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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

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Sponsorship Placement

Long-time El Cajon City Councilman Gary Kendrick denounces Republican Party, switches affiliation to Democrat

February 9, 2026

Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow February 9, 2026 (El Cajon) – El Cajon City Councilman Gary Kendrick, a life-long Republican, announced Monday that he is switching his party affiliation and joining the Democratic Party. Kendrick made the declaration at a news conference in front of El Cajon City Hall surrounded by supporters and Democratic Party officials. He cited the city’s

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After Minneapolis killings by federal agents, El Cajon residents rally as Councilman Kendrick speaks out

February 8, 2026

Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J Schorr Councilmember Gary Kendrick addresses crowd in El Cajon February 8, 2026 (El Cajon) — An El Cajon Council meeting has once again set the stage for heightened tensions between the public and elected officials over the federal government’s crackdown on immigrants the violence committed by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE). At a rally outside before last

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Plane lands on freeway in Lakeside

February 7, 2026

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo via CalTrans camera February 7,2026 (Lakeside) — A small plane has made an emergency landing on State Route 67 south in Lakeside at Winter Gardens Blvd., Cal Trans reports. Traffic is backed up to Mapleview, with the plane blocking the right lane and shoulder. A SIG alert has been issued.   No cause of

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With measles at Disneyland and LAX, San Diego County urges residents to update vaccines: some adults may need boosters

February 7, 2026

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo: Child with measles, via CDC (public domain) February 7, 2026 (San Diego) – Measles, declared eradicated in the U.S. in 2000, has made a comeback, with 2,267 cases last year—nearly all in unvaccinated people. So far this year, 588 cases are confirmed so far—including Los Angeles County. An international traveler with measles visited crowded venues

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Sheriff’s deputies to conduct increased Super Bowl DUI Patrols on Sunday

February 6, 2026

Printer-friendly versionSource:  San Diego County Sheriff February 6, 2026 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office will be keeping our roadways safe this Super Bowl Sunday by looking for impaired drivers. Look for increased impaired driving patrols beginning on Sunday, February 8 at 3:00 p.m. and lasting through 5:00 a.m. the following day.   In 2025, 7,394 people were arrested

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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

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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

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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

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“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
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Carole Kennedy, former president, California Faculty Association, SDSU
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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
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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