July 11, 2025 (La Mesa) – La Mesa resident Barbara Stone, a 71-year old U.S. citizen and courthouse observer at immigration proceedings, is free tonight after being detained by Immigrants and Customs agents (ICE) for eight hours without access to an attorney, according to her daughter and witnesses.
Jessica Kort, posted a plea for help after the detention: “My mom, Barbara Stone, has been volunteering as a legal observer at the San Diego Edward J. Schwarz Federal Building courthouse to support immigrants at risk of detention, bear witness to and ensure procedural accountability as ICE detains individuals after their proceedings, and escort individuals after hearings.”
The post continues, “This morning, in an effort to intimidate and retaliate against the volunteers, ICE arrested Barbara and federal officers have detained her the whole day. She is being interrogated without an attorney and without talking to witnesses.
According to Kort, Stone is a 71 year old white woman, a US born citizen, a grandmother, and a passionate volunteer for the most vulnerable in our society.
Stone’s website indicates she is a graduate of Grossmont High School in El Cajon who later studied U.C. Berkeley and at the Monterey Institute of Foreign Studies, later working for Qualcomm Inc.
Pesticide spraying set for July 14 and 15 in more La Mesa neighborhoods
By Miriam Raftery
July 11, 2025 (La Mesa) – Concern over West Nile virus in the La Mesa and Rolando areas has ramped up, after County Vector control tested nearly 2,000 mosquitos in 165 batches in these areas.
West Nile virus found in 37 batches of mosquitos tested in Roland and La Mesa
“In this area, 37 batches have tested positive for West Nilie virus, Gig Conaughton, communication specialist for San Diego County, told East County Magazine.
The positive tests were in La Mesa and the San Diego portion of Rolando.
Mosquitos were also tested in Lemon Grove, with no West Nile virus detected there.
Spraying dates and locations
Pesticide spraying will be done Monday and Tuesday, July 14 and 15, between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m.in the La Mesa areas shown on the map at left and at the County's Adult Mosquito Control site.
July 11, 2025 (Ramona) – A 35-year-old Ramona man died at the scene of a two-vehicle crash on State Route 67 in Ramona on Wednesday, July 9.
The victim was driving a Lexus southbound on state Route 67 near Brantner Lane when for unknown reasons, his vehicle crossed the center line and crashed head-on into a Ford Excursion.
The Lexus driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Ford, a 65-year-old Ramona woman, was transported to Palomar Hospital with moderate injuries.
July 11, 2025 (San Diego County) -- San Diego County officials plan to expand and extend ultra-low volume, truck-mounted, pesticide-mist treatments between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. Monday and Tuesday mornings in parts of La Mesa to reduce mosquito populations and protect the public from the potential spread of West Nile virus.
County Vector Control announced this week that crews would conduct truck treatments through roughly 4,000 parcels in the community of Rolando, including parts of La Mesa and San Diego, between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Those treatments were done successfully Wednesday and Thursday and will continue Friday.
This weekend, Vector Control staff will be responding to emails at vector@sdcounty.ca.govand phone calls at (858) 694-2888 for questions from the community.
La Mesa city staff will also be available to answer questions at an information session from 10 a.m. until noon this Saturday, July 12 at the La Mesa Library, 8074 Allison Ave.
Treatments are now scheduled to be expanded into another 3,000 to 4,000 parcels in La Mesa after Vector Control detected more mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus. The new treatments will be done between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. Monday, July 14 and Tuesday, July 15.
Victim’s family held a press conference shortly after the killing to ask the public for help to find the killers (Photo via ECM news partner 10 News)
East County News Service
July 11, 2025 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon Police Department has announced the arrest of two men on suspicion of murdering Deandre Bryant at Wells Park in El Cajon last April.
Suspects Frankie England, 22, and Dontel Wallace, 35, have pleaded not guilty of killing Bryant, 46.
Bryant was in the parking lot listening to music around 9:45 p.m. on April 13, when two men tried to rob him of his gold chains. The would-be thieves chased Bryant, striking him in the head and chest. Surveillance video showed the suspects fleeing and getting into a vehicle, leaving Bryant to die at the scene.
Update July 11, 2025 8:30 a.m.-- The Spring Fire has been held to 50 acres and is now 20% contained, per Cal Fire. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place.
