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Year-round fire season means East County residents should always be prepared
Story and photos by Paul Levikow April 16, 2026 (Mt. Helix) — The reality of year-round fire season in San Diego’s East County was addressed during a recent wildfire preparedness assessment tour at a Mt. Helix home, where residents gathered to learn practical steps to protect their properties before the
Water Conservation Garden restores educational programs, expands displays and plans festive events
April 30, 2026 (Rancho San Diego) — The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College is thriving once again, after facing an uncertain future due to financial troubles. In an interview with East County Magazine for KNSJ Radio, Lauren Magnuson, director of garden operations, shares information on the return of educational
News Issues
Water Conservation Garden restores educational programs, expands displays and plans festive events
April 30, 2026 (Rancho San Diego) — The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College is thriving once again, after facing an uncertain future due to financial troubles. In an interview with East County Magazine for KNSJ Radio, Lauren Magnuson, director of garden operations, shares information on the return of educational
Backcountry residents raise concerns over industrial energy projects during energetic townhall meeting
Concerned East County backcountry residents filled the Boulevard Backcountry Resource Center earlier this month to discuss concerns, including a massive battery storage area planned for the region. Photo by Karen Pearlman By Karen Pearlman and Miriam Raftery April 28, 2026 (Boulevard) — Hundreds of rural residents turned out at a
Politics
San Diego County to host first focus group on rural winery expansion
East County News Service April 29, 2026 (San Diego County) — Wine not change for the better? That’s a question that will likely be tackled soon as San Diego County officials seek to modernize the region’s winery ordinance. To start the grapes rolling, the county needs residents to share their
Millions in “Inflation Relief” need to be collected by April 30
East County News Service April 23, 2026 (San Diego County) — The office of Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson of District 39 in the state of California has sent out a reminder to San Diego County residents about their Middle Class Tax Refund, and an April 30 deadline for the spending
Wildfires and Emergencies
Year-round fire season means East County residents should always be prepared
Story and photos by Paul Levikow April 16, 2026 (Mt. Helix) — The reality of year-round fire season in San Diego’s East County was addressed during a recent wildfire preparedness assessment tour at a Mt. Helix home, where residents gathered to learn practical steps to protect their properties before the
Cal Fire suspends burn permits
Source: Cal Fire Following another wet winter that produced significant vegetation growth across the region, rising temperatures, low humidity, and seasonal winds are rapidly curing grasses and light fuels. These conditions are increasing wildfire risk across San Diego County, prompting Cal Fire to suspend all residential outdoor burn permits within
Events & Arts
Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival plus Coyote Music Festival this Saturday, May 2, at Cuyamaca College
East County News Service April 30, 2026 (Rancho San Diego) – Cuyamaca College is hosting the Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival as well as the Coyote Music Festival. Both major community events are happening this Saturday, May 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are free to the
Need some laughs? Laurel and Hardy comedy films May 30 in El Cajon
East County News Service April 29, 2026 (El Cajon) — Saps at Sea, the San Diego Laurel and Hardy group, presents: “Some Laurel and Hardy Firsts!” on Saturday May 30 from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. (doors open 4:30) at First Lutheran Church of El Cajon, 867 S Lincoln Ave, El
Best of East County
Don’t miss Santa Ysabel and Wynola on your way to visit Julian
Tiny mountain towns often overlooked by travelers in East County’s back country By Paul Levikow Photos by Miriam Raftery and Paul Levikow April 10, 2026 (Santa Ysabel/Wynola) – Visitors travelling to Julian north from Ramona can oftentimes overlook two equally charming communities along the way. Some might even think Santa
Photo of the Week: Jacumba Sunset
April 6, 2026 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Martin Eder sent in this photo, taken along Interstate 8 just west of Jacumba near the San Diego-Imperial County line, after he attended the Magical Mystery Beatles tribute music festival at De Anza Springs Resort. The setting sun illuminated a plume in the sky,
People
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
Donate to help pets in need at Alpine Pet Food and Supply Drive April 4
East County News Service March 14, 2026 (Alpine) – Dog and cat food, treats, grooming supplies, new pet toys, feeding bowls, beds, blankets, crates/carriers, leashes,…
Communities
Year-round fire season means East County residents should always be prepared
Story and photos by Paul Levikow April 16, 2026 (Mt. Helix) — The reality of year-round fire season in San Diego’s East County was addressed during a recent wildfire preparedness assessment tour at a Mt. Helix home, where residents gathered to learn practical steps to protect their properties before the
Large crowd at El Cajon Traffic Town Hall focuses on enforcement challenges
