Pedestrian, 80, fatally struck by vehicle outside of La Mesa Costco
by Miriam Raftery | May 14, 2026 12:51 am
East County News Service
May 13, 2026 (La Mesa) – An 80-year-old woman walking in the driveway at Costco in La Mesa was struck by a vehicle pulling out of the driveway this morning shortly after noon. She later died of her injuries. (more…)[1]
Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/pedestrian-80-fatally-struck-by-vehicle-outside-of-la-mesa-costco/#more-124667
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/pedestrian-80-fatally-struck-by-vehicle-outside-of-la-mesa-costco/
CalFresh Awareness Month takes on greater meaning with county outreach
by Karen Pearlman | May 13, 2026 10:12 pm
East County News Service
May 13, 2026 (San Diego County) — San Diego County officials are using CalFresh Awareness Month this month to launch an expansive outreach campaign to connect residents with food resources and streamline the application process for those who face food insecurity.
CalFresh, California’s version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, currently serves more than 373,000 San Diegans. The program provides monthly supplemental benefits that help low-income individuals and families buy nutritious food and stretch their monthly household budgets.
“Every household deserves access to healthy food,” said Alberto Banuelos, Ph.D., interim director of County self-sufficiency services. “CalFresh Awareness Month is about connecting residents with resources that help them meet daily needs and make a real difference.”
(more…)[1]
Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/calfresh-awareness-month-takes-on-greater-meaning-with-county-outreach/#more-124663
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/calfresh-awareness-month-takes-on-greater-meaning-with-county-outreach/
CA-48 Congressional Race is One of California’s Most Competitive Battlegrounds
by Miriam Raftery | May 13, 2026 9:55 pm
By Paul Levikow
Photos via campaigns, left to right: Marni Von Wilpert, Ammar Campa-Najjar, and Jim Desmond
May 13, 2026 (East County) — The race for California’s newly redrawn 48th Congressional District has become one of the most closely watched House contests in the nation, with Democrats hoping to capitalize on newly favorable district boundaries while Republicans rally behind San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond. (more…)[1]
Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/ca-48-congressional-race-is-one-of-californias-most-competitive-battlegrounds/#more-124659
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/ca-48-congressional-race-is-one-of-californias-most-competitive-battlegrounds/
Man jailed after violent April assault in La Mesa
by Karen Pearlman | May 13, 2026 9:54 pm
East County News Service
May 13, 2026 (La Mesa) — A 22-year-old San Diego man is behind bars facing an attempted homicide charge following his arrest early Thursday morning in connection with a violent assault in La Mesa last month.
Alexsis Moreno-Magana was taken into custody at about 1:32 a.m. near the intersection of Kettner Boulevard and Broadway by the Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego.
The arrest was the result of a joint effort between the San Diego Police Department and San Diego Metropolitan Transit System officers, who located Moreno-Magana a week after the initial attack.
(more…)[1]
Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/man-jailed-after-violent-april-assault-in-la-mesa/#more-124658
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/man-jailed-after-violent-april-assault-in-la-mesa/
Book Review: Abe’s Decision, by San Diego author Travis Lee
by Karen Pearlman | May 13, 2026 9:26 pm
Reviewed by Pennell Paugh
May 13, 2026 (San Diego) — San Diego writer Travis Lee has added a new novel to his impressive collection of writings. Abe’s Decision is his 18th novel. This story describes a dark world where people work in a coal mine. Food, health care, masks against coal dust and adequate clothing are not provided regularly to the workers.
Abe tries to save another worker and is lifted from the level of worker to the position of doctor, though he is, in fact, a pharmacist. His quality of life vastly improves: three meals a day, a uniform, an office, his own bedroom…
His job is a farce, because he lacks the skills and his supply of medicine and first aid is paltry. A patient is brought in who has multiple wounds in his chest. Abe uses what he has been given and covers the wounds with band aids, then sends the patient to the hospital.
(more…)[1]
Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/book-review-abes-decision-by-san-diego-author-travis-lee/#more-124655
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/book-review-abes-decision-by-san-diego-author-travis-lee/
Teen dies in fiery El Cajon crash
by Miriam Raftery | May 13, 2026 7:54 pm
East County News Service
May 13, 2026 (El Cajon) – An 18-year-old El Cajon man is dead after a crash that occurred shortly at 12:20 a.m. on La Cresta Road, east of Ranch Gate Road in unincorporated El Cajon. He was driving a 2003 Ford Explorer that veered off the roadway and overturned, then rolled down an embankment and caught fire. (more…)[1]
Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/teen-dies-in-fiery-el-cajon-crash/#more-124652
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/teen-dies-in-fiery-el-cajon-crash/
Book Review: The Cycle of Kindness by Nathaniel Allen
by Karen Pearlman | May 13, 2026 6:41 pm
Reviewed by Pennell Paugh
May 13, 2026 (San Diego) — The Cycle of Kindness, written by San Diego author Nathaniel Allenby, is the first of a what the author hopes will be a series of memoirs about his travels across the globe.
Book 1 covers Allenby’s bike adventures across Europe.
His best friend, Dan, inspires their trip. The two begin traveling in Denmark. After biking extensively, a female joins them who pairs up with Dan. Allenby tires of being left shut out most of the time, and decides to travel on his own. During the entire trip, Allenby travels without funds. He survives by hunting through trash bins near restaurants.
