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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
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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
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…
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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
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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
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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
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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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 of Sexually Violent Predator Gary Snavely. The California Department of State Hospitals has recommended the placement of Snavely at 3406 Running M Road in Borrego Springs He was convicted of lewd and lascivious acts with two girls ages 8 and
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 Swalwell speaks to a crowd during a town hall he hosted at the Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center in downtown Fresno on Dec. 15, 2025. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local April 10, 2026 (Fresno) – Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell, one
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 by AI-cyberbots that have repeatedly crashed it. Our new website designed in WordPress is ready to launch with great new features for readers – but we can’t launch without critical security upgrade programs that cost thousands of dollars. Please help!
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 Ramona. (Photo courtesy Joel Anderson Facebook page) East County News Service April 10, 2026 (San Diego County) — While parking prices across the region seem to be climbing faster than a fit hiker scaling Iron Mountain, local seniors can count
CHP urges drivers to follow hands-free cell phone law; officers report more violations as distracted driving causes hundreds of crashes annually
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 10, 2026 (San Diego County) — Distracted driving causes hundreds of crashes across California each year, and violations of the state’s hands-free cellphone law remain an ongoing concern. As part of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the California Highway Patrol is urging drivers to put down their phones and stay attentive to help make roads safer
Learn how to use the county’s ‘Tell Us Now!’ app on April 13
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 10, 2026 (Rancho San Diego) — We’ve all been there: you’re driving through somewhere in San Diego County and run over a jagged pothole, spot a flooded culvert or keep seeing the same abandoned vehicle on a street corner…. but the thought of trying to find the right County department to call and report
ECM World Watch: national and global news
Printer-friendly versionApril 9, 2026 (San Diego) — As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include: U.S. Trump’s VA killed a home loan program. Vets are now losing their homes because of it (NPR) Eligible young
Three arrested in child abuse investigation, drugs also uncovered
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 9, 2026 (Spring Valley) — Three Spring Valley residents are in custody following an investigation into child abuse that uncovered a stash of narcotics inside a local residence. Detectives from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday assisted Child Welfare Services in executing a search warrant at a home on the 9000 block
Temporary cease fire reached in Iran after Trump threatened “a whole civilization will die;” conflict takes toll on U.S. economy
Printer-friendly versionBy Alex J. Schorr April 9, 2026 — As of yesterday, the United States and Iran have agreed to a fragile two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan, with the agreement aiming to pause hostilities that began on February 28. Pakistan-mediated talks are scheduled to begin in Islamabad on Friday April 10, to seek a permanent settlement. The fragile cease-fire comes after Trump posted a threat
AB 1959 moves along, inspired by 2001 school shooting at Santana
Printer-friendly version Story and photo by Karen Pearlman April 9, 2026 (Santee) — Twenty-five years after teenage student armed with a gun opened fire at Santana High School, survivors and prosecutors are closer to closing a legal loophole they say allows the state’s most violent juvenile offenders to exploit the justice system for early release. On Tuesday in Sacramento, the Assembly
ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS
Printer-friendly versionMarch 6, 2025 — As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include: U.S. Military cuts Trump fires chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and two other military officers (AP) Hegseth orders major
WINERY OWNERS’ HOME ROBBED OF JEWELRY, COINS IN RAMONA: 2 OTHER WINERIES REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photo, left: photos of some items stolen Feb. 23 from Hatfield Creek Winery’s owner March 6, 2025 (Ramona) – The Sheriff’s department seeks public help to find robbers who stole nearly $15,000 worth of jewelry and collectible coins from the owner’s home at Hatfield Creek Vineyard and Winery on State Route 78 in Ramona.
WINTER SNOW COULD DROP FOOT OF SNOW ON MT. LAGUNA TONIGHT AND TOMORROW
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery March 5, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – A major storm system will bring strong winds and rain across our region, with heavy snow forecast starting tonight in East County mountains. Mount Laguna could receive up to a foot of snow, with up to eight inches on Palomar Mountain and three inches in Julian by
EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS
Printer-friendly versionMarch 5, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s round-up stories include: LOCAL More Industrial Chemicals Found in Sweetwater Reservoir (Voice of San Diego Keeping Lakeside egg ranch flu-free takes constant vigilance. Would a vaccine help? (San Diego
SDSU MEN’S BASKETBALL: AZTECS TAME LOBOS
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego State had four players in double figures and held New Mexico, which is scoring 83 points a game, to 65 in a 73-65 win. Source: goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com March 5, 2025 (San Diego) – The San Diego State men’s basketball team had four players in double figures, including a career-high matching 10 points from forward Miles
TRUMP PROMISES ‘SURGING’ AMERICAN DREAM, TALKS TOUGH ON MORE TARIFFS
Printer-friendly versionBy Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: President Donald Trump addresses Congress. Screenshot from C-SPAN March 5, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – President Donald Trump told Congress Tuesday that “the American dream is surging bigger and better than ever before” and promised that new tariffs on Mexico — despite worrying San
CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING TO COMBAT SURVEILLANCE PRICING
Printer-friendly versionLocal Assemblyman working to minimize surveillance pricing, while new FTC chairman blocks public comments By G. A. McNeeley March 5, 2025 (San Diego) — Most people might not know that companies with an online presence are using personal information about customer’s buying habits to charge them a higher price for products, if they think you’re likely to pay it.
TRUMP THREATENS TO WITHHOLD FUNDS FROM COLLEGES, DEMANDS THAT AMERICAN STUDENTS BE IMPRISONED AND EXPELLED FOR PROTESTING AGAINST GOVERNMENTAL ACTIONS, WITH FOREIGN STUDENTS DEPORTED
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery March 3, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – Threats issued by President Donald Trump targeting colleges, universities and student protesters are illegal and unconstitutional, according to legal and civil liberties experts. Today, Trump posted on his social media account, “All Federal Funding will STOP for any College, School, or University that allows illegal protests. Agitators will
HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
Printer-friendly versionMarch 4, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH Trump administration firings hit key office handling bird flu response (Politico) As measles cases rise in the U.S., some adults may need a vaccine booster (NPR) FDA links deadly listeria outbreak to frozen
JACUMBA MAN ARRESTED ON NUMEROUS CHARGES AFTER HIDING FROM SWAT TEAM; BOOBY TRAPS, EXPLOSIVES AND GUNS FOUND IN HOME
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service March 4, 2025 (Jacumba Hot Springs) — A man is facing assault with a deadly weapon and other serious charges after a search of his property in Jacumba uncovered firearms, explosives and booby traps, says Lieutenant Jeff Ford with the San Diego County Sheriff’s department. On March 3,just before 6:00 a.m., the Sheriff’s Special Enforcement
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