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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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NATIONAL DAY OF PROTEST SATURDAY TO SAVE AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
Printer-friendly versionMultiple weekly protests are also planned against Trump, Musk and Issa, including in East County East County News Service April 2, 2025 (San Diego) – A coalition of over 100 organizations are joining together for “Hands Off!” rallies nationwide to stand up against the “destruction of our government and our economy for the benefit of Trump and his billionaire
PROTEST OUTSIDE EL CAJON CITY HALL OVER IMMIGRATION RAIDS
Printer-friendly versionLatino and labor groups submit records request on communications between city, ICE and federal officials By Miriam Raftery View video of the press conference April 2, 2025 (El Cajon) – A coalition of advocacy groups and El Cajon residents held a press conference today outside El Cajon City Hall to denounce the March 27 immigration raid on a painting
CITY OF EL CAJON ANNOUNCES NEW ONLINE GOALS DASHBOARD
Printer-friendly versionSource: City of El Cajon April 1, 2025 (El Cajon) – The City of El Cajon is excited to announce the launch of a new online dashboard, providing residents with real-time updates on the progress of the City Council’s 2025 Action Plan. This innovative tool offers transparency and insight into the City’s priorities and ongoing initiatives. Residents can explore the
TWO SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICERS IDENTIFIED IN FATAL SHOOTING
Printer-friendly versionSWAT officers fatally shot 59-year-old man holding pest control worker at gunpoint By G. A. McNeeley April 1, 2025 (Miramar Ranch) — On March 25, at about 12:09 p.m., San Diego Police Department (SDPD) officers responded to a report of a man pointing a handgun at construction workers and then at a pest control officer in the
PADRE DAM DIRECTORS SPEAK IN ALPINE ON RATES, FIREFIGHTING AND WATER SAFETY
Printer-friendly versionStory and photos by Karen Pearlman Photo: Padre Dam Municipal Water District board members Kim Hales (who represents Alpine) and Suzanne Till share information with ratepayers on Sunday afternoon, March 30, at The Alpine Club. April 1, 2025 (Alpine) – Just a few days before San Diego County Water Authority will give presentation to the Padre Dam Municipal Water District
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SUSPENDS SOME STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT PLANS
Printer-friendly version Some borrowers will have to pay more By G. A. McNeeley April 1, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — Some student loan borrowers are seeing their payment plans get suspended, which means their payments are rising. This has to do with changes at the Education Department implemented by President Donald Trump’s Administration. Approximately 43 million Americans have some
CA CLIMATE CREDIT TO OFFSET SDG&E CUSTOMERS’ GAS & ELECTRIC BILLS BY AS MUCH AS $136 IN APRIL
Printer-friendly versionResidential customers will receive the first two installments of bill credits this month; electric and gas-bill credits total more than $200 per household for 2025. Source: SDG&E March 31, 2025 (San Diego) – San Diego Gas & Electric® residential customers will get a break on their energy bill, thanks to the California Climate Credit administered by the California Public
DETECTIVES INVESTIGATING DEATH OF TODDLER IN LAKESIDE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery March 30, 2025 (Lakeside) – Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call reporting that a toddler was not breathing last night at 8:53 p.m. in the11600 block of Camino Del Tierra, Lakeside. “Deputies from the Lakeside substation and paramedics from the Lakeside Fire Department arrived and performed life saving measures on the toddler,” says Lieutenant Patrick Fox.
TOWN HALL APRIL 9 ON PROPOSED BATTERY STORAGE FACILITY IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery March 29, 2025 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Councilmember Laura Lothian will host a town hall community discussion on a battery storage facility proposed on El Paso St. The town hall will take place Wednesday, April 9 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Brew Coffee Spot, 6101 Lake Murray Blvd. Heartland Fire Chief Brent Koch, Heartland
PINCH-HITTER SMACKS HOMER TO HELP PADRES WIN SEASON OPENER
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman Photos courtesy of San Diego Padres Photo, left: Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. rounds first base with first base coach David Macias giving him marching orders. March 28, 2025 (San Diego) — Sunshine-filled Petco Park was sold out for Opening Day of the San Diego Padres 2025 season on Thursday afternoon, where fans were treated
Felon arrested in Spring Valley on drug and weapons charges
East County News Service February 6, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Shortly before 1:30 a.m. yesterday, Sheriff’s deputies from the Rancho San Diego station found a…
Trump administration’s new version of food pyramid draws criticism from health experts on fats and alcohol, praise for advice to “eat real foods” and avoid processed products
Printer-friendly versionBy G. A. McNeeley February 6, 2026 (Washington D.C.) — Health and Human Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last month announced new dietary guidelines for Americans that are focused on promoting whole foods, proteins and healthy fats, according to NPR. Health and nutrition experts have praised portions of the new guidelines, but sharply criticized other changes as lacking a scientific
Supreme Court allows Prop 50 redistricting, bringing major shifts in representation for East County voters
Printer-friendly versionWhich district will you be in for the upcoming elections? By Miriam Raftery Photo: Rep. Darrell Issa’s once-safe seat is now vulnerable, as new district has more Democrats than Republican voters. February 5, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) — State Republicans have lost a last-ditch appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to block Prop 50 redistricting of Congressional
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 stories. This year, we’ve had requests from readers to cover lots of important local issues, but costs have soared with inflation. We need your help to report on local news and be ready for wildfires once brush dries out after
County Supervisors to decide on amplified music for boutique wineries
Photo by Miriam Raftery B y Karen Pearlman Feb. 4, 2026 (San Diego County) – For the winemakers of East County, the sound of progress…
County helps businesses prepare for federal enforcement actions
By Tracy DeFore , County of San Diego Communications Office Image credit: Shutterstock February 4, 2026 (San Diego) – Businesses and employees concerned about federal…
County helps businesses prepare for federal enforcement actions
Printer-friendly version By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office Image credit: Shutterstock February 4, 2026 (San Diego) – Businesses and employees concerned about federal immigration enforcement actions can learn about their rights through a new video training series. The three County videos on what to do before, during and after visits from federal authorities are designed to help keep workplaces safe and compliant. More
Calif. Attorney General asks for help to identify “unlawful” activity of ICE and Border Patrol
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo: ICE and CBP agents shoot non-lethal weapons at protesters in Minneapolis; by Chad Davis cc by 4.0 February 4, 2026 (Sacramento) – California Attorney General Rob Bonta has set up a website for the public to submit reports, photos and/or videos as evidence of potentially unlawful activity in California by federal agents or personnel. This includes
County Supervisors to decide on amplified music for boutique wineries
Printer-friendly versionPhoto by Miriam Raftery By Karen Pearlman Feb. 4, 2026 (San Diego County) – For the winemakers of East County, the sound of progress has long been a quiet one. Under current San Diego County laws, the region’s smallest “boutique” wineries — the family-run operations that make up an important part of the local agriculture scene — have been
SDFC in first CONCACAF tilt with UNAM tonight
Photo courtesy SDFC East County News Service Feb. 3, 2026 (San Diego) – Before starting the regular Major League Soccer season later this month, tonight…
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