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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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EARLY VOTING LINES
Printer-friendly versionWhy does a County with 4,261 square miles have only 1 early voting place? Two San Diego Assemblymembers call for changes after ECM inquiry By Miriam Raftery Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña vowed to take action in Sacramento to require that San Diego have more early voting locations to avoid long lines in the future. November 2, 2008 (San Diego) —
GREEN HOUSES: DEL CERRO DESIGNER COOKS UP A GREEN KITCHEN
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery November 1, 2008 (Del Cerro) — “Clients will ask, `How can we go green and still make it beautiful? That’s really the trick,” observes designer Rick Fahmie of Kitchen Expo. Fahmie designed a green kitchen in his own Del Cerro home, using utilizing natural and eco-friendly materials as well as maximizing energy efficiency. “Granite is as
EAST COUNTY ROUND-UP – NOVEMBER
Printer-friendly versionLinks to top stories in other publications on East County issues POWERLINK GETS PUMMELED ECM Editor’s note: The CPUC decision leaves the door open for a southern route to be built, which would impact East County communities near the border, so stay tuned. Voice of San Diego (November 1, 2008) — San Diego Gas & Electric’s proposed $1.2 billion
FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE, CITIES & BOARDS TAKE STANDS ON PROP 8
Printer-friendly versionEvents planned this weekend by supporters and opponents of initiative to overturn same-sex marriage By Miriam Raftery Art Madrid, La Mesa Mayor November 1, 2008 (La Mesa) – La Mesa’s City Council voted unanimously to take a neutral stance on Proposition 8, drawing applause from most of the crowd assembled at council chambers last week. “The city of La
A CONSERVATIVE AGAINST PROP. 8!
Printer-friendly versionBy the Rev. Michael C. Boblett Editor’s Note: Proposition 8 seeks to overturn the legality of same-sex marriages in California. I believe that Proposition 8 is a perfect example of an important fault line dividing the conservative movement in America today. On one side of this line are people like me, fiscal conservatives who prefer a government that does
HUNGRY IN EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly versionStory and photos by Gayle Early November 1, 2008 (La Mesa/Spring Valley) – It’s 7:00 a.m., third Saturday of the month. The line behind Crosspointe Life Church in La Mesa snakes through the parking lot and all the way down the alley. Feeding America, a nonprofit agency formerly known as Second Harvest, has dropped off its monthly food distribution
EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE’S EDITORS AND WRITERS SWEEP SAN DIEGO PRESS CLUB AWARDS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 22, 2008 (San Diego) – Q: Who are those grinning people posing with San Diego State University icon Monty Montezuma at the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park? A: East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery and consulting editor Jamie Reno, who collectively received 14 awards in San Diego Press Club’s 2008 Excellence in Journalism competition.
GET HIGH ON GREEN ROOFS AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE ON NOV 8
Printer-friendly versionBy Gayle Lynn Falkenthal, APR November 1, 2008 – A roof may seem like just a roof to you. But to Jim Mumford of Good Earth Plant Company, a roof is one big pot for plants. His imagination and vision have made him San Diego’s “green roof guru.” Mumford will share his expertise on green roofs in an upcoming
CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES ADDRESS ECONOMY, WAR, WILDFIRE AND OTHER ISSUES IMPACTING EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly versionBy Joseph Rocha Duncan Hunter Mike Lumpkin October 28, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) – For better or for worse, come November 4th, the 27-year stronghold on the 52nd Congressional seat will be released. Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter is retiring. Now, East County finds itself under siege in one of the hottest Congressional races of the season as
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON? LEGACY OF DUNCAN HUNTER, SR. AT ISSUE IN CONGRESSIONAL RACE — AND THE RECORD MAY SURPRISE YOU
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 28, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) – Duncan Duane Hunter seeks to capture the 52nd Congressional seat being vacated by his father, 27-year Congressman Duncan Hunter. He has voiced support for his father’s voting record yet chided his principal opponent, Michael Lumpkin, for claiming that the Hunter family seeks a monarchy-like transfer of power. The
