Multi-Vehicle collision on I-8 in La Mesa leaves El Cajon Man dead
by Karen Pearlman | May 4, 2026 10:12 pm
East County News Service
May 4, 2026 (La Mesa) — A late-night chain-reaction crash involving a semi-truck and two passenger vehicles on Interstate 8 claimed the life of a young El Cajon man early Saturday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The collision occurred at about 1:37 a.m. on May 2, west of Fletcher Parkway. Investigators say a 28-year-old El Cajon man was traveling eastbound in a 2022 Ford Ranger when he struck the rear of a Volvo T680 tractor-trailer.
The semi-truck, driven by a 33-year-old El Cajon resident, was traveling at about 45 mph at the time of the initial impact.
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Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/multi-vehicle-collision-on-i-8-in-la-mesa-leaves-el-cajon-man-dead/#more-124446
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/multi-vehicle-collision-on-i-8-in-la-mesa-leaves-el-cajon-man-dead/
State health officials file lawsuit against Santee-based Kratom manufacturer
by Karen Pearlman | May 4, 2026 6:51 pm
East County News Service
May 4, 2026 (Sacramento) – The California Department of Public Health, in coordination with Attorney General Rob Bonta, has filed a formal legal complaint against Ashlynn Marketing Group, Inc., for the illegal manufacture and distribution of kratom-derived products.
The filing, submitted to the San Diego County Superior Court, targets the company — which operates under the names Krave, Krave Kratom and Krave Botanicals and conducts business on Hartley Road in Santee — for repeatedly violating state law and interfering with a government-ordered embargo.
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Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/state-health-officials-file-lawsuit-against-santee-based-kratom-manufacturer/#more-124442
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/state-health-officials-file-lawsuit-against-santee-based-kratom-manufacturer/
Police search for suspect after juvenile battered in Poway
by Karen Pearlman | May 4, 2026 5:02 pm
East County News Service
May 4, 2026 (Poway) – Detectives from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Child Abuse Unit are seeking public assistance in identifying a man who allegedly sexually battered an 11-year-old girl over the weekend.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m., Saturday, May 2 near the 13400 block of Midland Road in Poway. According to authorities, the victim was with a friend when the unknown male approached and battered her. The assault ended when the victim’s friend screamed for the man to stop, prompting the suspect to flee the scene on foot.
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Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/police-search-for-suspect-after-juvenile-battered-in-poway/#more-124439
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/police-search-for-suspect-after-juvenile-battered-in-poway/
NLL’s Seals force deciding playoff game with dominant home win over Toronto
by Karen Pearlman | May 4, 2026 3:17 am
Dylan Watson of the San Diego Seals in Sunday’s semifinal game. Photo courtesy San Diego Seals
East County News Service
May 3, 2026 (San Diego) — Staring down playoff elimination at Pechanga Arena, the San Diego Seals delivered their most complete performance of the postseason on Sunday afternoon. The Seals topped the Toronto Rock 11-6 in Game 2 of their NLL Semifinal series to force a decisive third game next weekend in Hamilton, Ontario.
The result ends any thought of a Toronto sweep and sets up a winner-take-all showdown, with the Seals riding a wave of momentum, which was pushed to the heights with a hometown crowd that sent them off the floor roaring.
With Seals goaltender Chris Origlieri placed on the Injured Reserve list the morning of the game, the Seals turned to Cam Dunkerley to guard the net. Making his first career playoff start, Dunkerley stepped up to the job, stopping 36 of 42 shots (85.7 save percentage).
On the offensive end, Dylan Watson was the story, netting a season-high four goals to bring his postseason total to nine. Wes Berg finished with five assists and one goal, while Connor Robinson added two scores. James Barclay, Eli Gobrecht, Tre Leclaire and Zach Currier rounded out the offense with single goals.
The game was a physical affair, with officials assessing 80 total penalty minutes. There were also four ejections.
San Diego’s special teams converted on two of seven power play opportunities while shutting out Toronto’s man advantage, holding the Rock to 0-for-5 on the power play.
Game 3 is set for Saturday, May 9, at TD Coliseum in Hamilton, with faceoff at 4 p.m. Pacific time. A Seals win sends San Diego to their first-ever NLL Cup Finals; a Rock win would end the Seals’ season.
