Rural 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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KNSJ community radio suffers catastrophic damage when winter storm topples its rented tower

Station is still streaming online, but restoring broadcast signal requires urgent funding for engineering, equipment, and a possible new site

East County News Service

February 28, 2026 (Descanso) – “The tower where KNSJ rented space since beginning broadcasting on July 4th, 2013, is now a crumpled pile of steel and cabling,” states a press release from KNSJ 89.1 FM radio, which airs the East County Magazine radio show.  “Our volunteers have confirmed that the American Tower Company's tower on Monument Peak at 6,200 ft. elevation collapsed in the February winter storm due to severe ice accumulation and wind.”


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Unidentified driver dies in Dulzura collision

East County News Service

February 25, 2026 (Dulzura) – An unidentified male driver of a 2009 Nissan Cube has died in a hospital of injuries sustained February 23 around 2:55 p.m. He was driving eastbound on State Route 94, west of Little Tecate Road in Dulzura, when he veered into ongoing traffic and struck a 2003 Dodge Ram driven by a man, 57, from Tecate, Mexico.


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Public input sought on La Cresta Road safety following head-on fatal collision

By Paul Levikow

Photo via San Diego Fire Protection District

February 25, 2026 (Crest) – The Crest Dehesa Granite Hills Harbison Canyon Planning Group is seeking public input on the safety of La Cresta Road, following a recent fatal head-on collision in Crest.

Josefina Sanchez, 72, was killed by an alleged drunk driver in the crash Feb. 11, 2026 while visiting her son in Crest. She was in town to mourn the death of her husband who passed away 12 days earlier in Mexico.


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Unfounded threat locked down Monte Vista High School

East County News Service

February 23, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Shortly before noon today, the San Diego County Sheriff's Office was made aware of a school threat at Monte Vista High School in Spring Valley. The campus' School Resource Deputy was contacted by the school's administration, referencing a threatening phone call they received. The high school was immediately placed on "secure campus" status. 


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Rehabilitated bobcat released after 4-month recovery in Ramona

Photo courtesy San Diego Humane Society
 
East County News Service
 
Feb. 23, 2026 (Ramona) — A bobcat kitten was returned to her native habitat yesterday (Feb. 22) after undergoing four months of intensive medical treatment at the San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center.
 
The release marked the end of a recovery process that began under critical conditions. On Oct. 14, 2025, a gardener discovered the kitten in a San Clemente landscape. At the time, the young bobcat was suffering from severe emaciation, anemia and mange.

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Man arrested for sexually battering two women in Spring Valley after passerby intervenes to stop assault

East County News Service

February 23, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Andres Sandoval, 47, has been arrested for reportedly sexually assaulting two women Saturday morning near the 3100 block of Bancroft Drive in Spring Valley. 

“A passerby observed Sandoval sexually battering the two women and intervened to stop him,” says Sergeant Timothy Clark with the Sheriff’s Rancho San Diego station.


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And the survey says... County Supervisors looking for input

East County News Service
 
Feb. 20, 2026 (San Diego County) — There's one week left to tell San Diego County officials what you want to see, including ways they can better pull back the proverbial curtain on local government.
 
With a comprehensive survey launched earlier this year, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors -- Paloma Aguirre (District 1), Joel Anderson (D2), Terra Lawson-Remer (D3), Monica Montgomery Steppe (D4) and Jim Desmond (D5) -- are looking at a public outreach initiative aimed at reimagining how the public interacts with the group tasked with governing the county's $8 billion-plus budget.
 
The survey can be accessed here, with a Feb. 27 deadline for input.

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Tacos, taxes and targeted relief -- Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson hosting resource fair

East County News Service
 
Feb. 20, 2026 (San Diego County) — As the April income tax filing deadline looms, State Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-SD) will serve up a unique blend of financial relief and local flavor next month.
 
