Jamul Resort honored with AAA Four Diamond designation
by Karen Pearlman | May 11, 2026 8:04 pm
Photo courtesy Jamul Casino Resort
East County News Service
May 11, 2026 (Jamul) — Just one year out from debuting a 16-story luxury hotel tower, Jamul Casino Resort[1] has been awarded the AAA Four Diamond[2] designation.
The AAA Four Diamond Award is a prestigious designation recognizing hotels and restaurants in North America that provide upscale, stylish accommodations and elevated dining options, featuring a high degree of hospitality and attention to detail.
Only about 6 percent of AAA-inspected hotels and 2 percent of restaurants receive this rating, marking them as superior to typical establishments. The rating places the East County property in the top echelon 23,000 AAA-inspected lodgings across North America. About 1,750 hotels currently hold the Four Diamond level.
Throughout the year, AAA Inspectors visit hotels and restaurants across North America, the Caribbean, and Costa Rica unannounced to objectively verify the 4 Cs of AAA Diamonds: Cleanliness, Comfort, Cuisine and Consistency.
(more…)[3]
Endnotes:- Jamul Casino Resort: https://www.jamulcasino.com/
- AAA Four Diamond: https://www.approved.aaa.biz/aaa-diamond-program
- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/jamul-resort-honored-with-aaa-four-diamond-designation/#more-124623
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/jamul-resort-honored-with-aaa-four-diamond-designation/
Santee to transform into medieval kingdom for ‘Summer Knights’ Community Festival
by Karen Pearlman | May 11, 2026 7:03 pm
Photo courtesy Santee Kiwanis
East County News Service
May 11, 2026 (Santee) — A coalition of East County community service organizations led by Santee Kiwanis will debut Santee Summer Knights[1], a new regional medieval festival, next month.
The three-day event from June 5-7 will be held on the grounds of the Historic Barn, 9200 Magnolia Ave., in Santee. A public-private collaboration, it is being designed to fund local youth, family and senior programs.
The festival aims to address a local demand for historical reenactment events. Unlike for-profit ventures, the event functions as a community fundraiser with a $10 weekend participant fee.
(more…)[2]
Endnotes:- Summer Knights: https://santeesummerknights.com/
- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/santee-to-transform-into-medieval-kingdom-for-summer-knights-community-festival/#more-124620
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/santee-to-transform-into-medieval-kingdom-for-summer-knights-community-festival/
Imperial Valley ‘seismic swarm’ rattles San Diego County
by Karen Pearlman | May 11, 2026 4:05 am
Map courtesy United States Geological Survey
East County News Service
May 10, 2026 (Brawley) — A prolific seismic swarm in Imperial Valley reached a peak in the early morning hours of Sunday, May 10, sending some light shaking into San Diego County and triggering mobile alerts for some residents.
The largest event of the sequence so far — a magnitude 4.7 earthquake — struck at 12:10 a.m. on Sunday. This followed a significant magnitude 4.5 quake on Saturday evening.
(more…)[1]
Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/imperial-valley-seismic-swarm-rattles-san-diego-county/#more-124616
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/imperial-valley-seismic-swarm-rattles-san-diego-county/
Reunions part of massive rescue operation of 700+ animals at Villa Chardonnay
by Karen Pearlman | May 11, 2026 12:54 am
Photo of reunion of Honey, rescued from Villa Chardonnay, and her original owner, along with San Diego Humane Society workers, courtesy of San Diego Humane Society
By Karen Pearlman
May 10, 2026 (Julian) — Amid the logistics of looking into the needs of more than 700 animals seized from an animal sanctuary in Julian, stories of heartbreak and hope are beginning to emerge.
Just over a week since rescue operations began at Villa Chardonnay, Horses With Wings, LLC, the San Diego Humane Society on Sunday, May 10, announced that reunions of animals and their families are officially underway.
SDHS reports that at least one dog, one cat and six horses have returned to their rightful owners as of this past week.
(more…)[1]
Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/reunions-part-of-massive-rescue-operation-of-700-animals-at-villa-chardonnay/#more-124610
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/reunions-part-of-massive-rescue-operation-of-700-animals-at-villa-chardonnay/
Lions Tigers & Bears ‘Wild in the Country’ event is May 30
by Karen Pearlman | May 10, 2026 4:12 am
East County News Service
May 9, 2026 (Alpine) — Lions Tigers & Bears, Southern California’s premier accredited big cat and bear sanctuary, is holding its signature fundraising gala, Wild in the Country later this month.
