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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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AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION SENDS LETTER TO OBAMA OPPOSING SCHWARZENEGGER REQUEST TO EXPEDITE SUNRISE POWERLINK; CITES CONCERNS OVER AIR QUALITY AND FIRE RISK
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery January 27, 2009 (San Diego)–East County Magazine today received a copy of a letter sent by the American Lung Association of California to President Barack Obama in opposition to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s request for the U.S. Forest Service to fast-track approval of Sunrise Powerlink. The letter cites concern that the project, if approved, would negatively impact
January Capitol Report: How They Voted
Printer-friendly versionCongress approved several major bills in January, including measures to improve healthcare for low-income children, provide oversight of bail-out funds, delay conversion to direct TV, set aside public lands and ocean areas as environmental preserves, protect fair pay for women, and improve remedies for victims of discrimination. The Senate also approved nomination of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. Do you
SAN DIEGO ASSEMBLYMEMBER LORI SALDAÑA NAMED SPEAKER PRO TEM OF STATE ASSEMBLY
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 27, 2009 (San Diego) — Assembly Member Lori Saldaña was sworn into her new role as Assembly Speaker pro Tempore in a ceremony in the Capitol on December 1st. The Assemblywoman’s district encompasses most of the City of San Diego, including neighborhoods east of I-15 between Highways 94 and 52. Printer-friendly version
OUR INAUGURATION PHOTO LIBRARY AND LOCAL INAUGURAL BALL VIDEO ARE NOW ONLINE!
Printer-friendly versionView our full library of photos from local presidential inauguration events in East County and East San Diego at eastcountymagazine.org/?q=414_inauguration_photo_library. Watch our video of the inaugural community ball in City Heights at www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U9e-XN7bXs. Read our inauguration stories at eastcountymagazine.org/?q=403_inauguration, eastcountymagazine.org/?q=404_waymon, and eastcountymagazine.org/?q=405_inauguration_elected. Printer-friendly version
INAUGURATION PHOTO LIBRARY
Printer-friendly version Marine Sgt. Shaka Greene and his son, Shaka, Jr. Artist. (Leon Thompson) Hosts of MoveOn party in La Mesa.. Beat Poet. Nancy Goettler of La Mesa at Move-On party. Saxophonist jazzes up party at MoveOn inauguration event in La Mesa. Beat poet. City Heights ball. Obama campaign volunteers. Dancing in celebration. (Leon Thompson) Printer-friendly version
INAUGURATION POEM
Printer-friendly versionAt the Community Inaugural Ball hosted by City Heights Library Performing Arts Annex, Poet Sylvia Cameron Telafaro read a poem she composed especially for the occasion. Below is the text, along with her photo. View our full library of photos from local presidential inauguration events in East County and East San Diego at eastcountymagazine.org/?q=414_inauguration_photo_library. Watch our video of the
CONGRESSMAN HUNTER OPPOSES SENDING GUANTANAMO PRISONERS TO CAMP PENDLETON
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery January 21, 2009 (Washington D.C.) — On his first day in office, President Barack Obama ordered that the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay be closed down within a year. Closure of the now-infamous detention facility could result in some of the 245 prisoners held there being transferred to Camp Pendleton, according to a Pentagon study. Newly
LAKESIDE POLICE SEEK MAN IN SILVER CAR WHO TRIED TO LURE 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL INTO VEHICLE
Printer-friendly version Mitsubishi Eclipse with spoiler, vehicle possibly driven by suspect. January 15, 2009 (Lakeside) — Lakeside deputies responded to a radio call of a possible kidnapping at 10133 Maine Avenue in Lakeside shortly before 7 a.m. Upon arrival, deputies contacted the victim, a 15-year-old ninth grade female who attends El Capitan High School. The victim reported an unknown male
MARCH 17 HEARING SET IN SAN DIEGO ON SDG&E PLAN TO SHUT OFF POWER ON DRY, WINDY DAYS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery January 23, 2009 (San Diego) — An administrative law judge has issued orders requiring the California Public Utilities commission to hold three public hearings on SDG&E’s proposed shut-off of power to back country communities during high-wind events with low humidity. “Many Santa Ana events will qualify, some of which last 7-10 days in a row,” said
2 FEDERAL AGENCIES APPROVE POWERLINK; SCHWARZENEGGER ASKS U.S. FOREST SERVICE TO EXPEDITE OK TO BUILD POWERLINK THROUGH CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery January 24, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–In the last days of the Bush administration, two federal agencies gave a parting gift to Sempra Energy. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission designated a vast swath of San Diego’s East County as a federal energy corridor, paving the way for the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to approve
IMPACTS FELT LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY FROM TRUMP TARIFFS AND TRADE WAR
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery March 10, 2025 (San Diego) — As President Donald Trump rolls out hefty tariffs on imported goods from America’s biggest trading partners—Mexico, Canada, and China, American businesses and consumers are bearing the brunt, with higher prices on everything from steel and lumber to food and consumer products. The action has drawn opposition even from the U.S.
