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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
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
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
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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HOUSE PASSES STIMULUS BILL THAT AIMS TO CREATE 396,000 JOBS IN CALIFORNIA; LOCAL LEADERS SPLIT VOTES
February 13, 2009 — The House of Representatives passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by a vote of 246-183. Local Democratic representatives Bob Filner and Susan Davis voted for the measure, while Republicans Duncan D. Hunter, Brian Bilbray and Darrell Issa voted no. According to the White House, the measure will create or save 396,000 jobs in California by
DON QUIXOTE BATTLES WINDMILLS — AND SO DO THE FOLKS IN BOULEVARD
PART II in a three-part series: WHY BOULEVARD? By Gayle Early Pristine vale in McCain Valley slated for transmission lines, including Sunrise PowerLink. (photo by Gayle Early) February 16, 2009 (Boulevard) — Iberdrola Renewables and other parties have had their fingers in the wind, testing for the past three years and more. “If you link the windy areas in San
STATE OF THE COUNTY ADDRESS: “OMINOUS DAYS BEFORE US,” JACOB WARNS
County to Sue State Over Funding Cuts By Miriam Raftery Supervisor Dianne Jacob February 12, 2009 (El Cajon) — Dianne Jacob, Chairwoman of the County Board of Supervisors, presented a bleak outlook in a State of the County address presented last night at Cuyamaca College. As a result of falling revenues and state budget cuts, lay-offs and deep cuts in
HARBISON CANYON FIRE STATION REOPENS
February 10, 2009 (Harbison Canyon) — Like a phoenix arisen from the ashes, a new fire station has opened to replace the Harbison Canyon station that burned down during the 2003 Cedar Fire. CAL FIRE-Rural Protection District held a grand opening to celebrate completion of the new station, which was funded by insurance, the Sycuan tribe, and Supervisor Dianne Jacob’s
EL CAJON MOURNS PASSING OF WAYNE STALKER, LONG-TIME EMPLOYEE AND ARTIST
The El Cajon Police Department and the City are saddened by the death of retired Animal Control Officer Wayne Stalker. Wayne passed away on Wednesday, February 4 after a long courageous battle against cancer. Wayne joined the El Cajon Police Department as a Volunteer Police Reserve Officer on September 9, 1981, and then held various positions at the police department,
FREE GYMNASTICS DAY FOR KIDS FEB. 21 AT CAMEROM FAMILY YMCA, SANTEE
February 12, 2009 (Santee) — The Cameron Family YMCA in Santee will host their annual Free Gymnastics Day on Sat., Feb. 21 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event is a special day of fun in the branch’s fully-equipped gymnastics center for boys and girls ages three to 13 years of age. The Cameron Family YMCA is located at
FILNER JOINS 20 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO ESTABLISH POPULIST CAUCUS FOR MIDDLE CLASS ECONOMIC ISSUES
By Miriam Raftery February 12, 2009 (Washington, DC) Today, Rep. Bob Filner (D-San Diego) announced that he has joined with 20 other Democratic members of Congress to form the Populist Caucus, the only caucus in Congress devoted solely to addressing middle class economic issues. Printer-friendly version
LA MESA POLICE NAB 2 SUSPECTS FOR ROBBERY AND POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY
February 10, 2009 (La Mesa)–The day after two pedestrians were robbed at gunpoint by a masked man, Antonio Rattler (photo), a 20 year old from La Mesa,was arrested for the robberies by the La Mesa Police Department. On February 9, 2009, in the late evening hours, a masked man armed with a gun robbed two pedestrians within thirty minutes of
FILNER SEEKS TO AMEND CLEAN WATER ACT: REQUIRE DOD COMPLIANCE WITH EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS
February 9, 2009 (San Diego) — Congressman Bob Filner introduced the Military Environmental Responsibility Act, H.R. 672, which would require the Department of Defense (DOD) to fully comply with Federal and State environmental laws. “Military exemptions from environmental requirements harm human health by polluting our water, air, and soil. Communities around military bases should be protected equally from harmful waste
FROM KEYBOARD TO ALTAR:
A Woman’s Perspective By Laura Walsh February 10, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — When people ask how my husband and I met, they are generally surprised to learn that we met on the Internet. Some people are even shocked. I am not sure why. When my marriage of 22 years ended in divorce and I was in my early