July 10, 2025 (Jamul) -- Three small brush fires being called the #SpringsFire are burning near Lyons Valley Road and Honey Springs Road in the Lawson Valley area of Jamul. Th wildfire has burned 49.9 acres and is 10% contained. Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued.
July 9, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – Firefighters have held the #SteeleFire to 28 acres. As of this evening, the fire is 25% contained, with no structures lost, according to Cal Fire, despite interference by a drone temporarily pausing aerial firefighting.
Evacuation warnings have been lifted along with most evacuation orders, though an evacuation order remains for zone SDC-2098-B. For the latest evacuation updates, visit Genasys Protect Evacuation Map.
..."I have never seen such a destructive project with such negative impacts on the people who live in a community." -- former Supervisor Dianne Jacob, a Jamul resident (photo, left)
July 9, 2025 (San Diego) – The Cottonwood Sand Mine is a wash, at least for now.
After nearly six hours of testimony, presentations and discussion, the San Diego County Planning Commission on Wednesday voted to disapprove a permit for the planned private sand mining operation in Rancho San Diego.
July 9, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The Steele Fire has prompted evacuations of over 4,700 residents in Jamul and Rancho San Diego due to structure threast. The fire began on Star Acres Drive in Rancho San Diego View map of areas under evacuation orders or warnings.
You’re invited to East County Magazine' s DIning Club feast at Himalayan Cuisine in La Mesa on Thursday, July 17 at 6:30 p.m. All proceeds benefit our local news reporting and our wildfire and emergency alerts! Everyone is welcome to attend.
Himalayan Cuisine features delicious cuisine from Nepal, Tibet and India. Plus we'll have a fabulous raffle with many great prizes including gift certificates to local stores and restaurants, a Himalayan salt lamp, wine lovers gifts, books, an Oriental-style rug, and more.
RSVP’sare required no later than July 14, but if you RSVP before July 10 you’ll be entered in a special prize drawing!
Please RSVP to: info@eastcountymedia.org with your name, the number in our party, and “RSVP Himalayan” in the subject line.
July 7, 2025 (La Mesa) -- To protect the public and keep mosquitoes from potentially spreading West Nile virus, which was recently detected in Rolando, the County is scheduled to conduct ultra-low volume, truck-mounted, pesticide-mist treatments this week. The spraying aims to reduce the number of adult mosquitoes on about 4,000 parcels in the community of Rolando, which includes parts in San Diego and La Mesa.
The treatments are scheduled to take place from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. from Wednesday, July 9 through Friday, July 11, depending on conditions.
While the treatments pose a low risk to people and pets and the pesticide dissipates in roughly 20 to 30 minutes, residents may wish—as a precaution—to stay inside, keep pets and pet bowls inside, and close windows during the treatment.
More information, including a map of the treatment area, frequently asked questions, and contact information for Vector Control, can be found on Vector Control’s Adult Mosquito Control Information webpage.
July 6, 2025 (Ramona) – Ramon Jimenez Jr. is in custody on suspicion of robbery and threatening the victim with a metal pole.
According to Lieutenant Alex Navarro with the San Diego County Sheriff’s department, a resident of Terre Oak Apartments in Ramona was taking out trash when the suspect approached him, brandishing a metal pole in a threatening manner, and demanded the resident’s wallet.
“Fearing for his safety, the man gave his wallet to Jimenez, who then fled the scene,” says Lt. Navarro. “The victim called 9-1-1 and filed a report with the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.”
July 4, 2025 (Everglades, FL) — Nearby President Trump’s Miami resort in the swamplands of the Florida Everglades sits a makeshift detention facility dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” the latest in his administration’s immigration enforcement efforts.
Andrea Pitzer, author of One Long Night: A Global History of Concentration Camps, writes in an editorial published on MSNBC, “I visited four continents to write a global history of concentration camps. This facility’s purpose fits the classic model: mass civilian detention without real trials targeting vulnerable groups for political gain based on ethnicity, race, religion or political affiliation rather than for crimes committed. And its existence points to serious dangers ahead for the country.”
The term ‘concentration camp’ was in use for many years before the Germans used some as extermination camps, Pitzer notes. While most have been in foreign countries,notable exceptions were internment camps on U.S. soil set up to hold Japanese-Americans, including citizens, during World War II. President Ronald Reagan later apologized for their imprisonment and signed a measure granting reperation payments to those incarcerated.
