Thanks To Our Sponsors
Be a sponsor!
Breaking News
East County Magazine
Explore What Matters
News Center
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
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
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
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
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
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
Features
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
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
What East County Topic Matters Most to You?
Get East County Wildfire, Emergency Alerts
Latest Stories
Sponsorship Placement
Lakeside Fire’s Pancake Breakfast is May 9
East County News Service May 7, 2026 (Lakeside) — Lakeside Fire Protection District is holding a Pancake Breakfast from 8 a.m. until noon, Saturday, May 9 at Lakeside Fire Station 2. Visitors will have the chance to see the station’s fire engines, meet fire personnel, learn CPR and get tours of the fire station. Cost is $5 per person and
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department using new AI tool
East County News Service May 7, 2026 (San Diego County) — In an effort to give 9-1-1 dispatchers more room to breathe, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office is now using a new digital gatekeeper. County residents are being asked to save a new number to their contacts — (858) 868-3200 — for all non-emergency matters. The move marks the
SDHS shares an update on the animal rescue effort at Villa Chardonnay in Julian
San Diego Humane Society workers move transported animals from Villa Chardonnay in Julian into the SDHS’ Gaines Street campus for care on Monday, May 4. Photo and story by Karen Pearlman May 7, 2026 (Julian) — The San Diego Humane Society is reporting that it reached a major milestone today (Thursday, May 7) in what officials are calling one of
Santee considers putting sales tax hike on November ballot
By Mike Allen May 7, 2026 (Santee) — When the city of Santee got the results earlier this year of a study looking at increasing the city’s sales tax by a half-cent, the approval ratings were so high, its leaders decided it might want to try for a full penny increase. At its May 5 meeting, the City Council extended
San Diego honors Lauren Craven and other fallen officers at Waterfront Park
Photo courtesy County of San Diego East County News Service May 7, 2026 (San Diego) — Under the glow of a blue-lit “Wall of Light” at Waterfront Park in downtown San Diego, local law enforcement agencies paid tribute on Wednesday to the men and women officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. The annual San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial ceremony,
La Mesa Police seek help identifying person who assaulted woman on Parkway Drive
East County News Service May 7, 2026 (La Mesa) — Detectives with the La Mesa Police Department are looking for assistance in identifying a person of interest following a violent assault that left a woman in critical condition last week. The investigation began shortly before 8 a.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026, when officers responded to reports of an injured
El Cajon sanctuary lawsuit still making waves one week later
By Paul Levikow May 6, 2026 (El Cajon) — One week 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
East County mourning grad student killed in multi-vehicle collision
By Karen Pearlman May 6, 2026 (El Cajon) — Family and friends are grieving the loss of Jonathan Tyson Nevels, who died in a tragic accident on an East County freeway the morning of Saturday, May 2. Nevels, 28, was a 2015 alumnus of Grossmont High and later attended Sonoma State University. Nevels was pursuing a graduate degree in clinical
Spring Valley filmmakers featured in GI Film Festival
Screenshot still from “The Craftsman” East County News Service May 6, 2026 (San Diego) — The GI Film Festival San Diego returns for its 11th year this week, moving into the Museum of Photographic Arts at the San Diego Museum of Art (MOPA @ SDMA) from today, May 6 through May 8. Among the 15 films scheduled is a high-profile
La Mesa Chamber to host 17th annual ‘Taste of San Diego – East’
East County News Service May 6, 2026 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce will hold its 17th annual “Taste of San Diego – East” on Monday, June 15. The food and business showcase will go from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Legacy Resort Hotel & Spa in Mission Valley. The event features food samplings from a
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,
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 commissioner 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
ECM World Watch: national and global news
May 25, 2026 (San Diego) – Top stories reporting in other media in the US include rising inflation, weakening of the Voting Rights Act, a fund that could reimburse Jan. 6 rioters, court rulings on tariffs and humanities grants, ICE funding of police, and insider trading allegations. Global headlines include the U.S. indicting Cuba’s former ruler, plans stalled to
Get Wildfire Alerts & Wildfire Emergency News
Partner To ECM
Our Engaged Audience
5 to 10 million hits
per month!
5 to 10 million hits
per month!
A quarter million visits
each month
Most widely read news site dedicated to
San Diego’s East County
Winner of over 150
journalism awards
“Sponsoring East County Magazine is a great way to reach our loyal and engaged readers, who value organizations and businesses that support nonprofit, independent news in the public interest and wildfire/emergency alerts that keep people safe and informed. Sponsors can choose to underwrite our community news site, support a favorite section or a new special section, underwrite an event, or sponsor our wildfire and emergency alerts.”
— Miriam Raftery, Founder of East County Magazine
Community Links
Thanks To Our Major Sponsors
📬 Subscribe to ECM – 100% Free, Trusted by East County Since 2008
- Emergency alerts
- Breaking news
- No spam ever