Tecate Horse Rescue saves animals from slaughterhouses 2
Photo courtesy D.J. Osborne By Jan Hedlun and D.J. Osborne June 1, 2026 (Tecate) — Tucked in the Eastern shadow of Tecate Peak (Mount Kuchama) on the border between the United States and Mexico, is the 99.8 acre Tecate Horse Rescue founded by D.J. and Mike Osborne, along with DJ’s Mom, Jean Becker. The property was originally purchased in 2017 to build a home for themselves, family, and their own four horses. This changed in 2022 when Jean Becker contacted her daughter D.J. about a two-year-old filly 45 minutes away from heading to a Mexican slaughterhouse. They purchased the filly and brought her to the Tecate property and the Tecate Horse Rescue was born. Printer-friendly version
2 viewsSan Diego Humane Society adoption fees waived on California Adopt-a-Pet Day, June 6 18
East County News Service June 1, 2026 (San Diego County) — The San Diego Humane Society is clearing a path to make the road to a forever home less bumpy for hundreds of companion animals. The SDHS is waiving all adoption fees Saturday, June 6, as part of the third annual California Adopt-a-Pet Day. As shelters across the state struggle with overcrowding, this statewide initiative — hosted by California Animal Welfare Association (CalAnimals), the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals — aims to clear kennel space while connecting pets with new families. The San Diego Humane Society currently has more than 800 pets waiting for adoption across its campuses in El Cajon, San Diego, Escondido and Oceanside. Printer-friendly version
18 viewsMore than 200 vote centers open for June Gubernatorial primary 15
Photo courtesy County of San Diego East County News Service June 1, 2026 (San Diego County) — The gubernatorial primary election has arrived and the San Diego County Registrar of Voters is reminding residents of options for casting ballots, including at more than 200 vote centers across the county. As of Saturday, May 30, a total of 220 vote centers are open daily to serve the public, operating from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., through today, June 1. On Election Day, tomorrow, Tuesday, June 2, all vote centers, official ballot drop boxes, and the Registrar of Voters office will extend their hours, remaining open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. All locations offer accessibility support and voting materials in multiple languages. Printer-friendly version
15 viewsMan sentenced to life without parole for brutal murder of estranged wife, Ericka Wilson, in Spring Valley 58
East County News Service May 31, 2026 (Spring Valley) – San Diego County District Attorney announced this week that Kandynn Wilson, 34, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the vicious stabbing death of his estranged wife, Ericka J. Wilson, mother of their young child, in 2022. A jury in December found Wilson guilty of first-degree murder and a lying in wait special circumstance. Printer-friendly version
58 viewsProposal would open 95% of federal wildlife refuges to hunting and fishing 102
Photo of local San Diego County coyote by Debbie Ekhaml taken at the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge in Jamul By Karen Pearlman May 30, 2026 (San Diego County) – There may be sweeping changes coming to public lands across the United States that could deeply impact precious wildlife preserves such as the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. A coming proposal would make more than 92 million acres, or more than 95 percent of National Wildlife Refuge System lands, available for hunting and fishing, according to a press release from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Printer-friendly version
102 viewsSheriff warns of scam mailers soliciting donations for law enforcement 27
East County News Service Image: Screenshot from Sheriff’s post on social media May 30, 2026 (San Diego) – A nonprofit with poor ratings for charitable organizations has sent mailers out locally soliciting donations for gear to help law enforcement agencies. The San Diego Sheriff’s Department has posted warnings on social media about the mailers, stating, “the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office will never ask the public for any money to buy supplies such as bulletproof vests, helmets or other equipment for our deputies.” Printer-friendly version
27 viewsGrossmont and Cuyamaca colleges to award more than 6,230 degrees and certificates in 2026 40
Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District May 30, 2026 (El Cajon) – Next week, Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges will be awarding more than 6,230 degrees and certificates to nearly 2,500 graduates, with over 900 graduates expected to participate in the Commencement Ceremonies. Cuyamaca College is awarding 358 additional degrees compared to 2025, which represents an approximate 32% increase in degrees and certificates awarded. Over 600 Grossmont College students are graduating with honors, earning a 3.5 GPA or higher, and over 40 students are graduating with a 4.0 GPA. Printer-friendly version
40 viewsRestoration or destruction? Proposed plan for Laguna Mountains raising concern 109
Photo of part of the Laguna Mountains area that could be part of a plan by the government to prevent wildfires by bulldozing the area and cutting down chaparral. Photo by David Hogan, The Chaparral Lands Conservancy By Karen Pearlman May 29, 2026 (Mt. Laguna) — A sweeping federal plan to manage more than 13,000 acres of the Laguna Mountains in the Cleveland National Forest in San Diego County is being pitched by the federal government as a necessary restoration to prevent catastrophic wildfires and improve overall forest health. But local conservationists are slamming the Laguna Mountains Forest Restoration Project, calling it an industrial attack on one of the county’s most cherished wilderness areas. According to the United States Forest Service, the project is urgently needed to reverse a century of aggressive fire suppression. Officials argue that successfully stopping small fires for decades has left the mountain plateau unnaturally dense and vulnerable to drought, insect infestations and disease. Printer-friendly version
109 viewsLemon Grove City Council pushes back tenant ordinance discussion 54
“Residents took time out of their evening to come speak, and I believe their voices deserved to be heard through action, not continued postponement!” – Jennifer Mendoza, Lemon Grove City Councilmember, screenshot of May 19 meeting courtesy Lemon Grove City Councilmember Jessyka Heredia’s Facebook video By Armando Rasing II May 29, 2026 (Lemon Grove) – A vote concerning a potential ordinance development was pushed to June 16 during the last Lemon Grove City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 19. City Council members were scheduled to choose between adopting a local draft ordinance, which would have been presented to the council in June, with more permanent tenant protections or referring back to state law. During the meeting, they also went over various policy options that would be in an ordinance. Printer-friendly version
54 viewsMedical Examiner rules hanging death in jail a suicide 31
East County News Service May 29, 2026 (San Diego) – On May 27, the San Diego County Sheriff revealed that the Medical Examiner’s office has ruled Grant Parker’s death a suicide. He was arrested February 15 on charges of murder and assault for fatally stabbing a man in downtown San Diego. Printer-friendly version
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