Communities

WELCOME, RURAL RESIDENTS!

Our Rural section covers most San Diego County's inland communities south of I-8  to the border including Alpine, Barrett Junction, Boulevard, Campo, Deerhorn Valley, Dehesa, Dulzura,  Jamul,  Japatul, Lake Morena, Otay,  Potrero, and Spring Valley. 


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WELCOME, MOUNTAIN DWELLERS!

Our Mountain Living section covers the mountain communities in San Diego's East County north of I-8 including Aguanga, Cuyamaca, Descanso, Guatay, Julian, Mount Laguna, Pine Valley, Ranchita, Ramona, Santa Ysabel, Shelter Valley and Warner Springs.


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WELCOME, DESERT DENIZENS!

Our deserts section covers the Anza Borrego Desert State Park and the communities of Borrego Springs, Ocotillo, Ocotillo Wells and Jacumba.


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WELCOME, SANTEE & LAKESIDE RESIDENTS!


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First-Ever Spring Valley Changemakers Summit Feb. 19 set to connect community and inspire action

Source:  Spring Valley Community Alliance

February 2, 2026 (Spring Valley) - The Spring Valley Community Alliance and Spring Valley Chamber of Commerce along with SEEDS partners invite residents and community members to the first-ever Spring Valley Changemakers Summit, a free community gathering designed to connect neighbors with local organizations and nonprofit partners, offering opportunities to learn about local projects, share ideas, and explore ways to get involved in shaping the future of Spring Valley. 


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Get RAMped up and ready for a new radio station out of Borrego Springs

Graphic courtesy Ram Media Foundation
 
By Karen Pearlman
 
Feb. 1, 2026 (Borrego Springs) – K-RAM 90.5 FM is hitting the airwaves this week.
 
After years of radio static, the new station out of Borrego Springs will start broadcasting to the greater San Diego County desert community starting this Friday, Feb. 6. Its license was granted March 19, 2025.
 
Gabriel Wisdom, a legendary San Diego radio figure from the 1970s at KGB-FM in San Diego and at KMET Los Angeles, is behind the launch of KRAM 90.5 FM. The FCC licensed non-commercial station is in the old Wells Fargo bank building at Christmas Circle in Borrego Springs, an unincorporated community of about 3,100 adjacent to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
 
K-RAM has a partnership to rebroadcast KPBS-FM out of San Diego, with plans to insert Borrego-centric news, community-based talk and weather. The station will also serve as a critical node for emergency information if cell towers or landlines fail during storms, wildfires, earthquakes or other crises.

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La Mesa City Council unanimously approves changes to sidewalk dining guidelines

“This is so critical to La Mesa and to our businesses.” - Councilmember Laura Lothian

 

By Armando Rasing II

 

Photo by Miriam Raftery: Outdoor dining at Hacienda Cazadores

 

February 1, 2026 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa City Council voted unanimously last Tuesday to adopt a new sidewalk dining policy in commercial zones, also reporting progress in meeting climate action goals.

 

The city temporarily allowed increased flexibility for outdoor dining areas in 2020 to help support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new sidewalk dining policies will take into effect on March 12, allowing businesses to maintain that flexibility with updated guidelines.  


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Founder of Lions, Tigers and Bears urges public to oppose 'Protecting Local Zoos Act'

Hearing set for Feb. 4 has “dangerous loopholes” that would allow exploitation of exotic animals
 
Photo of Eddie the jaguar courtesy Lions, Tigers & Bears
 
By Karen Pearlman
 
Jan. 30, 2026 (Alpine) – Bobbi Brink, the founder and director of nonprofit rescue organization Lions Tigers & Bears, can speak with authority on all matters concerning captive exotic animals, including the illegal wildlife trade, animals being used and abused in entertainment, and animal welfare legislation.
 
Brink is currently urging those who care about the fate of exotic animals to oppose a bill being offered in just a few days in the House of Representatives.
 
