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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La Mesa aims to have new city hall by 2029, but library expansion remains stalled

By Alexander J. Schorr

October 11, 2025 (La Mesa) — Following a September City Council meeting, La Mesa is moving forward with a redevelopment plan for a new civic center which has spanned decades. The current timeline calls for a new city hall to be completed as early as 2029, with expansion plans for the library to follow.  View the Civic Center Master Plan.

City manager Greg Humora said that he is  optimistic about the new timeline that has been laid out by the recent City Council meeting, and emphasized the importance for constructing a new city hall by as soon as 2029. “That would be amazing if we could pull that off,” Humora said. “I think it’s doable.”


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Dia De Los Muertos Open House at Horses of Tir Na Nog

Nonprofit rescue organization Horses of Tir Na Nog cares for more than 100 animals, including Buttermilk the horse. The rescue group is having an Open House at its site in Guatay on Nov. 1. Photo by Karen Pearlman
 
East County News Service
 
Oct. 11, 2025 (Guatay) -- Horses of Tir Na Nog, the equine-focused rescue in rural East County, is holding it Dia De Los Muertos Open House in November.
 
Celebrating ranch residents who have passed, Horses of Tir Na Nog's annual open house will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 1 at its site at 26930 Old Highway 80 in Guatay near Descanso.
 
Horses of Tir Na Nog co-founder Amy Pat Rigney said the event will honor the lives of horses and other ranch residents who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge over the years. 
 

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Gov. Newsom signs bills to stop the 'Puppy Mill Pipeline' in California

 
At a recent companion animal adoption event at Grossmont Center, a dog waits for a chance to find a new home. California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed hree bills in the “Stop The Puppy Mill Pipeline” legislative package. Photo by Karen Pearlman
 
East County News Service
 
Oct. 11, 2025 (Sacramento) -- Unscrupulous, exploitative and abusive "puppy mill" dog breeders are not going to have it easy in California anymore.
 
Just a few days ago, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed all three bills in the “Stop The Puppy Mill Pipeline” legislative package -- looking to reduce consumer fraud and halt animal abuse stemming from sales of companion animals.
 
Senate Bill 312 (Sen. Thomas J. Umberg, D-Santa Ana), Assembly Bill 506 (Assemblymember Steve Bennett, D-Oxnard) and Assembly Bill 519 (Assemblymember Marc Berman, D-Menlo Park) will protect consumers and animals from deceptive practices in the pet industry, close loopholes undermining California law and further protect consumers from fraudulent breeders.
 
All three bills received overwhelming bi-partisan support in both the Assembly and the Senate, and the new laws will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

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California State Parks photo contest deadline extended through Oct. 23

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park photo (left) by Karen Pearlman
 
East County News Service
 
July 15, 2025 (San Diego County) -- California State Parks Foundation(link is external)has extended its invitation to park visitors and photography enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels to capture the natural beauty, recreational activities and unique landscapes of California’s state parks.
 
The California State Parks Foundation Photo Contest, originally open for submissions through Sept. 30, is now extended through Oct. 23.
 
"Due to the popularity of the contest and to give Californians more time to capture the magic of fall, State Parks is extending the contest by two weeks," an email from the CSPF said. "Be sure to submit your photos from one of 280 state parks in up to five categories for a chance to win special prizes."

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The art and spirit of Borrego Springs in downtown San Diego

East County News Service

Oct. 10, 2025 (San Diego) -- The heartbeat of the Borrego Springs art scene is coming to downtown San Diego this weekend.

Metal sculptor Ricardo Breceda's Public Art Roadshow will be on the San Diego County Administration's Lawn No. 2 from Friday, Oct. 10 through Monday, Oct. 13.

Presented by Borrego Community Builders, a Rams Hill initiative supporting community, creativity and connection, the event included a Friday morning meet-and-greet with Breceda, creator of more than 100 metal "Sky Art" sculptures that bring the desert to life.


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Evacuations lifted in Rancho Fire

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alert Service

Photo, right: Rancho Fire viewed from Julian, by Nancy Kramer

October 9, 2025 (Ramona) – Evacuations have been lifted in the fast-moving #RanchoFire in Ramona, which has burned 105 acres and earlier threatened homes. The blaze, which started from a vehicle accident igniting brush, is 15% contained and forward spread is stopped.

The fire began near Highway 78 and Casner Road, east of Ramona this afternoon, per Cal Fire. Multiple air tankers, helicopters and ground crews battled the blaze.


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GUHSD agenda tonight includes restricting protests outside school board meetings, allowing prayers and other controversial measures

By Miriam Raftery

Image: On Facebook, a group seeking to recall GUHSD trustees posted a flyer calling tonight’s agenda items “frightful”, stating, “Here’s the tricks and not a treat in sight.

