East County News Service

September 5, 2025 (El Cajon) -- Local artists and galleries are coming together to host the 14th Annual Alley Cat Art Walk on Friday, September 12th from 4pm to 8pm in Downtown El Cajon. This free, family-friendly event promises fine art, live entertainment, boutique vendors, and more along Main Street and Rea Avenue.

Hosted by the art galleries, studios, museums, and small businesses in the historic Downtown El Cajon district, the Art Walk is a yearly celebration of the city’s flourishing creative scene. Along with special gallery shows, attendees can explore interactive art displays, artisanal craft booths while enjoying live music, beer on tap, and other entertainment. With all venues within walking distance, it’s easy to shop, discover new artists, and take in the range of artistic styles and mediums.

East County News Service

September 5, 2025 (La Mesa) -- Local author, domestic violence survivor and advocate Tanya Harris will host a  powerful community book signing and awareness event on Sunday, September 21, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the gazebo at Grossmont Center mall (5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa).

The community-focused event is designed to raise awareness about domestic violence, offer vital resources to survivors, and inspire hope through Harris newly released memoir: Journey of the Heart: Should I Stay, or Should I Go?

East County News Service

September 4, 2025 (Ramona) -- An hours-long standoff that led to the evacuation of a Ramona elementary school yesterday has ended with the discovery of a deceased man inside a home. 

On September 3, just before 9:30 a.m., deputies from the Ramona Sheriff's Substation responded to a call for a welfare check of a despondent man at a home in the 1400 block of Royal Vista Drive.  When deputies arrived on scene, they contacted the man through an open window. He did not respond; instead, the man retreated behind a closed door Deputies heard what sounded like the racking of a weapon, so they quickly retreated to a safe location and called for backup. 

East County News Service

September 4, 2025 (Julian) -- The East County Performing Arts Association invites you to experience the heart, humor, and resilience of Southern women in Steel Magnolias. The play will be performed in the Julian Town Hall the weekends of Oct. 17-19 and Oct. 24-26.  Friday and Saturday shows are at 7 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

Set in a small-town beauty salon, this beloved theater production blends laughter and tears as six unforgettable women navigate life’s joys and sorrows together. With sharp wit and deep emotion, Steel Magnolias is a touching tribute to friendship, strength, and love. Join us for an evening of unforgettable storytelling and heartfelt performances. 

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

September 4, 2025 (San Diego) - The County’s Office of Evaluation, Performance and Analytics has released a new plan listing 18 questions that will guide the County’s evaluation of important programs and services, ranging from homelessness to climate, public safety, and physical and mental health.

By Paul Levikow

September 3, 2025 – (East County) The governors of California, Oregon and Washington today announced they will launch a West Coast Health Alliance aimed at recommendations about immunizations, in response to recent cuts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

California Governor Gavin Newsom, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, and Washington Governor Bob Ferguson issued a joint statement saying the alliance is “in response to recent federal actions that have undermined the independence of the CDC and raised concerns about the politicization of science.” The governors say they are beginning the process to provide evidence-based unified recommendations to their residents regarding who should receive immunizations and to help ensure the public has access and credible information for confidence in vaccine safety and efficacy. 

September 3, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media.  This week's round-up stories include:

LOCAL 

• Supervisors vote to allow San Diego County to tap into financial reserves (Times of San Diego)
• How San Diego’s Congressional districts could change under redistricting (KPBS)
• Toxic sewer gases pollute South Bay at levels 70 times state regulations, study finds (NBC San Diego)

• El Cajon police and state AG’s Office at odds over sharing of surveillance data (KPBS)
• San Diego County looks to expand legal defense program for immigrant children after Trump administration cuts (CBS 8)

• Cajon Valley school bus drivers train for crisis situations (10 News)
• DHS Secretary Noem says entire southern border wall will be painted black to stop people from climbing it (CBS News)
• Warning signs installed in parts of Tijuana River Valley (County News)
• La Mesa family still concerned about road safety months after car crashed into home and RV (ABC 10)
• Local Republican groups react to Gov. Newsom's push to congressional redistricting (10 News)
• 'Officer in the Sky': Oceanside tests drones as first responders (KPBS)

STATE 

• Newsom deploys CHP crime suppression teams to San Diego, L.A., Inland Empire (CNS)
• Judge rules Trump's deployment of troops to Los Angeles violated federal law (CBS)
• This candidate for California governor has a potential conflict of interest in her own home (KPBS)
• 'They're not going to live normally': A devastating disease has surged in Calif. (SF Gate)
• Fatal kidney disease in sea lions along CA coast could impact pets, marine biologists warn (ABC 7)
• FTC accuses LA Fitness of trapping customers in memberships in new lawsuit (CBS)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

By Paul Levikow

September 2, 2025 (East County) – California Attorney General Rob Bonta and health care activists from the nonprofit Protect Our Care California held a virtual news conference Tuesday regarding the “ongoing Trump-GOP health care emergency,'' which they say puts 28 hospitals and 15 nursing homes at risk of closure statewide. 

Pioneers Memorial Hospital in Brawley in Imperial County is the closest facility to East County that was identified by Protect Our Care California as at risk of closing due to healthcare funding cuts in Trump's "Big Beautiful" budget bill, according to Bonta.

“Since Jan. 20, Trump has flooded the zone with a deluge of unlawful, unconscionable and un-American acts. He’s broken the law, he has violated the constitution, he’s reached far beyond the bounds of the presidency,” Bonta said. “Sadly, Republicans in Congress have been all too willing to stand by and let him. Republicans in Congress are sitting cozy in Trump’s back pocket and together they’re demolishing so much of what makes our country great, including the hard-fought progress we’ve made to provide affordable, accessible healthcare for all.”

September 3, 2025 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• Medicare Will Require Prior Approval for Certain Procedures (New York Times)
• New CDC chief picked without medical credentials as vaccine panel faces shake-up (AP/Scripps News)
• Sen. Cassidy calls for vaccine advisory meeting to be postponed amid CDC departures  (CBS)
• Trump and RFK Jr. to Ban COVID-19 Vaccine 'Within Months' (Daily Beast)
• San Diego County loses $40M in funds just before new public health lab opens (Fox 5)
• Meat, dairy allergies from tick bites "skyrocketing" on Martha's Vineyard, expert says (CBS News)

SCIENCE-TECH

• Dredging Mobile Bay in Alabama has found unlikely allies 
• These brain implants speak your mind — even when you don't want to (NPR)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

Some retail outlets start unlocking high-end products

East County News Service

September 1, 2025 (San Diego) -- San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan has released promising data on prosecutions and court-mandated treatment under news laws created by the passage of Proposition 36.

By Miriam Raftery

August 18, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – As summer transitions into fall, September brings seasonal events such as an Autumn Jubilee, Sycuan's Powwow, the Alley Cat Art Walk in El Cajon, Grape Stomp Festa and Apple Time Tea in Julian, Oktoberfest in El Cajon, a 911 Memorial walk in Lakeside, a roaring '20s fashion show in Lemon Grove, and Poway’s annual Rotary parade. 

Plus find end of summer music jams at Santee Lakes, theatrical productions, concerts at several locations, Santee's movie in the park, comedy at Sycuan, a health fair at Parkway Plaza, and more.

Scroll down for details on all of these fun and festive events.