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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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Sponsorship Placement
WHY WON’T REP. ANDERSON DISCLOSE CORRESPONDENCE WITH MAJOR DONORS?
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery November 23, 2009 – After learning of the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) investigation into Assemblyman Joel Anderson ‘s finances and hearing that Anderson (R-Alpine) returned some $100,000 in donations of questionable legality, East County Magazine submitted a public records request to his office. We asked to see correspondence between Anderson, his staff, and major
VAQUEROS HAVE BIG SECOND HALF, CORRAL WILDCATS 35-10 IN FIRST ROUND OF PLAYOFFS
Printer-friendly version November 23, 2009 (Lakeside) – After an evenly played first half Friday night, the Vaqueros of El Capitan High School dominated the visiting Wildcats of Brawley High School in the second half en route to a 35-10 win. This was the first round of the CIF San Diego Section Division III playoffs. El Capitan entered the
EL CAJON DRUNK DRIVING VICTIM IDENTIFIED
Printer-friendly version November 23, 2009 (El Cajon) – The County Coroner’s office has identified Cydil Deann Kohlmeyer, 35, as the young mother who died from injuries sustained when she was hit by a Dodge pickup truck. Kohlmeyer was walking along Pepper Drive in El Cajon November 21 at 11:20 a.m. when she was struck by an allegedly drunk driver who fled
COUNTY RUNS OUT OF H1N1 FLU VACCINE
Printer-friendly version November 23, 2009 (San Diego) San Diego County Public Health Centers and Immunization Clinic have run out of flu vaccines. When a new shipment is received, details will be announced at the County’s H1N1 update page at: http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/Portal/flu/H1N1vaccine.html. Some private clinics, hospitals and medical offices have received their own shipments of vaccines; check with your medical provider on availability. Printer-friendly version
A PURR-FECT PAIR: INJURED CAT & KITTEN NEED NEW HOME–TOGETHER
Printer-friendly version Nov. 23, 2009 (El Cajon) – The County animal shelter seeks a good home for Juliet and Sweet Pea, a cat and kitten that have formed an inseparable bond while being nursed back to health from injuries. In late spring, a Good Samaritan rescued a severely injured cat lying in the roadway in Mission Valley and brought the
WITNESS DOUBTS STORY OF TEEN WHO CONFESSED TO KILLING BORDER PATROL AGENT ROSAS
Printer-friendly version November 22, 2009 (Campo) – Christopher Daniel Castro-Alvarez, 17, pled guilty in federal court Friday to charges of murdering Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas during a robbery. In court, he testified that he and others lured Rosas from his vehicle to rob him. But Britt Craig, who heard the fatal shots and spoke with Rosas shortly before the
FORUM REVEALS PLIGHT OF IMMIGRANTS FACING HOMELESSNESS IN REGION
Printer-friendly version By John Falchi November 22, 2009 (San Diego) — The Center for Social Advocacy (CSA), an El Cajon-based organization, held its “Homeless in Our Community, Homeless at Our Border” awareness event at the San Diego Woman’s Club on November 6th. The program focused on a long-overlooked and growing epidemic of homelessness prevalent in the County, also recounting the
JULIAN MAN DIES IN CRASH ON 78
Printer-friendly version Rees Boynton Skinner, 53, of Julian died November 20th from injuries sustained in a collision between two pickup trucks. According to the County Coroner’s office, Skinner was the driver and sole occupant of a pickup truck that was struck by another, out-of-control truck on Highway 78 near Ramona. Numerous witnesses stopped to render aid but were unable to
WOMAN ARRESTED IN LA MESA FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER; ALLEGEDLY STABBED BOYFRIEND WHILE CHILDREN OVERHEARD
Printer-friendly version November 21, 2009 (La Mesa) – Tomika Carey has been arrested and charged with the attempted murder of her boyfriend, Sergeant Hanson at the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Station has confirmed. On November 20th around 1:52 a.m., deputies responded to a call of a stabbing at an apartment complex in an unincorporated area of La Mesa. Parties at the
SHERIFF’S OFFICERS SHUT DOWN TRANSIENTS ENCAMPMENT IN LAKESIDE
Printer-friendly version CRITICS ASK WHY HOMELESS ARE TREATED LIKE CRIMINALS INSTEAD OF RECEIVING HELP November 21, 2009 (Lakeside) The Santee COPPS Unit, Santee Sheriff Crime Prevention and 50 community service workers provided through Cal-Trans started a large scale clean up of transient encampments in open space southeast of Old Highway 80 and Pecan Park Drive in Lakeside on November 12th.
Health and Science Highlights
March 4, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future….
U.S. issues worldwide caution, urges Americans in Middle East to depart immediately—but cancelled flights, closed airports make evacuation difficult
By Miriam Raftery March 4, 2026 (Washington D.C.) – Following the U.S. and Israeli military attacks on Iran and Iran’s retaliatory bombings in cities across…
U.S. issues worldwide caution, urges Americans in Middle East to depart immediately—but cancelled flights, closed airports make evacuation difficult
By Miriam Raftery March 4, 2026 (Washington D.C.) – Following the U.S. and Israeli military attacks on Iran and Iran’s retaliatory bombings in cities across…
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
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
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
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
East County Chamber honors leaders, organizations at 114th annual soiree
Printer-friendly versionSycuan Casino Resort hosted the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce’s 114th annual East County Honors Awards Gala over the weekend. Photos and story by Karen Pearlman March 2, 2026 (El Cajon) — More than 400 business and nonprofit leaders, community advocates and public officials gathered at Sycuan Casino Resort last Saturday for the 114th Annual East County
Casualties mount across Middle East; Trump says military conflict could last months, won’t rule out ground troops
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, in press conference today March 2, 2026 (San Diego) – The U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in Operation “Epic Fury” which began Saturday are believed to have killed 49 senior Iranian officials, including the Ayatollah Khomeini, according to the White House. The USS Abraham Lincoln and stealth bombers based
KNSJ community radio suffers catastrophic damage when winter storm topples its rented tower
Printer-friendly version Station is still streaming online, but restoring broadcast signal requires urgent funding for engineering, equipment, and a possible new site East County News Service February 28, 2026 (Descanso) – “The tower where KNSJ rented space since beginning broadcasting on July 4th, 2013, is now a crumpled pile of steel and cabling,” states a press release from KNSJ 89.1
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