Feb. 11, 2026 (San Diego County) — The silence will at last be broken at some of East County’s smallest vineyards.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday voted unanimously to amend the County Zoning Ordinance, allowing amplified live music at boutique wineries.
The decision marks a major shift for the region’s roughly 100 small-scale operations, which have been restricted from using speakers or mechanical music since the "by-right" winery tier was created in 2010.
Feb. 11, 2026 (San Diego) -- Fresh off a victory in Mexico City, San Diego FC is shifting its focus back to home turf as the club prepares for its 2026 Major League Soccer season opener on Saturday, Feb. 21 against CF Montréal at Snapdragon Stadium.
Tickets for the match, which starts at 7:30 p.m. are available here. The team is also currently running a giveaway where fans can win two tickets. Visit the SDFC website here for information on the promotion.
SDFC is entering its second year in the MLS not as an unproven expansion side, but as the defending Western Conference regular-season champions looking to continue its status as a North American powerhouse.
Feb. 11, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — The sweet aroma of garlic and simmered marinara sauce will fill the air in Lemon Grove later this month when two East County Lions Clubs partner for a night of food and philanthropy.
The La Mesa Lions Club and the Lemon Grove Lions Club are holding a joint Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser at St. John of the Cross Parish Hall. The event will start at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 26. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit local charities and community projects.
Both local chapters are members of Lions Clubs International, the world's largest service organization. Founded in 1917, the association has nearly 1 1/2 million members globally.
Bucking bronco horse at Calgary Stampede; Creative Commons image by SA 3.0 via Wikipedia
By Karen Pearlman
Feb. 11, 2026 (San Diego) — In a decision that could eventually bring change in the professional rodeo circuit, a judge with the the San Diego Superior Court at the end of January issued a landmark ruling against the San Diego Padres and the C5 Rodeo Company, the producer of the San Diego Rodeo event.
Following a week-long trial held just before the 2026 San Diego Rodeo, Judge Joel R. Wohlfeil determined in a 21-page ruling that specific practices during the 2024 and 2025 San Diego Rodeos constituted “needless suffering” and “unnecessary cruelty,” and determined that the San Diego Rodeo was to have proper medical technology on site and that pregnant mares were not allowed to be part of competition.
The San Diego Rodeo is an independent event not sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Produced by C5 Rodeo Co. in partnership with the Padres, the rodeo just concluded its third annual run at Petco Park from Jan. 16 to Jan. 18, once again drawing sold-out crowds.
February 11, 2026 (La Mesa) - On February 11, 2026, the California Highway Patrol, in conjunction with Helix Charter High School and La Mesa Police Department will be conducting a simulated drunk driving crash as part of the Every 15 Minutes program. The crash will be staged on Highlander Way and will begin at approximately 10:27 am. The mock crash will take place for approximately one hour; however, Highlander Way will be closed for several hours to allow for scene set-up and breakdown. During the mock crash, there will be a high concentration of emergency vehicles in the area. We would like to ensure that the public is aware this is a mock emergency incident, and that no real emergency exists. Numerous pre-designated students will be pulled from class and at the same time a mock obituary will be read by law enforcement personnel to the class. These students represent the number of people who will be seriously injured or killed at the hands of a drunk driver while they are in school that day.
February 10, 2026 (Santee) -- Grossmont Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Kirsten Vital Brulte has sent a letter to District Attorney Summer Stephan expressing full support for her appeal of the San Diego Superior Court’s decision to grant a recall and resentencing hearing for Charles “Andy” Williams, the perpetrator of the 2001 Santana High School shooting.
Feb. 10, 2026 (Santee) – It's time to grab your canine friends and their leashes for the dogstravaganza that is Fido Fest.
The city of Santee's annual soirée with all things canine will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year at the event set for Saturday, Feb. 28 at Town Center Community Park East.
Fido Fest started out as a somewhat modest local gathering of dogs and their human friends but has become a huge draw for four- and two-legged visitors from East County and beyond.
From 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., Santee's Town Center Park will become a dog-centric playground, featuring everything from high-energy agility courses to the adopt-don't-shop headquarters of "Adoption Alley."
Feb. 10, 2026 (Casa de Oro) – The vision for a safer, more walkable Casa de Oro is moving from the drawing board to the engineering phase.
San Diego County officials are holding a public workshop later this month, inviting residents and other interested stakeholders to review design elements for the transformation of the Campo Road Commercial Corridor, the civic and commercial heart of the community.
The project is backed by a $2.5 million Housing Acceleration Program grant awarded by the San Diego Association of Governments. The funding is earmarked to support the engineering and design activities required to turn the Campo Road Corridor Revitalization Specific Plan into a reality.
The workshop is scheduled for 6 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 26 at the Rancho San Diego Library, 11555 Via Rancho San Diego.
