by Karen Pearlman | May 26, 2026 5:42 pm
By Karen Pearlman
May 25, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — Lemon Grove voters will have the final say this November on a measure that would end commercial bird sales in the city, replacing them with a rescue-only model that requires pet stores to source birds exclusively from animal shelters, humane societies or nonprofit rescue organizations. The Lemon Grove City Council voted 3-2 last Tuesday, May 19, to place a citizen-led initiative to ban the commercial sale of birds on the November ballot. (more…)
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/lemon-grove-bird-sale-ban-heading-to-november-ballot-after-3-2-vote/
by Miriam Raftery | May 26, 2026 5:38 pm
East County News Service
Photo: Victim Samuel Holthaus, courtesy of the District Attorney’s office
May 26, 2026 (San Diego) – Kenneth McNally Jr., 42, has been sentenced to 216 years in prison for murdering Samuel Holthaus, 59, and committing a series of other violent crimes in Harbison Canyon in 2023. According to the prosecution, McNally strangled Holthaus with an electrical cord and buried him in a shallow grave. He also attempted to strangle a former roommate, fired shots into a vehicle, and threatened another man at gunpoint. (more…)
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/harbison-canyon-man-sentenced-to-216-years-in-prison-for-brutal-murder-of-samuel-holthaus-and-other-violent-crimes/
by Miriam Raftery | May 25, 2026 8:35 pm
East County News Service
Photo courtesy of San Diego County Sheriff
May 25, 2026 (Spring Valley) – A Spring Valley man who is prohibited from owning firearms has been arrested after a search found un-serialized “ghost” guns, ammunition, and gun parts in various stages of manufacture. (more…)
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/ghost-guns-seized-in-spring-valley-after-swat-team-operation/
by Miriam Raftery | May 25, 2026 7:09 pm
By Philicia Tonangoye
Photo by Leonard LMT, creative commons 4.0 via Wikipedia: San Diego Islamic Center, hours after the shooting
The deadly attack at San Diego’s Islamic center[1] on Monday was planned by two teens who met online and became radicalized in a hate speech forum. The pair eventually took their own lives after shooting and killing three men at the region’s largest mosque. (more…)
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/troubling-details-emerge-on-teen-shooters-in-islamic-center-attack/
by Miriam Raftery | May 25, 2026 6:04 pm
May 25, 2026 (San Diego) – Top stories reporting in other media in the US include rising inflation, weakening of the Voting Rights Act, a fund that could reimburse Jan. 6 rioters, court rulings on tariffs and humanities grants, ICE funding of police, and insider trading allegations. Global headlines include the U.S. indicting Cuba’s former ruler, plans stalled to reopen Strait of Hormuz, a South American oil spill, and Russia threatening new strikes in Ukraine. (more…)
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/ecm-world-watch-national-and-global-news-434/
by Eliza Bethalper | May 25, 2026 4:45 pm
By Christina Johnson
May 24, 2026 (San Diego) — Essentially, the ties between San Diego County, California, and the armed forces have never been confined to uniforms, deployments, or ceremonial tributes alone. In many ways, the region has grown alongside the military sector itself—honed by generations of Navy personnel, aviation crews, shipyard workers, veterans, and their families who helped make the county one of the most concentrated military communities. Regrettably, that long-standing presence has also carried less visible consequences that often receive far less public attention—most notably illnesses attributed to prolonged toxic exposure.
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/readers-editorial-national-military-appreciation-month-an-opportunity-to-advance-protections-for-toxic-exposed-veterans/
by Karen Pearlman | May 25, 2026 4:26 am
East County News Service
May 24, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — J Lau Farrow-Halston of Escondido Drag[1] is hosting the Lemon Grove Pride Drag Brunch next month.
The 2 1/2-hour show will include performances by Amore Envy, Gabby Link Aux and Drag Latina’s Rosalinda and will be held starting at noon on Saturday, June 6. Doors open at 11 a.m. at El Cata Mariscos Sushi & Cortes[2] at 8099 Broadway in Lemon Grove.
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/lemon-grove-pride-drag-brunch-coming-on-june-6/
by Miriam Raftery | May 24, 2026 8:53 pm
By Alexander J. Schorr
May 24, 2026 — Grossmont Education Association (GEA), the teachers’ union in the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) has endorsed a slate of three challengers running against controversial incumbents for the district’ s board of trustees. The endorsed slate includes Jeneé Littrell[1] for area 3 against incumbent Gary Woods, Steve Mull[2] for area 4 against Robert Shield, and Pete Mergens[3] in area 5 against Jim Kelly. GEA has withheld endorsements from the previously backed incumbents due to allegations of severe ethical misconduct[4], election manipulation[5], and a breakdown[6] in district labor relations.
Photo: Left to Right: Pete Mergens, Jeneé Littrell, and Steve Mull
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/teachers-union-endorses-challengers-for-controversy-mired-grossmont-union-high-school-district-board/
by Eliza Bethalper | May 23, 2026 7:53 pm
By Paul Levikow
May 23, 2026 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa City Council voted 4-1 on May 12 to adopt a new electric bicycle safety ordinance prohibiting children under age 12 from operating Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes within city limits. Councilmember Laura Lothian cast the lone dissenting vote.
The ordinance was adopted under California’s San Diego Electric Bicycle Safety Pilot Program authorized through Assembly Bill 2234 and will take effect 30 days after adoption. For the first 60 days after the law takes effect, La Mesa Police Department officers will issue warnings only. After that educational period, violations may result in a $25 administrative citation. Parents or guardians can avoid paying the fine if the child completes an approved electric bicycle safety training course within 120 days of the citation.
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/la-mesa-city-council-approves-e-bike-safety-law-for-children-under-12/
Copyright ©2026 East County Magazine unless otherwise noted.