The show featured clothing created from paintings, illustrating the power of art in fashion

Story and photos by Heidi Hope

November 23, 2025 (El Cajon) -- Boots and Belles, a fashion show at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum in El Cajon on Nov.8, showcased creative fashions by designer Dawn Hough Sebaugh, owner of Wear Art, Live Art (WALA). The dresses and other colorful designs stem from her original abstract paintings, displaying a compelling connection between art and fashion—transforming art into stylish outfits through creativity and uniqueness. 

East County News Service

November 22, 2025 (San Diego) – The San Diego River Park Foundation is leading efforts to help 323 people living along the San Diego River who are at risk from flooding in upcoming storms.  In addition to checking on homeless camps and getting warnings out ahead of storms, the nonprofit holding a care package drive and seeking volunteers to help out, as well as donated items for these packages to help vulnerable unhoused people.  “We all know that when it rains the river can rise quickly. Often this means that roads are closed and it can be a challenge to get around communities where the river floods,” an email from the foundation states. “Sadly, our recent census documented more than 300 people living in and along the riverbed. Many are at-risk due to rising floodwaters.”

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

November 20, 2025 (San Diego) - The Holiday Season is here again. Santa is getting ready to ho-ho-ho and bring smiles to the faces of children around the County and the globe.

East County News Service

Nov. 11, 2025 (Alpine) -- Pet lovers have the chance to help local animals in need next month at the Alpine Pet Food & Supply Drive, hosted by the Viejas Community Market.

The Alpine Pet Food & Supply Drive is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Viejas Community Market, located at the Viejas Pit Stop.

The drive aims to gather a wide range of supplies to benefit local pets and organizers are seeking both food and various essential items to assist animals and the organizations that care for them.

East County News Service

Photo via Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness on X

November 3, 2025 (San Diego)  — International Relief Teams (IRT) in San Diego is actively responding to the widespread devastation in Jamaica caused by Hurricane Melissa. 

East County News Service

Oct. 12, 2025 (Lakeside) -- Circle TLC Ranch-Equine Therapy is holding its 14th annual chili cookoff in November.

Dubbing itself "the best chili cook off in East County," leaders of the group say they are currently seeking chili cookers for the event, which costs $25 as a donation to enter a chili to contend.

The cookoff costs $5 (as a donation) that includes tasting and judging chilis as well as a bottle of water to clean the palate and put out any fires from the hot dishes. Children under age 2 will be admitted at no cost.

The event is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 8 at 11541 Moreno Ave. in Lakeside.

East County News Service

October 3, 2025 (La Mesa) -- The City of La Mesa is partnering with ProduceGood to pick La Mesa residents’ trees, donate the fruit to a local food pantry, and send a receipt for the donation. No property is too small - even one tree makes a big difference.

East County News Service

Photo:  Compassion Experience participants step into the global mission field without leaving the country.

September 17, 2025 (San Diego) --  College Avenue Church in San Diego will host Compassion Experience, an immersive experience transporting visitors to vulnerable communities where Compassion International works on Sept. 19-21. This free, family-friendly event is designed to inspire compassion and action for children living in poverty around the world. 

Adopt a senior pet and receive free veterinary services

East County News Service

September 7, 2025 (Ramona) -- Frosted Faces Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping senior animals and the people who love them, unveiled its new Community Veterinary Center next door to the organization’s rescue facility at 1448 Pine Street in Ramona.

The fashion show enriches lives of disabled students from St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center

By Heidi Hope

Photos by Heidi Hope and Miriam Raftery

August 7, 2025 (San Diego) –  Haute with Heart, a fashion show themed “London Calling,”  evoked English fancy style while supporting students with disabilities and pivotal programs at St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, an El Cajon-based nonprofit. 

Presented at the Hilton Bayfront Hotel in San Diego on August 2, Haute with Heart brought a day of free-flowing champagne, an enjoyable luncheon, live music, live and silent auctions, and the London-themed fashion show. All proceeds from the show will go towards expanding the center and supporting its students  as they keep striving to achieve their greatest potential.

East County News Services

August 5, 2025 (Ramona) – Three young black bear cubs found orphaned in Calaveras County have a second chance at life.

Housed and cared for at the San Diego Humane Society's Ramona Wildlife Center, the cubs, thought to be between 6 and 7 months old, were rescued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife after being seen alone for several days. Their mother was never found.

Calaveras County is located in the Gold Country and High Sierra regions of California, situated on the eastern side of the state’s Central Valley. The county seat is San Andreas, with Angels Camp its only incorporated city.

The cubs arrived at the Ramona-headquartered wildlife center on July 24, and it was there that one week later they underwent a full health evaluation. The veterinary team, led by Dr. Alexis Wohl, confirmed their genders — two males and one female. The exams also included dental checks and other diagnostics to assess their overall health.

East County News Service

July 3, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – You’re invited to step into the splendor of the Jazz Age at a Roaring Twenties Fashion Show event benefitting the Lemon Grove Forward Club and the Southern District Women’s Club. 

The event on Saturday, September 27 will feature a glamourous day of style and community purpose featuring a luncheon and silent auction. Dress to dazzle in your best 1920s-inspired attire.

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 of his El Cajon home) still goes by the name “San Diego Highwayman” for his decades of service changing tires, replacing batteries, filling up empty gas tanks, standing watch over drivers and passengers in need – all at no charge.

The calling card he always handed out to those whom he helped reads: “Assisting you has been my pleasure. I ask for no payment other than for you to pass on the favor by helping someone in distress that you may encounter.”

East County News Service

Photos courtesy of Darren McClane, Team Depot Captain

April 30, 2025 (El Cajon) -- As a part of the National Volunteer Month campaign, The Home Depot Foundation and 365 Connect teamed up today to upgrade the home of local veteran Lawrason Springwell.  

 Lawrason, a retired Air Force pilot who served in the Vietnam War, lives with his wife on Carob Lane in El Cajon. Since 2023, he has faced significant health challenges, prompting his wife to leave her job and become his full-time caregiver. With Lawrason unable to tend to the property as he once did and his wife occupied with his care, the Springwells needed assistance to clean up their property and restore it to its previous condition.