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Where Dreams Soar: New Gillespie Flight Center
By Miriam Raftery Photo: Owner Paul Kassel If you’ve ever longed to learn to fly, or if you’re a pilot seeking to upgrade your skills to fly for commercial airlines, you can make your dreams take wing at Gillespie Flight Center in El Cajon. “My father was a pilot and
It’s a sign of the times – LA MESA now up on La Mesa Boulevard
Story and photos by Karen Pearlman June 9, 2026 (La Mesa) — One day before the city of La Mesa unveils a “Bill Walton Way” street sign near Helix High, community members gathered in the La Mesa Village for a sign Walton would have loved — the long-awaited downtown district
News Issues
Where Dreams Soar: New Gillespie Flight Center
By Miriam Raftery Photo: Owner Paul Kassel If you’ve ever longed to learn to fly, or if you’re a pilot seeking to upgrade your skills to fly for commercial airlines, you can make your dreams take wing at Gillespie Flight Center in El Cajon. “My father was a pilot and
Reading Cinemas closes at Grossmont Center; AMC to renovate and reopen movie theater in 2027
By Miriam Raftery June 9, 2026 (La Mesa) – AMC has announced that it will acquire and fully renovate the movie theater space long occupied by Reading Cinemas at Grossmont Center, though the site won’t reopen until early next year. Printer-friendly version
Politics
Tight race in 5th Supervisorial district race to fill Desmond’s seat
By G. A. McNeeley Miriam Raftery contributed to this report June 6, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – The County Board of Supervisors will soon have a new face representing the 5th district, since Jim Desmond is termed out and running for the 48th Congressional District. San Marcos Mayor Rebecca
Campa-Najjar concedes Congressional primary race; Desmond and von Wilpert advance to November run-off
By Miriam Raftery June 3, 2026 (San Diego) – In the race to fill the redrawn 48th Congressional district seat being vacated by the retirement of Republican Darrell Issa, a a redrawn district that Democrats hope to flip from red to blue, the November run-off will be between Supervisor Jim
Wildfires and Emergencies
County Fire celebrates 17 new EMS graduates
By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office June 5, 2026 (San Diego) – Seventeen young adults earned their graduation certificate from County Fire’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Corps program, completing more than 400 hours of training designed to launch them into careers in the medical field. Printer-friendly version
New eco-friendly fire station opens in Jacumba
Photos courtesy County of San Diego East County News Service June 3, 2026 (Jacumba) — San Diego County officials and fire chiefs recently gathered in the county’s high desert area to break ground on a new, state-of-the-art county fire station. Fire Station 43, spearheaded by San Diego County Fire and
Events & Arts
Summer BBQ, Open House and Pilot Meetup June 14 at Gillespie Flight Center Celebrates America’s 250th anniverary
By Miriam Raftery June 10, 2026 (El Cajon) – Pilots, aspiring pilots, friends and family are invited to a summer barbecue, open house and pilot meet up at Gillespie Flight School this Sunday, June 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary including
La Mesa plans patriotic activities to celebration nation’s 250th birthday
East County News Service June 6, 2026 (La Mesa) – To celebrate the 250th Birthday of America, the community is invited to a weekend of fun and festive family events in La Mesa June 12-13. Events will kick off on Friday, June 12, with the summer’s first Movie in the
Best of East County
Stonewall Peak in Cuyamaca renamed Cush-pii, its traditional Kumeyaay name
East County News Service June 7, 2026 (Cuyamaca) – A mountain in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park formerly called Stonewall Peak has officially had a name change. It is now called Cush-pii, which means “Sharp Peak” in the Kumeyaay language. The California Advisory Committee on Geographic Names opted to rename
Photos of the Week: Two winning shots from Lake Jennings Photo Contest
East County News Service May 17, 2026 (East County) — The Helix Water District has announced the winners of the Lake Jennings 2026 Photo Contest: Sunrise to Sunset! and East County Magazine is featuring two for our “Photos of the Week.” At left and top, first-place youth category winner Hannah
People
Lemon Grove Forward Club earns 13 prestigious awards and community honors
East County News Service May 7, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — The Lemon Grove Forward Club received 11 prestigious awards this past April from the GFWC Southern District, recognizing the club as a leading intermediate-sized organization for its outstanding servicepeop and impact. The Lemon Grove Forward Club achieved 16,829 volunteer service
Eight local women Honored at Soroptimist’s annual “Live Your Dream” Awards Celebration
Soroptimist International of Valley de Oro recognizes women overcoming extraordinary obstacles to build better lives through education By Henri Migala Photo: Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award winners. Seated (left to right): Dr. Peggy Fischer, DVM, Valley de Oro Club Chair; Tenisha Back row (left to right): Sue Bucheman (member); Nancy
