Mountain lion captured in Escondido neighborhood
by Karen Pearlman | May 5, 2026 7:41 pm
Photo of mountain lion courtesy California Department of Fish and Wildlife
East County News Service
May 5, 2026 (Escondido) — A mountain lion was sedated and captured Monday in Escondido after the animal wandered into an apartment complex, sparking evacuations and drawing a crowd of onlookers.
The encounter began just after 1:30 p.m. when the Escondido Police Department received reports from residents of a large feline walking eastbound on Mission Avenue. Following the trail, officers and personnel from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife tracked the animal to the 700 block of North Grape Street, where it sought refuge in the parking lot of an apartment complex, crouching beneath a parked pickup truck.
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Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/mountain-lion-captured-in-escondido-neighborhood/#more-124473
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/mountain-lion-captured-in-escondido-neighborhood/
How social media shapes SDSU student identity
by Karen Pearlman | May 5, 2026 6:48 pm
Story and photos by Kevin Green
May 5, 2026 (San Diego) — Social media plays a vital role in shaping individual identity.
On any given day at San Diego State University, students can be seen scrolling through their phones in class, posting updates and watching short videos. For many, platforms such as TikTok and Instagram do more than entertain — they also serve as tools for shaping identity and social connection.
For SDSU students and young adults, social media plays a central role in giving individuals the chance to represent themselves and present a perceived image within campus culture. These trends include fashion and lifestyle choices along with influences on both personal identity and social expectations.
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Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/how-social-media-shapes-sdsu-student-identity/#more-124467
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/how-social-media-shapes-sdsu-student-identity/
Hundreds of animals under care of San Diego Humane Society after raid of Julian animal sanctuary
by Karen Pearlman | May 5, 2026 4:21 am
Jace Huggins, chief of Humane Law Enforcement for the San Diego Humane Society (left) and Dr. Gary Weitzman, CEO of the SDHS, speak to reporters at the SDHS Gaines Street campus on Monday afternoon. (Photo by Karen Pearlman)
By Karen Pearlman
May 4, 2026 (San Diego) — More than 500 animals, from a lone crow to more than 150 horses, are being evaluated, cared for and rescued by the San Diego Humane Society, the County Department of Animal Services and other animal welfare groups from as far away as Marin County, in the wake of a raid of a Julian animal sanctuary on Friday, May 1.
Ownership of hundreds of animals has been legally transferred to the San Diego Humane Society following the massive rescue operation at Villa Chardonnay Horses With Wings, Inc., a nonprofit 40-acre animal sanctuary in Julian.
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Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/hundreds-of-animals-under-care-of-san-diego-humane-society-after-raid-of-julian-animal-sanctuary/#more-124455
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/hundreds-of-animals-under-care-of-san-diego-humane-society-after-raid-of-julian-animal-sanctuary/
14-year-old killed, pedestrian injured in crash near Cowles Mountain
by Karen Pearlman | May 4, 2026 11:42 pm
East County News Service
May 4, 2026 (San Carlos) — A 14-year-old girl died the morning of Sunday, May 3, after a vehicle jumped the curb, struck a pedestrian and crashed into a tree on Navajo Road near Cowles Mountain.
San Diego Police Department officers and San Diego Fire-Rescue Department personnel responded to a vehicle rescue on Navajo Road near Golfcrest Drive shortly after 11:30 a.m. Sunday.
A 35-year-old woman was driving a 2017 Mazda 6 westbound in the 7500 block of Navajo Road when she drove up onto the north sidewalk, striking an 18-year-old male pedestrian, and continued forward until hitting a tree in the Navajo Road divider.
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Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/14-year-old-killed-pedestrian-injured-in-crash-near-cowles-mountain/#more-124452
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/14-year-old-killed-pedestrian-injured-in-crash-near-cowles-mountain/
Two dead in rollover crash on I-8 near Jacumba
by Karen Pearlman | May 4, 2026 10:34 pm
East County News Service
May 4, 2026 (Jacumba) — A tragic single-vehicle accident claimed the lives of two Texas men over the weekend after their vehicle overturned on Interstate 8 in the high desert, authorities said.
The collision occurred at approximately 7:35 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, just west of Carrizo Gorge Road. According to the California Highway Patrol, a 20-year-old man from Edinburg, Texas, was behind the wheel of a eastbound 2024 GMC Sierra traveling at approximately 70 mph when the incident began.
Preliminary investigations suggest the driver fell asleep at the wheel, causing the pickup truck to veer off the roadway. The vehicle struck the center median and a dirt embankment before overturning multiple times.
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Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/two-dead-in-rollover-crash-on-i-8-near-jacumba/#more-124449
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/two-dead-in-rollover-crash-on-i-8-near-jacumba/
Multi-Vehicle collision on I-8 in La Mesa leaves El Cajon Man dead
by Karen Pearlman | May 4, 2026 10:12 pm
East County News Service
May 4, 2026 (La Mesa) — A late-night chain-reaction crash involving a semi-truck and two passenger vehicles on Interstate 8 claimed the life of a young El Cajon man early Saturday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The collision occurred at about 1:37 a.m. on May 2, west of Fletcher Parkway. Investigators say a 28-year-old El Cajon man was traveling eastbound in a 2022 Ford Ranger when he struck the rear of a Volvo T680 tractor-trailer.
