East County News Service

February 20, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) -- Activists from Fallbrook, Escondido, Julian, and Ramona will gather at Congressman Darrell Issa’s office on February 21, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. to demand an in-person town hall meeting. The protest will take place at 210 W. Crest Street, Escondido, California. 

The rally, organized by Indivisible North County San Diego, aims to address critical issues facing the community, including the urgent need for transparency and accountability from elected officials. Issa, San Diego County's only Republican Congressional member, has been a staunch supporters of President Donald Trump to date.

Activists will call on Congressman Issa to engage directly with his constituents and to stand firm against the illegal dismantling of federal agencies orchestrated by Elon Musk.  

“Congressman Issa has a responsibility to represent the voices of his constituents, and that includes holding town hall meetings where we can express our concerns,” said Pam Albergo, a spokesperson for Indivisible North County San Diego. “We are here to demand that he stands up against the reckless actions that undermine our government and its agencies.”

Source: San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Photos:Ken Bohr, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

May 20, 2023 (Escondido) — The San Diego Zoo Safari Park has welcomed a new lion to the pride: Bo, a 7-year-old male African lion. On May 17, Bo curiously explored his new home at the Lion Camp habitat, showing confidence as he became comfortable in his new surroundings. Bo will eventually lead his own pride when he is introduced to the three female lions who reside at Lion Camp—Malika, Zuri and Amira.

Bo moved to the Safari Park from Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, following a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) for African lions, which is designed to help maintain a healthy, genetically diverse assurance population of this species.

By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office

January 12, 2021 (Escondido) - The County today broke ground on a new 50-unit apartment complex for low-income seniors and older people who are homeless and have a serious mental illness.

Event slated for Oct. 30-31 and Nov. 6-7

By Henri Migala

Photos by Mark and Miriam Raftery

October 14, 2021 (Escondido) -- What can be better than knights in shining armor, jousting, pirates, music, food and Halloween? You can have them all at the upcoming Escondido Renaissance Faire.

Source:  Escondido Art Association

Image via Monika Grafik from Pixabay

August 3, 2021 (Escondido) - The public is invited to the monthly Escondido Art Association artists’ reception held at the Artists Gallery at 121 W. Grand Avenue, Escondido, on Saturday, August 14, 2021 from 4pm until 6:30pm. Come on by the gallery, meet the artists, and enjoy complimentary refreshments.

Benefit concert includes performances by Collin Raye, Craig Campbell, Bryan White, Jamie O’Neal, Anna Vaus & Steve Vaus 

East County News Service

December 1, 2019 (Poway) – Carols by Candlelight, a heartwarming holiday concert headlined by country music stars, will take place Dec. 13 & 14 at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. Now in its 30th year,  this family-friendly concert's proceeds will bemefot Rady Children’s Hospital.

The concert, beginning at 8:00 p.m. both nights, will feature prominent country music singers performing their hits and favorite holiday songs. Headliners include Collin Raye, who has been nominated for 10 CMA and ACM Awards, 24 Top 10 Records, and 16 #1 Hits. 

Other headliners both nights include Bryan White, Jamie O’Neal, as well as up-and-comer Anna Vaus and concert founder,Poway Mayor Steve Vaus (2010 Grammy winner).

East County News Service

September 11, 2019 (Escondido) -- The Russian Ballet Theatre brings a new production of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake to Escondido and San Diego on Sept. 19 and 20. Tickets for the performances are on sale now at www.russianballettheatre.com.

By Miriam Raftery

June 9, 2019 (Escondido) – The historic Sikes Adobe farmstead site on San Diego River Park land in Escondido provided a colorful garden setting for this year’s San Diego Wine Festival, where guests sipped, savored and chatted with local winemakers from across our region.

By Miriam Raftery

Image: Funds are being raised through LaunchGood to restore damage at the mosque.

March 26, 2019 (Escondido) – An arson fire at the Dar-ul-Arqam Mosque in Escondido on Sunday has prompted heightened security at mosques throughout San Diego County, the Escondido Grapevine reports.