Dodgers up in the National League West by 1 game after Padres drop series finale in Milwaukee
Padres relief pitcher Mason Miller has been stellar as the closer for the team this season. Photo courtesy San Diego Padres Facebook page East County News Service May 14, 2026 (San Diego) — The San Diego Padres closed out a rocky three-game road trip in Milwaukee on a rough note Thursday, falling 7-1 to the Brewers in the series finale
Hear our interview with Stan Caplan, candidate for 51st Congressional district
East County News Service May 14, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – Stan Caplan is a former Republican running as a Democrat against incumbent Democrat Sara Jacobs and several lesser known candidates in the 48th Congressional district. ECM recently interviewed Caplan for our radio show on KNSJ. Click the audio link to hear our full interview, or scroll down
Senate adopts Padilla amendment to resolution prohibiting senators from betting on prediction markets
East County News Service May 14, 2026 (Washington D.C.) – “Politicians betting on their own races, massive wagers placed moments before the President announced of a ceasefire in Iran, and suspected insider trading before the capture of Nicolás Maduro – these are just a few examples of the blatant, brazen corruption that we’ve seen playing out on prediction markets,”
Pedestrian, 80, fatally struck by vehicle outside of La Mesa Costco
East County News Service May 13, 2026 (La Mesa) – An 80-year-old woman walking in the driveway at Costco in La Mesa was struck by a vehicle pulling out of the driveway this morning shortly after noon. She later died of her injuries. Printer-friendly version
CalFresh Awareness Month takes on greater meaning with county outreach
East County News Service May 13, 2026 (San Diego County) — San Diego County officials are using CalFresh Awareness Month this month to launch an expansive outreach campaign to connect residents with food resources and streamline the application process for those who face food insecurity. CalFresh, California’s version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, currently serves more than 373,000 San
CA-48 Congressional Race is One of California’s Most Competitive Battlegrounds
By Paul Levikow Photos via campaigns, left to right: Marni Von Wilpert, Ammar Campa-Najjar, and Jim Desmond May 13, 2026 (East County) — The race for California’s newly redrawn 48th Congressional District has become one of the most closely watched House contests in the nation, with Democrats hoping to capitalize on newly favorable district boundaries while Republicans rally behind
Man jailed after violent April assault in La Mesa
East County News Service May 13, 2026 (La Mesa) — A 22-year-old San Diego man is behind bars facing an attempted homicide charge following his arrest early Thursday morning in connection with a violent assault in La Mesa last month. Alexsis Moreno-Magana was taken into custody at about 1:32 a.m. near the intersection of Kettner Boulevard and Broadway by the
Teen dies in fiery El Cajon crash
East County News Service May 13, 2026 (El Cajon) – An 18-year-old El Cajon man is dead after a crash that occurred shortly at 12:20 a.m. on La Cresta Road, east of Ranch Gate Road in unincorporated El Cajon. He was driving a 2003 Ford Explorer that veered off the roadway and overturned, then rolled down an embankment and
50% of San Diego County high school students are eligible for CalKIDS scholarships worth up to $1,500
More than $135 million is available countywide to support students as they make college and career decisions ahead of graduation May 13, 2026 (San Diego) — As high school seniors across San Diego County make college and career decisions ahead of graduation, CalKIDS is encouraging students and families to check whether scholarship funds have already been set aside in
San Diego County farms lose $1.7M annually to natural hazards
Graphic courtesy Trace One East County News Service May 12, 2026 (San Diego County) — While San Diego County shoppers grumble about persistent inflation at the checkout counter, a new report suggests the culprit isn’t just economic — it’s also environmental. According to a 2026 analysis released by Trace One, natural disasters are now a multi-billion dollar drain on the American
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