Firefighters hold Tusil Fire to 1,000 acres overnight despite difficult conditions; some evacuations remain in place
Story and Photos by Josh Stotler; Miriam Raftery contributed to this report May 20, 2026 (Campo) – Wind-driven flames crossed Interstate 8, forcing temporary shutdown of the freeway in both directions late yesterday as crews battled the #Tusil Fire in rugged terrain. As of this morning, the number lane on both eastbound and westbound I-8 are reopened, but other lanes remain closed. Overnight, crews held the fire to 1,000 acres; it is now 25 percent contained. Printer-friendly version
Educator Dr. Mark Jeffers honored as 2026-27 San Diego County Teacher of the Year
East County News Service May 19, 2026 (Spring Valley) — Longtime Mount Miguel High School English teacher Dr. Mark Jeffers was named a 2026-27 San Diego County Teacher of the Year. Dr. Jeffers is one of five educators selected for this honor from a large pool of teachers across the county. Dr. Jeffers was given his award during a surprise presentation on May 15 at Mount Miguel. The presentation was coordinated in part by the San Diego Community Credit Union, a key partner of the annual Excellence in Education program, and featured a gathering of distinguished guests, including San Diego County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gloria Ciriza, Grossmont Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Kirsten Vital Brulte, and GUHSD Governing Board Trustees Robert Shield, Gary Woods, Scott Eckert and Chris Fite. Printer-friendly version
Evacuations ordered due to Tusil Fire in Campo
Update 3:45 p.m.: The #TusilFire is now 500 acres and has burned within 1/4 mile of I-8, which is closed in both directions. Motorists can expect significant delays. A temporary evacuation center has been set up at Golden Acorn Casino. May 19, 2026 — Homes are immediately threatened and evacuations have been ordered in Campo due to the #Tulsi Fire. View evacuations at the Genasys Evacuation map. The fire began at Crestwood Road near Old mine Road in Campo. It has burned 30 acres with zero containment so far. It is approximately one-half mile from Old Highway 80 and is heading toward Interstate 8, according to Cal Fire. Printer-friendly version
‘I truly believe that’s what saved the 140 kids.’ SDPD details heroism of three Islamic Center shooting victims.
By Brooke Binkowski, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online Journalism Association Photo: A guard looks as on as a man and child leave flowers at the Islamic Center of San Diego the day after a mass shooting left three victims and two shooters dead. (Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego) May 19, 2026 (San Diego) — Officials have identified the three people killed in Monday’s shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego in Clairemont Mesa. Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha and Nader Awad were killed Monday morning while protecting people inside the center from two gunmen, law enforcement officials outlined Tuesday. Printer-friendly version
Vehicle malfunction caused Mission Fire Series, Cal Fire investigators determine
May 19, 2026 (Fallbrook) — Cal Fire investigators have determined the causes of multiple fires within the Mission Fire Series in Fallbrook on May 2 to be fragments from a catalytic converter on a malfunctioning vehicle. This series of fires included 26 separate fire perimeters that burned nearly 20 acres along State Route 76 and Interstate 15. Printer-friendly version
Aging pipes, persistent breaks challenge Julian’s water system
Photo courtesy Julian Community Services District By Paul Levikow May 19, 2026 (Julian) — Residents and business owners in the East County mountain community of Julian have running water again, after water service was restored following a recent outage and boil-water advisory on Main Street. But local officials caution that the problems are not over yet. According to Julian Community Services District General Manager and Chief Operator Harry “Buddy” Seifert, the outages stem from an aging underground pipe system dating back six decades. “All water was back on as of 5/6/26,” Seifert told East County Magazine this week, while acknowledging that recurring failures remain a concern because “the pipe keeps breaking in different areas after repairs are made.” Printer-friendly version
Reader’s Editorial: Why Tom Steyer should be the next governor of the mega-state of California
By Bonnie Burns Price, Ph.D. Ma7 19, 2026 (La Mesa) — There is no state in the USA that houses nearly 40,000,000 people and hosts such a huge economy, the fourth largest in the world. To properly govern California at this time, a capable candidate with extraordinary vision, concern, and skills must be in place. To me, that person is Tom Steyer. Printer-friendly version
Reader’s Editorial: Xavier Becerra has the experience and courage needed to lead California as Governor
By Maria Lopez May 18, 2026 (El Cajon) — By far the most qualified candidate for California Governor is Xavier Becerra, who has served as California’s Attorney General, as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services during the Biden administration, as a member of Congress and the California Legislature. He has a long record of fighting against Trump administration abuses, protecting clean air and water in California, as well as standing up for healthcare protections, women’s rights, protecting immigrants and workers, and other important issues. His opponents have backed a smear campaign against Becerra filled with false and misleading information. Here’s what you should know about his actual track record. Printer-friendly version
Multi-agency rescue, care at Villa Chardonnay ongoing
Photo of horses rescued from Villa Chardonnay Horses With Wings, Inc., and now at Suwanna Ranch in Northern California courtesy Humane Farming Association By Karen Pearlman May 18, 2026 (San Diego County) — The multi-agency animal rescue operation at Villa Chardonnay Horses With Wings, Inc. animal sanctuary in Julian continued over the weekend with specialized teams converging to provide emergency dental and hoof care to dozens of neglected horses. Additionally, transports started to relocate farm animals to a lifelong sanctuary in Northern California. The ongoing rescue effort at Villa Chardonnay’s 40-acre property at 4554 Boulder Creek Road began on May 1 when the San Diego Humane Society served a search warrant from a Superior Court judge following an investigation into widespread animal neglect, emaciation, and untreated medical conditions. Legal ownership of the animals at Villa Chardonnay was transferred to SDHS amidst Villa Chardonnay’s ongoing bankruptcy proceedings. The full roster of more than 700 animals found on the property includes 175 horses, 446 cats, 30 dogs, 30 chickens, 12 goats, eight ducks, eight geese, six mini ponies, four donkeys, four turkeys, three pigs, three roosters, three red-eared slider turtles, two ravens, one sheep, one bull and one crow. Printer-friendly version
Active shooter at Islamic Center in San Diego: multiple casualties reported
Update 3:15 p.m. — San Diego Police confirm that five people are dead, including three victims, all adult men, as well as two teenage suspects who appear to have died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds. The San Diego Police Department said all three of the victims were adult men. The two suspects were identified only as two teenagers. Police said the two suspects appear to have died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds. By Miriam Raftery Photo via ECM news partner 10 News May 19, 2026 (San Diego) — San Diego Police including a SWAT team are on scene at the Islamic Center of San Diego (7050 Eckstrom Ave. in Clairemont Mesa) in response to an active shooter. Imam Tahah Hassane posted on Facebook, “My family and I are safe at this moment. The Islamic Center of San Diego is closed for the rest of the day. There are a few casualties, unfortunately. Your prayers are needed.” Printer-friendly version