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East County Magazine
La Mesa City Council votes 5-0 approving e-bike safety pilot program
By Karen Pearlman April 16, 2026 (La Mesa) — La Mesa is the latest city in San Diego County seeking to codify strict regulations on electric bicycles, specifically looking to protect
Passages: Mark Ostrander, firefighter, backcountry leader, 69
By Karen Pearlman April 15, 2026 (Boulevard) — Mark Ostrander, a dedicated public servant, retired Cal Fire Battalion Chief and cornerstone of the San Diego backcountry, passed away after having a
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
‘Bill Walton Way’ coming to a street near you in La Mesa
The Boys & Girls Club of East County La Mesa Clubhouse honored local basketball star Bill Walton by naming the gym after Walton in 2018. Walton died of colon cancer
Lionel’s Legacy hosting sleepover party and more in Lakeside April 18-19
East County News Service April 14, 2026 (Lakeside) — East County-based senior dog rescue group Lionel’s Legacy is holding a day of games, community and advocacy on Saturday, April 18 at
Mountain Empire Art Show Debuts April 15 in Boulevard
East County News Service April 14, 2026 (Boulevard) — The Backcountry Resource Center in Boulevard will be busy this Wednesday, April 15 hosting the first-ever Mountain Empire Art Show 2026, opening
Padre Dam’s Ray Stoyer Water Recycling Facility decommissioned after more than a half-century of use
Ray Stoyer Water Recycling Facility at Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Santee Lakes Community event makes way for the East County Advanced Water Purification Program Story and photos by Paul
Lemon Grove Library hosting Sheriff’s reentry event
East County News Service April 13, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office Reentry Services Division is holding a public event aimed at bridging the gap between
Man arrested for threatening deputies, firing shots in Santee
East County News Service April 13, 2026 (Santee) — With help from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Detail (SWAT) team, an armed man who threatened deputies was arrested
Hearing May 15 on proposed release of sexually violent predator Gary Snavely in Borrego Springs: public comments sought
East County News Service April 11, 2026 (Borrego Springs) – The San Diego Superior Court has ordered the conditional release of Sexually Violent Predator Gary Snavely. The California Department of State
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MILHOLLAND SOLAR AND ELECTRIC CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY
East County News Service January 5, 2015 (El Cajon)–Milholland Solar and Electric, the premier solar installation and electrical contractor in Southern California, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
DOG HOUSES NEEDED FOR RURAL DOGS IN COLD WEATHER
January 1, 2015 (Boulevard) – Boulevard resident Pam Lawless has launched a drive seeking donations of doghouses or igloo-style shelters for backcountry dogs in her community. “We get
PHOTO OF THE WEEK: BEAUTIFUL BACKCOUNTRY
December 19, 2014 (Lake Morena) – Photographer Kurt Scherbaum shared this beautiful image taken at Lake Morena in East County. You can view more of Kurt’s work at www.thelensmanphotography.com
A BEARY MERRY CHRISTMAS AT LIONS, TIGERS AND BEARS IN ALPINE
Bobbi Brink, founder of the rescue facility in Alpine (photo, left) works to save bears and other exotic animals from canned hunts and cub petting operations in U.S.
HEAVENLY VIEWS: MT. LAGUNA OBSERVATORY GETS NEW TELESCOPE
November 29, 2014 (Mount Laguna)–There’s a brand new, $1.5 million telescope at the observatory atop Mount Laguna in East County. Astronomers from San Diego State University, which operates the
LEMON GROVE MURAL WINS AWARD FROM GOVERNOR BROWN
By Miriam Raftery October 2, 2014 (Lemon Grove)—An elaborate five-panel mural depicting the history of Lemon Grove has been awarded the Governor’s Historic Preservation Award for 2014. A letter
VINES AND WINES: RAMBLIN’ ROUND RAMONA
By Don Rutkoff Photo: Elaine Lyttleton, Hatfield Creek Winery July 30, 2014 (Ramona)–I went tooling around Ramona Sunday, visiting and tasting some newer wineries, and I will tell you,
EXPERTS VOICE ALARM OVER SURVIVAL OF LOCAL BIGHORN SHEEP
By Miriam Raftery March 17, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – Could big energy projects proposed in East County lead to the decimation of federally endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep?
SHOTS FIRED DURING BORDER PATROL PURSUIT IN CAMPO
By Miriam Raftery Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News June 5, 2013 (Campo) – A Border Patrol agent discharged his weapon during a pursuit in Campo early this morning.
BORDER PATROL AGENTS SEIZE OVER A HALF MILLION DOLLARS IN METHAMPHETAMINES AT CHECKPOINT IN JAMUL
December 19, 2012 (Jamul) — U.S. Border Patrol agents intercepted a smuggling attempt on State Route (SR) 94 in Jamul yesterday, resulting in seizure of nearly 26 pounds of methamphetamine.