The event is set to take place from 2 to 6 p.m., Saturday, May 30 at 24402 Martin Way, the organization’s 142-acre ranch in Alpine.
As the only fully accredited facility of its kind in the region, LTB serves as a lifelong haven for more than 60 animals rescued from lives of abuse, neglect and the exotic animal trade.
The annual event brings critical financial assistance to the nonprofit. Ticket prices ranging from $165 to $375.
(more…)[1]
Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/lions-tigers-bears-wild-in-the-country-event-is-may-30/#more-124602
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/lions-tigers-bears-wild-in-the-country-event-is-may-30/
SD & Imperial Small Business Development Center Network hosting expo June 11
by Karen Pearlman | May 10, 2026 3:36 am
East County News Service
May 9, 2026 (La Mesa) –The San Diego & Imperial Small Business Development Center Network will host the Small Business Expo La Mesa on Thursday, June 11 at the La Mesa Community Center.
The half-day event is designed to support local entrepreneurs, is scheduled to run from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at 4975 Memorial Drive.
The expo will serve as a hub for networking, education and resource allocation for local small businesses For an entry fee of $10, attendees will gain access to a comprehensive morning program featuring professional panels and direct connections to industry experts.
(more…)[1]
Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/sd-imperial-small-business-development-center-network-hosting-expo-june-11/#more-124597
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/sd-imperial-small-business-development-center-network-hosting-expo-june-11/
SD Superior Court warns of sophisticated new scams
by Karen Pearlman | May 10, 2026 2:09 am
East County News Service
May 9, 2026 (San Diego County) — If you receive a text message about a missed court date or a phone call from someone saying they are a “law enforcement officer” demanding payment for a warrant, take a breath before you take out your wallet.
It’s likely a trap, say leaders from the Superior Court of California – County of San Diego.
San Diego Superior Court officials issued an urgent warning[1] Thursday, May 7 following a surge in increasingly sophisticated scams designed to frighten residents into sending money to fraudsters. In just the past week, two distinct and highly convincing schemes have been reported to court officials.
(more…)[2]
Endnotes:- urgent warning: https://www.sdcourt.ca.gov/news/san-diego-superior-court-warns-public-about-scams-2
- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/sd-superior-court-warns-of-sophisticated-new-scams/#more-124594
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/sd-superior-court-warns-of-sophisticated-new-scams/
Boulevard Bazaar coming to backcountry May 17
by Karen Pearlman | May 10, 2026 1:48 am
East County Magazine
May 9, 2026 (Boulevard) — Don’t look now (or maybe definitely look) but the Mountain Empire is about to get a little more eccentric.
Community members in Boulevard on Sunday, May 17 will host the inaugural “Bizarre Bazaar.” The plan, according to Boulevard community spokesperson Mara Harris, is to continue this event and have a quarterly “Art and Oddities Fair” that is designed to showcase the region’s creative spirit and stimulate the local open commerce economy.
The event, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., will transform the grounds of the Backcountry Resource Center into a vibrant marketplace of the unusual.
Harris said that the Bizarre Bazaar is modeled after the successful Jacumba Bathhouse Bazaar, which takes place the first Saturday of every month. Like its Jacumba model, the Boulevard event offers free space to vendors — no registration fees and no booth costs — in an effort to lower the barrier to entry for local makers.
“If there were more venues organized throughout the region, it could enliven our local economy by offering regular outlets for free commerce,” Harris said.
(more…)[1]
Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/boulevard-bazaar-coming-to-backcountry-may-17/#more-124591
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/boulevard-bazaar-coming-to-backcountry-may-17/
Heat warning coming to San Diego County this weekend into next week
by Karen Pearlman | May 9, 2026 5:23 am
East County News Service
May 8, 2026 (San Diego County) — A powerful high-pressure system will settle over Southern California, pushing temperatures in San Diego’s desert regions toward unseasonably extreme temperatures this weekend.
The National Weather Service has officially upgraded its Extreme Heat Watch to an Extreme Heat Warning for the low deserts, effective 10 a.m. Sunday through 8 p.m. Monday.
Residents in the inland valleys and mountains are also under a Minor to Moderate Heat Risk advisory, with temperatures expected to run 10 to 20 degrees above seasonal norms in the farthest inland locations.
