San Marcos pastry chef scores another Food Network win

SAN MARCOS — The lineup almost sounded like the beginning of a nursery rhyme: a cake baker, a pastry chef and a pumpkin carver. Together, San Marcos’ pastry chef and sugar artist Christophe Rull, cake artist Liz Marek and champion pumpkin carver Mike Brown made up Team Ghoul’d, the trio that recently won the 16th season of Food Network’s “Halloween Wars.”

Fire destroys classroom at Vista Academy of Performing Arts

A fire destroyed a classroom at Vista Academy of Performing Arts on Sunday, leading officials to temporarily relocate students and staff from the 200 wing starting Monday.

This $8 Million Rancho Santa Fe Estate Hides a 100-Year-Old Dragon Tree Behind Its Gates

A Secret Botanical Garden Is the Real Selling Point of This $8 Million California Estate Most listings in this price […] This article originally appeared on BuildLikeNew.com — visit us for more home security guides.

Carlsbad Village Welcomes the Holiday Season with Music, Merriment & Festive Fun

The most wonderful time of the year is almost here, and Carlsbad Village is getting ready to celebrate! From festive holiday music to a parade of adorable four-legged friends, two special events are bringing the community together for a weekend filled with seasonal cheer. Musical Kickoff to the Holidays |...

Fire Guts Classroom at Vista Academy of Performing Arts, Students Return Monday

A fire tore through a classroom at Vista Academy of Performing Arts on Sunday morning, sending heavy smoke billowing from the middle of campus before firefighters contained the blaze to a single room. No injuries were reported, and school officials say students and staff will be back in class Monday despite the damage.

Escondido amends mall ground leases in preparation for Costco

ESCONDIDO — The city has agreed to amend ground leases for four parcels at North County Mall as negotiations continue to replace the former Sears store with a Costco. Located in southern Escondido off Interstate 15 at Via Rancho Parkway, the 83-acre mall site consists of eight parcels. The city owns all but Parcel 6, which is owned by Macy’s Inc.

Celebrate Small Business Saturday in Carlsbad Village on November 28

Carlsbad Village is built on small businesses. From locally owned boutiques and restaurants to specialty shops, salons, galleries, and longtime family-owned establishments, these businesses give our downtown its unique character and make it a place worth visiting time and time again. On Saturday, November 28, 2026, we invite you to...

Annual Exposure Skate Competition brings worldwide athletes to Encinitas

Holiday market brings vendors to Escondido as small businesses face rising costs

A holiday market at Rancho Guejito Vineyard in unincorporated Escondido is showcasing 30 Southern California vendors navigating higher costs and tighter spending this season.

‘More than skateboarding’: Exposure celebrates women’s skate culture

ENCINITAS — Exposure Skate’s annual crown jewel event in Encinitas featured a new collaboration alongside the familiar camaraderie, competition and opportunities for women and girls looking to get into skating. In collaboration with the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, the event celebrated those behind the lens,...

North County has some of San Diego County’s closest races as election results trickle in

A week after Election Day, still no winner has been declared in a number of races in North County, where some incumbents are at risk of losing their seats. After the latest election results Tuesday, several races remain too close to call. In Encinitas, the races for mayor and the...

Escondido close to spending all $38.8M in pandemic relief

ESCONDIDO — The city expects to spend all $38.8 million in pandemic relief funds it received more than five years ago. In March 2021, nearly a year after the COVID-19 pandemic first shut down schools and businesses and disrupted recreational activities and social events, President Joe Biden signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act into law to support the nation’s economic recovery.

Encinitas Clark Avenue Apartments hits another obstacle

The Encinitas Board of Appeals sided with the city in the latest dispute with the developers of a nearly 200-unit apartment complex on a property off of Clark Avenue near Interstate 5. The decision by the six-person volunteer board upholds a city requirement that the developer, WNG HHF Encinitas Apartments,...

Coats for Kids collects coats at North County sites ahead of December distributions

– Coats for Kids of SLO County is collecting new and gently used coats, jackets, sweaters, and sweatshirts at drop-off locations across North County ahead of its December distributions, according to the organization. The group has provided warm clothing to qualified North County families for 39 years. It serves about...

Solana Beach's Carruth Cellars Toasts 20 Years With Two-Day Bash

Carruth Cellars Urban Winery is turning 20, and its Solana Beach tasting room is shutting its doors to regular business for a two-day anniversary blowout next weekend. The party runs Saturday, Nov. 14, and Sunday, Nov. 15, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 118 S. Cedros Ave., Suite C, with tickets priced at $80 for the public and $64 for wine club members.

La Costa Heights Fifth Graders' Playground Bill Becomes California Law

A group of Encinitas kids who spent their fifth-grade year researching ramps, sensory play structures and adaptive swings just watched their idea become California law through Assembly Bill 2241, an inclusive-playgrounds measure they helped develop. The law requires the California Department of Education to create and maintain an online resource...

Encinitas board denies Clark appeal after lawyer calls process ‘absurd’

ENCINITAS — The Encinitas Board of Appeals upheld a requirement that the developer of the 199-unit Clark Avenue Apartments update its plans to meet the 2025 California Building Code before the city issues building permits. The board also asked the city and the developer to work toward a compromise that would avoid a complete redesign.

Nonprofit steps in after Valley Center Veterans Day ceremony canceled

Roses for Veterans plans a community gathering to honor more than 400 veterans buried at Valley Center Cemetery.

Solana Beach awards $1.965M contract to resurface nine roads

SOLANA BEACH — The Solana Beach City Council awarded contracts to resurface nine streets and hire a new firm to assess pavement conditions. The council unanimously approved both contracts as part of its Oct. 28 consent calendar. The city maintains 46.4 centerline miles of paved roadway, according to city...

Mike Sannella Concedes San Marcos Mayoral Race to Sharon Jenkins

San Marcos Deputy Mayor Mike Sannella has conceded the mayoral race to Sharon Jenkins, according to reports referencing his campaign’s Facebook page. The announcement comes after several days of ballot counting in one of San Marcos’ closest local election contests. As of Monday, November 9, Jenkins led Sannella...