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

HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Printer-friendly versionDecember 16, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH A twice-yearly shot could help end AIDS. But will it get to everyone who needs it? (AP) Hospitals gave patients meds during childbirth, then reported them for illicit drug use (USA Today) Brian

Read More ...

LESSONS FROM THE MAGIC HORSE

Printer-friendly version By Olivia Barnard December 10, 2024 (Lakeside) — I first met Robin Pawl and her horses Shelby, Indy, Ka Lio, and Phoenix on a Saturday afternoon. The faded Lakeside hills framed the riding center as hawks called out and the pepper trees swayed. I loved horses growing up, but I had never been on a ranch. I didn’t

Read More ...

CITIES, COUNTY IN CROSSHAIRS BETWEEN FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS OVER AIDING MASS DEPORTATION OF IMMIGRANTS

Printer-friendly version  County approves tough migrant protections, but Sheriff says state laws should prevail;  El Cajon Council weighs city’s legal and moral obligations Update:  The letter sent by Mayor Wells to the Attorney General is now available here.The letter states that the City Council is considering a resolution declaring the city’s intent to “comply with federal immigration laws and assist

Read More ...

PASSAGES: SAN CARLOS RESIDENT AND WHEELCHAIR DANCER ISAAC WHITING DIES OF LONG COVID (1981-2024)

Printer-friendly versionBy Jonathan Goetz December 12, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) — Isaac Paul Whiting (January 27, 1981 – December 8, 2024), a San Carlos resident, died Sunday, from oxygen related issues following chronic asthma complications after contracting COVID in 2020. Whiting grew up in  East County. He started High School in Clairemont as a middle schooler and graduated from

Read More ...

EL CAJON POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES $70,000 GRANT TO FIGHT ALCOHOL-RELATED HARM

Printer-friendly versionEl Cajon Police Department receives $70,000 grant to fight alcohol-related harm from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Source:  City of El Cajon December 11, 2024 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon Police Department announces they have been awarded $70,000 grant from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to reduce alcohol-related harm in their community. “This grant

Read More ...

EL CAJON POLICE SHOOT SUSPECT WHO RAMMED VEHICLE, INJURING OFFICER

Printer-friendly versionUpdate December 12, 2024 — The suspect has died, San Diego Police have confirmed to ECM news partner 10 News.  Per protocol in officer-related shootings, SDPD is in charge of the investigation. East County News Service Photo via ECM news partner 10 News:  officers beside suspect’s vehicle, a black 4-door pickup truck December 11, 2024 (El Cajon) – During

Read More ...

CHP CLOSES I-8 EAST TO HIGH-PROFILE VEHICLES AMID HIGH WINDS

Printer-friendly versionDecember 10, 2024 (Alpine) —  California Highway Patrol has closed Interstate 8 eastbound, east of East Willows Road in Alpine is currently closed due to multiple overturned big rigs caused by high winds. There is no estimated time for re-opening. Expect significant delays and avoid the area if possible. View video: https://x.com/i/status/1866556789279559868  Santa Ana winds are forecast to continue

Read More ...

WIND-DRIVE FIRE IN BARRETT JUNCTION

Printer-friendly versionEast County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts Update December 11, 2024 — The fire is 70% contained at 38 acres. All evacuation notices have been lifted, per Cal Fire. Update 12:57 p.m.- All evacuation orders have been lifted, per Genasys. The fire is 10% contained. Update 12:15 p.m.  An Evacuation Order has been issued for Zone SDC-2605 and an Evacuation Warning

Read More ...

BOMB THREAT AT HARRAH’S IN VALLEY CENTER PROVES HOAX

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service File photo by Miriam Raftery   December 10, 2024 (Valley Center) — A bomb threat from an anonymous caller yesterday morning prompted a safety sweep at Harrah’s Resort Southern California on the Rincon tribe’s reservation in Valley Center. Resort staff found a backpack in an unauthorized area. After clearing that portion of the facility,  a joint

Read More ...

Teamsters strike at SDSU impacts traffic on I-8

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery   February 17, 2026 (San Diego) – Teamsters Local 2010 is holding a four-day unfair labor practice strike at 22 California State University campuses starting today, including San Diego State University and Cal State San Marcos.  Campuses remain open, however an alert sent by SDSU cautions that traffic along I-8 near campus is backed up; students

Read More ...

City Of San Diego abruptly ends longstanding media ID and parking placard program, raising new questions about access, accountability, and press rights

Printer-friendly version Source:  Sandiegoville February 26, 2026 (San Diego) – The City of San Diego has abruptly discontinued its Media Identification Card (Press Pass) Program and the blue parking placards that for decades helped local journalists cover breaking news safely and in real time. The change, effective February 13, is being framed by San Diego Police Department as an administrative modernization

Read More ...

The true State of the Union

Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr Screenshot: President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the Capitol during his State of the Union Speech “It is indeed a turnround for the ages,” President Donald Trump, 2026 February 27, 2026 (Washington, D.C.) — President Donald Trump gave his 2026 State of the Union address on Wednesday, touting the first year of his

Read More ...

U.S. and Israel attack Iran, reportedly kill Ayatollah Khamenei

Printer-friendly versionIran retaliates with strikes targeting U.S. military bases, Israel and civilian targets By Miriam Raftery Photo via U.S. Navy:  USS Abraham Lincon aircraft based in San Diego has been dispatched to the region February 28, 2026 (Tehran) – The U.S. and Israel today launched massive air strikes in Iran. President Donald Trump has said the operation aims to overturn

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