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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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NEW FIRES BREAK OUT IN RANCHO BERNARDO AND OCEANSIDE, I-5 CLOSED
Printer-friendly versionOctober 14 (12:30 p.m.) – Santa Ana winds are fueling new fires in several portions of San Diego County, forcing closure of several major highways and evacuations in the Rancho Bernardo, Oceanside, Fallbrook and Campo areas last night and today. Police have ordered evacuation of homes on the west side of a fire on a hillside at Camino del
FIRE NEAR CAMPO 50% CONTAINED, HWYS 94 AND 8 CLOSED, 400 EVACUATED
Printer-friendly versionOctober 13 (Campo) 9:30 a.m. — Three hundred homes have been ordered to evacuate due to a 100-acre wildfire that began at Highway 94 near Shockey Truck Trail. The blaze has burned 100 areas on both sides of 94 and is 50% contained. No structures have been lost. Evacuation centers have been established at at the Potrero Library and
4,000 FLEE FIRES IN PENDLETON, OCEANSIDE, FALLBROOK
Printer-friendly version Fire in North County. Photo by Corina Squires October 14 (Camp Pendleton) 12:10 p.m. – The third blaze in there weeks to strike Camp Pendleton has charred over 1,500 acres, forcing evacution of over 4,000 people from Oceanside as well as base housing. Some schools in Oceanside may be closed tomorrow, ECM has learned. The Juliet fire forced
SDG&E THREAT TO CUT POWER DURING FIRE DANGER SPARKS HEATED OUTCRY AMONG EAST COUNTY RESIDENTS
Printer-friendly versionLarge crowd likely at CPUC meeting Tuesday in San Diego By Miriam Raftery October 13, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) – Backcountry residents are reacting with shock, praise and outrage to a notice sent by San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) to 45,000 customers warning that power lines may be shut off when fire danger is high. With red
HIGH FIRE DANGER, SANTA ANA WINDS STARTING TONIGHT
Printer-friendly versionCAL Fire gears up with extra airpower, asks homeowners to take defensive steps; SDG&E may cut power in high-risk areas Story and photos by Miriam Raftery October 12, 2008 (El Cajon) – CAL Fire has issued a warning that the danger of wildfire is high due to forecasts of Santa Ana winds starting tonight combined with already hot, dry
Great Debates: Congressional Candidates Square Off
Printer-friendly version Duncan Hunter Mike Lumpkin 52nd Congressional district candidates face off in a series of five debates. Here’s your chance to learn first-hand where candidates stand–or even ask a question yourself! Former U.S. Navy Seal Commander Mike Lumpkin, a Democrat, battles ex-USMC Captain Duncan D. Hunter, Republican, and Libertarian Mike Benoit to replace retiring Congressman Duncan Hunter in debates
WATER, PACE OF DEVELOPMENT TOP CONCERNS IN CAMPO/LAKE MORENA PLANNING GROUP RACE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Lake Morena October 6, 2008 (Campo) – Concerns over the impacts of new and proposed major developments on water supplies and community character have divided community members in this rural region. Tensions ran high at a forum for Campo/Lake Morena Planning Group candidates held on September 29th, where community members posed tough questions for candidates on
CITY, COUNTY SEE SHIFTS TOWARD DEMOCRATIC COLUMN – OCT. 20 DEADLINE FOR VOTER REGISTRATION
Printer-friendly versionCountywide, new voter registrations have been running ten to one Democratic over Republican for the past several months, even in traditionally “red” conservative areas including Santee and El Cajon. According to an October 1, 2008 report issued by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, Democrats now outnumber Republicans by 249,338 to 189,012 in the City of San Diego,
A FIERY ARGUMENT
Printer-friendly versionFire Chief, City and County leaders debate pros and cons of fire tax By Miriam Raftery 2007 San Diego wildfires destroyed over 3,400 structures and killed 15 people (photo: La Mesa Fire Dept.) October 1, 2008 (SAN DIEGO) – “We have to stop turning to others to solve our problems,” said Ron Roberts, Chair of San Diego’s Board of
GREEN HOUSES
Printer-friendly versionASID Kitchen and Bath Tour Oct. 25 Features “Green” Kitchen on Mt. Helix By Miriam Raftery Recycled glass adds sparkle to natural slate backsplash October 11, 2008 (Mt. Helix) – A Mount Helix kitchen/great room featuring natural materials, solar screens and and energy-efficient features is among 11 kitchens featured on the 2008 Fall Kitchen Tour on October 25th. Sponsored
LA MESA CITY FEES WILL INCREASE NEARLY 25% IN 2025
Printer-friendly version By Michael Howard February 3, 2025 (La Mesa, CA) – The La Mesa City Council, during its Tuesday January 28, 2025 meeting, voted unanimously to increase city fees by 24.7%. “Some fee schedules are increasing higher than normal,” Assistant to the City Manager Lyn Dedmon admitted to the Council members when the increases were presented for
STATE PROPOSES RELEASE OF SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR GARY SNAVELY IN JULIAN: HEARING MARCH 7
Printer-friendly version East County News Service Update Feb. 4, 2025 — Supervisor Joel Anderson has launched a petition to oppose Snavely’s placement in Julian. You can sign his petition here. February 1, 2025 (Julian, CA) – San Diego County Superior Court has ordered the conditional release of Gary Snavely, a sexually violent predator (SVP) at 3452 Wynola Road in Julian.