October 9, 2025 (El Cajon, CA) – At its 6 p.m. meeting tonight, the Grossmont Union High School District board of trustees will consider adopting a policy to restrict by designating “no activity zones” outside of its meetings on public property where activities such as “picketing, leafletting, protest or other expressive activity” would be prohibited. The issue raises serious free speech and First Amendment rights issues.

The proposal would allow the Board or the Superintendent to establish the no activity zones, ostensibly to create a safe path of entry and exit, identified by markers such as cones or signs. However, it sets no size limit, potentially allowing the board to limit or ban free speech activities altogether outside buildings such as the Grossmont High School gymnasium where tonight’s meeting is being held and where for months, hundreds of teachers, students and parents have gathered outside to hold rallies, protests, picketing, signature gathering and other expressions of opposition to board policies such as mass firing of teachers and librarians.


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San Diego Humane Society urging adoptions during overcrowding crisis

Honeycomb is one of hundreds of animals at the San Diego Humane Society looking for a new home. Photo courtesy SDHS

 

East County News Service

 

Oct. 9, 2025 (San Diego County) -- The San Diego Humane Society is asking the community to step up for animals in urgent need of homes.

 

To make adoption easier, SDHS is participating in the Bissell Pet Foundation’s "Empty the Shelters" national adoption event ( https://www.sdhumane.org/adopt/available-pets ) and offering $50 adoption fees for adult dogs and cats through Oct. 15.

 

SDHS reported earlier this month that it is caring for 770 dogs and nearly 900 cats across its four campuses. With only 405 dog kennels, dogs are having to stay in half kennels, or with multiple dogs in one kennel.

 


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Dog costume contest and Halloween party Oct. 25 in El Cajon aims to be a treat for pets and their owners

By Miriam Raftery

October 8, 2025 (El Cajon) – Last month, several dog owners in El Cajon got together to hold a birthday party for their dogs complete with music, cake, doggie gift bags, games and more. That event proved so much fun that organizers will be hosting a community Halloween party complete with dog costume contest, games and food for people, and a prize for the costume contest winner.


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Crest achieves Firewise USA® recognition, a communitywide commitment to wildfire preparedness

By Diana Griffin

October 8, 2025 (Crest) -- Every year, devastating wildfires sweep across the United States, threatening homes, landscapes, and lives. As more people live in wildfire-prone areas, communities like Crest are stepping up to reduce risk and strengthen resilience.


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Brews & Bites event coming to Santee Oct. 18

East County News Service

Oct. 8, 2025 (Santee) -- There will be plenty of treats -- in the form of brews, boos and bites -- with no tricks in sight at this month's Santee Brews & Bites Festival Fundraiser.

The annual Brews & Bites Festival Fundraiser, a Halloween-themed night of live music, food and beverage samples for those ages 21 and up, plus opportunity drawings and costume contests, is set for 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, at the city of Santee's Town Center Community Park East.

Musical group BETAMAXX, an ultimate 80’s experience, will headline the event.

 


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Bicyclist dies after collision in Lemon Grove

Source: San Diego County Sheriff

October 7, 2025  (Lemon Grove) – A bicyclist is dead after a collision with a black Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck shortly before 9:30 p.m. last night in the 8500 block of Troy Street in Lemon Grove.


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Missing Spring Valley teen

East County News Service

October 7, 2025 (Spring Valley) – Public help is sought to local Angel Mauricio Reyes Mejicanos, 15, who vanished after walking his sister to school on September 29.  He was reportedly sighted in the Encanto area on October 1.  His family is pleading for public help to find him according to the RAD Movement, which helps families of missing children.


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No kidding--firefighters save goat trapped in boulders

By Miriam Raftery

October 6, 2025 (Descanso) – A goat trapped between boulders on Mizpah Lane in Descanso has been freed, thanks to the efforts of Cal Fire/San Diego Fire crews.


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Recall Ortiz effort in El Cajon fails to qualify for ballot

An effort to recall El Cajon City Council Phil Ortiz (seated, left) is not moving forward. 

By Karen Pearlman

Oct. 6, 2025 (El Cajon) – A grass-roots effort begun in 2024 to recall El Cajon City Councilmember Phil Ortiz has fizzled after organizers failed to turn in signatures as required by last Friday to qualify a recall for the ballot.

 El Cajon City Clerk Angela Cortez said leadership of the group seeking to remove Ortiz from office told her on Friday, Oct. 3, that it was not moving forward on the recall, although as of 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, the Recall Phil Ortiz website was still online.

The group behind the recall attempt, Latinos en Accion, did not turn in the required paperwork, Cortez told East County Magazine.


