East County in focus for San Diego County Board of Supervisors
by Karen Pearlman | May 2, 2026 1:24 am
East County News Service
May 1, 2026 (San Diego County) — In a show of bipartisan collaboration aimed at addressing the needs of one of San Diego County’s most underserved regions, District 2 Supervisor Joel Anderson hosted Board Chair Pro Tem Paloma Aguirre from District 1 (South County) this past week for an extensive tour of East County, including the backcountry.
The day-long journey provided both supervisors a firsthand look at the diverse landscape of East County’s sprawling District 2, ranging from the urban corridors of El Cajon to the rugged Mountain Empire.
Massive rescue underway: hundreds of animals seized from Julian sanctuary
by Karen Pearlman | May 2, 2026 12:23 am
Photo from Villa Chardonnay, Horses With Wings, Inc. Facebook page
By Karen Pearlman
May 1, 2026 (Julian) — In what appears to be one of the largest ever animal welfare interventions locally, the San Diego Humane Society, the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services and several more partner agencies launched a massive rescue operation of animals with welfare concerns early Friday morning, May 1, at a 20-acre rural sanctuary in Julian.
SDHS officials say that an investigation into the site began in early April and that San Diego DAS “had previous reports about the property but only recently received legal authority to enter.”
Supported by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, San Diego Humane Law Enforcement officers served a search warrant at Villa Chardonnay, Horses With Wings, Inc.[1], the property at 4554 Boulder Creek Road in Julian just after sunrise.
The rescue operation at Villa Chardonnay involves large groups of veterinary teams, emergency responders and animal care specialists. The collective effort is doing triage work, aiming to rescue and relocate hundreds of animals currently living on the site.
(more…)[2]
Endnotes:
Villa Chardonnay, Horses With Wings, Inc.: https://villachardonnay.org/
San Diego State University does not track amount of unhoused students on campus
by Karen Pearlman | May 1, 2026 11:33 pm
“SDSU relies on students self-reporting their housing status, and not everyone adopts the same definition of homelessness.” – Evie Baez, the director of the SDSU Basic Needs Center
By Armando Rasing II
Hepner Hall on SDSU’s campus in San Diego, Calif. on March 24, 2026. (Photo/Armando Rasing II)
While there are thousands of unhoused students in the California State University system, it is unknown how many unhoused students attend San Diego State University as they rely on students to self-report their housing status.
San Diego is the eighth-most populated city[1] with the sixth-largest[2] homeless population in the United States. The average monthly rent for all property types in San Diego County is $2,522,[3] which is more than the average rent of $2,000 in the country. [4]According to the San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness, San Diego has approximately 9,905 unhoused individuals,[5] which is less than the 10,605 unhoused individuals that were tracked in 2024.
According to the San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness, San Diego has approximately 9,905 unhoused individuals,[6] which is less than the 10,605 unhoused individuals that were tracked in 2024.
Both SDSU and UC San Diego – the two largest collegiate institutions in San Diego – do not keep numbers on unhoused students, but the San Diego Community College District does.
Supervisors unanimously advance Anderson government accountability reforms
by Eliza Bethalper | May 1, 2026 8:26 pm
East County News Service
Photo via countynewscenter.com
May 1, 2026 (San Diego) — In a decisive step toward restoring public trust and bringing sunshine to local government, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved three transparency-focused measures authored by Supervisor Joel Anderson. The package of reforms is designed to ensure the public can see, understand, and participate in how decisions are made at the County.
Taken together, the measures reflect a governing philosophy grounded in a simple idea: public business should be conducted in public view. From how subcommittees operate, to how taxpayer-funded polling is conducted, to how public records are processed and released, the actions establish clearer rules of the road and put transparency at the center of County decision-making.
“It’s the dawn of new transparency at the County,” said Supervisor Anderson. “For too long, important conversations have happened out of public view. These reforms reaffirm that the public deserves a clear window into the Board’s work and not just on the final vote.”
Scripps Research offers lecture on new drugs to tackle diseases May 20
by Eliza Bethalper | May 1, 2026 8:19 pm
East County News Service
Join the community in person on the Scripps Research campus https://frontrow.scripps.edu/lectures/michael-erb[1] or attend virtually via Zoom webinar.
