By Robin Joy Maxson, Chair, Association of Planning Groups – San Diego County and Board Member, SANDAG Board of Directors

February 18, 2026 (Ramona) -- Many people do not know, or realize, that if you live outside the city limits you are a resident of the unincorporated area. This means you do not have a city hall, you do not have a city council and you certainly do not have a mayor. When you want to address your  local government you have to go to downtown San Diego - to the County Board of Supervisors! Many large communities are in this category: Alpine, Fallbrook, Lakeside, Ramona, Valley Center to name a few of the 107 unincorporated communities.

By Miriam Raftery

February 18, 2026 (Descanso) -- You could call it sweet success. The American Beekeeping Federation has chosen Delanie Craighead of Descanso as the 2026 American Honey Queen.

The winner was crowned during the American Beekeeping Federation Conference and Tradeshow in Mobile, Alabama at a time when interest in beekeeping is buzzing. 

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

February 17, 2026 (San Diego) - With more and potentially heavy rains still forecasted this week, the County and CAL FIRE are providing free bags and/or sand at numerous fire stations for people who live in the unincorporated areas.

By Miriam Raftery

February 16, 2026 (Borrego Springs) – Heavy winter rains have brought an early start to wildflower blooming season in the Anza Borrego Desert. During a trip there on Super Bowl Sunday, I found flower fields abloom with purple verbena on Henderson Canyon Road, as well as some white evening primroses, purple lupine and various yellow blossoms all against a dramatic backdrop of rugged mountains.

Desert dwellers say that more rains in recent days have resulted in even more flowers blooming over the past week, leading to hopes of a possible super bloom. 

If you go, here are some tips.

February 16, 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.

Energy and environment

• Trump Administration Erases the Government’s Power to Fight Climate Change (New York Times)
• Less than 14% of those arrested by ICE in Trump's 1st year back in office had violent criminal records, document shows (CBS 8)
• The Trump Administration exempts new nuclear reactors from environmental review  (NPR)
• The Trump administration has secretly rewritten nuclear safety rules(NPR)

Immigration and ICE

• Six Prosecutors Quit Over Push to Investigate ICE Shooting Victim’s Widow (New York Times)
• Judge Restricts Immigration Agents’ Actions Toward Minnesota Protesters (New York Times)
• 'Huge news!' Expert cheers as judge shuts down Trump's scheme to arrest thousands (Raw Story)
• Immigrant whose skull was broken during ICE arrest says beating was unprovoked  (NPR)
• Minnesota shooting of Venezuelan man is the latest where video evidence contradicts ICE accounts (AP)

Epstein files

• Epstein accusers say Pam Bondi turned her back 'on survivors everywhere' *USA Today)

Abuse of power

• President’s Pardon Power To Be Curbed Under New Proposal (Newsweek)
• Grand jury refuses to indict Democratic lawmakers in connection with illegal military orders video (AP)

WORLD

• Rubio's speech to European allies takes softer tone but sticks to Trump's firm stance (AP)
• Poland to probe possible links between Epstein and Russia, PM Tusk says (Reuters)
• U.K. police investigating Peter Mandelson over Jeffrey Epstein email leak claims  (NPR)
• US shoots down Iranian drone that 'aggressively' approached an aircraft carrier, military says (AP)

• Mexico state steps up health screening in schools as measles cases grow nationwide (AP)
• 5 European nations say Navalny was poisoned by the Kremlin  (NPR)

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

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Roberto Sanchez, via ECM news partner 10 News

February 14, 2026 (Crest) – Roberto Sanchez, an only child, is grieving the loss of his mother, Josefina Sanchez, who died in a crash on La Cresta Road Feb. 11, just 12 days after his father passed away of a heart attack in Mexico.

His mother had come for a visit, with hopes to stay in the United States, when a driver under the influence of alcohol, according to the California Highway Patrol, crossed the center line, and struck Sanchez’s vehicle head-on, destroying the family’s dreams.

By Drew Sitton, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Housing officials are struggling to meet the needs of hundreds of at-risk households that are set to lose federal voucher assistance. Photo courtesy of San Diego Housing Cnmmission

By Karen Pearlman

Feb. 13, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) -- As the chill of winter fades, seasonal events are blossoming across San Diego’s inland region.

Upcoming festivities in March and April include flower and garden festivals, a Western Days parade and rodeo, Tomatomania, March Madness NCAA basketball, Easter egg hunts, a bunny train, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, live music concerts, theatrical productions, a health fair and much more.

Scroll down for details on these events and more.

East County News Service

Photo via San Diego Fire Protection District

February 12, 2026 (Crest) – A Ramona woman, 72, has died of injuries sustained in a head-on crash that occurred February 11 in the Crest area of unincorporated El Cajon.  An El Cajon woman, 30, driving a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado eastbound on La Cresta Road east of Coyote Ridge crossed the solid, double-yellow center lines, striking a 2012 Volkwagen Jetta driven by the Ramona woman head-on.

Photo and story by Karen Pearlman

Feb. 12, 2026 (El Cajon) -- East County's education and basketball communities are going to gather on Feb. 13 to pay tribute to a man whose name became synonymous with El Cajon Valley High School academics and athletics for more than 30 years.

Randy Robinson, the legendary former Braves coach, athletic director and beloved Grossmont Union High School District teacher who passed away from complications of pancreatic cancer on Dec. 19, 2024, will be honored during a special halftime ceremony during halftime of the boys basketball game between El Cajon Valley and West Hills.

The court inside the gym will formally be named after Robinson.

The game starts at 7 p.m. at the school's gym, and is the Braves' final regular-season home game. El Cajon Valley High is at 1035 E. Madison Ave., in El Cajon.

Source:  California Highway Patrol

February 11, 2026 (La Mesa) - On February 11, 2026, the California Highway Patrol, in conjunction with Helix Charter High School and La Mesa Police Department will be conducting a simulated drunk driving crash as part of the Every 15 Minutes program. The crash will be staged on Highlander Way and will begin at approximately 10:27 am. The mock crash will take place for approximately one hour; however, Highlander Way will be closed for several hours to allow for scene set-up and breakdown. During the mock crash, there will be a high concentration of emergency vehicles in the area. We would like to ensure that the public is aware this is a mock emergency incident, and that no real emergency exists. Numerous pre-designated students will be pulled from class and at the same time a mock obituary will be read by law enforcement personnel to the class. These students represent the number of people who will be seriously injured or killed at the hands of a drunk driver while they are in school that day.