Author Image: Karen Pearlman

Karen Pearlman

Karen Pearlman was a reporter for The San Diego Union-Tribune, where she covered the East County of San Diego, including its schools, government, water and fire district governing boards, since 2010. Before ing The San Diego Union-Tribune as a sports news assistant in 1996, she spent nearly 10 years covering sports and editing news stories at The Daily Californian in El Cajon — this after three years as a sports writer at The Star-News in Chula Vista. A San Diegan since 1979, Karen is a graduate of Patrick Henry High, Grossmont College and San Diego State, where she earned a degree in Journalism (News-Editorial emphasis with a minor in Health Science) and covered finance and sports for The Daily Aztec for four years.

All Stories

The idea of electrification in new buildings did not win over the Santee City Council.

Santee not interested in moving toward electrification

SANTEE — Electrification in new construction is not getting a round of applause in Santee.At a meeting earlier this month, the Santee City Council said it was fine continuing with its current...
During discussion of Lemon Grove's recent comprehensive financial report on Dec. 7, business owner Christopher Williams tells the City Council that the city needs a forensic audit.

Lemon Grove gets some good financial news

LEMON GROVE — It was less than two years ago that Lemon Grove's finance department shared some sobering information with the City Council — the city’s General Fund was operating at a...
Mohammed Tuama, a leader in the Middle Eastern community in East County, speaks at Tuesday's rally in El Cajon against a new supervisorial districting map expected to be approved Thursday.

El Cajon rallies against planned redistricting map

EL CAJON — Shouting “Keep El Cajon in East County!” “Save El Cajon!” and “Save our Chaldean community!” and holding signs with the same sentiments, nearly 100 residents on Tuesday objected to...
La Mesa, CA - November 17: On Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021 at her desk in City Hall in La Mesa, CA., Perri Storey settles in as the communications manager for the city of La Mesa. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

La Mesa hires its first communications manager

LA MESA — The city of La Mesa has hired its first communications manager, Perri Storey. She is a 50-year-old veteran of municipal government who also will become the first Black woman...
The Lemon Grove City Council, meeting in person on Nov. 16, unanimously agreed to bring back its Community Advisory Commission.

Lemon Grove will continue Community Advisory Commission

LEMON GROVE — Lemon Grove is reviving its dormant Community Advisory Commission.The three-member group, which also allows for additional temporary , was established in 2016 to act in an advisory role and...
0000017d-5e34-da1a-a3fd-7fbdc3e60000

Phenomenal San Diego women in education

DORIS ALVAREZDoris Alvarez distinguished herself early in her career, graduating from San Diego State University and moving directly to the classroom to along her ion for education to young...
A runner makes his way up Mount Helix Drive, protected inside the newly built berm separating cars from pedestrians all along the road.

Residents applaud safety fixes on Mount Helix Drive

MOUNT HELIX — East County residents living on or near Mount Helix Drive are celebrating the completion of traffic safety measures in their neighborhood.The county has installed 6-inch-high asphalt berms and 85...
El Cajon now has a policy of voluntary disclosure of proof of residency for candidates seeking to hold a seat on the City Council.

El Cajon does about-face on redistricting maps process

EL CAJON — Facing criticism from its Middle Eastern residents and a state advocacy group, the El Cajon City Council this week unanimously voted to pay its independent demographer an additional $20,000...
The Santee City Council is not interested in having Bird scooters as a transportation choice in the city.

Bird scooters nixed in Santee

SANTEE — Citing liability concerns, ADA issues, and safety concerns, the Santee City Council said no to partnering with Bird scooters, a micromobility company that's been around since 2017.Santa Monica-based Bird has...
Rose Schindler, a Holocaust survivor, was the keynote speaker at the 19th annual Women In Leadership Luncheon on Oct. 22 at Viejas, and was presented by the San Diego Regional East county Chamber of Commerce.

Six women honored for their leadership

ALPINE — Six women were honored last month at the 19th Annual Women In Leadership Luncheon at Viejas Resort & Casino.San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, Santee School Board Member Elana...
A simple bandana is usually your best bet for a Halloween get-up for a dog that doesn't want to wear a costume

Keep animals safe as the Halloween spirit takes hold

SAN DIEGO — Halloween can be a spooky holiday for humans and zombies alike, and also for companion animals and wildlife.While creepy costumes, candlelit jack-o'-lanterns, larger-than-life inflatable lawn decorations and neverending supplies...
sandiegouniontribune default image

La Mesa Chamber of Commerce honors local heroes

LA MESA — A group of local emergency personnel and healthcare workers were honored earlier this month by the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce. The chamber honored nine local residents at its...
Guatay, CA - October 22: Amy Pat Rigney and Doctor Aaron Harlan gives Tootsie Roll a routine check up at Horses of Tir Na Nog on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021 in Guatay, CA. Tootsie Roll is one of four new horses that were rescued this week. (Jarrod Valliere / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Rescued horses get a checkup in Guatay

Horses of Tir Na Nog, the equine rescue group in the far reaches of East County, took in four more horses in need through its adoption partnership with San Diego...
This cannabis store is near the Santee border in unincorporated El Cajon. Dispensaries are illegal in the cities of El Cajon and Santee, but Santee is considering allowing them.

Cannabis stores continue to get consideration in Santee

SANTEE — Santee could soon move ahead with plans to authorize cannabis shops within its borders, despite concerns from locals, including City Council member Ronn Hall.On Oct. 13, the Santee City Council...
The interior of one of the new dormitories at East County Transitional Living Center at El Cajon, as seen on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. The dormitories will be able to house 100 men and women, which leaves vacant rooms available for homeless families.