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/nlls-seals-force-deciding-playoff-game-with-dominant-home-win-over-toronto/
Padres announce $3.9B sale agreement amid win over White Sox
by Karen Pearlman | May 4, 2026 2:10 am
Padres third baseman Manny Machado connects for a home run on Sunday, May 3. Photo courtesy San Diego Padres Facebook page
East County News Service
May 3, 2026 (San Diego) — The San Diego Padres formally announced on Saturday, May 2, a definitive agreement to transfer franchise ownership to a group led by José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones for a record-breaking $3.9 billion.
The news was followed by a tense afternoon at Petco Park on Sunday, May 3, where the Padres snapped a losing streak with a 4-3 win over the Chicago White Sox.
The sale still needs the approval of 75 percent of Major League Baseball owners to be finalized. That vote could potentially occur at the next quarterly owners meeting in June in New York. If approved, the price would shatter the previous record for an MLB franchise sale, when Steve Cohen purchased the New York Mets for $2.42 billion in 2020.
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Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/padres-announce-3-9b-sale-agreement-amid-win-over-white-sox/#more-124433
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/padres-announce-3-9b-sale-agreement-amid-win-over-white-sox/
Eight candidates For California’s 48th Congressional District attend April 9 forum
by Karen Pearlman | May 4, 2026 1:19 am
Screenshot from forum on YouTube
By G. A. McNeeley
May 3, 2026 (San Diego County) — On Thursday, April 9, the League of Women Voters of North County San Diego facilitated a forum (click here to watch it on YouTube[1]) hosted by the Ocean Hills Country Club Democracy Defenders that brought together eight of the candidates who are running for California’s 48th Congressional District.
This forum was structured by the League of Women Voters (a non-partisan organization) to give the candidates equal time to answer questions, and they were encouraged to share civil and substantive answers, focused on their own priorities, plans and positions.
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Endnotes:- click here to watch it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h4wxTh2vWQ
- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/124426-2-eight-candidates-48th/#more-124426
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/124426-2-eight-candidates-48th/
San Diego River Days 2026: Conservation, culture and community exploration
by Karen Pearlman | May 4, 2026 12:58 am
Photo courtesy San Diego River Park Foundation
By Karen Pearlman
May 3, 2026 (San Diego County) — The 23rd annual San Diego River Days[1] is officially underway, offering more than three dozen events designed to connect San Diego County residents with the 52-mile waterway that serves as the region’s ecological backbone.
Organized by the nonprofit San Diego River Park Foundation and a wide array of local co-hosts and partner organizations, River Days runs May 9 through May 17, spanning the entire watershed from Julian through Lakeside and Mission Valley out to Ocean Beach.
This year’s programming emphasizes a blend of hands-on environmental stewardship, wildlife education and cultural history, with a large concentration of activities the weekends of May 9-10 and May 16-17.
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Endnotes:- San Diego River Days: https://sdriverdays.org/
- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/san-diego-river-days-2026-conservation-culture-and-community-exploration/#more-124423
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/san-diego-river-days-2026-conservation-culture-and-community-exploration/
About 10 to 20 fires burning along SR 76 and I15
by Karen Pearlman | May 2, 2026 8:08 pm
East County News Service
May 2, 2026 (North San Diego County) — The North County Fire Protection District is reporting a total of 10 to 20 spot fires along state Route 76 and up Interstate 15. Most fires were reported 50-feet by 50-feet, according to Watch Duty App.
Eastbound SR-76 from Mission Road to Hwy 395 is closed as firefighters are working to contain the fires that broke out just after 11 a.m. Saturday morning around Bonsall and Pala Mesa. There have been reports of four fires burning on state Route 76 and about five fires burning on northbound I-15.
#MissionFire
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/about-10-to-20-fires-burning-along-sr-76-and-i15/
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.
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Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/east-county-in-focus-for-san-diego-county-board-of-supervisors/#more-124408
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/east-county-in-focus-for-san-diego-county-board-of-supervisors/
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.
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Endnotes:- Villa Chardonnay, Horses With Wings, Inc.: https://villachardonnay.org/
- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/massive-rescue-underway-hundreds-of-animals-seized-from-julian-sanctuary/#more-124392
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/massive-rescue-underway-hundreds-of-animals-seized-from-julian-sanctuary/
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