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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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CHEAP CHIC: SAVOR A RESALE FASHION SHOPPING SPREE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery September 22, 2008 (LA MESA) – If your budget is tight amid today’s rising prices, take heart! A fun way to shrink your clothing budget without sacrificing style is to treat yourself to a shopping spree in a delightful East County resale shop. My personal favorite resale outlet is Act II, which has two stores in
ALPINE BUSINESS NETWORKING ASSOCATION LAUNCHED
Printer-friendly version September 30, 2008 (ALPINE) – More than 50 business owners gathered at the Liar’s Club restaurant in Alpine Aug. 21 to celebrate the launch of the Alpine Business Networking Association ABNA). “`Fun in marketing’ is the key phrase to describe this organization,” said Greg Fox, president of ABNA. “What we are about is promoting the personal interaction of
A PURR-FECT PLACE
Printer-friendly versionAt new Tiger Trails haven in Alpine, rescued tigers run, swim for first time By Miriam Raftery September 17, 2008 (ALPINE) – Q: What happens when you take four captive-bred tigers and turn them loose in a facility large enough for them to run freely for the first time? A: A cat-aclysmic event complete with romping, frolicking and caterwauling,
HEROES HELPING HEROES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery What can be more heartwarming than a tale of heroes banding together to help victims of two devastating tragedies—East County wildfires and the 9/11 terrorist attacks? On September 11th, the City of La Mesa held a memorial service honoring rescue workers and victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks. The event, held at the City’s 9/11 memorial
THE GREENING OF LA MESA – MAYOR ART MADRID SHARES HIS VISION
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Mayor Madrid (R) with Shane Shaw of E-Village Beneath solar panel display at “Sustain La Mesa” festival Crowds flocked to view cooking demonstrations on solar ovens, visit with solar energy experts, get tips on water-saving landscaping and more at Sustain La Mesa, the City’s first annual Environmental Awareness Festival on September 13th in Harry Griffith Park.
CANDIDATE FORUMS & BALLOT INITIATIVE PRESENTATIONS
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THE CITY OF LA MESA’S FIRST ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS FESTIVAL
Printer-friendly versionTHE CITY OF LA MESA’S FIRST ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS FESTIVAL La Mesa will conduct its First Annual Environmental Awareness “Sustain La Mesa” Festival on: Saturday, September 13, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. at Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden St. A total of 21 booths including education displays, light bulb exchange, recycling of non-hazardous materials, free shopping bags
Register to Vote!
Printer-friendly versionVoter registration drives are being held at several East County locations listed below. You must be registered by October 20th to vote in the November 4th presidential election. Registering in person means you don’t have to worry about forms getting lost in the mail or arriving too late. If you’re not yet registered, you can sign up at any
WATER SHORTAGE REVIVES RECYCLED WATER PROPOSALS
Printer-friendly versionBy E.A. Barrera Photos by Daisy Sharrock October 1, 2008 (SAN DIEGO) – Water is the single biggest issue facing the future of San Diego County. Even the process for updating San Diego County’s land use general plan – the so-called General Plan 2020 process – depends on the availability and amount of water the area will sustain. "Water
Health Tips
Printer-friendly version HUMAN WEST NILE VIRUS CASES REACH FIVE TOTAL SAN DIEGO August 18, 2008 — Another confirmed locally-acquired human case of West Nile virus (WNV) brings the year-to-date total to five—including one patient in East County, according to the County Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA). FDA DECISION ON BPA OUTRAGES HEALTH ADVOCATES FALLS CHURCH, Va., Aug 20, 2008
SNOW FALLING IN EAST COUNTY MOUNTAINS
Printer-friendly version Photo by Craig S. Maxwell today: Snow in Rancho Cuyamaca State Park January 27, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory idue to snow falling across San Diego’s mountain areas, with more snow possible tomorrow. Areas impacted in the winter weather advisory range from high desert communities such as