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Reduced Santee Council approves 285-unit condo project near Town Center Community Park

By Mike Allen

October 5, 2025 (Santee) -- The vacant lot behind the Cameron YMCA will soon be vacant no longer.

The Santee City Council voted 3-0 to approve a 285-unit condominium project on the 22.17-acre site which had long been used by dog walkers, model car and plane users, and overspill parking during big events at the Town Center Community Park. Mayor John Minto and Councilman Ronn Hall were absent and on vacation for the Sept. 24 meeting.


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Oktoberfest brings cheer to La Mesa Vlilage

By Heidi Hope

Miriam Raftery contributed to this report

October 5, 2025 (La Mesa)—Oktoberfest continues through 8 p.m. tonight in La Mesa’s downtown village.  The three-day festival, which began on Friday, celebrates Bavarian culture complete with good food, live music and fun games. 

 Some of the prominent German themed dishes available are the homemade root beer, Bratwurst sausages and pretzels, along with many other tasty food options locally and globally. Multiple biergartens offer German beers. Live bands and a DJ offer music ranging from traditional polkas to rock and country. Many servers are dressed in traditional German outfits.


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Lemon Grove School District wins Golden Bell Award

East County News Service

October 5, 2025 (Lemon Grove) -- Lemon Grove School District has been honored with the California School Boards Association (CSBA) Golden Bell Award for advancing equitable student outcomes.  This work has been led by Amy Fulinara, Executive Director of Educational Services.  


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State sues city of El Cajon over sharing of data from license plate readers

By Jennifer Vigil, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  a San Diego intersection where there are two automated license plate reader cameras on the streetlights. (File photo by Gabrielle Wallace/Times of San Diego)

October 4, 2025 (El Cajon) - California is suing El Cajon over the city’s lack of compliance with a state law prohibiting the sharing of license plate data with federal and out-of-state law enforcement agencies.


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Supervisor Joel Anderson and Sheriff Kelly Martinez to host Wildfire Safety Town Hall in Ramona on Monday, Oct. 6

East County News Service

Photo, L-R: CalFire Chief Tony Mecham, Sheriff Kelly Martinez, & Supervisor Joel Anderson

October 3, 2025 (Ramona) - San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson and Sheriff Kelly Martinez are hosting a wildfire safety town hall during Fire Prevention Week in Ramona on Monday, October 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the Ramona Library (1275 Main St., Ramona). 


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Prost! Oktoberfest events across East County

East County News Service

October 2, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – Ready to savor German beers and foods, kick up your heels to traditional German music as well as contemporary bands, enjoy games, carnival rides and vie for prizes? All of these opportunities and more can be found at Oktoberfest celebrations across East County include large festivals in La Mesa and El Cajon this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, as well as smaller Oktoberfest gatherings in Alpine and Julian on October 4.

Scroll down for details on Oktoberfest events across San Diego's inland region.


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Got extra fruit in La Mesa? Donate it!

East County News Service

October 3, 2025 (La Mesa) -- The City of La Mesa is partnering with ProduceGood to pick La Mesa residents’ trees, donate the fruit to a local food pantry, and send a receipt for the donation. No property is too small - even one tree makes a big difference.


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Wild Night Out: Camp alongside rescued big cats at Lions Tigers & Bears' spooky campover

East County News Service
 
Oct. 3, 2025 (Alpine) -- For a unique, once-a-year experience, Lions Tigers & Bears sanctuary in San Diego County is inviting the public to its annual Spooky Campover event on Friday, Oct. 24.
 
The overnight campout offers the rare chance to sleep under the stars -- surrounded by the sounds of rescued big cats and other sanctuary animals.
 
The "spooky celebration" packs in a night of Halloween-themed fun.
 
Attendees will enjoy campfire songs, pumpkin carving and a Halloween costume contest.
 
For those who dare, an all-ages haunted house will also be part of the evening's entertainment.
 
Visitors can also test their knowledge in an animal trivia challenge (with clues available on the LTB website), make s'mores, and sip on hot cocoa by the campfire.
 
The fun doesn't end when the sun comes up the next day. The following morning features the "Pumpkin Bash."
 

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The Garden Goes Batty Oct. 18

East County News Service

October 3, 2025 (Rancho San Diego) — Miss Smarty-Plants will bring a “batty” show to the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 


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Borrego Days Desert Festival October 18-19

East County News Service

October 3, 2025 (Borrego Springs, CA) -- Borrego Springs hosts its annual Borrego Days Desert Festival on October 18 and 19. Saturday features a morning flyover and parade, as well as the "Shine and Show" vehicle show.

There's also a beer garden, kids' zone, food stations, and booths featuring everything from art to information.  Plus you can enjoy live music and other activities all weekend long.


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