

East County Reporter
Gary Warth
Gary Warth is the East County reporter for The San Diego Union-Tribune. He has covered a variety of beats since 1989 and most recently covered the cities of San Marcos and Vista and homeless issues at The San Diego Union-Tribune. A San Diego resident since the 1970s, he earned a journalism degree from San Diego State University and has won numerous awards for his work.
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El Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de Estados Unidos exige un plan quinquenal para calificar para fondos federales

Santee’s former city manager gets a $131K severance amid a vague ‘dispute’
Public records offer a few clues as to what might have caused Marlene Best's surprise departure.

Homelessness, housing, economic development among Escondido priorities
Five-year plan is required by U.S. Housing and Urban Development to qualify for federal funds

Cost increases, plans advance for Santee Community Center
City Council finds additional $2.5 million for project

Recall attempt launched against El Cajon Councilmember Ortiz
Group calls council member 'traitor' to Latino community who should be recalled

La a de la ciudad de Santee, Marlene Best, deja su cargo sin indicar el motivo
El Ayuntamiento se ha reunido dos veces para nombrar un sustituto interino, pero no ha llegado a un acuerdo. Se celebrará otra reunión el miércoles.

Santee City Manager Marlene Best leaves position, but no reason stated
City Council has met twice to name an interim replacement but failed to reach agreement. Another meeting is Wednesday.

La biblioteca de Escondido fija fecha de mudanza para el 26 de abril
La biblioteca se trasladará al North County Mall durante aproximadamente un año.

Paul Downey has helped seniors for 30 years. Now, he’s looking to retire.
Melinda Forstey will be new CEO after Downey's retirement May 8

Planning Commission hearing on Cottonwood sand mine postponed
No date has been announced for next hearing on controversial East County proposal

Recall attempt against Lemon Grove mayor rejected
Resident served mayor with recall notice at Tuesday's City Council meeting

Escondido tiki artist recovering from costly flood caused by city pipe break
Bosko Hrnjak lost rare collections and original art after pipe break

Los centros de atención de El Cajón enfrentarán una tarifa de $565 por cada llamada de asistencia al 911
La ciudad está considerando tarifas adicionales para centros de atención con llamadas excesivas al 911

Escondido library sets moving date for April 26
The library will relocate to North County Mall for about a year

Indigenous People's festival to continue in Escondido; conflict of interest resolved
Escondido City Councilmember Judy Fitzgerald asked to reconsider her vote after revealing campaign contribution

‘Molly’ to bring health information to East County residents
Mobile Outreach Library will serve residents in Grossmont Healthcare District

El Cajon care facilities to face $565 fee for every 911 lift-assist call
The city is looking into additional fees for care facilities with excessive 911 calls

Construyen refugio de animales del condado de San Diego en Santee
Un refugio de Bonita cerrará cuando se abra el nuevo refugio de Santee en 2026

Escondido festival to celebrate art, cultural of indigenous people
Local tribes will participate on April 19 at Grape Day Park.

Extension granted to El Cajon restaurant, banquet hall threatened with permit loss
El Cajon Planning Commission is surprised to learn of new Palms ownership.

Lemon Grove again considers new park restroom
The city still hasn't spent a grant from 2021 to replace restrooms at Lemon Grove Park and Berry Street Park.

County Animal Shelter under construction in Santee
A Bonita shelter will close when the new Santee shelter opens in 2026.

La Mesa offers e-bike incentive for residents, workers
Applications for e-bike incentives are being accepted through April 14

Why is El Cajon council weighing in on federal and state issues?
'Nationalization of local politics' growing on many fronts. 'We're seeing more cities run towards the lightning rods.'

More cabins for homeless people coming to El Cajon
The Amikas program provides shelter for women and children

Inaugural Lemon Grove Incident Day to recognize historic desegregation case
Latino families were victorious in case against school board

Sinkhole repair to cost El Cajon $700K
City Council held emergency meeting to fund repairs

La empresa que revitalizó Little Italy también trabaja en Chula Vista. El Cajón es el siguiente
Marco Li Mandri, presidente de New City America, es el nuevo director ejecutivo de Downtown El Cajon Business Partners

Planning Group rejects proposed East County sand mine
Development on former Cottonwood Golf Course called a health hazard by community

El Cajon bans disguised vaping devices
School districts asked for ban to stop students from vaping

Santee opens the door for wineries to breweries
City Council also approves $112,500 to complete multiple species conservation plan

La Mesa to provide rental subsidies to seniors struggling to remain housed
Jewish Family Service hopes to launch program in more cities

Firm that revitalized Little Italy is also working on Chula Vista. El Cajon is next.
Marco Li Mandri, president of New City America, is new executive director of Downtown El Cajon Business Partners

Escondido council brainstorms priorities: a homeless shelter, repairs, a new flag
The city expects to raise $28 million annually through new sales tax

