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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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CONTROL OF GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL BOARD HANGS IN BALANCE
Election creates rift among Republicans By Miriam Raftery Five candidates are vying for two seats on the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) Board of Trustees. The stakes are high. The outcome of this election may determine if a popular superintendent will be retained, if a new high school will be built in Alpine, and if divisive forces will regain
PROPOSITION U SEEKS FUNDS FOR CLASSROOM UPGRADES, NEW BUILDINGS IN GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
By Miriam Raftery Grossmont Union High School District’s superintendent and four of five GUHSD school board trustees agree that Proposition U is critical to repair and replace aging buildings throughout the district—and build a long-awaited new high school for Alpine. “We can’t modernize the old industrial classrooms abandoned years ago without Proposition U,” GUHSD Superintendent Robert Collins said at an
POLITICKIN’ EAST COUNTY STYLE
Counting down to the November 4 election, folks in East County and San Diego’s eastern region are pulling out all the stops to campaign for their favorite candidates. Printer-friendly version
ETHICS, BUDGET CUTS, & CHOOSING NEW CHANCELLOR TOP ISSUES IN GROSSMONT-CUYAMACA COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD RACE
By Miriam Raftery The race: Four candidates are running for two seats on the Grossmont-Cuyamaca College Board of Trustees. Challengers Mary Kay Rosinski and Moe Bakeer face off against incumbents Tim Caruthers and Bill Garrett, board president. ECM interviewed Rosinski, Caruthers and Garrett; Bakeer did not respond to interview requests. What’s at stake: Community colleges face tough times amid state
Remember “L” is on “La Mesa” ballots
City faces low reserves; bond rating, city jobs at stake if measure fails to pass By Kristin Hobbs Kjaero The proposition Proponents call it the “Vital City Services Measure,” and opponents call it a “Pension Tax.” The impartial ballot analysis identifies it as a “general tax,” which means revenue would go into La Mesa’s general fund and “the City would
WEEKLY EVENTS OCT. 22-29: BORREGO DAYS DESERT FESTIVAL, WATER-WISE GARDENING FEST, PARADES, COSTUME CONTEST, & SKY SHOW
October 21, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) – This weekend’s hot events include Borrego Days Desert Festival, California Friendly Garden Festival, Pine Valley Pet Parade, Bates Nut Farm Costume Contest, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory performances, 2008 Fall Kitchen Tour, and a Sky Show following the Aztec football game. Borrego Springs hosts its three-day Borrego Days Desert Festival this
STATE OF DISUNION: WAR VETERANS SPEAK OUT AGAINST MILITARY ABUSE OF TROOPS IN LOCAL STOP ON NATIONAL TOUR
By Miriam Raftery Editor’s Note: Military authorities declined to speak with East County Magazine regarding this story. We also requested permission to interview veterans at Balboa Naval Hospital to obtain a diverse range of views on conditions in mlitary service. Our request was denied. October 18, 2008 (San Diego)–Army intelligence officer Selena Coppa has risked her freedom to speak out. “One
THE WILL POWER REPORT – PRISONERS OF DEBT
Nothing but the Truth! By Will Power October 14, 2008 (San Diego) – When John McCain accidentally referred to “My Fellow Americans” as “My Fellow Prisoners” this week, he was right on one account. We are all prisoners of the National Debt – currently $10 trillion and rising rapidly. Every time a US citizen fills up a gas tank, shops
THE ROLLING REVIEWER: ROLLING WITH THE LUCK
By Janelle Eckardt November 1, 2008 (Alpine) – I firmly believe that we make our own luck. We each control how we react to different situations, therefore we play a hand in the ultimate outcome of any given scenario. If we’re lucky, we come out on top as clear victors–though sometimes we hit when we should have stayed and lose
SAN DIEGO SOLAR HOMES TOUR: SATURDAY OCT. 18
The San Diego Solar Homes Tour is quite possibly the longest running and most popular tour in California. Celebrating the ninth year of the free tour, over 40 homes throughout San Diego County are participating—including many in East County and San Diego’s Eastern region. This self-guided tour, sponsored by the California Center for Sustainable Energy, offers real-life, working examples of
SHERIFF’S DUI ARRESTS INCREASE FIFTEEN PERCENT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON: AGGRESSIVE ENFORCEMENT TO CONTINUE
January 10, 2008 (San Diego) — This holiday season, arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) shot up 15% countywide. Whether more people engaged in holiday merrymaking or drowning their sorrows amid a bleak economy remains unknown, but Sheriff’s credit increased enforcement action with the spike in drunk driving busts. The San Diego County Sheriff’s
GET THE POINT: FREE ACUPUNCTURE! FIRST FRIDAYS IN EL CAJON
February 1, 2008 (El Cajon) — Healthy Community Acupuncture is offering free acupuncture treatments for stress reduction on the first Friday of every month, starting Friday, February 6, 2009. Appointments are required at the clinic, which is located at 277 E. Lexington Ave Ste B in El Cajon. Healthy Community Acupuncture is the first community acupuncture clinic to open in
EDITORIAL – WHO DESERVES AN ORGAN TRANSPLANT-AND WHO SHOULD DECIDE?
