East County Magazine
County hosts webinar October 22 on Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) proposed ordinance
East County News Service October 14, 2025 (San Diego) – The County of San Diego Planning & Development Services (PDS) invites you to attend a virtual meeting to share your thoughts on the draft ordinance for the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Zoning Ordinance Amendment and the proposed Separate Sale of ADUs Program, which is currently available for public review.
Reduced Santee Council approves 285-unit condo project near Town Center Community Park
By Mike Allen October 5, 2025 (Santee) — The vacant lot behind the Cameron YMCA will soon be vacant no longer. The Santee City Council voted 3-0 to approve a 285-unit condominium project on the 22.17-acre site which had long been used by dog walkers, model car and plane users, and overspill parking during big events at the Town Center
Harmony Grove Village South development approved by Board of Supervisors despite controversy
By Paul Levikow Photo, left: Brenda Wright October 2, 2025 (San Diego) — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Wednesday unanimously approved a housing development in the North County community of Harmony Grove, despite objections by several residents who expressed concerns about the lack of a second evacuation route during wildfires. The Harmony Grove Village South development will be
Jones’ mobile home insurance bill passes Legislature: measure would protect owners in case of disaster
East County News Service September 25, 2025 (Sacramento) — Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) announced passage of his SB 525, which if signed by the Governor would help manufactured and mobile home owners afford to acquire full replacement cost insurance policies. “Mobile home owners should not be treated like second rate citizens when it comes to protecting
Losses in Coches Fire show need for firewise upgrades to mobilehomes: County offers grants and loans to mobilehome owners
By Miriam Raftery Photos and video by Josh Stotler View video Updated Sept. 10, 2025 with latest damage assessment based on a report from Lakeside’s Fire Marshal September 9, 2025 (Lakeside) – Swift action by firefighters including aerial attacks held yesterday’s Coches Fire to 5.3 acres, but the damage was substantial. Five homes were destroyed, including three mobilehomes at the
El Cajon receives SANDAG grants to improve streetscapes, revamp Parkway Plaza and add housing
Photo by Karen Pearlman East County News Service Sept. 4, 2025 (El Cajon) – El Cajon has been given a Notice of Intent to be awarded three grants through the San Diego Association of Governments TransNet Smart Growth Incentive Program. The city is expecting to receive one engineering grant and two planning grants as part of SANDAG’s
Building together: local trades connect at Ram’s Hill Golf Cottages
Meet-and-Greet By Jennifer Sencion September 2, 2025 (Borrego Springs) – On July 31, Borrego Community Builders, in partnership with Skyline Construction, hosted a Subcontractor Meet-and-Greet in Borrego Springs to connect local tradespeople with a landmark hospitality project. The gathering brought together electricians, plumbers, painters, construction crews, and other skilled trades from Borrego Springs and neighboring desert communities, providing a
East County Neighborhoods Could Be Impacted By Proposed State Law to Allow Significantly More Multi-Family Housing Projects
By Paul Levikow Image, left, via United Neighbors August 26, 2025 (East County) – Large-scale, high-rise apartment complexes could soon be built within a half mile of a bus stop or trolley station near you, under a proposed state law that would take away local control of developments and turn single-family neighborhoods into high-density housing. State Senate Bill 79, the
How much more valuable is land in East County cities? $14 billion in El Cajon, $10 billion in La Mesa, $9 billion in Santee,$3 billion in Lemon Grove
East County News Service Photo from left to right: Jordan Z. Marks, San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk (ARCC) and Andrew Potter, Executive Officer, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors. August 21, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – Land in East County has never been worth so much. According to Jordan Z. Marks, San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk (ARCC), the
Disparate impacts in fair housing and how to get help
By Vanessa Rojas, Fair Housing Program Manager July 31, 2025 (El Cajon) — Renters generally pay their rent through the most practical option for themselves. It may be easier for some people to pay through cashier’s checks, personal checks, money orders, or online. However, what works for one person can end up being tedious, harder, or impossible to do for
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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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MARCH MEMBERS’ MONTH AT THE WATER CONSEVATION GARDEN
March 7, 2012 (El Cajon) — The Water Conservation Garden is encouraging the public to become members in March, and take advantage of several special benefits. (To join click here. Garden Member Plant Sale: Save 20% on All Plants, All Month The Garden thrives in large part because of the contributions from members. As a thank-you to this special group of people,
AGENTS’ FRUSTRATIONS WITH THE PRESENT REAL ESTATE MARKET
By Karen Ziegler, Ziegler Realty February 20, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)–As a real estate agent, I’ve seen firsthand frustrations with factors that are needlessly driving down housing prices. Below are some of those factors, along with potential solutions. One leading frustration with the market today, is the condition of the REO (Real Estate Owned)/Bank Owned Homes.
