East County News Service

June 3, 2025 (El Cajon) -- Artival-- an art, wine and music festival--makes its debut in downtown El Cajon on June 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to celebrate art, culture and community.

Organizers describe the new festival as "where art meets vibes: immerse yourself in creativity, community and craft."

Enjoy an art walk featuring works by talented local artists, from fine art and photography to jewelry, handmade clothing, and ceramics.

There will also be food trucks, a wine garden, beer, and live music.

East County News Service

Photo via San Diego County Sheriff's Department

June 1, 2025 (Ramona) – Ryan Jones, 40, faces numerous charges after  he was found in possession of a rifle, ammunition, high-capacity magazines and methamphetamine during a traffic stop in Ramona.

On Thursday, May 29 around 9:30 p.m., deputies from the Ramona Sheriff's Substation stopped a pickup truck driven by Jones near the intersection of Main and 16th streets in Ramona.

Jones had an active felony arrest warrant.

By Karen Pearlman

Photos, left by ECM photographers:  La Mesa protest, riot and arson May 30-31, 2020.

May 30, 2025 (La Mesa) – It’s been five years since the last Saturday in May 2020, when the city of La Mesa found itself smack in the epicenter of racial justice protests and civil unrest that mirrored a nationwide outcry against police brutality. The protest later exploded into violence, ending with buildings in flames and a small-town community often likened to Mayberry left shell-shocked.

Since then, the city has made strides to improve communications, public outreach and policing, as the city's Mayor, Police Chief and City Manager told ECM in exclusive interviews shortly before the five-year anniversary of those turbulent events.

By Linda K. Baker, El Cajon

May 30, 2025 (El Cajon) -- It burns my wits to read about suspending burn permits with July 4 right around the corner and knowing all the illegal fireworks that will yet again threaten my Lexington Gardens neighborhood with no police responses when it happens. View video.

Want to see danger first hand? Bring your camera on July 4, 9 pm till midnight anywhere from Lexington to Washington to Jamacha to Dillman St. The fireworks debris will cover roofs, yards, cars, and observers. Street traffic is under threat because the fireworks are set off in the middle of the street that adds to the dangers and property damage unprotected.

May 30, 2025 (Julian) -- The Julian Town Square Music Festival brings music to the mountains on June 7 from 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Presented by the Julian Community Heritage Foundation and Julian Chamber of Commerce, this event will feature multiple musical performances. 

These include Kimmi Bitter and Westside Twang, Tim Flannery and the Lunatic Fring, Thea The Band, The Ordeal, Donn Bree and Friends,  Dolly’s Revenge, and Subconscious Culture.

Source: Grossmont Healthcare District

Group photo of all scholarship recipients and GHD board members.

May 28, 2025 (La Mesa) — In an affirmation of its commitment to building the healthcare workforce of tomorrow, Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) has awarded a total of $319,850 in scholarships to 63 local students for the 2024–2025 academic year.

The awards were presented at a special ceremony honoring 39 graduating high school seniors and 24 professionals from East County who are pursuing careers through advanced certifications and training in the healthcare field. The scholarships support students across multiple academic and professional levels, including those studying medicine, nursing, behavioral health, and other in-demand specialities.

By County News Center

County of San Diego Communications Office

May 28, 2025 (Santa Ysabel) -- The San Diego County Board of Supervisors recently approved the purchase of about 540 acres of property in North County for $5.1 million to expand its conservation efforts.

East County News Service

May 25, 2025 (Lakeside) – It's starting to warm up in Lakeside, so it's about time for another Ice Cream Social.

The Lakeside Historical Society invites you to savor the third annual Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Saturday May 31.

The event will be held in the courtyard of the Olde Community Church at the Lakeside Historical Society at 9906 Maine Ave. in Lakeside.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Robert Gehr:  A homeless person's tent on grassy area along Main Street in downtown El Cajon

May 24, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The 2025 Point-in-Time count of homeless people conducted in January found large drops in homelessness countywide in nearly every community, with a 72% drop in families living on the streets-indicators that efforts to help the homeless are likely having positive results.

In East County, only El Cajon showed an increase. But the city argues that the count is inaccurate, including several census tracts that are not in the city limits or only partially in the city, as well as inflating the count in other areas within its city limits.

 East County News Service

May 21, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – The San Diego Sheriff’s department today announced the arrest of Pierre Martel Terry, who is charged with conspiracy to commit murder. He is the fourth suspect arrested in relation to the September 18, 2024 murder of Darron Willie Singleton Jr. in Lemon Grove. 

Deputies responding to reports of gunshots found Singleton lying in the street on Dain Court in Lemon Grove, suffering from  at least one gunshot wound to his torso. Despite emergency efforts by deputies and San Miguel Fire department personnel, he died at the scene.

Singleton, the victim, was 23 years old when he was brutally gunned down. According to his obituary, he was attending Mesa College while working in security and for furniture moving companies. He played football at Morse High School and had played basketball, football and baseball in various local leagues. He also enjoyed writing rap music and singing.