A plan called “Protecting Local Zoos Act of 2026” (H.R. 7159) is headed to be heard at the top government level via a Feb. 4 subcommittee hearing, and if passed, will take hard-won safety measures for animals in a dangerous direction.

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SDPD releases body cam video of officer-involved shooting in Spring Valley

East County News Service

January 30, 2026 (Spring Valley) – A stolen car pursuit on January 22 ended with a San Diego Police officer shooting and injuring the suspect.  SDPD has released video on the department's YouTube channel within hours of the shooting.


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Found: Missing woman Tiffanie Russ

Update February 2, 2026:  Tiffanie Russ has been located. She is safe and back with her family, per La Mesa Police.

East County News Service

January 30,2026 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police seek public help to find Tiffanie Russ, 24, who was last seen leaving her room at the Heritage Inn, 7851 Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa shortly after midnight on January 29.She was reportedly headed to a nearby taco shop, but she never arrived. An acquaintance at the hotel reported her missing to the La Mesa Police Department shortly thereafter.

The California Highway Patrol has activated a San Diego County-wide Ebony Alert at the Police Department’s request to help publicize the search for her.


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Domestic violence suspect arrested after threatening deputies

East County News Service

January 30, 2026 (Lemon Grove) -- Aaron Brozek, 49, has been arrested for felony domestic violence, as well as weapons and narcotics charges.  


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Lakeside school employee arrested for sexual abuse of minor

East County News Service

January 28, 2026 (Lakeside) – Kent Cable, 55, an employee of the Lakeside Union School District in a non-teaching role, has been arrested on charges of sexually abusing a minor. Charges include three counts of sexual penetration with a child 10 years old or younger and four counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a child under age 14.


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Spring Valley man arrested for threatening to kill neighbor

East County News Service

January 28, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Dimone Cater, 33, has been arrested for allegedly making criminal threats, following an hours-long SWAT standoff in Spring Valley last night.

Deputies from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s station responded shortly after 5:30 p.m. on January 26 to the neighbor dispute in the 9800 block of Austin Drive.


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Sheriff’s SWAT team aids LAPD in apprehending felony warrant suspect in Lakeside

East County News Service

File photo via San Diego County Sheriff’s SWAT detail

January 28, 2026 (Lakeside) – Sheriff’s deputies from the Lakeside substation and the San Diego County Sheriff’s SWAT team assisted Los Angeles Police officers to take a “suspected armed and dangerous felony warrant suspect into custody,” according to Lieutenant David Perkins, Lakeside Sheriff’s substation.


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Man arrested for reportedly trying to steal backpack from student in Lemon Grove

East County News Service

January 28, 2026 (Lemon Grove) – Damari Waller, 35, has been arrested for allegedly trying to steal a backpack from a Lemon Grove student yesterday morning shortly before 8 a.m.

Detectives say a man matching the suspect’s description approached an 11-year-old Lemon Grove Academy student walking to school on Golden Avenue. He reportedly demanded the student's backpack and chased the student to the school, but left the scene before deputies could arrive. No one was hurt.


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San Diego Humane Society celebrates end of quarantine for cat attacked by coyote

Photo courtesy San Diego Humane Society
 
East County News Service
 
Jan. 28, 2026 (Esconddo) -- Orange tabby Kyle has beaten the odds, and is looking for a new home.
 
Staff at the San Diego Humane Society’s Escondido campus threw a graduation party on Jan. 28 to celebrate Kyle's survival from a coyote attack last year. Kyle has now successfully completed his six-month rabies quarantine and is cleared for adoption.
 
On July 27, 2025, a community member saw a coyote attack Kyle near East Valley Parkway and North Rose Street in Escondido.
 
The onlooker acted quickly and intervened, getting Kyle safely away from the coyote, bringing the cat to SDHS' campus in Escondido for emergency care.

