Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Breaking News

Explore What Matters

Stay informed on the issues that shape East County. From local news and emergency alerts, to community celebrations

News Center

News Issues

Politics

Wildfires and Emergencies

Events & Arts

Visit East County

People

Communities

Features

Get East County Wildfire, Emergency Alerts

Critical wildfire and emergency notifications delivered instantly.Join Neighbors who stay informed and prepared with our award winning Journalist

Latest Stories

Sponsorship Placement

Sheriff searches for teen wanted on weapons violations after shooting in Poway field: body army and gun parts in home

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 13, 2025 (Poway) – San Diego County Sheriff seeks public help to locate Cameron Johnson, 18, on weapons violations. On Nov. 11, deputies from the Sheriff’s station in Poway responded to multiple calls reporting a man shooting a rifle in an open field near Hidden Valley Drive and Birch Lane in Poway. Johnson, who

Read More ...

In honor of Veterans Day, Attorney General Bonta issues alert on common scams targeting veterans

Printer-friendly versionSource:  California Department of Justice November 11, 2025 (Oakland) – In honor of Veterans Day, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a consumer alert warning veterans and their families to be aware of scams and fraud, including fraud perpetrated by predatory individuals or companies who exploit veterans seeking assistance accessing their benefits. Unaccredited claims representatives, sometimes referred to as

Read More ...

Senators advance potential deal to reopen federal government

Printer-friendly version  Proposal would restore SNAP funding, but healthcare subsidies remain in limbo By G. A. McNeeley    Updated Nov. 11 and 12 with comments from California’s Senators.   November 10, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — On Sunday, November 9, The U.S. Senate moved forward on a measure aimed at reopening the federal government and ending the ongoing government shutdown that

Read More ...

San Diego FC advances to MLS semifinals after 4-0 win

Printer-friendly versionExpansion Club Dominates Game 3 at Snapdragon Stadium, sets up for home semifinal showdown vs. Minnesota   Photos courtesy SDFC official Instagram   East County News Service   Nov. 10, 2025 (San Diego) – The new kids on the block are getting it done.   San Diego FC, in its debut MLS season, stamped its authority on the Audi

Read More ...

Supreme Court halts federal government SNAP payments; Trump orders states to return those payments

Printer-friendly versionBy G. A. McNeeley    November 10, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — The Trump Administration is escalating its legal battle over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), demanding that states immediately “undo” full SNAP benefit payments that were distributed, following last week’s court orders, according to Newsweek.  The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a memo on Saturday, November

Read More ...

Escalation with Venezuela: Trump sends warships after 16 boat strikes

Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr Image by The Wandering Trader November 9, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) — After the U.S. bombed multiple boats allegedly carrying drugs in foreign waters, tensions are high. President Donald Trump risks war with Venezuela as U.S. warships head across the Eastern Pacific toward Venezuela. The Trump administration has continued a campaign of military strikes against alleged

Read More ...

Border 18 Fire burning south of Dulzura

Printer-friendly version  Photo courtesy UC San Diego East County News Service November 8, 2025 (San Diego County) — CalFire is on scene at a fire being called Border 18 Fire. The fire was reported today at 2:10 p.m. 1/3 mile east of Marron Valley Truck Trail & Lupe Springs Spur Truck Trail, south of Dulzura. The Border 18 Fire has

Read More ...

Government shutdown woes continue to worsen

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Services   Nov. 8, 2025 (San Diego County) — The longest federal government shutdown in the history of the United States continues to impact millions of Americans. The 2025 government shutdown reached 35 days on Nov. 5, eclipsing a 34-day shutdown in 2018–19 for the longest in U.S. history.   The shutdown started when the previous budget

Read More ...

November CalFresh/SNAP benefits being delivered to local beneficiaries

Printer-friendly version Thanks to San Diego County and State actions   East County News Service   Nov. 7, 2025 (San Diego County) — San Diego CalFresh/SNAP beneficiaries are starting to see their full November benefits loaded on to their EBT cards.   CalFresh is the federal food assistance program also known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also commonly referred

Read More ...

FAA orders reduction in flights at 40 airports, including San Diego, starting Friday due to federal government shutdown

Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Thursday, November 6, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – San Diego International Airport is among 40 airports across the U.S. that will be forced to cut flights starting tomorrow, under order of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) due to the federal government shutdown. Read the full emergency order here.  Air traffic controllers have been working without pay

Read More ...

HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Printer-friendly versionApril 24, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH Virus that causes polio-like illness found in Bay Area as influenza cases spike (SF Gate) Tuberculosis cases in the US rose to their highest levels in more than a dozen years (AP) States

Read More ...

