{"id":1648,"date":"2025-11-11T19:03:11","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T19:03:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/?page_id=1648"},"modified":"2025-12-09T00:54:20","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T00:54:20","slug":"year-in-review","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/year-in-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Year in Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"1648\" class=\"elementor elementor-1648\" data-elementor-settings=\"{&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_width&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_width_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_width_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_padding&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_padding_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_padding_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_border_radius&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_border_radius_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_border_radius_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true}}\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-439bf40 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no\" data-id=\"439bf40\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-59e2632\" data-id=\"59e2632\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8e41ef2\" data-id=\"8e41ef2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b913b5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7b913b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"177\" src=\"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/East_County_Magazine_-_Banner-30-1024x227.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3779\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/East_County_Magazine_-_Banner-30-1024x227.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/East_County_Magazine_-_Banner-30-300x67.jpg 300w, https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/East_County_Magazine_-_Banner-30-768x171.jpg 768w, https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/East_County_Magazine_-_Banner-30-1536x341.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/East_County_Magazine_-_Banner-30-2048x455.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-128081c\" data-id=\"128081c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-df57eb6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"df57eb6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">East County Magazine<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94de64b elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"94de64b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.calendarwiz.com\/calendars\/calendar.php?crd=eastcountymagazine\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">View our calendar<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/people\/East-County-Magazine\/100063790680094\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Follow us on Facebook<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/i\/flow\/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fhome\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Follow our alerts on X<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eastcountymagazine.org\/rss.xml\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Subscribe to our RSS feed<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-05bbaa6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no\" data-id=\"05bbaa6\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7e3061b\" data-id=\"7e3061b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-992c18e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"992c18e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eastcountymagazine.org\/donate\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"237\" height=\"365\" src=\"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DonateAd-CommunityNews-1.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3437\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DonateAd-CommunityNews-1.png 237w, https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DonateAd-CommunityNews-1-195x300.png 195w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 237px) 100vw, 237px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-49020c8\" data-id=\"49020c8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-860a297 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no\" data-id=\"860a297\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-449b230\" data-id=\"449b230\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a651592 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a651592\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"333\" height=\"435\" src=\"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/StoriesoftheYear2024photos-333x435-1.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2112\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/StoriesoftheYear2024photos-333x435-1.png 333w, https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/StoriesoftheYear2024photos-333x435-1-230x300.png 230w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 333px) 100vw, 333px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-a1e43aa\" data-id=\"a1e43aa\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac33db6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ac33db6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eastcountymagazine.org\/stories-year-2024\">STORIES OF THE YEAR 2024<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-819347e elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"819347e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>By Miriam Raftery<\/p><p>January 2, 2025 (San Diego\u2019s East County) \u2013 2024 has been a turbulent year, from devastating floods in January to controversies over homelessness and immigration, contentious elections, land use and fire issues, expansion of Jamul tribal lands, officials grappling with hate speech, resignation of the County Supervisors&#8217; Chairwoman Nora Vargas, and at year\u2019s end, Syrian-Americans rallying in El Cajon to celebrate the fall of the Assad regime.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c93938 elementor-mobile-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"3c93938\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eastcountymagazine.org\/stories-year-2024\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Read Full Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-edde818 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no\" data-id=\"edde818\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-5aeda8c\" data-id=\"5aeda8c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e030a8a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e030a8a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"548\" height=\"493\" src=\"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/obits-548x493-1.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2113\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/obits-548x493-1.png 548w, https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/obits-548x493-1-300x270.