by Eliza Bethalper | June 6, 2026 8:39 pm
East County News Service
June 6, 2026 (La Mesa) – To celebrate the 250th Birthday of America, the community is invited to a weekend of fun and festive family events in La Mesa June 12-13.
Events will kick off on Friday, June 12, with the summer’s first Movie in the Park at sunset in the Harry Griffen Park Amphitheatre. Showing on the big screen will be Top Gun: Maverick and the popcorn is on the house for the first 500 attendees.
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/la-mesa-plans-patriotic-activities-to-celebration-nations-250th-birthday/
by Karen Pearlman | June 6, 2026 6:46 pm
East County News Service
June 6, 2026 (San Diego) — The global stage is set for San Diego this weekend.
The local Major League Soccer team, San Diego FC, in partnership with Snapdragon Stadium, Sports San Diego and Lions Sports & Media, will host the “Countdown to ’26” international soccer weekend.
The event features two pre-World Cup friendly matches at Snapdragon Stadium in Mission Valley.
For fans unable to secure tickets to the actual World Cup this summer — or those who simply want to skip the drive to Los Angeles — this weekend offers a rare chance to watch top-tier national squads in person.
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/world-cup-fever-heating-up-in-san-diego/
by Miriam Raftery | June 6, 2026 3:50 pm
By G. A. McNeeley
Miriam Raftery contributed to this report
June 6, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – The County Board of Supervisors will soon have a new face representing the 5th district, since Jim Desmond is termed out and running for the 48th Congressional District. San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones[1], a Republican, has a strong lead with 39.62 percent of the vote as of Friday. But with 32.5% of votes counted, it’s not yet clear which other contender will advance to the runoff in November.
Kyle Krahel[2], the Democratic Party chairman, has 21.37%, followed closely by Vista Mayor John Franklin, [3] a Republican with 18.95%. Norma Contreras[4], a Democrat, has 11.59%, trailed by independent candidate Sasha Miller[5] with 8.47%. (more…)
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/tight-race-in-5th-supervisorial-district-race-to-fill-desmonds-seat/
by Miriam Raftery | June 5, 2026 10:58 pm
East County News Service
June 5, 2026 (San Diego ) – This morning, the FBI arrested three U.S. citizens who allegedly plotted violent attacks on U .S. servicemembers in a conspired with the Islamic State of Iraq and al–Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terror group.
According to the U.S. Justice Department, those arrested are Bereen Dzayee, 25, of Lakeside, California as well as Bisaam Ghafoor, 21, of Leawood, Kansas and Elias Shamsaldeen, 21, of Porterville Kansas. (more…)
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/lakeside-man-2-others-arrested-for-plot-to-support-isis-and-kill-american-service-members/
by Eliza Bethalper | June 5, 2026 8:40 pm
Book by Nico Waters
Review by Pennell Paugh
June 5, 2026 (San Diego) – San Diego author Nico Waters has added another book to her Ethan Talks to Animals series. This one is titled, Be Brave, Scared Shirley.
In second grade, Ethan wished on his birthday to be able to understand what animals think and say.
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/ethan-talks-to-animals-be-brave-scared-shirley/
by Eliza Bethalper | June 5, 2026 8:32 pm
Book by Dharlene Marie Fahl
Review by Pennell Paugh
June 5, 2026 (San Diego) – Long-time San Diego author Dharlene Marie Fahl, using free verse poetry, has written three books to introduce readers to Self-Therapy Poetry. Her first book explains Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) k. The second introduces readers to Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/self-therapy-poetry-a-heart-centered-approach-to-acceptance-and-commitment-therapy/
by Eliza Bethalper | June 5, 2026 8:23 pm
By
June 5, 2026 (San Diego) – Seventeen young adults earned their graduation certificate from County Fire’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Corps program, completing more than 400 hours of training designed to launch them into careers in the medical field.
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/county-fire-celebrates-17-new-ems-graduates/
by Eliza Bethalper | June 5, 2026 8:10 pm
By Wendy Fry, CalMatters
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters.
Photo: the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego on Feb. 20, 2026. Photo by Adriana Heldiz, CalMatters
June 5, 2026 (San Diego) – A federal judge on Wednesday ordered the Otay Mesa Detention Center to allow San Diego County health inspectors access to the 1,400-bed facility, siding with local officials over the federal government in an ongoing legal feud.
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/federal-judge-orders-immigrant-detention-center-to-allow-san-diego-county-health-inspection/
by Eliza Bethalper | June 5, 2026 6:53 pm
East County News Service
June 5, 2026 (San Diego) – Jordan Z. Marks, San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk (ARCC), in partnership with California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, will host a one-day Apostille Pop-Up Shop from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, June 17, at the ARCC Downtown office, County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego. Free underground parking at the entrance on Ash Street. No appointment is necessary.
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/sd-county-to-host-event-to-authenticate-your-international-and-domestic-partnership-documents-in-san-diego-instead-of-los-angeles-or-sacramento-june-17/
by Karen Pearlman | June 5, 2026 1:01 am
Photo courtesy County of San Diego
East County News Service
June 4, 2026 (Lakeside) — For San Diego County residents looking to explore the cosmos without having to go far, the checking out the universe is within your reach.
Through the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation’s “Parks After Dark” program, the San Diego Astronomy Association[1] (SDAA) is bringing a series of free, public Star Parties to Lakeside’s Sycamore Canyon and Oakoasis preserves this summer and fall.
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/star-parties-heading-to-lakeside-throughout-2026/
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