Poll workers needed for June 2 gubernatorial primary election

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

March 11, 2026 (San Diego) -- The Registrar of Voters is now hiring poll workers for the June 2 Gubernatorial Primary Election. Poll workers play an essential role in elections and can receive a daily stipend while serving their community.

CERT makes energy preparedness fun

Health/Fitness

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

March 11, 2026 (San Diego) - Preparing for emergencies is serious, but it doesn’t have to be dull.

San Diego County Fire’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a volunteer group trained to help their neighbors during a disaster. Members also attend community events to share information about disaster preparedness.

California teachers ‘tread lightly’ for America’s 250th as they navigate competing narratives

America's 250th birthday

Education

By Carolyn Jones, CalMatters

This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters.

Photo: San Lorenzo High School teacher Judy Smith teaches her third period government class in San Lorenzo on Dec. 3, 2024, as they develop civic action infographics on topics ranging from gun violence to vaping. Smith’s students will submit their final projects to the KQED Youth Media Challenge which will publish the infographics online to share how students see themselves, their world and their future. Photo by Florence Middleton for CalMatters

March 11, 2026 (Sacramento) - The national political climate may be polarized and combative, but California is taking steps to ensure K-12 students learn to have respectful debates, get involved in their communities and understand their rights.

Two Lemon Grove City Councilmembers leave meeting in protest

The Lemon Grove City Council on March 3, following the exit of Councilmembers Seth Smith and Yadira Altamirano

Story and photos By Armando Rasing II

March 11, 2026 (Lemon Grove) - Councilmembers Seth Smith and Yadira Altamirano exited the latest Lemon Grove City Council meeting early on Tuesday, March 3, in protest over conflicting views on a tenant protection ordinance enacted in February.

Both council members left during a discussion on the selection of members for a potential stakeholder group for the new emergency ordinance. The council was also given the option to choose between a stakeholder committee or an ad hoc committee for public outreach.

Vatican removes San Diego Chaldean Bishop following embezzlement arrest

East County News Service

March 10, 2026 (El Cajon) – The Vatican on Tuesday formally accepted the resignation of Bishop Emanuel Shaleta, the leader of the Chaldean Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle in El Cajon on Jamacha Way, following his arrest last week on felony financial charges.

In a concurrent announcement, the Holy See confirmed the departure of Cardinal Louis Raphaël I Sako, the global head of the Chaldean Catholic Church.

The move comes one day after Shaleta was arraigned on 16 felony counts, including eight counts of embezzlement and eight counts of money laundering.

Shaleta, 69, was arrested on March 5 at San Diego International Airport by San Diego County Sheriff’s Department deputies who alleged he was attempting to leave the country.

82 square mile quarantine area declared after Mexican fruit flies found in La Mesa: all 4 East County cities, some unincorporated areas and San Diego neighborhoods are included

Source: Donna Durckel, County of San Diego Communications Office

March 10, 2025 (San Diego) -- The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has declared a new quarantine area affecting the cities of La Mesa, El Cajon, Lemon Grove, San Diego, and Santee as well as Spring Valley and Bonita in San Diego County after Mexican fruit flies were found during a routine inspection in La Mesa.

Residents should not move produce grown in these areas off of their properties, since this pest can infest more than 50 types of fruits and vegetables.

U.S. casualties mount in Iran conflict

News

By Miriam Raftery

Photo via U.S. Navy: F/A-18E Super Hornet on flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in support of Operation Epic Fury on March 2, 2026.

March 10, 2026 (Washington D.C.) – Ten days after the U..S. began bombing Iran, the Pentagon announced today that approximately 140 U.S. service members have been wounded, including eight with life-threatening injuries. Seven U.S. military members have been killed as a result of Operation Fury, the U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran, and Iran’s retaliatory strikes across the Mideast.

California Voter ID Initiative expected to qualify for November ballot

Battle lines already being drawn for what is expected to be a heated campaign

By Paul Levikow

March 10, 2026 (San Diego) -- The formal validation process is under way in the state’s 58 counties to determine if the California Voter ID Initiative will qualify for the November 2026 ballot, after supporters submitted more than 1.3 million signatures to election officials earlier this month in support of the measure. The secretary of state has until May 6 to determine if the required minimum 874,641 valid signatures has been met.

Reform California, an organization led by Assemblyman Carl Demaio (R-San Diego), is behind the effort. If passed by voters in November, it would amend the state constitution to require voter ID when casting a ballot, require election officials to verify the citizenship of registered voters, and maintain accurate voter rolls.

Brain-eating Rat Lungworms found in wildlife across region, including East County

Residents, gardeners should take precautions to protect against deadly disease transmitted by snails, slugs, and animals that ingest them

By Miriam Raftery

March 9, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – Rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis), a brain-eating parasite, has been found for the first time in San Diego County. It can be transmitted to humans, pets and wildlife with potentially deadly results. It was found in 10 opossums taken in by wildlife rescuers across the county that were euthanized after falling ill. The locations where the opossums were found include La Mesa, the College Area, Bonita, Peñasquitos, Cardiff by the Sea, Carlsbad, Point Loma, and San Diego. In addition, rat lungworm was also found in three rats and a wallaby at the San Diego Zoo.

