
East County Magazine

EL CAJON HOSTS AMERICA ON MAIN STREET MAY 17
East County News Service May 13, 2025 (El Cajon) — America on Main Street is also known as El Cajon’s Largest Block Party. The event will hosted in Downtown El Cajon on Saturday, May 17. Admission and most activities are free of charge. America on Main Street is a celebration of the American spirit through appreciation and respect of the
VIDEO OF THE WEEK: ELEPHANTS’ POOL PARTY!
East County News Service May 11, 2025 (Escondido) — Elephants at the the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park in Escondido found a cool way to beat the heat during this week’s heat wave–holidng their own pool party. In this video, you’ll see the herd’s matriarch, Swazi, playing in the water with the youngsters. When one elephant goes in, the others

GUHSD STUDENTS ART SHOW AT LAKESIDE LIBRARY THROUGH MAY 12
Video and article by Shiloh Ireland View video Grossmont High School District, composed of 12 high schools, has an art show at the Lakeside Library through May 12th. Beautiful pieces of art are displayed, and some are for sale. A lot of talent awaits you. Check the library for library hours and support these young artists. The San Diego County

Our guide to wineries in San Diego’s inland region
By Miriam Raftery San Diego County has become a thriving wine region, home to well over 100 wineries. Unlike wine hubs in Napa or Temecula, our county’s wineries are mostly small, boutique and family-owned, offering visitors the opportunity to meet the winemakers and savor a range of experiences in scenic rural and mountain areas, as well as some urban wineries.

TOWN HALL MAY 8 ON SAN DIEGO IN-CUSTODY DEATHS AND ALLEGED MISTREATMENT OF INMATES
East County News Service May 7, 2025 (San Diego)—The Racial Justice Coalition of San Diego (RJCSD) and Community Advocates for Just and Moral Governance (MoGo) invite you to attend a Community Town Hall centered on the ongoing inhumane treatment of people detained in the San Diego County Jails. The event will be held on Thursday, May 8 from 6 p.m.

THE RIVER AT SYCUAN CASINO RESORT RETURNS FOR SUMMER WITH PRESTIGIOUS COUNTRY MUSIC ARTISTS
East County News Service May 6, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Sycuan Casino Resort, in partnership with KSON, is bringing back The River from June through September. The River at Sycuan is San Diego’s only country concert pool party that will feature “the hottest country artists in the nation,” according to a Sycuan news release. The River will

RECALL ORTIZ EFFORT PASSES FIRST VERIFICATION HURDLE; OPPONENTS CRITICIZE RECALL ORGANIZER FOR “DIE OFF” COMMENTS
By Miriam Raftery May 5, 2025 (El Cajon) – The initial round of 60 signatures to recall El Cajon Councilmember Phil Ortiz have been validated, City Clerk Angela Cortez confirms. The organizers, Latinos en Accion, now must publish their intent in a local newspaper and have 120 days to gather signatures from 20% of the 11,320 registered voters in District

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WEAKENS FOOD AND DRUG SAFETY, DESPITE RISE IN FOOD-BOURNE ILLNESSES
Impacts include dismantling a DOJ unit, withdrawal of a Biden-era effort, and mass layoffs that were only partially reversed. By G. A. McNeeley Photo: FDA lab tests seafood; public domain image via FDA May 2, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) unit that oversees the criminal and civil enforcement of food and drug safety regulations

Our guide to breweries and distilleries in San Diego’s inland region
By Miriam Raftery San Diego County is known as the “Capital of Craft” beer, home to 150 craft breweries, according to the San Diego Brewers Guild. Our inland region has many breweries, as well as several hard cideries and distilleries offering samples to please every palate. Some also foods, as well as activities ranging from livemusic to trivia nights

AIR FORCE VETERAN RECEIVES UPGRADES TO EL CAJON RESIDENCE FROM HOME DEPOT FOUNDATION AND 365 CONNECT
East County News Service Photos courtesy of Darren McClane, Team Depot Captain April 30, 2025 (El Cajon) — As a part of the National Volunteer Month campaign, The Home Depot Foundation and 365 Connect teamed up today to upgrade the home of local veteran Lawrason Springwell. Lawrason, a retired Air Force pilot who served in the Vietnam War, lives with
Search by Specific Date
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.