LEMON GROVE NONPROFITS UNITE FOR LOS ANGELES FIRE RELIEF FUNDRAISER
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 10, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – On Saturday, February 1, the spirit of community and compassion was on full display as Lemon Grove nonprofit organizations joined forces at Treganza Park for a heartfelt fundraiser supporting fire relief efforts in Los Angeles. Over $2,100 was raised, according to a press release from organizers. With little time to
TRUMP AIMS TO DISMANTLE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Printer-friendly version Major funding for schools nationwide is at stake By G.A. McNeeley February 10, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – The Trump administration has begun drafting an executive order that would begin the process of eliminating the Department of Education, CNN reports. This order would instruct the Secretary of Education to create a plan to diminish the department through executive
MAYOR WELLS BRINGS IMMIGRATION MEASURE BACK FOR NEW VOTE TUESDAY
Printer-friendly versionPhoto: Councilman Steve Goble is the likely swing vote when the El Cajon City Council reconsiders an amended version of a controversial immigration measure on Feb. 11. By Miriam Raftery February 10, 2025 (El Cajon) – A controversial measure to allow El Cajon Police officers to cooperate with federal immigration authorities is back on tomorrow’s agenda. The newly revised
PLACEMENT OF SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR IN JULIAN HALTED BY HOMEOWNER
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 9, 2025 (Julian) – The proposed supervised placement of sexually violent predator Gary Snavely at a home on Wynola Road in Julian has been cancelled, CBS 8 reports, after the homeowner withdrew the property from consideration. The homeowner, who asked to remain anonymous, told CBS 8 that she never gave approval to Liberty Healthcare,
COMMUNITY INPUT SOUGHT ON PROPOSED PARK IN JAMUL
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 9, 2025 (Jamul) — The Jamul-Dulzura Planning Group is seeking funds from San Diego County’s Department of Public Works to develop a community park in Jamul. While exploring potential locations for the park, the Planning Group has launched a survey asking community members what features they would like to see in the new community
JAMUL-DULZURA COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP SEEKS CREATIVE MINDS TO DESIGN NEW LOGO
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo: one of the ideas for the new logo February 9, 2025 (Jamul) – The Jamul-Dulzura Community Planning Group (JDCPG) is seeking creative minds to design its new logo, offering local artists and designers a chance to leave their mark on this vital East County organization. The planning group, which serves as a
ATTORNEY GENERAL BONTA FILING SAYS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS NOT COMPLYING WITH COURT ORDER TO UNFREEZE CERTAIN FEDERAL FUNDING
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 9, 2025 (Oakland, CA) – Last week, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting the Trump administration from carrying out a spending freeze. “Each day that the pause continues to ripple across the country is an additional day that Americans are being denied access to programs that heal them, house them, and
FEATURE SPEAKERS FROM NY LIBERTY AND SD PADRES DISCUSS EMPOWERING WOMEN IN SPORTS
Printer-friendly versionSource: AAUW February 9, 2025 (La Mesa/El Cajon) – March 8, 2025, is the La Mesa-El Cajon Branch of the American Association of University Women’s monthly meeting featuring Hannah Plackowski (left), Account Executive from the San Diego Padres and Sarah Cloutier, Executive Assistant to the CEO of the New York Liberty discussing empowering women in sports. From the Bay Area, Hannah
TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER ISSUED AGAINST MAN WITH CO2 GUN AFTER LOCKDOWN AT HILLSDALE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Printer-friendly version East County News Service February 7, 2025 (Rancho San Diego) – Hillsdale Middle School on Brabham Street in Rancho San Diego was placed on lockdown for about 15 minutes due to a call reporting a man with what appeared to be a gun in front the school shortly before 3:30 p.m. yesterday. Deputies from the Rancho San Diego
SENATOR BRIAN JONES INTRODUCES BILL TO END EARLY RELEASE OF VIOLENT SEX OFFENDERS AND MURDERS
Printer-friendly version East County News Service February 6, 2025 (Sacramento, CA) — Today, Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) introduced Senate Bill 286, which will close what he calls a “dangerous loophole” in California’s Elderly Parole program that allows violent sex offenders and murderers as young as age 50 to be released early. Click here to read the
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