TROOPS ARRIVE AT BORDER AFTER TRUMP DECLARES BORDER EMERGENCY, AUTHORIZES MIGRANT SEIZURES IN SCHOOLS, CHURCHES AND HOSPITALS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photo: screenshot of aerial video by ECM news partner 10 News shows military troops with razor wire at a staging site in the South Bay, as troops prepare to deploy to fortify U.S. – Mexico Border and aid in Trump crackdown on border crossings. January 26, 2025 (San Diego) – A tough crackdown on immigrants
TRUMP BLOCKS FLIGHTS TO U.S. FOR APPROVED REFUGEES, INCLUDING U.S. MILITARY FAMILY MEMBERS AND AFGHANS WHO HELPED OUR TROOPS
Printer-friendly version Impact has left refugee aid groups locally and nationally in shock By Miriam Raftery Photo via Pentagon: Troops evacuating Afghans after fall of Kabul January 26, 2025 (San Diego) – Following an executive order issued by Donald Trump to suspend refugee resettlement, the Trump administration has cancelled all flights for over 10,000 refugees already approved to resettle in
CAL FIRE HOLDS BORDER 2 FIRE TO 6,625 ACRES AS RAIN AIDS EFFORTS, BUT MUDSLIDES ARE POSSIBLE RISK
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo courtesy of Cal Fire Update January 30,2025 10 a.m.– All evacuation orders have been lifted. The fire is 100% contained. Update January 29, 2025 9 a.m.– The Border 2 Fire is now 90% contained, as rain helped firefighters’ efforts. Cal Fire says there is no risk to the public or structure threats. Update January 27,
WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN OFFERS FREE HAVEN FOR BORDER FIRE EVACUEES AND PETS
Printer-friendly version East County News Service January 25, 2025 (Rancho San Diego, CA) — In light of the ongoing evacuations at the Border Fire, the Water Conservation Garden on the campus of Cuyamaca College is opening its grounds with free admission to evacuees and their pets. Free Wifi is available. “We hope The Garden can provide a peaceful escape, a
BORDER PATROL REPORTS RESCUE OF HIKER SHOT IN JACUMBA WILDERNESS BY SUSPECTED CARTEL MEMBERS
Printer-friendly version East County News Service Photos courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol January 25, 2025 (Jacumba Hot Springs, CA) – Two hikers in the Jacumba Wilderness were robbed and attacked, with one man shot by “suspected Mexican cartel terrorists,” according to a press release issued by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. According to the CPB, agents from the
SDG&E RESTORES POWER TO ALL CUSTOMERS AFTER HISTORIC WEATHER EXTREMES
Printer-friendly versionSource: SDG&E January 25, 2025 (SDG&E) – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) announced this evening that power has been fully restored to all customers affected by recent Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). Over 19,000 customers were impacted in dozens of local communities. These shutoffs were implemented as a wildfire prevention measure in response to unprecedented weather conditions that
EVACUATION AREAS EXPAND IN BORDER FIRE; EVACUATION CENTER AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE
Printer-friendly version Update January 25, 2025- The fire had modest growth overnight and is now 6,500 acres, per Cal Fire. Update 8:15 p.m.– Per CalTrans, State Route 94 is closed in both directions between Honey Springs Rd. in Jamul and State Route 188 (access road to Tecate) due to the fire. Update 5:55 p.m.– The fire is now 6,272.7 acres per
SCHOOLS CLOSE DUE TO FIRES AND POWER OUTAGES
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 24, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — The San Diego County Office of Education has announced numerous school closures today due to the Border 2 Fire as well as power outages. Power outages have resulted in closure of all Mountain Empire Unified School District and Warner Unified School district campuses today, as well as
EVACUATIONS ORDERED AS BORDER 2 FIRE BURNS THOUSANDS OF ACRES
Printer-friendly version Update 12 p.m.: Cal Fire has mapped the fire at 5,389 acres. It remains 10% contained. View laetst evacuation areas, whcih have expanded, here: https://app.watchduty.org/i/41110 By Miriam Raftery January 24, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The #Border2Fire has exploded overnight to 4,250 acres with 10% containment, Cal Fire reports this morning. Per San Diego County Sheriff, #Border2Fire. An
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