May 1, 2026 (San Diego) — Some of the most devastating diseases are driven by proteins that cannot be targeted with conventional drugs. Scientists are now discovering ways to control disease by recruiting the cell’s own machinery to tackle this challenge. In this free Front Row lecture, Associate Professor Michael Erb will take the audience inside the cell to explain how his team is developing “proximity” drugs. On May 20 at 4 p.m., Scripps Research will present the lecture both online and at its San Diego campus.
Spring Craft Fair May 9 to benefit Mount Miguel High School Foundation
by Eliza Bethalper | May 1, 2026 8:13 pm
East County News Service
May 1, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Find hand-made treasures at the Spring Craft Fair on May 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fair, held at Mount Miguel High School’s multicultural event center at 8585 Blossom Lane in Spring Valley, benefits the Mount Miguel High School Foundation.
Admission is free.
For more information, contact MtMiguelAlumni@gmail.com[1] or call Joanne Burke at (619) 316-3225.
Eight candidates for governor debate at Pomona College
by Karen Pearlman | May 1, 2026 6:46 pm
By G. A. McNeeley
May 1, 2026 (Pomona College, Claremont) — Eight candidates appeared at Pomona College on Tuesday, April 28, during the most recent debate for the 2026 California governor’s race. The debate provided a chance for voters to consider the perspectives of these candidates on various important topics.
It should be noted that the moderator did not give every candidate a chance to answer every question.
Eric Swalwell and Betty Yee both previously suspended their campaigns, and are no longer running for Governor of California.
High-end steakhouse restaurant coming soon to Santee
by Karen Pearlman | May 1, 2026 3:42 pm
By Paul Levikow
May 1, 2026 (Santee) – A new restaurant is scheduled to open in June at the Lantern Crest senior living community in Santee, bringing to East County the area’s first self-described five-star steakhouse.
The Heritage Steakhouse will be located on the sixth floor of the Legacy Building at Lantern Crest located on Lantern Crest Way near the state Route 67 connection to state Route 52. It is hoping to become a regional dining destination.
“The Heritage Steakhouse was created to bring a level of excellence to East County that rivals the finest steakhouses in the country,” Michael Grant, founder of The Heritage Steakhouse said in a news release.
Year-round fire season means East County residents should always be prepared
by Karen Pearlman | May 1, 2026 3:38 am
Left: Residents meet with fire inspector at Helix De Oro Fire Safe Council-sponsored fire preparedness assessment tour.
Story and photos by Paul Levikow
May 1, 2026 (Mt. Helix) — The reality of year-round fire season in San Diego’s East County was addressed during a recent wildfire preparedness assessment tour at a Mt. Helix home, where residents gathered to learn practical steps to protect their properties before the next emergency strikes.
Hosted by the Rancho Helix de Oro Fire Safe Council at the home of co-chair Lidia Chang, the event brought together more than a dozen neighbors for a detailed walk-through led by a San Miguel Fire and Rescue Department fire inspector. The council is part of the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County and plans to hold additional assessment tours later this year.
Water Conservation Garden restores educational programs, expands displays and plans festive events
by Miriam Raftery | May 1, 2026 2:48 am
April 30, 2026 (Rancho San Diego) — The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College is thriving once again, after facing an uncertain future due to financial troubles. In an interview with East County Magazine for KNSJ Radio, Lauren Magnuson, director of garden operations, shares information on the return of educational programs, new displays including fire-wise landscaping, and the return of signature festivals and events–including the Spring Garden Festival and Butterfly Release this Saturday, May 2.
Click the audio link to hear our full interview.
For more information on the May 2 Spring Garden Festival and Butterfly Release, visit Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival plus Coyote Music Festival this Saturday, May 2, at Cuyamaca College – East County Magazine[2].
Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival plus Coyote Music Festival this Saturday, May 2, at Cuyamaca College – East County Magazine: https://eastcountymagazine.org/spring-garden-and-butterfly-festival-plus-coyote-music-festival-this-saturday-may-2-at-cuyamaca-college/
East County News Service
Photo from Villa Chardonnay, Horses With Wings, Inc. Facebook page
By G. A. McNeeley
By Paul Levikow
Left: Residents meet with fire inspector at Helix De Oro Fire Safe Council-sponsored fire preparedness assessment tour.