SDG&E worker claims El Cajon police falsely identified him as a prowler
Photo of meter reader who was labeled a possible suspect was posted on social media

Se abre un estacionamiento seguro en Oceanside y se realizan mejoras en el estacionamiento de El Cajón
Los lotes de Dreams for Change se amplían a cinco en el condado

Los residentes de Lemon Grove se manifiestan en contra de las cabañas para personas sin hogar
El Ayuntamiento dividido considera oponerse al plan del condado de construir 60 minicasas

Lemon Grove residents speak out against cabins for homeless people
Divided City Council contemplates stand against county plan to build 60 tiny homes

Taxpayer Association CEO resigns, former Housing Commission CEO appointed
Rick Gentry has one-year contract to head the nonprofit watchdog

Equipos de trabajo comienzan a retirar el otrora popular parque infantil de Escondido del Grape Day Park
Vinehenge se instaló en 2004 y las inspecciones han determinado que su uso no es seguro.

Crews begin removing once-popular Escondido playground from Grape Day Park
Vinehenge was installed in 2004, and inspections have found it unsafe to use

Safe parking lot opens in Oceanside, improvements underway at El Cajon lot
Dreams for Change lots expand to five in county

El Cajon discusses future of Cajon Classic Cruise, agrees changes needed
Assessment district that funds the event up for renewal in 2026

Levin urges fight against Social Security cuts in Oceanside appearance
Reports state agency could face 50% staffing cutback

Roundabouts, wider sidewalks underway on Escondido’s Grand Avenue
Months-long construction presents challenges for merchants on once-busy street

Escondido pivots on temporary library site, seeks new mall suite
Officials discovered that more than 70 vendors already occupied initial suite at North County Mall

Recycled water project nears milestone, costs escalate again
The $1 billion project increased by $50 million for San Diego

Former council member arrested for disrupting Lemon Grove meeting
Liana LeBaron served one term and unsuccessfully ran for Lemon Grove mayor last year

North County Mall recommended as temporary site for Escondido library
44-year-old library will close for about a year for construction project

El Cajón declara que ayudará a aplicar la ley migratoria en votación dividida
La controvertida propuesta para apoyar la cooperación de las fuerzas del orden locales

El Cajon declares it will help immigration enforcement, in split vote on 3rd attempt
The controversial proposal to local law enforcement's cooperation with federal efforts was approved by the city council Tuesday

El Cajon to again consider controversial immigration resolution
Proposal to allow police to comply with ICE drew protests at last attempt

11 applicants vie for Lemon Grove council seat
Interviews with potential council are scheduled for Tuesday

Yadira Altamirano es nombrada para el Concejo Municipal de Lemon Grove
La nueva designada había servido previamente un año en el consejo

Yadira Altamirano appointed to Lemon Grove City Council
New appointee had previously served one year on council

California Center for the Arts turns corner after year in the red
The foundation running the arts center submitted the only proposal to manage the Escondido venue

Volunteers sought for Lemon Grove oversight committee
will monitor how funds from new tax are spent

Cientos de voluntarios salieron a buscar a miles de personas sin hogar. Esto fue lo que encontraron.
El conteo en un punto específico llega en un momento particularmente inestable para aquellos que duermen en la calle.

Hundreds of volunteers went looking for thousands of homeless people. Here’s what they found.
The point-in-time count comes at a particularly unstable moment for those sleeping outside.

El Concejo de El Cajon rechaza aprobar resolución para brindar asistencia policial en operativos migratorios
La reunión, que duró más de cinco horas, generó un intenso debate público con alrededor de 80 oradores

Multitudes de manifestantes se reúnen contra la propuesta migratoria en El Cajón
El alcalde propone que la policía de la ciudad ayude a los agentes de ICE a arrestar a migrantes violentos

El Cajon declines to resolution on police assistance with immigration enforcement
The meeting, which lasted more than five hours, drew fierce public debate with some 80 speakers

Scores of protesters rally against proposed El Cajon resolution
Mayor is proposing city police assist ICE agents to arrest violent migrants

Salvavidas y surfistas rescatan a más de 20 personas después de que un bote se volcara en Ocean Beach
Los salvavidas nadaron con tablas de paddle y usaron botes de rescate para sacar a las personas del agua.

32-year-old pedestrian killed in hit-and-run crash in Escondido
A pedestrian died after he was struck at an Escondido intersection Saturday night

Woman killed in Encinitas hit-and-run identified
Emily Hernandez, 66, was struck as she crossed Coast Highway just north of Leucadia Boulevard

Pedestrian struck, killed in Fallbrook identified
Cipriano Pedro Gonzalez, 24, was walking across South Mission Road near East Clemmens Lane when he was struck

Lifeguards, surfers rescue more than 20 people after boat capsizes in Ocean Beach
Lifeguards swam out on paddleboards and used rescue boats to retrieve people from the water

Woman dies after crashing into tree in Miramar Ranch North
The crash occurred on South Brookville Drive near Hall Meadow Road

Afghans who assisted U.S. troops among those targeted in federal suspension of refugee program
Trump's action has left nonprofits that help migrants angry, anxious and puzzled. 'We didn't expect it to happen so drastically overnight.'

