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East County Magazine

East County-based physician Charles Hamori honored by American College of Physicians
By Karen Pearlman April 21, 2026 (La Mesa) — When he was a teenager growing up in Muncie, Indiana, Charles Hamori performed his first successful medical diagnosis — on himself.

Crest residents urged to take action against wildfire risks with free Home Assessment Program
By Morgan Dioli and Diana Griffin April 21, 2026 (Crest) – The Crest community is stepping up wildfire preparedness efforts by participating in the Fire Safe Council of San Diego

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

New Crisis Stabilization Unit opening in El Cajon
April 18, 2026 (El Cajon) — The County of San Diego will open its newest Crisis Stabilization Unit — the first located in East County — on Monday in El

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
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JUDGE RULES IN ALPINE’S FAVOR ON HIGH SCHOOL FUNDING
By Miriam Raftery January 23, 2015 (Alpine) – The Grossmont Union High School District must set aside $14 million in bond money immediately and another $28 million by January

SD TRAILS: IRON MOUNTAIN
By Randy Zuniga January 15, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)–Iron Mountain, located at the backside of Poway, just off of the Highway 67, stands 2,696 ft. tall. I consider

WIND TURBINE BURSTS INTO FLAMES IN OCOTILLO
By Miriam Raftery January 17, 2015 (Ocotillo) –A wind turbine at the Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility burst into flames on January 15th. East County Magazine photographer Jim Pelley, an Ocotillo

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,


