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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
Escondido “Trump house” owner dies after vicious attack; veteran with PTSD charged
By Miriam Raftery May 26, 2026 (Escondido) – Army veteran Kerry Sheron, 69, proudly displayed American flags and Trump banners outside his Escondido home. Now he is dead of injuries sustained in a savage attack by a fellow veteran who reportedly suffered from PTSD. Thomas Caleb Butler, 32, the
News Issues
Harbison Canyon man sentenced to 216 years in prison for brutal murder of Samuel Holthaus and other violent crimes
East County News Service Photo: Victim Samuel Holthaus, courtesy of the District Attorney’s office May 26, 2026 (San Diego) – Kenneth McNally Jr., 42, has been sentenced to 216 years in prison for murdering Samuel Holthaus, 59, and committing a series of other violent crimes in Harbison Canyon in 2023.
Ghost guns seized in Spring Valley after SWAT team operation
East County News Service Photo courtesy of San Diego County Sheriff May 25, 2026 (Spring Valley) – A Spring Valley man who is prohibited from owning firearms has been arrested after a search found un-serialized “ghost” guns, ammunition, and gun parts in various stages of manufacture. Printer-friendly version
Politics
Lemon Grove bird sale ban heading to November ballot after 3-2 vote
By Karen Pearlman May 25, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — Lemon Grove voters will have the final say this November on a measure that would end commercial bird sales in the city, replacing them with a rescue-only model that requires pet stores to source birds exclusively from animal shelters, humane
Our interview with Marni Von Wilpert, candidate for 48th Congressional District
May 22, 2026 (San Diego’s East County — Earlier this month, ECM interviewed Marni Von Wilpert, a Democrat and one of the leading contenders running in the 48th Congressional district for an open seat as a result of Republican Darrell Issa retiring. She’s a San Diego City Councilmember, a
Wildfires and Emergencies
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
Firefighters hold Tusil Fire to 1,000 acres overnight despite difficult conditions; some evacuations remain in place
Story and Photos by Josh Stotler; Miriam Raftery contributed to this report May 20, 2026 (Campo) – Wind-driven flames crossed Interstate 8, forcing temporary shutdown of the freeway in both directions late yesterday as crews battled the #Tusil Fire in rugged terrain. As of this morning, the number lane
Events & Arts
Lemon Grove Pride Drag Brunch coming on June 6
East County News Service May 24, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — J Lau Farrow-Halston of Escondido Drag is hosting the Lemon Grove Pride Drag Brunch next month. The 2 1/2-hour show will include performances by Amore Envy, Gabby Link Aux and Drag Latina’s Rosalinda and will be held starting at noon
Destination East County: Joyful June events
By Miriam Raftery May 21, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – June is jumping with joyful events including Santee Summer Knights—a Medieval festival, star parties on Mount Laguna, Wild in the Country at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine, open farm tours at Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, a ballet
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
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
Escondido “Trump house” owner dies after vicious attack; veteran with PTSD charged
By Miriam Raftery May 26, 2026 (Escondido) – Army veteran Kerry Sheron, 69, proudly displayed American flags and Trump banners outside his Escondido home. Now he is dead of injuries sustained in a savage attack by a fellow veteran who reportedly suffered from PTSD. Thomas Caleb Butler, 32, the
Features
Lemon Grove Pride Drag Brunch coming on June 6
East County News Service May 24, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — J Lau Farrow-Halston of Escondido Drag is hosting the Lemon Grove Pride Drag Brunch next month. The 2 1/2-hour show will include performances by Amore Envy, Gabby Link Aux and Drag Latina’s Rosalinda and will be held starting at noon
Destination East County: Joyful June events
By Miriam Raftery May 21, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – June is jumping with joyful events including Santee Summer Knights—a Medieval festival, star parties on Mount Laguna, Wild in the Country at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine, open farm tours at Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, a ballet
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CIRCUS VARGAS PRESENTS 40TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW: BIG TOP COMES TO EL CAJON FEB. 19-23
