Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

East County Magazine

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AI glasses: another potential power that poses threats to schools

By Alexander J. Schorr Photo:  screenshot of Meta’s Ray Ban AI Glasses analysis by Surfshark February 25, 2026 (San Diego) — AI in the United States has the potential for great power and change in the nation. It is very much a new “wild west,” and because there are no significant guardrails, there is great danger from it facing human beings

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Public input sought on La Cresta Road safety following head-on fatal collision

By Paul Levikow Photo via San Diego Fire Protection District February 25, 2026 (Crest) – The Crest Dehesa Granite Hills Harbison Canyon Planning Group is seeking public input on the safety of La Cresta Road, following a recent fatal head-on collision in Crest. Josefina Sanchez, 72, was killed by an alleged drunk driver in the crash Feb. 11, 2026 while visiting her son in

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Unfounded threat locked down Monte Vista High School

East County News Service February 23, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Shortly before noon today, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office was made aware of a school threat at Monte Vista High School in Spring Valley. The campus’ School Resource Deputy was contacted by the school’s administration, referencing a threatening phone call they received. The high school was immediately placed on

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San Diego State, San Diego Humane Society team up to support furry friends

East County News Service Feb. 15, 2026 (San Diego) — While many people chomped on chocolates and bequeathed bouquets of red roses on Valentine’s Day, a different kind of love was shared at the San Diego Humane Society. On Saturday, more than two dozen student-athletes from San Diego State University channeled their competitive edge and energy into a morning of

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GUHSD Superintendent backs DA’s appeal against potential release of 2001 Santana shooter

East County News Service February 10, 2026 (Santee) — Grossmont Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Kirsten Vital Brulte has sent a letter to District Attorney Summer Stephan expressing full support for her appeal of the San Diego Superior Court’s decision to grant a recall and resentencing hearing for Charles “Andy” Williams, the perpetrator of the 2001 Santana High School

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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting — not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine’s local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

Grossmont and Cuyamaca College military and veteran students find connection and support

The colleges offer award-winning programs that celebrate and honor veterans Photo:  Grossmont College student veterans Source:  Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District November 4, 2025 (El Cajon) – Navy veteran Isaiah Nailon had one clear goal in mind when he enrolled at Cuyamaca College in the spring of 2018: taking the first step toward earning a bachelor’s degree. “That was it,” he said.

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Reader’s Editorial: CalRTA delivers — from pension power to Social Security fairness, retired teachers get it done

Source:  California Retired Teachers Association November 2, 2025 (San Diego) – During this year’s Retired Teachers Week, we proudly look back to January when the California Retired Teachers Association (CalRTA) achieved our biggest legislative victory when the Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law. CalRTA helped spearhead this successful national campaign and was the only West Coast organization working

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Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District fall surplus property auction now live

Source:  Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District October 29, 2025 (El Cajon) – The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District has officially launched its fall surplus property auction, now live. The auction is open to the public, and both businesses and individuals are encouraged to bid on the inventory. The District conducts regular surplus sales as part of its sustainability efforts in an effort to reduce its

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Reader’s Editorial: Why I support the recall or resignation of the GUHSD Board majority

By Chris  Fite, Trustee, Grossmont Union High School District board   October 26, 2025 (El Cajon) — When the dust settles after all of the lawsuits and media stories and packed and contentious board meetings, these facts will remain: the GUHSD board majority repeatedly if not exclusively tried to make vital decisions regarding hiring, firing and curriculum choices on the basis of their

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Passages: Grossmont Union High School District mourns the passing of former superintendent Mike Fowler

Source:  Grossmont Union High School District October 24, 2025 (El Cajon) – With deep sadness, the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) announces the passing of former Superintendent Mike Fowler, who devoted nearly three decades of extraordinary service to East County students and families. He passed away following a courageous battle with brain cancer. Statement from GUHSD Governing Board President Dr.

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GUHSD Board passes biased nonviolent discourse resolution and scaled-down limits on protestors

By Alexander J. Schorr Screenshot: Board President Gary Woods with Superintendent Kirsten Vital Brulte, defending their non-violence resolution in classrooms.  “Trust is earned.” Jay Steiger, 2025 October 16, 2025 (El Cajon) — The Grossmont Union High School District Board passed an amended policy limiting protests outside board meetings, adopted a resolution providing religious exemptions in classrooms, and adopted a policy

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Every San Diego County-born baby has a scholarship in wait via CalKIDS

Photo courtesy CalKIDS   East County News Service   Oct. 14, 2025 (San Diego County) — California-born babies can getting an early start on saving and investing.   Through the California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program, every baby born in the state of California on or after July 1, 2022, automatically has a scholarship waiting in their name, worth

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GUHSD agenda tonight includes restricting protests outside school board meetings, allowing prayers and other controversial measures

By Miriam Raftery Image: On Facebook, a group seeking to recall GUHSD trustees posted a flyer calling tonight’s agenda items “frightful”, stating, “Here’s the tricks and not a treat in sight.” October 9, 2025 (El Cajon, CA) – At its 6 p.m. meeting tonight, the Grossmont Union High School District board of trustees will consider adopting a policy to restrict

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Lemon Grove School District wins Golden Bell Award

East County News Service October 5, 2025 (Lemon Grove) — Lemon Grove School District has been honored with the California School Boards Association (CSBA) Golden Bell Award for advancing equitable student outcomes.  This work has been led by Amy Fulinara, Executive Director of Educational Services.   The CSBA Golden Bell Awards promote excellence in education by recognizing outstanding programs and governance

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260,000 California 2nd graders awarded CalKIDS scholarship accounts

Source: CalKids October 5, 2025 (Sacramento) — More than 260,000 California 2nd graders are starting this school year with their very first scholarship through CalKIDS, the state’s landmark program that helps families prepare for college and career training. Each eligible 2nd grader is automatically awarded a minimum of $500 in their CalKIDS Scholarship Account. Foster youth and students experiencing homelessness

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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting — not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine’s local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.