Stories from surrounding communities, closest first.
La Jolla Village News · San Diego, CA
Nearby: San Diego, CAThousands of people are attending TwitchCon, which began Friday, the highly anticipated convention hosted by the live-streaming platform to bring together content creators, gamers, DJs and fans from across the world to celebrate gaming esports and more. Twitch, an Amazon-owned digital platform, is considered the benchmark for live streaming, one of the fastest-growing sectors within digital media and entertainment. The platform serves as one of the internet’s major hubs where content creators broadcast real-time video to viewers who, in turn, can watch, chat and interact with livestreamers. Although creators of color, such as Kai Cenat, Twitch’s most-followed streamer, have risen to prominence in recent years, both gaming and streaming have historically been a predominantly white, male-dominated industry. Data show that in 2026, the majority of Twitch’s most prominent and top-earning streamers are white and male.
La Jolla Village News · San Diego, CA
Nearby: San Diego, CAIn fiscal year 2021, it took San Diego city crews an average of 144 days to fix a broken streetlight. This fiscal year, the same repair takes 340 days, according to a newly released city audit. During those six years, the Transportation Department’s streetlight division hired more workers. The division paid $1.4 million in overtime last fiscal year, compared with more than $230,000 six years earlier. Despite the longer waits for repairs and the increase in overtime spending, department managers did not use available tools to track workers and ensure work was being completed, according to the audit. From December 2025 through May 2026, city auditors examined vehicle logs and found that workers’ vehicles were stationary for several hours a day away from job sites or locations with reported streetlight outages. The stops averaged 2 hours and 25 minutes and totaled nearly 200 hours during the six months examined by the City Auditor’s Office.
La Jolla Village News · San Diego, CA
Nearby: San Diego, CAThe California Supreme Court will take up a class action lawsuit originally filed in San Diego by a group of enlisted USAA policyholders who allege they were overcharged by the insurance company. The lawsuit alleges the firm, formally named the United Services Automobile Association, charged the plaintiffs higher auto insurance prices than officers, in violation of state law. Consumer Watchdog, one of several entities representing the plaintiffs, says around 200,000 enlisted USAA customers were overcharged. Proposition 103, which was approved by California voters in 1988, requires that good drivers receive the lowest available rate from insurance companies regardless of the policyholder’s rank. It also allows customers to file lawsuits for Prop 103 violations. However, a San Diego federal judge ruled that a subsequent bill exempted companies that only insured military personnel from Proposition 103’s requirements. The plaintiffs then appealed to the U.S.
La Jolla Village News · San Diego, CA
Nearby: San Diego, CAIn the past decade, the historic LGBTQ+ neighborhood Hillcrest has recorded the highest number of total hate crimes of any neighborhood in the city. However, hate crimes in Hillcrest have dropped since 2025, with other neighborhoods recording more hate crimes than Hillcrest for the first time since 2016. Some Hillcrest residents, business owners and San Diego Police attribute the decline to the introduction of Automated License Plate Readers in July 2024. Many of those same supporters now fear the number of hate crimes will spike once again if some city council members have their way, officially putting an end to the mass surveillance tool. On Nov. 16, San Diego City Council will vote on whether or not to end its contract with the company that runs the license plate reader network, Flock Safety. Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, who represents Hillcrest and surrounding neighborhoods, paved the way for the vote after publicly reversing his stance on the license plate readers.
Voice & Viewpoint · San Diego, CA
Nearby: San Diego, CAThe San Diego City Council approved an increase in the City’s Minimum Wage and Labor Standards Enforcement Fee on October 26, raising the charge from $1.47 to $2.82 per covered employee, an increase of approximately 92%. The decision followed concerns raised by the City’s Small Business Advisory Board about the financial impact on local businesses. According to the board’s September 22 meeting minutes, member Sarah Mattinson expressed concern about the proposed increase and recommended that the board formally communicate its objections. The board voted to approve drafting an advisory letter outlining those concerns. The Council’s action, recorded under Resolution R-316998, also approved a separate Compliance System Usage Fee. Both fees are intended to support the City’s labor standards enforcement responsibilities.
Voice & Viewpoint · San Diego, CA
Nearby: San Diego, CAHaitian Bridge Alliance (HBA) strongly condemns the Trump administration’s decision to take an eight-year-old Haitian boy into federal custody during a routine immigration check-in, separating him from his loved ones, school, and community. According to a press release from HBA, the third-grade student at Fay Elementary School had been living with his loved ones following his father’s deportation by the U.S government back in 2025 forcing him to live with loved ones in the absence of his father. Despite the fact that he followed all the rules and took the 8-year-old uncle to appear for a scheduled immigration appointment that was sent to him, the child was taken into custody and subsequently transferred to the Office of Refugee Resettlement leaving his cousins in tears.
