Soroptimist International of Valley de Oro recognizes women overcoming extraordinary obstacles to build better lives through education

By Henri Migala

Photo:  Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award winners.  Seated (left to right): Dr. Peggy Fischer, DVM, Valley de Oro Club Chair; Tenisha Back row (left to right): Sue Bucheman (member); Nancy Waters (member); Kayleen; Susie Hoolihan (Club Treasurer); Metilde; Rasha; Flor; Lorena

April 19, 2026 (Rancho San Diego) -- On the evening of Monday, April 13, 2026, a small but mighty corner of East County came together at Hooley’s Rancho San Diego to celebrate something truly meaningful: the courage, determination, and dreams of eight remarkable local women. Soroptimist International of Valley de Oro (SI/VdO) held its annual Live Your Dream Awards presentation, honoring this year’s recipients and shining a light on the transformative power of education.

East County News Service

April 14, 2026 (Boulevard) -- The Backcountry Resource Center in Boulevard will be busy this Wednesday, April 15 hosting the first-ever Mountain Empire Art Show 2026, opening at 4 p.m. and the Boulevard-Jacumba Town Hall Event at 6:30 p.m.

The first annual Mountain Empire Art Show  is an act of advocacy for the vibrant and sometimes hidden gem of the art community of the high desert east county region. Sixteen artists will show at the Backcountry Resource Center, gathered by the curation of Mara Harris who enthusiastically organized the show as an act of community activism.

Harris is also a resident on Jewel Valley Road the primary location for the Starlight Solar Project slated for Boulevard. 

The art show theme is "Artists Activate Aliveness!" It is a direct response to the east desert communities' concern of the impact of the growing number of industrial solar, battery, and wind turbine projects in the Mountain Empire region.

East County News Service

April 13, 2026 (Lemon Grove) -- The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office Reentry Services Division is holding a public event aimed at bridging the gap between life behind bars and life as a productive neighbor.

From 4 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 14 at the Lemon Grove Library, the community is being invited to meet the team dedicated to ensuring that when individuals leave custody, they stay out.

While vocational skills get people hired, the Sheriff’s Department is also focused on the internal work required to prevent a return to custody.

During the event, guests can explore tables that highlight the department's Career Technical Education programs and meet our community partners who support successful reintegration.

There will be an overview presentation that shares a clear picture of the services, programs, and supports our team provides, along with how these efforts contribute to a successful return to our communities.

East County News Service

April 11, 2026 (Borrego Springs) - The San Diego Superior Court has ordered the conditional release of Sexually Violent Predator Gary Snavely.  The California Department of State Hospitals has recommended the placement of Snavely at 3406 Running M Road in Borrego Springs  He was convicted of lewd and lascivious acts with two girls ages 8 and 9 between 1982 and 1986.

Tiny mountain towns often overlooked by travelers in East County’s back country

By Paul Levikow

Photos by Miriam Raftery and Paul Levikow

April 10, 2026 (Santa Ysabel/Wynola) – Visitors travelling to Julian north from Ramona can oftentimes overlook two equally charming communities along the way. Some might even think Santa Ysabel, population around 600, and Wynola with about 200 residents, are actually part of Julian. They are not. Each town has its own unique and enchanting vibe with distinctive views of the Cleveland National Forest and Cuyamaca Mountains.

Perhaps Santa Ysabel, which is about seven miles from Julian, and Wynola, a mere three miles away along state Routes 78 and 79, could be considered suburbs of Julian and its approximately 1,700 residents. All three communities are about an hour drive from San Diego proper by heading east along Interstate 8, then north on state Route 67. That’s the path that takes travelers through Santa Ysabel and Wynola. There are lots of things to see and do in those communities that might make visitors forget they were on the way to Julian, known for its pies, apple picking, Gold Rush history, shopping, and mountain getaway accommodations.

So, let’s get going.

Story and photo by Karen Pearlman

April 9, 2026 (Santee) — Twenty-five years after teenage student armed with a gun opened fire at Santana High School, survivors and prosecutors are closer to closing a legal loophole they say allows the state’s most violent juvenile offenders to exploit the justice system for early release.

On Tuesday in Sacramento, the Assembly Public Safety Committee voted 8-0 to advance Assembly Bill 1959, a bipartisan measure authored by Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel (D-San Diego). The bill aims to restore judicial discretion in cases involving mass casualties and “heinous” crimes committed by minors.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

April 5, 2026 (San Marcos) – The #MoreeFire in San Marcos has led to evacuations, including the California State University San Marcos Campus.  

Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued. As this is a rapidly changing situation, check the Genasys Map for the current evacuation zones: 

CSU San Marcos sent this emergency alert:  “Main Campus Evacuation - DO NOT exit campus via Campus View and La Moree. Follow all police instructions. Do not come to campus."

A Temporary Evacuation Point is open at Mission Hills High School located at 1 Mission Hills Court, San Marcos, CA 92069, per San Diego Sheriff on X.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  proposed Starlight Solar site, via County of San Diego

April 4, 2026 (Boulevard) – Should a 588-acre solar project with one of the state’s largest battery energy storage sites be built near rural Boulevard, a small town located in a very high fire hazard zone?  The County Planning Commission may vote May 8 on the Starlight Solar project, which supporters say is needed to help meet state and county green energy mandates.

East County News Service

April 3, 2026 (Santa Ysabel) – Reach for the stars at San Diego County’s International Dark Sky Week Celebration on Saturday, April 18 from 2-10 p.m. at the Santa Ysabel Nature Center (22135 Highway 79). The event includes “Defending the Night Sky,” a symposium from 2-7 p.m., followed by an after-dark star party to view the celestial sights from 8-10 p.m.

“...What we have learned from the Lemon Grove incident is that when we unite together and we fight against those forces, we are stronger than they are.” - Mayor Alysson Snow

(Photo, left, by Armando Rasing II): Community members gathered in front of a mural created by Mario Chacon that honors the Lemon Grove Incident 

By Armando Rasing II

April 1, 2026 (Lemon Grove) – Lemon Grove community members gathered at The Neighborhood Event Center on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the 1931 Lemon Grove desegregation court decision, a decision that stopped students of Mexican descent from being separated into a different school.