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Restoration or destruction? Proposed plan for Laguna Mountains raising concern
Photo of part of the Laguna Mountains area that could be part of a plan by the government to prevent wildfires by bulldozing the area and cutting down chaparral. Photo by David Hogan, The Chaparral Lands Conservancy By Karen Pearlman May 29, 2026 (Mt. Laguna) — A sweeping federal plan
Lemon Grove City Council pushes back tenant ordinance discussion
“Residents took time out of their evening to come speak, and I believe their voices deserved to be heard through action, not continued postponement!” – Jennifer Mendoza, Lemon Grove City Councilmember, screenshot of May 19 meeting courtesy Lemon Grove City Councilmember Jessyka Heredia’s Facebook video By Armando Rasing II May
News Issues
Medical Examiner rules hanging death in jail a suicide
East County News Service May 29, 2026 (San Diego) – On May 27, the San Diego County Sheriff revealed that the Medical Examiner’s office has ruled Grant Parker’s death a suicide. He was arrested February 15 on charges of murder and assault for fatally stabbing a man in downtown San
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.
Politics
Lemon Grove City Council pushes back tenant ordinance discussion
“Residents took time out of their evening to come speak, and I believe their voices deserved to be heard through action, not continued postponement!” – Jennifer Mendoza, Lemon Grove City Councilmember, screenshot of May 19 meeting courtesy Lemon Grove City Councilmember Jessyka Heredia’s Facebook video By Armando Rasing II May
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
Wildfires and Emergencies
New Firehawk helicopter now stationed at Ramona Air Base
By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office May 29, 2026 (Ramona) – San Diego County’s wildfire response just got a major boost. A new CAL FIRE Firehawk helicopter is now permanently based at the Ramona Air Base and officially went into service on Monday. “When wildfire strikes, minutes
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
Events & Arts
Ilan-Lael Foundation offers June tours of historic Hubbbell house in Santa Ysabel
East County News Service May 29, 2026 (San Diego) – You’re invited to see James and Anne Hubbell’s acclaimed home and art studios near Julian, California. Docent-led tours are offered each Thursday through Saturday in June, starting at 10 a.m.An immersive art and nature experience, each 90-minute tour covers
Descanso Day Parade and Fair June 6 continues a 137-year-old historic tradition
East County News Servicerur May 29, 2026 (Descanso) — Descanso’s first community fair was held in 1899 under a tent near the creek. The tradition has grown through the years to include a parade and community fair, which this year will be held on June 6. The festivities take place
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
Restoration or destruction? Proposed plan for Laguna Mountains raising concern
Photo of part of the Laguna Mountains area that could be part of a plan by the government to prevent wildfires by bulldozing the area and cutting down chaparral. Photo by David Hogan, The Chaparral Lands Conservancy By Karen Pearlman May 29, 2026 (Mt. Laguna) — A sweeping federal plan
Lemon Grove City Council pushes back tenant ordinance discussion
“Residents took time out of their evening to come speak, and I believe their voices deserved to be heard through action, not continued postponement!” – Jennifer Mendoza, Lemon Grove City Councilmember, screenshot of May 19 meeting courtesy Lemon Grove City Councilmember Jessyka Heredia’s Facebook video By Armando Rasing II May
Features
Ilan-Lael Foundation offers June tours of historic Hubbbell house in Santa Ysabel
East County News Service May 29, 2026 (San Diego) – You’re invited to see James and Anne Hubbell’s acclaimed home and art studios near Julian, California. Docent-led tours are offered each Thursday through Saturday in June, starting at 10 a.m.An immersive art and nature experience, each 90-minute tour covers
Descanso Day Parade and Fair June 6 continues a 137-year-old historic tradition
East County News Servicerur May 29, 2026 (Descanso) — Descanso’s first community fair was held in 1899 under a tent near the creek. The tradition has grown through the years to include a parade and community fair, which this year will be held on June 6. The festivities take place
