Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Breaking News

Explore What Matters

Stay informed on the issues that shape East County. From local news and emergency alerts, to community celebrations

News Center

News Issues

Politics

Wildfires and Emergencies

Events & Arts

Visit East County

People

Communities

Features

Get East County Wildfire, Emergency Alerts

Critical wildfire and emergency notifications delivered instantly.Join Neighbors who stay informed and prepared with our award winning Journalist

Latest Stories

Sponsorship Placement

HUNTER INTRODUCES RIGHT TO LIFE ACT: BILL WOULD DECLARE LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION; NO EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE, INCEST, OR SAVING A MOTHER’S LIFE

Printer-friendly versionFebruary 13, 2009 (Washington DC) –“Congressman Duncan Hunter has introduced H.R. 881, which would declare that life begins at conception. The Right to Life Act would establish “personhood of the unborn” by requiring equal protection under the 14th amendment of the Constitution to the “born and unborn” beginning with the moment of fertilization or cloning. Hunter’s bill contains no

Read More ...

HOUSE PASSES STIMULUS BILL THAT AIMS TO CREATE 396,000 JOBS IN CALIFORNIA; LOCAL LEADERS SPLIT VOTES

Printer-friendly versionFebruary 13, 2009 — The House of Representatives passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by a vote of 246-183. Local Democratic representatives Bob Filner and Susan Davis voted for the measure, while Republicans Duncan D. Hunter, Brian Bilbray and Darrell Issa voted no. According to the White House, the measure will create or save 396,000 jobs in California

Read More ...

DON QUIXOTE BATTLES WINDMILLS — AND SO DO THE FOLKS IN BOULEVARD

Printer-friendly versionPART II in a three-part series:  WHY BOULEVARD? By Gayle Early Pristine vale in McCain Valley slated for transmission lines, including Sunrise PowerLink. (photo by Gayle Early) February 16, 2009 (Boulevard) — Iberdrola Renewables and other parties have had their fingers in the wind, testing for the past three years and more. “If you link the windy areas in

Read More ...

STATE OF THE COUNTY ADDRESS: “OMINOUS DAYS BEFORE US,” JACOB WARNS

Printer-friendly versionCounty to Sue State Over Funding Cuts By Miriam Raftery Supervisor Dianne Jacob February 12, 2009 (El Cajon) — Dianne Jacob, Chairwoman of the County Board of Supervisors, presented a bleak outlook in a State of the County address presented last night at Cuyamaca College. As a result of falling revenues and state budget cuts, lay-offs and deep cuts

Read More ...

HARBISON CANYON FIRE STATION REOPENS

Printer-friendly versionFebruary 10, 2009 (Harbison Canyon) — Like a phoenix arisen from the ashes, a new fire station has opened to replace the Harbison Canyon station that burned down during the 2003 Cedar Fire. CAL FIRE-Rural Protection District held a grand opening to celebrate completion of the new station, which was funded by insurance, the Sycuan tribe, and Supervisor Dianne

Read More ...

EL CAJON MOURNS PASSING OF WAYNE STALKER, LONG-TIME EMPLOYEE AND ARTIST

Printer-friendly versionThe El Cajon Police Department and the City are saddened by the death of retired Animal Control Officer Wayne Stalker. Wayne passed away on Wednesday, February 4 after a long courageous battle against cancer. Wayne joined the El Cajon Police Department as a Volunteer Police Reserve Officer on September 9, 1981, and then held various positions at the police

Read More ...

FREE GYMNASTICS DAY FOR KIDS FEB. 21 AT CAMEROM FAMILY YMCA, SANTEE

Printer-friendly versionFebruary 12, 2009 (Santee) — The Cameron Family YMCA in Santee will host their annual Free Gymnastics Day on Sat., Feb. 21 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event is a special day of fun in the branch’s fully-equipped gymnastics center for boys and girls ages three to 13 years of age. The Cameron Family YMCA is located

Read More ...

LA MESA POLICE NAB 2 SUSPECTS FOR ROBBERY AND POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY

Printer-friendly versionFebruary 10, 2009 (La Mesa)–The day after two pedestrians were robbed at gunpoint by a masked man, Antonio Rattler (photo), a 20 year old from La Mesa,was arrested for the robberies by the La Mesa Police Department. On February 9, 2009, in the late evening hours, a masked man armed with a gun robbed two pedestrians within thirty minutes

Read More ...

FILNER SEEKS TO AMEND CLEAN WATER ACT: REQUIRE DOD COMPLIANCE WITH EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS

Printer-friendly versionFebruary 9, 2009 (San Diego) — Congressman Bob Filner introduced the Military Environmental Responsibility Act, H.R. 672, which would require the Department of Defense (DOD) to fully comply with Federal and State environmental laws. “Military exemptions from environmental requirements harm human health by polluting our water, air, and soil. Communities around military bases should be protected equally from harmful

Read More ...