Feb. 10, 2026 (Sacramento) – Looking to literally bridge the gap between nature and the diverse communities of the state, California State Parks and the nonprofit Parks California are opening two major grant programs.
With up to $2.5 million offered, the initiative seeks to transform public lands into "vibrant hubs" of cultural heritage, performance and community-led storytelling.
The announcement marks the opening of the Arts in California Parks grant programs -- a final opportunity to tap into a historic three-year pilot initiative designed to make the state’s 280 park units more welcoming and inclusive.
February 9, 2026 (El Cajon) – El Cajon City Councilman Gary Kendrick, a life-long Republican, announced Monday that he is switching his party affiliation and joining the Democratic Party. Kendrick made the declaration at a news conference in front of El Cajon City Hall surrounded by supporters and Democratic Party officials.
He cited the city’s resolution passed last year announcing El Cajon’s intent to have local police officers collaborate with federal immigration officials in violation of state law as one of the reasons he made the switch.
“As the longest-serving Republican in municipal office in San Diego County, I cannot ignore the Republican Party’s betrayal of our immigrant community, nor its disastrous impacts on the people of El Cajon,” Kendrick said. “Forcing our police to break the law sends the wrong message to El Cajon residents and erodes the public’s trust in our law enforcement officers. Victims and witnesses in our most vulnerable communities are scared to talk to the police, because they might have a friend or a relative with undocumented status—or they worry they’ll be targeted because of the way they look.”
February 9, 2026 (San Diego) - Morethan 2,500 students are expected to attend the9th annual Black College Expo on February 12. The expo is organized by theSan Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) and National College Resources Foundation (NCRF).
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and Foundation receive $655,000 in federal budget to expand support to low-income and underemployed adults
Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District
February 9, 2026 (El Cajon) - Last week, upon approval of the most recent Congressional budget bill, the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and the Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges were included to receive $655,000 for the District’s Pathways for Adults to Career Training (PACT) program to expand efforts in East County to upskill low-income adults, and to upgrade Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges’ Child Development Centers and Basic Needs Programs.
“Every day we sit on our hands and pretend like there’s nothing we can do, is one day that one more person joins our homeless population.” -Mayor Alysson Snow
By Armando Rasing II
Photo by Armando Rasing II: The Lemon Grove City Council listening to a local resident during public comment on Tuesday night
February 9, 2026 (Lemon Grove) - The Lemon Grove City Council voted 4-1 last Tuesday to approve an emergency ordinance to help assist no-fault evicted tenants.
Tenants that were given no-fault eviction notices will be given 120 days to move out regardless of income, provided relocation assistance in the amount of one month of actual rent at fair market value, and if the tenant is over the age of 60, disabled or low-income - they will receive two months of fair market value rent for relocation assistance.
Councilmember Gary Kendrick addresses crowd in El Cajon
February 8, 2026 (El Cajon) — An El Cajon Council meeting has once again set the stage for heightened tensions between the public and elected officials over the federal government’s crackdown on immigrants the violence committed by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE).
At a rally outside before last Tuesday’s meeting, Councilmember Gary Kendrick denounced the killings in Minneapolis of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, by ICE and Border Patrol agents. El Cajon residents protested outside Council Chambers and continued to voice outrage. He also noted that the state of California won a court challenge filed against SB 54 by the Trump administration.
February 8, 2026 (Casa de Oro) -- The Casa de Oro Alliance and ArtReach celebrated celebrate the completion of a vibrant new mural in Casa de Oro with a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony on January 30th at 9729 Campo Road. Neighbors, families, and community supporters turned out for the event honoring the creativity and collaboration that brought this meaningful artwork to life.
Photo: Child with measles, via CDC (public domain)
February 7, 2026 (San Diego) – Measles, declared eradicated in the U.S. in 2000, has made a comeback, with 2,267 cases last year—nearly all in unvaccinated people. So far this year, 588 cases are confirmed so far—including Los Angeles County. An international traveler with measles visited crowded venues including Disneyland Jan. 28 and Los Angeles International Airport Jan. 26-27, raising fears that Southern California including San Diego County could experience an outbreak of the highly contagious disease.
February 7, 2026 (Spring Valley) - Sheriff's Deputies have arrested Bruce Brian Ron, 34, on drug, weapon and fraud charges after serving a high-risk search warrant at a home in the 10300 block of Del Rio Road in Spring Valley yesterday at 6 a.m.
February 7,2026 (Lakeside) -- A small plane has made an emergency landing on State Route 67 south in Lakeside at Winter Gardens Blvd., Cal Trans reports. Traffic is backed up to Mapleview, with the plane blocking the right lane and shoulder.