MAN ARRESTED FOR KIDNAPPING LYFT DRIVER, WHO TEXTED 911 FOR HELP
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service March 10, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Shane Capezio, 22, has been arrested after allegedly kidnapping a ride-share driver in East County. The Lyft driver texted 9-1-1 and told the dispatcher that she was being held against her will by a passenger she picked up in Spring Valley, who told the driver that he
READER’S EDITORIAL: THE ELIMINATION OF LIBRARIANS IN GUHSD IS A DISSERVICE TO STUDENTS
Printer-friendly versionBy Abagail Wojnowski Photo by Miriam Raftery: protesters at Grossmont High School this morning oppose the district sending lay-off notices to librarians, teachers, and other employees. March 10, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — I am writing to express my deep frustration and disappointment over the Grossmont Union High School District’s recent decision to eliminate all credentialed teacher librarian
GREATER SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS HONORS GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE TONI ATKINS WITH `PROPERTY CHAMPION’ AWARD
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service March 10, 2025 (San Diego) – The Greater San Diego Association of Realtors (SDAR), San Diego County’s largest trade association for San Diego-area real estate professionals, recently honored California Senator Pro Tem Emeritus Toni Atkins with the “Golden State Private Property Champion Award” for her dedication and significant contributions to protect California’s private property rights for homeowners and
82 square mile quarantine area declared after Mexican fruit flies found in La Mesa: all 4 East County cities, some unincorporated areas and San Diego neighborhoods are included
Source: Donna Durckel , County of San Diego Communications Office March 10, 2025 (San Diego) — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has…
82 square mile quarantine area declared after Mexican fruit flies found in La Mesa: all 4 East County cities, some unincorporated areas and San Diego neighborhoods are included
Source: Donna Durckel , County of San Diego Communications Office March 10, 2025 (San Diego) — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has…
EDUCATORS SUE TO BLOCK TRUMP ANTI-DEI POLICY
Printer-friendly versionBy Suzanne Potter, California News Service March 9, 2025 (Los Angeles) — The American Federation of Teachers and the American Sociological Association are suing the Trump administration over a threat of funding cuts and investigations of schools that integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into their policies or lessons. The letter schools received purports to reinforce anti-discrimination laws – but
WALKIOUT AND PICKETING PLANNED MONDAY AT ALL GUHSD SCHOOLS TO PROTEST FIRINGS OF LIBRARIANS AND TEACHERS; DISTRICT TO HOLD MEETING TUESDAY NIGHT
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery March 9, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) –A student walkout is slated for 12 p.m. Monday at all Grossmont Union HIgh School District schools during the lunch hour, though the district has sent a memo warning students that leaving school is considered truancy. In addition, picketing by parents and teachers is planned before school starting
GROSSMONT HEALTHCARE DISTRICT OUSTS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman March 6, 2025 (La Mesa) — The five-member Grossmont Healthcare District Board of Directors has decided not to renew the contract of CEO Christian Wallis. Wallis, who was hired by the district in 2021 for a two-year contract at $215,000 per year, was given a two-year extension and a cost of living raise in 2023 to $247,424
LEMON GROVE CITY COUNCIL HOLDS CONTENTIOUS HEARING OVER TINY HOMES PROJECT FOR HOMELESS
Printer-friendly versionCouncil fields questions and concerns regarding County’s project planned on Caltrans property Story and photos by Karen Pearlman March 6, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – The controversy and concerns surrounding a planned interim housing project at Troy Street and Sweetwater Road continues to drive a wedge between residents and members of the Lemon Grove City Council — and looks to be headed
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