Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Give Journalism
Visit our Donors Hall of Fame

Thanks To Our Sponsors

Be a sponsor!

Breaking News

AB 1959 moves along, inspired by 2001 school shooting at Santana

AB 1959 moves along, inspired by 2001 school shooting at Santana

Historic landmark to anchor new travel center in Jamul

Historic landmark to anchor new travel center in Jamul

New leadership at County Dept. of Animal Services

New leadership at County Dept. of Animal Services

Two dead from Shelter Valley collision

Two dead from Shelter Valley collision

East County Magazine

Explore What Matters

Stay informed on the issues that shape East County. From local news and emergency alerts, to community celebrations

News Center

View More →

Subscribe

News Issues

View More →

Subscribe

Politics

View More →

Subscribe

Wildfires and Emergencies

View More →

Subscribe

Events & Arts

View More →

Subscribe

Visit East County

View More →

Subscribe

People

View More →

Subscribe

Communities

View More →

Subscribe

Features

View More →

Subscribe

What East County Topic Matters Most to You?

Visit East County
News Center
Issues
Wildfire News
Events & Arts

Get East County Wildfire, Emergency Alerts

Critical wildfire and emergency notifications delivered instantly.Join Neighbors who stay informed and prepared with our award winning Journalist
Stay Safe! - Get free East County wildfire and emergency Alert
Stay Informed! - Get East County Magazine Free E-newsletter

Latest Stories

View All Stories →

Sponsorship Placement

Teamsters strike at SDSU impacts traffic on I-8

March 3, 2026

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery   February 17, 2026 (San Diego) – Teamsters Local 2010 is holding a four-day unfair labor practice strike at 22 California State University campuses starting today, including San Diego State University and Cal State San Marcos.  Campuses remain open, however an alert sent by SDSU cautions that traffic along I-8 near campus is backed up; students

Read More ...

City Of San Diego abruptly ends longstanding media ID and parking placard program, raising new questions about access, accountability, and press rights

March 3, 2026

Printer-friendly version Source:  Sandiegoville February 26, 2026 (San Diego) – The City of San Diego has abruptly discontinued its Media Identification Card (Press Pass) Program and the blue parking placards that for decades helped local journalists cover breaking news safely and in real time. The change, effective February 13, is being framed by San Diego Police Department as an administrative modernization

Read More ...

The true State of the Union

March 3, 2026

Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr Screenshot: President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the Capitol during his State of the Union Speech “It is indeed a turnround for the ages,” President Donald Trump, 2026 February 27, 2026 (Washington, D.C.) — President Donald Trump gave his 2026 State of the Union address on Wednesday, touting the first year of his

Read More ...

U.S. and Israel attack Iran, reportedly kill Ayatollah Khamenei

March 3, 2026

Printer-friendly versionIran retaliates with strikes targeting U.S. military bases, Israel and civilian targets By Miriam Raftery Photo via U.S. Navy:  USS Abraham Lincon aircraft based in San Diego has been dispatched to the region February 28, 2026 (Tehran) – The U.S. and Israel today launched massive air strikes in Iran. President Donald Trump has said the operation aims to overturn

Read More ...

East County Chamber honors leaders, organizations at 114th annual soiree

March 3, 2026

Printer-friendly versionSycuan Casino Resort hosted the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce’s 114th annual East County Honors Awards Gala over the weekend. Photos and story by Karen Pearlman March 2, 2026 (El Cajon) — More than 400 business and nonprofit leaders, community advocates and public officials gathered at Sycuan Casino Resort last Saturday for the 114th Annual East County

Read More ...

Casualties mount across Middle East; Trump says military conflict could last months, won’t rule out ground troops

March 3, 2026

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, in press conference today March 2, 2026 (San Diego) – The U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in Operation “Epic Fury” which began Saturday are believed to have killed 49 senior Iranian officials, including the Ayatollah Khomeini, according to the White House. The USS Abraham Lincoln and stealth bombers based

Read More ...

Motorcyclist dies in Descanso

February 21, 2026

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 21, 2026 (Descanso) – A man killed in a solo motorcycle crash in Descanso on February 8 has been identified as Fernando Omar Herrera, 39, of San Diego. The motorcycle he was driving veered off the roadway on Viejas Blvd. at Merigan Fire Rd. and struck a wire fence around 11:05 p.m.  Responding paramedics

Read More ...

