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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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ANDERSON TO OWE $20,000 FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE VIOLATIONS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery December 3, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – California’s Fair Political Practices commission staff has recommended that Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) pay a $20,000 fine for collecting campaign donations that violated state law. Anderson has already refunded around $150,000 in donations made by non-local Republican Central Committees that funneled money received from major donors
“HOMETOWN HERO” & NASCAR CHAMPION JIMMIE JOHNSON DONATES $500,000 TO LOCAL SCHOOLS
Printer-friendly version December 2, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Jimmie Johnson, the first driver in history to win four consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup titles, has donated half a million dollars to local schools. Johnson made several local appearances this week, including an event honoring him in Santee hosted by Lowe’s Tuesday night. “We are most proud of you,”
SALAS DONATES $6,000 TO VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS
Printer-friendly version December 2, 2009 (San Diego)–Assemblymember Mary Salas (D-Chula Vista) raised $6000 with proceeds from her annual Veteran of the Year Luncheon. In early November she presented the California State Military Museum Foundation and the Purple Heart Memorial Fund with checks for $3000 each. “Not only is it important to recognize the Veterans themselves with events such as the Veteran
November Capitol Report: How They Voted
Printer-friendly versionNovember 29, 2009 (Washington and Sacramento) – Do you know how your Congressional and State Legislative representatives voted on important recent bills? Find out here! For more information on these and other bills, visit www.vote-smart.org, www.govtrack.us, www.opencongress.org and www.aroundthecapitol.com. FEDERAL BILLS & VOTES (CONGRESS) H.R. 3548: WORKER, HOMEOWNER AND BUSINESS ASSISTANCE ACT Status: Signed into law by President Obama
LOCAL ANTI-WAR PROTESTS PLANNED TONIGHT IN RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT’S ESCALATION OF AFGHANISTAN WAR
Printer-friendly version Rep. Hunter supports greater troop escalation than President seeks to deploy December 2, 2009 – Local peace activists are staging rallies to protest President Obama’s announcement yesterday to increase troops in Afghanistan. Organizers say that funds would be better spent to address serious domestic issues, such as the healthcare crisis, unemployment, and more. San Diego Coalition
BOOK REVIEW: SAN DIEGO BAY: A CALL FOR CONSERVATION
Printer-friendly version San Diego Bay: A Call for Conservation By the Students at Jacobs High Tech High. Foreword by E. O. Wilson. Preface by Jane Goodall. University of California San Diego Sea Grant Program. San Diego. 2009. Paperback. Illustrated. 344 pages. $24.95. Distributed by Sunbelt Publications, El Cajon, CA. Reviewed by Walter Hall Part history, part politics,
CUYAMACA COLLEGE NAMES NEW PRESIDENT
Printer-friendly version Pennsylvania community college leader Stuart Savin is unanimous choice December 1, 2009 (El Caj on)– The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board has unanimously approved appointment of Dr. Stuart J. Savin as Cuyamaca College president, effective April 12, 2010. Savin, who, for the last three years, has been the chief executive officer of Harrisburg Area Community
DON’T GET TOWED! PARKING REMINDERS FOR DOWNTOWN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly version December 1, 2009 (El Cajon) –When visiting the East County Regional Center and Superior Court House, downtown businesses ask for your support in parking in the appropriate designated parking areas as shown on the map link below.The City asks for public cooperation during construction of the new Public Safety Center. There are two parking lots available
CONTROLLED BURN ON PALOMAR MOUNTAIN STARTS DEC. 1
Printer-friendly version November 30, 2009 (Palomar) –The Cleveland National Forest will be conducting pile burning throughout this week on Palomar Mountain beginning tomorrow, December 1st. Smoke will be visible throughout the week. The burning will be conducted at Fry Creek Campground to remove fuels that have been gathered as a part of a fuel reduction project that has been
GAME OF THE WEEK: HIGHLANDERS UPSET NORSEMEN, ADVANCE TO SEMIFINALS
Printer-friendly version by Christopher Mohr (RANCHO SAN DIEGO) November 27 – That’s why they play the game. Such a statement is typical after a game like Friday night’s playoff matchup between the visiting Highlanders of Helix High School and the host Norsemen of Valhalla High School. As fans and self-proclaimed experts, we often play the game on paper, giving
San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce hosts 114th annual East County Honors Awards gala
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 27, 2026 (El Cajon) — On Saturday, February 28, the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the 114th anniversary of its annual East County Honors event at Sycuan Casino Resort at 5 p.m. Since 1912, the Chamber has held the tradition of swearing in the new Chamber Board of Directors and recognizing
City of San Diego leaders moving toward safety overhaul on Jackson Drive, other streets
Printer-friendly versionA memorial of bouquets of flowers, stuffed animals, notes and religious candles for the children who were hit by a car, with one killed, at the site of an October accident on Jackson Drive. The city of San Diego continues to make changes for safety. Photo by Karen Pearlman By Karen Pearlman Feb. 27, 2026 (San Carlos) — The
“ICE Out” rallies Feb. 28 at Home Depot stores across San Diego County
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 27, 2026 – Community members and local civic advocacy groups will rally at over a dozen Home Depot locations across San Diego County on Saturday, February 28, including three East County locations, calling on the company to condemn ICE activities at their properties, and stop immigration enforcement actions at these and all locations. Organizers say ICE agents have
Reader’s Editorial: Cajon Valley’s compensation vote raises questions about priorities
Printer-friendly versionBy Alex Welling February 26, 2026 (El Cajon) — Last week, the Cajon Valley Union School District Board of Trustees voted to increase its monthly compensation from $630 to $2,000 — the maximum amount permitted under state law for a district of its size. That figure does not include their taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits. Several months ago, district educators
El Cajon Mayor Wells and city leaders outline achievements and goals during State of City address
By Kevin A. Green Miriam Raftery contributed to this report Photos via elcajon.gov The mayor and city officials outline planned actions to benefit the community…
Jeep thefts surge in La Mesa: Thieves using fob hacking to target autos
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Feb. 26, 2026 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa Police Department is sounding the alarm to the community about rising thefts of recent models of Jeeps. The police department shares that residents in La Mesa as well as surrounding East County neighborhoods need to be informed of a sophisticated spike in vehicle thefts targeting high-end,
Donating blood in March could save YOUR life, too
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Feb. 26, 2026 (San Diego County) — The American Red Cross is turning a routine blood donation into a lifesaving health diagnostic in March. Amid a severe national blood shortage which saw supply levels plummet by 35% in early 2026 due to winter blizzards and a heavy flu season the organization is offering a dual
Postcards sent to registered voters for June gubernatorial primary
Printer-friendly versionBy Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office February 26, 2026 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Registrar of Voters office has mailed more than two million postcards to the County’s registered voters, outlining voting options for the June 2 Gubernatorial Primary Election. Every active registered voter will receive a ballot by mail and can return it in one of three
New leader at East County EDC in Matt Sanford
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Feb. 26, 2026 (El Cajon) — The East County Economic Development Council has named Matt Sanford as its new President and CEO, with plans coming for a new chapter as the region’s economic growth continues Following a competitive nationwide search that drew more than 300 applicants, Sanford was selected to succeed James Sly, who departed late last year to
After Supreme Court overturns some of Trump’s tariffs, Democrats push for refunds to U.S. businesses
By G. A. McNeeley Image created with ChatGPT February 24, 2026 (Washington D.C.) — Three Senate Democrats released legislation on Monday, February 23 that would…
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