Book by Caitlin Rother

Review by Paul Levikow

December 2, 2025 (San Diego) – San Diego-based New York Times bestselling author Caitlin Rother takes on the mysterious disappearance of the McStay family of four, who were last seen in their Fallbrook home in February, 2010.

December 1, 2025 (La Mesa) – ‘Tis the season to be jolly—so East County Magazine is hosting a “feasting and merrymaking” holiday party this Sunday, December 7 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at a private Mt. Helix home. 

The party is open to all subscribers—and subscriptions to our e-newsletter is free!  Subscribe.  Cost is just $20 and bring a dish to share.

A neighborhood shaped by scholarship, culture and charm

Overview:  Set at the core of San Diego’s mid-city region, a blend of campus culture and neighborhood charm can be found here. The College area, centered around San Diego State University, brings together longtime residents, students and visitors to a community known for its events, diversity and good eats. 

From entertainment venues, sports sites and community centers to specialty shops and eateries on and around the university campus, the college area offers an array of places to explore.

The College Area’s bordering communities add even more to the area. Kensington’s historic charm and standout dining, City Heights’ global flavors and community spirit and Rolando’s walkable streets all contribute to making the region an attractive place to both settle down and visit. Together, these neighborhoods create a diverse blend of spots to frequent in one region that is easy to explore.

Source: California Fire Foundation

November 29, 2025 (San Diego) - The holiday season is a time of joy, family gatherings, and cherished traditions. As families across California prepare for festive celebrations, it’s essential to prioritize safety—especially in a state prone to wildfires. Here are some key holiday safety tips from the California Fire Foundation:

By Sir Milo Loftin, County of San Diego Communications Office

November 28, 2025 (San Diego) - The holidays are a time for food, family and celebration. But the extra activity, rich meals and decorations can create hazards for pets.

By Karen Pearlman and Miriam Raftery

Overview: San Diego County's beautiful coastline often steals the spotlight, but the eastern side of the county offers a serene and varied landscape.  Our Rivers and Lakes region encompasses  eastern portions of the San Diego River, which flows from its headwaters in the mountains to the sea, along with reservoirs, many parks, rocky crags, and our county’s only natural lake.

This area also celebrates its wild west roots, offers many nature trails as well as contemporary comforts, providing a wealth of recreational opportunities here.

From the bird-laden banks of the San Diego River in Lakeside to the popular Lake Murray Reservoir, the waterways and places around them continue to draw visitors with their inviting features. The County also operates numerous parks in the Lakeside area, including some with rugged terrain and adventures awaiting visitors.

Novel by Larry M. Edwards

Reviewed by Pennell Paugh

November 28, 2025 (San Diego) -- Larry Edwards, a San Diego resident, has written another Rent Beacham mystery. San Diego journalist Rent receives information about a cold-case homicide in Washington State. His investigation leads him to investigate links between illegal disposal of hazardous waste from a San Diego boatyard in 1995 to corruption involving geothermal energy, and lithium extraction.

“They meant to hurt us, but they’re hurting our kids.” –Jason Balisteri, Mount Miguel history teacher and former teacher-librarian

By Armando Rasing II

Photos, left:  protest signs at GUHSD board meeting when the majority voted to fire all teacher-librarians.

November 25, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) - The 2025-26 school year marks the first school year that the Grossmont Union High School District doesn’t have a teacher-librarian for any of its nine schools, following mass layoffs. 

East County News Service

Nov. 25, 2025 (Lakeside) -- The heart of cozy Lakeside will transform into a hub of festive activity next month, anchored by two of its warmest community traditions: the annual "Spirit of Christmas" celebration and the return of the popular "Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Resale Shoppe."

Sponsored by the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce, the Spirit of Christmas event will include two all-day events, lasting from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. both., Saturday, Dec. 6 and Friday, Dec. 19.

From 3 to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 6, Maine Avenue will be temporarily closed to traffic and transformed into an old-fashioned Christmas celebration, complete with the sights, sounds and scents of the season.

November 29, 2025 (San Diego's East County) -- Our radio shows from July through November  2025 are now online.

Highlights included interviews with two local filmmakers, coverage of shutdown impacts locally, Cottonwood Sand Mine proposal buried by Supervisors, ICE protests in El Cajon and San Diego, a new Camel Lavender Farm in Ramona, an Alpine pizzeria hiring disabled workers, candidate announcements in key local races, expansion of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and permanent protection for Mildred Falls, among many other stories covered.

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.)

By Alexander J. Schorr

November 24, 2025 (El Cajon) — The recall effort against trustee Scott Eckert on the Grossmont Union High School District Governing Board failed to meet the required amount of 9,600 signatures on Monday November 17, 2025. The grassroots effort needed signatures from 15% of registered voters in La Mesa to spur a recall action: volunteers who spoke with voters said most had not previously heard of the GUHSD board controversies which include mass firings of teachers and librarians, apparent violations of California’s open government law, allegations of conflicts of interest and misallocation of funds, as well as unethical campaign tactics.

Journey through historic towns, high-mountain wilderness, and seasonal splendor

By Karen Pearlman and Miriam Raftery

Overview: San Diego County’s mountains offer a majestic escape from city life, inviting visitors into a different kind of Southern California experience — one steeped in Gold Rush history, seasonal beauty and outdoor adventure.

The region's charming, high-elevation communities provide a refreshing break, whether for a day trip to enjoy pine-scented air and famous apple pies, or a longer weekend getaway. Attractions including Julian, Mount Laguna, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, and William Heise County Park beckon year-round. You'll primarily discover these gems along Highways 78 and 79 and through Cleveland National Forest lands, including wilderness areas and even spectacular waterfalls.

Other towns to visit include Santa Ysabel, Wynola, Descanso, Pine Valley, Guatay, and Warner Springs.

Our mountain areas are beautiful all year long with winter snowfall, colorful fall foliage, summer days ideal for hiking or camping, and springtime when wildflowers bloom and waterfalls are flowing.