Weber Pierson's office on Saturday, March 14, is hosting  "Tacos & Taxes" at the Jackie Robinson YMCA. The event offers qualifying San Diego County residents a chance to secure professional tax assistance -- along with some free tacos.

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Reader’s Editorial: The unincorporated area of San Diego County deserves a vote

By Robin Joy Maxson, Chair, Association of Planning Groups – San Diego County and Board Member, SANDAG Board of Directors

 

February 18, 2026 (Ramona) -- Many people do not know, or realize, that if you live outside the city limits you are a resident of the unincorporated area. This means you do not have a city hall, you do not have a city council and you certainly do not have a mayor. When you want to address your  local government you have to go to downtown San Diego - to the County Board of Supervisors! Many large communities are in this category: Alpine, Fallbrook, Lakeside, Ramona, Valley Center to name a few of the 107 unincorporated communities.


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Crest man loses both parents in days; fundraiser started to help family

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Roberto Sanchez, via ECM news partner 10 News

February 14, 2026 (Crest) – Roberto Sanchez, an only child, is grieving the loss of his mother, Josefina Sanchez, who died in a crash on La Cresta Road Feb. 11, just 12 days after his father passed away of a heart attack in Mexico.

His mother had come for a visit, with hopes to stay in the United States, when a driver under the influence of alcohol, according to the California Highway Patrol, crossed the center line, and struck Sanchez’s vehicle head-on, destroying the family’s dreams.


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Hear our interview with Chris Pierce, Spring Valley Community Alliance President, on Feb. 19 Spring Valley Changemakers Summit and more community happenings

By Miriam Raftery

February 14, 2026 (Spring Valley) – “The main goal is to connect people and build inspiration. We have a lot of talented people here n Spring Valley from many walks of life, with many different talents, and we just want to bring them together,” says Chris Pierce, President of the Spring Valley Community Alliance said of the first-ever Spring Valley Changemakers Summit slated for Thursday, February 19 at the STEAM Academy (1001 Leland Street, Spring Valley) starting at 5:30 p.m.

The event will feature numerous community organizations, networking opportunities, appetizers and an improv comedy show. In an interview with ECM editor Miriam Raftery aired on KNSJ radio, Pierce shared details about the summit, new initiatives in Spring Valley, and more.  Hear full interview, or scroll down for highlights.

Audio: 

Download: Audio icon NewsmakerChrisPierceSVCommunityAlliance.mp3

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Alcohol a factor in head-on crash in Crest that killed Ramona woman, 72

East County News Service

Photo via San Diego Fire Protection District

February 12, 2026 (Crest) – A Ramona woman, 72, has died of injuries sustained in a head-on crash that occurred February 11 in the Crest area of unincorporated El Cajon.  An El Cajon woman, 30, driving a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado eastbound on La Cresta Road east of Coyote Ridge crossed the solid, double-yellow center lines, striking a 2012 Volkwagen Jetta driven by the Ramona woman head-on.


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Supervisors OK updating ordinance for amplified music at boutique wineries

Grapes at Sierra Roble Winery in Warner Springs
 
Photo and story by Karen Pearlman
 
Feb. 11, 2026 (San Diego County) — The silence will at last be broken at some of East County’s smallest vineyards.
 
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday voted unanimously to amend the County Zoning Ordinance, allowing amplified live music at boutique wineries.
 
The decision marks a major shift for the region’s roughly 100 small-scale operations, which have been restricted from using speakers or mechanical music since the "by-right" winery tier was created in 2010.

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Next phase of Casa de Oro plan to be discussed at Feb. 26 workshop

East County News Service
 
Feb. 10, 2026 (Casa de Oro) – The vision for a safer, more walkable Casa de Oro is moving from the drawing board to the engineering phase.
 
San Diego County officials are holding a public workshop later this month, inviting residents and other interested stakeholders to review design elements for the transformation of the Campo Road Commercial Corridor, the civic and commercial heart of the community.
 
