Our Rural section covers most San Diego County's inland communities south of I-8 to the border including Alpine, Barrett Junction, Boulevard, Campo, Deerhorn Valley, Dehesa, Dulzura, Jamul, Japatul, Lake Morena, Otay, Potrero, and Spring Valley.
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October 7, 2025 (Spring Valley) – Public help is sought to local Angel Mauricio Reyes Mejicanos, 15, who vanished after walking his sister to school on September 29. He was reportedly sighted in the Encanto area on October 1. His family is pleading for public help to find him according to the RAD Movement, which helps families of missing children.
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October 6, 2025 (Descanso) – A goat trapped between boulders on Mizpah Lane in Descanso has been freed, thanks to the efforts of Cal Fire/San Diego Fire crews.
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October 2, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – Ready to savor German beers and foods, kick up your heels to traditional German music as well as contemporary bands, enjoy games, carnival rides and vie for prizes? All of these opportunities and more can be found at Oktoberfest celebrations across East County include large festivals in La Mesa and El Cajon this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, as well as smaller Oktoberfest gatherings in Alpine and Julian on October 4.
Scroll down for details on Oktoberfest events across San Diego's inland region.
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Oct. 3, 2025 (Alpine) -- For a unique, once-a-year experience, Lions Tigers & Bears sanctuary in San Diego County is inviting the public to its annual Spooky Campover event on Friday, Oct. 24.
The overnight campout offers the rare chance to sleep under the stars -- surrounded by the sounds of rescued big cats and other sanctuary animals.
The "spooky celebration" packs in a night of Halloween-themed fun.
Attendees will enjoy campfire songs, pumpkin carving and a Halloween costume contest.
For those who dare, an all-ages haunted house will also be part of the evening's entertainment.
Visitors can also test their knowledge in an animal trivia challenge (with clues available on the LTB website), make s'mores, and sip on hot cocoa by the campfire.
The fun doesn't end when the sun comes up the next day. The following morning features the "Pumpkin Bash."
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San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to approve pilot program for El Capitan Reservoir. Photo courtesy Friends of San Diego Lakes via Instagram
By Karen Pearlman
Oct. 1, 2025 (San Diego County) -- In a move hailed by East County residents and recreation advocates, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Wednesday to approve a pilot program that could dramatically expand public access and recreational opportunities at El Capitan Reservoir in Lakeside.
Championed by Supervisor Joel Anderson of District 2 and Vice Chair Monica Montgomery Steppe of District 4, by a 5-0 vote, the Supervisors approved a recommendation to allocate up to $2.4 million over four years to allow the County’s Department of Parks and Recreation to oversee maintenance and operation of the reservoir's recreational activities.
The goal is to establish a consistent, year-round operation model similar to the successful long-term partnership currently in place at Lake Morena.
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October 1, 2025 (Boulevard) – Border Patrol agents thwarted a drug smuggling attempt Sunday afternoon, seizing over 52 pounds of methamphetamine concealed within the spare tire of a side-by-side utility terrain vehicle in San Diego’s East County.
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Photo: sign posted by East County residents when two sexually violent predators were proposed for release in their neighborhood
September 27, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) - Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) announced the passage of his Senate Bill 380, which directs the Department of State Hospitals to examine placing sexually violent predators in state-run transitional housing facilities upon release. Current law allows for their conditional release into the community where they pose a significant risk to the public safety.
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Sept. 26, 2025 (Jacumba) -- The Federal Bureau of Investigation is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information on the individual or individuals who shot at and robbed four hikers, injuring one, earlier this year in Jacumba.
The FBI's San Diego Field Office, Imperial County Resident Agency, in coordination with federal law enforcement partners, is offering the reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the individual(s) who in January committed assault and armed robbery on four hikers near the United States/Mexico International Border.
On Wednesday, Jan. 22, at about 10:37 a.m., four hikers were shot at and robbed at gunpoint by two unknown Hispanic male subjects approximately 1,000 feet from the U.S./Mexico international border.