“Graffiti left behind by the suspect made reference to the shooting incident in New Zealand,” said Lt. Chris Lick with Escondido Police. The mass shooting at a Christchurch New Zealand mosque earlier this month killed 50 people.

Our guide to unique lodging and adventures in San Diego’s beautiful backcountry

By Miriam Raftery

June 13, 2018 (Valley Center) – Tucked into the largely rural Valley Center area of northeast San Diego County are two tribal-owned casino resorts on Native American reservations: Harrah’s Resort and Valley View Casino and Hotel.

"(Venice Baroque Orchestra is) one of the world's most adventurous and dramatic period-instrument ensembles." -NPR



"Harlem Gospel Choir are Angels in Harlem." -Bono, U2

February 3, 2015 (Escondido) -- The California Center for the Arts, Escondido (the Center) proudly presents two inspirational evenings from renowned groups the Harlem Gospel Choir and GRAMMY®-nominated Venice Baroque Orchestra with Avi Avital. The world-renowned performers will bring their brilliant performances to the Center's Concert Hall and Center Theater on February 15, 2015 and February 27, 2015. The Harlem Gospel Choir will also offer a Master Class in the Concert Hall at 4 pm the afternoon of their performance. The Choir will teach the class a number from their show, and the class will perform that number onstage with the Choir during the performance. For additional information, please visit http://artcenter.org/education/master-classes

July 1, 2014 (Escondido)--California Center for the Arts, Escondido (the Center) reaches a major milestone this year, celebrating its 20th Anniversary season with an exceptional line-up of acclaimed performers, including The Blind Boys of Alabama, Garrison Keillor, Merle Haggard, Pink Martini, Jake Shimabukuro, Harlem Gospel Choir, Whose Live Anyway, La Santa Cecilia, Kathleen Madigan, Pilobolus, Peking Acrobats, Jazzreach with Metta Quintet, Sirena Huang, Paul Galbraith, Mariachi Sol de Mexico, Lúnasa with Special Guest Karan Casey, Alberta Ballet, Jiayan Sun, Venice Baroque Orchestra, 2Cellos, Han Bin Yoon, and many more.

By Mimi Pollack

July 2, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - There is an old expression about a boy and his dog, but in this case it is a Tibetan spiritual teacher and his dog, Tashi, a nine year old Pomeranian, and the resident dog at the Drikung Kyobpa Choling [DKC] Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Center in Escondido, CA. DKC was founded in 1996 by Drupon Samten, the spiritual director, and his long time assistant, nun, and fellow animal lover, Ani Chodron. Tashi was a gift to them.

Update 10 p.m. : Officers in Escondido have detained a juvenile and an adult near the scene of a fire , 10 News reports. A shelter has been opened at Escondido High School as the Cocos Fire continues ravaging North County, only 5% contained after charring 1,200 acres thus far.

In addition, a fatality is now reported in Carlsbad from the Poinsettia Fire.

Evacuation orders have been lifted in Carlsbad, Pendleton and Fallbrook, the County Emergency site reports.

The Bernardo Fire is now 75% at 15,048 acres and the Highway Fire is 100% contained at 380 acres. 

By Miriam Raftery

May 15, 2014 (Escondido)—The fast-moving Cocos Fire that has burned over 1,200 acres and destroyed several homes south of State Route 78 remains only 5% contained during the second day of the conflagration. Evacuations have been ordered in Escondido, where U-T San Diego reports some homes have been lost.

Numerous  road closures are in effect as of 5 p.m., the County Emergency Services Department reports. View list of road closures, including a portion of the Del Dios Highway due to evacuations: http://www.sdcountyemergency.com/updates/cocos-fire-road-closures-05-15-14-1659/  Flames scorched hillsides behind Cal State San Marcos today, where graduation has been cancelled.

Smoke checks in several East County communities today prompted brief concerns, but none grew into major fires.  The problem areas for firefighters remain blazes scorching across North County.