Vehicle malfunction caused Mission Fire Series, Cal Fire investigators determine
by Miriam Raftery | May 19, 2026 7:56 pm
May 19, 2026 (Fallbrook) — Cal Fire investigators have determined the causes of multiple fires within the Mission Fire Series in Fallbrook on May 2 to be fragments from a catalytic converter on a malfunctioning vehicle. This series of fires included 26 separate fire perimeters that burned nearly 20 acres along State Route 76 and Interstate 15. (more…)[1]
Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/vehicle-malfunction-caused-mission-fire-series-cal-fire-investigators-determine/#more-124879
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/vehicle-malfunction-caused-mission-fire-series-cal-fire-investigators-determine/
Aging pipes, persistent breaks challenge Julian’s water system
by Karen Pearlman | May 19, 2026 4:55 pm
Photo courtesy Julian Community Services District
By Paul Levikow
May 19, 2026 (Julian) — Residents and business owners in the East County mountain community of Julian have running water again, after water service was restored following a recent outage and boil-water advisory on Main Street.
But local officials caution that the problems are not over yet. According to Julian Community Services District[1] General Manager and Chief Operator Harry “Buddy” Seifert, the outages stem from an aging underground pipe system dating back six decades.
“All water was back on as of 5/6/26,” Seifert told East County Magazine this week, while acknowledging that recurring failures remain a concern because “the pipe keeps breaking in different areas after repairs are made.”
(more…)[2]
Endnotes:- Julian Community Services District: https://juliancsd.org/
- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/aging-pipes-persistent-breaks-challenge-julians-water-system/#more-124867
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/aging-pipes-persistent-breaks-challenge-julians-water-system/
Reader’s Editorial: Why Tom Steyer should be the next governor of the mega-state of California
by Miriam Raftery | May 19, 2026 4:35 pm
By Bonnie Burns Price, Ph.D.
Ma7 19, 2026 (La Mesa) — There is no state in the USA that houses nearly 40,000,000 people and hosts such a huge economy, the fourth largest in the world. To properly govern California at this time, a capable candidate with extraordinary vision, concern, and skills must be in place. To me, that person is Tom Steyer. (more…)[1]
Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/readers-editorial-why-tom-steyer-should-be-the-next-governor-of-the-mega-state-of-california/#more-124861
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/readers-editorial-why-tom-steyer-should-be-the-next-governor-of-the-mega-state-of-california/
Reader’s Editorial: Xavier Becerra has the experience and courage needed to lead California as Governor
by Miriam Raftery | May 18, 2026 11:28 pm
By Maria Lopez
May 18, 2026 (El Cajon) — By far the most qualified candidate for California Governor is Xavier Becerra, who has served as California’s Attorney General, as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services during the Biden administration, as a member of Congress and the California Legislature. He has a long record of fighting against Trump administration abuses, protecting clean air and water in California, as well as standing up for healthcare protections, women’s rights, protecting immigrants and workers, and other important issues.
His opponents have backed a smear campaign against Becerra filled with false and misleading information. Here’s what you should know about his actual track record. (more…)[1]
Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/readers-editorial-xavier-becerra-has-the-experience-and-courage-needed-to-lead-california-as-governor/#more-124859
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/readers-editorial-xavier-becerra-has-the-experience-and-courage-needed-to-lead-california-as-governor/
Multi-agency rescue, care at Villa Chardonnay ongoing
by Karen Pearlman | May 18, 2026 10:00 pm
Photo of horses rescued from Villa Chardonnay Horses With Wings, Inc., and now at Suwanna Ranch in Northern California courtesy Humane Farming Association
By Karen Pearlman
May 18, 2026 (San Diego County) — The multi-agency animal rescue operation at Villa Chardonnay Horses With Wings, Inc. animal sanctuary in Julian continued over the weekend with specialized teams converging to provide emergency dental and hoof care to dozens of neglected horses. Additionally, transports started to relocate farm animals to a lifelong sanctuary in Northern California.
The ongoing rescue effort at Villa Chardonnay’s 40-acre property at 4554 Boulder Creek Road began on May 1 when the San Diego Humane Society served a search warrant from a Superior Court judge following an investigation into widespread animal neglect, emaciation, and untreated medical conditions.
Legal ownership of the animals at Villa Chardonnay was transferred to SDHS amidst Villa Chardonnay’s ongoing bankruptcy proceedings.
The full roster of more than 700 animals found on the property includes 175 horses, 446 cats, 30 dogs, 30 chickens, 12 goats, eight ducks, eight geese, six mini ponies, four donkeys, four turkeys, three pigs, three roosters, three red-eared slider turtles, two ravens, one sheep, one bull and one crow.
