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:
  1. (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/

‘Snow White’ coming to Joan B. Kroc Theatre on May 30 and 31

by Karen Pearlman | May 12, 2026 7:17 pm

Photo by Trystan Loucado

East County News Service

May 12, 2026 (San Diego) — San Diego’s BalletCenter Studios[1] is set to to debut its latest production, “Snow White,” at the end of the month for three performances at the Joan B. Kroc Theatre inside The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center[2] in Rolando.

Scheduled for Saturday, May 30 (1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.) and May 31 (2 p.m.) the production will transform the Joan B. Kroc Theatre into a whimsical forest, bringing to locals a classical ballet interpretation of the story.

(more…)[3]

Endnotes:
  1. BalletCenter Studios: https://www.balletcenterstudios.com/performances
  2. Joan B. Kroc Theatre inside The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center: https://sd.kroccenter.org/
  3. (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/snow-white-coming-to-joan-b-kroc-theatre-on-may-30-and-31/#more-124629

Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/snow-white-coming-to-joan-b-kroc-theatre-on-may-30-and-31/

California and other states monitor passengers on cruise ship for Hantavirus

by Karen Pearlman | May 12, 2026 6:39 pm

Photo courtesy CDC

By G. A. McNeeley

May 12, 2026 (California) — Health officials in six states are currently monitoring residents who recently traveled on the cruise ship at the center of a hantavirus outbreak.

No cases tied to the outbreak have been reported in the United States, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the overall risk for Americans is low, according to USA Today.

(more…)[1]

Endnotes:
  1. (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/california-and-other-states-monitor-passengers-on-cruise-ship-for-hantavirus/#more-124626

Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/california-and-other-states-monitor-passengers-on-cruise-ship-for-hantavirus/

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:
  1. Jamul Casino Resort: https://www.jamulcasino.com/
  2. AAA Four Diamond: https://www.approved.aaa.biz/aaa-diamond-program
  3. (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:
  1. Summer Knights: https://santeesummerknights.com/
  2. (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:
  1. (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:
  1. (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:
  1. (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:
  1. (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:
  1. urgent warning: https://www.sdcourt.ca.gov/news/san-diego-superior-court-warns-public-about-scams-2
  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/

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