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Hearing May 15 on proposed release of sexually violent predator Gary Snavely in Borrego Springs: public comments sought
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 11, 2026 (Borrego Springs) – The San Diego Superior Court has ordered the conditional release
Supporters flee Swalwell’s governor campaign amid allegations of sexual assault
Printer-friendly versionBy Jeanne Kuang and Yue Stella Yu, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: U.S. Rep. Eric
News Issues
Hearing May 15 on proposed release of sexually violent predator Gary Snavely in Borrego Springs: public comments sought
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 11, 2026 (Borrego Springs) – The San Diego Superior Court has ordered the conditional release
Attacked by AI-cyberbots: Please help us fund critical security upgrades
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery April 10, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – Our East County Magazine website is being attacked
Politics
Supporters flee Swalwell’s governor campaign amid allegations of sexual assault
Printer-friendly versionBy Jeanne Kuang and Yue Stella Yu, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: U.S. Rep. Eric
Latest No Kings rallies draw 70,000 in San Diego County, 8 million nationwide
70,000 San Diego County residents join 8 million nationwide in No Kings demonstrations, the largest ever U.S. protest By Miriam Raftery March 31, 2026 (San…
Wildfires and Emergencies
Cal State University San Marcos and nearby homes evacuated due to brush fire
East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts April 5, 2026 (San Marcos) – The #MoreeFire in San Marcos has led to evacuations, including the California State…
Help shape fire priorities in San Diego County
East County News Service April 4, 2026 (San Diego County) — With “fire season” now a year-round threat, public input is growing in importance as…
Events & Arts
Cheers to the Valley Wine Festival April 18 in Ramona
East County News Service April 5, 2026 (Ramona) – The Ramona Chamber of Commerce is inviting the public to savor the 2026 Cheers to the…
Destination East County: Festive events in mid-April and May 2026
By Miriam Raftery April 5, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – As April continues, drifting into the merry month of May, there are many unique…
Visit East County
DESTINATIONS: Borrego and beyond — a beautiful backcountry day
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman, with photos by Karen Pearlman and Miriam Raftery Feb. 22, 2026 (San Diego County) — With
We need your help! We have more news tips for East County issues than our budget can cover
Printer-friendly versionLast year tapped our resources at East County Magazine more than any on record, with so many major news
People
Donate to help pets in need at Alpine Pet Food and Supply Drive April 4
East County News Service March 14, 2026 (Alpine) – Dog and cat food, treats, grooming supplies, new pet toys, feeding
Descanso resident named American Honey Queen
By Miriam Raftery February 18, 2026 (Descanso) — You could call it sweet success. The American Beekeeping Federation has chosen
Communities
Hearing May 15 on proposed release of sexually violent predator Gary Snavely in Borrego Springs: public comments sought
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 11, 2026 (Borrego Springs) – The San Diego Superior Court has ordered the conditional release
San Diego County has free parking perks for seniors
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson holds up his senior parking pass at Mt. Woodson Gateway County Preserve in
Features
San Diego County has free parking perks for seniors
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson holds up his senior parking pass at Mt. Woodson Gateway County Preserve in
Don’t miss Santa Ysabel and Wynola on your way to visit Julian
Printer-friendly versionTiny mountain towns often overlooked by travelers in East County’s back country By Paul Levikow Photos by Miriam Raftery
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INAUGURATION CELEBRATION AND COMMUNITY BALL– PUBLIC WELCOME
Printer-friendly versionStory and photo by Miriam Raftery San Diego (January 12, 2009) — Malcolm X Library will host an all day Community Inaugural Celebration to mark the momentous occasion of the Inaugural of President-Elect Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States on Tuesday, January 20th. The Library envisions San Diego residents from all walks of life attending
