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.

East County News Service

 San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife program helps young big cats reclaim their place in nature

Source:  San Diego Humane Society

September 29, 2025 (Ramona)  — Two mountain lion cubs who arrived at San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center as orphans in March have been returned to the wild.

The young carnivores were released into suitable habitat in San Diego County on Sept. 18, 2025, after undergoing more than five months of rehabilitation designed to limit human interaction and prepare them for life on their own.

The cubs were originally found alone and malnourished before being safely trapped by the UC Davis California Carnivores Program team in coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. They were transferred to San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center on March 26, 2025.

• 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 Karen Pearlman

September 11, 2025 (San Diego County) -- San Miguel Fire Consolidated Protection District is taking the lead in challenging a San Diego County Civil Grand Jury report released earlier this year that recommends consolidation of fire protection districts around San Diego County, and recommending that “willing” districts become part of the San Diego County Fire Protection District. The goal is to improve fire protection services.

San Miguel Fire Chief Andy Lawler is pushing back against a narrative that recommends standalone fire districts like his become part of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire). Alpine Fire also aims to stay independent, while some other districts have already relinquished local control, in most cases voluntarily though one community fought consolidation in court.

East County News Service

September 8, 2025 (Ramona) –The Sheriff’s Homicide Unit is  investigating a deadly assault with a deadly weapon in Ramona yesterday afternoon.

East County News Service

September 4, 2025 (Ramona) -- An hours-long standoff that led to the evacuation of a Ramona elementary school yesterday has ended with the discovery of a deceased man inside a home. 

On September 3, just before 9:30 a.m., deputies from the Ramona Sheriff's Substation responded to a call for a welfare check of a despondent man at a home in the 1400 block of Royal Vista Drive.  When deputies arrived on scene, they contacted the man through an open window. He did not respond; instead, the man retreated behind a closed door Deputies heard what sounded like the racking of a weapon, so they quickly retreated to a safe location and called for backup. 

Trump administration opens 21-day public comment period Aug. 29-Sept. 19

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Cedar Creek Falls, one of the most scenic hiking destinations  in San Diego's East County, is in a roadless portion of Cleveland National Forest. 

August 29, 2025 (San Diego) -- The Trump administration announced it is seeking public comment on its proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule and the environmental impacts it would cause.

The Roadless Rule prohibits road construction and logging on 58.5 million acres of wild areas in national forests in order to protect habitats and ecosystems. Rescinding this rule will allow road construction and timber harvesting on nearly 59 million acres of the National Forest System, including 71,000 designated roadless acres of Cleveland National Forest including scenic areas in San Diego’s East County.

East County News Service

August 16, 2025 (Mt. Laguna) – Enjoy a free tour to learn about indigenous people and settlers who have lived in the area at the Mount Laguna Living History event on Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August  31.

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. 

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 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.