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Ram Media Foundation’s Borrego Sun Launches Community Media Apprenticeship Program for Borrego Springs Youth
Source: Ram Media Foundation May 16, 2026 (Borrego Springs) — Ram Media Foundation has launched a new community media apprenticeship initiative designed to provide local youth and emerging creators with hands-on experience in journalism, digital media, photography, video production, social media, marketing, and community communication. Printer-friendly version
Frontier Airlines’ ‘GoWild’ Pass: the deal that sounds too good to be true — because it is
A San Diego traveler’s firsthand account of an all-you-can-fly promotion that delivered nothing at all By Henri Migala May 16, 2026 (San Diego) – Imagine paying a flat annual fee and then flying anywhere an airline flies — as many times as you want — for nothing more than government taxes and fees. That’s the promise behind Frontier Airlines’ GoWild
Review: Phool: First Contact by Pramod V. Argade
Reviewed by Pennell Paugh May 16, 2026 (San Diego) – San Diego writer Pramod V. Argade has released a science fiction epic that comments on our time: Phool: First Contact. In this debut novel, Argade not only shows the foolishness of individuals ignoring inconvenient truths, he shows how dangerous fact denials can be on a worldwide scale. Printer-friendly version
Lakeside Veterans Wall of Honor to recognize those who served in U.S. military
By Miriam Raftery May 16, 2026 (Lakeside) – As Memorial Day approaches, efforts are underway in Lakeside to create a wall of honor honoring Lakeside resident who have served in the United States military. “ ur vision is to provide a dedicated space in the unincorporated community of Lakeside, Ca. to commemorate those who have made immense sacrifices in the
Book Review: I Am the Light by Henry Herz
Reviewed by Pennell Paugh May 16, 2026 (San Diego) — I Am Light is one of a three-book picture book series written by San Diego author Henry Herz. By treating sunlight as a character who is narrating about itself, the author explains where light is found, how fast it travels, and how photons behave. The reader learns to appreciate light
Hundreds attend SDG&E virtual workshops on proposed 145-mile Golden Pacific Powerlink as state champions grid resiliency
Preliminary graphic of a proposed map outlining planned Golden Pacific Powerlink By Karen Pearlman May 15, 2026 (San Diego County) — Four virtual open house meetings about the Golden Pacific Powerlink provided hundreds of online attendees insight on the proposed grid that will bring a 500-kilovolt transmission line project of around 150 miles, spanning from outside of El Centro to
Data centers are guzzling California’s water. We have no idea how much
By Rachel Becker, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo via Data Center News on YouTube May 16, 2026 (San Diego) – Data center builders don’t tell the public how much water they use, according to a new report — and the industry is encroaching into water-stressed and vulnerable communities. The report, by the think tank Next10 and
State launches new funding to help flood victims repair and rebuild homes
By Miriam Raftery May 16, 2026 (San Diego)—The California Dept. of Housing and Community Development has just launched new round of funding through the ReCoverCA program to help homeowners and landlords repair and rebuild single-family homes damaged by floods, as well as replace flooded mobile homes. The funds are available to eligible applicants who suffered damage in declared federal disasters
El Cajon Church joining nationwide Memorial Day ‘Taps Across America’ tribute
East County News Service May 15, 2026 (El Cajon) — East County residents can unite with thousands of communities across the country this Memorial Day for a synchronized musical tribute honoring the United States’s fallen service members. The First Presbyterian Church of El Cajon will host a live local observance as part of Taps Across America, a nationwide initiative that
Ram Media Foundation acquires historic Borrego Sun, expanding local journalism and digital community media
Source: Ram Media Foundation May 15, 2026 (Borrego Springs) — Ram Media Foundation, a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on strengthening community through media, has acquired the historic Borrego Sun, reinforcing its commitment to local journalism, public media access, and community storytelling in Borrego Springs and surrounding desert communities. Printer-friendly version
