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Grossmont Union High School District to graduate 4,725 students in June
East County News Service June 1, 2026 (El Cajon) – This week, 4,725 students will graduate from the Grossmont Union High School District. The matriculating students will be earning their high school diplomas on Wednesday, June 3 and Thursday, June 4, from the district’s nine comprehensive high schools, two independent
Passages: Maggie Eggers, La Mesa Chamber of Commerce Chairman, 69
By Karen Pearlman June 1, 2026 (La Mesa) – East County has lost a big part of its community vibe with the passing of Margaret (Maggie) Eggers. A devoted wife, stepmother, sister, aunt, colleague and friend who placed family and community at the center of her life, Eggers passed away
News Issues
Grossmont Union High School District to graduate 4,725 students in June
East County News Service June 1, 2026 (El Cajon) – This week, 4,725 students will graduate from the Grossmont Union High School District. The matriculating students will be earning their high school diplomas on Wednesday, June 3 and Thursday, June 4, from the district’s nine comprehensive high schools, two independent
Man sentenced to life without parole for brutal murder of estranged wife, Ericka Wilson, in Spring Valley
East County News Service May 31, 2026 (Spring Valley) – San Diego County District Attorney announced this week that Kandynn Wilson, 34, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the vicious stabbing death of his estranged wife, Ericka J. Wilson, mother of their young child, in
Politics
More than 200 vote centers open for June Gubernatorial primary
Photo courtesy County of San Diego East County News Service June 1, 2026 (San Diego County) — The gubernatorial primary election has arrived and the San Diego County Registrar of Voters is reminding residents of options for casting ballots, including at more than 200 vote centers across the county. As
Lemon Grove City Council pushes back tenant ordinance discussion
“Residents took time out of their evening to come speak, and I believe their voices deserved to be heard through action, not continued postponement!” – Jennifer Mendoza, Lemon Grove City Councilmember, screenshot of May 19 meeting courtesy Lemon Grove City Councilmember Jessyka Heredia’s Facebook video By Armando Rasing II May
Wildfires and Emergencies
New Firehawk helicopter now stationed at Ramona Air Base
By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office May 29, 2026 (Ramona) – San Diego County’s wildfire response just got a major boost. A new CAL FIRE Firehawk helicopter is now permanently based at the Ramona Air Base and officially went into service on Monday. “When wildfire strikes, minutes
Spring Valley arson suspect arrested
East County News Service May 26, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Sheriff’s deputies used a drone to tract down a suspect reportedly seen setting a fire that caused evacuation of homes in Spring Valley last night. Printer-friendly version
Events & Arts
Missing in Paris: Recipe for Murder (Kat Velvet Twist & Turn Thrillers Book 4)
Novel by Emmeline August Reviewed by Pennell Paugh June 1, 2026 (San Diego) — San Diego mystery writer Emmeline August has written a fourth mystery. This time, the story is centered in Paris. Cookbook author Katri Velvet goes to France to take a pastry class. She arrives to a
Ilan-Lael Foundation offers June tours of historic Hubbbell house in Santa Ysabel
East County News Service May 29, 2026 (San Diego) – You’re invited to see James and Anne Hubbell’s acclaimed home and art studios near Julian, California. Docent-led tours are offered each Thursday through Saturday in June, starting at 10 a.m.An immersive art and nature experience, each 90-minute tour covers
Best of East County
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
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
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
Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges to award more than 6,230 degrees and certificates in 2026
Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District May 30, 2026 (El Cajon) – Next week, Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges will be awarding more than 6,230 degrees and certificates to nearly 2,500 graduates, with over 900 graduates expected to participate in the Commencement Ceremonies. Cuyamaca College is awarding 358 additional degrees compared to
Restoration or destruction? Proposed plan for Laguna Mountains raising concern
Photo of part of the Laguna Mountains area that could be part of a plan by the government to prevent wildfires by bulldozing the area and cutting down chaparral. Photo by David Hogan, The Chaparral Lands Conservancy By Karen Pearlman May 29, 2026 (Mt. Laguna) — A sweeping federal plan
Features
Ilan-Lael Foundation offers June tours of historic Hubbbell house in Santa Ysabel
East County News Service May 29, 2026 (San Diego) – You’re invited to see James and Anne Hubbell’s acclaimed home and art studios near Julian, California. Docent-led tours are offered each Thursday through Saturday in June, starting at 10 a.m.An immersive art and nature experience, each 90-minute tour covers
Descanso Day Parade and Fair June 6 continues a 137-year-old historic tradition
