East County News Service

Photo:  sign posted by East County residents when two sexually violent predators were proposed for release in their neighborhood

September 27, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) - Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) announced the passage of his Senate Bill 380, which directs the Department of State Hospitals to examine placing sexually violent predators in state-run transitional housing facilities upon release. Current law allows for their conditional release into the community where they pose a significant risk to the public safety.

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  Zach Pope, Youtube screenshot

September 24, 2025 (San Diego) - It doesn’t arrive in theaters until Friday, but a new blockbuster movie generating Oscar buzz has already been a big financial hit for San Diego County.

By Paul Levikow

Photo, left: mural of talented chef Gabriela “Gaby” Lopez

September 20, 2025 (La Mesa) – Casa Gabriela in the La Mesa Village has a first-rate, affordable Happy Hour that features unique, scrumptious food  full of flavor, and a list of drink specials including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic varieties. The food is not just delicious, it’s presented well. Stunning, actually.

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September 17, 2025 (Lakeside) -- East County Magazine photographer Patrick Ward has obtained surveillance video from a Lakeside homeowner who lives next to the spot where the Coches Fire began.  The video from the homeowner, who asked to remain anonymous, shows vehicles on the roadway around 2:56 p.m. on September 8, 2025, followed by brush igniting in several spots.

East County News Service

September 16, 2025 (Ramona) – Felipe Ascencio, the pastor at Templo Monte Horbe church in Ramona, was shot and killed Sunday afternoon, Sept. 7, inside his home on Eighth Street.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Ganna Kovrizhynkh, aka Angel Volnaya

September 16, 2025 (Potrero) -- The San Diego County Sheriff's Office wants the public's help in finding a missing person.  Ganna Kovrizhynkh, 38, was reported missing to the Sheriff's Office by a friend on July 12.  Family members say they last heard from Kovrizhynkh on July 5 while she drove through San Diego County as part of a cross-country trip. Her vehicle and trailer were later found unattended in Potrero.

• Promote awareness of suicide as a public health issue;
• Share resources and information to help people who may be struggling;
• Encourage open conversations about suicide and mental health;
• Remember those who have been lost to suicide;
• And highlight the importance of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

September 14, 2025 (Lakeside) - An online guide is available to help people who lost their home or sustained damages in the Coches Fire. Resources include information for homeowners seeking property tax relief, permits for repairs or rebuilding, along with self-sufficiency resources.

Leslie Thompson (photo, left) of El Cajon speaks out about Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Sept. 9 El Cajon City Council meeting

By Paul Levikow

Sept. 11, 2025 – (El Cajon) Protestors showed up at the El Cajon City Council meeting again this past week to continue voicing opposition to the city’s resolution regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

They also reminded Councilmember Phil Ortiz that their efforts to have him recalled from office are ramping up.

Their appearance came a day after the United States Supreme Court overturned a U.S. District Court Judge’s temporary restraining order in Los Angeles that barred federal agents from stopping people without reasonable suspicion.

The Supreme Court ruling allows agents to stop and detain people based on ethnicity, spoken language, type of work they do or their location.