February 6, 2026 (San Diego) - The San Diego County Sheriff's Office will be keeping our roadways safe this Super Bowl Sunday by looking for impaired drivers.
Look for increased impaired driving patrols beginning on Sunday, February 8 at 3:00 p.m. and lasting through 5:00 a.m. the following day.
February 6, 2026 (San Diego) -- People are dying in ICE custody. Medical care is routinely denied. Individuals held for weeks or months after courts ordered their release. Republicans in Congress are failing in their responsibility to provide oversight of ICE and the lawless actions of this administration.
February 6, 2026 (Washington D.C.) -- Health and Human Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last month announced new dietary guidelines for Americans that are focused on promoting whole foods, proteins and healthy fats, according to NPR. Health and nutrition experts have praised portions of the new guidelines, but sharply criticized other changes as lacking a scientific basis.
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February 6, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Shortly before 1:30 a.m. yesterday, Sheriff’s deputies from the Rancho San Diego station found a vehicle illegally parked in the1000 block of Grand Avenue in Spring Valley with several people inside. Deputies discovered that the driver, Dominique Lewis, was a convicted felon on parole.
Feb. 5, 2026 (La Mesa) -- With San Diego County residents navigating some of the highest utility rates in the nation, learning about ways to save is becoming increasingly important.
With that in mind, a Home Energy Fair is coming starting at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 7, at the La Mesa Library. The four-hour fair will offer residents a direct line to energy experts and ways to find financial relief.
The event comes at a critical time.
According to EnergySage, San Diego County residents pay an average of 39 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) -- 98% higher than the national average. With the typical local household bill around $360 per month, the Fair will share ways to bridge the gap between rising costs and available solutions.
Which district will you be in for the upcoming elections?
By Miriam Raftery
Photo: Rep. Darrell Issa’s once-safe seat is now vulnerable, as new district has more Democrats than Republican voters.
February 5, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) — State Republicans have lost a last-ditch appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to block Prop 50 redistricting of Congressional districts. The high court declined to hear the case, with no justices dissenting from the order. As a result, San Diego County’s Congressional district lines will change dramatically for the June primary and November general election.
Governor Gavin Newsom pushed forward the California redistricting plan, which was approved by voters and favors Democrats; experts predict it could flip five seats in California, including the 48th district currently represented by Republican Darrell Issa. California’s redrawing of districts came in response to Texas redistricting which favors Republicans and was allowed to stand by the Supreme Court. At stake is the balance of power in Congress.
Feb. 4, 2026 (Jamul) — Jamul Casino Resort announced this week that its total contributions to organizations supporting the Black community exceeded $100,000 over the past year.
The announcement coincides with the start of Black History Month, even as Jamul officials emphasized that the funding is part of a year-round partnership strategy rather than a month-specific initiative.
Under the direction of Jamul Casino Resort President and General Manager Mary Cheeks, the venue has established a recurring system of support for several San Diego-based nonprofits. These contributions are facilitated through direct sponsorships and the resort’s "Quarterly Charity Barrel" program.
Feb. 4, 2026 (San Diego County) – For the winemakers of East County, the sound of progress has long been a quiet one.
Under current San Diego County laws, the region’s smallest “boutique” wineries -- the family-run operations that make up an important part of the local agriculture scene -- have been silenced when it comes to amplified music.
Photo: ICE and CBP agents shoot non-lethal weapons at protesters in Minneapolis; by Chad Davis cc by 4.0
February 4, 2026 (Sacramento) – California Attorney General Rob Bonta has set up a website for the public to submit reports, photos and/or videos as evidence of potentially unlawful activity in California by federal agents or personnel. This includes officers or agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), or federalized National Guard soldiers or airmen.
By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office
Image credit: Shutterstock
February 4, 2026 (San Diego) - Businesses and employees concerned about federal immigration enforcement actions can learn about their rights through a new video training series.
The three County videos on what to do before,during and after visits from federal authorities are designed to help keep workplaces safe and compliant.
Grapes at Sierra Roble Winery in Warner Springs
Photo courtesy SDFC
East County News Service
Bucking bronco horse at Calgary Stampede; Creative Commons image by SA 3.0 via Wikipedia
Source: California Highway Patrol
East County News Service
Photos and story by Karen Pearlman
East County News Service
East County News Service
East County News Service
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and Foundation receive $655,000 in federal budget to expand support to low-income and underemployed adults
“Every day we sit on our hands and pretend like there’s nothing we can do, is one day that one more person joins our homeless population.” -Mayor Alysson Snow
By Alexander J Schorr
East County News Service
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
Source: San Diego County Sheriff
By Senator Alex Padilla
By G. A. McNeeley 
East County News Service
East County News Service
Which district will you be in for the upcoming elections?
East County News Service
East County News Service
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