
East County Magazine
HOLIDAY TEA TRADITION BREAKS NEW GROUND FOR FRIENDS OF EAST COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS
By Miriam Raftery December 11, 2008 (El Cajon) — This year’s holiday tea, sponsored by Friends of East County Arts, Inc. served up something new along with the traditional tea, scones and finger sandwiches. “This is the first year that men have been invited,” said Howard Bagley, director of St. Clair Gallery and a strong supporter of the organization. “In
Cuyamaca College dedicates Wendell Cutting Center in honor of East County humanitarian
From left: nephew L.G. Wayne Cutting; Cuyamaca Interim President Cristina Chiriboga; brothers Larry and Wayne Cutting; sister Ruth Anne Cutting; GCCCD Governing Board Trustee Deanna Weeks; TRUSTEE Bill Garrett; and student trustee Chuck Taylor. December 12, 2008 (El Cajon) Former governing board member Wendell Cutting was remembered Friday for his generosity of spirit and caring for humanity during a
THE WILL POWER REPORT – Prescription Medicine Costs
Nothing but the Truth! By Will Power January 1, 2008 (San Diego) — I am at the end of my rope with Big Pharma. They are the greediest, least efficient, most corrupt corporations going, and that included Big Oil. They sell bad, unsafe, overpriced drugs that kill people and don’t allow people who need drugs to get them. I went to
MAKING MIRACLES HAPPEN: CHALLENGE CENTER TAKES THE “DIS” OUT OF DISABILITES
Story and photos by Miriam Raftery; videos by Leon Thompson and Rob Constantine. December 21, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) — “When I first had my stroke, I couldn’t speak or move my right side. I couldn’t walk,” recalled Austin Junkin, 80, of Lemon Grove. “Now I can do anything. I lift 100 pounds with ease,” he said, demonstrating his
La Mesa Rotary Gives Donation to CHIP’s Organization
(left to right) Lynn Hamilton, current La Mesa Rotary President, Joel Tzinberg and Glenn Kellogg. December 10, 2008 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa Rotary Club donated $500.00 to the Community Health and Improvements Partners (CHIP’s) organization. CHIP is a collaboration of San Diego health care systems, hospitals, community clinics, insurers, physicians, universities, community benefit organizations and the County of
U.S. CRANBERRY MARKETING COMMITTEE PARTNERS WITH SAN DIEGO-BASED SOUPLANTATION
Partnership promotes benefits of cranberries During the Month of December December 3, 2008 (SAN DIEGO) — San Diego-based Souplantation, voted one of “America’s Healthiest Restaurants” by Health magazine, has formed a partnership with the Cranberry Marketing Committee (CMC), a committee established by the federal government that works to promote and inform the public about the benefits of U.S. cranberries. Souplantation
KRUGER BROTHERS CONCERT IS BEYOND EXPECTATIONS
By Jackie Hanson Photos by Gian Vaitl December 10, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) — If you’ve heard of the Kruger Brothers, then you’ve likely heard the superlatives used to describe their music: sublime, inspiring, sheer genius… (the list goes on). If you’ve been fortunate enough to actually hear the Kruger Brothers live, you’ll realize that words pale in comparison
POWAY FARMERS MARKET AND CRAFTS FAIR OPEN TWO MORE WEEKENDS BEFORE HOLIDAY
Photos by Thea Skinner December 2008 (Poway) — The Poway Farmers’ Market and Boardwalk Craft Market features fresh product and other products from local farms, as well as regional crafts including pottery, weaving, jewelry and much more. Located in Old Poway Park at 14134 Midland Road, the craft market and farmer’s market will be open from 8 a.m. to 2
Tecate, our Neighbors South of the Border
By Dennis Moore December 7, 2008 (Tecate) — Between the desert and the sea beats the heart of Baja California: Tecate, Mexico (not to be confused with the American city by the same name just across the border). Located in the northern central part of the state, Tecate is the ideal starting destination to every other city or point of
GARDEN DE LIGHTS
December 2008 (El Cajon) — Visit the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College as it comes to light for the holidays. On Friday, December 12 from 5 to 9 p.m., the Garden de Lights event will display of thousands of energy-saving lights courtesy of SDG&E. Guests can also enjoy an evening of garden tours, holiday shopping and festivities featuring music,
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To comply with new state laws, GUHSD board passes protections for immigrant students by 3-2 margin
By Alexander J. Schorr File photo, left: Trustee Jim Kelly called the measure “anarchy” and voted against it, along with Trustee Gary Woods January 21, 2026 (El Cajon) — The Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) Board of Trustees on January 19 voted 3-2 to pass a resolution to establish new guidelines for responding to federal enforcement on campuses. This follows new

