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.

Photo of some of the 40 dogs rescued from La Mesa courtesy San Diego Humane Society

East County News Service

Dec. 31, 2025 (La Mesa) -- San Diego Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement rescued 40 dogs and puppies from an apartment in La Mesa on Tuesday, Dec. 30, following a welfare check by community police officers.

The rescue comes at a critical time, SDHS officials say, as local shelters are already operating significantly over capacity.

San Diego Humane Officers were notified on the evening of Dec. 29, by the La Mesa Police Department, which was conducting a welfare check on a tenant facing eviction. Those close to the situation said that the tenant had not been seen since Dec. 23. Upon arrival, Humane Officers discovered 40 dogs and puppies living in feces and unsanitary conditions.

East County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts

Image via CHP on X

Dec. 30, 2025 (Pine Valley) -- A motorhome accident on the Pine Valley bridge has shut down one lane of I-8 east and knocked down 80 feet of guardrail, per the California Highway Patrol. Westbound lanes remain open.

Motorists traveling east are advised to take an alternative route by exiting I-8 onto State Route 79 north through Descanso, then turn east (right) onto Pine Valley Road.

By Fernanda Lopez Halvorson, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo courtesy California Department of Public Health

December 30, 2025 (San Diego) - County public health officials are urging residents to avoid foraging for, or eating, wild mushrooms as some could contain a dangerous toxin called amatoxin that causes severe liver damage and can even lead to death.  

By Miriam Raftery

Updated Dec. 31 with comments from the Warner Spring Community Sponsor Group chair and a local winery representative, plus a statement from the Vista Irrigation District.

December 27, 2025 (Warner Springs) -- The U.S. Navy has announced that PFAS, known as “forever chemicals” have been detected in groundwater in Warner Springs.  The contamination is believed to be linked to a former landfill, wastewater treatment site and spray aeration field at the Navy’s Remote Training Site in Warner Springs.

The Navy is offering to test well water on private properties nearby and will hold a public meeting on January 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Cal Fire Station, 31049 State Route 79 in Warner Springs.

The tests will be conducted from January 13 through 20th, with additional times available on request.  

Source:  MTS

December 26, 2025 (San Diego) - The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and the North County Transit – San Diego Railroad (NCTD) announced plans to offer free transit rides and extended late-night service on New Year’s Eve, giving the region a safe, convenient and affordable way to celebrate and get home.

Source:  SDG&E

December 24, 2025 (San Diego) - With the current rainstorm approaching our region, SDG&E is urging the public to exercise caution around downed power lines.