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Rabies on the rise: 14 rabid bats found in San Diego County this year: latest cases include Santee, Zoo, and Safari Park
East County News Service June 7, 2026 (San Diego) – County health officials are warning residents to avoid touching wild bats, due to an increase in rabies cases locally. You don’t have to be bitten to contract rabies, which is deadly virtually 100% of the time without prompt treatment
World Cup fever heating up in San Diego
East County News Service June 6, 2026 (San Diego) — The global stage is set for San Diego this weekend. The local Major League Soccer team, San Diego FC, in partnership with Snapdragon Stadium, Sports San Diego and Lions Sports & Media, will host the “Countdown to ’26” international soccer
News Issues
World Cup fever heating up in San Diego
East County News Service June 6, 2026 (San Diego) — The global stage is set for San Diego this weekend. The local Major League Soccer team, San Diego FC, in partnership with Snapdragon Stadium, Sports San Diego and Lions Sports & Media, will host the “Countdown to ’26” international soccer
Lakeside man, 2 others arrested for plot to support ISIS and kill American service members
East County News Service June 5, 2026 (San Diego ) – This morning, the FBI arrested three U.S. citizens who allegedly plotted violent attacks on U .S. servicemembers in a conspired with the Islamic State of Iraq and al–Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terror group. According to the U.S.
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
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
Ethan Talks to Animals: Be Brave, Scared Shirley
Book by Nico Waters Review by Pennell Paugh June 5, 2026 (San Diego) – San Diego author Nico Waters has added another book to her Ethan Talks to Animals series. This one is titled, Be Brave, Scared Shirley. In second grade, Ethan wished on his birthday to be able to
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
Rabies on the rise: 14 rabid bats found in San Diego County this year: latest cases include Santee, Zoo, and Safari Park
East County News Service June 7, 2026 (San Diego) – County health officials are warning residents to avoid touching wild bats, due to an increase in rabies cases locally. You don’t have to be bitten to contract rabies, which is deadly virtually 100% of the time without prompt treatment
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
Features
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
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
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Federal judge orders immigrant detention center to allow San Diego County health inspection
By Wendy Fry, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego on Feb. 20, 2026. Photo by Adriana Heldiz, CalMatters June 5, 2026 (San Diego) – A federal judge on Wednesday ordered the Otay Mesa Detention Center to allow San Diego County health inspectors access to the 1,400-bed facility, siding
SD County to host event to authenticate your international and domestic partnership documents in San Diego instead of Los Angeles or Sacramento June 17
East County News Service June 5, 2026 (San Diego) – Jordan Z. Marks, San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk (ARCC), in partnership with California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, will host a one-day Apostille Pop-Up Shop from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, June 17, at the ARCC Downtown office, County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego. Free underground
Star Parties heading to Lakeside throughout 2026
Photo courtesy County of San Diego East County News Service June 4, 2026 (Lakeside) — For San Diego County residents looking to explore the cosmos without having to go far, the checking out the universe is within your reach. Through the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation’s “Parks After Dark” program, the San Diego Astronomy Association (SDAA)
West Nile Virus found in crows near Rolando and Skyline areas
Image Credit: Shutterstock By Donna Durckel, County of San Diego Communications Office June 4, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) — County workers found West Nile virus in two dead crows picked up near Rolando and Skyline. This is a good reminder that people should take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites, because mosquitoes can spread the virus. Printer-friendly version
Temporary visa holders must leave U.S. to apply for green cards, under new policy
By Philicia Tonangoye June 4, 2026 (San Diego) — On May 22, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services published a memo outlining new guidance for green card applicants. Under the policy, some applicants will now be required to leave the U.S. and apply through a U.S. consulate in their home country or abroad. The decision affects temporary visa holders,
Animal Adventures for the Family
East County News Service June 4, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego County Parks will offer a variety of animal adventures in June, including a raptor program, reading with a ranger, a discovery table, and picnic with the goats. Scroll down for details. Printer-friendly version
County kicks off Summer Movies in the Park for 2026