At that time, the unknown subjects began shooting in the direction of the hikers, hitting one of the hikers. The unknown subjects then approached the hikers and stole their valuables while holding them at gunpoint. The injured hiker suffered non-lethal injuries.
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September 23, 2025 (Spring Valley) - Two juveniles have been arrested on suspicion of bringing a replica firearm (BB gun) to an East County magnet school.
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September 16, 2025 (Potrero) -- The San Diego County Sheriff's Office wants the public's help in finding a missing person. Ganna Kovrizhynkh, 38, was reported missing to the Sheriff's Office by a friend on July 12. Family members say they last heard from Kovrizhynkh on July 5 while she drove through San Diego County as part of a cross-country trip. Her vehicle and trailer were later found unattended in Potrero.
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Sept. 10, 2025 (San Diego County) – The Cottonwood Sand Mine project in Rancho San Diego was rejected unanimously Wednesday by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.
In a packed board room, the supervisors heard from more than 100 speakers in a span of over two hours, including more than a dozen by phone.
The vote apparently means the end of a years-running saga for East County residents since sand mining along the Sweetwater River was first proposed seven years ago.
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September 11, 2025 (San Diego County) -- San Miguel Fire Consolidated Protection District is taking the lead in challenging a San Diego County Civil Grand Jury report released earlier this year that recommends consolidation of fire protection districts around San Diego County, and recommending that “willing” districts become part of the San Diego County Fire Protection District. The goal is to improve fire protection services.
San Miguel Fire Chief Andy Lawler is pushing back against a narrative that recommends standalone fire districts like his become part of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire). Alpine Fire also aims to stay independent, while some other districts have already relinquished local control, in most cases voluntarily though one community fought consolidation in court.
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Update: Forward progress has been halted. The fire has been mapped at 75 acres and evacuation orders have been lifted, Watch Duty App reports.
East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts
Photo, right by Henri Migala
September 5, 2025 (Spring Valley ) -- Level 3 "go now" evacuations have been ordered in zone SDC-2153 in Spring Valley due to the fast-moving #LodgeFire, which started near Jamacha Blvd. and Double Tree Road a short time ago. View the Genasys evacuation map.
The brush fire has charred 30 aces and has potential to burn 200-300 acres, per Cal Fire. Aircraft includng fixed-wing plane and helicopters are battling the blaze along with ground crews; Cal Fire asked people to avoid the area. Two large air tankers have been requested.
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Aug. 30, 2025 (Descanso) –Horses of Tir Na Nog, the nonprofit animal rescue group with a ranch and more than 100 animals, is having a fundraiser at Kings Inn in September.
The group is also trying to cover the cost of hay that was compromised during a storm in late August.
The fundraising evening starts at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 20 at Kings Inn at 1333 Hotel Circle South in Mission Valley. The event will include a fiesta buffet featuring a chile relleno casserole, chicken fajitas, Mexican rice and beans and a vegan garden salad.
There will also be a horse-themed opportunity drawing and a presentation featuring ranch residents.
A surprise thunderstorm that hit San Diego County on Aug. 25 also rained on the parade of hay at Horses of Tir Na Nog, the nonprofit animal rescue group in rural Descanso.
The organization reports that the storm lasted more than two hours and left behind close to two inches of rain, according to local rain gauges.
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Aug. 15, 2025 (Guatay) – Horses of Tir Na Nog is going hog wild with its latest event.
The nonprofit equine rescue group, which also rescues other animals, is hosting a fundraiser, “Wine for Swine,” to support its pig rescue efforts.
The Aug. 23 event (for those 21 and older) will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Cork and Stem, a wine bar and flower shop in Hillcrest.
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Aug. 10, 2025 (Spring Valley) -- San Diego County Department of Animal Services has taken custody of a Chihuahua and is pursuing animal cruelty charges against a Spring Valley woman after a disturbing video surfaced which appeared to show a dog being struck with a wooden plank, then covered with a container and kicked.
