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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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Lassos & Lace brings vintage clothing and horseshoe art to Julian
Printer-friendly version By Heidi Hope If you are visiting the Julian area or a Julian local in need of affordable clothing, you cannot miss Kimmi Branson’s store where you can access vintage clothing for reasonable pricing that never goes out of style. Branson started this business getting inspired by her husband. She recalls, “My husband asked me: “What
Levin concerned over possible I-5 closures amid live-fire reports at Camp Pendleton event
Printer-friendly versionBy Elizabeth Ireland, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: Camp Pendleton gate. (File photo courtesy of Camp Pendleton) October 16, 2025 (Camp Pendleton) – Rep. Mike Levin issued a statement Wednesday expressing concern over potential plans to close portions of Interstate 5 this weekend amid reports Navy ships will fire live ordnance over the freeway
Kaiser Permanente strike enters second day
Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow Photo via Alliance of Healthcare Unions October 15, 2025 (San Diego) — A five-day strike by health care workers at Kaiser Permanente facilities entered its second day Wednesday affecting three hospitals in San Diego County. The strike is part of a walkout statewide in California and Hawaii involving 31,000 members of the United Nurses Associations of
Trump administration rescinds Casa de Oro grant for Campo Road improvements
Printer-friendly versionEast County’s Casa de Oro, which was going to benefit from a demonstration project for Campo Road road improvements, saw a grant from the federal government rescinded. ECM photo Local residents and officials voice disappointment in decision By Karen Pearlman Oct. 14, 2025 (Casa de Oro) — Campo Road, one of San Diego County’s historic thoroughfares, was the unfortunate
Senator Jones’ sexually violent predator placement reform bill signed by Governor
Printer-friendly versionLegislation requires in-depth study on state-run transitional housing options East County News Service October 14, 2025 (Sacramento) — Today, Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) announced his Senate Bill 380 has been signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom and will take effect immediately. The bill directs the Department of State Hospitals to investigate placing sexually
Ramona woman killed, man injured when pickup struck pedestrians
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 14, 2025 (Ramona) – Ramona resident Ashley Rose Dietze, 35, died after being struck by a pickup truck while she was crossing the 700 block of Main Street (westbound highway 78) in Ramona on October 11 at 9:20 p.m. A 42-year-old male pedestrian was also hit and suffered major injuries. They were struck by
Jewish Family Service hosts drive-thru food distribution for government workers on Oct. 15
Printer-friendly versionPhoto courtesy Jewish Family Service East County News Services Oct. 14, 2025 (San Diego) — Jewish Family Service of San Diego has found another way to help those impacted by the United States federal government shutdown. The nonprofit that helps the entire community, along with The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, is hosting a
Fatal motorcycle crash in Julian kills Jamul man
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 14, 2025 (Julian) – A Jamul man, 49 died at the scene of a collision in Julian on October 12. He was driving a Yamaha R6 motorcycle that crossed a double yellow line, colliding head-on with a Chevrolet Silverado towing a travel trailer. The driver was ejected from the motorcycle and was pronounced dead
County offering two no-cost flu vaccination events this week
Printer-friendly versionLocations are in Spring Valley and San Diego By Anita Lightfoot, County of San Diego Communications Office October 14, 2025 (San Diego) – Cooler temperatures have arrived in San Diego, and influenza is already threatening to make this another rough flu season. The County is hosting two cost-free flu vaccine events in local communities. Up to 200 doses of flu
Every San Diego County-born baby has a scholarship in wait via CalKIDS
Printer-friendly versionPhoto courtesy CalKIDS East County News Service Oct. 14, 2025 (San Diego County) — California-born babies can getting an early start on saving and investing. Through the California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program, every baby born in the state of California on or after July 1, 2022, automatically has a scholarship waiting in their name,
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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