REAL ESTATE TRENCHES: JANUARY 30, 2012
By Charlotte Reed “Real estate is my business—my only business.” January 30, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – This week, we have big news on major regulatory changes for California’s real estate industry, good news about our local real estate market, and a warning about a real estate-related scam: C.A.R. defends DRE budget reserves Perception of better
WELLS FARGO HOSTS JAN. 25 WORKSHOP TO HELP SAN DIEGO CUSTOMERS FACING MORTGAGE PAYMENT CHALLENGES
Several workshops scheduled in 2012 to help thousands of American families avert foreclosure January 22, 2012 (San Diego)— Wells Fargo & Company is hosting the first of three free workshops across Southern California in San Diego for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Wells Fargo Financial, Wachovia Mortgage and Wells Fargo Home Equity customers facing financial hardships. Wells Fargo has invited more than
FROM THE REAL ESTATE TRENCHES
by Charlotte Reed "Real estate is my business…my only business." January 13, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – In today’s column, we cover the latest hot topics in real estate locally and nationwide. This week’s topics are: MLS consumer website now available Three realtor associations in merger talks Agents search for the perfect office
FROM THE REAL ESTATE TRENCHES
By Charlotte Reed December 12, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)—From the Real Estate Trenches is a weekly column focused on real estate news that impacts East County’s real estate market. This week’s local and national real estate highlights include: Fannie and Freddie suspend evictions for the holidays Prudential Financial sells its real estate brokerage for $110 million Counting
OUT, OUT DARN DEER!!
How to deter those doe-eyed diners from your backyard this fall and winter season By Joan Casanova December 11, 2011 (San Diego) — With fall and winter on our door steps, you’re probably thinking you’re out of the woods when it comes to deer damage in your backyard landscapes. Wrong. Actually, fall and winter mark the beginning of the
HOLIDAY DECORATIONS LIGHT UP JAMUL HAVEN HISTORIC INN
By Megan McGlamery December 5, 2011 (Jamul) — Tucked away in the scenic countryside of Jamul, California is the five-star Jamul Haven Inn, an exquisite bed and breakfast featuring a beautiful Victorian farmhouse. This four-bedroom, four-bathroom inn is especially spectacular during the holiday season, when innkeeper Marianne Roetzheim brings the holiday spirit to life with her stunning
CHRISTMAS IN ALPINE HOLIDAY HOME TOUR DEC 4TH
December 1, 2011 (Alpine) — The Alpine Woman’s Club will hold its Seventh Annual Christmas in Alpine Holiday Home Tour on Sunday December 4 from 10a.m. to 4p.m. “You will have an opportunity to stroll through four stunning homes which will be exquisitely decorated for the holidays,” said Carlette Anderson with the Alpine Women’s Club. Also, visit the new Queen of
FIRE SURVIVORS’ REBUILT HOME IS ENERGY SELF-SUFFICIENT– AND BEAUTIFUL
By Miriam Raftery November 15, 2011 (Lakeside) – After Scott and Abby Anders lost their home during the 2003 Cedar Fire, they resolved to rebuild. From the ashes, they have created a home that takes maximum advantage of the terrain and climate. In addition, solar photovoltaic and solar water heating systems have made the house a net-zero electricity
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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