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Where Dreams Soar: New Gillespie Flight Center
By Miriam Raftery Photo: Owner Paul Kassel If you’ve ever longed to learn to fly, or if you’re a pilot seeking to upgrade your skills to fly for commercial airlines, you can make your dreams take wing at Gillespie Flight Center in El Cajon. “My father was a pilot and
It’s a sign of the times – LA MESA now up on La Mesa Boulevard
Story and photos by Karen Pearlman June 9, 2026 (La Mesa) — One day before the city of La Mesa unveils a “Bill Walton Way” street sign near Helix High, community members gathered in the La Mesa Village for a sign Walton would have loved — the long-awaited downtown district
News Issues
Where Dreams Soar: New Gillespie Flight Center
By Miriam Raftery Photo: Owner Paul Kassel If you’ve ever longed to learn to fly, or if you’re a pilot seeking to upgrade your skills to fly for commercial airlines, you can make your dreams take wing at Gillespie Flight Center in El Cajon. “My father was a pilot and
Reading Cinemas closes at Grossmont Center; AMC to renovate and reopen movie theater in 2027
By Miriam Raftery June 9, 2026 (La Mesa) – AMC has announced that it will acquire and fully renovate the movie theater space long occupied by Reading Cinemas at Grossmont Center, though the site won’t reopen until early next year. Printer-friendly version
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
Summer BBQ, Open House and Pilot Meetup June 14 at Gillespie Flight Center Celebrates America’s 250th anniverary
By Miriam Raftery June 10, 2026 (El Cajon) – Pilots, aspiring pilots, friends and family are invited to a summer barbecue, open house and pilot meet up at Gillespie Flight School this Sunday, June 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary including
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
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
Summer BBQ, Open House and Pilot Meetup June 14 at Gillespie Flight Center Celebrates America’s 250th anniverary
By Miriam Raftery June 10, 2026 (El Cajon) – Pilots, aspiring pilots, friends and family are invited to a summer barbecue, open house and pilot meet up at Gillespie Flight School this Sunday, June 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary including
Where Dreams Soar: New Gillespie Flight Center
By Miriam Raftery Photo: Owner Paul Kassel If you’ve ever longed to learn to fly, or if you’re a pilot seeking to upgrade your skills to fly for commercial airlines, you can make your dreams take wing at Gillespie Flight Center in El Cajon. “My father was a pilot and
Features
Summer BBQ, Open House and Pilot Meetup June 14 at Gillespie Flight Center Celebrates America’s 250th anniverary
By Miriam Raftery June 10, 2026 (El Cajon) – Pilots, aspiring pilots, friends and family are invited to a summer barbecue, open house and pilot meet up at Gillespie Flight School this Sunday, June 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary including
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
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LA MESA VILLAGE REVITALIZATION WORKSHOP
April 20, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Dr. By Kristin Hobbs Kjaero La Mesa – Locals call the La Mesa Village the heart and soul of their hometown. Given this sentiment, the Village Revitalization Workshop on April 20 is a great opportunity for the community to share their thoughts for improvements to
SAN DIEGO EARTH WEEK FEATURES NEW EVENTS IN 2009
GREEN JOBS FAIR AT SDSU AND A GREEN CITY LEADERSHIP FORUM ARE NEW THIS YEAR; EARTH FAIR KICKS OFF WEEK’S ECO-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES April 17, 2009 (San Diego)—Earth Day Week in San Diego kicks off with Earth Fair 2009 in Balboa Park on Sunday, drawing more than 70,000 visitors. Produced by 400 volunteers, EarthFair features more than 400 exhibitors, special theme
TOP DOG: BERSIN NAMED BORDER CZAR BY OBAMA; BUT CAN HE TAKE A BITE OUT OF BORDER VIOLENCE?
