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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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County begins construction on Edgemoor Acute Psychiatric Unit
By Fernanda Lopez Halvorson , County of San Diego Communications Office Video by Alex Aguirre March 9, 2026 (San Diego) – Construction is underway to…
Traffic stop leads to drug arrests in Spring Valley, including convicted felon
East County News Service March 9, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Two people have been arrested for possession of methamphetamines following a traffic stop for an…
County begins construction on Edgemoor Acute Psychiatric Unit
By Fernanda Lopez Halvorson , County of San Diego Communications Office Video by Alex Aguirre March 9, 2026 (San Diego) – Construction is underway to…
Brain-eating Rat Lungworms found in wildlife across region, including East County
Residents, gardeners should take precautions to protect against deadly disease transmitted by snails, slugs, and animals that ingest them By Miriam Raftery March 9, 2026…
Brain-eating Rat Lungworms found in wildlife across region, including East County
Residents, gardeners should take precautions to protect against deadly disease transmitted by snails, slugs, and animals that ingest them By Miriam Raftery March 9, 2026…
Issa retires, shaking up political map while endorsing Desmond in his shift to 48th District
By Jennifer Vigil, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association March 7, 2026 (Washington, D.C.) – County Supervisor Jim…
Issa retires, shaking up political map while endorsing Desmond in his shift to 48th District
By Jennifer Vigil, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association March 7, 2026 (Washington, D.C.) – County Supervisor Jim…
Advancing Healthy Communities: Building resilience in the backcountry
Printer-friendly versionCommunity Unites to Reimagine Campo’s School Field By David Shorey, Institute for Public Strategies Photo: Campo Elementary field (photo courtesy of Estrada Land Planning) December 17, 2025 (Campo) — In the Mountain Empire, where long bus rides, rugged terrain, and rising temperatures shape daily life, a new effort is underway to protect community health and strengthen resilience against extreme heat. A partnership
Man, 21, fatally struck while walking on freeway in El Cajon
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 20, 2026 (El Cajon) – A 21-year-old man from Kaibeto, Arizona walked onto Interstate 8 west from Mollison Avenue, amid low-lighting conditions on January 17 at 1:20 a.m. He was struck by a 2021 Toyota Venza driven by an El Cajon man,49. The pedestrian succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on
County lighting Administration Center in support of Sydney attack victims; Menorah lighting set for Dec. 22
Printer-friendly version Photo courtesy San Diego County East County News Services Dec. 17, 2025 (San Diego County) — Behind the support of San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson from District 2, the County of San Diego will illuminate its County Administration Center in blue and white tonight, Dec. 17. The illumination in blue and white across from San Diego
ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR INJECTS MAJOR CHANGES CHANGES AT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Printer-friendly version New agency head lays off staffers overseeing epidemics, cancels flu vaccine campaign and takes aim at chemicals in food. By G. A. McNeeley Photo by Ron Logan February 22, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – The Senate last week confirmed anti-vaccine activist Robert F.. Kennedy Jr. to head the U.S. Health and Human Services Department on a party-line vote,
EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE NAMED FIFTH BEST MAGAZINE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Printer-friendly version East County News Service February 22, 2025 (San Diego) — East County Magazine has been selected by FeedSpot as the fifth best local magazine among the Top 15 San Diego Magazines on the web. The site ranks the best San Diego magazines from thousands on the web ranked by relevancy, authority, social media followers & freshness. East County
BRIAN JONES’ BILL TAKES AIM AT “SUPER SANCTUARY CITIES”
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 21, 2025 (San Diego) – State Senator Brian Jones (R-Santee) held a press conference today to announce introduction of his Senate Bill 554, the Safety Before Criminal Sanctuary Act. The bill would prevent local jurisdictions from restricting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement beyond what SB 54, existing state law, already allows. In addition, Jones’
SPOUSE SOUGHT IN MURDER OF FIRE CAPTAIN IN RAMONA: YOLANDA OLEJNICZAK KILLED HER PREVIOUS SPOUSE
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 21, 2025 (Ramona) – The Sheriff’s office is searching for Yolanda Marodi, also known as Yolanda Olejniczak, who is suspected in the stabbing death of her wife, Cal Fire Captain Rebecca Marodi. The couple had been married for approximately two years. The suspect previously served time in prison for killing her first spouse, James
‘SHAME ON YOU’: CITIZENS DECRY LA MESA CITY COUNCIL’S DISREGARD FOR LAW IN APPOINTING BATTALION CHIEF TO POLICE OVERSIGHT BOARD
Printer-friendly versionBy Michael Howard Photo: La Mesa City Councilmember Lauren Cazares speaking at the January 28, 2025 city council meeting. Courtesy of City of La Mesa February 21, 2025 (La Mesa) – Citizens of La Mesa are speaking out about the appointment of retired Battalion Chief Dave Hardenburger to the Community Police Oversight Board (CPOB) last week when, without the proper
PROTEST FRIDAY AT REP. ISSA’S LOCAL OFFICE TO DEMAND TOWNHALL MEETING OVER DISMANTLING OF FEDERAL AGENCIES
Printer-friendly version East County News Service February 20, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Activists from Fallbrook, Escondido, Julian, and Ramona will gather at Congressman Darrell Issa’s office on February 21, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. to demand an in-person town hall meeting. The protest will take place at 210 W. Crest Street, Escondido, California. The rally, organized by Indivisible North
COMPLAINT CHALLENGES DOGE ACTIONS AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery February 20, 2025 (Greenbell, Md.) — A legal complaint filed by 26 unnamed former and current employees in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland alleges that Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has violated the Constitution’s Appointments Clause. That clause mandates that presidential appointments require the advice and consent of
COUNTY SAFE PARKING IN EL CAJON IS CLOSED FOR UPGRADES; PEOPLE LIVING IN VEHICLES ARE REDIRECTED TO SPRING VALLEY SITE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery February 20, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The County-run safe parking site on Magnolia in unincorporated El Cajon, one of two East County sites set up to help homeless people living in their vehicles, is temporarily closed for renovations. The improvements will include picnic and meeting areas, a dog run, improved bath and shower areas,
LAWSUIT FILED OVER DOGE ACCESS TO PRIVATE DATA
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 20, 2025 (New York) – The Electronic Frontier Foundation and a coalition of privacy defenders filed a lawsuit in New York on February 11 asking a federal court to block Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing the private information of millions of Americans that is stored by the Office of Personnel
LA MESA CHAMBER INVITES YOU TO MEET LOCAL BUSINESSES AT MARCH 5 SPRING FLING BUSINESS EXPO
Printer-friendly versionSource: City of La Mesa February 20, 2025 (La Mesa) – On Wednesday, March 5th, the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you to join them at the 10th Annual Spring Fling Business Expo. This special evening will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott San Diego El Cajon, 141 N. Magnolia Avenue in El Cajon between 5:30 p.m.
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