While the entire county will feel the heat, the low deserts — including Anza-Borrego State Park and Ocotillo Wells — are facing the most severe conditions. High temperatures in these areas are projected to peak between 103°F and 109°F from Sunday through Tuesday.
For those in the inland valleys, such as Escondido, Ramona, and Alpine, the mercury is expected to climb into the upper 80s to low 90s at peak, posing a significant threat to those without adequate air conditioning. Even mountain communities like Julian and Mt. Laguna will see uncharacteristic heat, with Moderate Heat Risk levels forecast early next week.
The National Interagency Fire Center[1] has already flagged the Southwest for “above normal significant fire potential” this month, citing the rapid drying of “flash fuels” like grass and brush. With the heat spike and low humidity, the risk of a fast-moving brush fire is significantly elevated.
County officials are urging residents to utilize the “Cool Zone” program, particularly for the elderly, the homeless, and those living in older homes without cooling systems.
All San Diego Public Library branches and many Parks and Recreation centers are designated as safe places to escape the heat during their standard business hours. The County says not to wait until you feel dizzy or thirsty to seek shade. Heat exhaustion can set in rapidly, especially when temperatures exceed 100°F. Check on the elderly and those living along at least twice a day; ensure animals have plenty of water and shade; avoid walking dogs on hot asphalt; drink more water than usual; and if someone stops sweating and becomes confused, call 9-1-1 immediately — this is a sign of life-threatening heat stroke.
Forecast at a Glance (Peak Sunday–Monday)
Coast: 5 to 10°F above normal (Highs in the low-to-mid 70s)
Inland Valleys: 10 to 20°F above normal (Highs in the upper 80s to low 90s)
Mountains: Minor to Moderate Heat Risk (Highs in the mid-80s to low 90s)
Deserts: Highs of 103°F to 109°F — Extreme Heat Warning in effect
For the most up-to-date local forecasts and cooling center locations, visit weather.gov/sandiego[2] or Alert San Diego[3].
Endnotes:- National Interagency Fire Center: https://www.nifc.gov/
- weather.gov/sandiego: http://weather.gov/sandiego
- Alert San Diego: https://www.alertsandiego.org/en-us.html
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/heat-warning-coming-to-san-diego-county-this-weekend-into-next-week/
County of San Diego West Nile Virus aerial mosquito treatment update
by Karen Pearlman | May 9, 2026 4:56 am
East County News Service
May 8, 2026 (San Diego County) — The County of San Diego will be launching its annual air war against the mosquito later this month and keep it going
Starting May 14, the County’s Vector Control Program will begin a series of aerial larvicide drops designed to thin the ranks of mosquito populations before they can take flight and spread the West Nile virus.
Unlike traditional “spraying” that targets adult insects in the air, the County will fly a helicopter over nearly 50 hard-to-reach locations — including wetlands, marshes and large areas of standing water — dropping small, granular grains of larvicide directly into the water.
These grains are designed to act like birth control for mosquitoes and contain a special larvicide that prevents young larvae from maturing into biting adults.
County officials say that the treatment is environmentally friendly and safe for people, pets, plants, and other wildlife like birds and fish.
The May 14 launch is the first of several planned. County officials say that aerial drops will recur every three to four weeks through the end of October, which typically marks the end of the peak mosquito season in San Diego County.
Health leaders say that the West Nile virus[1] remains a persistent threat in the county. While many who contract the virus show no symptoms, it can lead to severe neurological issues or even death in vulnerable populations.
The County notes that the community’s role in fighting the mosquitoes is vital. Residents are urged to turn over any containers that hold standing water, including saucers under flower pots, birdbaths, and clogged rain gutters, and drain them.
Visit the County Vector Control website[2] to see a list of neighborhoods on the flight path, which include Escondido, Kumeyaay Lake in Mission Trails Regional Park, Lakeside and Santee.
Follow @SDFightTheBite[3] on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) here[4], and for more information, visit SDFightTheBite.com[5]
Endnotes:- West Nile virus: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/deh/pests/wnv.html
- County Vector Control website: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/deh/pests/wnv/wnv_activity_update/chd_wnv_aerial_ops.html
- @SDFightTheBite: https://www.facebook.com/SDFighttheBite
- here: https://x.com/SDFighttheBite
- SDFightTheBite.com: http://SDFightTheBite.com
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/county-of-san-diego-west-nile-virus-aerial-mosquito-treatment-update/
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