East County Magazine
ICE AGENTS SCATTER AS SD BISHOP PHAM, CLERGY VISIT IMMIGRATION COURT
San Diego Bishop Michael Pham (left) waits to enter the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building on World Refugee Day. (Photo by Chris Stone/Times of San Diego) By Ken Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association June 20, 2025 (San Diego) — Eight immigration courts line the fourth-floor hallway of the downtown Edward J. Schwartz
RENOVATED VFW POST TO OPEN SOON IN NEW CAMPO LOCATION
By Leorah Gavidor Photos by Irvin Gavidor June 19,2025 (Campo)– Veterans have a friend in Campo: his name is Kevin Martin, and he’s a Vietnam-era Marine veteran himself. Thanks to Martin and a group of volunteers, along with a grant from San Diego County, vets in Campo will soon have a new place to hang out. VFW Post
SAN DIEGO BISHOP, A FORMER REFUGEE, CALLS ON CLERGY TO ACCOMPANY IMMIGRANTS TO HEARINGS AT COURTHOUSES
By Miriam Raftery June 16, 2025 (San Diego) – Federal immigration officials have begun arresting immigrants and refugees at San Diego’s federal courthouse, denying them due process at hearings that could have granted them legal status in the U.S. Now, Bishop Michael Pham and two local auxiliary bishops have announced that on World Refugee Day June 20, they will stand
U-T OWNERS BLOCKED EDITORIAL ON ICE PROTESTS, SAYS FIRED OPINION EDITOR
Laura Castañeda (left) had been deputy opinion editor of The San Diego Union-Tribune until Thursday. (Times of San Diego photo illustration) By Ken Stone • Times of San Diego June 13, 2025 (San Diego) — A fired San Diego Union-Tribune opinion editor is accusing the paper’s owners of “censorship at its best” after she was let go at the
CALIF. SENATOR PADILLA FORCIBLY REMOVED FROM HOMELAND SECURITY PRESS CONFERENCE AND HANDCUFFED
Action sparks bipartisan outrage By Miriam Raftery June 12, 2025 (Los Angeles) – In a shocking action, California’s U.S. Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly dragged out of a press conference in Los Angeles today, thrown on the ground and handcuffed while trying to ask a question of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Video shows he clearly identified himself, stating “I
“HIGHWAYMAN” TOM WELLER, WHO AIDED THOUSANDS OF STRANDED MOTORISTS, NOW NEEDS HELP FOR EMERGENCY HOME REPAIRS
Photos and story by Karen Pearlman June 11, 2025 (El Cajon) – He spent more than 50 years helping close to 10,000 stranded motorists along all stretches of freeways across San Diego County, and now Thomas Weller could use some assistance of his own. While health issues forced him off the road in 2017, Weller (photo left, Weller in front
LOS ANGELES IMMIGRATION PROTESTS, CIVIL UNREST FUEL CLASH BETWEEN GOVERNOR AND PRESIDENT
By Alexander J. Schorr Photo: KTLA screenshot: flashbang deployed amid L.A. civil unrest at Los Angeles Sheriff’s officer looks on June 11, 2025 (Los Angeles) — California sued the Trump administration this week over the President’s order to deploy 2,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles without the Governor’s consent. California Governor Gavin Newsom has argued that the deployment
FARM TOUR DAY RETURNS JUNE 28
Explore San Diego Agriculture with Local Farmers East County News Service June 10, 2025 (Escondido) — The San Diego County Farm Bureau is bringing back Farming Tour Day, starting at 9 a.m., Saturday June 28. This year’s event offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at a diverse array of local farms in Escondido, showcasing the heart of San Diego agriculture. Participants
LATINOS EN ACCION HELPING THEIR COMMUNITY
From left to right: Mairene Branham, Violeta Lombrera and Eva Pacheco. (Photo by Mimi Pollack) By Mimi Pollack June 8, 2025 (El Cajon) — Latinos en Acción, a group in El Cajon, is led by three mothers who want to make a difference in their diverse community. These three very different women came together with the same goals in mind:
CONCERNS LEAD JEWISH COMMUNITY TO PULL SUPPORT OF SD PRIDE
Controversial Headline Performer, Safety Concerns Cited as Reasons for Withdrawal By Karen Pearlman June 7, 2025 (San Diego) – Many local Jewish organizations from across San Diego County that have traditionally been part of the annual San Diego Pride event will not be joining in this year. Jewish community leaders say that because the Pride Festival chose musical artist Kehlani
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Our Guide to Live Entertainment venues
Rare Collection: the Etchings of Olaf Wieghorst on Display at the Wieghorst Museum
East County News Service Photo: “In Trouble” depicts a twisting bronc as it tries to throw its rider. It is the artist’s best known etching. September 5, 2025 (El Cajon) — The Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center in El Cajon opens an exhibition of the Etchings of Olaf Wieghorst on Friday, September 12 and runs through October 10.
