East County Advocate

East County Advocate Advocating for the best in East County. The news, the great, the not so great, what we can do better.

Earlier today, we were officially introduced as the new owners of the San Diego Padres. We are honored and grateful for ...
08/25/2026

Earlier today, we were officially introduced as the new owners of the San Diego Padres. We are honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead this extraordinary franchise into its next chapter. We are a family first, and becoming owners of the Padres means joining an even larger family that includes you and generations of Padres fans. We have built our life, our work, and our investments as partners, and we will approach our stewardship of the Padres the same way: together, with shared purpose, complementary perspectives, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

We also recognize the responsibility that comes with following those who have cared deeply for this franchise and this community. They raised expectations for what the Padres can be. We intend to honor that legacy by continuing to raise them.

Our ambition is clear: to bring a World Series championship to San Diego and build an enduring organization capable of competing for championships year after year. We will be engaged owners, bringing our energy, experience, and perspective while working alongside the talented team already in place. We will invest ambitiously and thoughtfully in the Padres’ future.

That means pursuing excellence and innovation throughout the organization, delivering a first-class experience at Petco Park, deepening the bond with our faithful fans, and making a positive impact throughout San Diego, Baja, and the broader communities connected to the Padres.

We know that trust is earned. We will show up. We will listen. And we will work every day to earn yours.

Above all, we are committed to winning and to building an organization that can sustain that success for generations.

We're all in.

Thank you for your support and for being part of the Padres family. We look forward to seeing you at Petco Park!

With gratitude and excitement,

Kwanza Jones
Principal Owner
San Diego Padres

José E. Feliciano
Principal Owner
San Diego Padres

East County resident needs the community's support!From Amery Lee Caoili of Spring Valley:Our family’s world changed in ...
08/24/2026

East County resident needs the community's support!

From Amery Lee Caoili of Spring Valley:

Our family’s world changed in an instant.

My wife, Leslie Caoili, suffered a sudden and life-threatening Type A aortic dissection — a catastrophic tear in the main artery coming from her heart. She was rushed into emergency open-heart surgery where doctors performed a complex repair requiring cardiopulmonary bypass and extensive reconstruction of her aorta.

What was supposed to be a life-saving surgery has turned into the hardest battle of her life.

(See the full story and consider helping at the GFM link in the comments.)

This year is the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Please join Supervisor Joel Anderson and community leaders to hon...
08/24/2026

This year is the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Please join Supervisor Joel Anderson and community leaders to honor the lives lost during the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, and to pay tribute to the heroism and resilience displayed by first responders, survivors, and everyday citizens.

The details are listed below and on the attached flyer.

9/11 Remembrance Day Ceremony
Friday, September 11th, 2026
Gillespie Field (1860 Joe Crosson Drive El Cajon, CA 92020, Hangar G and H)

Ceremony: 2:30pm-3:30pm

Supervisor Anderson would be pleased to have you in attendance. If you have any questions or would like to RSVP, please contact our office at (619) 219-2470.

Please feel free to invite other community members and leaders, all are welcome to attend. We hope to see you there!

The brand spanking new County of San Diego library in Casa de Oro is opening October 17, 2026, and the community is invi...
08/24/2026

The brand spanking new County of San Diego library in Casa de Oro is opening October 17, 2026, and the community is invited! Join Supervisor Monica Montgomery-Steppe, Casa de Oro Alliance, and Friends of the Casa de Oro Library.

Cc: Grossmont Mt Helix Improvement Association, Spring Valley Chamber, Bob Yarris, Kathleen Coates Hedberg

Well, we guess this means no Buc-ee's in East County after all!
08/22/2026

Well, we guess this means no Buc-ee's in East County after all!

Some Lakeside history from Billy Lakeside Ortiz:We reminisce often about the Lakeside Theater but did you know that it w...
08/22/2026

Some Lakeside history from Billy Lakeside Ortiz:

We reminisce often about the Lakeside Theater but did you know that it was built as the Lakeside Townhall?

It was built circa 1911 and was partially funded by the Lakeside Women's Club, which by the way is still in existence. The Townhall was a beautiful building built of concrete and redwood timbers.

The building is still there, at least the exterior walls and roof. You can see the structure from Lakeshore Dr standing behind Leo's Pharmac. The front is hidden by a facade, not sure when the facade was built but the facade held the theater marquee. From a drones eye view you could see the core of the building.

Sometime around 2016 the current owner was remodeling the entrance and discovered a time capsule. Betty McMillen and I were asked to come there to examine the contents which amounted to paper clipping and story of how Lakeside Women's Club raised funds and did a ground breaking along with a list of names and a couple photos. The time capsule was hidden in the door jam of the front door of the Townhall. It was a tin box sealed in foil and string holding it closed.

Quite the history we have here in Lakeside CA. And is important to preserve as many old buildings as we can. It's what makes us unique.

The last photo is a pic I took of Betty McMillen the day we went to see the time capsule.

Cc: Lakeside Lakeside Chamber of Commerce

What a superb San Diego East County Community Times cover shot!
08/21/2026

What a superb San Diego East County Community Times cover shot!

The AI Book DestroyersEast County Magazine reports that "AI data centers are destroying millions of books including used...
08/20/2026

The AI Book Destroyers

East County Magazine reports that "AI data centers are destroying millions of books including used/rare ones to train AI. That's more than the N**i book burnings and the Library of Alexandria destruction combined. Some bookstore owners are refusing to sell books for AI destruction -- including Craig S. Maxwell, a La Mesa bookstore proprietor."

Read it all at the ECM story linked in the comments.

A reminder of the memorial service for longtime East County icon Bill Griffith:Bill Griffith Memorial ServiceThere was s...
08/20/2026

A reminder of the memorial service for longtime East County icon Bill Griffith:

Bill Griffith Memorial Service

There was such an outpouring of love, sympathy, and support from every corner of East County, the family has asked us to share this, from them:

We invite all who knew and loved William “Bill” Griffith to join us as we celebrate his life and honor his memory.

Funeral Service
Saturday, August 29, 2026
10:00 a.m.
Shadow Mountain Community Church
El Cajon, California

Your presence and prayers are the greatest gift to our family during this time.

A small reception will follow the service, where family and friends are invited to gather, share memories, and celebrate Bill’s life together.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made in Bill’s honor to the Susan G. Komen Foundation or the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, causes that were meaningful to him and his family’s journey.

We look forward to celebrating Bill’s life together and remembering the faith, kindness, and love he shared with so many.

08/20/2026

California says no to trying to save children from s*x trafficking? A mayor says it's likely every community, not just his.

Stella Inger Escobedo interviews Bill Wells Mayor of El Cajon

Also from Wells:

"We got word that there were around 50 children in our city who were suspected victims of s*x trafficking. We wanted to go get them. That is the whole job. That is why you put on the badge.

"Our city attorney stopped us. He told us that under state law, we'd be the ones in violation. Not the traffickers. Us. And it wouldn't be me who paid for it. It would be the officer who actually knocked on that door. He'd be charged. He'd lose his pension. He'd lose his livelihood.

"So we did the reasonable thing. We wrote to Sacramento and asked the Attorney General to help us find a way. One question: can we go check on these kids?

"The answer came back in writing. No.

"I keep that response because people don't believe me when I describe it. They think it's hyperbole, or politics, or some wild-eyed conspiracy theory. It isn't. It's a letter. It's the state of California telling a police department to leave trafficked children where they are.

"It happened in my town. I have no reason to believe my town is unique."

Address

9915 N Magnolia Ave
Santee, CA
92071

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