New housing ready in El Cajon for those most in need

EL CAJON — Two 3,000-square foot buildings for those experiencing homelessness are now open at the East County Transitional Living Center in El Cajon.The nonprofit had a ribbon-cutting event on Thursday heralding...
Edgemoor Hospital in Santee has recently received a high performance rating from U.S. News and World's Report on best nursing homes.

Edgemoor gets nod as a top nursing home spot in U.S.

SANTEE — After more than a decade in its state-of-the-art home, Santee's Edgemoor Skilled Nursing Facility continues to reap awards as one of the best of its kind.For the third time in...
San Miguel Consolidated Fire Department engineer Bob Ruth (left), firefighter/paramedic Joseph Bartucca (center) and Battalion Chief Rich Durrell look over the new $1.4 million quint rig the district purchased.

San Miguel fire looking for oversight committee

SPRING VALLEY — The San Miguel Consolidated Fire Protection District is bringing back its oversight committee that will review funds from Proposition E, a special parcel assessment tax ed by more than...
EL CAJON, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Attendees talk with exhibitors during the Sixth Annual Manufacturing Expo and Resource Fair at Prescott Promenade Park on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021 in El Cajon, CA. (Eduardo Contreras / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Manufacturing connections and jobs

EL CAJON — More than 500 people attended the East County Economic Development Council's Manufacturing Expo and Resource Fair last week at Prescott Promenade in El Cajon. The sixth annual event drew...
Dionne Thomas, a fitness instructor and inspirational speaker from Temecula, was the keynote speaker at the 2016 Women In Leadership Luncheon. This year's event is Oct. 22 at Viejas.

Women In Leadership Luncheon coming in October

EL CAJON — The 19th Annual Women In Leadership Luncheon, honoring those who make a difference in their communities across San Diego County, is back in person this year.Hosted by the San...
La Mesa Senior Softball Association take in a ballgame on Wednesday at Kuhlken Field near the La Mesa Recreation Center. Games are held year-round on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Batter up!

LA MESA — Senior softball players make the most of a sunny Wednesday morning at Kuhlken Field, home of La Mesa National Little League. La Mesa Senior Softball Association games are held...
El Cajon is working to better communicate with residents.

El Cajon working to better outreach in immigrant community

EL CAJON — El Cajon regularly communicates with the community through social media, mailings, its website, a phone app, email notifications, press releases and its biannual Gateway magazine.But despite those efforts, some...
A flag honoring the military waves in the air near City Hall in El Cajon.

El Cajon exploring way to improve veterans memorial

EL CAJON — El Cajon says it's time to update the veterans memorial between City Hall and The Magnolia.City Councilman Phil Ortiz said he has been talking to Veteran of the Year...
FILE - In this Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019 file photo, a police officer holds a box of Narcan, a drug used to treat opioid overdoses, that the department officers carry in their patrol vehicles in Jackson Township, Butler County, Pa. More companies could begin making the easy-to-use version of the medication under a deal announced Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020 by New York's attorney general. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

El Cajon discusses istering of naloxone

EL CAJON — Twice during commutes through El Cajon in the past year, El Cajon City Councilmember Steve Goble has had encounters with people who were in the midst of overdosing on...
Jessica Robinson of Cuyamaca College was honored with a 10-month fellowship designed to prepare future community college presidents.

Cuyamaca College leader awarded national fellowship

EL CAJON — Jessica Robinson, vice president of student services at Cuyamaca College, has been selected by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program to participate in a 10-month fellowship designed to prepare...
Volunteers pick up trash along the shore in Ocean Beach during the I Love a Clean San Diego trash pick-up on Saturday, April 24, 2021. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker for The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Countywide cleanup coming this Saturday

SAN DIEGO — Thousands of hands and litter grabbers will be making a difference picking up trash and recyclable items across the county Saturday as part of the 37th annual International Coastal...
A scene from the 2019 Oktoberfest in El Cajon. The two-weekend event is back in 2021 after the pandemic cancelled it in 2020.

Oktoberfest vuelve a El Cajon tras una pausa en 2020

EL CAJÓN — Víctima de la pandemia de 2020, el Oktoberfest de El Cajón volverá en toda su gloria de espíritu alemán durante dos fines de semana este otoño.Mike Anderson, presidente del...
A mural seen at the Arts Alley at Downtown El Cajon. Sophie’s Gallery and Gift Shop, operated by St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, will host its 10th Annual Alley Cat Art Walk in the Arts Alley between Main Street and Rea Avenue in Downtown El Cajon on Sept. 17.

Art event coming to El Cajon

EL CAJON — The Alley Cat Art Walk is coming back to the Sophie's Gallery & Gift Shop and other nearby galleries in the historic Arts District in El Cajon.The event is...
The La Mesa City Council ed the 2020-21 budget for the year that started July 1.

Six candidates vying for open La Mesa City Council seat

LA MESA — Six candidates are looking to fill the La Mesa City Council seat vacated earlier this year by Akilah Weber.Mejgan Afshan, Kathleen Brand, Patricia Dillard, Laura Lothian, Michelle Louden and...
A scene from the 2019 Oktoberfest in El Cajon. The two-weekend event is back in 2021 after the pandemic cancelled it in 2020.

Oktoberfest returns to El Cajon after 2020 hiatus

EL CAJON — A casualty of the pandemic in 2020, Oktoberfest in El Cajon will be back in all its German-spirited glory for two weekends this fall.Mike Anderson, chairman of the event...