
East County Magazine

Stylish fundraising
The fashion show enriches lives of disabled students from St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center By Heidi Hope Photos by Heidi Hope and Miriam Raftery August 7, 2025 (San Diego) – Haute with Heart, a fashion show themed “London Calling,” evoked English fancy style while supporting students with disabilities and pivotal programs at St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, an El

Destination East County: Memorable September events
By Miriam Raftery August 18, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – As summer transitions into fall, September brings seasonal events such as an Autumn Jubilee, Sycuan’s Powwow, the Alley Cat Art Walk in El Cajon, Grape Stomp Festa and Apple Time Tea in Julian, Oktoberfest in El Cajon, a 911 Memorial walk in Lakeside, a roaring ’20s fashion show

Never Forget: 9/11 memorial walk in Lakeside
East County News Service August 17, 2025 (Lakeside) – The Maine Avenue Revitalization Association in Lakeside will hold its sixth annual “Never Forget” memorial walk to commemorate the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The walk will be held on September 11, 2025 starting at 6:15. Participants are asked to meet at 6 p.m. at Mary’s Donuts, 10101 Main Ave. A

Our guide to the Ramona Wine Region
By Miriam Raftery Overview Nestled in the foothills of San Diego’s East County, The Ramona region is nationally recognized as an American Viticultural Region (AVA). You can savor wines at over 40 tasting rooms. Ramona is also home to a historic downtown district with shopping, galleries and restaurants, a western museum, a camel dairy, a paint ball range, colorful

Mount Laguna Living History brings past alive August 30-31
East County News Service August 16, 2025 (Mt. Laguna) – Enjoy a free tour to learn about indigenous people and settlers who have lived in the area at the Mount Laguna Living History event on Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31. Meet at the Red-Tailed Roost Activity Center, located at mile marker 22.5 on Sunrise Highway in Cleveland National

‘Bring home the bacon’ for rescued pigs
Story and photo by Karen Pearlman Aug. 15, 2025 (Guatay) – Horses of Tir Na Nog is going hog wild with its latest event. The nonprofit equine rescue group, which also rescues other animals, is hosting a fundraiser, “Wine for Swine,” to support its pig rescue efforts. The Aug. 23 event (for those 21 and older) will

Migrant children sites in El Cajon and Lemon Grove shut down: Trump admin. drops lawsuit that accused operator of sexual abuse
Actions raise concerns over children’s wellbeing; their locations are undisclosed By Karen Pearlman Miriam Raftery contributed to this story; photos by East County Magazine staff Updated Aug. 15 with responses from federal officials Aug. 14, 2025 (El Cajon) – Nonprofit Southwest Key Programs Inc. (photo, left) is no longer operating its site in El Cajon that

Protestors demand El Cajon repeal ICE cooperation amidst recall effort against city councilmember
By Paul Levikow August 13, 2025 (El Cajon) – Dozens of East County residents filled El Cajon City Council chambers Tuesday, demanding the City repeal a resolution allowing police to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The effort was organized by Latinos en Accion and Activist San Diego to urge speakers to address the Council during public comments.

Momentum Tutoring hosts Youth Business Fair at Santee Lakes Aug. 16
East County News Service August 12, 2025 (Santee) – Momentum Tutoring (www.momentumtutoring.org) invites the community to the Santee Youth Business Fair at Santee Lakes, a dynamic one-day marketplace where young entrepreneurs will showcase their creativity, hustle, and heart. The event takes place on Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Lake #2, Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve.

ICE stops: exercise your rights with knowledge
By Alexander J. Schorr August 4, 2025 (San Diego) — In an age when it is uncertain who is a lawful agent of the US government and who is a vigilante, it is important to remember to stay safe and stay informed. Some immigration agents are wearing masks, but there have also been instances of people abducted by individuals falsely
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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.

Jamul Casino Resort gets two film awards
“Water Sweet – The Story of Jamul” Earns Top Honors at AAF Reno ADDY Awards East County News Service April 1, 2026 (Jamul) – Jamul…

Fallbrook artist loses 50 years of work in studio fire
“This is nothing compared to what is taking place in the world” — Jerome Gastaldi, who lost 50 years of work in a fire at…

Ilan-Lael Foundation hosts docent-led tour April 9 in Santa Ysabel
By Philicia Tonangoye Karen Pearlman contributed to this story. April 1, 2026 (Santa Ysabel) — The nonprofit Ilan-Lael Foundation will host an immersive art and…

El Cajon City Council denies Afghan Center’s appeal for prayer tent extension
East County News Service March 30, 2026 (El Cajon ) — The El Cajon City Council last week unanimously upheld a decision by the city’s…

HelloFresh pizza meal kits recalled in California and nationwide
East County News Service March 31, 2026 (San Diego County) — A quiet supplier notification in January about tainted pizzas has turned into a federal…

Sheriff not investigating 7 reported rapes at Otay Mesa detention center
By Wendy Fry and Nigel Duara, CalMatters Photo: a CoreCivic vehicle at the Otay Mesa Detention Center. (File photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego)…

Magical Mystery Campout and Beatles Tribute Fair: festival April 4-5 in Jacumba
By Rebecca Person March 28, 2026 (Jacumba Hot Springs) — East County’s abuzz with a Beatles invasion. De Anza Springs Resort, a high desert retreat,…

Meet candidates in Lakeside on April 22
East County News Service March 27, 2026 (Lakeside) – Voters are invited to the “Candidates to Constituents Town Hall” series. The series is hosted by…

East County public transportation guide to Padres Opening Day March 26
Skip Interstate 8 and ‘ride the rails’ with the Padres-wrapped Trolley East County News Service March 25, 2026 (San Diego) — With the San Diego…

The Circle Players present ‘The Conundrum on the Crackerjack Cruise’ April 17, 18 and 19
East County News Service March 24, 2026 (El Cajon) — The First Presbyterian Church of El Cajon’s theater outreach program, The Circle Players, will navigate…
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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.