East County News Service
March 28, 2025 (San Carlos) – San Carlos resident and ECM reporter Karen Pearlman snapped this photo of a pair of raccoons chased up a tree by her dog,Charlie.
By Karen Pearlman
Opening day photos from Padres social media
March 28, 2025 (San Diego) -- Sunshine-filled Petco Park was sold out for Opening Day of the San Diego Padres 2025 season on Thursday afternoon, where fans were treated to a 7-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves.
If Game One of 2025 was any indication, the Padres look to be ready for a stellar season following one of their best ever in 2024.
In front of a Petco Park-record 45,568 fans, the Padres rallied in the seventh inning to overcome a 4-3 deficit, scoring four runs to take the lead over the Braves.
The rally was sparked by a game-tying home run by pinch hitter Gavin Sheets in his first at-bat as a Padre.
By Miriam Raftery
Photo courtesy of Sky 10 via ABC 10 News, an ECM news partner
March 28, 2025 (El Cajon) – Federal immigration authorities raided the San Diego Powder and Protective Coatings company on Magnolia Ave. in El Cajon yesterday afternoon. A search warrant accuses the company of hiring undocumented workers, as well as fraud and misuse of visas, ECM news partner 10 News reports.
Attendees object to Congressional Republicans ceding authority to executive branch
View video of the March 23 "Empty Chair Town Hall
By Karen Pearlman
Screenshot: Crowd chants "Shame" over Issa's refusal to hold a town hall in his district.
March 28, 2025 (Escondido) – Hundreds of constituents in Republican Congressional Rep. Darrell Issa’s district gathered at an “Empty Chair Town Hall” event at the California Center for the Arts on Sunday, March 23.
A standing-room only crowd in the venue that holds about 400 people expressed a variety of concerns about everything from healthcare needs and veterans’ services to immigration and education. The event was also live-streamed on social media.
Created to bring attention to what they say is Issa’s penchant to avoid meeting constituents in a Town Hall format, the event was organized by Indivisible North County San Diego.
East County News Service
Photos by Karen Pearlman
March 29, 2025 (Santee) - Mary Hennessy, the 90-something owner of Mary's Donuts, grabs a sweet treat during her business's 40th anniversary bash Saturday morning, March 29.
Hennessy, who plied the donut trade at a Winchell's Donuts, bought the former Zona's Donut Shop with her husband, and opened the original Mary’s Donuts and Coffee in 1984 on Mission Gorge Road in Santee. After a lease dispute with her landlord, Hennessy moved the popular donut spot just a few blocks away to a nearby strip mall along Carlton Hills Boulevard. Hennessy still oversees operations.
By Karen Pearlman
March 27, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) -- Public water utility entity Helix Water District isn’t just about water – it’s also about energy, power and air.
On Tuesday, the district with roots dating back to 1885 got on board with the future, breaking ground at its El Cajon operations center as part of the district’s transition to a zero-emission vehicle fleet through electrification.
The $11 million electrification project will install nearly 90 high-speed vehicle chargers at the district’s operations center.
New partnership awards $1M+ in inaugural grants to 18 nonprofits
Source: San Diego Foundation
March 26, 2025 (San Diego) - Dr. Seuss Foundation and San Diego Foundation (SDF) today announced the launch of Ready to Learn, a joint initiative to support early literacy development for young children in San Diego County. Unveiled at a press conference in the San Diego Central Library, the new program builds upon the organizations' successful three-year collaboration, which has provided more than $3 million in grants to expand access to early educational opportunities and improve reading skills for children in the region.
By Karen Pearlman
Photo by Emma Palmer: San Diego County Building Industry Association CEO Lori Pfeiler; Lucas Coleman, Director of World Trade Center San Diego; and San Diego City Councilman Raul Campillo.
March 26, 2025 (San Diego) -- One week ahead of plans by President Donald Trump to put a 25 percent additional tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, as well as a 10 percent tariff on imports from China, San Diego City Councilmember Raul Campillo and local business leaders warned of severe economic consequences for the San Diego County region.
By Karen Pearlman
Photo: Rabbi Scott Meltzer said his synagogue in San Diego has twice been vandalized with antisemitic graffiti.
March 26, 2025 (El Cajon) -- The El Cajon City Council took a step toward condemning hate by unanimously voting for a resolution to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s Working Definition of Antisemitism.
Organizers are seeking a headline sponsor
East County News Service
March 26, 2025 (Escondido) -- Mark your calendars for Valley Vibes, a free, family-friendly fiesta with interactive exhibits, great food, crafts and live music courtesy of North Park Rock-n-Blues Band. Valley Vibes will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 1, at the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead, 12655 Sunset Drive, Escondido. The San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy and San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority are hosting the free event to celebrate nature and draw attention to the organizations’ conservation, education and recreation programs.