OBÃMANOS! TRAVELS THROUGH AZTLAN WITH RITA AND RICHARD
Printer-friendly version Richard and Rita with Enrique Morones at a joint Latino African American press conference on the day they left for the battleground states. Enrique is the director of Border Angeles, an immigrant rights group in San Diego that provides water and food to immigrants in the desert. Kensington residents Richard Griswold and Rita Sanchez are among thousands of
INAUGURATION BREAKFAST IN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 12, 2008 (El Cajon) — The public is invited to celebrate Obama’s inauguration at the Hacienda Restaurant in El Cajon on Tuesday, Jan 20th, at 8 a.m. (main event at 9 a.m.) Organized by the East County Democratic Club. Open to the public. No cover, no-host; breakfast costs are each individual’s responsibility. The restaurant is located at 700
2 BILLS TO STOP PAY DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN PASS HOUSE; DAVIS & FILNER VOTE “YES”; BILBRAY, HUNTER & ISSA VOTE “NO”
Printer-friendly version January 11, 2009 (San Diego) — Two landmark bills aimed at helping women employees achieve equal pay for equal work and obtain judgments against employers who violate the law have passed the House of Representatives and will now go to the Senate. San Diego County’s Congressional delegation split down party lines, with Democrats Susan Davis and Bob Filner
EAST COUNTY DEMOCRATS ELECT NEW EXECUTIVE-BOARD REPRSENTATIVE AND DELEGATES
Printer-friendly versionDemocrats in East County’s 77th Assembly district elected a pro-labor/progressive slate of 12 delegates on Saturday, January 10th at the El Cajon Library. Ninety-one local Democratic voters registered to cast ballots in the election, in which a record 23 people ran for twelve delegate positions. Delegates represent the region at the California Democratic convention for the next two years,
FALLBROOK PARAPLEGIC STUDENT ASPIRES TO JOIN ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Hermes Castro with Sir Robert Swan, polar explorer who has invited Castro on his Antarctic expedition Antarctica January 7, 2008 (Fallbrook) — Invited by a famous polar explorer to join an Antarctic expedition in March, Hermes Castro and his fellow students at Mesa College are raising funds for transportation and special equipment to help him
EAST COUNTY ROUND-UP — DECEMBER
Printer-friendly version Links to top stories in other publications on East County issues STATE TO SHUT DOWN FIRST AND THIRD FRIDAYS EACH MONTH Sacramento Bee (January 9, 2009) — California will close most state offices on the first and third Fridays each month starting in February, padlocking DMV outlets and other services while reducing state worker pay to help survive
HIGH WINDS PREDICTED TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY: CAL-FIRE BEEFS UP PROTECTION
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery San Diego’s East County (January 9, 2009) — Cal Fire has dramatically increased fire protection staffing in anticipation of wind gusts of 40 mph or higher predicted starting tonight through this weekend. “We will have 18 engines with three- person staffing, 19 hand crews, three bulldozers, and the two Sheriffs helicopters,” Cal Fire Captain Nick
SHERIFF’S DUI ARRESTS INCREASE FIFTEEN PERCENT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON: AGGRESSIVE ENFORCEMENT TO CONTINUE
Printer-friendly version January 10, 2008 (San Diego) — This holiday season, arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) shot up 15% countywide. Whether more people engaged in holiday merrymaking or drowning their sorrows amid a bleak economy remains unknown, but Sheriff’s credit increased enforcement action with the spike in drunk driving busts. The San Diego
GET THE POINT: FREE ACUPUNCTURE! FIRST FRIDAYS IN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 1, 2008 (El Cajon) — Healthy Community Acupuncture is offering free acupuncture treatments for stress reduction on the first Friday of every month, starting Friday, February 6, 2009. Appointments are required at the clinic, which is located at 277 E. Lexington Ave Ste B in El Cajon. Healthy Community Acupuncture is the first community acupuncture clinic to open
READER’S EDITORIAL: YES, IT’S TIME TO BLOCK DESTRUCTIVE BUDGET