Mujer sin hogar muere después de ser atropellada mientras dormía en San Ysidro
Deborah Linda Super, de 65 años, dormía cerca de una pared cuando accidentalmente fue atropellada

Interfaith acepta nuevas condiciones para continuar operando en Escondido
El proveedor sin fines de lucro de servicios para personas sin hogar fue citado

Santee aprueba fuertes aumentos en las tarifas para desarrolladores
El aumento de tarifas fue el primero en 19 años

Sleeping homeless woman dies after being run over in San Ysidro
Deborah Linda Super, 65, was sleeping near a wall when she was accidentally run over in San Ysidro, officials say

Woman killed in I-5 Carlsbad crash identified
Luz Maria Sandoval's van was disabled on freeway when it was struck by another vehicle

Santee approves steep hikes in developer fees
The increases are the first in 19 years

Interfaith accepts new conditions to continue operations in Escondido
The nonprofit homeless service provider was cited for violations of its original permit in 2023

Escondido gets only one proposal to run troubled arts center
The city was looking for a new manager because of ongoing budget deficit; CSUSM looked, but didn't leap

Motorcyclist killed in El Cajon accident identified
Anthony Crum, 41, was riding a motorcycle with his daughter when they were struck by an SUV

Woman killed in scooter crash in Escondido identified
Kristen Ryan, 49, died after the Vespa scooter she was riding on crashed on San Pasqual Valley Road

El Cajon to celebration end of ‘pawhibition’
The city has revoked a decades-long ban on downtown dog-walking

El Cajón considera resolución para apoyar a las autoridades federales con arrestos de inmigrantes
“Aprobar esta resolución no solo es un error, sino que muestra sus verdaderos colores”

El Cajón permite que continúe el exitoso programa de cabañas para personas sin hogar
El programa en la Iglesia Bautista Meridian proporciona refugio temporal a mujeres y niños

El Cajon considers resolution to feds with immigration arrests
The city resolution contradicts San Diego County's plan to not assist with federal immigration enforcement in any way

El Cajon allows successful cabin program for homeless to continue
Program at Meridian Baptist Church provides temporary shelter to women and children

San Diego Rodeo returns to Petco Park for three-day run. ‘It’s a major part of Americana.’
Protesters called the controversial event "animal abuse" while ers said it's part of the country's heritage

Renovated ‘dive bar’ Hearth House reopens in La Mesa
New owners run several popular San Diego taverns, including The Waterfront and the Aero Club

Los dolientes se reúnen en el lugar del fatal accidente en Lemon Grove que mató a dos solicitantes de asilo
Los dos primos de Haití murieron el 1 de enero después de ser atropellados por un coche

Lemon Grove opts to appoint a new council member rather than hold a special election
A new member could be seated Feb. 18

Mourners gather at site of fatal Lemon Grove crash that killed two asylum seekers
The two young cousins from Haiti died Jan. 1 after being struck by a car

Q and A: Meet Chaldean Community Council founder Dr. Noori Barka
Council helps Middle Eastern migrants assimilate into new culture

El Cajon museum celebrates ‘Dean of Western Art’ Olaf Wieghorst
The museum showcases works by the famous Wild West artist, who lived in El Cajon from the mid-1940s until his death in 1988

El Cajon nonprofit lets Iraqi Christians know they’re not forgotten
Iraqi children receiving Christmas gifts from American program

Helix High School to celebrate alum and NBA great Bill Walton on Friday
Friday ceremony recognizes role in '69, '70 championships

La tienda de ropa Act II de La Mesa sigue abierta con la ayuda de una amiga
El Act II se muda a una nueva ubicación en La Mesa Village después de 35 años en el mismo lugar

Got a medical question? This East County library has answers.
Hospital district's brick and mortar library has large collection for consumers and plans to launch mobile unit

Santee ofrece pocos detalles sobre el ciberataque o el contrato para recuperar datos
La ciudad contrató a una firma de respuesta ante incidentes de extorsión cibernética por $603,000

Syrian liberation cause for celebration in El Cajon
Local immigrants and refugees hopeful for homeland's future, with some planning a return soon to reunite with family still there.

La Mesa clothing shop stays opens with help from a friend
Act 2 is moving to a new La Mesa Village site after 35 years in same location

Santee offering few details about cyber attack or contract to recover data
City hired cyber extortion incident response firm for $603,000 to attempt to recover data