Thanks To Our Sponsors
Be a sponsor!
Breaking News
Explore What Matters
News Center
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
What East County Topic Matters Most to You?
Get East County Wildfire, Emergency Alerts
Latest Stories
Sponsorship Placement
NEW FIRES BREAK OUT IN RANCHO BERNARDO AND OCEANSIDE, I-5 CLOSED
Printer-friendly versionOctober 14 (12:30 p.m.) – Santa Ana winds are fueling new fires in several portions of San Diego County, forcing closure of several major highways and evacuations in the Rancho Bernardo, Oceanside, Fallbrook and Campo areas last night and today. Police have ordered evacuation of homes on the west side of a fire on a hillside at Camino del
FIRE NEAR CAMPO 50% CONTAINED, HWYS 94 AND 8 CLOSED, 400 EVACUATED
Printer-friendly versionOctober 13 (Campo) 9:30 a.m. — Three hundred homes have been ordered to evacuate due to a 100-acre wildfire that began at Highway 94 near Shockey Truck Trail. The blaze has burned 100 areas on both sides of 94 and is 50% contained. No structures have been lost. Evacuation centers have been established at at the Potrero Library and
4,000 FLEE FIRES IN PENDLETON, OCEANSIDE, FALLBROOK
Printer-friendly version Fire in North County. Photo by Corina Squires October 14 (Camp Pendleton) 12:10 p.m. – The third blaze in there weeks to strike Camp Pendleton has charred over 1,500 acres, forcing evacution of over 4,000 people from Oceanside as well as base housing. Some schools in Oceanside may be closed tomorrow, ECM has learned. The Juliet fire forced
SDG&E THREAT TO CUT POWER DURING FIRE DANGER SPARKS HEATED OUTCRY AMONG EAST COUNTY RESIDENTS
Printer-friendly versionLarge crowd likely at CPUC meeting Tuesday in San Diego By Miriam Raftery October 13, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) – Backcountry residents are reacting with shock, praise and outrage to a notice sent by San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) to 45,000 customers warning that power lines may be shut off when fire danger is high. With red
HIGH FIRE DANGER, SANTA ANA WINDS STARTING TONIGHT
Printer-friendly versionCAL Fire gears up with extra airpower, asks homeowners to take defensive steps; SDG&E may cut power in high-risk areas Story and photos by Miriam Raftery October 12, 2008 (El Cajon) – CAL Fire has issued a warning that the danger of wildfire is high due to forecasts of Santa Ana winds starting tonight combined with already hot, dry
Great Debates: Congressional Candidates Square Off
Printer-friendly version Duncan Hunter Mike Lumpkin 52nd Congressional district candidates face off in a series of five debates. Here’s your chance to learn first-hand where candidates stand–or even ask a question yourself! Former U.S. Navy Seal Commander Mike Lumpkin, a Democrat, battles ex-USMC Captain Duncan D. Hunter, Republican, and Libertarian Mike Benoit to replace retiring Congressman Duncan Hunter in debates
WATER, PACE OF DEVELOPMENT TOP CONCERNS IN CAMPO/LAKE MORENA PLANNING GROUP RACE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Lake Morena October 6, 2008 (Campo) – Concerns over the impacts of new and proposed major developments on water supplies and community character have divided community members in this rural region. Tensions ran high at a forum for Campo/Lake Morena Planning Group candidates held on September 29th, where community members posed tough questions for candidates on
CITY, COUNTY SEE SHIFTS TOWARD DEMOCRATIC COLUMN – OCT. 20 DEADLINE FOR VOTER REGISTRATION
Printer-friendly versionCountywide, new voter registrations have been running ten to one Democratic over Republican for the past several months, even in traditionally “red” conservative areas including Santee and El Cajon. According to an October 1, 2008 report issued by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, Democrats now outnumber Republicans by 249,338 to 189,012 in the City of San Diego,
A FIERY ARGUMENT
Printer-friendly versionFire Chief, City and County leaders debate pros and cons of fire tax By Miriam Raftery 2007 San Diego wildfires destroyed over 3,400 structures and killed 15 people (photo: La Mesa Fire Dept.) October 1, 2008 (SAN DIEGO) – “We have to stop turning to others to solve our problems,” said Ron Roberts, Chair of San Diego’s Board of
GREEN HOUSES
Printer-friendly versionASID Kitchen and Bath Tour Oct. 25 Features “Green” Kitchen on Mt. Helix By Miriam Raftery Recycled glass adds sparkle to natural slate backsplash October 11, 2008 (Mt. Helix) – A Mount Helix kitchen/great room featuring natural materials, solar screens and and energy-efficient features is among 11 kitchens featured on the 2008 Fall Kitchen Tour on October 25th. Sponsored
RFK JR. URGES PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED FOR MEASLES, AS OUTBREAK SPREADS TO NINE STATES
