By Paul Levikow

August 13, 2025 (El Cajon) – Dozens of East County residents filled El Cajon City Council chambers Tuesday, demanding the City repeal a resolution allowing police to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The effort was organized by Latinos en Accion and Activist San Diego to urge speakers to address the Council during public comments. Twenty-six presenters addressed the council for 90 minutes in a near-capacity crowd. Some held protest signs and wearing T-shirts displaying their opposition to the resolution and support of an effort to recall District 4 Councilmember Phil Ortiz.

Ortiz voted for the measure in February when it narrowly passed 3-2, as ECM reported.

East County News Service

August 12, 2025 (Santee) - Momentum Tutoring (www.momentumtutoring.org) invites the community to the Santee Youth Business Fair at Santee Lakes, a dynamic one-day marketplace where young entrepreneurs will showcase their creativity, hustle, and heart. The event takes place on Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Lake #2, Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve.

By Seraphina Eberhardt, Program Director, Institute for Public Strategies East County

Photo:  members of the Revitalize Broadway Board celebrate the one-year anniversary of its founding.  Photo by Revitalize Broadway

August 12, 2025 (Lemon Grove) -- When a group of Lemon Grove residents and business owners came together last year to reimagine the city’s aging Broadway corridor, they could not have imagined how much progress would be made in such a short time. One year later, their vision has blossomed into a vibrant community movement known as Revitalize Broadway Lemon Grove. And the momentum continues to grow.

This grassroots coalition has not only helped beautify one of East County’s most neglected thoroughfares but has also made significant strides in reducing alcohol-related harm and addressing public safety through the lens of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). The results are inspiring.

We still have room for a few more at tonight's wonderful event!

You’re invited to our East County Dining Club special event at Zest Wine Bistro in Lemon Grove on Thursday, August 21 at 6:30  p.m.

20% of dinner proceeds and100% of raffle proceeds will benefit East County Magazine’s reporting and wildfire alerts.

Savor gourmet charcuterie served family-style (gourmet cheeses and deli meats, olives, crostini and fresh fruits) paired with three wines (red, white, and rosé).

This exclusive event is expected to sell out quickly, since seating is limited, so please RSVP to: info@eastcountymedia.org with your name and number of guests (with guest names if possible).

East County News Service

Photo by Shiloh Ireland

August 10, 2025 (Lakeside) – A fire on August 7 heavily damaged a unit in a condominium on Mapleview Street in Lakeside.

Crews from Lakeside Fire and San Miguel Fire departments responded to the blaze. 

East County News Service

August 9, 2025 (La Mesa) -- The City of La Mesa announces the official launch of its redesigned website, which is now live at www.cityoflamesa.gov.

While the site may look different, it retains all the same tools, features, and functionality residents and businesses have come to rely on, according to a press release from the city.

Update 3:20 p.m.-- Evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted; forward spread has been stopped.

Update 1:30 p.m.-- The fire has been mapped at 88 acres and is now 5% contained. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place.

East County WIldfire and Emergency Alerts

August 8, 2025 -- There is immediate structure threat from the #RoadrunnerFire, a brush fire that began at Roadrunner Lane and Ribbonwood Road. The fire has burned 25 acres and has zero containment.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has issued Evacuation Orders and Warnings for nearby areas, all north of I-8 as of 12:55 p.m.  For an interactive map with updated emergency evacuation information visit: OES Emergency Map

The temporary evacuation point is located at : Golden Acorn Casino (1800 Golden Acorn Way, Campo 91906).

An Evacuation Order requires immediate movement out of the affected area due to an imminent threat to life.

By Miriam Raftery

August 6, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – Dangerously high temperatures are forecast across much of East County through Friday, peaking on Thursday. Other East County communities could reach the high 90s. 

East County News Services

August 5, 2025 (Ramona) – Three young black bear cubs found orphaned in Calaveras County have a second chance at life.

Housed and cared for at the San Diego Humane Society's Ramona Wildlife Center, the cubs, thought to be between 6 and 7 months old, were rescued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife after being seen alone for several days. Their mother was never found.

Calaveras County is located in the Gold Country and High Sierra regions of California, situated on the eastern side of the state’s Central Valley. The county seat is San Andreas, with Angels Camp its only incorporated city.

The cubs arrived at the Ramona-headquartered wildlife center on July 24, and it was there that one week later they underwent a full health evaluation. The veterinary team, led by Dr. Alexis Wohl, confirmed their genders — two males and one female. The exams also included dental checks and other diagnostics to assess their overall health.

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  El Capitan County Preserve

August 1, 2025 (Lakeside) - As summer temperatures rise, the County of San Diego has closed three parks that it shuts down every year for the month of August to protect residents during what is often the hottest time of the year.

By Miriam Raftery

July 31, 2025 (Santee) – Michael Redding, 55, has been identified as the suspect fatally shot by Sheriff’s deputies in Santee on Sunday after a  standoff ended with the suspect opening fire on SWAT officers, according to San Diego Police, which is investigating the incident. 

Names of the three SWAT team deputies who opened fire have also been released.

By Miriam Raftery

July 30, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) - Four incorporated cities are located in close proximity to each other in the heart of San Diego’s East County: El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, and Santee.

Each has its own distinct character, charm, community events and attractions—from a dining district in La Mesa’s historic downtown village to lakes and river parks in Santee, history alive in Lemon Grove, and outdoor festivities in El Cajon’s multicultural downtown district.

Read more about these cities (including unincorporated areas on their outskirts) below.

East County News Service

July 29, 2025 (El Cajon) – Tickets are now on sale for a Nov. 22 concert at the Magnolia in El Cajon by Al Jardine, one of the original Beach Boys members, and his Pet Sounds band.  The evening will be a tribute to the late Brian Wilson, Beach Boys founder. The evening will include performances of classic Beach Boys’ hits such as “California Girls,” “I Get Around,” Sloop John B,” Surfin’ USA,” and “Fun, Fun, Fun”—music that helped define the California sounds of summer. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  5^th Supervisorial district candidates Kyle Krahel, John Franklin and Rebeca Jones.

July 27, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego’s 5^th Supervisorial district will soon have a new representative.  Supervisor Jim Desmond, a conservative Republican, has announced plans to run for the 49^th Congressional district . The 49^th District, currently represented by Congressman Mike Levin, a Democrat, is a coastal enclave that includes Oceanside, Camp Pendleton and San Clemente.  

By Regina Elling

Carnival rides are a big part of the fun at Ramona Country Fair. Photo by Regina Elling

July 25, 2025 (Ramona) -- Visitors to the Ramona Country Fair, set for Friday, Aug. 1 through Sunday, Aug. 3, can expect to enjoy amusement rides, vendor booths, carnival food, a variety of musical acts, a car show, a dog demonstration, equestrian events, a corn hole tournament and lots of old-fashioned fun and entertainment. There is even expanded shade and cool zones to help beat the heat.

“The importance of the Fair is multi-faceted,” said Karen Domnitz, Ramona Chamber of Commerce vice president. “It’s for people to enjoy, it brings people to Ramona and is the largest event and fundraiser put on by our Chamber of Commerce.”

Presented by the Ramona Chamber of Commerce, admission to the Fair is free. Single day parking passes are $20; unlimited, $25.