Printer-friendly versionAn open letter sent to California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff By Chuck Brown, Spring Valley March 13, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – The House passed legislation to fund the government through Sept. 30 and thereby avert a shutdown at the end of this week. The measure now goes to the Senate, where Democrats must decide whether to support
KRISTEN DARE EXITS SANTEE CHAMBER
Printer-friendly version By Mike Allen March 12, 2025 (Santee) — Kristen Dare, who led the Santee Chamber of Commerce as CEO for the past six years, resigned from the position to take a new job at Waste Management Corp. In an email sent to chamber members March 3, Chamber Chair Susie Parks said she is grateful for Dare’s decade of
EL CAJON CITY COUNCIL MAJORITY VOTES TO SUPPORT ‘PIG IN A POKE’ IMMIGRATION BILL IN CONGRESS
Printer-friendly versionUpdate April 4, 2025: The text of the bill is now available here. By Miriam Raftery March 12, 2025 (El Cajon) – Four members of El Cajon’s City Council yesterday voted to send letters of support for H.R. 1680 to its author, Colorado Republican Gabe Evans, and ask local Congressman Darrell Issa to co-sponsor the bill–even though the text
EL CAJON BANS SALE OF VAPING DEVICES DISGUISED AS OTHER PRODUCTS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery March 12, 2025 (El Cajon) – By a unanimous vote, El Cajon’s City Council yesterday voted to adopt an ordinance prohibiting the sale of vaping or e-cigarette devices disguised as other products. According to the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, teens are using stealth vaping products. Some are hidden in backpacks or hoodies. Others resemble flash drives,
EL CAJON MOVES FORWARD ON MEASURE DENOUNCING ANTISEMITISM, DESPITE CONCERNS OVER WORDING
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo: Doris Bittar, a Lebanese-Palestinian woman with a Jewish husband, wants a resolution that protects everyone equally without infringing on free speech rights. March 12, 2025 (El Cajon) – El Cajon’s City Council once again waded into contentious waters at yesterday’s meeting, weighing a resolution to condemn antisemitism, with the Council majority refusing to remove a
ADVANCING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: DRINKING ALCOHOL INCREASES THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE
Printer-friendly versionBy Seraphina Eberhardt, Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies East County March 17, 2025 (San Diego) — The U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory in January highlighting the cancer risks associated with even small amounts of alcohol consumption, noting that alcohol links to at least seven types of cancer. However, alcohol does not only increase the risk of cancer.
GROUP THAT HELPED TRANSFORM LITTLE ITALY POISED TO COLLABORATE ON REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman Photo, left, by Miriam Raftery: El Cajon’s downtown district March 12, 2025 (El Cajon) – A new city vibe is expected to come to the more than 100-year-old city of El Cajon. Earlier this month, the Downtown El Cajon Business Partners, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting a safe and prosperous downtown El Cajon, announced that
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HANTAVIRUS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery County News Service contributed to this report March 12,2025 (San Diego) — An autopsy has determined that actor Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. The disease linked to exposure to rodents is rare, often fatal, and has been detected in nine rodents so far this year in San Diego County. The couple
STORM SERIES MOVING INTO AREA: FLOOD WATCH ISSUED
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Last week’s storms brought 6-10 inches of snow to our mountains with up to 1.5 inches in urban portions of our county. Now, multiple new storms are moving into the area, with rain now falling across the region and multiple atmospheric rivers soon to drench our region, with the heaviest rains Thursday, the National Weather
GROSSMONT HEALTHCARE DISTRICT APPOINTS INTERIM CEO
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman Photo, left: Aaron J. Byzak, Interim CEO, Grossmont Healthcare District Updated March 11, 2025 with comments from Christian Wallis. March 10, 2025 (La Mesa) — The Grossmont Healthcare District’s communications strategy consultant Aaron J. Byzak is adding a title, acting for a short time as the public agency’s interim CEO. At a GHD Board of Directors special meeting
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