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 548px) 100vw, 548px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-4e5e4de\" data-id=\"4e5e4de\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6352e99 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6352e99\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eastcountymagazine.org\/passages-local-leaders-lost-2024\">PASSAGES: LOCAL LEADERS LOST IN 2024<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-edaf5f8 elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"edaf5f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>East County News Service<\/p><p>December 31, 2024 (San Diego\u2019s East County) &#8211; Our region lost civic leaders and luminaries this year in fields including a basketball superstar, an astronaut, a famous architect, a retired Sheriff\u2019s deputy and Chamber of Commerce chairman, a World War veteran, an HVAC industry leader, a noted philanthropist, a former college president, a retired teacher, an engineer and newscaster, a political party chairwoman and a community theatre cofounder.\u00a0 They are gone but not forgotten, leaving lasting legacies and memories.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46bcbb9 elementor-mobile-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"46bcbb9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eastcountymagazine.org\/passages-local-leaders-lost-2024\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Read Full Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-1b2243f elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no\" data-id=\"1b2243f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-75d0dd6\" data-id=\"75d0dd6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ae7fa2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7ae7fa2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"367\" src=\"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/StoriesofYear2023-400x367-1.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2114\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/StoriesofYear2023-400x367-1.png 400w, https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/StoriesofYear2023-400x367-1-300x275.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-ba3ba36\" data-id=\"ba3ba36\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1fe69db elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1fe69db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eastcountymagazine.org\/2023-stories-year\">2023 STORIES OF THE YEAR<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4de497d elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4de497d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>By Miriam Raftery<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>December 30, 2023 (San Diego\u2019s East County)\u2014It\u2019s been a turbulent year, from the resignation of a supervisor to a tropical storm slamming our region, from environmental impacts of a drained reservoir to a migrant crisis at the border, from homelessness challenges facing local cities to financial challenges shutting down a popular parade, to name just a few of the top local stories. National and international news stories also sent shock waves across our region, from a former president and current candidate indicted on criminal charges to the Israeli-Hamas war igniting anguish and protests.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b434f1c elementor-mobile-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"b434f1c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eastcountymagazine.org\/2023-stories-year\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Read Full Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-ce3e1a4 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no\" data-id=\"ce3e1a4\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-7c98608\" data-id=\"7c98608\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-685911b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"685911b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"439\" height=\"421\" src=\"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Obits2023Final.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2115\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Obits2023Final.png 439w, https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Obits2023Final-300x288.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 439px) 100vw, 439px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-a7f85b6\" data-id=\"a7f85b6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc093ee elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bc093ee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eastcountymagazine.org\/passages-local-leaders-and-luminaries-lost-2023\">PASSAGES: LOCAL LEADERS AND LUMINARIES LOST IN 2023<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fc2329c elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fc2329c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>By Miriam Raftery<\/p><p>December 31, 2023 (San Diego\u2019s East County) \u2013 As the year draws to a close, we honor the memories and legacies of local leaders and luminaries who passed away in 2023\u2014gone but never forgotten.<\/p><p>This year&#8217;s list of leaders lost includes several prominent elected officials, leaders in business and philanthropy, a tribal chairwoman, a Holocaust survivor, an SDSU professor, a BMX champion athlete, a sports team owner, a well-known community volunteer, an author and radio host, a former fire chief, and a popular musician.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b1c40d elementor-mobile-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"2b1c40d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eastcountymagazine.org\/passages-local-leaders-and-luminaries-lost-2023\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Read Full Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-230a311 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no\" data-id=\"230a311\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-92e3fe3\" data-id=\"92e3fe3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad13cc3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ad13cc3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"188\" src=\"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SandbagHillside596x373_0-300x188-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2116\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-a03bf33\" data-id=\"a03bf33\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3dd62c6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3dd62c6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eastcountymagazine.org\/thanks-sandbags-now-what-we-can-do-them-after-hilary\">THANKS FOR THE SANDBAGS, NOW WHAT WE CAN DO WITH THEM AFTER HILARY<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e98f76e elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e98f76e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>By\u00a0<span class=\"author vcard\"><a class=\"url fn n\" href=\"https:\/\/www.countynewscenter.com\/author\/cwesterheide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-extlink=\"\">Chuck Westerheide<span class=\"ext\"><span class=\"element-invisible\">(link is external)<\/span><\/span><\/a>, County of San Diego Communications Office<\/span><\/p><p>September 3, 2023 (San Diego) &#8212; Thousands of San Diegans fortified their homes and property with sandbags before the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Hilary. More than 100,000 bags were gathered and used across the county.\u00a0 But now the storm has passed and clear skies have returned.\u00a0 That has led many to ask, \u201cWhat should I do with the sandbags now?