East County Magazine
BABS FRY: A SHERO IN THE SAN DIEGO DOG COMMUNITY
Story and photos: Mimi Pollack Photo: Babs with Sheldon September 13, 2024 (Jamul) — In the United States, most dogs are cherished family members, so it can be very upsetting if they get lost, and don’t come home. This is where local dog hero, Babs Fry, comes in. Fry is known in San Diego as the “pet detective” who
ADOPTION FEES WAIVED SATURDAY AND HALF OFF THRU SEPT. 10 AT EL CAJON ANIMAL SHELTER
East County News Service September 6, 2024 (El Cajon) – With nearly 1,800 pets in care and more than 800 pets ready for new homes, San Diego Humane Society is waiving ALL adoption fees on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, for a special “Clear the Shelters” day. The organization is also reducing all adoption fees by 50% during “Clear the
ADOPTION FEES WAIVED SATURDAY AND HALF OFF THRU SEPT. 10 AT EL CAJON ANIMAL SHELTER
East County News Service September 6, 2024 (El Cajon) – With nearly 1,800 pets in care and more than 800 pets ready for new homes, San Diego Humane Society is waiving ALL adoption fees on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, for a special “Clear the Shelters” day. The organization is also reducing all adoption fees by 50% during “Clear the
ROADS, BRIDGES AND FLOOD CONTROL MTG 8/25 AT VALLEY CENTER LIBRARY
By Jonathan Goetz Photo courtesy: Department of Public Works September 3, 2024 (Valley Center) — Join County representatives in Valley Center to discuss an evolving 2025-2030 Community Improvement Plan (CIP). This meeting is the final Wednesday in September, the 25th, from 6-7 p.m. at the Valley Center Library located at 29200 Cole Grade Rd, Valley Center, CA 92082.
ROADS, BRIDGES AND FLOOD CONTROL MTG 8/25 AT VALLEY CENTER LIBRARY
By Jonathan Goetz Photo courtesy: Department of Public Works September 3, 2024 (Valley Center) — Join County representatives in Valley Center to discuss an evolving 2025-2030 Community Improvement Plan (CIP). This meeting is the final Wednesday in September, the 25th, from 6-7 p.m. at the Valley Center Library located at 29200 Cole Grade Rd, Valley Center, CA 92082.
COUNTY UNVEILS NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING MAPPING TOOL
By Fernanda Lopez Halvorson, County of San Diego Communications Office August 29, 2024 (San Diego) — The County has a new tool to help people find affordable housing. An interactive website and map is now available to search for affordable housing developments built with the help of County funds. The County-Restricted Affordable Housing Map shows existing developments
COUNTY UNVEILS NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING MAPPING TOOL
By Fernanda Lopez Halvorson, County of San Diego Communications Office August 29, 2024 (San Diego) — The County has a new tool to help people find affordable housing. An interactive website and map is now available to search for affordable housing developments built with the help of County funds. The County-Restricted Affordable Housing Map shows existing developments
JUDGE RULES AGAINST SANTEE’S FANITA RANCH; CITY MULLS APPEAL
Court finds City Council should have allowed citizens to vote on ballot initiative before approving project By Mike Allen Photo: Fanita Ranch site, courtesy of Preserve Wild Santee August 15, 2024 (Santee) — Santee’s Fanita Ranch project, which would put about 3,000 new homes into the northwest quarter of the city, was dealt another set back last week when
JUDGE RULES AGAINST SANTEE’S FANITA RANCH; CITY MULLS APPEAL
Court finds City Council should have allowed citizens to vote on ballot initiative before approving project By Mike Allen Photo: Fanita Ranch site, courtesy of Preserve Wild Santee August 15, 2024 (Santee) — Santee’s Fanita Ranch project, which would put about 3,000 new homes into the northwest quarter of the city, was dealt another set back last week when
JUDGE RULES AGAINST SANTEE’S FANITA RANCH; CITY MULLS APPEAL
Court finds City Council should have allowed citizens to vote on ballot initiative before approving project By Mike Allen Photo: Fanita Ranch site, courtesy of Preserve Wild Santee August 15, 2024 (Santee) — Santee’s Fanita Ranch project, which would put about 3,000 new homes into the northwest quarter of the city, was dealt another set back last week when
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California’s Zone Zero defensible space law is now in effect for new home construction; existing homes must comply by February 2027
By Paul Levikow April 3, 2026 (San Diego County) – New structures being built in Very High Fire Severity Zones in California must now comply…
Rally against city of San Diego Measure A on April 1
East County News Service March 31, 2026 (San Diego) — Leaders from across San Diego County will gather at San Diego City Hall tomorrow (April…
La Mesa City Council grapples with housing and parking concerns
Councilmember Laura Lothian criticizing city tactics on parking issues By Alexander J. Schorr March 29, 2026 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa City council met…
Early ending to voucher program puts hundreds of San Diegans at risk of homelessness
By Drew Sitton, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: Housing officials are struggling to meet the needs…
Early ending to voucher program puts hundreds of San Diegans at risk of homelessness
By Drew Sitton, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: Housing officials are struggling to meet the needs of hundreds of at-risk households that are set to lose federal voucher assistance. Photo courtesy of San Diego Housing Cnmmission February 14, 2026 (San Diego) – By every metric, Katrina Lewis’ life is better than a
Lemon Grove City Council approves emergency ordinance to assist evicted tenants
“Every day we sit on our hands and pretend like there’s nothing we can do, is one day that one more person joins our homeless…
La Mesa hosting Home Energy Fair in March
East County News Service February 5, 2026 (La Mesa) — With San Diego County residents navigating some of the highest utility rates in the nation,…
The Water Conservation Garden gears up for a blooming 2026
Photo of a buttefly at the Dorcas E. Utter Butterfly Pavilion at The Water Conservation Garden and story by Karen Pearlman Jan. 3, 2025 (Rancho San Diego) — The Water Conservation Garden, the 6-acre botanical showcase of sustainable landscaping and water-wise gardening adjacent to Cuyamaca College, has rooted out its slate of events for Winter and Spring 2026. The schedule includes educational opportunities, community connection
Santee approves contract to build $26.8 million community center and gives ok for new condos
By Mike Allen Image: rendering of new community center December 15, 2025 (Santee) — Santee’s City Council has unanimously approved a contract to build its long-planned Community Center next to the Cameron YMCA for a total cost of $26.8 million, or $3.3 million more than the city staff’s estimate given in April. At the Dec. 10 meeting, the City
The stress of apartment searching in San Diego: monthly rents and cost of living exceed national average, while scammers target renters
By Heidi Hope December 15, 2025 (San Diego) — Hunting for an affordable apartment in San Diego County is a recipe for aggravating stress. Rents and living expenses in the city of San Diego are among the highest in the nation. East County communities are also too expensive for a single person working a low-wage part-time job to afford. Scam
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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