East County News Service June 6, 2026 (San Diego) – It’s showtime in county parks across our region with the debut of the 2026 Summer Movies in the Park series. Bring your friends and family to enjoy movies under the stars. Each film begins 15 minutes after sunset. Movies run from June through October. For the full schedule, click here and
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 the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
Julian Town Square Music Festival coming June 6 to Washington Street
By Karen Pearlman June 3, 2026 (Julian) — Roots rock and Americana tunes are coming to fill the mountains of East and North County with original music this weekend during the Fifth Annual Julian Town Square Music Festival. The free community celebration will run from noon until 6 p.m., Saturday, June 6 at 2712 Washington St. in Julian. Organized by
Santa Barbara woman is big winner at Sycuan Casino — from $8 bet
East County News Service June 3, 2026 (El Cajon) — A Santa Barbara County resident walked away a millionaire after an $8 bet led to her hitting a seven-figure jackpot last month at Sycuan Casino Resort. The woman (shown in photo above, courtesy Sycuan) from Santa Barbara turned the $8 wager into a $1,278,830.66 payout while playing the “Dancing Drums
San Diego River Days 2026: Conservation, culture and community exploration
Photo courtesy San Diego River Park Foundation By Karen Pearlman May 3, 2026 (San Diego County) — The 23rd annual San Diego River Days is officially underway, offering more than three dozen events designed to connect San Diego County residents with the 52-mile waterway that serves as the region’s ecological backbone. Organized by the nonprofit San Diego River Park Foundation
About 10 to 20 fires burning along SR 76 and I15
East County News Service May 2, 2026 (North San Diego County) — The North County Fire Protection District is reporting a total of 10 to 20 spot fires along state Route 76 and up Interstate 15. Most fires were reported 50-feet by 50-feet, according to Watch Duty App. Eastbound SR-76 from Mission Road to Hwy 395 is closed as firefighters
East County in focus for San Diego County Board of Supervisors
East County News Service May 1, 2026 (San Diego County) — In a show of bipartisan collaboration aimed at addressing the needs of one of San Diego County’s most underserved regions, District 2 Supervisor Joel Anderson hosted Board Chair Pro Tem Paloma Aguirre from District 1 (South County) this past week for an extensive tour of East County, including the
Massive rescue underway: hundreds of animals seized from Julian sanctuary
Photo from Villa Chardonnay, Horses With Wings, Inc. Facebook page By Karen Pearlman May 1, 2026 (Julian) — In what appears to be one of the largest ever animal welfare interventions locally, the San Diego Humane Society, the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services and several more partner agencies launched a massive rescue operation of animals with welfare
San Diego State University does not track amount of unhoused students on campus
“SDSU relies on students self-reporting their housing status, and not everyone adopts the same definition of homelessness.” – Evie Baez, the director of the SDSU Basic Needs Center By Armando Rasing II Hepner Hall on SDSU’s campus in San Diego, Calif. on March 24, 2026. (Photo/Armando Rasing II) While there are thousands of unhoused students in the California State University
Supervisors unanimously advance Anderson government accountability reforms
East County News Service Photo via countynewscenter.com May 1, 2026 (San Diego) — In a decisive step toward restoring public trust and bringing sunshine to local government, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved three transparency-focused measures authored by Supervisor Joel Anderson. The package of reforms is designed to ensure the public can see, understand, and participate
Scripps Research offers lecture on new drugs to tackle diseases May 20
East County News Service Join the community in person on the Scripps Research campus https://frontrow.scripps.edu/lectures/michael-erb or attend virtually via Zoom webinar. May 1, 2026 (San Diego) — Some of the most devastating diseases are driven by proteins that cannot be targeted with conventional drugs. Scientists are now discovering ways to control disease by recruiting the cell’s own machinery to tackle
Spring Craft Fair May 9 to benefit Mount Miguel High School Foundation
East County News Service May 1, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Find hand-made treasures at the Spring Craft Fair on May 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fair, held at Mount Miguel High School’s multicultural event center at 8585 Blossom Lane in Spring Valley, benefits the Mount Miguel High School Foundation. Admission is free. For more information, contact MtMiguelAlumni@gmail.com
Eight candidates for governor debate at Pomona College
By G. A. McNeeley May 1, 2026 (Pomona College, Claremont) — Eight candidates appeared at Pomona College on Tuesday, April 28, during the most recent debate for the 2026 California governor’s race. The debate provided a chance for voters to consider the perspectives of these candidates on various important topics. It should be noted that the moderator did not give
Year-round fire season means East County residents should always be prepared
Left: Residents meet with fire inspector at Helix De Oro Fire Safe Council-sponsored fire preparedness assessment tour. Story and photos by Paul Levikow May 1, 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
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