After seeing video coverage of the incident on television, the dog’s owner contacted County Animal Services and admitted that it was his truck and his dog involved. Animal Control Officers confirmed that he was indeed the individual seen driving the truck in the video.
Tragically, due to the extent of the dog’s injuries, the animal had already been euthanized by a veterinary clinic prior to officers’ arrival. Animal Services was able to intercept the dog’s remains before cremation to preserve evidence for the investigation.
Formally known as Independence Day, today celebrates the United States declaring independence from Great Britain, creating a land with the promise of liberty and justice for all.
But we know reality is a far cry from that promise. Slavery was not abolished in the United States until nearly a century later. And it took a whole two years for that word of freedom to reach enslaved people in Galveston, Texas.
Centuries later, modern day slavery is still thriving in the form of mass incarceration and prison labor. Communities of color, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals nationwide are still fighting for equal rights, while their existing rights are being attacked in real time.
July 4, 2025 (El Cajon) – You’re welcome to join in the spirit of London at the 47th annual Haute with Heart Fashion Show benefiting the nonprofit St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center in El Cajon.
This fashion show on Saturday, August 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. will display a vivacious showcase of flowing champagne, live music, silent auction, fashion, indulgent shopping and a delicious luncheon.
July 4, 2025 (Ramona) -- A nice place to retreat from the hustle and bustle of San Diego and escape to the countryside is Ramona, especially when you are walking around and enjoying the lavender fields at the new Camel Valley Lavender Farm on Old Julian Highway.
It is next to the Oasis Camel Dairy and getting to see many of the 21 camels that live there is an added bonus!
Gil Riegler founded Oasis Camel Dairy twenty years ago with his wife, Nancy. They opened up Camel Valley Lavender last year.
According to the website, Camel Valley Lavender gets its name from its spectacular view. Camels graze on their native grass pasture while beautiful views of the Santa Ysabel mountains rise in the background, making the lavender fields a serene experience.
Pam Baker and her granddaughter Grace Baker at Pizzabilities in Alpine
Story and photos by Karen Pearlman
July 2, 2025 (Alpine) – Any way you slice it, Pizzabilities, Alpine’s newest addition to the culinary scene, is about to serve the community in some of the most delicious and unexpected ways.
While Pizzabilities serves delicious pies, it is not your typical pizza joint. About half of its staff are people with special needs who have intellectual, physical or other challenges.
The fast-casual restaurant employs more than two dozen employees who serve in various roles. All workers wear bright orange t-shirts with “Pizzabilities, Pizza With Purpose” on the front and “Where Pizza and Abilities Rise Together” on the back -- and they also wear brighter smiles.
July 4, 2025 (Spring Valley) -- San Diego County Animal Services is asking for the public’s help in identifying the person responsible for a horrific act of animal cruelty in Spring Valley.
On July 2 around 5:45 p.m., witnesses observed a red and brown Doberman being dragged behind a vehicle traveling at an estimated 30 miles per hour near the 9100 block of Edgewood Drive in Spring Valley. Witnesses reported that the dog was flipping over while being dragged, and that the driver appeared to laugh and ignored bystanders’ attempts to intervene. The incident continued for several minutes along Bancroft Drive.
June 25, 2025 (San Diego County) – Independence Day in the USA is just days away, and across San Diego County, there are myriad events to be part of to celebrate.
East County Magazine has compiled a list of various offerings to celebrate the Fourth of July, whatever part of the region you’re in.
July 3, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – You’re invited to step into the splendor of the Jazz Age at a Roaring Twenties Fashion Show event benefitting the Lemon Grove Forward Club and the Southern District Women’s Club.
The event on Saturday, September 27 will feature a glamourous day of style and community purpose featuring a luncheon and silent auction. Dress to dazzle in your best 1920s-inspired attire.
“It’s my duty...to speak up for other people that currently are scared... I know what it feels like to be undocumented and having to be living in the shadows for fear of being deported.” – Carlos Gomez Perez, an Iraq War combat veteran who earned a Silver Star medal of valor.
July 3, 2025 (El Cajon) – As Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids ramp up nationwide, detaining and deporting even many immigrants who committed no crimes, an “ICE out of El Cajon” march and rally on June 28 called for support of immigrants.