Report: Regional homelessness down in county
Photo of volunteers working the Point In Time Count in January courtesy County of San Diego East County News Service May 6, 2026 (San Diego County) — San Diego County saw a modest 1 percent decrease in overall homelessness this year, but beneath that is a more encouraging story: Street homelessness dropped 11 percent countywide, driven by targeted state grants,
Xavier Becerra draws raucous crowd in Balboa Park as governor’s race intensifies
A crowd of supporters listen to Xavier Becerra last month at Balboa Park. Photo by Paul Levikow By Paul Levikow May 6, 2026 (San Diego) — With ballots already arriving in mailboxes across San Diego County, the race for California governor is entering a volatile stretch marked by rising changing numbers, escalating attack ads, and a crowded field that has
24th annual ‘Grip It & Rip It’ Tournament set for May 14
East County News Service May 5, 2026 — One of the region’s favorite networking events is headed back to Singing Hills Golf Club at Sycuan later this month. The San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce’s Grip It & Rip It! Golf Tournament will take place starting with a 10:30 a.m. check in on Thursday, May 14. The 24th
Multi-agency fire drill set for Barona as San Diego braces for fire season
East County News Service May 5, 2026 (Lakeside) — As the region prepares for the inevitable heat and dry winds of summer, hundreds of first responders are converging on East County to ensure they’re prepared before the first smoke appears on the horizon. Beginning tomorrow, Wednesday May 6, and through Friday, May 8, the San Diego County Fire Chiefs, in
Public’s help needed after alleged sexual battery of 10-year-old in Poway
East County News Service May 7, 2026 Update: The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in a sexual battery incident involving a 10-year-old girl in Poway. The Sheriff’s Child Abuse Unit Detectives had probable cause to believe Jose Santana (DOB: 06/02/1989) was in violation of one (1) count of 288(b)(1) PC – Lewd and Lascivious act on
Mountain lion captured in Escondido neighborhood
Photo of mountain lion courtesy California Department of Fish and Wildlife East County News Service May 5, 2026 (Escondido) — A mountain lion was sedated and captured Monday in Escondido after the animal wandered into an apartment complex, sparking evacuations and drawing a crowd of onlookers. The encounter began just after 1:30 p.m. when the Escondido Police Department received reports
Hundreds of animals under care of San Diego Humane Society after raid of Julian animal sanctuary
Jace Huggins, chief of Humane Law Enforcement for the San Diego Humane Society (left) and Dr. Gary Weitzman, CEO of the SDHS, speak to reporters at the SDHS Gaines Street campus on Monday afternoon. (Photo by Karen Pearlman) By Karen Pearlman May 4, 2026 (San Diego) — More than 500 animals, from a lone crow to more than 150 horses,
14-year-old killed, pedestrian injured in crash near Cowles Mountain
East County News Service May 4, 2026 (San Carlos) — A 14-year-old girl died the morning of Sunday, May 3, after a vehicle jumped the curb, struck a pedestrian and crashed into a tree on Navajo Road near Cowles Mountain. San Diego Police Department officers and San Diego Fire-Rescue Department personnel responded to a vehicle rescue on Navajo Road near
Two dead in rollover crash on I-8 near Jacumba
East County News Service May 4, 2026 (Jacumba) — A tragic single-vehicle accident claimed the lives of two Texas men over the weekend after their vehicle overturned on Interstate 8 in the high desert, authorities said. The collision occurred at approximately 7:35 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, just west of Carrizo Gorge Road. According to the California Highway Patrol, a
Multi-Vehicle collision on I-8 in La Mesa leaves El Cajon Man dead
East County News Service May 4, 2026 (La Mesa) — A late-night chain-reaction crash involving a semi-truck and two passenger vehicles on Interstate 8 claimed the life of a young El Cajon man early Saturday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol. The collision occurred at about 1:37 a.m. on May 2, west of Fletcher Parkway. Investigators say a 28-year-old
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