Printer-friendly version East County News Service March 3, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – Calling a measles outbreak now in nine states a “call to action,” U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has posted a message on the agency’s website titled “MMR vaccine is crucial to avoiding potentially deadly disease.” Kennedy, a noted skeptic of some vaccines, is
GUHSD VOTES TO FIRE 49 TEACHERS, INCLUDING 9 LIBRARIANS
Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr View complete meeting here. Photo: Screenshot of audience members March 3, 2025 (El Cajon) – Grossmont Union High School District’s board voted 4-1 to fire 49 credentialed teachers, including all high school librarians, despite vocal objections from a large crowd at the Feb. 27 meeting held at El Cajon Valley High School’s
INTERNAL MEMOS: SENIOR USAID LEADERS WARNED TRUMP APPOINTEES OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DEATHS FROM CLOSING AGENCY
Printer-friendly versionThis story was originally published by ProPublica By Brett Murphy and Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they’re published. Photo: Malnutrition, cc via Bing March 3, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – For weeks, some of the federal government’s foremost authorities on global health
JUDGE BLOCKS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AT SOME PLACES OF WORSHIP
Printer-friendly versionFederal judge from Maryland temporarily blocks the Trump administration from using ICE to arrest migrants in certain sensitive locations By G. A. McNeeley March 3, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – A federal judge on Monday, February 24, in Maryland, temporarily blocked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from conducting raids, and targeting and arresting migrants inside of a
EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS FOUND INSIDE RV IN LAKESIDE
Printer-friendly versionSource: San Diego Sheriff’s department March 2, 2025 (Lakeside) – The Sheriff’s Bomb/Arson Unit is investigating the discovery of explosive materials inside a recreational vehicle (RV) in Lakeside. The items were discovered when deputies from the Sheriff’s substation in Lakeside responded to a call reporting a possible overdose in the 11000 block of Lakeside Avenue. When they arrived, they found a
REP. LEVIN SAYS TRUMP SIDED WITH PUTIN IN ANGRY MEETING WITH UKRAINE’S ZELENSKY
Printer-friendly versionBy Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: Zelensky in 2022 March 2, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – Rep. Mike Levin said President Trump effectively sided with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in the acrimonious meeting Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “The meeting today between Presidents Trump and Zelensky in the
BORREGO HOME AND GARDEN TOUR MARCH 15
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service March 2, 2025 (Borrego Springs) – The Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association invites you to the 2025 Borrego Home and Garden Tour on Saturday, March 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Explore four special homes in the heart of the desert, at your own pace. Each home showcases unique architecture, landscaping and design
READER’S EDITORIAL: DENALI NAME SHOULD BE RESTORED
Printer-friendly versionFormer national park worker speaks out on Trump renaming tallest U.S. peak By Walt Meyer March 2, 2025 (San Diego) — Because I worked in Denali National Park during the summer of 2024, lately people have asked me about the naming of Mount McKinley. I talked about this in one of the lectures I gave at the Denali Education
ARREST MADE FOR SUSPECTED ARSON IN PALA AND LILAC FIRES
Printer-friendly versionSource: Cal Fire March 2, 2025 (San Diego) – Cal Fire law enforcement investigators have arrested Ruben Vasquez on multiple felony arson charges following an extensive investigation into two wildland fires that ignited on January 21. The fires, known as the Pala Fire and the Lilac Fire, started 25 minutes apart near Interstate 15 and State Route 76 in
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HALTS FEMA PAYMENTS TO SAN DIEGO COUNTY, ALONG WITH HOUSING FUNDS AND HEALTH DATA
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service March 2, 2025 (San Diego) – Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer held a public briefing this week to inform the community on how the Trump Administration is disrupting essential local services in San Diego County. This includes active federal funding freezes, administrative delays, and policy changes that are “making it harder for us to protect public health,
Get Wildfire Alerts & Wildfire Emergency News
Partner To ECM
Our Engaged Audience
5 to 10 million hits
per month!
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
Community Links
Thanks To Our Major Sponsors
📬 Subscribe to ECM – 100% Free, Trusted by East County Since 2008
- Emergency alerts
- Breaking news
- No spam ever