East County News Servicerur May 29, 2026 (Descanso) — Descanso’s first community fair was held in 1899 under a tent near the creek. The tradition has grown through the years to include a parade and community fair, which this year will be held on June 6. The festivities take place
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Restoration or destruction? Proposed plan for Laguna Mountains raising concern
Photo of part of the Laguna Mountains area that could be part of a plan by the government to prevent wildfires by bulldozing the area and cutting down chaparral. Photo by David Hogan, The Chaparral Lands Conservancy By Karen Pearlman May 29, 2026 (Mt. Laguna) — A sweeping federal plan to manage more than 13,000 acres of the Laguna Mountains
Lemon Grove City Council pushes back tenant ordinance discussion
“Residents took time out of their evening to come speak, and I believe their voices deserved to be heard through action, not continued postponement!” – Jennifer Mendoza, Lemon Grove City Councilmember, screenshot of May 19 meeting courtesy Lemon Grove City Councilmember Jessyka Heredia’s Facebook video By Armando Rasing II May 29, 2026 (Lemon Grove) – A vote concerning a potential
Medical Examiner rules hanging death in jail a suicide
East County News Service May 29, 2026 (San Diego) – On May 27, the San Diego County Sheriff revealed that the Medical Examiner’s office has ruled Grant Parker’s death a suicide. He was arrested February 15 on charges of murder and assault for fatally stabbing a man in downtown San Diego. Printer-friendly version
New Firehawk helicopter now stationed at Ramona Air Base
By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office May 29, 2026 (Ramona) – San Diego County’s wildfire response just got a major boost. A new CAL FIRE Firehawk helicopter is now permanently based at the Ramona Air Base and officially went into service on Monday. “When wildfire strikes, minutes matter,” said County Board of Supervisors Chair Terra Lawson‑Remer. “This
Ilan-Lael Foundation offers June tours of historic Hubbbell house in Santa Ysabel
East County News Service May 29, 2026 (San Diego) – You’re invited to see James and Anne Hubbell’s acclaimed home and art studios near Julian, California. Docent-led tours are offered each Thursday through Saturday in June, starting at 10 a.m.An immersive art and nature experience, each 90-minute tour covers the art and architecture of famed architect and artist James
Descanso Day Parade and Fair June 6 continues a 137-year-old historic tradition
East County News Servicerur May 29, 2026 (Descanso) — Descanso’s first community fair was held in 1899 under a tent near the creek. The tradition has grown through the years to include a parade and community fair, which this year will be held on June 6. The festivities take place at the historic Descanso Town Hall, 24536 Viejas Grade Road
Destination East County: Joyful June events
By Miriam Raftery May 29, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – Memorial Day weekend through the month of June is a time that’s jumping with joyful events including Santee Summer Knights—a Medieval festival, star parties on Mount Laguna, Wild in the Country at Lions, Descanso Day Parade and Fair, Tigers and Bears in Alpine, open farm tours at Oasis Camel
La Mesa hosts 27th annual Flag Day Parade June 13
East County News Service May 28, 2026 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa Flag Day Parade is a cherished annual tradition that celebrates our nation’s colors and spirit of patriotism. Since its inception in 1997, the parade has become a beloved community event, featuring vibrant floats, marching bands, and local groups. This year’s parade salutes Old Glory on Saturday, June 13, starting
Mt. Helix Park hosting inclusive ‘Tarzan – The Beat of the Jungle’ performances in July and August
East County News Service May 28, 2026 (Mount Helix) — A high-energy jungle adventure under the stars is coming this summer to Mt. Helix Park. El Cajon-based nonprofit Arms Wide Open (AWO) will bring its “Inspire” inclusive theater arts program to the Mt. Helix Theatre for a run of “TARZAN – The Beat of the Jungle.” According to information shared
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park part of $2.4M statewide grant program
East County News Service May 28, 2026 (San Diego County) — California State Parks and nonprofit partner Parks California announced a $2.4 million investment in championing the next generation of environmental stewards — with a portion of those funds bringing paid internships and hands-on career training for high school students at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Distributed among 13 community and
Two dead after collision in Julian
East County News Service April 25, 2026 (Julian) – Two people who died in an April 4 collision in Julian have been identified as Jesus Canales Lopez, 66, and Maria Del Carmen Contreras Albino, 48. Two pickup trucks collided on westbound State Route 78, just west of Mastros Trailer Park in Julian around 2:49 p.m. Both vehicles overturned multiple
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 of that money. Possibly for thousands of San Diegans, their
Hungary’s ousted leader, a Putin ally, accused of funding Conservative Political Action Committee in U.S.