February 7, 2009 (El Cajon) — Circus Vargas will present dazzling and death-defying feats in its 40th anniversary production, coming to El Cajon February 19th-23rd in the Parkway Plaza parking lot. Acrobats, clowns, magical illusionists, horses, motorcycles, music and dance are among the entertainment slated. Early-birds will be treated to a preview show in which children of all ages will
Reflections on the Meaning of Christianity and Religious Symbols: A Reaction to the Mt Soledad Cross Controversy
By Joel A. Harrison February 6, 2009 (San Diego) — In a 20-year saga that never ends, according to an article in the Union-Tribune on January 8, “opponents of the cross atop Mount Soledad urged a U.S. appeals court yesterday to overturn a federal judge’s ruling in July that said the controversial La Jolla landmark could remain.” A similar controversy
Good Money – What You Need to Know if You’ve Been Laid Off
Your guide to profitable and socially responsible investing By Judith L. Seid, CFP ® It’s your worst nightmare. You come into work thinking it’s just like any other day and you leave with your stomach in knots. Fears of how you will take care of yourself and your family’s spin your head around. Here are some tips to help calm
SYLVIA’S SOAPBOX — SNAP
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Food Stamps are a “SNAP.” But Not in San Diego County By Sylvia Hampton February 1, 2009 (San Diego) — After the embarrassing front-page news that San Diego County has only one in five people who need food supplements enrolled to receive them (the worst enrollment record of any county in the nation) the supervisors are
FILNER REINTRODUCES FAIR TAXES FOR SENIORS ACT
February 1, 2009 (San Diego) — Congressman Bob Filner has reintroduced the Fair Taxes for Seniors Act, H.R. 674, which will provide a one-time increase in the capital gains tax exemption on the sale of a home for citizens who are 50 years of age or more. “The Fair Taxes for Seniors Act would give many seniors the additional money
STATE DEPARTMENT CANCELS BLACKWATER’S CONTRACT IN IRAQ: EAST COUNTY LEADERS, BLACKWATER WEST VP SHARE REACTIONS
Jan Hedlun, right, at victory celebration last year after Blackwater dropped plans to build a training base in Potrero. February 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) —–“Blackwater has been fired by the State Department from its job protecting U.S. diplomats in Iraq,” ABC News has reported. The U.S. State Department has announced it will not renew a $1.2 billion contract
AL NASSER TO SPEAK IN LA MESA WEDNESDAY ON IRAQ WAR ISSUES
Dr. Farouk Al Nasser, an Iraq native and U.S. citizen, will speak on conditions in Iraq at the La Mesa Community Center on Wednesday, June 3rd. “Dr. Nasser will help us understand the situation on the ground in Iraq; he is in contact with his extended family of more than 400 living in Iraq,” said Linda Armacost, president of the
SDG&E THREATENS TO SUE WILDFIRE VICTIMS
By Miriam Raftery February 2, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–San Diego Gas & Electric Company has notified attorneys representing fire victims that the utility company plans to sue victims of the 2007 wildfires. The announcement has sparked an angry response from some elected officials and residents in burned-out areas of East County. “Predictably, SDG&E’s lawyers are stooping as low as
FESTIVALS OF THE MONTH: FEBRUARY 2009
By Miriam Raftery February 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — Winter’s chill is past–time to step out in the sunshine and savor some of the many fun-filled events this month in San Diego’s eastern regions. Find details on all of these events and more. Just click the calendar link at the top of our homepage! This is the prime
LA MESA HOSTS 2 TOWNHALL MEETINGS & BUDGET WORKSHOP
February 1, 2009 (La Mesa) — As part of La Mesa’s commitment to staying in touch with the community, the City Council has scheduled two Town Hall Meetings for 2009. These open forum meetings provide an opportunity for citizens to provide input on issues in their neighborhood and throughout the City. The two meetings are held in different parts of
Educator Dr. Mark Jeffers honored as 2026-27 San Diego County Teacher of the Year
East County News Service May 19, 2026 (Spring Valley) — Longtime Mount Miguel High School English teacher Dr. Mark Jeffers was named a 2026-27 San Diego County Teacher of the Year. Dr. Jeffers is one of five educators selected for this honor from a large pool of teachers across the county. Dr. Jeffers was given his award during a surprise
Evacuations ordered due to Tusil Fire in Campo
Update 3:45 p.m.: The #TusilFire is now 500 acres and has burned within 1/4 mile of I-8, which is closed in both directions. Motorists can expect significant delays. A temporary evacuation center has been set up at Golden Acorn Casino. May 19, 2026 — Homes are immediately threatened and evacuations have been ordered in Campo due to the #Tulsi Fire.