TRUMP AIMS TO DEPORT AMERICAN CITIZENS TO PRISONS IN EL SALVADOR

Printer-friendly version By G. A. McNeeley  Photo: Prisoners at the El Salvador prison criticized for human rights violations and inhumane conditions, where Trump gas sent deported immigrants and now wants to send U.S. citizens. CC BY-SA   via Bing April 23 2025 (Washington D.C.) — President Donald Trump says his administration is actively exploring a proposal to detain U.S. citizens and send them

Read More ...

22ND ANNUAL GRIP IT & RIP IT GOLF TOURNAMENT AT SINGING HILLS MAY 15

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 22, 2025 (El Cajon) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce invites you to the 22nd annual “Grip it and Rip it” golf tournament at Singing Hills  Golf Club on May 15. The event for ages 21 and up includes one round of golf and lunch. The invitation states, “Challenge yourself on

Read More ...

POPE FRANCIS DIES ON MORNING AFTER EASTER

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service   April 21, 2025 — The day after people of the Christian faith had their holiest celebration of resurrection and new life, Pope Francis passed away early this morning at age 88.   The Holy See announced his death early this morning, saying the pontiff passed peacefully at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, where he had been

Read More ...

PASSAGES: THOMAS POWELL’S WAKE STATEMENT READ TO HIS SURVIVORS

Printer-friendly version Advocate led “Save Our Bolts” Chargers movement   Submitted by Joe Gandelman, Editor-in-Chief of The Moderate Voice Photo: Thomas Powell with Noah, Sofia and Sammi   April 20,2025 (San Diego) — My son, Thomas Powell, died February 27 after a brutal, many-years-long battle with congestive heart failure.   He spent most of his last six months hospitalized.  

Read More ...

ISSA SUIT AGAINST CALIFORNIA SEEKS TO STOP COUNTING OF BALLOTS AFTER ELECTION DAY

Printer-friendly versionLeague of Women Voters, groups representing veterans and seniors, and Issa’s Democratic opponent Curtis Morrison all oppose action in court By Miriam Raftery April 20, 2025 (San Diego) – Rep. Darrell Issa, a Republican representing the 48th Congressional district, has filed a lawsuit against California Secretary of State Shirley Weber. The suit, Issa v.Weber, seeks to halt California’s decade-long

Read More ...

SUP. ANDERSON: SIGN PETITION TO EXTEND PUBLIC NOTICE REVIEW PERIOD

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service   April 19, 2025 (San Diego County) — San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson (photo, left) the county’s District 2 representative and voice, is asking for the public’s help to weigh in on extending public notice review time for the Board of Supervisors agenda.   Anderson sent an email to constituents noting that “public engagement

Read More ...

WILD IN THE COUNTRY FUNDRAISER COMING MAY 17; GALA HELPS LIONS, TIGERS & BEARS

Printer-friendly version Photo and story by Karen Pearlman April 19, 2025 (Alpine) – The permanent refuge for a bevy of rescued wild animals, Lions, Tigers & Bears isn’t your average animal sanctuary — so don’t expect its annual fundraiser to be anything but extraordinary. The Alpine-based nonprofit will welcome visitors to its big cats and bears haven for the annual

Read More ...

SANTEE’S BEST LEAVING CITY MANAGER JOB

Printer-friendly versionSantee City Manager Marlene Best (left) By Mike Allen April 18, 2025 (Santee) – Marlene Best, Santee’s city manager for the past nine years, is leaving the job effective April 23. Following a closed session of the Santee City Council on April 18, Mayor John Minto announced he will sign a separation agreement with Best, and begin the process

Read More ...

DESCANSO MAN CONFRONTED BY MOUNTAIN LION IN CUYAMACA RANCHO STATE PARK

Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman Image of Mountain Lion courtesy Pixabay April 17, 2025 (Descanso, CA) — A 31-year-old Descanso runner on Wednesday, April 16, came face-to-face with a mountain lion that he says charged at him, during an evening run on the Oak Trail in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. JJ Goodrich wrote on his Facebook page as well as in

Read More ...

Get Wildfire Alerts & Wildfire Emergency News

Stay ahead of emergencies with real-time notifications delivered directly to your inbox when seconds count.

Partner To ECM

Connect with East County’s most informed and engaged community. Our readers trust ECM for critical news and actively support local businesses.

Our Engaged Audience

Unique Visitors

5 to 10 million hits

per month!

Number of Visitors
0

5 to 10 million hits

per month!

A quarter million visits

each month

Most widely read news site dedicated to

San Diego’s East County

Winner of over 150

journalism awards

“Sponsoring East County Magazine is a great way to reach our loyal and engaged readers, who value organizations and businesses that support nonprofit, independent news in the public interest and wildfire/emergency alerts that keep people safe and informed. Sponsors can choose to underwrite our community news site, support a favorite section or a new special section, underwrite an event, or sponsor our wildfire and emergency alerts.”

Miriam Raftery, Founder of East County Magazine

Thanks To Our Major Sponsors

📬 Subscribe to ECM – 100% Free, Trusted by East County Since 2008

Reviews and Feedback