On July 21, a concerned citizen recorded a video of the incident in an apartment complex parking lot in Spring Valley.
The woman, reportedly living out of her vehicle at the time, was seen apparently striking the dog. Since that time Animal Services officers from County Animal Services and officers from the San Diego Humane Society attempted to locate the woman.
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Update 3:20 p.m.-- Evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted; forward spread has been stopped.
Update 1:30 p.m.-- The fire has been mapped at 88 acres and is now 5% contained. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place.
East County WIldfire and Emergency Alerts
August 8, 2025 -- There is immediate structure threat from the #RoadrunnerFire, a brush fire that began at Roadrunner Lane and Ribbonwood Road. The fire has burned 25 acres and has zero containment.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has issued Evacuation Orders and Warnings for nearby areas, all north of I-8 as of 12:55 p.m. For an interactive map with updated emergency evacuation information visit: OES Emergency Map
The temporary evacuation point is located at : Golden Acorn Casino (1800 Golden Acorn Way, Campo 91906).
An Evacuation Order requires immediate movement out of the affected area due to an imminent threat to life.
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August 6, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – Dangerously high temperatures are forecast across much of East County through Friday, peaking on Thursday. Other East County communities could reach the high 90s.
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August 6, 2025 (Jamul) – A 25-year-old woman from Descanso who was not wearing a seatbelt overturned down an embankment off State Route 94 east of Otay Lakes Road at 6:15 this morning. She was ejected from the vehicle, a 2010 Hyundai Elantra, and became trapped underneath it.
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Update July 27, 2025: The victim has been identified as Marie Anderson, 60, of El Cajon.
East County News Service
July 23, 2025 (San Diego) – An El Cajon woman, 60, is dead and three others injured as a result of a three-vehicle crash that occurred July 19 on Dehesa Road, east of Sloan Canyon Road in unincorporated El Cajon. Her identity has not yet been released by the county medical examiner.
According to the California Highway Patrol, she was driving a 2018 Nissan Sentra westbound on Dehesa Rd. when for unknown reasons, her vehicle crossed over the center double-yellow lines and struck a 2007 Honda Pilot driven by a 77-year-old El Cajon woman.
The Nissan driver could not regain control and then crashed into a 2019 Ford F-150 driven by a 42-year-old El Cajon woman with a female passenger. The Ford overturned onto the roadway.
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July 17, 2025 (Crest) – San Miguel Fire & Rescue Deputy Chief Tobin Riley appeared before the Crest Community Association Thursday to provide an update on construction of Fire Station 18 on the corner of Suncrest Boulevard and North Lane. The update was provided after Facebook posts by concerned residents wondered why the lot has been sitting empty for so long.
“Perception is reality, people drive by, they see the dirt lot not moving and they have the right to ask questions,” Riley said. “The station is being built in phases.”
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July 17, 2025 (San Diego County) – There won’t be any light rail coming to Alpine to zip people out to downtown San Diego, but the planners at the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) have unfurled some grand ideas in its Draft 2025 Regional Plan to improve transportation in both rural and urban areas in East County as well as countywide.
SANDAG leadership offered some insight into the plan at an hourlong Zoom meeting on Wednesday, July 16. The meeting was geared to those in the unincorporated parts of East County, and while it offered opportunities to ask questions, the SANDAG hosts mostly shared information about its long-term blueprint aimed at shaping the region’s transportation, housing, land use and climate goals over the next two decades.
The proposed Regional Plan shows six “neighborhood shuttles” being proposed for unincorporated areas: Alpine, Casa de Oro/Spring Valley, Borrego Springs, Lakeside, Ramona and Fallbook/Pala.
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By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office
July 16, 2025 (San Diego County) -- The County of San Diego has been honored with 51 Achievement Awards for programs it provides to the public by the National Association of Counties, which recognizes standout county government programs.
The County received awards in 15 categories for programs that run the gamut of the services the County provides from law enforcement to health services, to land use, including the Campo Road Corridor Revitalization Specific Plan.