‘I truly believe that’s what saved the 140 kids.’ SDPD details heroism of three Islamic Center shooting victims.
By Brooke Binkowski, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online Journalism Association Photo: A guard looks as on as a man and child leave flowers at the Islamic Center of San Diego the day after a mass shooting left three victims and two shooters dead. (Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego) May 19, 2026
Vehicle malfunction caused Mission Fire Series, Cal Fire investigators determine
May 19, 2026 (Fallbrook) — Cal Fire investigators have determined the causes of multiple fires within the Mission Fire Series in Fallbrook on May 2 to be fragments from a catalytic converter on a malfunctioning vehicle. This series of fires included 26 separate fire perimeters that burned nearly 20 acres along State Route 76 and Interstate 15. Printer-friendly version
Aging pipes, persistent breaks challenge Julian’s water system
Photo courtesy Julian Community Services District By Paul Levikow May 19, 2026 (Julian) — Residents and business owners in the East County mountain community of Julian have running water again, after water service was restored following a recent outage and boil-water advisory on Main Street. But local officials caution that the problems are not over yet. According to Julian Community
Multi-agency rescue, care at Villa Chardonnay ongoing
Photo of horses rescued from Villa Chardonnay Horses With Wings, Inc., and now at Suwanna Ranch in Northern California courtesy Humane Farming Association By Karen Pearlman May 18, 2026 (San Diego County) — The multi-agency animal rescue operation at Villa Chardonnay Horses With Wings, Inc. animal sanctuary in Julian continued over the weekend with specialized teams converging to provide emergency
Active shooter at Islamic Center in San Diego: multiple casualties reported
Update 3:15 p.m. — San Diego Police confirm that five people are dead, including three victims, all adult men, as well as two teenage suspects who appear to have died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds. The San Diego Police Department said all three of the victims were adult men. The two suspects were identified only as two teenagers. Police said the
Mt. Helix Park adds new butterfly garden, picnic tables
Story and main photo by Karen Pearlman May 17, 2026 (Mount Helix) — A barren stretch of dirt outside the front office of Mt. Helix Park Foundation near the top of Mount Helix has become a colorful and welcoming spot for butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, towhees and other visitors to the area. Thanks to financial backing from the family of Suzanne
How to fix a ‘giant county bureaucracy’: San Diego County debates competing charter reform plans
By Deborah Brennan, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: photos of the current San Diego Board of Supervisors are displayed inside the San Diego County Administration Center on March 24, 2026. Photo by Adriana Heldiz, CalMatters May 17, 2026 (San Diego) – San Diego County Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer pitched a plan to reform the county
Mount Laguna Observatory summer visitors program starts May 23
East County News Service May 17, 2026 (Mount Laguna) — Star parties are back at Mount Laguna with the return of the Summer Visitors Program at the Mount Laguna Observatory. The public programs will be held on Saturday nights from 8 to 11 p.m., May 23 through August 15, with a special bonus mid-week viewing scheduled for Wednesday, August 12.
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