EL CAJON CITY COUNCIL’S FIRE DEPARTMENT COVERAGE WORKSHOP

Printer-friendly version By G. A. McNeeley  February 15, 2025 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon City Council, city  staff, Heartland Fire Department and labor representatives came together on Wednesday to discuss possible short-term options, to staff a newly purchased fire engine, after a grant failed to fund.    Last year, the City Council explored options to augment fire and medical

Read More ...

FEDERAL FUNDING HALT PROMPTS JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE TO CLOSE REFUGEE SHELTER

Printer-friendly versionBy Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo:   a child at Jewish Family Service of San Diego’s refugee shelter. (File photo by Chris Stone/Times of San Diego) February 17, 2025 (San Diego) – Faced with a halt in federal funding and and the closing of the border to refugees, Jewish

Read More ...

ADVANCING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: SOBER CURIOUS? SOME STARTED WITH DRY JANUARY

Printer-friendly versionBy Seraphina Eberhardt, Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies East County February 17, 2025 (San Diego) — The start of a new year often brings the promise of new beginnings. For many, that includes resolutions focused on personal health and well-being, from hitting the gym to adopting healthier eating habits. In recent years, however, more and more of us

Read More ...

TWO VIOLENT SEX OFFENDERS RELEASED IN CAMPO AND BORREGO SPRINGS

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo:  Merle Wakefield and Alvin Quarles have been conditionally released into  Campo and Borrego Springs. February 16, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The Sheriff’s department has sent warning notices to residents in Borrego Springs and Campo, announcing that two sexually violent predators have been conditionally released into these communities.  The court has ordered Liberty Healthcare, which

Read More ...

STORMS CLEAR OUT FOR VALENTINE’S DAY WEDDINGS

Printer-friendly versionBy Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office Photo:  Alexis & Deondre February 15, 2025 (San Diego) – The day started with a few showers, but the sun came out for many couples saying “I do” on Valentine’s Day. A flurry of bridal gowns, hearts and flowers took over wedding venues at Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk’s (ARCC) offices across the

Read More ...

CASA DE ORO ALLIANCE HOSTS COMMUNITY DIALOGUE ON FLOOD ISSUES FEB. 25 IN SPRING VALLEY

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 15, 2025 (Spring Valley) — The Casa de Oro Alliance invites members of the community who have been affected by flooding to a community dialogue to help bring the community together and build resilience. The event is Tuesday, February 25 at San Diego Youth Services’ auditorium, 3845 Spring Drive, Spring Valley, CA 91977, starting

Read More ...

EL CAJON CITY COUNCIL APPROVES ALLOWING POLICE TO COOPERATE WITH ICE, REVERSING PREVIOUS ACTION

Printer-friendly version  Issue prompts drive to recall Councilman Phil Ortiz By Alex Schorr and Miriam Raftery View video Photo, left:  Resolution opponents hold up sign denouncing hate and likening ICE roundups to “Gestapo” tactics February 14, 2025 (El Cajon) – El Cajon’s City Council on Tuesday passed a controversial resolution allowing the city’s police to cooperate with federal immigration authorities

Read More ...

ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

Printer-friendly versionFebruary 14, 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. DOGE controversy Trump and Musk’s dismantling of government is shaking the foundations of US democracy (AP) As Musk cuts federal

Read More ...

READER’S EDITORIAL: MUSK POSES THREAT TO CRITICAL CLIMATE DATA

Printer-friendly version By Roger Coppock Image: measurements in Hawaii from 1960 to present show exponential rise in CO2 levels fueling climate change. February 13, 2025 (La Mesa) — NOAA staffers report that Musk’s minions have arrived with orders to wreck everything.  This apparently includes climate data gathering.  Should they succeed in shutting data collection down, attempts to fix the climate

Read More ...

WHITE HOUSE FIRES SAN DIEGO’S TOP FEDERAL PROSECUTOR, TARA MCGRATH

Printer-friendly versionBy Ken Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo:  Tara McGrath. Courtesy Southern District of California February 13, 2025 (San Diego) – After 16 months as the chief federal law enforcement official in San Diego, Tara McGrath has been given her walking papers by the White House. U.S. Attorney McGrath’s tenure

Read More ...

Get Wildfire Alerts & Wildfire Emergency News

Stay ahead of emergencies with real-time notifications delivered directly to your inbox when seconds count.

Partner To ECM

Connect with East County’s most informed and engaged community. Our readers trust ECM for critical news and actively support local businesses.

Our Engaged Audience

Unique Visitors

5 to 10 million hits

per month!

Number of Visitors
0

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

Thanks To Our Major Sponsors

📬 Subscribe to ECM – 100% Free, Trusted by East County Since 2008

Reviews and Feedback