Interfaith Community Services is the beneficiary of a donation from the late Joan and W. Lee James Jr., whose estate donated $3.2 million that will be used to initiate Interfaiths newest project, a Recovery and Wellness Center for people who are struggling with unemployment, homelessness and addiction, to help them become whole again. Interfaiths Executive Director Greg Anglea told The […]
County Water Authority declares end of drought; but will state go along?
In the midst of what may be the wettest year on record in California, the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) last week January 26 declared an end to drought conditions in the region. Question is, will the State of California go along? Or does the State prefer to maintain a permanent state of emergency? Record-setting winter precipitation in the […]
After 30 years city will finally get a new hotel
Its been a long dry spell for the city of Escondido in its quest to get a new hotelmore than 30 years. But that is about to end. In as little as two months a Marriott Hotel could break ground and begin to rise on land adjacent to the AAA building and across the freeway from the Vintana/Infiniti building and […]

Dramatic rise in code enforcement in 2016
Code enforcement is a busy part of any citys business. Take Escondido. In January, there were a total number of 629 open code enforcement cases, with nearly 100 cases having been opened the previous week and 72 cases closed, with 25 cases opened but not yet assigned. Over a recent weekend 122 illegal signs were confiscated. Over a recent week […]
Escondido Chocolate Festival will take place on Maple Plaza
Bring your sweetheart or just your sweet tooth to the Downtown Business Associations For the Love of Chocolate Festival on February 11. Enjoy the best of downtowns shops and spas while sampling locally brewed beer and wines, paired with San Diegos finest chocolates from 1-5 p.m. The Perfect Pairing price is $35 when purchased by 5 p.m. on February 10 […]

Ribbon Cutting
The Escondido Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting at its annual Open House for EXP Realty, which is an association of local Realtors. Shown are Carolyn Logan-EXP Realty, Tom Stamos-Escondido Realty, Lori Cagle-EXP Realty and Rorie Johnston, CEO of the Chamber. See more Chamber open house pictures inside on page 2.

Chamber invites the neighbors in
January 11 the Escondido Chamber of Commerce held its annual Open House.
CAL FIRE thins brush, widens trails on Merriam Mountains
CAL FIRE crews have added an extra layer of protection by slashing through brush to improve five miles of truck trails and reduce the fire hazard on Merriam Mountains. The mountains are overgrown with thick stands of old-growth chaparral that have not burned in decades. Recent fires that sparked along the Interstate 15 at the base of the mountains spread […]
Arrest made in 2002 Escondido homicide
A man who allegedly stabbed a man to death in a bar fight in 2002 has been arrested for the crime. On September 10, 2002 at Dees Sports Tavern, 426 N. Rose Street, Hector Mendieta (who was 21 at the time) and Bartolo Velador (who was then 36) were in a physical altercation. During the fight, Mendieta stabbed Velador and […]
FUTA expenses keep going up
~ Guest OpinionToday, I received a phone call from a local manufacturer in Escondido who has been able to double his business in the last two years. Kudos, right? Here is an entrepreneur wanting to expand but with expansion comes an increase in expenses. And one of those expenses hit this week called FUTA. As employers, we pay a 6.2% FUTA per […]