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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
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
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
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
Self-Therapy Poetry: A Heart-Centered Approach to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Book by Dharlene Marie Fahl Review by Pennell Paugh June 5, 2026 (San Diego) – Long-time San Diego author Dharlene Marie Fahl, using free verse poetry, has written three books to introduce readers to Self-Therapy Poetry. Her first book explains Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) k. The second introduces readers to
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
Star Parties heading to Lakeside throughout 2026
Photo courtesy County of San Diego East County News Service June 4, 2026 (Lakeside) — For San Diego County residents looking to explore the cosmos without having to go far, the checking out the universe is within your reach. Through the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation’s
West Nile Virus found in crows near Rolando and Skyline areas
Image Credit: Shutterstock By Donna Durckel, County of San Diego Communications Office June 4, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) — County workers found West Nile virus in two dead crows picked up near Rolando and Skyline. This is a good reminder that people should take steps to protect themselves from mosquito
Features
Federal judge orders immigrant detention center to allow San Diego County health inspection
By Wendy Fry, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego on Feb. 20, 2026. Photo by Adriana Heldiz, CalMatters June 5, 2026 (San Diego) – A federal judge on Wednesday ordered the Otay Mesa Detention Center to allow San
Star Parties heading to Lakeside throughout 2026
Photo courtesy County of San Diego East County News Service June 4, 2026 (Lakeside) — For San Diego County residents looking to explore the cosmos without having to go far, the checking out the universe is within your reach. Through the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation’s
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New Border Patrol Facility Opens
By Miriam Raftery New Campo Border Patrol facility (photo credit: Leon Thompson) Public reactions varied to a new Border Patrol/Homeland Security facility in East County varied sharply. One local conservative blogger thought it was a casino under construction, adding that it resembled “a palace.” But an immigrant rights supporter observed, “It looks like a prison.” Beauty, it appears, is in
MEDIA WATCH: PRESIDENTIAL AND LOCAL CANDIDATES TAKE STANCES ON NET NEUTRALITY, INTERNET PRIVACY ISSUES
By Miriam Raftery Should Google be allowed to control over 90 percent of Internet searches? Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon), says no. He has sent a letter to California Attorney General Jerry Brown asking for an investigation into privacy implications of Yahoo’s search-advertising deal with Google. The U.S. Justice Department is also scrutinizing the proposed transaction. “The impact of such
Green Beat – Green Citizenship: First Step to a Sustainable World
By Chuck Brands OK, I’m ticked off. This is going to be a bit of a rant that will touch on hot-button issues facing all of us. Just in case that prospect deters you from reading the rest, I’ll share this month’s green treat with you up front. Wanna be a “green” know-it-all? Visit www.green.alltop.com daily for the single best
Music Review – On an Island
Breezin’ to the music of Charlie Imes By Libby Belle San Diego singer/songwriter Charlie Imes has captured the easy, breezy spirit of laid-back Southern California living on his new CD, On An Island. Imes and the Hodad Surf Club Band will perform at BonitaFest, a street festival in Bonita, on September 27th (see our calendar section for details). He also
Artist Profile – The Unconventional Phebe Burnham
By Jackie Hanson “There’s a colorful character,” you might say to yourself upon seeing Phebe Burnham laughing and chatting at a local art event. If you guessed that she was one of the artists (or the artist, as is often the case) you’d be correct. Phebe Burnham is not only a source of local color, she is an acclaimed artist,
“Delana’s Dirty Pizza” Wins Charity Cook-Off at New Sammy’s in La Mesa
If you’re a fan of Sammy’s Wood-fired Pizza, check out "Delana’s Dirty Pizza" featured on the menu through mid-September. The creation concocted by Delana Bennett of Star 94.1 radio’s “Jeff and Jer Showgram” was judged the winner during a charity cook-off held August 13th to kick off the grand opening of Sammy’s newest location in the La Mesa Trolley Center
The Will Power Report – Solar Roofs
Nothing but the Truth! By Will Power The real unemployment rate in the U.S. is over 7%. Many people have stopped looking for jobs. Particularly hard hit is the construction business, due to the mortgage meltdown. The thin-film solar panel business needs a government subsidy and tax breaks for homeowners who install prefab solar panels. The new laser-deposited thin-film technology
Still No County Fire Department Five Years After Cedar Blaze