Most days they cycle a hundred miles, so they need a lot of calories. When times become desperate, they knock on doors and plead for help using a card to translate their request. Sometimes people are generous, sometimes not.
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Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/book-review-the-cycle-of-kindness-by-nathaniel-allen/#more-124648
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/book-review-the-cycle-of-kindness-by-nathaniel-allen/
50% of San Diego County high school students are eligible for CalKIDS scholarships worth up to $1,500
by Miriam Raftery | May 13, 2026 5:35 pm
More than $135 million is available countywide to support students as they make college and career decisions ahead of graduation
May 13, 2026 (San Diego) — As high school seniors across San Diego County make college and career decisions ahead of graduation, CalKIDS is encouraging students and families to check whether scholarship funds have already been set aside in their names. Approximately 50% of public high school students in San Diego County are eligible for a CalKIDS Scholarship worth up to $1,500, with more than $135 million in scholarship funds available countywide.
Administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board under the California State Treasurer’s Office, CalKIDS provides scholarships to eligible California public school students to help pay for college or career training. Funds can be used at accredited colleges, universities, community colleges, trade schools, and vocational programs for qualified educational expenses, including tuition and fees, books and supplies, certain room and board, and computer equipment. Students, their parents, or guardians must claim their CalKIDS Scholarship Account in order to use the funds.
“CalKIDS represents California’s investment in the promise and potential of our students,” said State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA. “These scholarships send a powerful message to families across our state: we believe in our young people, we are investing in their future, and we want every student to know that college or career training is within reach.”
CalKIDS is working in partnership with the California Student Aid Commission to support more targeted outreach to eligible students. Through the WebGrants 4 Students portal, school counselors now have access to data that can identify eligible 9-12 grade students and support direct outreach. The partnership helps connect more students to CalKIDS Scholarships and the financial support available to help them take the next step after high school.
“This innovative partnership is transforming how millions of California students access the resources that make college possible. Students can now claim their CalKIDS Account and applying for financial aid more seamlessly” said Dr. Daisy Gonzales, CSAC Executive Director. “We’re removing barriers at the exact moment that students are making decisions about their future, which can influence whether a student enrolls, persists, and ultimately graduates while addressing basic needs.”
For eligible students, CalKIDS offers meaningful financial support as they prepare to take the next step after high school.
“It has been very nice to have that extra bit of cash that can get me through college without having to burden my family heavily,” said Varun Prajapati, a CalKIDS recipient and student from the University of California, San Diego.
Checking eligibility and claiming a CalKIDS Scholarship is simple and takes just a few minutes. Students only need their Statewide Student Identifier, or SSID, which can typically be found on a school report card or transcript, or by asking a school counselor. Once they have their SSID, students and families can visit CalKIDS.org [1]to check eligibility and, if eligible, follow the steps to claim their scholarship.
About CalKIDS: The California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS) is the nation’s largest child development account program, providing scholarships for higher education. Administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, and Chaired by State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA, the program is designed to promote the pursuit of higher education statewide by empowering families to build assets, nurture savings habits, and raise their educational aspirations. Eligible public school students can receive CalKIDS Scholarships worth up to $1,500 and every child born in California on or after July 1, 2022, is awarded a CalKIDS Scholarship worth up to $175, ensuring more families have the resources needed to support their children’s education. To learn more, visit CalKIDS.org[2].
Endnotes:- CalKIDS.org : http://calkids.org
- CalKIDS.org: http://calkids.org/
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/50-of-san-diego-county-high-school-students-are-eligible-for-calkids-scholarships-worth-up-to-1500/
Reader’s Editorial: Trump assault on National Forests comes to San Diego County
by Karen Pearlman | May 13, 2026 5:15 pm
Photo courtesy The Chaparral Lands Conservancy
By David Hogan, executive director of The Chaparral Lands Conservancy
SAN DIEGO – Conservation groups have sent a letter to officials at the Cleveland National Forest opposing the proposed Laguna Mountains Forest Restoration Project.
The groups condemn the Forest Service’s so-called “restoration” plan to log trees, bulldoze and burn natural chaparral shrublands, and spray herbicide across more than 13,000 acres of scenic mountains near San Diego.
(more…)[1]
Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/readers-editorial-trump-assault-on-national-forests-comes-to-san-diego-county/#more-124640
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/readers-editorial-trump-assault-on-national-forests-comes-to-san-diego-county/
San Diego County farms lose $1.7M annually to natural hazards
by Karen Pearlman | May 13, 2026 12:05 am
Graphic courtesy Trace One
East County News Service
May 12, 2026 (San Diego County) — While San Diego County shoppers grumble about persistent inflation at the checkout counter, a new report suggests the culprit isn’t just economic — it’s also environmental.
According to a 2026 analysis released by Trace One, natural disasters are now a multi-billion dollar drain on the American food supply, with San Diego County agriculture losing an estimated $1.7 million every year to weather-related hazards.
Trace One is a global leader in Product Lifecycle Management and regulatory compliance software. For more than 30 years, the company has provided a centralized platform for manufacturers and retailers — specifically in the food and beverage, cosmetics and chemical industries — to ensure their products meet safety standards and government regulations.
(more…)[1]
Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/san-diego-county-farms-lose-1-7m-annually-to-natural-hazards/#more-124636
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/san-diego-county-farms-lose-1-7m-annually-to-natural-hazards/
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