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Fire destroys 2 businesses in Spring Valley

East County News Service

January 26, 2026 (Spring Valley) — A three-alarm fire that broke out around 2:45 a.m. destroyed two businesses in a strip mall at 8300 Paradise Valley Road in Spring Valley, causing water and smoke damage to two others.

“A total of 18 businesses were saved due to the quick response from everyone involved,” San Miguel Fire District posted on Facebook.


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Treat your sweetheart to Valentine’s chocolate and wine at San Pasqual Winery in La Mesa

East County News Service

January 26, 2026 (La Mesa) - San Pasqual Winery in La Mesa invites you to enjoy an evening of wines paired with artisan gourmet chocolates by Swete Petite Confections on February 12 and 14 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. 

The winemaker and chocolatier will be on hand to guide you through the five pairings sure to satisfy your sweet tooth as well as cravings for award-winning locally crafted wines. 

For more information and tickets ($60), or to RSVP, visit https://www.sanpasqualwinery.com/.


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Kratom, banned by California, is still for sale in East County stores including synthetic versions linked to numerous deaths

Story and photos by Miriam Raftery

January 24, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – An investigation by East County Magazine has found kratom and synthetic kratom (7-OH) products for sale locally in every East County city, despite the fact that it’s illegal in California to sell or manufacture kratom for consumption. The ban is due to risk of addiction, serious harm, overdose or death, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Kratom can also cause liver toxicity when used with alcohol.


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Renowned historian Richard Carrico to speak at Spring Valley Historical Society Feb. 7

East County News Service

January 24, 2026 (Spring Valley) — The Spring Valley Historical Society will host noted historian and archaeologist Richard Carrico on Saturday, February 7, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., for a special presentation and book signing celebrating his newest work, El Presidio de San Diego: Excavating Southern California’s Lost City.


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Julian Tea & Cottage Arts hosting annual Valentine’s Day Teas

East County News Service
 
Jan. 23, 2026 (Julian) -- As the winter chill hits in the Cuyamaca Mountains, one of Julian's coziest spots is preparing for some warmth and romance over five days next month.
 
Julian Tea & Cottage Arts will host its popular Valentine’s Day Teas, from Thursday, Feb. 12 through Monday, Feb. 16.
 
Located in the charming Clarence King home -- a turn-of-the-century residence built in 1898 -- the tea shop offers a step back in time.
 
Before, during and after Valentine's Day, the historic venue will transform into a romantic retreat, serving a four-course "Cottage Classic" menu designed to offer a perfect blend of history, hospitality and homemade treats -- while celebrating love.
 

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County EBT theft drops more than 80% after chip card issued

East County News Service
 
Jan. 23, 2026 (San Diego County) -- More attention to security needs and new chips are making a difference in the safety of electronic benefits cards, also known as EBT cards.
 
San Diego County officials report that enhanced security measures and new chips have led to an 84 percent reduction in EBT card thefts affecting the county’s CalFresh, CalWORKs and General Relief recipients. 
 
Nearly a year ago, the California Department of Social Services issued new EBT cards with chips similar to those in many credit cards. The card expiration date, card security code and all personal information also were moved to the back side of the card. Prior to the shift to improve security, California EBT cardholder information was traditionally printed on the front of the card.

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‘A Night of Music and Friendship’ at La Mesa’s Spacebar Cafe

East County News Service
 
Jan. 23, 2026 (La Mesa) -- Local musicians will bring their sounds together later this month in a special performance prioritizing community over competition in west La Mesa.
 
The Spacebar Cafe and Wine Bistro, formerly known as the Spacebar Internet Café will host a curated evening of music and friendship starting at 6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 31.
 
The event will feature the sounds of local musicians Bob Warren, Gary Williams, David Jones and Doug Tyler, along with other local talent.
 
Located at 7454 University Ave., Spacebar is often referred to as @SPACEBAR, and has been a fixture of the La Mesa community since 2009.

