Thanks To Our Sponsors
Be a sponsor!
Breaking News
Explore What Matters
News Center
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
What East County Topic Matters Most to You?
Get East County Wildfire, Emergency Alerts
Latest Stories
Sponsorship Placement
POLITICS IN PARADISE: MEET YOUR LEGISLATORS FRIDAY AUG. 21
Printer-friendly version August 20, 2009 (El Cajon) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce invites members and the public to “Politics in Paradise”, an open forum with an opportunity to interact with your elected officials while they are in town during the Congressional and state legislative recesses. The event will be held Friday, August 21st at the Cuyamaca
SAN DIEGO SENIOR WOMEN BRING HOME THE GOLD FROM NATIONAL SENIOR GAMES AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Printer-friendly version They Shoot, they Score, they WIN the GOLD! San Diego’s SWBA Splash Returns Undefeated By Linda Cord August 19,, 2009 (San Diego) – It’s a slam dunk: the golden years are fun and filled with fitness challenges and triumphs for two San Diego women’s teams that scored victories to win gold medals, placing first in the nation at the
EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: MID-AUGUST 2009
Printer-friendly version East County Roundup highlights the best stories about East County issues found in other publications. August 19, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) TOP STORIES in the past month include: In the Dark About SDG&E’s Shutoff plan SDG&E Shutoff Plan to Affect 590 People on Life Support Borrego Plans to Sell Solar Fire Officials Prepare to Scale Back Operations Tax Sought By San Miguel Fire District Defeated Bioard of Supervisors Update Community Trails Master Plan Rancho Bernardo: Winery
EAST COUNTY WINE-MAKING COMES OF AGE
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photos by Leon Thompson and Miriam Raftery August 18, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Could East County someday rival Napa Valley as a prime winemaking locale? San Diego County has over 40 wineries, nearly all in the eastern regions. Bernardo Winery in Rancho Bernardo is the County’s oldest; Orfila in San Pasqual
MARKETING MATTERS: PLANNING FOR EFFECTIVE MARKETING PART 2 – THE WHO
Printer-friendly versionTIPS AND TRICKS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS AND GROWTH By Rama Beerfas August 18, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)—Last month, we started talking about how to plan for a successful marketing campaign. We looked at the “why” of the campaign – the ultimate goal to be achieved. If you didn’t see that article, you can read it now at
TEE OFF SEPT. 24 TO BENEFIT CAMP HOPE, HELP ABUSED CHILDREN
Printer-friendly version August 17, 2009 (La Mesa) — For the past 6 years, a golf tournament has been held to support Camp Hope, a 13-acre site at the base of Lake Sutherland in the foothills of Ramona. This camp is a summer place for physically and emotionally abused children. This year, the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce will host and
CAL FIRE DOUSES FIRE AT OLD HIGHWAY 80 IN EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly version August 17, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — At 2:41 pm firefighters from CAL FIRE responded to a vegetation fire located at Old Highway 80 and Live Oak Springs. In an attempt to rapidly extinguish these flames, firefighters utilized a joint effort with allied agencies to battle the blaze. It took 15 engine companies, 4 air tankers and
SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDS TO COMBAT BORDER VIOLENCE ANNOUNCED
Printer-friendly version August 16, 2009 (San Diego) — Sheriff William D. Gore announced this week that San Diego County will receive an additional $4.9 million in funding from Operation Stonegarden. This is an augmentation of the initial $8.8 million awarded to the region last month. The Operation Stonegarden grant enhances the capabilities of local law enforcement to coordinate with federal,
BOOK REVIEW: HOWARD DEAN’S PRESCRIPTION FOR REAL HEALTHCARE REFORM: HOW WE CAN ACHIEVE AFFORDABLE MEDICAL CARE FOR EVERY AMERICAN AND MAKE OUR JOBS SAFER
Printer-friendly version By Howard Dean, M.D. Chelsea Green Publishing Reviewed by Miriam Raftery The free market just doesn’t work in medicine. You can’t be an informed consumer. I never saw someone with severe chest pain jump off the table and say, Doctor, I’m going to the cheaper guy down the street.” — Howard Dean. M.D. , on a
EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH VIEJAS FIRE DEPT. TO SPONSOR FREE WILDFIRE & EMERGENCY ALERT SERVICE
Printer-friendly version August 13, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) –East County Magazine (www.eastcountymagazine.org) and Viejas Fire Department announce a partnership to improve wildfire and emergency notification for all San Diego County residents. “We are pleased to partner with the East County Magazine on the wildfire alerts,” said Viejas Fire Chief Don Butz (photo). “Viejas tribal members have worked on
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…
Get Wildfire Alerts & Wildfire Emergency News
Partner To ECM
Our Engaged Audience
5 to 10 million hits
per month!
5 to 10 million hits
per month!
A quarter million visits
each month
Most widely read news site dedicated to
San Diego’s East County
Winner of over 150
journalism awards
“Sponsoring East County Magazine is a great way to reach our loyal and engaged readers, who value organizations and businesses that support nonprofit, independent news in the public interest and wildfire/emergency alerts that keep people safe and informed. Sponsors can choose to underwrite our community news site, support a favorite section or a new special section, underwrite an event, or sponsor our wildfire and emergency alerts.”
— Miriam Raftery, Founder of East County Magazine
Community Links
Thanks To Our Major Sponsors
📬 Subscribe to ECM – 100% Free, Trusted by East County Since 2008
- Emergency alerts
- Breaking news
- No spam ever