By Miriam Raftery

Photos: left, Grecia Figueroa, right, Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher

September 17, 2025 (San Diego)  -- Grecia Figueroa, the woman who filed an unsuccessful harassment  lawsuit against former Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, has now filed a request seeking a restraining order against Fletcher’s wife, labor leader Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher.

“It is vile and oppressive to use your position of power to attack and lie about people who can’t publicly defend themselves,” Figueroa states.

In her filing, Figueroa claims that Gonzalez-Fletcher engaged in a  “smear campaign” against her. Gonzalez-Fletcher calls the charges "false."

September 22, 2025 (San Diego's East County) -- Our radio shows from April through June 2025 are now online.

Highlights included interviews with immigration lawyer Nora Milner, El Cajon marketing manager Chris Berg, and Congressional candidate Curt Morrison, as well as coverage of top news issues such as controversies in the Grossmont Union High School District, protests and a recall effort in El Cajon, homelessness, and the passing of local leaders including former La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid, ex-San Diego Mayor Bob Filner, and Rincon Chairman Bo Mazetti.

The East County Magazine Show airs Mondays and Fridays from 5 to 6 p.m. on KNSJ, 89.1 FM.  Our shows rerun on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.

Note: Some shows were reruns; original run dates are listed below. Shows also include intros, station IDs and public service announcements. For links to listen plus an index with topics and interviews in each show, click the "read more" link and scroll down. Audio links are below the index. (Audio files may take a few moments to load.)

East County News Service

September 17, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) -- October brings Oktoberfest celebrations in La Mesa and El Cajon and Borrego Days in the desert, as well as an array of spooky events such as a haunted circus, haunted trails in county parks, a Day of the Dead celebration, Hauntfest on Main in El Cajon, a haunted harvest in Julian, pumpkin patches, costume contests for people and dogs, a Boo Bash at Viejas, a haunted train ride in Campo, a pumpkin bash and spooky sleepover at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine, and an autumn festival at the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park.

September 19, 2025 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce announces its 15^th annual Salute to Local Heroes, which will incorporate the theme “Top Hat & Tails” This night celebrates local heroes, recognizes the incoming Chamber Board of Directors, includes a silent auction, raffles and more.

This event will be held on  October 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. at the Sycuan Casino Resort in the Heritage Ballroom. 

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

September 19, 2025 (San Diego) - Each September, as the seasons shift and leaves begin to fall, we turn our attention to a quieter but critical risk, falls among older adults. Across the nation, Fall Prevention Awareness Month reminds us that staying upright isn’t just about balance, it’s about dignity, independence, and community care.

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

September 19, 2025 (San Diego) - September is Disaster Preparedness Month, and it is an ideal time to think about the critical preparedness steps could reduce risks and protect you and your family in an emergency.

By Alexander Schorr

September 18, 2025 (Washington D.C.) -- President Donald Trump could render the US Treasury bankrupt. According to an op-ed by a businsess law educator published in  Newsweek, everything hinges upon whether or not the Supreme Court will side with Trump’s declared tariffs that critics have called illegal — a decision that could force the Treasury to repay half a trillion dollars to the companies that pad the import tariffs, which could set off a crescendo of failures throughout the economy at home and abroad.

Trump's alienation of U.S. allies, his inflationary policies and budget blil that sent the deficit skyrocketing are all further weakening the nation's economic stability.

East County News Service

Photo:  Compassion Experience participants step into the global mission field without leaving the country.

September 17, 2025 (San Diego) --  College Avenue Church in San Diego will host Compassion Experience, an immersive experience transporting visitors to vulnerable communities where Compassion International works on Sept. 19-21. This free, family-friendly event is designed to inspire compassion and action for children living in poverty around the world. 

East County News Service

September 16, 2025 (La Mesa) – Katherine Marie Pederson, 61, suffered fatal injuries when she was struck by a sedan while crossing the 5600 block of Baltimore Drive in La Mesa.

East County News Service

September 16, 2025 (El Cajon) – Sheriff’s deputies from the Lakeside substation responded to a call reporting an assault with a deadly weapon at 1:35 a.m.  They found a man suffering from traumatic injuries inside an apartment at 425  East Bradley Ave. in unincorporated El Cajon.

• Promote awareness of suicide as a public health issue;
• Share resources and information to help people who may be struggling;
• Encourage open conversations about suicide and mental health;
• Remember those who have been lost to suicide;
• And highlight the importance of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

By Alexander J. Schorr

Image: Birthday message from Trump to Epstein, released by Epstein’s estate.

September 16, 2025 — By a one-vote margin, House Republicans blocked release of files related to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein and his client list.

Among San Diego County representatives Darrell Issa spoke in support of Trump and voted to block release of the Epstein files, while the region’s four Democratic members voted for release of the files.

The Congressional action comes despite release by the Epstein estate this week of a lewd drawing of a prepubescent torso reportedly sketched by Donald Trump as a birthday gift for Epstein, according to the Epstein estate which released the sketch created decades ago. Trump has denied making the drawing, which bears his signature.