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Target recalls baby wipes due to contamination with bacteria that can cause life-threatening sepsis and pneumonia
By Miriam Raftery June 8, 2026 (San Diego County) – Target has recalled Up & Up baby wipes, both fragrance-free and cucumber-scented, after consumers reported infections in infants and testing by the United States Food and Drug Administration found contamination with Burkholderia cepacia and Burkholderia gladioli. These bacteria can cause
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
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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How social media shapes SDSU student identity
Story and photos by Kevin A. Green May 5, 2026 (San Diego) — Social media plays a vital role in shaping individual identity. On any given day at San Diego State University, students can be seen scrolling through their phones in class, posting updates and watching short videos. For many, platforms such as TikTok and Instagram do more than entertain
Hundreds of animals under care of San Diego Humane Society after raid of Julian animal sanctuary
Jace Huggins, chief of Humane Law Enforcement for the San Diego Humane Society (left) and Dr. Gary Weitzman, CEO of the SDHS, speak to reporters at the SDHS Gaines Street campus on Monday afternoon. (Photo by Karen Pearlman) By Karen Pearlman May 4, 2026 (San Diego) — More than 500 animals, from a lone crow to more than 150 horses,
14-year-old killed, pedestrian injured in crash near Cowles Mountain
East County News Service May 4, 2026 (San Carlos) — A 14-year-old girl died the morning of Sunday, May 3, after a vehicle jumped the curb, struck a pedestrian and crashed into a tree on Navajo Road near Cowles Mountain. San Diego Police Department officers and San Diego Fire-Rescue Department personnel responded to a vehicle rescue on Navajo Road near
Two dead in rollover crash on I-8 near Jacumba
East County News Service May 4, 2026 (Jacumba) — A tragic single-vehicle accident claimed the lives of two Texas men over the weekend after their vehicle overturned on Interstate 8 in the high desert, authorities said. The collision occurred at approximately 7:35 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, just west of Carrizo Gorge Road. According to the California Highway Patrol, a
Multi-Vehicle collision on I-8 in La Mesa leaves El Cajon Man dead
East County News Service May 4, 2026 (La Mesa) — A late-night chain-reaction crash involving a semi-truck and two passenger vehicles on Interstate 8 claimed the life of a young El Cajon man early Saturday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol. The collision occurred at about 1:37 a.m. on May 2, west of Fletcher Parkway. Investigators say a 28-year-old
State health officials file lawsuit against Santee-based Kratom manufacturer
East County News Service May 4, 2026 (Sacramento) – The California Department of Public Health, in coordination with Attorney General Rob Bonta, has filed a formal legal complaint against Ashlynn Marketing Group, Inc., for the illegal manufacture and distribution of kratom-derived products. The filing, submitted to the San Diego County Superior Court, targets the company — which operates under the
Police search for suspect after juvenile battered in Poway
East County News Service May 4, 2026 (Poway) – Detectives from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Child Abuse Unit are seeking public assistance in identifying a man who allegedly sexually battered an 11-year-old girl over the weekend. The incident occurred around 7 p.m., Saturday, May 2 near the 13400 block of Midland Road in Poway. According to authorities, the
NLL’s Seals force deciding playoff game with dominant home win over Toronto
Dylan Watson of the San Diego Seals in Sunday’s semifinal game. Photo courtesy San Diego Seals East County News Service May 3, 2026 (San Diego) — Staring down playoff elimination at Pechanga Arena, the San Diego Seals delivered their most complete performance of the postseason on Sunday afternoon. The Seals topped the Toronto Rock 11-6 in Game 2 of their
Padres announce $3.9B sale agreement amid win over White Sox
Padres third baseman Manny Machado connects for a home run on Sunday, May 3. Photo courtesy San Diego Padres Facebook page East County News Service May 3, 2026 (San Diego) — The San Diego Padres formally announced on Saturday, May 2, a definitive agreement to transfer franchise ownership to a group led by José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones for
Eight candidates For California’s 48th Congressional District attend April 9 forum
Screenshot from forum on YouTube By G. A. McNeeley May 3, 2026 (San Diego County) — On Thursday, April 9, the League of Women Voters of North County San Diego facilitated a forum (click here to watch it on YouTube) hosted by the Ocean Hills Country Club Democracy Defenders that brought together eight of the candidates who are running for
San Diego County has free parking perks for seniors
San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson holds up his senior parking pass at Mt. Woodson Gateway County Preserve in Ramona. (Photo courtesy Joel Anderson Facebook page) East County News Service April 10, 2026 (San Diego County) — While parking prices across the region seem to be climbing faster than a fit hiker scaling Iron Mountain, local seniors can count on
CHP urges drivers to follow hands-free cell phone law; officers report more violations as distracted driving causes hundreds of crashes annually
East County News Service April 10, 2026 (San Diego County) — Distracted driving causes hundreds of crashes across California each year, and violations of the state’s hands-free cellphone law remain an ongoing concern. As part of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the California Highway Patrol is urging drivers to put down their phones and stay attentive to help make roads safer for
Padres still celebrating big Thursday night victory over Rockies
The Padres will sport their new “City Connect 2.0” uniforms with a special patch on the arm tonight at home against the Colorado Rockes. Photo courtesy San Diego Padres East County News Service April 10, 2026 (San Diego) — The San Diego Padres might just be starting to pick up some steam. In a finish that felt more like end-of-season
Learn how to use the county’s ‘Tell Us Now!’ app on April 13
East County News Service April 10, 2026 (Rancho San Diego) — We’ve all been there: you’re driving through somewhere in San Diego County and run over a jagged pothole, spot a flooded culvert or keep seeing the same abandoned vehicle on a street corner…. but the thought of trying to find the right County department to call and report what
ECM World Watch: national and global news
April 9, 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. Trump’s VA killed a home loan program. Vets are now losing their homes because of it (NPR) Eligible young men
Three arrested in child abuse investigation, drugs also uncovered
East County News Service April 9, 2026 (Spring Valley) — Three Spring Valley residents are in custody following an investigation into child abuse that uncovered a stash of narcotics inside a local residence. Detectives from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday assisted Child Welfare Services in executing a search warrant at a home on the 9000 block of
Temporary cease fire reached in Iran after Trump threatened “a whole civilization will die;” conflict takes toll on U.S. economy
By Alex J. Schorr April 9, 2026 — As of yesterday, the United States and Iran have agreed to a fragile two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan, with the agreement aiming to pause hostilities that began on February 28. Pakistan-mediated talks are scheduled to begin in Islamabad on Friday April 10, to seek a permanent settlement. The fragile cease-fire comes after Trump posted a threat on
East County Roundup: local and statewide news
April 9, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) — East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s round-up stories include: LOCAL County supervisors used obscure events fund to solicit over $100K from influential donors since 2024 (KPBS) SDG&E customers to receive $32.53 climate credit in April billing cycle
AB 1959 moves along, inspired by 2001 school shooting at Santana
Story and photo by Karen Pearlman April 9, 2026 (Santee) — Twenty-five years after teenage student armed with a gun opened fire at Santana High School, survivors and prosecutors are closer to closing a legal loophole they say allows the state’s most violent juvenile offenders to exploit the justice system for early release. On Tuesday in Sacramento, the Assembly Public Safety
New leadership at County Dept. of Animal Services
East County News Service April 7, 2026 (San Diego County) — San Diego County is stabilizing the leadership of the Department of Animal Services, appointing…
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