And the survey says… County Supervisors looking for input

February 20, 2026

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Feb. 20, 2026 (San Diego County) — There’s one week left to tell San Diego County officials what you want to see, including ways they can better pull back the proverbial curtain on local government. With a comprehensive survey launched earlier this year, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors — Paloma Aguirre (District 1), Joel Anderson (D2), Terra Lawson-Remer

Read More ...

U.S. Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s tariffs. Here’s how they’ve affected California

February 20, 2026

Printer-friendly version By Levi Sumagaysay, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo:  The cellar room of Tablas Creek Vineyard in Paso Robles on July 30, 2025. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local February 20, 2026 (Sacramento) – In a major blow against President Donald Trump, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday that he does not have the authority

Read More ...

Get Wildfire Alerts & Wildfire Emergency News

Stay ahead of emergencies with real-time notifications delivered directly to your inbox when seconds count.
Donate
Give Monthly
Subscribe for Newsletter

Partner To ECM

Connect with East County’s most informed and engaged community. Our readers trust ECM for critical news and actively support local businesses.

Our Engaged Audience

Unique Visitors

5 to 10 million hits

per month!

Number of Visitors
0

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

Business Associations
Community Organizations
County and City Governments
East County Sports(link is external)
Immigration and Citizenship
Media Resources
Neighborhoods
Parks and Environmental Resources
Police and Sheriff Contacts
Senior Services
Traffic Links
Utilities
Veterans & Military
Visitors & Tourism
Webcams in East County & San Diego's Eastern Region
Wildfire Information
Youth Resources
Subscribe for Free
Book A Sponsorship

Thanks To Our Major Sponsors

📬 Subscribe to ECM – 100% Free, Trusted by East County Since 2008

Donate
Subscribe For Free
  • Emergency alerts
  • Breaking news
  • No spam ever

Reviews and Feedback

“I believe in investigative journalism, but it’s under attack right now...When corporations are only interested in the bottom line, they’re going to cut investigative journalism…The good news is the rise of online nonprofit journalism organizations like East County Magazine.”
JW August, former news director, ABC 10 News
“Very cool…This magazine is filling a real void!”
Jamie Reno, award-winning Newsweek journalist
You guys are fast! Often I get your alerts before I hear from dispatch. I forward many of your Viejas Wildfire & Emergency alerts to all our people.”
August Ghio, former President, San Diego County Fire Chiefs Association
“As I write this letter, a 2,000 acre wildfire is burning in the Julian/Borrego area. East County Magazine and the Wildfire Alerts have provided by far the most extensive and timely coverage on evacuations, road closures and progress of this fire, as they have on many emergencies.”
Anthony Pico, former chairman, Viejas band of the Kumeyaay Nation
“This is a FANTASTIC resource for those of us in the East County. . . Well done!”
Carole Kennedy, former president, California Faculty Association, SDSU
“I respect the work that you’re doing with the East County Magazine.”
Doug Dean, former San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce Education Chair (you can delete the second title)
“Thankfully for East County, we no longer have to depend on the networks to provide our only news and views. At last, our region has a voice—East County Magazine. As a nonprofit, nonpartisan media outlet, East County Magazine is not beholden to corporate or special interests."
Laura Cyphert, East County Community Action Coalition (ECCAC)
“It is with great joy and community pride that the readers of Indian Voices greet the inaugural edition of the East County Magazine...We owe a debt of journalistic gratitude to Miriam Raftery for taking a leading role in the media explosion by creating and providing an online medium for a community that needs a voice.”
Rose Davis, Indian Voices
“Wow!! I LOVE you guys!! That was just an awesome article. Very thorough and a very easy read!! Too cool for school Miriam!!
Mike Cully, former CEO, San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce
I think you are off and running. I'm looking forward to being there when you pick up your Pulitzer.”
Robert Lundahl, Robert Lundahl Films
“You were the first ones to let me know about the plane crash [off I-15 near Miramar]. I was in Sacramento.”
Former Assembly member Marty Block