County begins construction on Edgemoor Acute Psychiatric Unit

By Fernanda Lopez Halvorson, County of San Diego Communications Office

Video by Alex Aguirre

March 9, 2026 (San Diego) - Construction is underway to renovate a 13,500 square-foot wing at the County’s Edgemoor Distinct Part Skilled Nursing Facility campus in Santee to convert it into a new Acute Psychiatric Unit.

Traffic stop leads to drug arrests in Spring Valley, including convicted felon

East County News Service

March 9, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Two people have been arrested for possession of methamphetamines following a traffic stop for an expired vehicle registration. Deputies from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff's Station conducted the traffic stop shortly before 2 a.m. on a vehicle driving on State Route 125 near Jamacha Road.

San Diegans protest against Iran war, call for peace

News

By Kevin A. Green

March 9, 2026 (San Diego) — Jonathan Chavez, a Marine Corps veteran and senior member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), organized an emergency protest held by PSL on March 7 at Memorial Community Park in San Diego. The protesters urged de-escalation amid rising tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran

Reader’s Editorial: Nonprofit continues aiding families despite allegations of sexual abuse by staff

Editorials

By Christi Grab

March 9, 2026 (San Diego) — Last year, a controversial bill was put forth in the California legislature, AB-495. Opponents claimed AB-495 would make it easy to kidnap children from schools. Thanks to strong push back from the public, the bill was amended.

READER'S EDITORIAL: THE REVEREND JESSE JACKSON

Editorials

By Dennis Moore

March 9, 2026 (San Diego) -- As the former and retired Bookshelf Editor of the East County Magazine in San Diego, as well as a former member of Reverend Jesse Jackson’s Operation P.U.S.H. in Chicago, I am honored to share memories of this visionary, and to include some close and poignant meetings and involvement with this man.

Chicago, was and still is a city of political activism, that the Reverend Jesse Jackson was involved in, and I hope to share my involvement in that political and civil rights activism. Jesse Jackson came along at a time when the City of Chicago, as well as the world itself needed him. There is possibly no other person in life that has an aura or makeup as this man!

Issa retires, shaking up political map while endorsing Desmond in his shift to 48th District

By Jennifer Vigil, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

March 7, 2026 (Washington, D.C.) - County Supervisor Jim Desmond entered the race for the 48th Congressional District Friday, while Rep. Darrell Issa announced his retirement, exiting one of the country’s most-watched races.\

Speculation swirled Friday over Issa’s status – in or out – as the incumbent in the race for the seat, which was redrawn due to Proposition 50. Then Issa, a long-time congressman, endorsed Desmond Friday evening in a statement issued by the supervisor’s campaign.

Democrat Frances Motiwalla to Challenge Rep. Juan Vargas in CA-52 primary

By Paul Levikow

March 7, 2026 (San Diego) – Saying “we have to win or we will die trying,” Democratic community organizer Frances Yasmeen Motiwalla yesterday announced her candidacy for Congress in California District 52, challenging incumbent Rep. Juan Vargas. Under Prop 50 redistrict, the new district spans the entire southern portion of San Diego County, from Chula Vista east to Jacumba.

Spring Into El Cajon on April 18 celebrates Arbor Day and arrival of spring

East County New Service

Image by Satheesh Sankaran from Pixabay

March 6, 2026 (El Cajon) - The City of El Cajon invites community members and families to attend Spring Into El Cajon, a free community celebration of Arbor Day and the arrival of spring on Saturday, April 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Renette Park (935 Emerald Ave., El Cajon). This day of family-friendly activities focuses on sustainability, nature, and community connection.

East County Roundup: local and statewide news

March 6, 2026 (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:

LOCAL

San Diego gas prices surge amid Middle East tensions (Times of San Diego)
Lithium-ion battery fire at SDSU leaves at least one student injured (Times of San Diego)
ICE in San Diego is monitoring activists through Operation Road Flare (Daylight San Diego)
Tijuana businesses reopen, yet residents remain cautious following cartel attacks (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Joe Musgrove completes another step on path to recovery from 2024 surgery (Times of San Diego)
CBP’s Request for All San Diego County Parcel Data Raises Questions Among Officials (Newschunks)
ICE agents deny US Senator, San Diego County supervisors access to Otay Mesa immigrant detention center (KPBS)
.Federal agents detain immigration court observers in downtown San Diego (KPBS)
County launches aging dashboard as senior population grows (KPBS)
He saw an abandoned trailer. Then, he uncovered a surveillance network on California’s border (KPBS)

STATE

California’s next insurance commissioner will have ‘brutal’ balancing act (Cal Matters)
8 dead in Tahoe avalanche; victims include moms of Sugar Bowl youth team skiers (Sacramento Bee)
Bernie Sanders kicks off billionaires tax campaign with choice words for the ‘oligarchs’ (Politico)
Billionaires Spielberg, Zuckerberg eyeing East Coast, stirring concerns about California’s wealth-tax proposal (Los Angeles Times)
Canadian snowbirds are still unhappy with Trump. And Palm Springs is feeling the chill (Los Angeles Times)
Frustrated families sue the state to stop antisemitism in California schools (EdSource)
Senators decry surge in deaths at ICE detention facilities, citing poor medical care (Los Angeles Times)
Part of California’s Highway 1 shut down due to rockslides and debris (San Francisco Chronicle)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

ECM World Watch: national and global news

March 6, 2026 (San Diego) -- 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:

U.S.