By Miriam Raftery April 16, 2009 (San Diego)—Alan Bersin has officially been appointed Border Czar by President Barack Obama, Homeland Security Director Janet Napolitano announced today. Bersin held a similar position during the Clinton administration. He served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California a the U.S. Justice Department’s special representative for the Southwest border. He was Education
CHILD MOLESTER ARRESTED IN LA MESA
April 15, 2009 (La Mesa)—La Mesa police have arrested Garth Gumienny, 35, a convicted child molester found to be living with a young boy who he repeatedly molested. The child was the son of Gumienny’s roommate, according to La Mesa Police Captain Ed Aceves. “The mother did not know the sexual abuse was occurring,” Aceves told East County Magazine. The
YEE-HA! LAKESIDE RODEO APRIL 24-26
April 15, 2009 (Lakeside) The 45th annual Lakeside Rodeo has gained national exposure over the last 44 years, from a small hometown event to being named the International Professional Rodeo Association Rodeo (IPRA) of the year FOUR times! Events include bull-riding, bareback bronc, steer wrestling, team riding, and more. The annual Lakeside Rodeo held every April is the largest fundraiser
A QUARTER CENTURY STRONG: LA MESA DEMOCRATS CELEBRATED 25th ANNIVERSARY; EMERALD STAFFER ADDRESSED COMMUNITY ISSUES
April 10, 2009 (La Mesa) – La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club celebrated its 25th anniversary with a celebration last week that included cake, a potluck dinner, recognition of key members and presentation by Councilwoman Marti Emerald’s chief of staff, Xema Jacobson. Special honorees included the club’s founding members, Claude Cassirer, a Holocaust survivor, and his wife, Beverly (photo). Songs written
“STIMULUS CONCERT” HOSTED BY VALLEY MUSIC APRIL 19 IN EL CAJON
April 13, 2009 (El Cajon) – Valley Music invites the public to a “Stimulus Concert” on Sunday, April 19 at 3 p.m. at the Donwtown Café, 182 Main Street in El Cajon. The program features appearances by award-winning San Diego performers, including Eve Sells, Berkley Hart, Crosswinds, Ronny Corbin & Pirate Radio, Mark Neill & Rian Greene and the Unknowns,
FACING FORECLOSURE? NEED INFO ON HOME LOANS? GET HELP AT FREE HOMEOWNER PRESERVATION SEMINAR APRIL 18 IN SAN DIEGO
By Miriam Raftery April 13, 2009 (San Diego)—At a time when many lenders have evicted families and aggressively foreclosed on, one lender has taken a different approach, setting up a series of events to help families find ways to avoid foreclosure. On April 18th, Project Homeowner, a program to advise California homeowners facing foreclosure on how to keep their homes,
GREEN BULIDING QUESTIONS ANSWERED AT ECO BUILD SAN DIEGO
By Rachel Hutman (California Center for Sustainable Energy) April 9, 2009 (San Diego) – The Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) hosted the EcoBuild San Diego on Saturday, April 4. Over 350 people attended the free expo to get straight answers about green building. Lauri Walker, Program Manager of the event, observed, “People will visit exhibitors and get a better understanding
GET THE JUMP ON GOING GREEN: FEDERAL INCENTIVES FOR RENEWABLES AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
April 10, 2009 (Washington D.C.) – Looking for your own version of a bail-out? How about a federal incentive to make your home, business or community more energy efficient and/or powered by renewable energy such as wind, solar or biomass? Here are some handy links to tax credits and grants available for homeowners, businesses and local governments to apply for
LA MESA POLICE SERVE SEARCH WARRANT AT CHOP SHOP IN LA MESA; ARREST MADE ON DRUG, WEAPON AND STOLEN VEHICLE CHARGES
December 19, 2008 (La Mesa) — Officers from the La Mesa Police Department’s Special Enforcement Detail, and detectives from the Regional Auto Theft Task Force (R.A.T.T.), served a search warrant at a home in the 6000 block of Amaya Dr. in La Mesa. The search warrant stemmed from an investigation into stolen vehicles in the area. Detectives found approximately three
EL CAJON MAN ARRESTED FOR ROBBING HOLIDAY SHOPPER IN TOYS R US PARKING LOT