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El Cajon man arrested for rape, sexual assault with multiple underage teen girls

East County News Service

January 23, 2026 (El Cajon) -- Detectives from the El Cajon Police Department Family Protection Unit have concluded an extensive multi-month investigation into allegations of sexual assault and rape, resulting in the arrest of a suspect for numerous serious offenses. On January 21, ECPD arrested Greyson Washborne, alias Thomas Menchaca, 21, of El Cajon.


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Marijuana delivery driver shot during robbery in La Mesa; suspects arrested

East County News Service

January 23, 2026 (La Mesa) – Four suspects are in custody following a robbery in which a marijuana delivery driver was shot, suffering a neck wound. La Mesa Police responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting the shooting, which occurred on January 5 around 4 p.m. at 4700 Williamsburg Lane in La Mesa.

“The victim was transported to the hospital for treatment and is expected to survive,” says Lieutenant Travis Higgins with LMPD.  According to Lt. Higgins, two of the suspects approached the victim, demanding property. “One suspect then shot the victim without warning. The suspects fled southbound through the apartment complex and were not initially located.”


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Find some puppy love at Cupids & Canines event at Grossmont Center

East County News Service
 
Jan. 22, 2026 (La Mesa) -- Love is in the air, love is on a leash and love is going to be found at a La Mesa shopping mall next month.
 
A week before Valentine's Day, the San Diego Animal Support Foundation will again help play matchmaker as the nonprofit transforms Grossmont Center into companion animal central for the group's 14th annual Cupids & Canines MEGA Pet Adoption Event.
 
From 11 a.m until 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 7, much of the inner corridors of the shopping center will be filled with more than two dozen animal rescue agencies seeking to pair hundreds of adoptable animals -- from dogs and cats to rabbits, turtles, tortoises and exotic birds -- with people looking to increase the amount of love in their homes.
 
The event aims to turn a day of shopping into a lifetime of companionship.

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Fort Cross brings 'Old Timey' adventure to Julian region

East County News Service
 
Jan. 22, 2026 (Santa Ysabel) – A family farm in the Julian mountains is bringing back its popular guided tour that brings rustic adventure and recreation education to the outdoors.
 
Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures will host its popular Farm Tour Adventure on Jan. 31, a high-energy, two-hour guided circuit at its farm, nestled in the scenic landscape of Northeast County.
 
Fort Cross, at 4425 Highway 78, has evolved from a living history site into a premier destination for agriculture workshops and team building. The end of January tour, running from 1 to 3 p.m., offers visitors a curated activity rotation designed to keep guests of all ages moving and learning.

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A sweet and Grand (Avenue) time in Escondido with the Chocolate Festival

East County News Service
 
Jan. 22, 2026 (Escondido) – Wrappers will crinkle and corks will pop next month along Grand Avenue in Escondido.
 
The Escondido Chocolate Festival is set for Feb 7, turning the city’s historic downtown into a literal moveable feast for those with a sweet tooth, a penchant for chocolate pairings and an appreciation for local flair.
 
Hosted by the Escondido Downtown Business Association, the event is a self-guided "chocolate crawl" designed to help visitors ages 21 and up shop, eat and play their way through the heart of the city.
 
The festival runs from noon to 5 p.m., but showing up early at the Maple Street Plaza check-in will help chocolate aficionados beat the rush.

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Spotlight on the Desert: ABF annual photo contest returns to Borrego Springs

East County News Service

Jan. 22, 2026 (Borrego Springs) -- The rugged beauty of the Anza-Borrego Desert will take center stage as the Anza-Borrego Foundation kicks off the 20th anniversary edition of the Anza-Borrego Desert Photo Contest.

The event starts the afternoon of Jan. 31 with the judge's critique at Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center. Winners will have their photographs shown at the 2026 Photo Contest exhibit, where the community and visitors will get to enjoy the desert through the eyes of the region’s most talented photographers.

The month-long celebration of visual storytelling begins with a day of reveals and expert insights, culminating in a gallery show that supports the continued preservation of California’s largest state park.


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