(more…)[1]
Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/multi-agency-rescue-care-at-villa-chardonnay-ongoing/#more-124842
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/multi-agency-rescue-care-at-villa-chardonnay-ongoing/
Active shooter at Islamic Center in San Diego: multiple casualties reported
by Miriam Raftery | May 18, 2026 8:24 pm
Update 3:15 p.m. — San Diego Police confirm that five people are dead, including three victims, all adult men, as well as two teenage suspects who appear to have died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
The San Diego Police Department said all three of the victims were adult men.
The two suspects were identified only as two teenagers. Police said the two suspects appear to have died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
By Miriam Raftery
Photo via ECM news partner 10 News
May 19, 2026 (San Diego) — San Diego Police including a SWAT team are on scene at the Islamic Center of San Diego (7050 Eckstrom Ave. in Clairemont Mesa) in response to an active shooter. Imam Tahah Hassane posted on Facebook, “My family and I are safe at this moment. The Islamic Center of San Diego is closed for the rest of the day. There are a few casualties, unfortunately. Your prayers are needed.”
(more…)[1]
Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/active-shooter-at-islamic-center-in-san-diego/#more-124837
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/active-shooter-at-islamic-center-in-san-diego/
Mt. Helix Park adds new butterfly garden, picnic tables
by Karen Pearlman | May 18, 2026 12:26 am
Story and main photo by Karen Pearlman
May 17, 2026 (Mount Helix) — A barren stretch of dirt outside the front office of Mt. Helix Park Foundation near the top of Mount Helix has become a colorful and welcoming spot for butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, towhees and other visitors to the area.
Thanks to financial backing from the family of Suzanne Chambers — the former CFO at Otay Water District and volunteer at the Water Conservation Garden — the foundation was able to purchase things that would bring the improvements. Mt. Helix Park Foundation leaders enlisted volunteers who planted flowers for pollinators, installed fencing and picnic tables, and added bird feeders to the spot.
(more…)[1]
Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/mt-helix-park-adds-new-butterfly-garden-picnic-tables/#more-124817
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/mt-helix-park-adds-new-butterfly-garden-picnic-tables/
Photos of the Week: Two winning shots from Lake Jennings Photo Contest
by Karen Pearlman | May 17, 2026 9:41 pm
East County News Service
May 17, 2026 (East County) — The Helix Water District has announced the winners of the Lake Jennings 2026 Photo Contest: Sunrise to Sunset! and East County Magazine is featuring two for our “Photos of the Week.”
At left and top, first-place youth category winner Hannah Hedrick’s “A Dusky Walk,” and below right, second place youth category winner Grace Behana’s “Sunset Over the Lake.”
These and other photographs entered in the contest will be featured on Helix Water District’s website, social media, and in Lake Jennings promotions throughout the year,.
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/photos-of-the-week-two-winning-shots-from-lake-jennings-photo-contest/
How to fix a ‘giant county bureaucracy’: San Diego County debates competing charter reform plans
by Eliza Bethalper | May 17, 2026 9:10 pm
By Deborah Brennan, CalMatters
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters.
Photo: photos of the current San Diego Board of Supervisors are displayed inside the San Diego County Administration Center on March 24, 2026. Photo by Adriana Heldiz, CalMatters
May 17, 2026 (San Diego) – San Diego County Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer pitched a plan to reform the county charter by adding an ethics commission, fiscal watchdogs and an open budget process, while giving supervisors longer term limits and more say over senior staff.
(more…)[1]
Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/how-to-fix-a-giant-county-bureaucracy-san-diego-county-debates-competing-charter-reform-plans/#more-124831
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/how-to-fix-a-giant-county-bureaucracy-san-diego-county-debates-competing-charter-reform-plans/
Mount Laguna Observatory summer visitors program starts May 23
by Karen Pearlman | May 17, 2026 6:47 pm
East County News Service
May 17, 2026 (Mount Laguna) — Star parties are back at Mount Laguna with the return of the Summer Visitors Program at the Mount Laguna Observatory.
The public programs will be held on Saturday nights from 8 to 11 p.m., May 23 through August 15, with a special bonus mid-week viewing scheduled for Wednesday, August 12.
Operated by the San Diego State University Department of Astronomy in partnership with the United States Forest Service, the outreach initiative has been connecting the public with the cosmos in various forms since the observatory’s dedication in 1968.
(more…)[1]
Endnotes:- (more…): https://eastcountymagazine.org/mount-laguna-observatory-summer-visitors-program-starts-may-23/#more-124806
Source URL: https://eastcountymagazine.org/mount-laguna-observatory-summer-visitors-program-starts-may-23/
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