December 18, 2008 (La Mesa) — La Mesa Police Officers responded to a robbery that occurred at 11:47 a.m. in the parking lot of Toys R Us on Grossmont Boulevard in La Mesa. When officers arrived, they found that security officers had chased the suspect on foot northbound on Jackson Drive. The security officers lost the suspect under the I-8 over
Armed Subject at Helix High School Determined to be a Hoax
December 17, 2008 (La Mesa) — A report of an armed man on the Helix High School campus yesterday has now been determined to be a hoax. Further investigation by Helix staff and the La Mesa Police Department confirmed that the student who reported seeing a man with a gun had fabricated the incident. It is not known why the
GROSSMONT-CUYAMACA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT PASSES AUDITS; BUDGET FOCUSES ON COST-CUTTING STRATEGIES
December 17, 2008 (El Cajon ) — Grossmont Cuyamca Community College District today announced it has passed five separate 2007-2008 audits. The audits presented to the governing board cover the district’s general audit, its part-time employees’ pension plan, Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges foundations, and the district’s auxiliary. Two more audits relating to the district’s Prop. R facilities bond program are
Bill Garrett to lead Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District board in 2009
December 17, 2008 (El Cajon) — The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board has unanimously re-elected Bill Garrett board president, Deanna Weeks board vice president, and Greg Barr board clerk for 2009. “Because of the severity of the state budget, this coming year will be a particularly difficult one for our district”, said Garrett, who first joined the board in
SNOW FALLING IN EAST COUNTY! ACCIDENTS CLOG I-8, CHAINS REQUIRED ON MOUNTAIN HIGHWAYS
UPDATE 9 p.m. A winter storm warning remains in effect through Thursday morning. I-8, closed earlier in portions of East county due to snow, has been reopened, according to the California Department of Transportation website, though many accidents are reported and conditions remain hazardous-. State Route 79 remains closed from I-8 to 11.9 miles south of the junction of State
NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR SAN DIEGO EXCELLENCE IN ENERGY AWARDS
December 18, 2008 — Are you an Energy All-Star? Take credit for your green efforts and submit a nomination for the 5th Annual San Diego Excellence in Energy (SANDEE) Awards. The SANDEE Awards recognize outstanding projects and activities that have achieved significant energy efficiency or energy conservation savings, implemented renewable energy and reduced CO2 emissions in San Diego County. Add
COMMUNITY LEADERS FLOCK TO ATTEND EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE’S VIP HOLIDAY PARTY
By Miriam Raftery, Editor Education leaders at ECM’s holiday party (left to right): Henri Migala, executive dean, Cuyamaca College, Alan Ridley, Student Services Specialist, Cuyamaca College, Mary Kay Rosinski, board member, Grossmont-Cuyamaca College District, and Doug Dean, education chair, East County Chamber of Commerce with musician Gene Warren. December 15, 2008 (La Mesa) — It was a leap of faith
FOUNDER OF STONEY’S KIDS HONORED DURING EAST COUNTY TOY & FOOD DRIVE EVENT AT VIEJAS
By Miriam Raftery Stoney Stone and his Wife. Photo Credit: Leon Thompson December 10, 2008 (Alpine) — Community members from throughout East County gathered at the Viejas Dreamcatcher Lounge for a holiday party and auction to help needy families locally. In addition, community leaders paid tribute to B.W. “Stoney” Stone, founder of Stoney’s Kids and long-time organizer of the East
Cuyamaca College dedicates Wendell Cutting Center in honor of East County humanitarian
From left: nephew L.G. Wayne Cutting; Cuyamaca Interim President Cristina Chiriboga; brothers Larry and Wayne Cutting; sister Ruth Anne Cutting; GCCCD Governing Board Trustee Deanna Weeks; TRUSTEE Bill Garrett; and student trustee Chuck Taylor. December 12, 2008 (El Cajon) Former governing board member Wendell Cutting was remembered Friday for his generosity of spirit and caring for humanity during a
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