The project is backed by a $2.5 million Housing Acceleration Program grant awarded by the San Diego Association of Governments. The funding is earmarked to support the engineering and design activities required to turn the Campo Road Corridor Revitalization Specific Plan into a reality.
 
The workshop is scheduled for 6 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 26 at the Rancho San Diego Library, 11555 Via Rancho San Diego.

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Casa de Oro has new “House of Gold” mural, thanks to ArtReach and Casa de Oro Alliance

East County News Service

February 8, 2026 (Casa de Oro) -- The Casa de Oro Alliance and ArtReach celebrated celebrate the completion of a vibrant new mural in Casa de Oro with a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony on January 30th at 9729 Campo Road. Neighbors, families, and community supporters turned out for the event honoring the creativity and collaboration that brought this meaningful artwork to life.


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Over 20 guns, military armored vests, stolen vehicles, drugs and fraud lab recovered during high-risk search in Spring Valley

East County News Service

February 7, 2026 (Spring Valley) - Sheriff's Deputies have arrested Bruce Brian Ron, 34, on drug, weapon and fraud charges after serving a high-risk search warrant at a home in the 10300 block of Del Rio Road in Spring Valley yesterday at 6 a.m.


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Felon arrested in Spring Valley on drug and weapons charges

East County News Service

February 6, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Shortly before 1:30 a.m. yesterday, Sheriff’s deputies from the Rancho San Diego station found a vehicle illegally parked in the1000 block of Grand Avenue in  Spring Valley with several people inside. Deputies discovered that the driver, Dominique Lewis, was a convicted felon on parole.


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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 Wednesday, Feb. 11. 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. 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.
 
KPBS Chief Marketing Officer Heather Milne Barger said that the station will not have Borrego-centric news, talk and weather but is "very interested in receiving tips from the Borrego area that we can include in our news coverage by the KPBS newsroom, and highlight area events."

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Spring Valley Community Planning Group elects new officers amidst controversy over filling board vacancies

By Paul Levikow

January 19, 2026 (Spring Valley) – The Spring Valley Community Planning Group board elected executive officers for the 2026 term Tuesday, but not before some members expressed concerns about how they would fill vacancies. A few cited perceived interferences on behalf of District 1 County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre’s office.

Lora Lowes, board member and former chair, said she got a phone call from a representative of Aguirre before the meeting.


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County looking for people to help with Point-in-Time count

Photo by Karen Pearlman
 
East County News Service
 
Jan. 17, 2026 (San Diego County) -- San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson is looking for residents to help in the county's annual Point-in-Time Count, the one-day evaluation and counting of the region's population of those experiencing homelessness.
 
Every year, Anderson joins hundreds of residents and county employees in waking before the sun rises to take part in the snapshot of the county’s homeless population.  
 
This year’s regional effort will take place from 4 to 8 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 29.

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Passages: Suzanne Chambers, ex-Otay Water CFO, Dream Dinners franchisee, community volunteer

 
East County News Service.
 
Jan. 17, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Spring Valley resident Suzanne “Suzie” Chambers passed away surrounded by family members at her home on Jan. 2 at age 78, after a five-year battle with cancer. 
 
Born Aug. 25, 1947 in Seattle, Wash., Chambers moved to San Diego in the 1970s with her first husband, Jim Garcia. She attended San Diego State University, then went on to build a life rooted in service, leadership and community.
 
She began her career with the Otay Water District in 1976 and later became the district’s first female executive and chief financial officer, retiring in 2000.
 
In 2013, Chambers and her daughters opened a Dream Dinners franchise in La Mesa, which they operated until 2025.
 
Her dedication to the community including volunteering at the Water Conservation Garden in Rancho San Diego, serving as a founding board member of the Rancho San Diego Friends of the Library and participating in the Over the Hill Gang Car Club. Her efforts helped build strong foundations for these organizations, enabling them to thrive.

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