Communities
Summer BBQ, Open House and Pilot Meetup June 14 at Gillespie Flight Center Celebrates America’s 250th anniverary
By Miriam Raftery June 10, 2026 (El Cajon) – Pilots, aspiring pilots, friends and family are invited to a summer barbecue, open house and pilot meet up at Gillespie Flight School this Sunday, June 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary including
Where Dreams Soar: New Gillespie Flight Center
By Miriam Raftery Photo: Owner Paul Kassel If you’ve ever longed to learn to fly, or if you’re a pilot seeking to upgrade your skills to fly for commercial airlines, you can make your dreams take wing at Gillespie Flight Center in El Cajon. “My father was a pilot and
Features
Summer BBQ, Open House and Pilot Meetup June 14 at Gillespie Flight Center Celebrates America’s 250th anniverary
By Miriam Raftery June 10, 2026 (El Cajon) – Pilots, aspiring pilots, friends and family are invited to a summer barbecue, open house and pilot meet up at Gillespie Flight School this Sunday, June 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary including
Stonewall Peak in Cuyamaca renamed Cush-pii, its traditional Kumeyaay name
East County News Service June 7, 2026 (Cuyamaca) – A mountain in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park formerly called Stonewall Peak has officially had a name change. It is now called Cush-pii, which means “Sharp Peak” in the Kumeyaay language. The California Advisory Committee on Geographic Names opted to rename
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DON QUIXOTE BATTLES WINDMILLS — AND SO DO THE FOLKS IN BOULEVARD
PART II in a three-part series: WHY BOULEVARD? By Gayle Early Pristine vale in McCain Valley slated for transmission lines, including Sunrise PowerLink. (photo by Gayle Early) February 16, 2009 (Boulevard) — Iberdrola Renewables and other parties have had their fingers in the wind, testing for the past three years and more. “If you link the windy areas in San
STATE OF THE COUNTY ADDRESS: “OMINOUS DAYS BEFORE US,” JACOB WARNS
County to Sue State Over Funding Cuts By Miriam Raftery Supervisor Dianne Jacob February 12, 2009 (El Cajon) — Dianne Jacob, Chairwoman of the County Board of Supervisors, presented a bleak outlook in a State of the County address presented last night at Cuyamaca College. As a result of falling revenues and state budget cuts, lay-offs and deep cuts in
HARBISON CANYON FIRE STATION REOPENS
February 10, 2009 (Harbison Canyon) — Like a phoenix arisen from the ashes, a new fire station has opened to replace the Harbison Canyon station that burned down during the 2003 Cedar Fire. CAL FIRE-Rural Protection District held a grand opening to celebrate completion of the new station, which was funded by insurance, the Sycuan tribe, and Supervisor Dianne Jacob’s
EL CAJON MOURNS PASSING OF WAYNE STALKER, LONG-TIME EMPLOYEE AND ARTIST
The El Cajon Police Department and the City are saddened by the death of retired Animal Control Officer Wayne Stalker. Wayne passed away on Wednesday, February 4 after a long courageous battle against cancer. Wayne joined the El Cajon Police Department as a Volunteer Police Reserve Officer on September 9, 1981, and then held various positions at the police department,
FREE GYMNASTICS DAY FOR KIDS FEB. 21 AT CAMEROM FAMILY YMCA, SANTEE
February 12, 2009 (Santee) — The Cameron Family YMCA in Santee will host their annual Free Gymnastics Day on Sat., Feb. 21 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event is a special day of fun in the branch’s fully-equipped gymnastics center for boys and girls ages three to 13 years of age. The Cameron Family YMCA is located at
FILNER JOINS 20 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO ESTABLISH POPULIST CAUCUS FOR MIDDLE CLASS ECONOMIC ISSUES
By Miriam Raftery February 12, 2009 (Washington, DC) Today, Rep. Bob Filner (D-San Diego) announced that he has joined with 20 other Democratic members of Congress to form the Populist Caucus, the only caucus in Congress devoted solely to addressing middle class economic issues. Printer-friendly version
LA MESA POLICE NAB 2 SUSPECTS FOR ROBBERY AND POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY
February 10, 2009 (La Mesa)–The day after two pedestrians were robbed at gunpoint by a masked man, Antonio Rattler (photo), a 20 year old from La Mesa,was arrested for the robberies by the La Mesa Police Department. On February 9, 2009, in the late evening hours, a masked man armed with a gun robbed two pedestrians within thirty minutes of
FILNER SEEKS TO AMEND CLEAN WATER ACT: REQUIRE DOD COMPLIANCE WITH EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS
February 9, 2009 (San Diego) — Congressman Bob Filner introduced the Military Environmental Responsibility Act, H.R. 672, which would require the Department of Defense (DOD) to fully comply with Federal and State environmental laws. “Military exemptions from environmental requirements harm human health by polluting our water, air, and soil. Communities around military bases should be protected equally from harmful waste
FROM KEYBOARD TO ALTAR:
A Woman’s Perspective By Laura Walsh February 10, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — When people ask how my husband and I met, they are generally surprised to learn that we met on the Internet. Some people are even shocked. I am not sure why. When my marriage of 22 years ended in divorce and I was in my early
POLICE SEEK TWO WOMEN SUSPECTED OF PASSING STOLEN CHECKS
February 9, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — Authorities have released photos of two women suspected of passing stolen checks in La Mesa that were taken from a vehicle in La Mesa. On January 22, 2009, an unknown suspect broke into a vehicle at Grossmont Center Mall and stole the victim’s wallet and checkbook, La Mesa Police report. Later that
El Cajon woman arrested following stabbing and interstate pursuit
East County News Service May 8, 2026 (El Cajon) – A 39-year-old woman is in custody following a stabbing on Prince Street that led to a police pursuit across Interstate 8 the morning of Wednesday, May 6 The incident began around 11:20 a.m. when El Cajon police officers responded to reports of an assault in the 1000 block of Prince
Use your pedal power on “Bike Anywhere Day” on May 21: free T-shirts and chance to win an e-bike
East County News Service Image via SANDAG May 8, 2026 (San Diego) – Bike Anywhere Day (formerly Bike to Work Day) is a free, annual event that SANDAG has hosted in the San Diego region for more than 30 years. It is an opportunity for everyone to bike to work, school, the beach, or anywhere. Register to participate in the
Sharp Grossmont Hospital to begin primary care physician residency program
Family Medicine Residency Program at Sharp Grossmont Hospital receives accreditation from ACGME Source: Sharp Healthcare May 8, 2026 (La Mesa) – Sharp HealthCare is pleased to announce that its Family Medicine Residency Program has been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The program, which will be based at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, will graduate six family medicine physicians into practice each year, helping ensure that San Diego
Santee School District dedicates Educational Resource Center to longest serving board member, Barbara L. Ryan
Source: Santee School District May 8, 2026 (Santee) – The Santee School District Board of Education voted to rename the Douglas E. Giles Educational Resource Center to the Barbara L. Ryan Educational Resource Center, to honor Mrs. Ryan’s leadership and service to the school district and community. “I am deeply honored by this recognition. Serving the students, families, and staff
County launching $2M sidewalk and infrastructure overhaul
Pine Valley photo by Karen Pearlman East County News Service May 8, 2026 (San Diego County) — San Diego County is starting a project this summer to repair and replace sidewalks, curbs and gutters at 143 locations in unincorporated communities. The work aims to improve safety, walkability, drainage and accessibility for residents. Locations include Alpine, Borrego, Boulevard, Fallbrook, Lake Morena/Campo,
Lakeside Fire’s Pancake Breakfast is May 9
East County News Service May 7, 2026 (Lakeside) — Lakeside Fire Protection District is holding a Pancake Breakfast from 8 a.m. until noon, Saturday, May 9 at Lakeside Fire Station 2. Visitors will have the chance to see the station’s fire engines, meet fire personnel, learn CPR and get tours of the fire station. Cost is $5 per person and
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department using new AI tool
East County News Service May 7, 2026 (San Diego County) — In an effort to give 9-1-1 dispatchers more room to breathe, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office is now using a new digital gatekeeper. County residents are being asked to save a new number to their contacts — (858) 868-3200 — for all non-emergency matters. The move marks the
SDHS shares an update on the animal rescue effort at Villa Chardonnay in Julian
San Diego Humane Society workers move transported animals from Villa Chardonnay in Julian into the SDHS’ Gaines Street campus for care on Monday, May 4. Photo and story by Karen Pearlman May 7, 2026 (Julian) — The San Diego Humane Society is reporting that it reached a major milestone today (Thursday, May 7) in what officials are calling one of
Santee considers putting sales tax hike on November ballot
By Mike Allen May 7, 2026 (Santee) — When the city of Santee got the results earlier this year of a study looking at increasing the city’s sales tax by a half-cent, the approval ratings were so high, its leaders decided it might want to try for a full penny increase. At its May 5 meeting, the City Council extended
San Diego honors Lauren Craven and other fallen officers at Waterfront Park
Photo courtesy County of San Diego East County News Service May 7, 2026 (San Diego) — Under the glow of a blue-lit “Wall of Light” at Waterfront Park in downtown San Diego, local law enforcement agencies paid tribute on Wednesday to the men and women officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. The annual San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial ceremony,
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