Concerns over non-criminals detained and abuse of detainees
Trump ran on a platform of deporting “violent criminals” who are undocumented. But KPBS reports that since Donald Trump took office in January, the number of detained immigrants who have no criminal records has skyrocketed by 12,000%--from 800 to over 11,700. By contrast, detentions of convicted criminals in ICE detention rose only 59%, from 9,000 in January to 14,500 in June.
Board will consider how to fill vacancy at its July 17 meeting
By Miriam Raftery
July 3, 2025 (La Mesa) – After more than 30 years of dedicated service, Grossmont Healthcare District Board Member Gloria Chadwick, RN has submitted her resignation from the Board of Directors, effective June 30, 2025. Director Chadwick has been a steadfast advocate for healthcare access, mental health, and the advancement of nursing and community wellness throughout East San Diego County.
“We are incredibly grateful for Director Chadwick’s longstanding commitment and her tireless efforts to serve the people of East San Diego County,” said Aaron Byzak, Interim CEO of the Grossmont Healthcare District. “Her leadership and voice will be missed.”
Photo: Mount Miguel High School teacher/librarian Jason Balistreri, Lauren Cazares, GEA Vice President Stephanie Macecca, Colin Parent, GEA President James Messina, and teacher Jay Steiger
July 3, 2025 (La Mesa) – On June 29, supporters of efforts to recall trustees of the Grossmont Union High School District gathered at Aztec Park. The mobilization effort focused on gathering signatures of those who live in Area 2 of the Grossmont Union High School District in order to recall board trustee Scott Eckert.
Speakers accused the GUHSD governing board of violating public trust and utilizing power to punish political adversaries or those viewed as “disloyal” to their personal agendas and ideologies.
Resort donates $10,000 to JPride Festival promoting Jewish LGBTQ pride
By Miriam Raftery
Photo via JPride
July 3,2025 (Jamul, CA) – After Jewish groups withdrew from the San Diego Pride Parade over objections to participation by headliner Kehlani over antisemitism, the Jamul Casino and Resort announced today that it will not be participating in the event.
“Given the complexity and sensitivity of this situation involving free expression, political symbolism and community inclusion, Jamul Casino Resort’s position is one that prioritizes its firm commitment to core values such as artistic freedom, equality, diversity and genuine respect for community concerns,” says Kirvin Doak, media contact for Jamul Casino Resort.
July 3, 2025 (El Cajon) – The driver of a red Tesla has been charged with multiple felonies including murder. He is accused of “intentionally” rear-ending a motorcycle, killing its driver who was from Chula Vista.
The Tesla then struck a 2012 black Ram 1500 driven by an El Cajon man, 24. Six occupants in the Ram suffered minor to moderate injuries and were transported to hospitals.
The deadly incident occurred June 30 around 8:03 p.m. on southbound I-805, north of Telegraph Canyon Road.
July 2, 2025 (San Diego) – The $8.63 billion balanced budget passed by San Diego County Supervisors last week prioritizes housing, homelessness, public safety, infrastructure, health, environmental sustainability and support for vulnerable populations.
It also includes projects benefitting or impacting East County communities. These include:
Buying two ambulances for unincorporated areas
Purchasing a helicopter for firefighting and search and rescue missions
A new crisis stabilization unit in El Cajon
Operating safe parking programs in Spring Valley and unincorporated El Cajon, plus opening a third safe parking site in Grantville for people living in vehicles
Constructing Troy Street Sleeping cabins in Lemon Grove to shelter homeless people
Upgrades and repairs at the Descanso Fire Station
Staffing two water tenders to provide water during wildfires
Partnering with Cal Fire to explore using livestock grazing to reduce fire risk
Enhanced fire and emergency medical services in Dulzura and Pauma Valley
Improving a temporary space during construction of new Ramona Sheriff’s substation
New county library opening in 2026 in Casa de Oro
Creating community gardens in Spring Valley and Ramona
New mobile veterinary surgical unit for unincorporated areas
Cleaning up homeless encampments in unincorporated areas
Installing new electric vehicle charging stations in rural areas
In addition to those East County specific projects, the budget includes many other items to benefit residents countywide including these:
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
East County News Services
Victim’s family held a press conference shortly after the killing to ask the public for help to find the killers (Photo via ECM news partner 10 News)
By Miriam Raftery
Story, videos and photos by Josh Stotler
East County News Service
By Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe
By Heidi Hope 
By Mimi Pollack
By Karen Pearlman
By Miriam Raftery
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