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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Exclusive: ECM obtains video showing start of Coches Fire

View video   September 17, 2025 (Lakeside) — East County Magazine photographer Patrick Ward has obtained surveillance video from a Lakeside homeowner who lives next to the spot where the Coches Fire began.  The video from the homeowner, who asked to remain anonymous, shows vehicles on the roadway around 2:56 p.m. on September 8, 2025, followed by brush igniting in several

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Mount Miguel 60th reunion coming on Oct. 4 at Town & Country

East County News Service   Sept. 16, 2025 (Spring Valley) — Mount Miguel High School Class of 1965 is getting ready for its 60th class reunion.   Leaders from the Matadors 1965 class have put out the word that they are looking for classmates from thier year to join them in the event set for 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday,

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Aaaaaaahs in Santee: The Wizard of Oz Coming to the Community Park

East County News Service   Sept.15, 2025  (Santee) —  Lions, Tigers, and Bears… Oh My!   The city of Santee is hosting a free outdoor screening of the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz later this month.   In a partnership with the County of San Diego’s Summer Movies in the Park series — presented by San Diego Foundation

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Supreme Court “legalized racial profiling” in Los Angeles ruling, immigration and civil liberties experts warn

By G. A. McNeeley  September 14, 2025 (Los Angeles) — The Supreme Court has lifted restrictions that had barred the Trump administration from carrying out immigration-related raids in the Los Angeles area based on broad criteria, such as speaking Spanish or gathering at locations where day laborers often congregate, according to POLITICO.  The justices, divided 6-3 along ideological lines, put

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Protestors confront El Cajon City Council over ICE resolution, Ortiz recall

Leslie Thompson (photo, left) of El Cajon speaks out about Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Sept. 9 El Cajon City Council meeting By Paul Levikow Sept. 11, 2025 – (El Cajon) Protestors showed up at the El Cajon City Council meeting again this past week to continue voicing opposition to the city’s resolution regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They

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Celebration of archaeology in the desert coming in November

Kumeyaay native plant presentation by Kumeyaay-Ipai Interpretative Center. Photo by Laurie Brindle   East County News Service   Sept. 10, 2025 (Borrego Springs) — Get ready for some adventures in artifacts.   California State Parks and the Colorado Desert Archaeology Society are getting set for “Archaeology Day” in November.   Archaeology Day is a family-friendly event that celebrates the rich

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September events in the Anza-Borrego Desert

Photo of people checking out the Anza Borrego Desert courtesy Anza Borrego Foundation   East County News Service   Sept. 10, 2025 (Borrego Springs) — It’s September — and that means the heat is on in the Anza-Borrego Desert.   With average daily high temperatures in the mid-90s°F and above, Borrego Springs will likely be too hot for comfortable outdoor activities,

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Frosted Faces Foundation opens Community Veterinary Center to care for senior dogs and cats

Adopt a senior pet and receive free veterinary services East County News Service September 7, 2025 (Ramona) — Frosted Faces Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping senior animals and the people who love them, unveiled its new Community Veterinary Center next door to the organization’s rescue facility at 1448 Pine Street in Ramona. Realizing that senior animals face many barriers

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Sycuan Powwow Sept. 12-14 brings together tribal members from across nation

By Miriam Raftery September 5, 2025 (Sycuan) – Tribal dancers from across the nation will participate in the annual Sycuan Powwow September 12-14 at the Sycuan reservation in rural East County. The event also features a bird singer contest and grand entry processions, as well as Native American arts and crafts vendors. The powwow area is next to the Sycuan

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Downtown El Cajon’s 14th Annual Alley Cat Art Walk Returns September 12th

East County News Service September 5, 2025 (El Cajon) — Local artists and galleries are coming together to host the 14th Annual Alley Cat Art Walk on Friday, September 12th from 4pm to 8pm in Downtown El Cajon. This free, family-friendly event promises fine art, live entertainment, boutique vendors, and more along Main Street and Rea Avenue. Hosted by the

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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.

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GUHSD board rejects Fite’s resolution to protect students from ICE agents

By Alexander J. Schorr Screenshot: Student Board Trustee Sage Larson and Board Trustee Chris Fite November 14, 2025 (El Cajon) — The conservative board majority of the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) last night rejected a resolution proposed by Trustee Chris Fite that would have offered protection to vulnerable students and their families facing the looming presence of Immigration

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Hear our interview with La Mesa director Elisha Cecil, whose movie “Amber” is screening at San Diego Film Week Nov. 14

By Heidi Hope  November 12, 2025 (La Mesa) – Elisha Cecil is a filmmaker, screenwriter and director from La Mesa. His films have been featured in many major film festivals, including Eyes of Shadow and Amber, a short horror film showing at the San Diego Film Week  on November 14.  East County Magazine interviewed Cecil for our radio show, which

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Alpine Pet Food & Supply drive set for Dec. 6

East County News Service Nov. 11, 2025 (Alpine) — Pet lovers have the chance to help local animals in need next month at the Alpine Pet Food & Supply Drive, hosted by the Viejas Community Market. The Alpine Pet Food & Supply Drive is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Viejas

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Tree Lighting Ceremony & Santa’s arrival at Parkway Plaza on November 21

East County News Service   November 11, 2025 (El Cajon) — Parkway Plaza will light up the night with its beloved Tree Lighting Ceremony and Santa’s Arrival to kick off the holidays on Friday, November 21, followed by a series of events and activities through the holiday season. For the main event, a mischievous green Christmas thief will join Santa to light up

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Supreme Court halts federal government SNAP payments; Trump orders states to return those payments

By G. A. McNeeley    November 10, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — The Trump Administration is escalating its legal battle over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), demanding that states immediately “undo” full SNAP benefit payments that were distributed, following last week’s court orders, according to Newsweek.  The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a memo on Saturday, November 8,

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Racing turkeys stampede at Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona

East County News Service November 9, 2025 (Ramona) – This is not a turkey trot. The Wild West Turkey Stampede returns November 15, 28, 29 and 30 at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona. “November is our favorite time to celebrate our famous racing turkeys who are back and better than ever (sort of… breeding season is on the horizon

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Photo of the Week: Beaver moon

East County News Service November 9, 2025 (Mt. Helix) — Dawn Sebaugh snapped this picture of the “Beaver Moon” on November 5,   The November full moon was dubbed “Beaver Moon”  because it’s the time when beavers are most active building their lodges for winter, and when the fur trading season was at its peak. The name has its origins in

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BalletCenter Studios bringing a twist on a holiday classic

“Clara & the Nutcracker Soldier” Comes to the Joan B. Kroc Theatre   East County News Service   Nov. 8, 2025 (San Diego) — A fresh take on the magical holiday experience of The Nutcracker is coming to San Diego later this month.   Mission Hills-headquarterered BalletCenter Studios is presenting an enchanting new production, “Clara & the Nutcracker Soldier,” for

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November CalFresh/SNAP benefits being delivered to local beneficiaries

Thanks to San Diego County and State actions   East County News Service   Nov. 7, 2025 (San Diego County) — San Diego CalFresh/SNAP beneficiaries are starting to see their full November benefits loaded on to their EBT cards.   CalFresh is the federal food assistance program also known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also commonly referred to as

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FAA orders reduction in flights at 40 airports, including San Diego, starting Friday due to federal government shutdown

By Miriam Raftery Thursday, November 6, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – San Diego International Airport is among 40 airports across the U.S. that will be forced to cut flights starting tomorrow, under order of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) due to the federal government shutdown. Read the full emergency order here.  Air traffic controllers have been working without pay for weeks

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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.

Our Guide to Live Entertainment venues