Ramona Country Fair brings summertime fun Aug. 1-3
By Regina Elling Carnival rides are a big part of the fun at Ramona Country Fair. Photo by Regina Elling July 25, 2025 (Ramona) — Visitors to the Ramona Country Fair, set for Friday, Aug. 1 through Sunday, Aug. 3, can expect to enjoy amusement rides, vendor booths, carnival food, a variety of musical acts, a car show, a dog
Destination East County: hot August nights bring late summer celebrations
Printer-friendly version

Julian Mountain Brewfest set for Aug. 23
East County News Service July 24, 2025 (Julian) – The Julian Chamber of Commerce is inviting the public to savor the Julian Mountain Brewfest at Nickel Beer Company at 1485 Hollow Glen Road from noon to 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 23. A $25 ticket includes eight tastings, a commemorative cup and live music by the Sun Valley String Band. For more

Mt. Helix Park Foundation Food & Wine Festival Aug. 16 features Gatsby theme
By Karen Pearlman Miriam Raftery also contributed to this report Last year’s Mt. Helix Park Foundation Food & Wine Festival event was a hit. (Photo courtesy Mt. Helix Park Foundation) July 24, 2025 (La Mesa) – A privately owned “public” park and nature preserve with an outdoor ampitheater toward the top, East County is fortunate Mount Helix Park

Destination East County: midsummer fun
By Miriam Raftery July 17, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – As the weather heats up, late July has many cool events including visits to the new Camel Lavender Farm in Ramona, Music on Main in El Cajon, Cajon Cruises, Movies at county parks and recreation centers, La Mesa’s Sundays at Six concerts and classic car shows, outdoor concerts in

State Parks Photo Contest Running Through Sept. 30
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park photo (left) by Karen Pearlman East County News Service July 15, 2025 (San Diego County) — California State Parks Foundation is inviting park visitors and photography enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels to capture the natural beauty, recreational activities and unique landscapes of California’s state parks. The California State Parks Foundation Photo

Grocery Workers at Ralphs, Albertsons Vons and Pavilions Vote to Ratify New Contracts
East County News Service Image via UFCW San Diego’s Facebook page July 14, 2025 (San Diego) –Grocery members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Locals 135, 324, 770, 1167, 1428, and 1442 voted this week overwhelmingly to ratify new three-year agreements with Ralphs (a subsidiary of Kroger) and Albertsons (which includes Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilions). The union local members

Deaf Mongolian Immigrant Held by ICE In Otay Mesa for Months Without Access to Interpreter
The Otay Mesa Detention Center operated by CoreCivic. (Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego) By Wendy Fry, CalMatters Update July 23, 2025 — ICE has released this immigrant, Cal Matters reports, after four months in custody and following a judicial order to provide a Mongolian interpreter. He is now living with a family member. July 14, 2025

You’re Invited! July 17 Feast at Himalayan Cuisine in La Mesa with East County Magazine’s Dining Club
You’re invited to East County Magazine’ s DIning Club feast at Himalayan Cuisine in La Mesa on Thursday, July 17 at 6:30 p.m. All proceeds benefit our local news reporting and our wildfire and emergency alerts! Everyone is welcome to attend. Himalayan Cuisine features delicious cuisine from Nepal, Tibet and India. Plus we’ll have a fabulous raffle with many great prizes including

La Mesa Grandmother Detained By Ice While Serving as Legal Observer for Immigrants at Courthouse
By Miriam Raftery July 11, 2025 (La Mesa) – La Mesa resident Barbara Stone, a 71-year old U.S. citizen and courthouse observer at immigration proceedings, is free tonight after being detained by Immigrants and Customs agents (ICE) for eight hours without access to an attorney, according to her daughter and witnesses. Jessica Kort, posted a plea for help after the
Search by Specific Date
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.