\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47358b2 elementor-mobile-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"47358b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eastcountymagazine.org\/thanks-sandbags-now-what-we-can-do-them-after-hilary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Read Full Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-af68b93\" data-id=\"af68b93\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef4b5d5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ef4b5d5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eastcountymagazine.org\/wild-fire-alerts\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"499\" src=\"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/East_County_Magazine_-_Banner-19-1-2-1024x639.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2669\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/East_County_Magazine_-_Banner-19-1-2-1024x639.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/East_County_Magazine_-_Banner-19-1-2-300x187.jpg 300w, https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/East_County_Magazine_-_Banner-19-1-2-768x479.jpg 768w, https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/East_County_Magazine_-_Banner-19-1-2-1536x958.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/East_County_Magazine_-_Banner-19-1-2-2048x1277.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de63ced elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"de63ced\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/East_Country_Magazine_Website_-_Ads_-_Change_-_05-03_1-1024x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1522\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/East_Country_Magazine_Website_-_Ads_-_Change_-_05-03_1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/East_Country_Magazine_Website_-_Ads_-_Change_-_05-03_1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/East_Country_Magazine_Website_-_Ads_-_Change_-_05-03_1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/East_Country_Magazine_Website_-_Ads_-_Change_-_05-03_1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/East_Country_Magazine_Website_-_Ads_-_Change_-_05-03_1.jpg 1042w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49c9773 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"49c9773\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/East_Country_Magazine_Website_-_Ads_-_Change_-_05-02-1024x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1523\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/East_Country_Magazine_Website_-_Ads_-_Change_-_05-02-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/East_Country_Magazine_Website_-_Ads_-_Change_-_05-02-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/East_Country_Magazine_Website_-_Ads_-_Change_-_05-02-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/East_Country_Magazine_Website_-_Ads_-_Change_-_05-02-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/East_Country_Magazine_Website_-_Ads_-_Change_-_05-02.jpg 1042w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b7e2db elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3b7e2db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/East_Country_Magazine_Website_-_Ads_-_Change_-_05-01-1-1024x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1524\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/East_Country_Magazine_Website_-_Ads_-_Change_-_05-01-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/East_Country_Magazine_Website_-_Ads_-_Change_-_05-01-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/East_Country_Magazine_Website_-_Ads_-_Change_-_05-01-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/East_Country_Magazine_Website_-_Ads_-_Change_-_05-01-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/East_Country_Magazine_Website_-_Ads_-_Change_-_05-01-1.jpg 1042w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>East County Magazine View our calendar Follow us on Facebook Follow our alerts on X Subscribe to our RSS feed STORIES OF THE YEAR 2024 By Miriam Raftery January 2, 2025 (San Diego\u2019s East County) \u2013 2024 has been a turbulent year, from devastating floods in January to controversies over homelessness and immigration, contentious elections, land use and fire issues, expansion of Jamul tribal lands, officials grappling with hate speech, resignation of the County Supervisors&#8217; Chairwoman Nora Vargas, and at year\u2019s end, Syrian-Americans rallying in El Cajon to celebrate the fall of the Assad regime. Read Full Article PASSAGES: LOCAL LEADERS LOST IN 2024 East County News Service December 31, 2024 (San Diego\u2019s East County) &#8211; Our region lost civic leaders and luminaries this year in fields including a basketball superstar, an astronaut, a famous architect, a retired Sheriff\u2019s deputy and Chamber of Commerce chairman, a World War veteran, an HVAC industry leader, a noted philanthropist, a former college president, a retired teacher, an engineer and newscaster, a political party chairwoman and a community theatre cofounder.\u00a0 They are gone but not forgotten, leaving lasting legacies and memories. Read Full Article 2023 STORIES OF THE YEAR By Miriam Raftery \u00a0 December 30, 2023 (San Diego\u2019s East County)\u2014It\u2019s been a turbulent year, from the resignation of a supervisor to a tropical storm slamming our region, from environmental impacts of a drained reservoir to a migrant crisis at the border, from homelessness challenges facing local cities to financial challenges shutting down a popular parade, to name just a few of the top local stories. National and international news stories also sent shock waves across our region, from a former president and current candidate indicted on criminal charges to the Israeli-Hamas war igniting anguish and protests. Read Full Article PASSAGES: LOCAL LEADERS AND LUMINARIES LOST IN 2023 By Miriam Raftery December 31, 2023 (San Diego\u2019s East County) \u2013 As the year draws to a close, we honor the memories and legacies of local leaders and luminaries who passed away in 2023\u2014gone but never forgotten. This year&#8217;s list of leaders lost includes several prominent elected officials, leaders in business and philanthropy, a tribal chairwoman, a Holocaust survivor, an SDSU professor, a BMX champion athlete, a sports team owner, a well-known community volunteer, an author and radio host, a former fire chief, and a popular musician. Read Full Article THANKS FOR THE SANDBAGS, NOW WHAT WE CAN DO WITH THEM AFTER HILARY By\u00a0Chuck Westerheide(link is external), County of San Diego Communications Office September 3, 2023 (San Diego) &#8212; Thousands of San Diegans fortified their homes and property with sandbags before the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Hilary. More than 100,000 bags were gathered and used across the county.\u00a0 But now the storm has passed and clear skies have returned.\u00a0 That has led many to ask, \u201cWhat should I do with the sandbags now?\u201d Read Full Article<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_theme","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1648","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1648","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1648"}],"version-history":[{"count":31,"href":"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1648\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3782,"href":"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1648\/revisions\/3782"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/720designpythons.com\/ecm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1648"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}