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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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Hazardous weather system moves into region
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 16, 2026 (San Diego)—A wind advisory is in effect today across San Diego County through 8 p.m., with another wind advisory tomorrow due to a storm system bringing heavy rains and strong wind gusts up to 45 miles per hour. Yet another storm will sweep into the area Wednesday through Thursday morning.Use caution if
A sign of things to come in the La Mesa Village
La Mesa’s Downtown District Sign is coming soon. Among those at the Feb. 3 groundbreaking ceremony were, from left to right: Greg Humora, La Mesa…
San Diego State, San Diego Humane Society team up to support furry friends
East County News Service Feb. 15, 2026 (San Diego) — While many people chomped on chocolates and bequeathed bouquets of red roses on Valentine’s Day,…
East County Roundup: local and statewide news
February 15, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) — East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published…
Early ending to voucher program puts hundreds of San Diegans at risk of homelessness
By Drew Sitton, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: Housing officials are struggling to meet the needs…
East County Roundup: local and statewide news
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 15, 2026 (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 Supervisor Floating Big Changes to County Leadership (Voice of SD) Congressman Juan Vargas denied access to Otay Mesa Detention Center during oversight visit ((KGTV) San Diego City
San Diego State, San Diego Humane Society team up to support furry friends
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Feb. 15, 2026 (San Diego) — While many people chomped on chocolates and bequeathed bouquets of red roses on Valentine’s Day, a different kind of love was shared at the San Diego Humane Society. On Saturday, more than two dozen student-athletes from San Diego State University channeled their competitive edge and energy into a morning
A sign of things to come in the La Mesa Village
Printer-friendly versionLa Mesa’s Downtown District Sign is coming soon. Among those at the Feb. 3 groundbreaking ceremony were, from left to right: Greg Humora, La Mesa City Manager; Pam Rader, La Mesa Village Association Board of Directors; Lauren Cazares, La Mesa Vice Mayor; Laura Lothian, La Mesa City Councilmember; John Bedlion, LMVA Board of Directors/Owner Johnny B’s; Misty Thompson, La Mesa
Crest man loses both parents in days; fundraiser started to help family
By Miriam Raftery Photo by Roberto Sanchez, via ECM news partner 10 News February 14, 2026 (Crest) – Roberto Sanchez, an only child, is grieving…
Hear our interview with Chris Pierce, Spring Valley Community Alliance President, on Feb. 19 Spring Valley Changemakers Summit and more community happenings
By Miriam Raftery February 14, 2026 (Spring Valley) – “The main goal is to connect people and build inspiration. We have a lot of talented…
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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