Questions Regarding the Tragic Death of Nataline Sarkisyan By Joel A. Harrison, PhD, MPH January 6, 2008 — Few people who read about the Nataline Sarkisyan case last year could have avoided being touched by her tragic death. Recently her family filed a lawsuit against her insurer, Cigna and is trying to get criminal charges brought against them as well
MICHAEL’S CRAFT STORE ROBBED AT GUNPOINT IN LA MESA: $1,000 REWARD OFFERED BY CRIMESTOPPERS
January 5, 2009 (La Mesa) — On January 5, 2009, at 3:12 PM, two masked men entered the Michael’s Craft Store at 9108 Fletcher Parkway, La Mesa and robbed customers and the store employees at gunpoint. The suspects entered the store and ordered employees and customers to the floor while they each waved a handgun around. The suspects took money
GROSSMONT & CUYAMACA COLLEGES GO SMOKE-FREE CAMPUSES STARTING JANUARY 1
January 1, 2009 (El Cajon) — Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District becomes the first multi-campus district in California to ban smoking starting New Year’s Day. “In the long run, we have done something very valuable for this district,” said governor board president Bill Garrett. Deanne Weeks said the district has a responsibility to “be ahead of the curve.” Trustee Rick Alexander
SHOULD PRESIDENT BUSH PARDON BORDER PATROL AGENTS RAMOS AND COMPEAN?
Border agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean January 5, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) — Assemblyman Joel Anderson has written a letter to President George W. Bush requesting a pardon for Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compeon. Both are currently in prison, serving 11 and 12 year sentences after being convicted by a jury of shooting the
RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH NEW LAWS
Several new laws designed to help strengthen existing DUI laws January 4, 2009 (Sacramento) — With a new year on the horizon, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) wants to remind motorists of a handful of new laws, passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Schwarzenegger, that go into effect in 2009. "The overall safety of the motoring public is
COMPUTER BIZ WIZ– MAKING COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY WORK FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS
Top 5 IT Mistakes Small Businesses Make By Michael Natter It is deceptively easy to see what the five top small business mistakes in IT are. They are pervasive, recurring and everywhere! Typical small businesses mistakes include: Not getting value for invested and spent IT dollars: Small businesses are constantly paying for lack of knowledge, hasty decisions, oversights, mistakes, choosing
KIDNAPPING OFÂ 8-YEAR OLD BOY WAS FALSE REPORT
January 2, 2000 (La Mesa) — On January 1, an eight-year-old boy reported being kidnapped from in front of his residence in the 4800 block of Parks Ave., La Mesa. However, the La Mesa Police have concluded after further investigation that the boy had falsified the entire story and that no crime had ever occurred. On January 2, the alleged
EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE’S 2008 NEWSMAKERS OF THE YEAR
By Miriam Raftery January 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–For better or worse, these are the East County people who made headlines in 2008. Some are famous–elected officials and sports stars. Others are unsung heroes and ordinary citizens who found themselves in extraordinary situations, battling foes ranging from cancer to large-scale developments in their communities. Some have aspired to amazing feats, such
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