By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Kaiser attorney Jennifer Lynch

April 23, 2025 (El Cajon) – For 23 years, ever since an old medical facility was torn down, Kaiser Permanente has been promising to build a new hospital at its property on Main Street near Greenfield Ave.in El Cajon.  Frustrated by the lack of action, the City Council yesterday considered changing the zoning to residential—a proposal that surprised Kaiser representatives.

“We received no notice,” Kaiser representative Skyler Denniston told the Council.  “We would like the site developed as a hospital,” he said, adding that Kaiser representatives had just spoken with the City Manager and felt they were making “good progress.”  He asked for a 30-day extension of any proposed rezoning.

Mayor Bill Wells indicated that while he was open to an extension of 30 days or more, he wants to see a development agreement to assure that construction will commence soon. “I have no confidence that a hospital will be built within five years,” he said, adding that the vacant property attracts homeless camps and is an eyesore.  “Our constituents are screaming at us to do something,” he said.

San Diego is home to many immigrants from around the world. As a result, our inland region alone has restaurants specializing in cuisine from over 40 nations on six continents. You can take a culinary tour around the world—without leaving East County!

Below is our directory of internationally-themed restaurants.

Looking to chow down on an all-American burger, steak, or seafood dinner?  Or savor regional cuisine such as Cajun, Southern, soul food, California cuisine, or Texas-style barbecue?

Perhaps you’re hankering for health food, jarm-to-table fresh meals, or vegan options.  Or you're craving a sub sandwich or Jewish deli.  You can even sample exotic foods from Hawaii or U.S. territories including Guam and Puerto Rico—all in San Diego’s East County!

Our guide below lists many delicious options, arranged alphabetically by category.  Note:  Many of these eateries also offer options beyond American. Click each link to view full menus.

Our guide to delicious desserts in San Diego's inland region

San Diego’s East County has many options to satisfy your sweet tooth, thanks to our diverse population and rich heritage. From all-American Julian apple pies, candy cottages and ice cream parlors to international desserts such as Franch pastries, Mexican cakes and Middle Eastern baklava, you’ll find a wide variety of delicious desserts to savor—and even a vegan bakery.

San Diego’s vast inland region has many attractions, some as close as 20 minutes from downtown San Diego, with mountains an hour or so away and deserts two hours or more. 

Here’s our “getting here” guide:

Photo, right, Sycuan pow-wow dancer

East County News Service

San Diego’s inland region is home to 19 Native American tribes and 18 reservations—more than any other county in America. Local tribes trace their history here back more than 12,000 years.

Many of our local tribes welcome visitors to enjoy facilities on tribal lands, which are each sovereign nations. Attractions include casinos, hotels, golf courses, spas, concerts and other live entertainment, restaurants, an outlet shopping mall, restaurants, buffets and bars, a speedway, a paintball range, a museum, Native American pow-wows, a brewery, a vineyard, a dispensary, hiking trails, campgrounds, a water park, bike park, and a zip line.

All local tribal lands are in San Diego County’s inland areas, including northeast, southeast, and central east locations. View map here, or scroll to the bottom of this article.

League of Women Voters, groups representing veterans and seniors, and Issa’s Democratic opponent Curtis Morrison all oppose action in court

By Miriam Raftery

April 20, 2025 (San Diego) – Rep. Darrell Issa, a Republican representing the 48^th Congressional district, has filed a lawsuit against California Secretary of State Shirley Weber. The suit, Issa v.Weber, seeks to halt California’s decade-long practice of allowing mail-in ballots to be counted up to a week after an election, provided they were postmarked by Election Day.

Ballots at risk of not being counted include many cast by military members deployed overseas, as well as seniors and others who rely on mail-in ballots.  Motions to intervene in the suit have been filed by organizations representing veterans, women, voters, and by Issa’s political opponent.

East County News Service

April 19, 2025 (Ramona) – The Nashville Americana duo Goldpine, a husband and wife team, will perform at The Barn (344 Main St., Ramona) at 8 p.m., Friday, May 23.

The duo won the 2022 Rocky Mountain Songwriter Contest and has performed at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium and the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion.

Their music tells stories of live, love and purpose.

By Karen Pearlman

Image of Mountain Lion courtesy Pixabay

April 17, 2025 (Descanso, CA) -- A 31-year-old Descanso runner on Wednesday, April 16, came face-to-face with a mountain lion that he says charged at him, during an evening run on the Oak Trail in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.

JJ Goodrich wrote on his Facebook page as well as in the Descanso Neighbors Facebook page that he had an encounter with a local mountian lion.

"Please be aware if you hike out there," Goodrich wrote in Descanso Neighbors. "It was on Oak Trail between East Mesa Fire Road and Harvey Moore. Probably 140-150 lbs, never hissed, ears up, and maintained eye contact. They can close the distance incredibly fast, it was impressive."

By Miriam Raftery

April 14, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – As a cooling trend continues, the National Weather Service predicts strong winds, rain, and snow for our mountain areas later this week.

There is a chance of rain countywide and mountain snow on Thursday, increasing on Friday, with possible rain in the mountains as late as Saturday morning.

East County News Service

April 14, 2025 (La Mesa) – If you love harmonica music, head out to Spring Harp Fest in La Mesa this Friday, April 18. Spring Harp Fest takes place at Harry Griffen Park from10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Enjoy live music from many local harmonica players and groups. There’s also an unknown players jam.

Last updated April 14, 2025 8 p.m including reports from readers, local authorities, and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

April 14, 2025 (Ramona) -- A 5.2 earthquake struck at 10:08 a.m  about 2  miles south of Julian. The jolt was felt across the county, knocking pictures off walls and bottles off shelves at homes in La Mesa.

California Highway Patrol reports that boulders dislodged by the quake are blocking State Route 76 near State Route 79 in the Lake Henshaw area. See photo below right, via CalTrans. Mud and debris are also reported at the entry to Palomar State Park.

SDG&E's website reports an unplanned power outage in the Santa Ysabel/Julian areas.

"The earthquake epicenter was in Julian, under Heise Park, 2 miles from our house. Power is still out in our area. Cats are still hiding due to aftershocks," resident Nancy Kramer advised ECM at 12:40 p.m.

In Julian, Mountain Spirtis Liquor posted video showing broken bottles that fell off shelves, 10 News reports.

Leslie Crouch told ECM via email,"I’m in Julian the epicenter and I lost a lot of my knickknacks. Antique glassware, bottles,  pictures broken."

Descanso resident Cynthia Burnham posted on Facebook "Yes, it was very scary - had pics and a clock fall off the wall, plus could see the waves of movement in the shaking window glass next to my desk. And it was a loud one. (Sounds like a train coming through.) It was also 40 seconds long..."

At the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in San Pasqual, elephants formed an “alert circle” during the earthquake, encircling young elephants to protect them.  “Elephants have the ability to feel sound through their feet,” says Emily Senninger with the Safari Park. “This video demonstrates the strong social family structure in elephant herds. The herd, consisting of Ndlula, Umngani, Khosi, and youngsters Zuli and Mkhaya, went back to normal after about 4 minutes, though they did stay close to one another. “ View video.

East County News Service

April 13, 2025 (Santee) – The Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer returns May 24. This annual event features a beer garden featuring craft brews, wine and spirits, kids’ zones with carnival rides and games, live music and entertainment, plus over200 vendors showcasing local arrtisans and businesses.

The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the intersection of Town Center Parkway and Riverview Parkway in Santee.

This event, hosted by the Santee Chamber of Commerce and the City of Santee, is for ages 21 and up, and it’s dog-friendly.