
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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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.