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Fire officials announce other upgrades in fire protection for Crest
By Paul Levikow
July 14, 2025 (Crest) – For years, Crest residents have asked the County to create an additional evacuation route on Suncrest Truck Trail to protect residents in the rural community that was devasted in the 2003 Cedar Fire. In response to a reader’s request, ECM looked into the matter.
While officials from the County and Cal Fire say Suncrest Truck Trail is not a viable option for several reasons, many other steps are being taken to improve fire safety for Crest.
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July 13, 2025 (San Diego County) -- The San Diego Association of Governments is hosting a special online presentation/feedback session on the 2025 Regional Plan for unincorporated communities in San Diego County.
The meeting will be held via Zoom from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 16. Register here.
SANDAG's 2025 Regional Plan aims to enhance mobility and equity in unincorporated San Diego County through expanded rural transit service, microtransit shuttle zones and vanpool programs.
The Draft 2025 Plan is to be funded at approximately $126 billion, with a new funding strategy more streamlined than previous versions.
With a strong emphasis on social equity and community feedback, investments are being prioritized in faster-to-deploy solutions rather than major new rail projects — especially in light of funding constraints following the defeat of Measure G.
Measure G, the San Diego County ballot initiative that would have added a half-cent sales tax to fund regional transportation and infrastructure, was narrowly rejected by voters, with 688,922 yes votes (49.54%) and 701,639 no votes (50.46%).
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July 11, 2025 (Ramona) – A 35-year-old Ramona man died at the scene of a two-vehicle crash on State Route 67 in Ramona on Wednesday, July 9.
The victim was driving a Lexus southbound on state Route 67 near Brantner Lane when for unknown reasons, his vehicle crossed the center line and crashed head-on into a Ford Excursion.
The Lexus driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Ford, a 65-year-old Ramona woman, was transported to Palomar Hospital with moderate injuries.
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Update July 11, 2025 8:30 a.m.-- The Springs Fire has been held to 50 acres and is now 20% contained, per Cal Fire. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place. Cause of the Springs Fire was a vehicle with a malfunctioning catalytic converter, per Cal Fire.
July 10, 2025 (Jamul) -- Three small brush fires being called the #SpringsFire are burning near Lyons Valley Road and Honey Springs Road in the Lawson Valley area of Jamul. Th wildfire has burned 49.9 acres and is 10% contained. Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued.
A temporary evacuation site is at Regal Edwards Cinemas, 2951 Jamacha Road, El Cajon
The fire is under unified command with Cal Fire and Cleveland National Forest.
Forward spread on one of the fires has been halted, but the other two have merged,per Cal Fire.
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July 9, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – Firefighters have held the #SteeleFire to 28 acres. As of this evening, the fire is 25% contained, with no structures lost, according to Cal Fire, despite interference by a drone temporarily pausing aerial firefighting.
Evacuation warnings have been lifted along with most evacuation orders, though an evacuation order remains for zone SDC-2098-B. For the latest evacuation updates, visit Genasys Protect Evacuation Map.
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..."I have never seen such a destructive project with such negative impacts on the people who live in a community." -- former Supervisor Dianne Jacob, a Jamul resident (photo, left)
July 9, 2025 (San Diego) – The Cottonwood Sand Mine is a wash, at least for now.
After nearly six hours of testimony, presentations and discussion, the San Diego County Planning Commission on Wednesday voted to disapprove a permit for the planned private sand mining operation in Rancho San Diego.
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East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to approve pilot program for El Capitan Reservoir. Photo courtesy Friends of San Diego Lakes via Instagram
Source: Border Patrol
East County News Service
East County News Service
Source: San Diego County Sheriff
By Miriam Raftery
By Paul Levikow
Update: Forward progress has been halted. The fire has been mapped at 75 acres and evacuation orders have been lifted, Watch Duty App reports.
Story and photo by Karen Pearlman
Story and photo by Karen Pearlman
East County News Services
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
Photos and story By Karen Pearlman
East County News Services
East County News Service
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