WORLD

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

SDSU hosts pow wow April 11

East County News Service

March 6, 2026 (San Diego) -- SDSU will host its 54th annual pow wow on Saturday, April 11 starting at 11 a.m.

The San Diego State University Pow Wow is a cultural and social event held annually to bring together the Native American community at SDSU. SDSU has the reputation of having one of the longest running pow wows ran by a university in California.

This event is open to the public and is a partnership between the Native Resource Center, the SDSU American Indian Studies Department, the Native American Student Alliance and the American Indian Alumni Chapter of SDSU.

Nature Day on Mt. Helix March 14: Butterflies, plants galore and more

East County News Service

March 6, 2026 (Mt. Helix) – You’re invited to celebrate Nature Day at the Mt. Helix Park, where Earth Day is every day. The historic nature preserve atop Mt. Helix will come alive with live animals, butterfly releases, a native plant sale, activities, crafts, ecosystem tours, and booths from over 30 nonprofit nature groups

Chaldean Bishop arrested while trying to leave the U.S.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Miriam Raftery: Bishop Shaleta in May 2024 at opening of incubator business center for refugees and immigrants in El Cajon

March 5, 2026 (El Cajon) – San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies today arrested Chaldean Bishop Emmanuel Shaleta at the San Diego International Airport, where he was attempting to leave the country. He is charged with eight counts of embezzlement, eight counts of money laundering, and one count of aggravated white collar crime enhancement, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s department.

Health and Science Highlights

Health/Fitness

March 4, 2026 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

SCIENCE AND TECH

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

U.S. issues worldwide caution, urges Americans in Middle East to depart immediately—but cancelled flights, closed airports make evacuation difficult

By Miriam Raftery

March 4, 2026 (Washington D.C.) – Following the U.S. and Israeli military attacks on Iran and Iran’s retaliatory bombings in cities across the Middle East, the U.S. State Department is urging Americans worldwide to be cautious. Americans in the following Mideast nations are urged to depart immediately via commercial means due to “serious safety risks”: Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

Sheriff warns of spike in vehicle thefts of Jeeps by reprogramming key fobs after pursuit and crash in East County

East County News Service

March 4, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – A suspect accused of stealing a Jeep Wrangler in Santee and crashing into parked cars near Parkway Plaza in El Cajon following a pursuit has been arrested and is hospitalized with serious injuries.

GUHSD Film Festival coming Friday, March 6

East County News Service

March 4, 2026 (El Cajon) — El Cajon Valley High will roll out the proverbial red carpet on Friday, March 6 for the Grossmont Union High School District's 2026 GUHSD Film Festival.

The annual event will take place this year from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the El Cajon Valley High School Event Center, a premier stage for the district’s most talented young filmmakers.

The film showcase features original creative works from students enrolled in the Career Technical Education Arts, Media & Entertainment pathway at GUHSD.

More than just a screening, the film festival is a celebration of technical mastery and artistic storytelling of students, and by students in the district -- GUHSD students who have spent months scripting, filming and editing projects that range from narrative short films to complex animation.

Planned power outages cancelled in Borrego Springs

Source: SDG&E

Deadly citrus disease triggers new quarantine in Ramona

Mountains

East County News Service

March 3, 2026 (Ramona) -- The California Department of Food and Agriculture on Monday declared a new citrus quarantine in Ramona after two citrus trees in a residential area tested positive for Huanglongbing, also known as citrus greening.

The detections were made during routine inspections, according to officials with the County of San Diego.

HLB is one of the most destructive citrus diseases in the world. The bacterial disease causes bitter, misshapen fruit unsuitable for sale or eating and eventually kills infected trees. Symptoms can include mottled yellow leaves that often appear in asymmetrical patterns.

Horses of Tir Na Nog welcomes record intake to start Year of the Horse

Photo by Don Telford

East County News Service

March 3, 2026 (Descanso) — Horses of Tir Na Nog, San Diego County’s longest-operating equine sanctuary, marked a historic milestone Feb. 27, by welcoming six new residents into the nonprofit's care.

The arrivals represent the largest single-day intake of domestic horses in the organization’s history, an effort made necessary by the recent closure of a local rescue facility, says Amy Pat Rigney, adminstrator and co-founder of Horses of Tir Na Nog.

Motorcyclist saved after collision in Santee, thanks to lifesaving efforts of bystander and deputies

East County News Service

March 3, 2026 (Santee) – A motorcyclist suffered serious injury in a collision with a pickup truck yesterday around 1:50 p.m. at North Magnolia Avenue and the onramp to State Routes 67 and 52.

Two Lemon Grove City Councilmembers leave meeting in protest