Story and photos by Paul Levikow Photo: About 80 residents participated in a El Cajon Town Hall to discuss speeding and traffic issues. April 30, 2026 (El Cajon) — One of the largest town hall meetings hosted by the City of El Cajon drew about 80 residents on April 21,
Features
Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival plus Coyote Music Festival this Saturday, May 2, at Cuyamaca College
East County News Service April 30, 2026 (Rancho San Diego) – Cuyamaca College is hosting the Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival as well as the Coyote Music Festival. Both major community events are happening this Saturday, May 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are free to the
San Diego mail carriers to lead food drive on May 9
East County News Service April 29, 2026 (San Diego County) — The U.S. Postal Service will carry more than just mail Saturday, May 9 during the 34th annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. Recognized as the largest single-day food collection effort in the United States, the event mobilizes the National
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Help shape fire priorities in San Diego County
East County News Service April 4, 2026 (San Diego County) — With “fire season” now a year-round threat, public input is growing in importance as…
County urges residents to throw out cheese linked to E.coli outbreak
East County News Service April 4, 2026 (San Diego County) — San Diego County health officials are urging consumers to purge their refrigerators of specific…
Four new rescues now at San Diego Humane Society’s East County hub
One of the dogs rescued by the San Diego Humane Society on Friday (Photo courtesy San Diego Humane Society) East County News Service April 4,…
Power struggle ends — no Seguro BESS in North County
East County News Service April 4, 2026 (Escondido) — The developer of the Seguro Battery Energy Storage System has formally withdrawn its application to build…
Mild desert weather promised for hot weekend events in Jacumba Hot Springs – April 4, 5
By Rebecca Person April 3, 2026 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Sunny, mild desert weather sets the stage April 4 and 5th, for a stellar weekend full of music, outdoor fun and fantastic food, a new shop opening and more. The weekend’s events include a Beatles tribute music fest and campout, bathhouse bazaar, Easter Brunch, and an herbalist’s new shop opening.
New Basic Life Support ambulance on the road in Santee
East County News Service April 2, 2026 (Santee) — The Santee Fire Department and the Santee-Lakeside Emergency Medical Services Authority have expanded their emergency fleet…
San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus brings “HERstory — Icons, Rebels and Trailblazers” to The Magnolia April 25-26
East County News Service April 3, 2026 (El Cajon) — The San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus will take center stage at The Magnolia later this…
Padres fall 5-2 at Boston, drop to 2-5 in 2026
Photo courtesy San Diego Padres Instagram East County News Service April 3, 2026 (Boston) — A change of scenery has not had much of a…
Mild desert weather promised for hot weekend events in Jacumba Hot Springs – April 4, 5
By Rebecca Person April 3, 2026 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Sunny, mild desert weather sets the stage April 4 and 5th, for a stellar weekend…
Passages: Anne Christine “Chris” (Raines) Stevens, former Spring Valley resident
Obituary provided by Ron Stevens April 2, 2026 (Spring Valley) — Anne Christine “Chris” (Raines) Stevens, 80, of Gilbert, Arizona, passed away on September 24,…
Sheriff identifies man found hanged in jail cell
East County News Service March 14, 2026 (San Diego) – A man who died of an apparent suicide by hanging in the San Diego Central…
Extreme heat watch issued for coming week
East County News Service March 14, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – An extreme heat watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for…
$33M water facility expansion buffers growth in Temescal Valley
East County News Service March 12, 2026 (Temescal Valley) — The Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District marked a significant infrastructure milestone earlier this month with…
California teachers ‘tread lightly’ for America’s 250th as they navigate competing narratives
By Carolyn Jones, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters . Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: San Lorenzo High School teacher Judy Smith…
U.S. casualties mount in Iran conflict
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…
U.S. casualties mount in Iran conflict
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…
California teachers ‘tread lightly’ for America’s 250th as they navigate competing narratives
By Carolyn Jones, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters . Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: San Lorenzo High School teacher Judy Smith…
CERT makes emergency preparedness fun
By Yvette Urrea Moe , County of San Diego Communications Office March 11, 2026 (San Diego) – Preparing for emergencies is serious, but it doesn’t…
Poll workers needed for June 2 gubernatorial primary election
By Gig Conaughton , County of San Diego Communications Office March 12, 2026 (San Diego) — The Registrar of Voters is now hiring poll workers…
Poll workers needed for June 2 gubernatorial primary election
By Gig Conaughton , County of San Diego Communications Office March 12, 2026 (San Diego) — The Registrar of Voters is now hiring poll workers…
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