Photo: PFAS have been detected in Sweetwater Reservoir, via Sweetwater Water Authority

By Karen Pearlman

Jan. 8, 2025 (San Diego County) -- “Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink” goes the line from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s 1798 poem, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, describing sailors surrounded by undrinkable ocean water.

That old phrase also fits today.

Obtaining clean, fresh water is not only a challenge but also part of a global crisis where much of the water is either saline, contaminated, or polluted — or a combination of all three.

Sweetwater Water Authority (SWA), the special district providing water to 200,000 customers in the South Bay area of San Diego County, has been at the forefront of the battle to fight “forever chemicals” that refuse to break down: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).

HHS justifies its decision, but health experts  including American Academy of Pediatrics criticizes action

By G.A. McNeeley

January 8, 2026 (Washington D.C.) -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services  on January 5 announced that it is slashing the number of vaccines recommended for all children from 17 to 11. 

The action drew swift condemnation from the American Academy of Pediatrics.  In a press release, the professional organization representing children’s doctors calls the changes “dangerous and unnecessary.”

By Adam Schiff, California Senator

January 6, 2026 (Washington D.C.) -- Few days in our country’s history have made as big an impact on me, and on our democracy, as January 6, 2021.

Even five years removed, I remember the January 6th attack on the Capitol like it was yesterday.

The sounds of the mob outside. Of insurrectionists storming the Capitol building and breaking doors and windows to get in. Of the urgent discussions between members of Congress deciding how to protect ourselves.

The sight of Capitol police officers running toward danger. Of my colleagues crouched on the floor, clutching masks to protect themselves from tear gas. Of thousands of protestors assaulting Capitol Police and desecrating the hallowed halls of Congress.

East County News Service

January 6, 2026 (San Diego) – A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has unanimously affirmed a lower court decision which permanently barred the Trump administration from decimating funds that supported cutting-edge research and public health research at universities and research institutions across the country — including at the University of California and at the California State University. As part of a coalition of 22 attorneys general, Attorney General Bonta sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on February 10, 2025 to block the attempted funding cuts from taking effect.

East County News Service

January 5, 2026 (El Cajon) — Susana Gascon, 39, was crossing Mollison Street in El Cajon on December 6 when she was struck by a sedan. Paramedics transported her to Sharp Memorial Hospital, where she died on December 28.

“This tragic incident resulted in a severe brain injury and multiple bone fractures,” her sister, Alicia Gascon, wrote on a GoFundMe page to help the family. “Susana was an incredibly dedicated single mother of three young children. She adored and lived for her children.”

By Miriam Raftery

Photo Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro aboard USS Iwo Jima after his capture, via U.S. Dept. of War

January 4, 2025 (San Diego) – Without notifying Congress and in apparent violation of international law, President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes and a ground raid on Venezuela’s capital city that resulted in capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Madura and his wife, Cilia Flores, overnight. Both have been transported to the U.S. to face charges of alleged drug trafficking.

Some civilians reportedly died in the bombings and some U.S. service members were injured.

Trump, in a press conference,  announced that the U.S. will “run” Venezuela and takeover the country’s oil production. Venezuela has more proven oil reserves than any other nation on earth. The president said he is not averse to "boots on the ground" but did not clarify how he intends to run Venezuela's government or oil facilities over the objections of its interim leader. 

Maduro, an authoritarian strongman and socialist whom Biden accused of stealing an election, is unpopular with U.S. elected officials on both the left and right.  But disapproving of a regime does not grant any nation the right to initiate military action against another country, let alone forcibly remove and arrest a nation’s leader. Legal scholars and members of Congress have argued that the action violated both U.S.and international law.

East County News Service

January 3, 2026 (Lakeside) - Scott Lagace Photography sent in in this beautiful image of a Great Blue Heron at Lake Jennings in Lakeside.

The Great Blue Heron is the largest heron native to North America, with height up to 54 inches and a wingspan of 66 to 79 inches—a maximum of more than seven and a half feet. 

While its primary diet is fish, this large heron also eats amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates and even small mammals.

East County News Service 

January 1, 2026 (El Cajon) -- Saps at Sea, the San Diego Laurel and Hardy fan organization, will present February Valentine's Fun on Saturday, February 7 from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 4:30) at First Lutheran Church, 867 South Lincoln Avenue in El Cajon.

East County News Service

January 1, 2026 (San Diego) – The County Medical’s office has determined that Steven Curren, 35, died of natural causes at a hospital on August 30, less than an hour and a half after he was found unresponsive in his cell at San Diego County’s Central Jail.  An autopsy found the cause of death was due to complications of hypertensive cardiovascular disease in the setting of a smaller than normal right kidney. Asthma, chronic ethanol use, and obesity were cited as significant contributing factors.

By Diana Griffin, Chair, Crest Firesafe Council

December 31, 2025 (Crest) – The Crest Fire Safe Council and Crest Community Association are honoring Kandhy Franklin for her decades of dedication, leadership, and commitment to making the community safer, stronger, and more connected. 

It’s been a challenging year, with more important news stories to cover than ever before. We need your support to bring you in-depth coverage on important topics in 2026! 

Please give now with a tax deductible donation or become a monthly donor to assure that we can cover the most important news stories in the new year.

All gifts are appreciated, but for donations of $50 or more, we will send our guide to 12 new restaurants to savor in East County as thanks for your generosity.

East County Magazine has kept you informed about local impacts of federal actions such as the government shutdown, immigration crackdowns, cuts in healthcare, dismantling the Department of Education, removing protected status of refugees, efforts to sell off public lands, and more.

Locally, we’ve covered hot topics such as eliminating teacher-librarian positions in the Grossmont Union High School District, residents’ successful fight to defeat the Cottonwood sand mine proposal,  the housing crisis and homelessness challenges, threats to public access at local lakes, actions of local city councils, wildfires and other emergencies.

For 2026, our need to increase our reporting resources is greater than ever.  Here's why.