAKERS OF THE YEAR

 

 

East County News Service

December 27, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – A diverse group of people and organizations topped our headlines this year.  Some made a positive difference in our communities. Others sparked controversy.  Still others have been fighting for changes in our East County region.

These are our top newsmakers of the year in categories that include animal protection, business, the Chaldean community, education, elected officials and candidates, the environment, health, land use controversies, law enforcement, music, Native Americans, philanthropy, and watchdogs of democracy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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EAST COUNTY STORIES OF THE YEAR 2015

 

By Miriam Raftery, Editor

December 24, 2015 (San Diego's East County) --It’s been a tumultuous year around the world and also here in San Diego’s East County. 

These ranged from water woes to lawsuits over education and transportation.  East County residents rallied for refugees and protested land use projects ranging from a sand mine to a shooting range, as well as a casino, solar farms, a hotel highrise, and safety concerns after a plane crash near Gillespie Field.  Our coverage helped clean up illegal dumping in Cleveland National Forest and save free speech outside Supervisors' meeting place.  Other hot stories touched on fire safety, terrorism, police scandals, and winery regulations,  There was also some good news--Lake Jennings was spared, a new habitat for bears opened, local police stepped up efforts to protect pedestrians, and Supervisor Dianne Jacob led efforts to find a cure for Alzheimer's. 

Here are the stories and issues that captured the attention of our East County readers in 2015:


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PASSAGES: LEADERS AND LUMINARIES LOST IN 2015

 

 

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

 

December 28, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – The lives of some prominent local luminaries were extinguished in 2015, though their legacies live on. Here we remember those who are gone, but never forgotten:


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HOTTEST TOPICS OF THE YEAR IN 2014

 

By Miriam Raftery, East County News Service

December 31, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--It’s been a turbulent year around the world and across the nation, when occurrences far away had an impact right here in East County. There were also many major statewide, regional and local issues that hit home right here--including some stories uncovered through our own investigative reporting team.

These are the hot topics of the year that most affected our readers:


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PASSAGES 2014: GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Left to right: Tony Gwynn, Michele Tarbet, Aubrey Dunne, Duane Stainston, Penny Halgren, Joe Drew

December 26, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--East County lost community leaders, a sports star, a former elected official, business owners and beloved volunteers in 2014.  Some were well-known, such as Padres Hall of Famer and Aztecs coach Tony Gwynn, ex-school board member Penny Halgren, Drew Ford patriarch Joe Drew and Grossmont Hospital CEO Michele Tarbet. Others were active in nonprofits, politics, schools and other community endeavors, such as Council candidate and Save ECPAC volunteer Duane Swainstom or beloved teacher Aubrey Dunne.  Some weren’t well known, but their deaths made headlines and pulled at our heartstrings, including as missing persons, a military pilot and young people lost in the prime of their lives due to tragic circumstances.


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WHO'S BEEN NAUGHTY AND WHO'S BEEN NICE?

 

December 27, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--Who’s been naughty and who’s been nice among this year’s headline makers? Our editorial staff has been making our list and checking it twice.

Here are our nominees for the naughtiest—and nicest—newsmakers of the year in 2014 who had an impact on our region. (Note: We don't include people charged with or convicted of felonies, as major crimes will be included in our "top news stories of 2014” that will be posted in a few days.)


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EAST COUNTY STORIES OF THE YEAR: 2013

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

January 7, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) -- These are the stories that riveted our attention in 2013 and had major impacts on communities and residents across our East County region. We've chosen stories across a wide spectrum, from energy and politics to the arts, health, public safety, sports and much more.


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INSPIRING STORIES FROM 2013

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 8, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – Too often, media only reports the bad news.  But there are many unsung heroes , dedicated do-gooders and citizens work to make the world a better place, proving that dreams do come true, helping others, or simply offering inspiration to us all.   There are stories here that will tug at your heartstrings and, perhaps, move you to take action in some way.

 Here are a dozen people and organizations who you may never have heard of; most are not famous, but all have stories worth taking to heart as we begin the New Year.


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MOST IMPORTANT EAST COUNTY ISSUES IN 2012

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 1, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)- Last week we posted our most-read stories of the year—those that drew the most readers, and newsmakers of the year.   Now we present the year’s top stories/issues of most significance to our region--issues with major impact, as well as milestones for our communitie, in the view of our editorial staff. Some are individual articles, others ran a series.

In case you missed these, be sure to scroll down and click the "read more" button to see the stories we think everyone should read--including some hot topics that will continue to be debated in 2013 as major decisions impacting East County remain on the horizon.


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PHOTOS OF THE YEAR 2012

December 31, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – A photo is worth a thousand words, as the saying goes. East County Magazine’s photographers and readers have compiled an impressive portfolio of dramatic images this year. These are our editor’s picks for the photos that create an emotional chord, from inspiration to anguish. We deeply appreciate our professional photojournalists and citizen photographers who helped document the images that defined the news and character of our region this year.

 

 


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WHAT YOU’RE READING: EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE’S MOST READ STORIES IN 2012

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 28, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Thanks to technology, we can track exactly how many people click open each story on our site. This year’s results are surprising and bemusing, revealing a lot about our readers.

Some results were predictable; you showed strong interest in big energy projects and local politics. But we’re baffled as to how an article on a drum therapy class in El Cajon attracted 36,000 reads worldwide, or why a political sex scandal drew far more readers than coverage of the presidential election. We learned that our readers care about wildlife, hiking, and our environment. Many of you want to preserve social safety nets and civil liberties. Plus a whole lot of you wanted to find the best holiday party in East County!

Here are this year’s most read stories—and some lessons that we've learned:


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