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

Breaking News

Explore What Matters

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

News Center

News Issues

Politics

Wildfires and Emergencies

Events & Arts

Visit East County

People

Communities

Features

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

Latest Stories

Sponsorship Placement

CAL COAST CARES FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATORS FOR INNOVATIVE CLASSROOM PROJECTS

Printer-friendly versionSource:  Cal Coast Cares Foundation December 9, 2024 (San Diego) – The Cal Coast Cares Foundation has awarded $75,000 in grants to local educators to support innovative STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Math) projects in San Diego and Riverside counties. This year’s awards will support 66 projects at local schools including 40 at Title I schools and six

Read More ...

SDG&E SHUTS OFF POWER DUE TO FIRE DANGER; MORE COMMUNITIES FACE POTENTIAL OUTAGES INCLUDING MOST OF EAST COUNTY

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery, East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts December 9, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – With a red flag warning in effect from the National Weather Service due to high fire danger today through Friday, SDG&E has begun public safety power shutoffs affecting 8,949 customers in Alpine, Boulevard, Campo, Descanso, Jacumba and Jamul. There are also unplanned

Read More ...

READER’S EDITORIAL: JIM MILLER’S COMMENTS DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY—OUR SCHOOL BOARD MUST ACT

Printer-friendly version  By Tom Varallo, Commander, U.S. Navy (retired)  Photo, left: CVUSD trustee Jim MIller December 9, 2024 (El Cajon) — As a citizen and former Special Education Local Planning Area (SELPA) Representative in the Cajon Valley Union School District, I am stunned by the recent comments made by Jim Miller, the current President of our School Board, on his

Read More ...

CITIZENS OVERSIGHT TO AUDIT “SPLIT TICKET” BALLOTS IN SWING STATES

Printer-friendly version  Audits to focus on “split ticket” swing states where Trump won while down-ballot Republicans lost; donations sought to support effort Hear our interview with Ray Lutz, originally aired on KNSJ Radio, on his election audit efforts and potential consequences File photo:  Ray Lutz, founder of Citizens Oversight Projects December 8, 2024 (El Cajon) — Citizens Oversight, a nonprofit

Read More ...

COUNTY PROVIDES REFURBISHED LAPTOPS TO FOSTER YOUTH

Printer-friendly version By Anita Lightfoot, County of San Diego Communications Office   Video by Suzanne Bartole   December 7, 2024 (San Diego) – Christmas arrived a little early on December 7 for some of the region’s foster youth and foster families. An annual pre-holiday laptop giveaway was held this morning by the County of San Diego and the Futures Foundation.  

Read More ...

UNIONS BRING HOLIDAY CHEER TO OVER 500 WORKING FAMILIES IN NEED AT ANNUAL FOOD & TOY DRIVE

Printer-friendly versionSan Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council Rallies Community Solidarity to Support Working Families Struggling to Make Ends Meet, Including Striking Workers East County News Service December 7, 2024 (San Diego) — Today, more than 350 San Diego County families received a holiday meal and toys at the United Labor Center in San Diego,  thanks to the generosity of

Read More ...

ANGRY PETE’S EXITS SANTEE LAKES

Printer-friendly version By Mike Allen December 6, 2024 (Santee) –Another concession vendor bites the dust at Santee Lakes No. 4. Angry Pete’s exercised its option not to renew its lease at the scenic decked outpost in the middle of the park last month,  then closed down its window effective Dec.1. On his Facebook page, Angry Pete’s owner Pete Harbison said

Read More ...

PUBLIC’S HELP SOUGHT TO IDENTIFY TRAIN VICTIM

Printer-friendly versionBy Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office   Photo:  the Medical Examiner’s Office is asking the public to help them identify this woman who died in August.   December 6, 2024 (San Diego) – The County Medical Examiner’s Office is asking if anyone recognizes the woman with the script tattoo depicted in a forensic rendering of

Read More ...

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

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 ...

Storm drops nearly 6 inches of rain at Cuyamaca, 3 inches of snow on Mt. Laguna with more forecast

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery February 19, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – A winter storm advisory remains in effect for San Diego’s mountain areas, with additional snow and rain forecast through early Friday morning. From Monday through Wednesday evening, the storm system dropped three inches of snow on Mt. Laguna, with snow even along Interstate 8 from Alpine east to the county

Read More ...

Cognitive decline disproportionately affects Black Americans–why this is happening and how you can help

Printer-friendly versionBy Kristen Romea, LCSW, Director of Supportive Services, and leaders of the Encanto 4th Thursday Caregivers Support Group: Linda Cochran-Johnson, Naomi Rogers-Bea, and Roberta Stokes   Photo courtesy Alzheimer’s San Diego   February 18, 2026 (San Diego) — Black History Month is a time to celebrate the culture and contributions of Black Americans. However, these celebrations are also an opportunity to examine the disparities many

Read More ...

San Diegans remember civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, 1941-2026

Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Image: Jesse Jackson addresses United Nations in 2012; US Mission Geneva. Creative Commons license 2.0 February 18, 2026 (San Diego) –San Diego leaders are praising the life and legacy of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader and protégé of Martin Luther King Jr., who died yesterday after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.   Rev. Shane Harris, a San Diego-based

Read More ...

More storms on the way, free sandbags available

Printer-friendly version By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office February 17, 2026 (San Diego) – With more and potentially heavy rains still forecasted this week, the County and CAL FIRE are providing free bags and/or sand at numerous fire stations for people who live in the unincorporated areas. Rain can cause flooding and erosion, particularly in areas that are not covered

Read More ...

Get Wildfire Alerts & Wildfire Emergency News

Stay ahead of emergencies with real-time notifications delivered directly to your inbox when seconds count.

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

Thanks To Our Major Sponsors

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

Reviews and Feedback