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El Cajon sanctuary lawsuit against California draws national attention
By Paul Levikow May 26, 2026 (El Cajon) — Weeks after the City of El Cajon filed a lawsuit challenging California’s sanctuary state law, the political and legal aftershocks continue to reverberate far beyond East County. What began as a local dispute has quickly escalated into a nationally watched test
La Mesa Council asks staff to weigh options to expand parking in downtown village
By Miriam Raftery May 27, 2026 (La Mesa) – La Mesa City Council members voted unanimously last night to ask staff to analyze four proposed options to increase parking in the downtown village. The proposals came after Councilmember Laura Lothian, Vice Chair Lauren Cazares and a parking commission rode
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
El Cajon sanctuary lawsuit against California draws national attention
By Paul Levikow May 26, 2026 (El Cajon) — Weeks after the City of El Cajon filed a lawsuit challenging California’s sanctuary state law, the political and legal aftershocks continue to reverberate far beyond East County. What began as a local dispute has quickly escalated into a nationally watched test
La Mesa Council asks staff to weigh options to expand parking in downtown village
By Miriam Raftery May 27, 2026 (La Mesa) – La Mesa City Council members voted unanimously last night to ask staff to analyze four proposed options to increase parking in the downtown village. The proposals came after Councilmember Laura Lothian, Vice Chair Lauren Cazares and a parking commission rode
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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El Cajon sanctuary lawsuit against California draws national attention
By Paul Levikow May 26, 2026 (El Cajon) — Weeks after the City of El Cajon filed a lawsuit challenging California’s sanctuary state law, the political and legal aftershocks continue to reverberate far beyond East County. What began as a local dispute has quickly escalated into a nationally watched test of federal versus state authority, drawing sharp reactions from residents,
Reader’s Editorial: Mayor Wells’ sanctuary suit, in a city of immigrants, attacks law that protects residents
By David Myers (photo, top) May 26, 2026 (El Cajon) — Bill Wells is the mayor of one of the largest refugee resettlement cities in the United States, and he has spent years treating that fact as a political opportunity rather than a sacred trust. City Of El Cajon. He recently announced a lawsuit — drafted by the Trump-aligned America
La Mesa Council asks staff to weigh options to expand parking in downtown village
By Miriam Raftery May 27, 2026 (La Mesa) – La Mesa City Council members voted unanimously last night to ask staff to analyze four proposed options to increase parking in the downtown village. The proposals came after Councilmember Laura Lothian, Vice Chair Lauren Cazares and a parking commission rode through downtown in a golf cart, looking for hidden spaces
Fiery collision kills Julian man, injures four others
East County News Service May 27, 2026 (Julian) – A head-on collision on May 25 shortly before 7 p.m. on Pine Hills Road, just north of Deer Lake Park in Julian, resulted in one death and injuries to four other people. Printer-friendly version
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 Navy veteran arrested for the assault, is a registered Republican
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 societies or nonprofit rescue organizations. The Lemon Grove City Council voted
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. According to the prosecution, McNally strangled Holthaus with an electrical
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
Troubling details emerge on teen shooters in Islamic Center attack
By Philicia Tonangoye Photo by Leonard LMT, creative commons 4.0 via Wikipedia: San Diego Islamic Center, hours after the shooting The deadly attack at San Diego’s Islamic center on Monday was planned by two teens who met online and became radicalized in a hate speech forum. The pair eventually took their own lives after shooting and killing three men at
Found: Missing woman Tiffanie Russ
Update February 2, 2026: Tiffanie Russ has been located. She is safe and back with her family, per La Mesa Police. East County News Service…
Get RAMped up and ready for a new radio station out of Borrego Springs
Graphic courtesy Ram Media Foundation By Karen Pearlman Feb. 1, 2026 (Borrego Springs) – K-RAM 90.5 FM is hitting the airwaves this week. After years of radio static, the new station out of Borrego Springs will start broadcasting to the greater San Diego County desert community starting Wednesday, Feb. 11. Its license was granted March 19, 2025. Gabriel Wisdom, a
La Mesa City Council unanimously approves changes to sidewalk dining guidelines
“This is so critical to La Mesa and to our businesses.” – Councilmember Laura Lothian By Armando Rasing II Photo by Miriam Raftery: Outdoor dining…
Get RAMped up and ready for a new radio station out of Borrego Springs
Graphic courtesy Ram Media Foundation By Karen Pearlman Feb. 1, 2026 (Borrego Springs) – K-RAM 90.5 FM is hitting the airwaves this week. After years…
Founder of Lions, Tigers and Bears urges public to oppose ‘Protecting Local Zoos Act’
Hearing set for Feb. 4 has “dangerous loopholes” that would allow exploitation of exotic animals Photo of Eddie the jaguar courtesy Lions, Tigers & Bears…
SDPD releases body cam video of officer-involved shooting in Spring Valley
East County News Service January 30, 2026 (Spring Valley) – A stolen car pursuit on January 22 ended with a San Diego Police officer shooting…
Found: Missing woman Tiffanie Russ
Update February 2, 2026: Tiffanie Russ has been located. She is safe and back with her family, per La Mesa Police. East County News Service January 30,2026 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police seek public help to find Tiffanie Russ, 24, who was last seen leaving her room at the Heritage Inn, 7851 Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa shortly after
SDPD releases body cam video of officer-involved shooting in Spring Valley
East County News Service January 30, 2026 (Spring Valley) – A stolen car pursuit on January 22 ended with a San Diego Police officer shooting and injuring the suspect. SDPD has released video on the department’s YouTube channel within hours of the shooting. The car theft occurred outside the YMCA on Euclid and Imperial Avenue around 12:40. SDPD officers spotted the
Founder of Lions, Tigers and Bears urges public to oppose ‘Protecting Local Zoos Act’
Hearing set for Feb. 4 has “dangerous loopholes” that would allow exploitation of exotic animals Photo of Eddie the jaguar courtesy Lions, Tigers & Bears By Karen Pearlman Jan. 30, 2026 (Alpine) – Bobbi Brink, the founder and director of nonprofit rescue organization Lions Tigers & Bears, can speak with authority on all matters concerning captive exotic animals, including the illegal
Domestic violence suspect arrested after threatening deputies
East County News Service January 30, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — Aaron Brozek, 49, has been arrested for felony domestic violence, as well as weapons and…
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