By Philicia Tonangoye

Karen Pearlman contributed to this story.

April 1, 2026 (Santa Ysabel) -- The nonprofit Ilan-Lael Foundation will host an immersive art and nature experience on a 90-minute-long docent-led tour at 10 a.m., Thursday, April 9.

The event will take place in Santa Ysabel and focuses on the art and architecture of founder and artist James Hubbel, set against the beautiful natural scenery of the Santa Ysabel landscape.

Admission fees start at $45 per person, and a prior reservation is required.

Participants should be prepared for the activity level in and around 930 Orchard Lane. Organizers emphasize that everyone must wear closed-toe, sturdy footwear for the tour, which involves natural paths and steps.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Photos by Patrick Ward.

March 29, 2026 (Santee) – Fire crews are battling the Town Center Fire burning in vegetation in the 100 block of  River Rock Court, across the river from Walmart and the Town Center shopping plaza. The fire is within 50 to 100 yards of commercial structures and has burned 3 aces as of 7:40 p.m., per Watch Duty.

Per Watch Duty App, the incident commander has requested a type 1 strike team of 5 engines, a strike 3 team of 5 engines, and a water dropping helicopter.

Ground crews are now engaged in structure protection on the south side of the river due to a threat to commercial structures there.

East County News Service

March 28, 2026 (Santee) -- Deputies from the Santee Sheriff's Station conducted an enforcement operation on Thursday aimed at addressing the growing number of electric bikes (e-bikes) and electric motorcycles (e-motorcycles) being operated in violation of state and local laws within the City of Santee.

Officials seeking potential contacts, photo courtesy County of San Diego

East County News Service

March 28, 2026 (Escondido) -- San Diego County public health officials are seeking anyone who may have come into direct physical contact with two wild bats found in separate Escondido locations last weekend.

Both animals have since tested positive for rabies, marking the fourth and fifth confirmed cases of rabid bats in the county this year.

The first infected bat was discovered at about 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, in a grassy area near the White Oak Villas condo complex. The animal was retrieved by the San Diego Humane Society for testing.

By Rebecca Person

March 28, 2026 (Jacumba Hot Springs) -- East County’s abuzz with a Beatles invasion. De Anza Springs Resort, a high desert retreat, welcomes the public to the Magical Mystery Campout and Beatles Fair, a two-day festival on April 4 and 5.  The weekend will feature multiple Beatles cover bands, hiking, swimming in indoor and outdoor mineral pools and a spa, stargazing, and Beatles memorabilia.

By Miriam Raftery

March 27, 2026 (Santee) – A staffer spotted a camouflage backpack near the front entrance of the Santee Sheriff station today at 12:24 p.m. Surveillance video showed a man on bicycle dropping off the suspicious pack. Deputies secured the area and sought help from the Sheriff’s Bomb/Arson detectives.

Patrol deputies conducted a search of the surrounding area for the individual, while the Sheriff’s helicopter issued public address announcements with a description of the subject.

Bomb/Arson detectives assessed the backpack and identified items that appeared to be military-style equipment. As a precaution, nearby streets and sidewalks adjacent to the station were temporarily closed to ensure public safety.  Upon further examination, multiple rounds of high-powered ammunition were recovered from inside the backpack.

Detectives ultimately rendered the backpack safe and confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public.

East County News Service

March 27, 2026 (Lakeside) – Voters are invited to the “Candidates to Constituents Town Hall” series. The series is hosted by Alpine resident Anne Tillmond and features local, county & state candidates that voters can connect with over three town halls. The first C2C town hall is on Wednesday, April 22^nd, 2026 in Lakeside from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.

Light refreshments will be provided. Contact candidatestoconstituents@gmail.com for more information or to RSVP - Seating is limited.

YouTube video screenshot of League of Women Voters' District 2 candidate forum on March 5

East County News Service

March 25, 2026 (San Diego) -- As the June 2 Primary approaches, the League of Women Voters of San Diego has ramped up its efforts to educate local residents on candidates and issues when they head to the ballot box.

The League of Women Voters of San Diego scheduled five candidate forums designed to provide voters with direct access to the individuals seeking to represent them in City Hall.

For information on the candidates, Measure A (Empty Homes Tax) and the election itself, visit the city's official 2026 election website here.

File photo: El Capitan County Preserve hiking trail

Story updated March 26

By Miriam Raftery

March 24, 2026 (Lakeside) – The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s office has identified a hiker who died on El Cajon Mountain in the El Capitan County Preserve on March 22 as Johnathan L. Gorbea, 40, of Lakeside.

Gorbea was a decorated U.S. Navy veteran who also worked for the Department of Defense, according to a GoFundMe page set up by one of his cousins, which by 11:30 a.m. March 26 had raised $16,715 of $20,000 sought.

Gorbea’s family reported him missing on Sunday morning, after he failed to return from a hike he had left for on Saturday morning.

East County News Service

March 24, 2026 (Jacumba Hot Springs) -- Performance art and music will collide and combine in concert in the high desert this spring as the Karnival of the Arts (KOTA) West returns to the DeAnza Springs Resort.

The festival, which has spent half a decade establishing a "West Coast home" in southeastern San Diego County, centers on a unique "triple-decked" stage production and will go from 4 p.m., April 30 through 4 p.m., May 3.

The design allows for simultaneous live painting, flow arts and musical performances, and this year features headliners Thundersmack (Leo P of Too Many Zooz and Michael Wilbur of Moon Hooch) and electronic multi-instrumentalist Vincent Antone.

"Our event highlights art like no other," says KOTA co-founder and producer Miguel Munoz. "Starting with triple decked stages for simultaneous live painting and dance/flow performances right along side regional favorite bands and international headliners."

Vendors, food trucks and parade participants wanted

By Paul Levikow

March 21, 2026 (Crest) – The Crest Community Association is planning the 80th Annual Crest 4th of July Parade and is looking for parade participants and vendors for the festival. The event will also honor the 250th birthday of the United States.

By Miriam Raftery

March 18, 2026 (San Diego East County) – Deputies from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Station responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon at 12:20 a.m. in the 16000 block of Loose Creek Road in Jamul. Upon arrival, deputies did not locate any victims at the residence.

“Shortly afterward, the Alpine Fire Protection District notified the Sheriff’s Office that a shooting victim had arrived at their station. Emergency personnel initiated lifesaving measures;” says Lt. Juan Marequez with the Sheriff’s department.  Despite those efforts, the man succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the fire station.