EL CAJON WOMAN ARRESTED FOR SENDING DRUG-LACED MAIL TO LAS COLINAS DETENTION FACILITY IN SANTEE
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 31, 2025 – Annette Smith, 58, of El Cajon has been arrested on suspicion of mailing a narcotic-laced greeting card into a San Diego County Jail. In December 2024, deputies assigned to the Sheriff’s Mail Processing Center intercepted a greeting card intended for Alicia Abungan, 52, who is in custody at the Las Colinas
DEPUTY CHARGED OVER EXCESSIVE FORCE THAT SERIOUSLY INJURED MAN AWAITING TRIAL AND COVERING UP HIS ACTIONS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery January 31, 2025 (San Diego) — A two-count indictment was unsealed in federal court today charging San Diego Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremiah Manuyag Flores with violating the civil rights of a man in pretrial custody at the San Diego Central Courthouse. Flores is accused of using excessive force that caused a spinal cord injury, then writing a
EL CAJON ADDS BAGS AND RECEPTACLES FOR DOG WALKERS TO HELP KEEP CITY CLEAN
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photos by Robert Gehr January 31, 2025 (El Cajon) – After voting to repeal a long-unenforced ban on dog walking downtown, the city of El Cajon has installed “doggie pots” and poop disposal bags to help dog owners cleanup after their pets. Photos show receptacle near the waterscape outside the Magnolia performing
CITY LAUNCHES LA MESA FACADE AND PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM FOR FOURTH YEAR
Printer-friendly versionProgram assists local businesses with grants for property improvements Source: City of La Mesa January 31, 2025 (La Mesa) – The City of La Mesa is launching the La Mesa Façade and Property Improvement Grant program for a fourth consecutive year. This program aims to bolster local businesses by providing grant funds for up to $25,000 for exterior façade improvements
LEMON GROVE TO INTERVIEW 11 APPLICANTS FOR CITY COUNCIL VACANCY AT FEB. 4 MEETING
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery January 30, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – Eleven people have applied to fill a vacancy on the Lemon Grove City Council created when former Councilmember Alysson Snow won the mayoral election. The City Council will interview the applicants during the Feb.4 Council meeting at 6 p.m. at the Lemon Grove Community Center. View the full agenda
EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 30, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s round-up stories include: LOCAL Local businesses and nonprofits feeling the impact of federal immigration operations (KPBS) San Diego Fire Rescue Department tries out new fire prevention product (KPBS) Measuring
IN PACKED HEARING, EL CAJON COUNCIL VOTES 3-2 AGAINST CONTENTIOUS IMMIGRATION RESOLUTION
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery View video of full Council hearing (Immigration agenda item begins at 37 minutes.) January 29, 2025 – Emotions ran high during yesterday’s El Cajon City Council meeting, where a packed chamber heard testimony from 88 members of the public over a proposed over immigration enforcement resolution, followed by a heated Council debate that divided the all-Republican
COVERED CALIFORNIA REACHES RECORD-BREAKING 1.9M ENROLLEES BEFORE OPEN ENROLLMENT’S JANUARY 31 DEADLINE
Printer-friendly versionSource: Covered California Photo: nearly 300,000 Californians have signed up during open enrollment through Jan. 26 Janaury 29, 2025 (Sacramento) – Covered California has surpassed 1.9 million enrollees, bolstering its record-high enrollment before open enrollment’s Jan. 31 deadline for California’s remaining uninsured. This open enrollment, 299,060 Californians have signed up for 2025 coverage as of Jan. 26, a 13 percent increase
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