Cans of tuna recalled due to botulism sent to major retailers including California
East County News Service January 20, 2026 (San Diego) – Cans of Genova yellowfin tuna that were recalled due to potentially fatal botulism were inadvertently shipped to stores by a distributor, including Safeway, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions in California. An earlier recall included some sold under the Trader Joe’s label in California. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Fires damage two popular restaurants, Panda Machi in Alpine and The Junction in El Cajon
Fundraisers launched to help owners and employees at both restaurants By Miriam Raftery Photos courtesy of Lakeside Fire and Heartland Fire & Rescue Updated January 17 with information on Panda Machi fundraiser January 14, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – A pair of two-alarm fires in the past 24 hours have heavily damaged two local restaurant, Panda Machi Sushi Bar

Horse rescued in Alpine by San Diego Humane Society’s Emergency Response Team
East County News Service Jan. 10, 2026 (Alpine) — A 38-year-old horse that went down and could not get back up in Alpine has been rescued by the San Diego Humane Society’s Emergency Response Team. The nonprofit’s ERT successfully completed a technical rescue today (Jan. 10) for the Palomino horse named Jasmine — also affectionately known as “Jazzy.” The SDHS

‘Reign of terror’: ICE builds appalling record of killings, beatings, kidnappings, and more
By Jake Johnson, Common Dreams Photo: Renee Good, 37, U.S. citizen and mother of a-6-year-old, was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minnnesota. January 9, 2026 (Minneapolis) – Federal immigration enforcement agents, unleashed and emboldened by President Donald Trump, have been rampaging through the streets of cities across the United States for months, racking up an appalling record of abuses and alleged crimes, including

San Diego Automotive Museum to hold “Garage Night” fundraiser
Evening event at new IGNITE Academy campus (see photo, left, showing students from the academy) will support automotive career training for local youth East County News Service Jan. 7, 2026 (Santee) — The San Diego Automotive Museum will host its first Garage Night from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at the recently opened IGNITE Academy campus, 8630 Argent St. in

The Water Conservation Garden gears up for a blooming 2026
Photo of a buttefly at the Dorcas E. Utter Butterfly Pavilion at The Water Conservation Garden and story by Karen Pearlman Jan. 3, 2025 (Rancho San Diego) — The Water Conservation Garden, the 6-acre botanical showcase of sustainable landscaping and water-wise gardening adjacent to Cuyamaca College, has rooted out its slate of events for Winter and Spring 2026. The schedule includes educational opportunities, community connection

New Moon fishing returns to Lake Jennings
East County News Service Jan. 3, 2025 (Lakeside) — San Diego County anglers should worm their way into their tackle boxes and grab their lanterns for one of the region’s most anticipated winter traditions. From 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, Lake Jennings will host its first “New Moon Fishing” event of the year, offering a rare opportunity

Light does not need permission to shine: San Diego leaders unite against hate at Hanukkah ‘Rally for Light’
Photos and story by Karen Pearlman Dec. 22, 2025 (San Diego) — Across the street from the calm San Diego Bay but amid a rising tide of global concern, some of San Diego County’s top elected officials, law enforcement and multi-faith leaders gathered Monday at the County Administration Center to send a singular message: Hate has no sanctuary in San

How Southeast San Diego reduced gun violence
“We’re here to save lives.” – Cornelius Bowser, pastor at Charity Apostolic Church and the City of San Diego’s commissioner on gang prevention and intervention By Armando Rasing II Photo, left, by Armando Rasing II: Bishop Cornelius Bowser leading a service at Charity Apostolic Church December 17, 2025 (Southeast San Diego) – On a Friday night in early December, dozens
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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.