Still No County Fire Department Five Years After Cedar Blaze By E.A. Barrera “Given the existing high-risk conditions that are projected to continue into the future, destructive firestorms will certainly occur again. Yet, even armed with this knowledge and after the Cedar Fire wake-up call, the San Diego region is woefully unprepared.” — San Diego County Grand Jury, May
Faith, Science and Anti-Catholicism: “THE X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE”
By E.A. Barrera Courtesy of 20th Century Fox. “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.” Proverbs 25:2 King James Bible “THE X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE” is a solid, if not often campy thriller involving the nightmares and paranoia many science-fiction fans crave. The intellectual
Senior Citizens’ Resources
In loving memory of Philip Genser Printer-friendly version
EDITORIAL – A PROPOSAL FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA
Put Americans to work providing fire protection infrastructure and energy independence for San Diego’s fire-ravaged East County region By Miriam Raftery, Editor, East County Magazine December 7, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) —President-Elect Barack Obama is expected to propose the largest infrastructure-rebuilding program since Franklin Delano Roosevelt initiated the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression. The goal is
Save Water to Win Free Admission to the Natural History Museum–and Get Discounts for Legoland
December 1, 2008 (Natural History Museum) — San Diego County faces water rationing in 2009 as a result of drought. Water districts locally are asking all users to cut back on water usage. Now you can earn some fun rewards for your family by conserving water. Residential customers who have saved water could win a family membership at the San
FORMER GUHSD SUPERINTENDENT TERRY RYAN DIES OF BRAIN TUMOR
By Miriam Raftery December 1, 2008 (East San Diego County) — Terry Ryan, former superintendent of the Grossmont Union High School District, died November 24 at his home in Rancho Bernardo. Battling brain cancer, Ryan resigned from his position at the GUHSD 18 months ago. “He worked hard to improve relations with the teachers after what had been an extremely
SOLAR HOLIDAY LIGHTS– SAFE, CHEAP & GREEN!
By Miriam Raftery December 2008 (San Diego) — Here’s a bright idea–save money on your holiday electric bills by going green! Solar holiday lights are now available in white or colored strings, twinkling lights, tree nets, wreaths, illuminated stars and even poinsettia lights for a variety of outdoor applications. Solar lights are also much safer than electric holiday lights. Our
The San Diego Science Festival presents Small Wonders: a day of exploration into the world of nanotechnology and advanced materials for high school students
December 12 deadline for schools to apply You have heard about the Stone Age, the Iron Age and the Bronze Age. Now we are in the midst of a new technological revolution driven by nanotechnology and other material sciences, which will usher in a new age of Advanced Materials. On April 1, 175 high school students from all over San
GIFTS FROM THE EAST
Our holiday guide to gifts unique to East County By Miriam Raftery Buckskin baby booties are available at Mountain Oaks Trading Post, Julian December 1, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) — This holiday season, why not choose gifts that benefit our community and provide recipients with gifts that are unique to East County and San Diego’s eastern region? In today’s
LA MESA TO VOTE TUES. NOV. 25 ON WHETHER TO SELL CIVIC CENTER LAND FOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
By Miriam Raftery Kristin Hobbs-Kjaero November 23, 2008 (La Mesa) — Should the site of La Mesa’s Police Station be sold to the La Mesa Community Redevelopment Agency and turned into a housing project? La Mesa’s City Council will consider this issue on Tuesday, November 25th. The hearing begins at 7:00 p.m. The property is zoned “Civic Center” in both
IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS NEWS…
ECM has searched high and low to find the most under-reported important national and state news stories that may impact you or your family. Here are our picks: AARP order investigation concerning its marketing (of deceptive healthcare plans sold to seniors) UC Could Cut Enrollment UC may cut some admission requirements Arraignments set for Cheney, Gonzales in Texas Health insurers
COOL! OUTDOOR ICE RINK OPENS AT VIEJAS OUTLET CENTER: ICE SHOW, TREE-LIGHTING CEREMONY NOV. 22
By Miriam Raftery November 17, 2008 (Alpine) — Looking for the coolest place in East County? The largest outdoor ice rink in Southern California is now open for the holiday season at Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine. Skating costs $12 for 90 minutes, including skates. (Watch skating live via the Viejas webcam) An ice show extravaganza will be held Saturday,
Video Documents American War Heroes Sleeping On San Diego Streets
homeless sleeping next to the U.S.S. Midway aircraft carrier museum, Downtown San Diego With all the vehicles on the streets of America sporting those little yellow “Support Our Troops,” ribbons, it is truly ironic that we have more than 200,000 veterans who are homeless. But not many Americans realize it. Mark Schulze and Patty Mooney, of Crystal Pyramid Productions, a
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