Author Tanya Harris hosts book signing Sept. 21 at Grossmont Center to benefit domestic violence survivors
East County News Service September 5, 2025 (La Mesa) — Local author, domestic violence survivor and advocate Tanya Harris will host a powerful community book signing and awareness event on Sunday, September 21, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the gazebo at Grossmont Center mall (5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa). The community-focused event is designed to raise
Steel Magnolias onstage at Julian Town Hall Oct. 17-26
East County News Service September 4, 2025 (Julian) — The East County Performing Arts Association invites you to experience the heart, humor, and resilience of Southern women in Steel Magnolias. The play will be performed in the Julian Town Hall the weekends of Oct. 17-19 and Oct. 24-26. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7 p.m., with Sunday matinees
Cajon Cruise returns next week in El Cajon, hosted by Downtown Café
By Paul Levikow September 3, 2025 (El Cajon) – East County car enthusiasts have cause for celebration, after the El Cajon City Council on Tuesday approved a two-month extension of the Cajon Cruise on Main Street and Prescott Promenade, this time hosted by Downtown Café. The revived car show will rev up on Wednesday nights Sept. 10 through Oct. 22
Horses of Tir Na Nog Holds Fundraiser Sept. 20; Group also seeking support for moldy hay
Story and photo by Karen Pearlman Aug. 30, 2025 (Descanso) –Horses of Tir Na Nog, the nonprofit animal rescue group with a ranch and more than 100 animals, is having a fundraiser at Kings Inn in September. The group is also trying to cover the cost of hay that was compromised during a storm in late August. The fundraising
Jacumba Bathhouse Bazaar Coming Sept. 6
East County News Service Aug. 28, 2025 (Jacumba) — The next first Saturday will once again be an evening for visitors and locals to shop, eat, drink and soak in the high desert. The Jacumba Bathhouse is holding its next First Saturday bazaar from 5 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 6 at 44450 Old Highway 80 at Jacumba Street. The
Hunger in San Diego: Closer Than You Think
By Casey Castillo, CEO, San Diego Food Bank August 26, 2025 (San Diego) – When people think of hunger, they often imagine faraway places or extreme poverty. But hunger is a very real issue right here in San Diego County. It’s in our neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces affecting families, seniors, military households, and children in every ZIP code. This September, during
Clothing Swap Coming to La Mesa Sept. 6
East County News Services Aug. 26, 2025 (La Mesa) — Local environmental-focused nonprofit I Love A Clean San Diego is hosting a clothing swap at the La Mesa Library from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 6. The event allows community members the opportunity to trade gently-used clothes, accessories and shoes for those donated by others for
Photo of the week: Santee Fire Department’s new brush rig
Photo and story by Patrick Ward August 24, 2025 (Santee) – The Santee Fire Department this week held a push-in ceremony with its new home-type 3 brush engine, a symbol of the department’s commitment to safety and efficiency. The brush rig is designed to handle any emergency with precision and speed. The cost of the apparatus was $627,000,
Reichert’s Restore San Diego newsletter spreads misleading claims about AB 495
By Jesse Kendrick Image: Restore San Diego founder Amy Reichert August 23, 2025 (El Cajon) – “State-sponsored kidnapping loophole” is the epithet lobbed at Assembly Bill 495 by local “Restore San Diego” newsletter. The bill, officially entitled AB 495: Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025, outlines a series of revisions to existing laws surrounding parental rights and
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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