By Alexander J Schorr April 23, 2026— After a victory in April by Hungary’s Prime Minister-elect Péter Magyar which ended authoritarian Viktor Orbán’s16-year rule, the outgoing government has been accused of illegally using state funds to finance the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, in the United States. CPAC is one of the most influential forces on the Republican
Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber warns of ongoing threats to voting rights at East County Democratic Club meeting
Story and photo by Paul Levikow April 22, 2026 (Alpine) — California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber recently delivered an assessment of the challenges facing the state’s electoral system, while urging vigilance and civic participation ahead of the 2026 elections. About 30 attendees gathered at The Alpine Club for the East County Democratic Club’s April meeting to hear from the state’s chief elections
Villa Musica expanding to East County for 20th anniversary
East County News Service April 22, 2026 (El Cajon) — For two decades, the halls of Villa Musica’s Sorrento Valley headquarters have been alive with a specific kind of beautiful chaos — the steady thumps on the drum, soaring scales of soprano singers and the first notes of student violinists. Now with Villa Musica is celebrating its 20th anniversary, the
East County-based physician Charles Hamori honored by American College of Physicians
By Karen Pearlman April 21, 2026 (La Mesa) — When he was a teenager growing up in Muncie, Indiana, Charles Hamori performed his first successful medical diagnosis — on himself. Hamori was 14 when he correctly identified his own appendicitis, and it was at that moment (or soon thereafter) a doctor was born. “With my first diagnosis of appendicitis, my
With Eric Swalwell’s scandalous implosion, Xavier Becerra surges in race for California governor
By Dan Walters This story was originally printed in CalMatters, the only nonprofit newsroom devoted solely to covering statewide issues that affect all Californians. Sign up for WeeklyMatters for a Saturday morning digest of the latest news and commentary from the Golden State. This story is part of California Voices, a commentary forum aiming to broaden our understanding of the state and spotlight
Crest residents urged to take action against wildfire risks with free Home Assessment Program
By Morgan Dioli and Diana Griffin April 21, 2026 (Crest) – The Crest community is stepping up wildfire preparedness efforts by participating in the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County’s 2026 Home Assessment Program. It’s a free, voluntary service designed to help residents reduce wildfire risks and improve defensible space around their homes. As one of the most wildfire-prone
San Diego Padres nearing record $3.9B sale
East County News Service Photo courtesy San Diego Padres Facebook page April 20, 2026 (San Diego) — The current owners of the San Diego Padres, the Seidler family, are reportedly in the final stages of an agreement to sell the team to a group led by private equity billionaire José E. Feliciano and his wife, musician and investor Kwanza Jones, for a reported
Senior resource fair coming to Grossmont Healthcare District on April 23
East County News Service April 20, 2026 (La Mesa) — Health advocates from across San Diego County will provide critical resources through the upcoming “Spring into Healthy Living 2026: Senior Conference & Resource Fair” on Thursday, April 23 at Grossmont Healthcare District headquarters. Hosted by the San Diego East County Action Network (SanDi ECAN), the free event is set for
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