By Miriam Raftery

April 5, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – As April continues, drifting into the merry month of May, there are many unique events popping up across our inland region.

Highlights include Ramona’s Cheers to the Valley Wine Festival, Karnival of the Arts in Jacumba, SDSU’s pow wow, Lakeside’s Western Days Parade and Rodeo, a Spring Garden Festival and Butterfly Release at the Water Conservation Garden,  and an International Dark Sky celebration in Santa Ysabel.

Other events include wolf center tours in Julian, piano Joyce  Yang in concert at Cuyamaca College, Journey’s Steve Augeri onstage in Poway, spring break activities at local libraries, the Dance in Julian, Arbor Day in El Cajon, the Adams Avenue Unplugged musical festival, Sweet Pea Days at Summers Past Farms in Flinn Springs, San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus performing “HERstory” at the Magnolia in El Cajon, “Cinderella” ballet in Poway,  a health fair at Grossmont Center in La Mesa, and the launch of Classic Cruise season in El Cajon.

Scroll down for details on these events and more.

East County News Service

April 4, 2026 (Escondido) -- The developer of the Seguro Battery Energy Storage System has formally withdrawn its application to build one of the world’s largest lithium-ion storage facilities in the hills of North San Diego County.

The decision, confirmed earlier this week, marks the end of a three-year battle between developer AES Corporation and the unincorporated communities of Eden Valley, Harmony Grove and Elfin Forest.

East County News Service

April 4, 2026 (San Diego County) -- San Diego County health officials are urging consumers to purge their refrigerators of specific raw cheddar cheese products after a multi-state E. coli outbreak that has hospitalized at least three people and left one person with a life-threatening kidney condition.

The warning, issued late Thursday, targets RAW FARM brand raw milk cheddar cheese.

The Fresno-based company initiated a voluntary recall on April 2, 2026, after the outbreak was linked to nine illnesses across California, Florida and Texas.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  proposed Starlight Solar site, via County of San Diego

April 4, 2026 (Boulevard) – Should a 588-acre solar project with one of the state’s largest battery energy storage sites be built near rural Boulevard, a small town located in a very high fire hazard zone?  The County Planning Commission may vote May 8 on the Starlight Solar project, which supporters say is needed to help meet state and county green energy mandates.

East County News Service

April 3, 2026 (Santa Ysabel) – Reach for the stars at San Diego County’s International Dark Sky Week Celebration on Saturday, April 18 from 2-10 p.m. at the Santa Ysabel Nature Center (22135 Highway 79). The event includes “Defending the Night Sky,” a symposium from 2-7 p.m., followed by an after-dark star party to view the celestial sights from 8-10 p.m.

East County News Service

April 2, 2026 (Santee) -- The Santee Fire Department and the Santee-Lakeside Emergency Medical Services Authority have expanded their emergency fleet with the official April 1 start of BLS 5, a new Basic Life Support ambulance.

The unit’s inaugural shift began yesterday morning when EMT Chris Brooks radioed dispatch, placing the vehicle into active service for the region.

BLS 5 marks the third Basic Life Support unit for SLEMSA, the joint authority that manages prehospital care for both Santee and Lakeside.

By Philicia Tonangoye

Karen Pearlman contributed to this story.

April 1, 2026 (Santa Ysabel) -- The nonprofit Ilan-Lael Foundation will host an immersive art and nature experience on a 90-minute-long docent-led tour at 10 a.m., Thursday, April 9.

The event will take place in Santa Ysabel and focuses on the art and architecture of founder and artist James Hubbel, set against the beautiful natural scenery of the Santa Ysabel landscape.

Admission fees start at $45 per person, and a prior reservation is required.

Participants should be prepared for the activity level in and around 930 Orchard Lane. Organizers emphasize that everyone must wear closed-toe, sturdy footwear for the tour, which involves natural paths and steps.

By Art Thrives

April 1, 2026 (La Mesa) – In a surprise announcement today, La Mesa Mayor Mark Arapostathis announced that the city has acquired the former Macy’s department store building at Grossmont Center.

“I’m delighted to reveal that this site will soon be home to a spacious new library and long-awaited community theatre,” said Arapostathis, a retired teacher and long-time junior theater leader.  He added, “The new Jewel of the Hills center will become a cultural and arts hub for our community, fulfilling our promise of a state-of-the-art library as well as providing event space and a stage for youth theater and other community groups.”

East County News Service

March 30, 2026 (El Cajon ) -- The El Cajon City Council last week unanimously upheld a decision by the city's Planning Commission to deny the Afghan Community Culture Center a permit extension for its temporary prayer tent on East Main Street between Walter Way and East Madison Avenue.

The ruling ended an ongoing dispute between the city’s safety regulations and the center, which provides services to a community of more than 3,000 people who look to the ACCC as a spiritual, educational and social home, according to ACCC Board President Bakhtar Aminzay. 

"We have to follow the state law, which has to do with public safety issues," said El Cajon City Councilmember Gary Kendrick.

The ACCC since last November has owned a building at 1342 E. Main St., but structural damage on the inside by previous tenants have made the building uninhabitable as well as not being up to code, Kendrick said.

Councilmember Laura Lothian criticizing city tactics on parking issues

By Alexander J. Schorr

March 29, 2026 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa City council met on March 24 to try and tackle the “parking crisis” fueled by new housing development in the Downtown Village.

La Mesa is currently facing massive tension over the need for affordable housing and a growing parking crisis in its Downtown Village district. Recent developments have prioritized transit-oriented housing with reduced parking requirements, sparking concerns from local business owners and residents about the long-term impact on the area’s accessibility and economic health.

East County News Service

March 28, 2026 (El Cajon) – Heartland Fire’s station 7 in Fletcher Hills, built in 1960, will soon undergo major renovations. El Cajon’s City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve budget revisions for the reconstruction.