By Paul Levikow

View video of Gary Kendrick's announcement.

February 9, 2026 (El Cajon) – El Cajon City Councilman Gary Kendrick, a life-long Republican, announced Monday that he is switching his party affiliation and joining the Democratic Party. Kendrick made the declaration at a news conference in front of El Cajon City Hall surrounded by supporters and Democratic Party officials.

He cited the city’s resolution passed last year announcing El Cajon’s intent to have local police officers collaborate with federal immigration officials in violation of state law as one of the reasons he made the switch.

“As the longest-serving Republican in municipal office in San Diego County, I cannot ignore the Republican Party’s betrayal of our immigrant community, nor its disastrous impacts on the people of El Cajon,” Kendrick said. “Forcing our police to break the law sends the wrong message to El Cajon residents and erodes the public’s trust in our law enforcement officers.  Victims and witnesses in our most vulnerable communities are scared to talk to the police, because they might have a friend or a relative with undocumented status—or they worry they’ll be targeted because of the way they look.”

Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and Foundation receive $655,000 in federal budget to expand support to low-income and underemployed adults

Source:  Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

February 9, 2026 (El Cajon) -  Last week, upon approval of the most recent Congressional budget bill, the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and the Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges were included to receive $655,000 for the District’s Pathways for Adults to Career Training (PACT) program to expand efforts in East County to upskill low-income adults, and to upgrade Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges’ Child Development Centers and Basic Needs Programs.

By Alexander J Schorr

Councilmember Gary Kendrick addresses crowd in El Cajon

February 8, 2026 (El Cajon) — An El Cajon Council meeting has once again set the stage for heightened tensions between the public and elected officials over the federal government’s crackdown on immigrants the violence committed by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE).

At a rally outside before last Tuesday’s  meeting, Councilmember Gary Kendrick denounced the killings in Minneapolis of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, by ICE and Border Patrol agents. El Cajon residents protested outside Council Chambers and continued to voice outrage. He also noted that the state of California won a court challenge filed against SB 54 by the Trump administration. 

East County News Service

East County News Service

February 7, 2026 (Spring Valley) - Sheriff's Deputies have arrested Bruce Brian Ron, 34, on drug, weapon and fraud charges after serving a high-risk search warrant at a home in the 10300 block of Del Rio Road in Spring Valley yesterday at 6 a.m.

Source:  San Diego County Sheriff

February 6, 2026 (San Diego) - The San Diego County Sheriff's Office will be keeping our roadways safe this Super Bowl Sunday by looking for impaired drivers.

Look for increased impaired driving patrols beginning on Sunday, February 8 at 3:00 p.m. and lasting through 5:00 a.m. the following day. 

By G. A. McNeeley 

February 6, 2026 (Washington D.C.) -- Health and Human Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last month announced new dietary guidelines for Americans that are focused on promoting whole foods, proteins and healthy fats, according to NPR.  Health and nutrition experts have praised portions of the new guidelines, but sharply criticized other changes as lacking a scientific basis.

East County News Service

February 6, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Shortly before 1:30 a.m. yesterday, Sheriff’s deputies from the Rancho San Diego station found a vehicle illegally parked in the1000 block of Grand Avenue in  Spring Valley with several people inside. Deputies discovered that the driver, Dominique Lewis, was a convicted felon on parole.

Which district will you be in for the upcoming elections?

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Rep. Darrell Issa’s once-safe seat is now vulnerable, as new district has more Democrats than Republican voters.

February 5, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) — State Republicans have lost a last-ditch appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to block Prop 50 redistricting of Congressional districts.  The high court declined to hear the case, with no justices dissenting from the order.  As a result, San Diego County’s Congressional district lines will change dramatically for the June primary and November general election. 

Governor Gavin Newsom pushed forward the California redistricting plan, which was approved by voters and favors Democrats; experts predict it could flip five seats in California, including the 48^th district currently represented by Republican Darrell Issa. California’s redrawing of districts came in response to Texas redistricting  which favors Republicans and was allowed to stand by the Supreme Court. At stake is the balance of power in Congress.

Photo by Miriam Raftery

By Karen Pearlman

Feb. 4, 2026 (San Diego County) – For the winemakers of East County, the sound of progress has long been a quiet one.

Under current San Diego County laws, the region’s smallest “boutique” wineries -- the family-run operations that make up an important part of the local agriculture scene -- have been silenced when it comes to amplified music.

That silence may soon be broken.

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office

Image credit:  Shutterstock

February 4, 2026 (San Diego) - Businesses and employees concerned about federal immigration enforcement actions can learn about their rights through a new video training series.

Source:  Spring Valley Community Alliance

February 2, 2026 (Spring Valley) - The Spring Valley Community Alliance and Spring Valley Chamber of Commerce along with SEEDS partners invite residents and community members to the first-ever Spring Valley Changemakers Summit, a free community gathering designed to connect neighbors with local organizations and nonprofit partners, offering opportunities to learn about local projects, share ideas, and explore ways to get involved in shaping the future of Spring Valley. 

“This is so critical to La Mesa and to our businesses.” - Councilmember Laura Lothian

By Armando Rasing II

Photo by Miriam Raftery: Outdoor dining at Hacienda Cazadores

February 1, 2026 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa City Council voted unanimously last Tuesday to adopt a new sidewalk dining policy in commercial zones, also reporting progress in meeting climate action goals.

The city temporarily allowed increased flexibility for outdoor dining areas in 2020 to help support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new sidewalk dining policies will take into effect on March 12, allowing businesses to maintain that flexibility with updated guidelines.  

East County News Service

January 30, 2026 (Spring Valley) – A stolen car pursuit on January 22 ended with a San Diego Police officer shooting and injuring the suspect.  SDPD has released video on the department's YouTube channel within hours of the shooting.