California · San Diego, CA
Nearby: San Diego, CAThe boy, a third-grader in San Diego, was brought to the U.S. with his father, who was deported to Mexico, according to federal and school district officials.
East County Californian · El Cajon, CA
Nearby: El Cajon, CAOn Tuesday, Oct. 20 shortly after 7 p.m., Vernon Leslie Harris IV, 40, became involved in a verbal dispute with another male regarding his driving behavior on Par Drive in unincorporated La Mesa. During the incident, Harris observed the victim photographing his pickup truck with a cellphone. Harris exited his vehicle, approached the victim, forcibly took the cellphone from the victim’s hand, and fled the scene. Deputies responded and used tracking information to locate the victim’s phone in the 400 block of El Cajon Boulevard in the city of El Cajon. Deputies observed Harris’ pickup truck and attempted a traffic stop. Harris failed to yield, and a vehicle pursuit ensued. The pursuit lasted more than 1 hour and 40 minutes, during which Harris ran at least one stop sign and one red light and swerved across multiple traffic lanes. The pursuit covered approximately 50 miles and reached speeds up to 60 mph.
East County Californian · El Cajon, CA
Nearby: El Cajon, CANovember is the perfect time to start checking gifts off your holiday list while discovering what makes Downtown El Cajon special. From one-of-a-kind finds at local shops to a festive community celebration, Downtown El Cajon has plenty of ways to get into the holiday spirit while supporting the businesses that make the neighborhood unique. Celebrate Small Business Season Skip the big-box stores and find something a little more personal this holiday season. Downtown El Cajon is home to a variety of local shops, with unique art, jewelry, formalwear, and fragrance to help you find a thoughtful gift for everyone on your list. For art-inspired gifts, explore Denise Rich Art, Olaf Wieghorst, Sophie’s Gallery and SC Fine Art & Framing. Looking for something for a special occasion? The Elegant Man and Tara’s Boutique offer formalwear options, while Karrada Jewelry and New Bride Jewelry offer jewelry worth browsing.
East County Californian · El Cajon, CA
Nearby: El Cajon, CAJoin the City of El Cajon, American Legion Post 303, and the City of El Cajon Veterans Coalition in honoring veterans on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m., at the El Cajon Centennial Plaza. This Veterans Day ceremony celebrates the service and sacrifices of veterans, highlighting the dedication of community members who continue to serve long after their time in uniform. This year, El Cajon proudly names Mr. Steven Santana as its 2026 Veteran of the Year. Santana served in the United States Marine Corps from 1991 to 2012, completing 21 years of service and attaining the rank of E-8, Gunnery Sergeant. His commitment to service has continued well beyond his military career through his extensive volunteer work with AYSO youth soccer. As an AYSO board member responsible for purchasing, coach, referee, and field volunteer, Santana dedicates countless hours to supporting local youth and ensuring they have opportunities to learn and grow through sports.
East County Californian · Santee, CA
Nearby: Santee, CAThe holiday season is just around the corner and the city of Santee is lighting the way. The festivities will be ushered in Nov. 20 at Santee Trolley Square beginning at 5:30 p.m. “You don’t have to travel far to find a little winter magic in Santee,” said Mayor John Minto. “From sledding and holiday music to the excitement of lighting the tree, this celebration has something for everyone. We’re looking forward to kicking off the holiday season with our residents and creating special memories together.” The annual event features sledding, live music, face painting, holiday photo opportunities, and, of course, photos with Santa. The night’s featured event is the tree lighting ceremony that takes place at 6:15 p.m. Santee Trolley Square is at 9884 Mission Gorge Road in Santee. Download QR
East County Californian · Santee, CA
Nearby: Santee, CAOpening on Nov. 13 in Santee is The Heritage Steakhouse. The restaurant is a classic American steakhouse, bringing an “elevated New York-style dining experience to East County.” The restaurant is poised to become the area’s premier destination for refined dining, special occasions, and corporate entertaining, said The Heritage Steakhouse representatives. Led by Executive Chef Meredith Manée, the restaurant’s design is inspired by the timeless elegance of America’s great mid-20th-century steakhouses, The Heritage Steakhouse blends old-world sophistication with modern craftsmanship, high-end cuisine, and anticipatory service. The Heritage Steakhouse is is at 200 Lantern Crest Way in Santee. Download QR