The semi-truck, driven by a 33-year-old El Cajon resident, was traveling at about 45 mph at the time of the initial impact.
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Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/multi-vehicle-collision-on-i-8-in-la-mesa-leaves-el-cajon-man-dead/#more-124446
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/multi-vehicle-collision-on-i-8-in-la-mesa-leaves-el-cajon-man-dead/
State health officials file lawsuit against Santee-based Kratom manufacturer
by Karen Pearlman | May 4, 2026 6:51 pm
East County News Service
May 4, 2026 (Sacramento) – The California Department of Public Health, in coordination with Attorney General Rob Bonta, has filed a formal legal complaint against Ashlynn Marketing Group, Inc., for the illegal manufacture and distribution of kratom-derived products.
The filing, submitted to the San Diego County Superior Court, targets the company — which operates under the names Krave, Krave Kratom and Krave Botanicals and conducts business on Hartley Road in Santee — for repeatedly violating state law and interfering with a government-ordered embargo.
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Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/state-health-officials-file-lawsuit-against-santee-based-kratom-manufacturer/#more-124442
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/state-health-officials-file-lawsuit-against-santee-based-kratom-manufacturer/
Police search for suspect after juvenile battered in Poway
by Karen Pearlman | May 4, 2026 5:02 pm
East County News Service
May 4, 2026 (Poway) – Detectives from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Child Abuse Unit are seeking public assistance in identifying a man who allegedly sexually battered an 11-year-old girl over the weekend.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m., Saturday, May 2 near the 13400 block of Midland Road in Poway. According to authorities, the victim was with a friend when the unknown male approached and battered her. The assault ended when the victim’s friend screamed for the man to stop, prompting the suspect to flee the scene on foot.
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Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/police-search-for-suspect-after-juvenile-battered-in-poway/#more-124439
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/police-search-for-suspect-after-juvenile-battered-in-poway/
NLL’s Seals force deciding playoff game with dominant home win over Toronto
by Karen Pearlman | May 4, 2026 3:17 am
Dylan Watson of the San Diego Seals in Sunday’s semifinal game. Photo courtesy San Diego Seals
East County News Service
May 3, 2026 (San Diego) — Staring down playoff elimination at Pechanga Arena, the San Diego Seals delivered their most complete performance of the postseason on Sunday afternoon. The Seals topped the Toronto Rock 11-6 in Game 2 of their NLL Semifinal series to force a decisive third game next weekend in Hamilton, Ontario.
The result ends any thought of a Toronto sweep and sets up a winner-take-all showdown, with the Seals riding a wave of momentum, which was pushed to the heights with a hometown crowd that sent them off the floor roaring.
With Seals goaltender Chris Origlieri placed on the Injured Reserve list the morning of the game, the Seals turned to Cam Dunkerley to guard the net. Making his first career playoff start, Dunkerley stepped up to the job, stopping 36 of 42 shots (85.7 save percentage).
On the offensive end, Dylan Watson was the story, netting a season-high four goals to bring his postseason total to nine. Wes Berg finished with five assists and one goal, while Connor Robinson added two scores. James Barclay, Eli Gobrecht, Tre Leclaire and Zach Currier rounded out the offense with single goals.
The game was a physical affair, with officials assessing 80 total penalty minutes. There were also four ejections.
San Diego’s special teams converted on two of seven power play opportunities while shutting out Toronto’s man advantage, holding the Rock to 0-for-5 on the power play.
Game 3 is set for Saturday, May 9, at TD Coliseum in Hamilton, with faceoff at 4 p.m. Pacific time. A Seals win sends San Diego to their first-ever NLL Cup Finals; a Rock win would end the Seals’ season.
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/nlls-seals-force-deciding-playoff-game-with-dominant-home-win-over-toronto/
Padres announce $3.9B sale agreement amid win over White Sox
by Karen Pearlman | May 4, 2026 2:10 am
Padres third baseman Manny Machado connects for a home run on Sunday, May 3. Photo courtesy San Diego Padres Facebook page
East County News Service
May 3, 2026 (San Diego) — The San Diego Padres formally announced on Saturday, May 2, a definitive agreement to transfer franchise ownership to a group led by José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones for a record-breaking $3.9 billion.
The news was followed by a tense afternoon at Petco Park on Sunday, May 3, where the Padres snapped a losing streak with a 4-3 win over the Chicago White Sox.
The sale still needs the approval of 75 percent of Major League Baseball owners to be finalized. That vote could potentially occur at the next quarterly owners meeting in June in New York. If approved, the price would shatter the previous record for an MLB franchise sale, when Steve Cohen purchased the New York Mets for $2.42 billion in 2020.
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Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/padres-announce-3-9b-sale-agreement-amid-win-over-white-sox/#more-124433
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/padres-announce-3-9b-sale-agreement-amid-win-over-white-sox/
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