The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank partners with the State of California, City of San Diego, and San Diego State University to provide relief for CalFresh recipients impacted by the federal benefit pause.

East County News Service

November 3, 2025 (San Diego) -- In a powerful show of community partnership and coordination, the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank on Sunday hosted a large-scale emergency food distribution to support 2,181 individuals at San Diego State University’s (SDSU) Snapdragon Stadium. In advance of the event, the Food Bank mobilized more than 63,000 pounds of food, equivalent to 53,500 meals, including dry goods, frozen ground turkey, eggs, and fresh, nutritious produce such as yams, pears, spaghetti squash, and onions.

This event — hosted in collaboration with the State of California, City of San Diego, SDSU, and SDSU Associated Students (A.S) — was organized in response to the federal government shutdown that halted CalFresh (SNAP) benefits beginning Nov. 1. 

By G. A. McNeeley

Image, left via Library of Congress:  interior of East Wing, now demolished; this hallway displayed portraits of first ladies.

October 31, 2025 (Washington D.C.) -- President Donald Trump is facing legal action and criticism from historic preservationists and others over demolition of the White House’s East Wing as part of his $300 million plan to build a new ballroom on the executive grounds, according to Newsweek. 

A Virginia couple went to court to try to block Trump from proceeding with demolition of the White House’s East Wing, POLITICO reports, but their lawsuit was unable to stop the destruction from happening. 

Although Trump initially said the project wouldn't "interfere with the current building" and would be "near it but not touching it," he contradicted that on October 22, stating that "in order to do it properly, we had to take down the existing structure,” according to NPR. 

Judge had threatened sanctions over 55 hours of deleted video

By Alexander J Schorr

Photo: The late Hayden Schuck

October 29, 2025—San Diego County Supervisors have voted to approve a historic settlement to resolve the in-custody wrongful death of Hayden Schuck. In the case of Estate of Hayden Schuck v. County of San Diego, et al. (Case 23-cv-00785-DMS-AHG), they approved a record $16 million payout and deputy training reforms to address the ongoing jail death crisis, according to the civil rights law firm  McKenzie Scott PC.

Schuck was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and drug possession back in March 2022, two months after Kelly Martinez was appointed Undersheriff, overseeing the department until she was elected Sheriff and sworn in the following January.

The 22-year-old was taken into custody at San Diego’s Central Jail, where he died six days later in his cell due to dehydration. 

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

October 29, 2025 (Cuyamaca) -- A deer mouse collected in routine monitoring Oct. 22 at the Los Vaqueros Group Horse Campground in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park has tested positive for the potentially deadly hantavirus.

Finding hantavirus in wild rodents is not uncommon in San Diego County. And people rarely come into direct contact with infected animals because wild rodents naturally avoid humans.

Even so, County officials are advising people to take precautions, especially when pulling out those holiday decorations from sheds, garages or attics in case there have been infected rodents living in those areas.

East County News Service

Oct. 29, 2025 (La Mesa) -- This past week has marked one of the most challenging stretches of time for the La Mesa Police Department as it mourns the loss of fallen La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven.

Candlelight vigil photos by Karen Pearlman

Craven, 25, died the night of Monday, Oct. 20 in San Diego's Grantville area, on Interstate 8 near Fairmount Avenue. She was returning from San Diego's Central Jail and stopped to assist a motorist who had been in an accident on the freeway.

By Paul Levikow

Photo, left: Vince Kattoula displays hookahs, advocating for more space to display them in retail stores

October 28, 2025 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon City Council voted Tuesday to deny a proposal that would have increased the allowable display space for tobacco products such as hookahs in retail stores that are not designated smoke shops.

The 3-1 vote leaves intact the city code requirement that licensed tobacco retailers are limited to 16 cubic feet of display area. The El Cajon Planning Commission recommended earlier this month to allow stores to double the permissible display area to 32 cubic feet. Councilmember

Phil Ortiz, who asked that the issue be brought forth to the Council, was the lone no vote. He advocated for the increased allowable space. Mayor Bill Wells was absent.

Little Black Dress (LBD) Event featuring a custom gown by top designer Evan Hirsch

East County News Service

October 28, 2025 (San Diego) – Goodwill San Diego is proud to host its annual Little Black Dress Event, just in time for the holiday season. All Goodwill retail stores will showcase a wide selection of LBDs, shoes, and accessories at competitive prices.

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office

October 27, 2025 (San Diego) - You don’t have to wait until Election Day to vote in person. Voters can take advantage of early voting at nearly three dozen select vote centers starting Saturday, Oct. 25. The centers are located around the county and will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

By Karen Pearlman, with additional reporting by Miriam Raftery

Oct. 26, 2025 (East County) --  One of the original champions for First Nation independence through gaming on Native American reservations in California, Daniel  "Danny"  Tucker, longtime leader and tribal member of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, has passed away.

Tucker, born Feb. 5, 1952 at Mercy Hospital, died Friday, Oct. 24 due to complications from diabetes, at the home he shared with his wife, Lori, in El Cajon.

By Sir Milo Loftin, County of San Diego Communications Office

October 26, 2025 (San Diego) - County Animal Services is asking for the public’s help to learn more about a puppy found with a severe neck injury caused by a collar that had become embedded in his skin.